Original subtitles

In 1930, after the success of the Northern Expedition,

the Nanjing Government formed a new government.

Yet the city centre of Shanghai was still divided into

the Chinese Territory, the International Settlement and the French Concession,

each with their own laws independent of each other.

Triad influence kept expanding within the French Concession.

In particular, Shankeng Company, owned by the 3 tycoons of Shanghai,

monopolised the opium trade and had money rolling in,

making them so powerful they're almost untouchable.

Meanwhile, when the League of Nations called for an international ban on opium,

the new government, eager to establish stability and credibility,

implemented a national ban on drugs,

winning support from the people.

Crackdown on drugs...

Opium will ruin the nation and its people...

Crackdown on drugs...

Opium will ruin the nation and its people...

(Swallow Nest, Chinese Territory)

Quit opium if you're broke!

You still owe me from last time!

Can you go faster?

Crackdown on drugs...

Opium will ruin the nation and its people...

Ting-ting, what are you doing in the demonstration?

Siu-hong, look what opium has done to China!

We can’t sit back and do nothing!

Mr. Kiu...

Join us, Siu-hong!

Join us!

Opium will ruin the nation and its people...

Go to Hell!

Stop it!

Bravo!

Take it easy, stop beating him!

He was trying to get a freebie! He deserved it!

Help me, Father!

You're not leaving until you pay.

I know Hr. KM, take I:...

Everyone in Shanghai knows him. But does he know you?

I'm taking him with me.

You're not getting away!

Crackdown on drugs...

No...

Crackdown on drugs...

Pay up or you're dead!

They sell opium and beat people up!

Stop it! You creeps are lawless!

Don't go easy on these creeps!

Let's burn down this Swallow Nest.

Fix them and put out the fire!

Stop it!

Ma Yee, Brother Tin said not to hurt the students.

They burnt so much opium,

I must answer to Brother Shan.

Stop it!

Brother Tin said, go easy on the students.

He'll bear full responsibility.

Let them go.

Chi-man!

Scarface, the Police are coming! Go now!

It's OK, you can go!

Let's go!

Father!

Uncle Wah!

Father!

Uncle Wah!

Father!

As long as you're safe!

I'm fine, Father!

Uncle Wah!

Father!

Uncle Wah!

Father!

I have to go now!

Very well, see you!

How did it go?

It's taken care of. The students are gone.

They burnt part of the Swallow Nest,

we lost a few dozen cases of goods.

That's nothing as long as no one is hurt.

When we arrived, the boys were beating up the students.

After I stopped them,

I found Uncle Wah lying on the ground, covered with blood.

We rushed him to the hospital,

but...he died before we reached the hospital

You started out working for me,

if no one would tell you, I will.

I'm telling you this because you're like a son to me.

I don't want to see you go astray.

Nothing good would come to you.

Who did it?

Someone under Brother Shan called Scarface.

He went crazy beating up Uncle Wah.

Uncle Wah was still worried about his son even when he was dying.

Kuen, take us to Uncle Wah.

No, to Shankeng.

To Shankeng.

(French Concession)

Inspector, we just got word,

you've busted a burglar gang

and retrieved a lot of jewellery.

Inspector, how come you can always make an arrest and break a case so quickly?

What's your secret?

Under the Chief Inspector's leadership,

we have the highest percentage of solved cases in the shortest possible time.

That's why he's the highest-ranked Chinese detective in the French Concession Police.

It's my job to solve the cases.

Burglars are nothing.

When Vice President Song was assassinated at the train station,

it only took me 5 days to catch the killer.

Who took my parking space?

What's the matter with you?

The Commissioner is back, move the car!

Do I have to do it myself?

I'm sorry I took your place, Mr. Fiori.

I was hounded by reporters as soon as I got out of the car.

I didn't have time to park it properly.

Are you finished? Move it!

Not quite.

The reporters wanted to know how powerful I am,

and how I could close a case so quickly.

I told them as long as I'm around,

there'll be peace in the French Concession.

If I want chaos,

I'll just sit on my hands and do nothing.

Am I right, Mr. Fiori?

You have such a keen eye, Chief.

The diamond bracelet is the best piece in the whole lot.

Is that for Miss Yee-hung?

Put that in a nice gift box.

Right!

Divvy up the jewellery!

We're rich...

More to come as you work for Brother Tong.

Divvy them up...

Tim, did you send for Scarface's arrest?

What's going on? He's one of ours.

One of ours? Since when?

He works for Brother Shan.

You know how he is. He'll go crazy!

Do you know what the Chief is thinking?

What's the racket?

Chief!

At the Swallow Nest in the Chinese Territory some old man was making trouble.

Brother Shan's henchman Scarface went a bit crazy and killed him.

