Original subtitles

In 1922, when the North-South peace talks ended in failure,

warlords of different factions were engaged in constant strife,

battling over power and position.

The fight between Li Yuan-hong and Duan Qi-rui was particularly intense.

Riding on the chaos and fighting,

the warlords went pillaging and plunged the people into misery.

(Chinese Territory)

Hey!

Move it!

Get lost!

Sit down, Brother Shan!

Have a drink.

You've been hiding for months.

How nice of you to invite me for a drink!

I need a break.

I'll die if I stay cooped up at the fruit stand.

An Extra... War broke out between Beiyang warlords.

An Extra... War broke out between Beiyang warlords.

Come here, kid!

Give it here, can you read?

Since the peace talks fell apart,

the warlords have been fighting non-stop.

There's chaos everywhere, and business on the wharf is suffering.

Go that way! Yes!

You go over there!

You lead the rest that way!

Hurry! Yes!

Don't take my things...

Please don't take my things...

Give them back, no...

Don't take my things...

They're no different from bandits!

This motley crowd are rich!

Wouldn't it be nice if I had a gun?

You need to be ferocious in this day and age

Then no one would mess with you.

We'll see how long they can keep the loot.

Wouldn't it be nice if the money ended up in your pockets, Brother Shan?

Where do you suppose they keep the money?

This motley crowd arrived in Shanghai and seized someone else's mansion.

They have a dog!

What happened, Uncle Wah?

After you left, the soldiers started looting again.

They used to come once every 2 or 3 months,

now they come every other day.

They took as much as I make.

How can we stay open?

I don't know how we can go on living?

These warlords are just passing by.

They'll leave after they have taken enough.

Business will be back to normal.

You should talk! We're losing business because of you.

Me? Why me?

Because you hang out with the Mad Dog.

The neighbours are afraid of him, and they stopped coming.

Is it your fault or what?

Alright...it's my fault!

I'll hang outwith him less.

Uncle Wah!

What happened?

Nothing! Didn't you go home?

You're back early! You gained weight!

How come? I should have lost weight!

Why?

My Mother found me a wife!

I was so scared I came back right away!

A wife is good!

I'm a real man,

I must build a career before I can get married.

You have any plans?

Of course I have.

I intend to find a job in Merry Lane.

Are you looking for a job or for a chick?

You rejected your mother's choice for a wife,

but you'd rather go to a whorehouse!

Don't misunderstand me! I'm serious!

I'll go look for a job right now!

If not, you can support me.

Tin, Brother Shan wants to see you.

Tell him I'll see him after work.

What is it, Brother Shan?

Cheng Shun owes me money and refuses to pay.

He's been hiding inside the Chang's mansion.

I meant to teach him a lesson,

but they're keeping a fierce dog...

You mean a man or a real dog?

If it's a man, just lure him away with a woman.

Elisa...

What if it's a dog?

Simple, shoot it!

I know, but I don't want to alert the others

I was just kidding! Use a bone or a piece of meat to lure it away.

Then you can waltz inside.

Good! Tomorrow night, you'll be the bait!

Why don't you tell Tung or Nam to go?

They're morons, not smart like you.

Besides, you're quick on the bike. You should do it.

Brother Shan, I...

You like to use my name in Merry Lane. Don't think I don't know about it.

I'm not asking you to kill or set fire.

Don't turn me down, come on!

That's decided.

Whatever you say!

Come on...

Brother Shan!

You beat me inside!

I took everything. Let's go!

Someone came inside. Go check it out.

This is the only way out. Can you jump?

Well? Anything?

Anything?

Nothing. What to do now?

You go that way. We'll go this way!

You beat me inside. Did you try to double cross me?

I helped you gather the loot, here...

How did you know what I was thinking?

The way you looked at that motley crowd at the tavern,

I knew you're up to something.

Besides, the soldiers had already seized the Cheng's mansion,

and you told me to lure the dog away.

I knew then you wanted to rob them.

