Original subtitles

Come here.

You know me?

Everyone knows you.

You know Young Jun?

Tell him it's time.

Go.

What's going on here?

Hey, how's it going?

You guys seem to have wandered off

Long Zii territory.

It's okay.

We all get turned around now and then.

I'd be happy to point you in the right direction.

You're the one who's turned around, motherfucker.

Wow, you escalated that pretty fast.

Usually there's a little more repartee,

a few zingers

before the hatchets come out, you know?

Walk away, asshole.

We fought the ducks together for one day.

Now Mai Ling thinks she can just set up opium dens

in Hop Wei territory?

That's against the treaty.

And, you know, basic common sense.

So take your molasses, get the fuck out of here,

or I'll take it,

and then you'll have to explain to Mai Ling

how you lost your opium and got your asses kicked.

Huh.

Still gonna feed you that hatchet in three seconds.

Listen to me, you dumb fuck...

- Two. - I don't know what you think

- is gonna happen here. - One.

It's not gonna end well.

- All right, let's go, boys! - Yeah!

Let's go get 'em!

Now, boys. Let's go!

Come on.

Hey, how's it going?

You know there's a door right there.

Shut up and help me up.

San Francisco police!

Stand down!

Hey!

Get up!

Police! Hold your ground! Hold your ground!

Ah Sahm!

Don't move.

Put your hands where I can see 'em.

It's not my hands you have to worry about.

Yeah?

You think you can kick faster than a 12-gauge?

They finally put this place back together,

and you and the Long Zii are out here

tearing it apart again.

You're the one coming in here every day with an army of cops,

busting heads.

Because it's fucking chaos here.

Only since you cops started cracking down in Chinatown.

Hey, I was here during that riot

trying to keep your people safe.

We don't need you to keep us safe.

We need you to stay the hell out of our business.

Tong business.

I mean every business the cops have shut down

with these bullshit ordinances.

People are starving.

And how are your turf wars gonna feed them?

Fuck's sake!

Get the fuck out of here.

Little shit.

Stone, no shooting! We're pulling out.

- What are you talking about? - Fight's over.

We're not here to start it up again.

Come on! Let's fall back!

Fuck, Bill.

Something on your mind?

Ever since the chief kicked it,

you've had your eye on his damn job.

And you're tying our fucking hands behind our backs.

You sure you wanna speak to the new chief that way?

You're not him yet.

And where is Mr. Greer? Hmm?

Hey, Greer!

Greer!

Mr. Greer.

So good to see you again.

- 100 for the lot? - As agreed.

They look kinda old.

100, you get old.

200, you get new.

I say this. You choose 100.

I know what I chose.

I just wanna make sure they work.

I test all myself.

Oh, yeah?

And I'm supposed to take your word for it?

Hey.

"Hey" what?

Think anyone's gonna miss one uppity Chinaman?

You got something to say?

One...

hundred...

dollar.

You're one ballsy Chinaman, I'll give you that.

"One hundred dollar."

Now get the fuck out of here.

[in Cantonese] These fucking bulls.

Suddenly you can't throw a stick in Chinatown

without hitting one.

[in English] Used to be the Chinatown squad was a joke.

Now they got half the police force cracking skulls.

It's all politics.

Ducks are just trying to look tough before the election.

Yeah, but why they gotta shut down

all my favorite spots, though?

I finally find a decent egg tart,

and bang, Mr. Gaoyuan is gone, man.

Meanwhile, Mai Ling breaks the treaty

and we can't even retaliate

because of all these damn bulls.

We're losing protection money and we're losing guys.

Either we find a way to dodge these ordinances

- or we're fucked. - Yeah.

Young Jun.

I am, uh, honored.

And I am, uh, pissed off.

I'm only here because my men have come up empty-handed

two weeks in a row.

I know, and I'm sorry,

but the bulls shut us down twice in the last month.

These are tough times for all of us.

But that doesn't absolve us of our debts.

I'm happy to pay for the protection, but...

I don't see that we're protected now.