It's no big deal, but Tim had him arrested.

I'm afraid...

Afraid of what? A killer must pay with his life.

So what if he works for Kung Siu-shan?

He will be arrested if he's broken the law.

But Brother Shan will be pissed.

Pissed? I want him to know a killer must pay with his life.

If Kung Siu-shan wants to protect his minion

I'll have him arrested as well.

You get the Chiefs drift?

He has been barking long enough.

I know what he's up to.

He wants to turn against me.

The more he wants to do that, the more I must pin him down.

Kiu Ngo-tin!

Brother Shan!

Mr. Kung!

Tell me, did Chak Kam-tong arrest Scarface?

What?

What?

Not only did he arrest my man, he intends to pin me down.

He's slighting me by saying that! He thinks I'm a small time crook?

Fine! It's time I turned against him!

No, Mr. Kung! That's Mr. Chak's favourite!

Really? His favourite?

That's enough!

Me? Listen, without me, you and Chak Kam-tong have nothing.

I made the connections with the warlords. That's why Shankeng is rolling in money.

Killing an old man is no big deal.

How can he arrest my boy? That's outrageous!

Then what do you want?

Tell him, I should be the Chief!

Either he lets Scarface go right away,

or I'll tear down his Police station as well as Paramount.

(Shanghai at night...is a sleepless town)

(Lights are on, cars are honking)

(People sing and dance)

(while she greet you with a smile...)

The bracelet is nice, but the style is not too chic.

It's tacky to wear something like this.

Mr. Chin, that girl's singing is terrible.

Get rid of her and let me sing.

We signed a contract with Little Rose,

I'm afraid Mrs. Chak won't agree.

Right! That hellcat wife of yours calls the shots in Paramount.

She'd never let me sing in here.

(Reminiscing the night life like a dream...)

Brother Tin!

Boss!

Chief...

We need to talk...

It's late! Chin, take Yee-hung home!

Yes, Chief!

I'll go home alone again?

Boss, the goods that were burnt, I think...

Chief, it's the students from the National University who burnt our goods.

National University? Burn it down!

Burn the university?

They burnt my goods on my turf.

If I don't teach them a lesson, Shankeng will lose face.

You can’t do that, Boss!

Why not?

Everyone is talking about banning opium.

Even the new government is using that to establish their credibility.

We'll incur public wrath if we burn the university.

The new government will think were out of control,

and it'll be hard for us to get a foothold in Shanghai.

You always have a reason.

Who'll pay for our loss?

Let me pay for it!

You'd better tell Shan about this.

I don't think he'll swallow that so easily.

He just threw a fit at the office.

He trashed your picture and broke your favourite vase.

What? Has he gone mad?

I think he's...

You're so nosy! No, we had a fight.

He threw something at me,

I dodged and he hit the picture.

He's just trying to pick a fight with me,

because he wouldn't acknowledge me as Chief.

Chin, come here...

Yes, Chief?

Yee-hung likes to sing and her birthday is this Sunday.

Book Paramount for the night and let her sing.

Tin, you have good connections, make all the arrangements for me.

Chief, Brother Tin promised Director Hung to host a fundraising gala that night.

Reschedule it!

I want you to invite everyone who's anyone in Shanghai.

I want Kung Siu-shan to apologise to me in public.

He'll be slighting me if he doesn't show up

and I'll fix him.

Yes, Chief...

What now, Brother Tin?

All the guests at the gala are confirmed. We can’t change it.

He specifically asked for Brother Shan.

At this critical juncture, they'll end up in a big fight.

At least nothing will happen tonight.

Take me to Uncle Wah.

We sent the body back like you wanted.

(Chinese Territory)

What are you doing here?

Mrs. Chu, Brother Tin will give Uncle Wah a grand funeral.

Please don't worry about the money.

I don't want your money!

Money won't bring him back!

Little rascal! If you'd never got into the opium trade,

Kit would not have become an addict and his Father beaten to death.

Wah said nothing good will come to those around you.

I just didn't expect it'd be him.

Get out! I want you to leave!

Mrs. Chu...

Please calm down!

Have a seat!

Mother!

Help her sit down!

Don't be so upset!

Tin, stay and keep your feet on the ground.

Why must you venture into the world?

I'm saying this only because you're like a son to me.

You've been with me for so long, I don't want to see you go astray.

Nothing good will come out of it.

Contain your grief.

Get out!

Mother!

Get out...

No, Mother! No...

Get up, Honey! It's late.

What time is it?

Almost 9 o'clock.

The English tutor is going home to England.

I want to hire someone else, OK?

I'll let you decide.

Little rascal! If you'd never got into the opium trade,

Kit would not have become an addict and his Father beaten to death.

Wah said nothing good would come to those around you.

