Original subtitles

Mr. Ma

"Inn"

Get up, up

Get up

Yes, yes

Get up

You shouldn't be in my way

You shouldn't sleep in the stairway, damn it!

You've already kicked me once

I think that's enough

What are you talking about?

He paid you, but there's no space to sleep

And you're beating him up?

He has paid? How much?

If you can afford it

You can go sleep in Xi Hui Fang brothel

There you can pick girls to sleep with you

Don't look down on others

What if I do?

Do you know this is Shanghai?

You country bumpkins from Shantung...

hoping to earn a living here?

Forget it

Never mind, let's go

Ma Yongzhen, watch your back

If you bother me again

I'll make your life miserable here in Shanghai

Damn it!

I heard Shanghai is full of opportunities

What is needed is just the strength and ability

Brother Ma, you haven't had your chance yet

When you have the chance

Your life will pick up

"Xi Hui Fang Brothel"

"Tan"

Hey

Leave! Who told you to wash the horses?

Mister, I'm Xiao Jiangbei. Me and Brother Ma

...have been cleaning up the carriages here

Xiao Jiangbei, there's no need to eXplain to him

Who does he think he is?

He is but a mere coachman

So? You're just a bum

Looking down upon us?

I'm not doing as great as you are now

But I'm sure my good days will come

I doubt it

Stay and wash my carriage, I'll pay you

We don't want your money

You want us to beat you up?

You beat me?

I suggest you cut that out

But if you insist, I can't stop you

Cheeky, are we!

You've got quite a fist

I might be a bum, I can fight

Leave!

Enjoying yourself?

It's tough for us to get the carriage cleaning job

What now?

We can find anotherjob

That's easy for you to say

Hey, wait up

Master Tan Si

Good morning

What's your name?

Ma Yongzhen

Fellow man from Shantung?

You sure have a bad temper

To make a living in Shanghai

You can offend anything and anyone...

eXcept money

Clean up my carriage now

You've the strength

Clean it up and this dollar is yours

Ma Yongzhen, I'm disappointed in you

You planned on picking up the dollar?

If you want to make money

Look right in front of you

This costs quite a bit

Why don't you take this?

That would be robbing

Who doesn't rob in Shanghai?

Back o

Master Tan Si, I've heard of your reputation

You live up to your reputation

If I'm no good, I wouldn't have my reputation

But I'm almost as good as you

You've still got a lot to learn, brother

The coin is still yours

Wait, Master Tan Si

Stop

I don't care for this dollar

Very well, I'm impressed

Brother Ma, are you mad?

Why did you throw away the dollar?

If only I could be like him one day

I've got 20 cents, Brother Ma

Let's go to Pot of Spring teahouse for some ballads

"Pot of Spring Teahouse"

Go! Beat them up!

So that they will disappear from Shanghai

Beat them

Hey, did he kidnap your sister? What's that for?

You...

What?

Look

Life's getting tougher everyday

Even such a vagrant is complaining to me

Are you a vegetarian today?

Move over! Let me deal with him

No? Don't you know why I'm here?

You don't know?

I can't imagine why

This is our turf now

Sing your songs well

Did you see me getting rid of Tan Si's men?

They're dying outside

That's between you and Tan

You better serve me well

Brother Fan...

Still haven't taken care of them?

We were about to wrap up

A man appeared out of no where

Brother Li got hurt too

Who's he? Tan Si's man?

No, a newcomer. Never seen him before

Hey, Li. You broke your arm?

Tell him who I am

Hey you, listen carefully

This is Fan Agen, Head of the 'Four Champions'

I didn't want to fight you

He killed a man

And pushed him on me

Are you working for Tan Si?

I work for myself

I'm sure you've heard...

of 'Four Champions' before?

Yes, I have

And I've just fought with you

The one with the knife isn't that good

You want to get yourself killed?

I bear no grudge against you

But if you insist, I won't stop you

What's your name? Where do you live?

Ma Yongzhen. I live in an inn when...

I can afford it, otherwise I live on the streets

Fine, I'll be looking for you. Let's go

Let's go

Got outdone by him

Never mind, let's go

That kid has got fists like iron

He's got to have practised for at least 10 years

Where is he from?