Do you really wanna talk to me like that?

I don't have the money to pay you.

I'm just telling you how it is.

Your father would've understood.

My father isn't running things anymore.

I am.

So if I were you, I'd leave him

the fuck out of this conversation.

If he could see you now...

This fucking onion.

Hey, let's--

let's let Hong handle this, huh?

It's okay. You're the boss.

You shouldn't be collecting anyway...

Boss.

You better watch the way you fucking talk to me,

old man.

Handle it.

Young Jun. Hey, hey.

What the fuck was that?

What?

Getting in my way like that!

You were beating on an old man.

I was making a fucking point.

He disrespected me.

You want respect,

you're not gonna get it by flying off the fucking handle.

Don't you ever challenge me in public again.

It's getting dangerous out there.

Fuck.

The bulls are coming in larger numbers,

shutting down businesses, damaging our property.

Our unity might be the only weapon we have

against this enemy.

The Jiang Yao Tong has always enjoyed

a friendship with the Long Zii.

But the truth is, the more tongs there are,

the more we are divided.

And so as you asked

and under the terms you stipulated,

the Jiang Yao Tong are honored to become part of the Long Zii.

We pledge our blades, our blood,

and our souls to the Long Zii and to its leader,

Mai Ling.

Kong Pak.

After leading a tong for so long,

I'm sure this was not an easy decision.

It wasn't.

But when you're given no choice,

the choice becomes clear.

Li Yong tells me you're a great warrior...

And an honorable man.

I hope you will sit on my council with the elders.

It would be my honor.

Well, then...

Welcome to the Long Zii.

I am Irish. Dublin-born.

And it pains me, as I'm sure it does

everyone on this council, to be unable

to hire Irish labor.

But with lumber prices bleeding me dry,

I just don't have the margins.

If you don't have the margins to pay a living wage,

you're doing something wrong.

It's a wage the Chinese can live on.

A dog could live on it too, but that doesn't make it right.

Mr. Leary, we've been through this.

If you would simply study the economics--

I understand the economics.

Well, then why don't you explain them to me?

Because clearly, we're seeing the numbers differently.

I'll give you a number.

25,000.

What's that?

That's how many chinks there are in this city.

And not a single damn one of them can vote.

Now...

do you happen to know

how many Irish there are in San Francisco?

I have no idea.

Well, Mr. Buckley does.

He's got that special election to win.

And I got 30,000 votes he needs to do it.

How many votes do you have?

Mr. Leary, you've been on this council long enough

to know we all want the Chinese gone, but given--

But that won't stop you all

from making every last buck you can

while they're still here.

If I could show you what I am paying for steel and lumber--

So negotiate with your suppliers!

You think I haven't? It's all I do!

Enough.

We're going round in circles.

That's because no one ever says anything new.

Welcome to politics, Mr. Leary.

Now, I move to adjourn.

Seconded.

Fuck.

I've got seniority.

And Flannagan himself recommended me for the position

before he passed.

So what's Mr. Buckley waiting for?

He needs a police chief, doesn't he?

I think he's just sorting himself out.

He's focused on keeping his own job right now.

He practically gave you the keys to the city

when you arrested that swordsman.

It will happen, and when it does,

I will be out of Chinatown for good.

I miss you.

I miss my family.

Please come home.

Get out of Chinatown, and we can talk about it.

Molly. Michael. Cut it out right now.

Some whiskey, Bill?

Thank you.

And how did that go?

Okay, I think.

And the chief job?

- Any day now. - Excellent.

Well, you have a wonderful family,

but it's a large one.

And I would love to get these people out of my house.

Michael, stop doing that to your sister.

Molly, look after your brother.

Headed back to Sonoma?

Just a weekend trip.

So is someone running the place while you're gone,

or is it on the honor system?

Chao will keep an eye on things.

- Chao? - Mm-hmm.

Yeah, and who is keeping an eye on him?

Feels like you're gone more than you're here these days.

Miss me?

Things are getting worse out there.

I'm of no use to you right now.

How's the shoulder?

