[E] LAND OF WEALTH / 匯通天下 [TVB][2006]

Written by Funn Lim 

Finally, Sung Man is back! And drama, drama and more drama. Less of the Pushing Blame school of thought but more I Shall  Be Ruthless And Crush You school of thought. Guess who is the grand master, again? And also one very baffling scene that had me scratching my head, BIG TIME. If you've seen this episode, tell me your opinion on THAT scene. More on that later.

And so the war of the banks began.

But first the country is in crisis, big crisis.

Remember that my most hated official in this series? Yes, Sir Chui is worried about the empty and bankrupt treasury. He and Sir Cheong, Sung Man's father is walking with Cixi and they whispered amongst each other that the country is good as bankrupt. I didn't hear this exactly but my sister did and she told me that Sir Chui said the Japanese armada is docking in Chinese waters, ready to strike and the Chinese army is old, inadequately equip and they seriously need to beef up the security. In other words, doomed to oblivion, pun intended. I thought French or English armada but if my sis said Japanese, and Japanese it shall be. So when Cixi was being briefed by the architect about the construction of some mega garden, Sir Chui interrupted Cixi and started "Old Buddha (not sure if he said this but I shall go with the flow of my imagination), the country is in crisis and the celebration of your birthday will further deepen the financial crisis. The people are desperate and the celebration of your birthday shall..." and Cixi angrily and sternly interrupted and said "Sir Chui, I want my people to celebrate my birthday with me. Then they shall forget the problems and show to the world that we are united and that they love me. See to that, and I do not wish to hear anything else." and poor Sir Chui and Mr Cheong could hardly say anything.

Pause. I hate Sir Chui but at that moment I kinda pity him. Well they could stab her to death. The portrayal of the stupid ignorant arrogant stubborn vain Cixi is very well written here, although the actress was more suited for theatre type of acting. Anyway Sir Chui, Law Lok Lam played a very similar role in Safe Guards you know. In fact he was also the same minister trying to find funding for the army! Almost had a mix up and now I am even more convinced the writers may be the same.

Sung Man came home and saw some huge construction of some doorway, don't know what they're called, like huge wooden gateway with a huge name plague on top? Anyway he asked a passerby "What is this gateway for?" and the passerby explained "The Empress Dowager is building this to celebrate her birthday" and another passerby angrily and loudly said "Yeah and waste money too! The people are hungry and what is she doing? Building gateways for her birthday! Who cares about her birthday, this selfish bitch!" and the other guy said "Shhhhh, don't talk to loud or we will be arrested!" and the quickly walked away. Sung Man was very disturbed  by this turn of events.

Once at home he apologised to his father for his sudden disappearance and his parents and brother forgave him and even welcomed him. Alone, he confessed to his father his sadness over the country's problems, and his father felt the same. But Sung Man said enthusiastically "But father, when I am a minister, I shall work together with father and uncle Chui, perhaps we then can persuade the Empress Dowager to come to her senses with our united voice!" and his father smiled but it was kinda hopeless smile.

Pause. Sung Man can be so optimistic. I fear he may be in for a mega huge disappointment. He is indeed born in the wrong era. Now, with his influence and wealth he can be the President of the United States and he will be a popular one because he is smart, knows a bit of politics and is genuine and sincere in helping people.

At night, Sung Man was at the compound alone, looking at the stars. He missed Jun, and he recited a poem that I don't know how to translate since I don't understand all of it. He took out his flute and played the same song he played with Jun. Meanwhile Jun was alone in her room and she too was playing the same song on her piano. With the love duet playing, we are treated to their romantic past, how they met, how they touched, how he confessed her love, etc etc. Basically the rundown and well I nearly melted. Serious. It was so romantic and the more I see the more I feel the sadness of the inevitable. And when finished both look at the space in front and felt they truly missed one another. And nope Sung Man did not tell his dad about her, yet.

Back to Mr Kiu. Pause here first. Why must they keep showing the name of the towns between Sung Man in Beijing and Mr Kiu in Ping Yiu? Like as if we don't know they're far apart?

Anyway Ko Wa was busy doing her work when an old servant gossiped about Ching and her argument with Yun Tin and a supposed slap on the face. Ko Wa was asked and Ko Wa urged them to mind their own business when Ching walked by thinking Ko Wa was gossiping about her. So she scolded Ko Wa and Ko Wa had to kneel and Ching ordered her servant to slap Ko Wa. The old servant was very afraid and Ko Wa refused to say it was the old servant who gossiped and so she was slapped until her face was red and swollen. When she went to Mrs Kiu's room Mrs Kiu asked her "Why took you so long?" and Ko Wa hid her face and Mrs Kiu saw her face and asked kindly "What happened to your face?" and Ko Wa explained "I fell madam" and Mrs Kiu said "You tripped or you did something that caused this?" and Ko Wa immediately apologised and Mrs Kiu sternly said "If you have gossiped about your master, you deserve the punishment... but if was because you were protecting someone, you didn't deserve it" and Ko Wa was confused when Mrs Kiu kindly said "The old servant told me everything. You did not betray her and I find that a good quality. Ko Wa you are truly a loyal and brave Mongolian woman, a quality I admire". Ko Wa smiled happily.