No idea

Xiao Jiangbei, the one who's with Ma

I know him, he's just a hillbilly

No wonder Li got his arm broken

Ma Yongzhen won't be easy to deal with

Let's go and report to the boss

Let's go

Brother Ma, you're still in the mood for music?

Of course

We've got nothing better to do

You beat two of the 'Four Champions'

Three of them

That was brief with their leader

He'll hurt for a few days

Jin Lingzi, come here

Yes

What do you want to listen?

I have no money for tunes

You helped us kick out the 'Four Champions'

It's the least we could do

We could do with friends like you

I didn't do that for you

I don't need you to treat me

Here's a few dollars, keep it

After I've reported to Master Tan Si...

I'm Ma Yongzhen, Master Tan Si knows me

Tell him that

I didn't do this for him

I did this for myself

I don't want your money, or his money

I'll see him again

Wait till we are equals

Yes, yes

Goodbye then

The 'Four Champions' work for Boss Yang

Better stay away from them

I didn't provoke them

But I am involved now

You work for me

What's this? Asking me for help?

No, boss

We could have nailed him

Only that...

What? You're afraid of Tan Si?

I sent you to compete for his territory

What are you afraid of?

Boss

Ma Yongzhen doesn't work for Tan Si

I fear that he will lean onto his side

That won't do any damage to Tan Si

You've been working for me a long time

Don't you get this?

Boss, I've an idea

We'll use Ma as a pawn against Tan Si

That will save us lots of trouble

Now that you've got status

You don't want to do the dirty work?

Boss, we'll go and deal with Tan Si now

You think Tan Si would be so easy to handle?

Send a dinner invitation to Tan Si

Inviting him for dinner?

You must all attend

And apologize to him

Trust me, it's the right thing to do

You've got so much to learn

Any special business going on?

Wrestling tournament, we've a foreign boXer

Each challenger has to pay 20 cents

Whoever knocks him down

Can get 20 dollars

That should be profitable

Buy wine for the men with the profit

Maintain a low profile these few days

Tan Si is competing with us for the opium deal

There might be bloodshed

Yes, yes

Wait, that Ma Yongzhen...

Ma Yongzhen

One of you pays him a visit

You met him through a fight

It's better to have a friend

...than a foe

Yes

Lu Pu, you heard them

A bloody mere cipher...

broke Li Caichun's arm

And is responsible for Agen's swollen fist

Boss, let me take care of him

Not yet

Not yet

I'm off

Bye

Bye

Let's have something to eat. I'm treating

Afterwards we'll go to find some girls

You're thinking about hookers?

You'd be lucky to get past the Four Champions

You could have asked for Master Tan's help

You don't get it. I envy him

I want to be like him, I don't want his help

Yes, that day will come soon

He's eating eXpensive dishes, you're having noodles

He's sleeping with the high class courtesans

And you with the lowest of sluts

He has his own carriage

You can't even afford a trishaw ride

I'll make a name of my own one day

Let's drink to Master Tan Si

Cheers

Boss Yang

These men who work for me

...are blessed by their ancestors

Someone took care of the situation

There was a savior

I've asked them to

...apologize to you

So I hope this will be over

Sure

About the shipment arriving neXt month...

Boss Yang...

this is no time for business

It's late

Where's your friend now?

Soliciting a female company

I don't know where he is

I'll go look for him

Hatchet Zhang Jinfa of the Four Champions

...is waiting for you with seven men

You better stay away

Don't worry, I've seen them before

Xiao Jiangbei told me, but...

Don't worry, I'll be fine

We see each other everyday

We've helped each other out

When my life turns better

I won't forget my poor fellow-men

Brother Ma

Ma Yongzhen

We came here to see you

Move away, Xiao Jiangbei

You don't believe us? Look

What do you want?

Boss Yang sent me here to tell you

He's got a job offer for you

He's got a job offer

What kind ofjob?

You should know that Boss Yang and Tan Si

They've been rivals

Men working for Tan Si are all useless

If you can take over his jurisdiction

Boss Yang won't bother you

What's this about?