Mm, I'm starting to be able to move it again.

How are things at the Hop Wei?

Not great.

And Young Jun?

Doesn't take a lot to set him off these days.

Doing what I can to keep him on point.

If Young Jun can't find his way as a leader,

there's nothing you can do about it.

Some things are beyond even your control.

Yeah, maybe I should just start leaving town with you.

There's plenty of room in the carriage.

Mai Ling.

Mr. Buckley.

How goes the campaign?

Running for a position I already have,

it's a tricky business.

You mean democracy.

Politics.

Glad-handing. Crowd-pleasing. It's not in my nature.

I'm sure.

You know, if it helps,

an old Chinese philosopher once said,

"No one is ever defeated

until defeat has been accepted as reality."

Thank you. It doesn't.

You caused quite a fracas the other day.

It was a misunderstanding.

You were making a move into Hop Wei territory.

I'm keeping the police off your back

as per our arrangement,

but expanding your operations

was never part of the agreement.

Then I'll change our agreement.

You offered me some Chinese wisdom.

I will offer you some American.

Benjamin Franklin said,

"Necessity never made a good bargain."

You might think you have me at a disadvantage

with that incriminating photograph,

but there's only so far you can push me

before I decide your leverage isn't worth the price.

No more moves.

No more violence of any kind until after the election.

Understood.

Believe me,

the Long Zii greatly value our relationship

with the mayor of San Francisco.

For your campaign.

If the glad-handing ever gets to be too much,

just do what I do.

Imagine your knife in their throat.

Here you go, boys.

We closed our tab.

This round's on me.

Charity?

It's just a round, Killy.

Wouldn't need your round if we were working.

I thought the idea of you joining the city council

was to get rid of the Chinese and get us all working again.

What the fuck do you think I'm doing?

You think I like sitting 'round a table

with those fat fucks talking down to me?

I can't just force them to write new laws.

Listen.

It's like anything else, right?

You find the pressure points,

and then you dig your thumbs in.

These things take time.

Ooh, careful there.

You're even starting to sound like a politician.

You're an asshole when you're drunk, Killy.

And a cunt when I'm sober.

Whiskey, three glasses.

- Anything else? - That's all.

What time is it?

Bedtime.

Earn your keep, baby.

Hey!

- You all right? - I'm all right. I'm all right.

Hey! Come here.

Hey!

Get the fuck off me!

Hey, what are you doing? He's robbing me!

It's nine drinks between the two of you,

plus everything you broke.

He didn't pay for his fucking drinks.

So take that up with him!

Now, I see you in here again,

I'ma hang you up like Mama's wet washing.

What?

Just go.

- Asshole! - My hero.

Just keeping the peace.

Richard?

Bad one?

Um, not--not too bad.

What the fuck is this?

Standard hatchet, bevel blade, U.S. steel.

The Long Zii use these.

And you make it for them.

I didn't make this.

But you do deal with them.

- Hatchets? - The Long Zii.

I deal with a lot of people.

Hmm.

You sit here drinking like you're one of us,

but tomorrow, you might sell the blade that kills me.

Or I might save your life.

Your father understood the value

of an independent contractor with his ear to the streets.

My father valued loyalty above all.

And so do I.

At some point, you're gonna have to choose a side.

You know, Zing said the exact same thing to me.

Ask for my help, and I will happily give it.

But don't threaten me.

Doesn't work.

- Something up? - I don't trust him.

It's Chao. You pay and he delivers.

And that's what you trust.

Cause and effect, right?

It's very Buddhist.

You a Buddhist?

Fuck no.

Come on, boss.

You here to fuck with Chao or to get some sticky?

Hey.

- What was that? - Just the new boss flexing.

Think he's starting to get paranoid.

This business about Mai Ling

being your sister isn't helping matters.

I mean, what'd you think would happen?

I just didn't figure she would tell him.

It was a cold and reckless

and ultimately brilliant move on her part.

Classic Mai Ling.

I think he's still worried about it.

He should be.

Chao, I am loyal to the tong.