 Ko Wa was out doing errands when Fu Yi Chek and Bak Chuen bumped into her. Both saw the bruises and Fu Yi Chek angrily said "Who did this? Did someone bully you? Tell me sis, and I will confront that person!" and Ko Wa again lied and went on her way.

Later Ko Wa was being taught by a gentle sounding Mrs Kiu how to sew when that lusty male butler came in and handed Mrs Kiu a letter. Mrs Kiu was in the midst of opening it when she blurted "OH! Madam that's Mr Cheong's letter for Little Miss!!" and Mrs Kiu stopped and looked at her and Ko Wa knew she said something wrong and said "I'm sorry Madam, I shouldn't intrude" and Mrs Kiu decided not to check the contents and gave it to Ko Wa to pass it to Jun.

Jun received the letter and was very happy to have read a simple poem reflecting Sung Man's deepest feelings for her. Ko Wa teased Jun she will tell Mrs Kiu about the sordid contents and Jun teased Ko Wa "My mother certainly like you very much. I heard she is personally teaching you how to sew!" and Ko Wa smiled happily.

Now Bak Chuen's story all the way.

Again there was a test with the abascus and Bak Chuen, Fu Yi Chek, Hong Fei and some others passed with flying colours. Then Bak Chuen was asked to see Mr Kiu for some meeting. Can't remember the scene. Anyway Mr Kiu told Yun Tin and Mr Chong that he wants Bak Chuen to take care of the account books or the confidential letters of the banks from now on. I think letters because I didn't hear the word account books. Mr Chong was surprised and said "But boss, Fan Chi Chai is only a trainee, this job has always been given to experienced confirmed staff since it is confidetial matters" and Mr Kiu said "I know but Fan Chi Chai has shown himself to be an examplary staff and I think he has potential". So Bak Chuen got a huge promotion.

Meanwhile Mr Kiu received an invitation to a new bank in town, the name I forgot. He welcomed the new bank and didn't feel threatened by it and went in droves to see the new bank only to see it was Mr Cho's new bank. Mr Kiu congratulated him but Mr Cho slyly and loudly said "Master Kiu Ding Fung Sing is outdated already. Maybe it is time to move aside and let us new bank to move forward eh?" and Mr Kiu laughed good naturedly. Back in the office, Yun Tin complained "How can he find an investor so soon?" and Mr Kiu said "Hardly surprising, he is experienced and well respected in this field" and Yun Tin bitterly said "He was rude with what he said! We must be careful from now on, surely he is out to destroy us" and Mr Kiu said "Do not worry. The business here is plenty, we are not the only bank, I see him as just anothe rival. Calm down Yun Tin, there is nothing to worry about"

Yun Tin was having lunch with Mr Chong and Mr Chong suddenly said "Sir, I am not sure if I should say this but when Mr Cho left I thought naturally you should be the 1st taukeh. I was so surprised that Mr Kiu tookover instead. I feel dissatisfied for your Sir" and Yun Tin wisely said "There will be time, I am sure." and then Mr Chong said "However I am surprised Fan Chi Chai got that promotion so soon!" and again Yun Tin wisely said "I wasn't. Boss has always know how to spot potential and cultivate it. Fan Chi Chai has potential so naturally Boss would like to teach him and cultivate him as he did others in the past". Yun Tin and Mr Chong left and saw Mr Cho saying goodbye to that client who bought 2 shops in previous episodes. Mr Cho loudly said "Well then I will be contacting Ding Fung Sing and pay off the loan there so that you can transfer the loan to us" and the interest rate was much lower. When he left, Yun Tin confronted Mr Cho and angrily (as angry as Kenny Wong could be which isn't much) "How can you steal our bank's business? This is unethical! This is uncalled for!" and Mr Cho smiled slyly and said "Wasn't that what you did to me? It is business after all!".