Boss Yang's handout?

Think it over

If you don't have enough men

Boss Yang can help you

Never mind

Go tell Boss Yang

I've met with Master Tan Si once

He's a man of influence

And I'm a poor man who sleeps here

But I think of him as a friend

You're going up against us?

What are you scared of?

You've got men, knives, hatchets

You control half of Shanghai

You don't have to worry about me

I don't think you'd dare to do anything

Brother Ma

Go

Ma Yongzhen, I think your luck begins

There's an empty room upstairs, go sleep

Don't hang around in the attic

I can't afford the rent upstairs

Just pay when you have the money

Unbelievable

You are never that generous

Please go

Brother Ma is going up the ladder

Brother Ma

Xiao Jiangbei

Brother Ma, there's a foreign wrestler

Think you can tackle him?

What?

There's a wrestling contest against a foreign strong man

20 cents for a challenge

You can have a challenge on stage

If you can knock him down

You stand to win 20 bucks

20 dollars? Let's go

"Russian Muscle Man's Wrestling Tournament"

That's unfair

Do you know how to?

Calm down, everyone

Anyone else upto the challenge?

If you can knock him down

You get 20 dollars

I'll have a go

Try hard

In the past week, we've made an average...

profit of 20, 30 dollars a day

So many people are hoping to strike it rich

Beat him

More power

Get up and fight

Go! Yes!

Ma Yongzhen's here

I just recovered, he's here again?

Ma Yongzhen? He's here for the wrestling, eh?

That's the word

Tan Si has given his territory...

nearby the Pot of Spring teahouse to him

Ma didn't take the protection fees

He just told them to keep the money

He hasn't shown up in more than ten days

If he's here to challenge, he's not in it for the cash

How could you do that?

That's unfair

Are you up to it, Brother Ma?

This guy knows kung fu, it should be fun

Gentlemen, please sit down

Please know your limits before your challenge

This Russian has gone everywhere

He is matchless

I'll try

Please

Go! Go! Go!

Great!

Go, Brother Ma!

Well done, Brother Ma!

EXcellent!

You've got guts

Brother Ma

You deserve this, muscle man

Well done

Can I go now?

Leave...

Ma Yongzhen

Look what you've done to my business

That's your rules

The Russian bum is a laugh, and you too?

Look down

What do you have to say now?

Hear my fists

How's your arm?

Go, Brother Ma!

20 dollars is yours

I can'tjust leave like this

You told me to say something

What do you want to say?

I want to tell you to go to the doctor again

I only dislocated yourjoint

If you can't even bear the pain

You don't live up to your name

Haven't been to Pot of Spring Teahouse for a while

Right

You three

Get all our poor friends from the inn

I'll be waiting in the teahouse

Sure, let's go

Great!

You may order whatever you like to eat, sir

The cashier will be coming soon

The cashier? Do I owe you money?

Stop kidding, Boss Ma

Boss Ma... Boss Ma!

Here comes the cashier

Brother Ma, we've been awaiting you a long time

You've been busy

The protection fees we've collected, please count

Protection fees?

Yes

The money...

After the turf war against the Four Champions

Master Tan Si said he couldn't collect

The protection fees...

of the hawkers in the area

in the vicinity of the teahouse

For you kicked the Four Champions out

This territory is yours from now on

Brother Ma, this is only a small turf

Five, siX dollars a day

Mater Tan Si said...

If Brother Ma has enough men

Then we don't need to interfere

But if there's anything we can do

We would treat you like Master Tan Si

Brother Ma

It's 67 dollars 80 cents in total, count it

There're lots of people working for you

Master Tan Si asked for a low rate

If you want to raise the amount

No one will oppose

We just want to do business peacefully

That's enough

Xiao Jiangbei, I'm now in charge of the

...territory around this teahouse

Let's have a feast

Don't hesitate

It's my treat

Miss Jin, it's Brother Ma's first day here

Something cheerful would be in order

Yes, yes

What would you like to listen, boss Ma?