You crossed the salt to find her.

And she ordered my death.

Family can be complicated.

- Look, if you ask me... - I didn't.

I don't see you moving against your own sister,

and neither does Young Jun.

You've gotta keep an eye on him.

He's not his father.

He goes off the wrong way,

he could bring down the whole tong.

We might not have to wait that long.

The bulls are bleeding us dry.

We don't have the chop to pay for our molasses,

and now Happy Jack won't release the product.

None of which reflects well on the new boss.

I get it. Hmm.

I may be able to help.

Yeah?

I delivered some shooters to these guys on the docks.

While I was there, I saw cash.

Piles of it.

We're not thieves, Chao.

Now is exactly the wrong time to get proud.

Now is the time to adapt or die.

Sergeant O'Hara.

May I have a moment?

Of course, Mr. Mayor.

I know you've been waiting for news

ever since Chief Flannagan passed away,

and I appreciate your patience.

Of course, sir.

I know conventional wisdom has you next in line for chief.

But based on a number of extenuating factors...

I'm afraid I've had to go another way.

Another way?

I expect you to be a professional about this.

Sergeant O'Hara, meet Colonel Benjamin Atwood,

our new chief of police.

Sergeant.

I'm sorry.

Who the hell is this?

Chief Atwood comes to us from New York City,

where he was extremely successful

in bringing to bear his military experience,

as well as the law, to clean up their Chinatown.

San Francisco is nothing like New York.

No.

But the Chinese are the Chinese everywhere, aren't they?

Mr. Gumm, why don't you show the chief to his new office?

I'm sure he'd like to get started right away.

That job was mine.

Only in your mind.

I'm facing an election,

and a significant pillar of my platform

is bringing order to Chinatown.

And that riot left our citizens shaken,

wondering how vulnerable they are

to savage foreigners living in their midst.

And I am the one who brought order to that riot.

Maybe.

But I would argue that the entire thing happened

because you failed to transport a single prisoner--

the man who murdered our mayor, I might add.

It's not as simple as that, and you know it.

The voters don't want excuses.

They want results.

And Atwood gets results.

He will tear Chinatown apart

and put the fear of God into those heathens.

He's an outsider. These are my men.

You can't expect them to just follow him.

He brought some of his own men from New York.

The rest will take their cues from you,

and if you can't deliver those cues,

you can deliver me your resignation

by the end of the day.

Sergeant.

I've been waiting for you.

I come as early as I can.

Oh!

[in Cantonese] How are you, Lai?

Yes, I'll be staying for a few days.

Mm!

Come inside.

You see black on wall?

This from fire.

You remember riot?

After the mayor die,

many fire.

Yes.

That was a horrible time.

But Chinese people work hard.

Build back their home, hmm?

It should never have happened.

Well, they did kill the mayor.

Frannie!

Very sad what happen to your mayor.

Maybe a Chinese man kill him.

Maybe not.

There bad Chinese people

and maybe bad white people too, no?

But most of us good,

right?

- Of course. - Of course.

This way!

Please meet Mai Ling.

Very successful businesswoman in Chinatown.

Oh, my.

She's really beautiful.

Thank you.

So are you.

Would you like to come inside and have some tea?

I've just finished renovating,

and it's been ages since I've had any guests.

You speak like an American.

When in Rome.

Please. Come in.

I was forced into marriage with a very powerful warlord.

He was cruel to me.

And there was nowhere in China I could run

where he wouldn't find me.

And so I started secretly bringing weapons from his home

to the market and selling them.

He had so many. Never missed them.

And eventually, I had enough money

for a ticket to America.

My Lord.

What would he have done if he had caught you?

He would have killed me.

Oh, but if I had stayed,

he would have eventually killed me anyway.

Or I would have killed myself.

And now you have men working for you.

I have to imagine there were almost no opportunities

for a Chinese woman here.

It's really very impressive.

How did you do it?

Well, I just have one rule, really.

But it's--it's served me well.

Be smarter.

Than whom?

Than the men.

