Original subtitles

Business

can make a nation

as well as break a nation.

The essence of great business

is to manage the household,

govern the nation,

and bring peace to the world.

Sir…

When I sing that,

- how should I… - Kentaro?

It really is you!

Hi, Chairman Lin from the Provincial Cement Union.

I am Huang Hung-ta.

Hey.

Who are you?

What are you doing?

Why did you steal my stuff?

Don't come close.

This is my home.

Do you know each other?

When we were kids--

I didn't know you held a banquet that day.

It was rude of me not to say hi to you.

Please forgive me, Mr. Lin.

He knows you.

Didn't you say you don't have friends?

That no one knows of your past?

He was

my childhood playmate.

You'll do us harm this way.

Send him away.

At the very least,

he cannot meet Uncle.

I know.

What's your name?

Do you sleep here?

I'm going back.

Kentaro.

My name is Kentaro.

My name is Lin Teng.

After so many years,

you still eat the same way.

Poverty drilled it into me.

To me, egg over rice

is the best luxury.

It shouldn't be for you though, right?

Kentaro.

Call me Hung-ta.

Hung-ta.

Did you marry into that family?

So what if I did?

Are you looking down on me?

No.

I don't.

Don't speak of the past anymore.

Kentaro…

Just pretend he has been killed by the mainlanders.

My name is now Huang Hung-ta.

What really happened to you?

I said don't talk about it.

From now on,

let's only talk business.

What do you want with the Huang family?

Fine, we'll talk business.

Do you represent the Huang family?

Yes.

I am the representative of Hsinchu's Huang family.

In that case, I'll be frank.

The Nationalist government

wants landowners to exchange land for Chunghua Cement stocks.

General Ma said

the Huang family would work with him and be the first to support him.

Are you in favor of that?

This…

This will be my uncle's decision.

So should I talk to you or your uncle?

Fine, that's enough.

Today, just treat this as old friends catching up.

All right?

Kentaro.

I'll take care of the Huang family.

Go back and tell General Ma

that for the land reforms,

I, Huang Hung-ta, will be the first to support it.

General Ma must remember Huang Hung-ta's name.

You're done speaking?

What did you talk about?

Will he tell on you?

I'll take care of it.

Don't worry.

Is Takeda's identity card ready?

The government only issues identity cards to skilled Japanese people in Taiwan.

Takeda merely works in distribution.

I think he…

What are you thinking?

You

and your life

are both mine.

Do whatever I tell you

to do.

I want the Huang family land titles.

Only with land can I negotiate with General Ma.

The key

is in Uncle's room.

The land titles

are in the safe.

Well?

Good work.

The Huang family

only have this bit of land?

The Huang family…

only have approximately 16 hectares of land left.

Approximately 16 hectares?

Am I building a fucking chicken coop?

How do I even advertise this?

People might think

you're giving alms to the Nationalist government!

I need a much bigger land,

so when I publish it in the papers,

it will attract others to follow suit!

You incompetent failure!

General.

To attract others to follow suit,

I have an idea.

Say it.

Within the five major families,

there are two candidates.

One is the wealthiest man in Taiwan, Fifth Master Kao,

and the other is Master Chuang from Shanhua.

If one of them gives his land,

I believe

the other landowners will join in.

All right.

Then you will each take one on.

Whoever persuades the target to hand over the land first

will be the president

of Chunghua Cement.

General.

If Chunghua Cement is to be privatized,

the general manager should be assigned by the chairman.

And the chairman is elected by the board of directors.

So, before that…

What happens next is between me and the board of directors.

You don't need to worry about it.

In terms of politics,

I'm more seasoned than you are.

Who the fuck do you think you are?

What are you waiting for?

For the commies to attack?

Isn't your arm sore?

I asked you whether your arm is sore.

How long do you plan to hold that Go piece?

I did not anticipate this play from General Ma.

I only thought of getting him to see me.

I didn't expect

that he'd use Kentaro to guard against me.

Aren't you good friends with Kentaro?

Can't you work together to persuade them?

That's what I thought too.

However,

only one can be the president of Chunghua Cement.

Moreover,

once he left Chunghua Cement,

he got in a car and headed for the train station.

He's probably going to Shanhua.

That stamped out any chance of working together.

If he has gone to Shanhua,

what is there to think about?

The only option is to persuade Fifth Master Kao.

Fifth Master Kao.

He is Taiwan's wealthiest and most famous man.

And he has been to Japan, England, and France.

He has known and seen more things than anyone.

To him,

there's nothing I can say.

If there's nothing to say,

don't course it through a discussion then.

BANQIAO, GAO FAMILY HOME

Mr. Lin, Fifth Master asks you

to please enjoy some tea

and smoke a cigarette first.

Once Fifth Master is ready, he'll come.

Sorry, I'm asthmatic and cannot smoke.

Come this way, please.

SHANHUA, CHUANG FAMILY ANCESTRAL HOME

This way, please.

Please wait.

Fifth Master said please enjoy some tea and smoke a cigarette first.

That's great!