Little rascal...who lured away the dog?

You sent me, I sent someone else.

You need my help?

The butler of the Cheng family owes me money.

But a fierce dog is guarding the front door. I don't know what to do.

Simple! Get someone to draw away the dog and then you can go inside.

Only you can think of that!

It's your idea. You must help me out!

Not a problem!

How did you beat me inside?

Every dog has a dog hole.

I'm a little rascal, so I crawled through the dog hole.

Smart!

This is your share!

You did all the work. You deserve a big share.

Take the big share. You have a family to support.

I have no one, I don't mind.

Good! Loyal and sensible!

I wanted you to work for me, but you refused,

and wanted to stay at the fruit stand.

I thought you were above it all.

I learnt my lesson and came to my senses.

There's no difference between a soldier and a bandit.

They all rob people.

It's only right that I rob them back.

Just like the foreign powers carved up China

because they have fists and bullets.

Chinese are bullied by foreigners inside the Settlement

because hegemony speaks louder than justice.

The warlords are no different from the foreign powers.

I have no qualms about robbing them.

You finally came to your senses.

It's true, you need your fists to survive.

Here...

Kam!

Shan! Tin! Mei-kam!

What are you two doing in here?

We're settling the money after a deal.

I have a necklace for you.

It's expensive! Why waste your money?

Sell it if you don't like it!

I'll go check on Hok-yiu.

It's late. I should leave.

Tin, I want to talk to you.

I know this is your first job with Shan.

I've been with him so long, I know what he's up to.

I know he doesn't want me to know.

But you must realise the danger involved.

He's doing it for the family.

I know, but did you know

there's no turning back once you started down this path?

I only stumbled onto this one.

Like him, I was doing it for my family.

As long as you know what you're doing.

I should go.

This is your take!

It's not enough to support you, but should last a while.

You lied to me.

You told me you're going to beat up the butler,

and wanted me to draw away the dog.

It almost caught up with me!

You think you can shut me up with money?

This is from the warlord.

I'm robbing the rich to help the poor.

Look, you've just scraped yourself.

I sent you because you're faster on the bike.

The dog would have bitten me to death!

Even if you got caught,

you could just say you were passing by.

Sheesh!

I'll take this back if you don't want it.

Next time, don't ask me to do it again. I took enormous risks.

I deserve something for my effort.

Of course!

You're absolutely right!

The warlords are no different from bandits.

This is a lesson for them.

Cheers!

Mrs. Chu!

Let's eat!

Come here...

What is it?

Come here...This is for you.

Again?

Here...buy more food.

Did you get rich?

Where did you get the money?

Lung and I won money at the casino.

It's incredible! We're on such a lucky streak!

You really won the money?

Of course!

You've been hanging out with the Mad Dog,

Don't tell me you robbed the warlords at the Cheng's mansion.

I wouldn't dare!

I'm unarmed. How could I rob anyone?

Good! Your money come and go.

I don't know where it came from.

Keep this for yourself.

Don't stand there. Go make the delivery!

I'll do that now!

(French Concession)

Who are you? What are you doing here?

I'm a fan! I want to watch the show.

Then you should buy a ticket. Trying to sneak in?

But this girl let someone in last time.

Who did you let in?

Koo Siu-lau, she's a student at the Eight Points Guild.

But you said it's alright to let the students in...

I see.

(Chinese Territory)

The Eight Points Guild is in Zhabei.

Why do you ask?

Never mind! You'll benefit from it.

Lung...

What are you doing here?

I should be asking you!

You get the itch now that you have money?

Remember I told you I was going to look for a job?

I came for a job. They hired me.

You're working here?

This is enough for now, the next payment will be due soon.

Make sure you have the money ready.

Don't complain about me pressuring you.

You have the money. Go away!

I'll have the next payment ready.

What a bunch of creeps!

Exactly!

Let's get back to work!

It's that witch again!

Ching-ching, let me give you a hand.

No need, I can manage.