I don't want it.

You have a lot to do today. You'll need the energy.

I don't want to.

(Chinese Territory)

Father, I've figured it out.

What?

You said you needed a loan for the cotton mill.

Ting-tings uncle is the Assistant Director of Yik Sun Bank.

He knows our cotton mill is big in Shanghai, so he promised he'll get us a loan.

No need. Mr. Kiu has lent me money already.

Mr. Kiu? You mean Kiu Ngo-tin of Shankeng?

You know him?

Not really!

I met him for the first time yesterday.

But I know his accountant, so I asked him to find out for me.

I didn't expect he'd say "yes" right away.

We run a proper business, why get involved with a gangster?

So? He's not asking me to do anything illegal.

You're saying power is all that matters.

Then why should I waste my time studying law?

Why bother to be a lawyer?

It's a separate matter.

You rely on the law when there's peace.

In today's Shanghai,

you can’t survive without connections with someone powerful.

I only know there's a price for everything. It's not that simple, Father!

Everything will be fine.

Ting-ting!

I'm sorry about the loan. Will your uncle be upset?

Not over something like this. He's an old friend.

Please put in a few good words for me with Counsellor Cheuk...

Is that Kiu Ngo-tin?

I'll do my best.

I'll wait to hear the good news.

Even the director of a bank would curry favour with him.

He really owns Shanghai?

Watch your step!

Director Hung doesn't sound like we can reschedule.

It wasn't easy to invite Counsellor Cheuk to the fundraising gala.

What a waste of time!

Where are we going to find so many respectable and famous people?

And what if Shan...

I want answers, not questions.

Who can give us any answers?

Tin!

Mei-kam! Have a seat!

Thanks for the donation to the Refuge House.

It was nothing.

You haven't been over for dinner in a while.

You must bring Yuet-lan with you tonight.

I'll prepare her favourite drunken chicken.

You make the best drunken chicken.

Maybe some other time, not tonight.

Why? Shankeng is running like clockwork.

Why can't you drop by for dinner?

Actually, I need a favour.

What is it?

It's about Brother Shan.

Chak Kam-tong sent this invitation.

He wanted to make sure you'd be there.

At this critical juncture? Why bother?

Something is not right, Brother Shan.

Since he sent the invitation, I'll go.

(Sun Sun Club)

Mrs. Kung...

Mrs. Kung!

Scarface will be a good excuse to test each other's clout.

I want him to know when it comes to fighting.

I outnumber him.

I'll get all the boys down to Paramount.

If he doesn't hand over Scarface,

I'll humiliate him by pulling the rug from under him.

Mrs. Kung!

Mrs. Kung!

I need a word with Brother Shan.

How come you're not at the Refuge House?

What are you doing here?

I know you don't want me to know what goes on outside.

But Tin came to see me just now.

He said you trashed up the office at Shankeng,

and claimed to have a bone to pick with the Chief.

You plan to crash Yee-hung's birthday party?

You all worked hard to build the business. You really won't show him any regard?

It's not that big a deal!

He has been riding me for years.

I only want him to know I'm every bit his equal today.

Tin came to see me. It's not that simple.

It's because of the old man.

He was a country bumpkin who couldn't even speak Shanghainese.

Now he speaks out of turn!

I'm your husband.

You should listen to me, not him.

Tin would not lie to me.

And I'm telling you it's fine.

When have I ever lied to you?

I learnt my lesson and I'm smarter now.

Nothing happened to me these past few years.

You must promise me you won't go to Paramount that day.

Fine! I promise I won't go!

Not even if they'd carry me in an 8-men sedan chair, alright?

Who are the guests? Show me the list.

Good, everyone is well respected.

We can listen to Yee-hung sing

and raise money for the National Founding Fund.

Killing two birds with one stone. Why not?

Moving your gala to Paramount is brilliant!

Both events will have a good turnout

and you found a gimmick for the new government.

A win-win situation for all... How thoughtful!

But in the presence of the distinguished guests,

what if Brother Shan shows up and start trouble?

Good!

I want him to apologise to me in public

and let the world know I'm the real Chief of Shanghai.

I'll check on Yee-hung.

(Don't be a hypocrite)

(Why be a hypocrite?)

(You want to take a peek...)

Is everyone here?

Yes!

Brother Shan will go in with us.

If Chak Kam-tong won't hand over Scarface, I'll fire a shot.

When you hear the gunshot, barge inside right away, understand?

Yes...

Bring us some wine!

Right!

Let Brother Tin try my private collection.

Sure!

I'm sorry, Brother Shan.

This is our own turf. Please leave your weapons behind.

Go away!

Brother Shan...

(...rolling your eyes, and you keep stealing glances...)

(Oh how embarrassing...)