Fifth Master said

please enjoy some tea

and smoke a cigarette.

Excuse me.

Is today

not a good time for Fifth Master?

If he is busy,

I'll come visit another day.

Mr. Lin.

Fifth Master values this meeting with you,

so he is taking great care in dressing up.

But Fifth Master said

a person cannot be careless with his outfit.

So Mr. Lin, if you please,

when you visit next time,

pay attention to how you dress too.

Mr. Lin!

Are you all right?

Take me to the best suit tailor.

I don't wear suits,

how would I know which is the… Mr. Lin!

Hello, do you want some noodles?

SECOND HEAVEN WESTERN DRUG STORE

- I'm sorry. - Come and take a look, buy one.

Buy a cigarette.

Come and buy one.

Come and buy cigarettes.

HERB STORE

Come.

Master, will this one do?

It looks good.

- I think it's good too. - Come.

MASAMI WESTERN CLOTHING

Welcome.

Ms. Masami.

Provincial Cement Union Chairman,

Mr. Lin Teng?

Just call me Lin Teng.

You own this shop?

If you're able to interest my godfather,

can't you do the same

for Fifth Master Kao?

Any suggestions?

I'm interested in my customers.

I think many of your customers are interested in you too.

Come on.

Relax.

Is General Ma also a customer of yours?

I'm not afraid to tell you this.

I worked at a club before,

where I met my godfather.

He treats me well.

Other men

tended to get handsy,

but not my godfather.

He even paid for me to open this shop.

Are you his mistress?

Many people ask me that.

But we

don't have that kind of relationship.

Perhaps it is fate.

Here.

I've taken your measurements.

After three days,

when the suit is done,

you can come and try it then.

Okay.

Your button is loose.

I'll sew it back for you.

You've been playing this game for days.

If there is no solution to it,

play a new game.

I cannot switch to a new one.

I don't understand Go.

But I play mahjong.

If I knew that I could't win,

I'd accept defeat.

In playing Go and mahjong,

everyone wants to win.

Who would want to lose?

You

are too stubborn.

Master Chuang, hello.

I used to be

From Wollonggong

A carefree man

Easily judging between black and white

Stabilizing

The world

Master Chuang, hello.

I am Huang Hung-ta from Hsinchu's Huang family.

The sight of the villain brings fury to my heart

He schemed

To bring about my demise

Today I shall take revenge

Ma Da, Jiang Hai, get the guillotine

Cut off his head

And hang it up high

Execute!

Execute!

Spare him!

Sudden news of His Majesty's order to execute his father

Chilled Paochuan to the core

Hastily

She goes to the golden hall

Why are you executing

My father

I thought you only listened to opera to please me.

But it turns out you truly have a passion.

No.

In terms of opera, I'm not as well-versed as you.

Hung-ta.

Too much humility makes one unlikable.

I did not receive you well these past two days.

Sleep well tomorrow and have a good meal.

I'll have breakfast with you the day after tomorrow.

Is it fine if you don't return?

He went to Shanhua on business.

I pretended to go with him.

No one will find out.

I want to be with you.

I'm not even going back to Japan.

What's there to be afraid of?

I,

Huang Ming-chiu, want to be with a Japanese person!

With a Japanese person I love!

I'm not a man, but--

What are you doing?

If other people find out I'm Japanese, I'll be deported.

You really don't want to go back?

Of course not!

I gave up my wife and children to stay here.

I only got you.

I don't like sneaking around like this.

If we are to have a future,

I must have an identity.

A new identity to start over.

Once I have it,

I'll contact my friend who worked at the Monopoly Bureau,

and the business will be up in no time.

And…

what about me?

Let's marry.

- Marry? - Yes.

Let's marry.

I'll find my old friends

and we'll have a huge wedding.

I'll put you in the best gown

and…

I'll get your favorite singers and movie stars.

So your dad…

and those who looked down on me

would be speechless.

Here.

This way, please.

Here.

It's really nice.

You've put your heart into every detail.

My suits

have nothing

but attention to detail

and my customers' character.

Character?

What does that mean?

You hold yourself to high standards.

Your old suit,

despite its age,

is well-kept.

It's still immaculate.

The folds are still crisp.

If a person's figure changes,

a suit

is not easily maintained.

It goes out of shape easily.

Through the suit,

I can see that you're under a lot of stress.

When you're stressed,

you pinch

the button on the right,

which is why

your right-side button

often needs sewing

and maintenance.

You can see so much from just a suit?

To understand a suit,

you must first understand the person.

That's good.

I'm not interested in cement.

Me either.

But General Ma said

Chunghua Cement will become a cash cow.

The government wants to boost developments,

and developments require land

as well as cement, all the more.

Don't talk to me about the government.

This is where my home is

as well as my properties and land.

Over 300 years, so many governments have come and gone.

Now, the Nationalist government is here yammering about attacking the mainland.

Don't talk to me about the government.

The lands will be taken someday.

If the privatization really becomes reality,

we must keep Chunghua Cement in our hands.

Even if Chiang really does succeed in his attack,

the land taken from us won't be returned.