Thank you for having us in your home.

It was so inspiring to hear your story.

We're having a small reception in a few days.

Just some close friends.

But I think they would love to hear your story.

And it would be such a unique opportunity

for people to meet

a truly exceptional Chinese woman

who has overcome so much.

You're inviting me to your home?

Yes.

And I insist you come.

The details are on the card.

Goodbye.

Chao did well.

That group was much better than the last one.

Our new house is already paying dividends.

You disapprove.

I just don't like the way they look at you.

They are fascinated with us.

If I can gain their trust,

I can make them see us as people to do business with.

Chinatown is getting smaller.

We need to expand beyond it.

Out in the pond, not everyone hates us.

They'll never treat us as equals.

No.

But the ducks are greedy.

And our money is as good as anyone else's.

Does it still hurt?

Not so much.

I move fine, no?

Yes, you do.

By the way, I think I may have found another property.

Just a few miles from here.

Another one?

We could help more girls.

Maybe I buy it with you.

If you want to, yes.

It's very nice here.

With you.

Yeah?

Well, maybe you should consider staying longer.

Longer? How long?

Always.

Always?

Why not?

You're here so much these days as it is.

Hmm. I have business in Chinatown.

This is better business.

Maybe it's time to think about a change.

Huh?

Maybe.

You're getting slow in your old age.

You want some company?

You sure you're up for it?

I'm sure I'm not.

My ribs still remember the last time you hit me.

Mm-hmm.

I have a better idea.

Look, you know if I had the choice,

I would not have joined the Long Zii.

But I have to say, if nothing else,

it's nice to be your brother in arms again.

It's been too long since we fought on the same side.

I agree, brother.

Our friendship kept the peace

between our tongs for many years.

Yes, it did.

If only you had a friend like me in the Hop Wei.

The thing is, the Hop Wei are less of a threat today

than they were yesterday.

Maybe.

But Ah Sahm is no less dangerous.

Don't worry about Ah Sahm.

The beauty of no longer being the head of a tong

is that I don't worry about anything.

I leave that to you.

You know,

we all believed you would take over

when Long Zii died.

Wasn't that your understanding with the old man?

Mai Ling has done more for the tong

than I ever could have.

I'm not a leader.

To Long Zii.

To the Long Zii.

Are you kidding me?

Just wanted you to know that I'm still holding onto it.

In case, you know, you ever wanna come back.

I could really use you,

what with this new chief and all.

I thought you were supposed to be the new chief.

I thought so too.

Mr. Buckley felt otherwise.

I'm sorry, Bill.

But I'm not coming back.

Now you sound like my wife.

She's still at her sister's?

The plan was, I was gonna be chief

and out of Chinatown, and she'd come home.

Now, I have no idea how to get her back.

Bill.

It's bad enough you drink for free.

If you start recruiting,

I'm gonna have to break your legs.

Yes, ma'am.

Do I need to worry about you?

No more than usual.

Good.

That's a good woman you've got there.

Sweet as stolen honey.

But she can ride the rough string.

Right.

I assume that was you agreeing with me.

I'll be seeing you.

She'll come back, Bill.

Just give her time.

That's what she said about you.

Turns out, you're both idiots.

What's this?

Those are your new lumber prices.

I paid Sanderson a visit last night.

What'd you do to him?

I negotiated.

And now you have the margins to hire Irish labor.

He'll honor these numbers?

He will.

They don't completely bridge the gap,

but they do give me room to maneuver.

You understand your men will be working alongside the Chinese.

Will they agree to that?

How many men?

15.

20.

Done.

Good evening.

What the fuck is this?

Watch out.

Watch out for what, motherfucker?

Huh?

That.

Hey, you!

Oh.

Hey, asshole.

Think you're gonna rob us?

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!

Oh, God!

You get what you pay for.

So where's this money?

- It was right here. - Are you kidding me?

I don't see any money, Chao.

What the hell is this?

Something better.

The fuck are you talking about?

You know, my father always said,

the best way to make money...

is to make money.