Whatever

I won't take it. Spare us the protection fee for 10 days

What's your problem, Jin Lingzi?

What's your attitude about?

Master Tan Si, Brother Ma

or Jin Laoqi from earlier days

or whoever is in charge neXt

We must pay protection fees to him

What's wrong with that?

If you don't pay...

what do we live on?

Sing

Yes

What's with the face?

Be cheerful

Forget it if you don't wish to sing

Brother Ma, drag her back in

No, she...

Let's drink some more

Come on, cheers

Don't be mad

It's business, we've to deal with it

It's back into place

You've embarrassed me

Boss Yang

Ma Yongzhen has got his ways

Tan Si handed over to him Pot of Spring's turf

He's difficult to handle, now that he has power

There's no point to rush

This might be Tan Si's strategy

I'll think of something. Let's deal with Tan Si first

Boss

How is it?

The weapons will arrive in 2 months

Two men will bring in a load of gunpowder

They'll arrive in 20 days

Tan Si's gang is dealing with them

When will they meet?

Don't know yet

But I've bribed one of his men

He'll keep me informed

What's the matter with you?

There's a new boss from time to time

It's nothing new

You've never cried because of that

Leave me alone

Fine, then tell me

The other day you said Ma Yongzhen's a good man with skills.

You smiled when mentioning him

Why the change?

Look at him today

What's the difference between him and the rest?

He's just a gangster

But I think he's nice to you

If that's someone else

You couldn't have got away today

I don't need him to be nice to me

Lingzi,

you have a lady's temper but a maid's destiny

Uncle, let's head back for our home town

What's going on?

What are you doing?

Brother Ma said 3 dollars each

Who wants it?

"Xingcheng Carriage Company"

"Ma"

Look

This is the same model as Master Tan's

Who's the owner?

Ma Yongzhen, Brother Ma

Brother Ma... haven't heard of

You'll know when you go to Pot of Spring

In Shanghai,

Some rise, some fall everyday

Mister... mister

You owe three days' money

Don't you want to keep your business?

Business has been slow

Please be reasonable

If business isn't good, then go some place else

Here atleast I'm able to earn a little

If I go else where...

This man owes three days' money

Should we punch him?

Nonsense

So he owes three days' money

He will settle when he has

We all started out poor

We all had our penniless days

Don't press them

Yes, yes

Please

Jin Lingzi is still not here?

No, she isn't

Since you've been in charge

She hasn't been working here

Should I check out where she's singing now?

So that we can teach her a lesson?

No, if she doesn't want to be here

Let her be

Brother Ma, that Jin Lingzi

...is quite a pretty girl

She's a good match for you

Stop this

I can have any woman I want

We're earning very little lately

Brother Ma

We didn't beat up the candy vendor

I'm afraid we won't get a single buck tomorrow

Don't go bothering them

They are poor, they've got nothing to give you

How does Master Tan Si make his living?

Master Tan Si runs several casinos

That's where the main income is from

Brother Ma, how could you get your share?

I won't touch Master Tan's territory

And I can't take others

If we don't get our hands on a casino

Others will

It's Master Tan's turf from here eastwards

Westwards belong to the Four Champions

The Qunfu Lane nearby

The casinos and brothels there

They make thirty, forty a day

That's profitable

How come no one's interested?

Of course there are

Two months ago, Tian Bibo, Chen Xingrong

...tried and died in front of the lane

Any of you volunteer to go with me?

Fine, I'll go alone

Call all the men, wait for me at the entrance

Enter the lane only when I'm done

If I fail...

Then you'll go back to your poor days at the inn

Brother Ma, you...

I know how to play this game

If you're satisfied with your turf

You won't be able to keep it

Xiao Jiangbei, to Qunfu Lane

Sure

He's got guts

Master Tan Si was the same then

We have a great leader

Stop here

"Qunfu Lane"

Xiao Jiangbei, I'm hoping to take over here

Drive the carriage back

If I fail

Sell the carriage and go back to your village

Brother Ma, you're doing this on your own?

I... I'll go with you

You're an honest man, not a gangster

Just listen

"Hongfu Casino"

Win

Come