But at least,

we'll have Chunghua Cement.

Please tell Fifth Master that today,

Lin Teng followed Fifth Master's instructions

and is here for a visit.

Mr. Lin, Fifth Master asks you to sit and smoke a cigarette.

Once Fifth Master is ready, he'll come.

I'm sorry.

I'm asthmatic

and cannot smoke.

If it's possible,

please just give me a cup of tea.

This is Fifth Master's gift to you.

Fifth Master said

if you smoke it, you are a friend.

If you don't,

there's nothing to talk about.

You're lying.

Then could I ask you to advertise it in the newspaper first?

What's wrong with you?

Say that you're willing to cooperate with the land reforms.

Are you mad?

I'm helping you.

What are you talking about?

Advertising on the newspaper will show General Ma your sincerity

for him to deal with Fifth Master Kao in Taipei.

You and Fifth Master Kao are two major landowners.

Lin Teng suggested General Ma to start with you two.

As soon as I heard,

I rushed over to tell you.

You're not being honest.

This is Fifth Master's gift to General Ma.

He thanks General Ma for his high regard for the Kao family

by sending someone for talks.

This is a gift to Ms. Masami.

Fifth Master thanks Ms. Masami

for specifically making Fifth Master a fine and unique suit.

I really am here to help you.

You've been thrown in prison for two years for rebellion.

You know how they work.

No one before me

can tell a third lie.

I really am not tricking you!

What…

What do you…

What do you really want to hear?

What did General Ma promise you?

If you advertise,

the president…

the president's position is yours.

He wants me to be Chunghua Cement's president?

You do it

instead of Lin Teng.

You mean Lin Teng of the Yilan Corporation?

His task is to persuade Fifth Master Kao.

If Fifth Master Kao voices support before you,

he'll become the president.

- Don't compare me to Fifth Master Kao. - No.

The President…

The President position and Chungwa Cement equity…

You can have them!

What will you get then?

I'll just stay beside you

and watch and sing opera with you.

FILIAL TO PARENTS, RESPECT FOR SIBLINGS, DILIGENCE IN FARMING

Mrs. Lin!

Mrs. Lin!

Why? What happened?

Why is Mr. Li like this?

- Mr. Li smoked! Hurry! - What happened to him?

You know yourself you can't smoke, why did you do it?

He was forced.

What should we do now?

- Call the doctor. - Okay.

- Go there! - The room!

- Okay. - Watch his head!

- Be careful! - Watch out!

Thank you, doctor.

Take care.

Are you hungry?

- Do you want some congee? - No.

Have some.

At least a little.

Why did you smoke?

I'm so mad.

I'm sorry.

I didn't know it would get this bad.

What kind of business is worth your life?

Mr. Lin.

Fifth Master is here.

Stop.

I don't care who he is. Tell him to go.

Don't interfere.

Don't go. What are you doing?

Tell him to wait for me.

You…

You nearly died,

don't go, Lin Teng!

Are you feeling better?

Thank you for asking, Fifth Master.

I wonder why you're here.

I'm here to see you.

In that case,

can we talk?

Lin Teng.

You're laying your life on the line to deal with me.

You already know

why I went to see you.

In the 13th year of Taisho,

the Japanese wanted me to be a Taipei Prefecture councilor.

To avoid becoming an official,

I moved to Vietnam and refused to come back.

If not for Chiang,

do you think anyone could make me return?

However,

I thought they'd send someone

more important to talk to me.

Yes.

I know I'm not qualified

to speak with you.

Lin Teng.

You're not as smart as they make you out to be.

Please impart your wisdom, Fifth Master.

If you're not qualified,

what am I here to see you for?

When you came to me,

I originally planned to ignore you.

I wanted to brush you off,

humiliate you,

so you'd leave.

I didn't think

that you, Lin Teng,

could take on what no one else would.

You've earned my respect.

So,

regarding the land reform…

I don't need to go against the Nationalist government.

All right. Rest.

Don't feel happy.

I don't see you as a friend.

Didn't you say that if I smoked the cigarette,

we'd be friends?

I knew that if I smoked it,

I could probably die.

However,

to become your friend,

I must smoke it.

Besides,

later on, in Chunghua Cement,

with me, Lin Teng, on your side,

your work will be smoother.

Mr. Lin,

you are magnanimous.

Mr. Lin!

Be careful! Are you okay?

Sit down.

Are you all right?

Godfather.

You're in such a good mood.

You have a keen eye.

No matter who it is, just a few looks,

and you'd know his character

and what he's suited to do.

Lin Teng is daring and intelligent.

He isn't afraid to take action.

He is a shiny blade.

Huang Hung-ta

is brooding

and appears submissive.

However,

his drive is no less than Lin Teng's.

One is a blade,

and the other is a sheath.

Should Lin Teng become too sharp as a blade,

this sheath is just the right damper for him.

I'll invite Lin Teng and Huang Hung-ta for a meal.

And you must make Huang Hung-ta

feel jealous.

Godfather.

I don't do these things anymore.

No.

You must do it.

Because you are my ace.