The Day of Days (Chaw M Kai Si Lok / 初五启市录 / 初五啟市錄)

Chief's in the boat with the rich girl

It's the hellcat!

Nga-man's being childish

she wants to annoy me to get my attention

She's not really dating the coolie

I came to tell you she won't be seeing you again

Don't bother waiting for her

Your background and social status are so different

Nga-wun naturally wants Nga-man to date someone of equal standing

You have a keen eye!

This potted landscape is called Drunken Peaches

It's exquisite but too small

The Mayor prefers something more robust

No doubt it's small for the Mayor's garden

but it's perfect for your room

I can send it over if you like

You're very kind, Mr Shum

This potted landscape is dainty

but should be expensive with these gems

I can't ask you to pay for it

I like your honesty and I'll level with you

I have a favor to ask of you

You must be kidding, Mr Shum

I can pick out flowers and manage the servants

but I have no rank or official title

An idler like me can't possibly help you

You're the kidder, Miss Mei-ling

You're not an idler

You're the Mayor's sister

his most trusted person

His trust makes you important

You flatter me, Mr Shum

I probably can't help you much

It's actually very simple

I need you to intercede with different departments

and put in a good word for me

That's not a problem

but there's no guarantee how they'll react

Of course...

I ran into Mr Shum the other day

he said he met a western chef

who makes the best goose liver from France

so I thought I'd share this unique dish with all of you

The goose liver is imported from France

It's rare, you must savor it!

Cooking is right up my alley

I should go learn the trick or two

Please enjoy...

Go ahead... Go ahead...

Cheers! Cheers!

Cheers! Cheers!

I was in Hong Kong recently

In addition to meeting this chef

I also met some friends in the ferry business in England

They tell me the ferry business in England is very different from Guangzhou

I've heard of that before

We discussed the Guangzhou and Pearl River inland water transport

We feel the current route is lacking

The population has grown in Zhangjiang

Having one route is definitely not enough

When the army needs the ships for provisions

ordinary citizens are denied access

If we can increase the routes to Wuzhou and Zhangjiang

we can speed up the development in these areas

You're really interested in this?

We have a shipyard in England that can supply the ships

plus the financial standing of Wah Kee Hong

I'm confident this can be done

You've done your homework, Mr Shum

Routes to Zhangjiang, Wuzhou, Xiqiao and Foshan

are under Hip Wo Hong's franchise

A monopoly gives the citizens no choice

They're forced to pay higher prices

They will benefit from a new competitor

Mr Shum has a point!

Adding routes and allowing competitors

is probably not a bad idea

What do you think, Secretary Wong?

Let me think it over

Secretary! Sit down

You asked me here to discuss the new route?

I read your proposal

It's well written and quite feasible

It can also speed up the development along the Pearl River

Thank you for your help!

Here's something for you...

When the new route starts running

You will be guaranteed a monthly take

Listen to me carefully

I agreed to give you a franchise

because I feel there's a genuine need

not because of your bloody money

The Tongs have enjoyed their monopoly for decades

I think it's quite enough

I will not allow anyone else to monopolize the market

Do you understand?

Miss Wun...

What's wrong?

I heard the government will issue another ferry franchise

We should have sold the ferry franchise

but Nga-wun wouldn't listen

because she was sure we'd enjoy the franchise forever

Now look what's happened!

She never listens to anyone

I tried to lobby for a bigger bonus

and she threatened to quit

That's right!

She gave me grief when I overslept and didn't go to inspect the shop

She's harsh with her family

Obviously she must have pissed off others

Just like at the charity ball

some director teased her a bit

and she looked furious

Civilians can never fight state officials

The government's not Hip Wo Hong

State officials don't have to listen to you

That's enough! She does all the work

while you gossip behind her back

That's so unfair!

Hey...

Is that how you speak to your elders? Really!

What do you want?

Please don't argue! We're all concerned

I'm sure Nga-wun will take care of it

She's probably just a rotten cane

What does that mean?

You can't lean on her!

Shall we lean on you? You go fix it!

You have such a sharp tongue!

Miss Wun... Miss Wun...

You're home!

Well? Did you settle it?

They're bluffing, money will settle everything

Let her catch her breath!

Auntie Cheung... Yes?

Get her some ginseng tea!

I'm having dinner with relevant government officials

Good! We're loaded with money

We'll win if money counts

Yes, bury them with money!

Just bury them, Nga-wun!

What kind of attitude is that? Taking it out on us?

I'm used to it!

Maybe it's her period

Miss Wun, they're probably putting on airs by having us wait

One maybe, but not all of them

Miss Mei-ling?

Miss Tong!

Secretary Wong and Chief Cheung promised to be here

Are Director Chu and Director To too busy to come

or will they come later?

Miss Tong, you know I'm an idler

Powerful men like them don't report to me

The longjing tea is quite good!

It's the best of the best!

We only get 10 catties a year

Brother Chai, send 3 catties over to Miss Mei-ling tomorrow

Yes, Miss Wun

You're too kind

I always like to help my friends

I never say no to whoever comes to me

It's a small world

Mr Shum and Mr Pang are my friends

and so are you

I'll help anyone who asks

I can't make one happy and piss off another

I arranged dinner for you

but I can't guarantee they'll show up

Have I overlooked anything?

I'm not nosy

just like I didn't ask you why you wanted to

meet with Secretary Wong and Chief Cheung

There's a saying: Always catch the leader to catch his followers

To put on a show, it's useless to round up the side cast

You need a leading actress to make it happen

Thank you, I'm sorry to trouble you

People like me are only good at bumming a meal

Miss Wun!

Did you set up the appointment with Wong Chun-bong?

I paid him a visit

only to get the door slammed in my face

I asked his staff to set it up and was turned down

He doesn't gamble or drink

Doesn't care for women, money, or vices

I don't know what to do

I won't wait for the other shoe to drop

I tried to see if we have any problems

Is the ferry too expensive?

The schedule too infrequent?

Is the pier too old and in need of refurbishment?

The operation is close to perfect

I don't think that's the problem

If Secretary Wong is not approachable

Why not go directly to the Mayor?

If he agrees, no one under him will object

No one can go directly to the Mayor

Besides, he's a man of his word and never plays favorites

If we fail to lobby him

That might disrupt our other businesses

No one can help us