What a great turnout! Distinguished guests...

Kung Siu-shan, what are you doing?

Today it's your mistress' birthday,

a minion like me wants to make a toast.

Come on, everyone!

How can you serve your guests with this bitter stuff?

You want to be a clown?

Drag him offstage!

Yes!

Who do you think you are? Get lost!

Kung Siu-shan, what do you want?

I'm straight as an arrow.

Something is eating me inside and I want to get it off my chest.

I'll level with you, you'd better let Scarface go.

Why should I?

Is that a "no"?

I'm capable of anything when I'm angry. Don't push me.

Don't forget I own Paramount!

Trying to pull the rug from under me?

Yes, so what?

Trying to pull the rug from under me?

Yes, so what?

Boss, let me...

You have a lot of men outside?

Yes, what of it?

There's someone I'd like you to meet.

Is Counsellor Cheuk worth your time?

Boss, let's get off the stage.

Welcome, Counsellor Cheuk! Let me introduce you...

This is Mr. Chak Kam-tong

and Mr. Kung Siu-shan.

Mr. Cheuk is a counsellor to Chairman Chiang.

Of course you know Director Hung.

Nice to meet you!

Your reputation precedes you, gentlemen!

Thank you for coming, Counsellor Cheuk!

Without the support of the Shankeng Company we'd never be able to raise so much money.

Don't mention it. It's my honour.

Look at the turnout, the party must be a success.

It's not easy to hear Miss Chuk sing again.

Of course we must show up to root for her and help celebrate her birthday.

Please have a seat over here.

Sure!

Please be seated.

(Rose, Rose, you are so charming!)

(Rose, Rose you are so beautiful!)

(Blooming in spring and summer)

(Rose, Rose, I love you!)

Brother Shan!

What now?

Just checking up on you.

You set me up!

But I introduced you to Counsellor Cheuk!

You're such a sweet talker!

How dare you lie to my men and told them Chak Kam-tong let Scarface go!

Where is he?

Not now, but I'll make it happen! I won't let you lose face.

You said it!

Watch your step!

Bravo, Brother Shan...

Bravo, Brother Shan, Chak Kam-tong had to let Scarface go.

As soon as Brother Shan shows up,

Chak Kam-tong had to comply...

Bravo, Brother Shan...

Bravo, Brother Shan...

(A change of pace, a new environment)

(Reminiscing the night life like a dream)

Good show today.

I donated 100,000 silver dollars in Shankeng's name.

Not a problem. The government is happy, Yee-hung is happy.

If we can't part with our money,

the government will think we'll not patriotic enough.

Come back...fix him!

If you want peace, it's best you let Scarface go.

No way! That mad dog tried to pull the rug from under me.

You know he's pigheaded.

Everything will be fine if you release Scarface.

Fine for him, but not for me!

You?

The government is newly set up.

They don't want chaos in Shanghai.

As long as the company keeps making money,

I guarantee he'll behave.

After all, you're the Chief, right?

Fine! Keep him on a short leash.

If he starts anything, I'll shoot him.

Who are you?

You killed my Father! I want you dead!

You're Uncle Wah's son!

So Scarface killed Uncle Wah!

Take him with us.

Hon-lam!

Brother Tin!

Is something wrong?

Kit is in trouble.

You know why I'm beating you up?

Not because you threw a rock at me and broke my car window.

But because I know he'll come to your rescue

Stop it! You want to kill him?

I forgot! He's yours. I can’t beat him up.

What do you want?

What do you think?

Let him go!

I'll beat up whoever stands in my way.

You know about me and Uncle Wah.

I'm taking him with me even if it kills me.

You're standing up for him? And Chak Kam-tong too?

You used my wife to lean on me.

You took his side to oppose me.

Am I not your brother?

If you're not, I would not have done so much for you.

Like what? Gang up with Chak Kam-tong to humiliate me?

I'm still pissed as Hell!

How did I manage that?

Does Scarface really mean so much to you? He's just your excuse to go crazy!

I kept my mouth shut and put up with you.

I'm doing this for Shankeng and for you!

How do you square that away?

Look who's counting! I brought you under my wings.

I watched your back all these years.

I lost my son because of you.

Who's counting now?

I don't care. I'm taking him with me.

You can take his body with you.

You'll have to kill me first.

Go ahead, shoot me! Then I'm through with you.

Kiu Ngo-tin, I'm warning you.

No matter what happens next, you'd better be on my side.

Or else don't blame me.

Brother Tin, I'm such a loser.

This is not how you take revenge.

Take him to the hospital.

Be careful...

Nothing comes cheap in this world.

One must repay a debt, with money or with his life.

Don't worry, Uncle Wah. I'll keep and eye on Kit and his mother.