It's alright! I'll be working here later.

I can help you with heavy work.

You're working here?

Yes!

Did you come here to work or see Chi-ching?

The bed sheets are so heavy,

why don't you help us wash them?

That's right!

I don't have 3 pairs of hands.

I'll help you after I help Ching-ching.

No wonder you didn't want the wife back home.

I'll go hang these up!

Brother Tin, what are you doing here?

We were eating nearby, so I dropped in on you.

I haven't seen you since Siu-lei's death.

Are you alright?

I'm fine, it's been a while.

When do you get off work, Ching-ching?

Let's go have some fun.

I have no money, I just paid off a debt.

There's free entertainment.

Brother Tin said there's free Beijing opera.

Free?

You said we could go through the back stage.

Maybe it's not a good idea.

But there's a place where you can watch for free.

So there is a way!

It's alright if I go alone, but not all of us.

Nam, didn't he say we'd go check out the Eight Points Guild?

I don't mind if it's free.

I haven't seen the opera for quite a while.

I want to go too.

Don't spoil it for us!

Brother Tin... Brother Tin, please...

Where's Sheung Man-bun? Is he here?

Be quiet!

There's no music, how boring!

The movies have no sound either! Be quiet!

You're so ignorant. They're very good.

Who wants to try Muk Kwai-ying Takes Command?

Go ahead, Siu-lau!

(The sound of the war drum)

(reminds me of when I broke the Heavenly Gate Formation...)

You brought us here to watch the girls, not Beijing opera.

What are you talking about?

I mean that one...

Who are they?

Who are you? What are you doing here?

We are Beijing opera fans.

But we're too broke to buy tickets,

so we came here to watch you practise.

That's right!

You're doing a good job! We came to see you.

Yes...

They came all the way to see us practise!

We'd better be presentable!

Were your first group of diehard fans.

That's right! Yes!

You're too kind! We're only students.

We should be learning from the true masters.

But judging from your hand movements, you don't look like students.

We were practising an excerpt from

Muk Kwai-ying Takes Command.

It requires composure, I'm far from being qualified.

I think you're really good!

If you want to watch us practise,

you can come back anytime.

There's no need to sneak around.

You're all very welcome.

We'll come by every day.

Great...

We'd better get back to our practice!

Sure...

(French Concession)

Has business been bad?

How come the total is much less?

Fewer people are borrowing money so less interest is paid.

I see. You should explain this to Miss Kwai-seng.

Mr. Chin!

I have something to do!

Go ahead!

We loaned out Miss Kwai-seng's money and pocketed the interests.

We're dead if she finds out.

Don't be such a coward!

She's too busy to bother with such a petty amount.

She trusts me and lets me run Merry Lane.

I can explain everything to her.

The amount collected is much less lately.

Because fewer people are borrowing money.

Has the economy improved so much that people don't need to borrow?

There are those who can’t pay back in time.

I've followed your order and not pressed them hard.

If they need the money for an emergency, don't push them too hard.

We started the business to help people.

Don't corner them because of it.

I know...You're most benevolent.

The Chief Inspector has not called on Miss Kwai-seng for some time.

He hasn't? He's already back from France.

He only sent a postcard while he was away.

(Kwai-seng, all is well on this end.)

(Will call on you when I'm back.)

He's been back, but he hasn't even called!

Don't let your imagination run wild.

The Chief Inspector is probably busy after his trip.

Of course! He must have broaden his horizon in France.

Maybe he likes brandy and not osmanthus wine now.

Shall I call him for you?

No, that'll be too humiliating!

If his heart is elsewhere,

there's no point making him come here.

Leave it.

Miss Kwai-seng, someone trashed up Yee Heung Garden.

Call the boys. Let's go take a look!

Right!

This is not the way to Yee Heung Garden!

Ping-on...where are you taking me?

Where are we going?

Kwai-seng!

You asked Ping-on to lie for you.

Did you plant these osmanthus trees?

Marry me!