Next scene the Chamber of Commerce was having an emergency meeting and the chairman confronted Mr Cho about what he did to Ding Fung Sing. He said "If you can go so low with Ding Fung Sing, we your fellow bankers are worried what you could do to us! We have rules of ethics and you have broken it!" and Mr Cho smiled slyly and said "And I thought this meeting was called so that I can explain to Mr Kiu about that business transaction!" and Mr Kiu quietly said "No it is only to clear the misunderstanding about this matter". Mr Cho arrogantly said "Well then.. yes I may have broken some rules but the bank's business is to help others in financial need and that client was in dire need of a financial assistant. What am I to do? Refuse him? That is even more unethical! What I did was merely to help a fellow human being" and Mr Kiu sternly said "Well if you said so but I do wonder whether the motive was to help or to destroy?" and Mr Cho smiled slyly. And that was that.

Pause here. What help? Eh transfering loan to another bank for lower interest after some back door discussion is unethical. This Mr Cho is ruthless. I am surprised though the banks are doing good business when the country is bankrupt. Maybe Cixi could force more tax?

Anyway Chinese New Year is coming and every year Ding Fung Sing will lead a dragon dance to the temple to pray for good business in the coming year. So Master Kwan was traning these poor trainess who had to be servant, slaves, janitors, bankers, clerks and now stunt persons. Again Fu Yi Chek and Hong Fei got into an argument where Mr Chong scolded them and said "Fu Yi Chek! It is not for you to hold the fireball and lead the dragon dance! It is by the person with the most compatible astrological signs and Hong Fei is the one this year!" and Hong Fei gloated.

On the day of the dance, Ko Wa and the servants all had reunion dinner with the boss and family. Ko Wa expressed her wish to see the dance but the old servant said "We can't go, we are mere servants". Ko Wa was with Mrs Kiu when Mrs Kiu noticed she was restless and she wisely said "I know it is because of the dragon dance and your brother isn't it? Alright, since this is your first time here, I allow you to watch the dragon dance" and Ko Wa was happy.

And so the dance began. The energy was high, there was lots of people complete with drums and fireworks. Clearly big budget scene. Anyway Ko Wa was there and clapped happily when Mr Kiu on a horse saw her and she quietly turned away but Mr Kiu was more amused than angry (again if that is what you called amused since John Chiang's face seemed frozen in one expression throughout). Hong Fei led the way and then suddenly the strangest scene happened. Hong Fei suddenly stopped and pointed the fireball left and right and left and right causing the dancers holding the dragon behind stopping abruptly and knocking into each other. Master Kwan was so angry he said "HONG FEI! GIVE ME THAT!" and Mr Kwan led the way leaving Hong Fei stranded by the side.

Pause here.

WHY on earth did Hong Fei do that? WHY? I don't understand. Was he paid by Mr Cho to delay the dance? Was he? Is he the traitor in the making? Why? WHY WHY TELL ME WHY!!!!!

Sighhh...

Back to the dance. They went on and suddenly a rival dragon arrived with Mr Cho on the horse. King Yin rudely shouted "Give way now!" and Yun Tin said "Why should we? We have always led the drgan dance to the temple for prayers every year, why should we give way now?" and King Yin I think said "It is time for change, for the old to leave and the young to takeover. If you refuse, don't let us know that we didn't warn you!" and the two dragons fought and the rival kicked Bak Chuen and gang and they fell and the fierce battle to the temple began.

Next episode... can't remember what is in the next episode.

Not much to say about this episode except I love Sung Man and I don't get Hong Fei.

Performance wise, same old same old.

John Chiang and Kenny Wong came from the same school of acting; the one expression fits all situation school of acting. You can call them bland, you can call them expressionless but they're not bad actors, just frozen face actors. I don't know what's wrong with them.

Moses Chan is still that same wide eyed boredom type of acting like "Really?! Oh ok" type of expressions.

Tavia is ok. Sonija is ok. Nothing that required more than 2 emotions at once so she's fine. There is only so much you can compute into an automaton I suppose but really she is much better than all other series she was in prior to this. I find her such a happy character.

Lau Dan seems to have one look throughout which I have used extensively in this recap; sly smile. Really, he just smiled that way, throughout. I am beginning to think maybe the winter has frozen all of their expressions, numbed their senses.

Claire Yiu was adequate but since her role is so so right now, nothing to let her show her acting chops.

Steven Ma is the same as in the last few episodes, wonderful and certainly is Sung Man until he recited some poems. That was when he failed. Diction not clear, no intonation and no passion or a sense of poetry. Steven stop reciting poems!!!

And last but not least, I must say something about my favourite TVB veteran actor, Chan Hung Lit. He truly looked so fierce in here, with his white beard and official gowns. He looked the part I tell you, sounded the part and didn't have much to reveal his acting chops here yet but I must say, his diction is back to HUH? WHAT? HAH?!?!??!! Could understand him but with much difficulty.

A big compliment to TVB for the great costume. Truly looked oppulent and rich and detailed and well made, especially the official's gowns and cixi's gowns. The location also is for once a garden is indeed a garden and a festival is indeed a festival. Fantastic stuff.