You didn't look me up after you came back from France.

You expect me to marry you as soon as I see you?

I have a lot to prepare.

Marry me, be my wife!

(French Concession)

Are the girls coming?

Shut up, we're going to a free show.

Next time, I'll tell Brother Shan not to let you come.

Don't! They say Sheung Man-bun will be there! I want to see him.

Brother Tin!

There you are! Yes!

Ching, where are the others?

They're still working.

Are we still going?

Yes! Yes!

What are you carrying?

Laiyang pears from the fruit stand.

We get to see show for free. We can’t go empty handed.

Can we see Sheung Man-bun today?

Yes! Didn't you read the newspaper?

He arrived in Shanghai 2 days ago.

He's here to pick his protege from the Eight Points Guild.

He's likely to show up any minute.

Great! I love his performance.

Come on, let's go!

Ching-ching!

Let's have dinner after the show.

I have to go back to work. I need money to pay my debt.

All thanks to Yiu Kwai-seng and her loan sharking operation.

You've had to work so hard!

Not so loud! There she is!

I heard she'll soon marry Chak Kam-tong, the Chief Inspector of the FCP.

After she marries Chak Kam-tong,

the two of them will rule both sides of the law.

I don't believe they can do what they want.

Where's the toilet?

Over there!

Watch the car!

Something stinks! What are you doing?

What is that?

Never mind.

The chauffeur is not here!

Even Heaven is on my side!

Ching-ching, I'll get even for you!

What are you doing?

You're dead!

It's not funny!

I can't believe you did that!

Never mind! Ching-ching, I got even for you.

Thank you!

Who messed with my car?

Oh no! It's Chak Kam-tong's car!

Run!

Sorry, Chief!

Where were you? Look at that!

I know who did it?

I saw a fat boy sneaking out from the toilet with a paper bag.

I'm sure it was him!

Stupid thing! Tell Tim to find him!

Luckily they didn't catch us!

Don't be such a coward! What are you afraid of?

Ching-ching, I'll find another chance to get even.

Again? You'd better not!

You have a lot of nerve!

Who do you think Chak Kam-tong and Yiu Kwai-seng are?

You're dead if they catch you!

So? I'm not scared and my life is cheap.

If they catch me, I'll even scold him.

One must be reasonable...

You can’t be too nice or people will bully you!

Hey...we're here already?

Listen, we have a chance to go on stage with Master Sheung.

This is a rare opportunity.

Whether or not you'll be chosen,

you must practise hard, understand?

Yes!

Sheung Man-bun is still not here? Maybe he's not coming.

I'd rather he doesn't show up.

You may all take a break.

You have practised hard!

You've practised hard!

Have a pear!

Have a pear!

Here, have a pear!

Have a pear!

How kind of you!

You let us watch the show. This is nothing!

Here...have a pear!

Laiyang pears are juicy and good for the voice.

Thanks!

You're Siu-lau, right? I'm Tin!

Master Sheung is happy to work with us.

He brought each of us 4 tickets.

You can give them to your friends and family.

Siu-lau, these are yours.

Buy more pears.

Siu-lau gave us 4 tickets for tomorrow night

I have to work.

Sorry! One for each of us!

This is yours!

I'll go back to work!

I have to go too, I'll walk you.

Nam and I have to report back to Brother Shan.

That's right!

Run along. I want to stay a bit longer.

We're going!

(French Concession)

Hey! Hey!

Relax! Who is this for?

Nobody! Can you walk faster?

Ching-ching is not here,

I don't care if I go or not.

You should have told me!

She was kind enough to give us free tickets. We shouldn't waste them.

Alright...I'll go!

But why go 2 hours early?

We can get better seats, right?

Right!

Come back!

Brother Tin!

Move!

These people are thugs!

Let's go. This is scary!

Brother Tin!

Stop! Fatso, you have a lot of nerve to mess with the Chief!

Miss Kwai-seng didn't want to kill anyone on her big day.

Or else you're dead for sure!

Brother Tin! Brother Tin!

Brother Tin! He's bleeding!

Are you alright?

Where are you going?

How did I do?

Relax! You only had 2 lines and less than 10 words.

I'm on the stage with Master Sheung,

I can't screw up!

He gave such a great performance.

My heart is still pounding when I think about it.

I can't tell if I'm too excited or too scared.

You're such a big fan. Master Sheung really had your head spinning!

Bravo...

He's on!

Why am I here?

You should talk! Why did you get in a fight?

They almost killed you.

I need to go watch the opera.

It's after dark. The opera is finished.

You're too wounded to go anywhere.

After dark? I must go...

You're not going anywhere!

Tung brought you home just now.

I know he works for Mad Dog.

I told you to stay away from them.

But you wouldn't listen. Look at you now!

You brought it upon yourself! I can't talk to you!

Uncle Wah...

Master Sheung gave me a compliment?

Yes! He said you had worked very hard.

Even though you had 2 lines, you practised hard for it.

He said you're hard working and has great potential.

Really?

He picked you and 3 other girls to follow him to Beiping.

This is a rare chance.

What do you say, Siu-lau?

Of course I'm going.

If I can learn from him,

I'm willing to be an extra for the rest of my life.

Go get ready. You're leaving in 2 days.

Master Sheung was nice enough to pick me.

I wish to buy him something.

What should I buy?

He has everything.

I heard he likes fruit preserves from Fung Kee.

Maybe you can get some for him.

(Chinese Territory)

Excuse me, where is Fung Kee?

I don't know!

The doctor said you're more seriously hurt than I was.

I'm a big fellow and have enough fat on me.

You didn't have to cover me with your body.

You should talk! I missed Siu-lau's performance because of you.

I should have let them kill you while I could go watch the opera.

You have plenty of time to see Siu-lau.

She's right there. Take a good look!

I'm sorry, Siu-lau,

I missed your performance and wasted the ticket.

Really? It's alright!

What are you looking for?

A shop that sells fruit preserves called Fung Kee.

It's just around the corner.

I'll show you.

No thanks, I'm meeting a friend. Excuse me.

Don't go after her! Don't you get it?

She barely looked at you. Forget it!

(French Concession)

Have you tried French food before? Let me show you.

What is it? You're pissed they beat you up?

They were after the fat boy. Why did you butt in?

You offended Chak Kam-tong and Yiu Kwai-seng.

You're lucky to be alive.

Yiu Kwai-seng is quite amazing.

Such a grand wedding with Chak Kam-tong!

A gangster queen marrying the Chief Inspector.

They have the world under the feet.

You're right! A Chief Inspector of the FCP marrying the gangster queen.

They're rich, high up and powerful.

Everyone in Shanghai will curry favour with them.

They rule both sides of the law.

Chak Kam-tong is smart.

He marries a pretty woman, takes command of her thugs

and may even eat up her empire.

Then again, Yiu Kwai-seng found a meal ticket,

and is now in a different league.

He's a boss, just like I am.

But with a gun, he's on top of the world.

Whoever has tough knuckles will have a say.

Watch me! Someday, I'll do better!

Count me in!

Don't worry, I will.

You'd better keep your word!

Of course!

(Chinese Territory)

Hello!

What is it?

Is Siu-lau around?

She's not here.

I have something for her. Can you give this to her?

She followed Master Sheung to Beiping with a few others.

She's not coming back.

Don't look for her again.

When did she leave?

I don't know!

Tell me where she is, or I'll keep coming back.

She just got into a car to meet up with Master Sheung.

She should be leaving soon.

Thank you!

Make way...I’m sorry...

Make way...Excuse me...

Sorry!

I'm fine! Sorry!

Get in...hurry up!

Master Sheung won't wait for you when he comes down.

The car will be leaving right away!

Make way...

Get in the car!

The car is leaving right away!

Hurry! The train leaves at 8 o'clock!

Master Sheung!