[E] LAND OF WEALTH / 匯通天下 [TVB][2006]

Written by Funn Lim

I have said much too early about Sung Man's supposed stupidity. My stupid logic! Ahhhh how happy...

Story continues that the bank is facing severe shortage of funds for the hundreds of people who are withdrawing money every day. Then businessmen too started to wthidraw money and Mr Kiu was told if everyond withdraws about $20,000 per day their funds can only last 5 days max. So Mr Kiu arranged for funds from other branches but that would take some time but Mr Kiu is unfazed. In fact he entertained all requests to close accounts whatever the sum because if not the situation would be worse.

Yun Tin was panicking. He asked Mr Kiu why not ask Sung Man to give a public notice about their non-involvement which is quite logical to me but Mr Kiu shot him down and said "Sir Cheung is only doing his job. It is not the government's business to meddle into business and it should remain that way. We are innocent and time will tell". But Yun Tin still panicked big time and asked the Chamber Of Commerce for an emergency meeting. Before he was there everybody knew the purpose and all except one agreed to help with the funding since bankers stay together in times of crisis but Mr Cho with his perfectly worried whilst smiling face slyly said "I know we should help, he is after all my relative so to speak. But I am worried, Ding Fung Sing is implicated in a fraud case and Mr Kiu was especially close to the magistrate. This is a government investigation and if we were to assist Ding Fung Sing in any way I am afraid we too may be subjected to investigation ourselves..." and all were worried when he said that.

Yun Tin arrived and launched into a request about funding but everyone seemed reluctant and Mr Cho sadly said he wanted to help but he can't due to the fraud case and Yun Tin angrily whispered "There will come a day when your fortune will turn and when that day comes I will repay you ten fold for what you did to day. Remember that..."

Yun Tin went back to the now almost empty bank vault and the overcrowded crowd and he told Mr Kiu what happened. Mr Kiu didn't say thanks, in fact he scolded Yun Tin "Why did you go to them without asking me first?" and Yun Tin said "Because we are short of funds. We help each other and you forbade me to seek Sir Cheung's help" and Mr Kiu sighed at Yun Tin's stupidity and said "By doing you you're only confirming the rumours, that Ding Fung Sing is seriously in need of funds. This will spread like wild fire and will cause more panic" and he said "I didn't think of that" and Mr Kiu said "Next time always consult me first." and Yun Tin was most aplogetic.

But Mr Kiu was cool as a cucumber because the money was on its way which will take a day the most.

Meanwhile Mr Cho was having discussion with a big time client when suddenly they saw Mr Chong attempting to sell some priceless jade to someone who recognised it as Mr Kiu's jade. They overheard Mr Chong said the bank isn't ok financially and that big time client vowed to Mr Cho he will withdraw the money fast.

Meanwhile Mr Kiu received a letter that the money may be delayed. He sent Bak Chuen and Fu Yi Chek to go check. When they reached that halfway point, they discovered there was some landslide or something so no way the boxes of money would arrive on time. So it was time for Bak Chuen the SuperServant to think of a way whilst Fu Yi Chek sulk it out as ServantBoy his faithful assistant.

Mr Kiu was calm when the rich clients came and to withdraw at least $5000 each. Yun Tin said they haven't have enough money but Mr Kiu said pay them.

Then Mr Cho came and gloat. Mr Kiu politely asked him to leave. But outside was complete mayhem. They all knew someone was spreading rumours because earlier on Bak Chuen deduced that, which I forgot to mention. Mr Chong went out to talk to the people and said "Don't worry we have money, we can entertain all of you, you can come back tomorrow if you want, for as long as Ding Fung Sing opens you can withdraw the money....we have important clients each withdrawin $5000 each and we can still pay them, what more you?" and the more he said the more panicked the people to the point Mr Chong screamed "Close the doors!!!".

Pause here. It was weird you know for Mr Chong to cause more panic than to appease them. We will know later. 

Just as people were surging forward Bak Chuen and Fu Yi Chek arrived with boxes and boxes of money. Mr Cho came forward and refused to believe they were real since they used wooden boxes. Bak Chuen explained "They're lighter, so that we can transport them by river because the roads were closed" and Fu Yi Chek added to Mr Kiu "But boss, the transport fee will be very high" but Mr Kiu was pleased. Mr Cheong curiously looked at Mr Cho and then Mr Cho insisted the boxes be opened and Bak Chuen dramatically opened one box, filled with money as in silver bars. Mr Cho suspected the top was money the bottom was not and he tried to feign accident by pushing Bak Chuen but Bak Chuen himself accidentally or rather deliberately knocked into one box, it fell and there were real money! Mr Cho was shocked beyond words that he had been defeated, the people assured that Ding Fung Sing had money and Mr Kiu was very pleased.

Alone Mr Kiu quietly asked Mr Chong "You have worked for me for 28 years and I can sincerely say I have been good to you all these years. Why did you betray me?"

Pause here.

SOOOO Mr Chong was working for Mr Cho???

Mr Chong didn't know what to say and Mr Kiu said "You were the one spreading the rumours, you sold that jade deliberately in front of Mr Cho and the client. You are working for him" and Yun Tin scolded "You traitor! How could you?" and Mr Chong had nothing to say and Mr Kiu said "You're fired. Leave now." and Mr Chong quietly left.

Why Mr Chong? WHYYYYY?

Alone Bak Chuen explained how he came back in time dramatically "Sir, there was no way I could get the money here on time. The boxes are actually filled with stones except for the box I tipped over. I knew he would do that so I deliberately pushed one over because people who sees the money will be rest assured" but Mr Kiu was curious where he got the money and he said "I went to Sung Man" and Yun Tin scolded him and said he wasn't supposed to and Bak Chuen said "I know I wasn't supposed to but there was no choice. Sung Man gave us a box of silver bars on loan" but Mr Kiu was very pleased. Yun Tin wasn't.

And so the crisis was over.

Meanwhile Sung Man persuaded the magistrate to confess his crime. With that case over, Sung Man officially went to Mr Kiu for a visit and he apologised for not visiting and presented Mr Kiu a sword and winked at Jun because that was the sword Jun wanted to buy Mr Kiu. Then the women left and alone Sung Man apologised again for the chaos he caused and Mr Kiu thanked him for the money and Sung Man said "It is the best I could do since I was the one who caused this bank's problems" but Mr Kiu said it was ok and Sung Man praised Bak Chuen and Fu Yi Chek for their clever plan but Yun Tin immediately cut him off and asked "So you shall be staying here for a few days?" and Sung Man said "No, I will have to report back to Beijing and then report for my duties in the town I was assigned to" but Yun Tin said "But Jun..." and Sung Man immediately stood up and asked Mr Kiu "Sir, in light of recent events, I would beg for your permission to give me your daughter's hand in marriage" and Mr Kiu was very pleased, he smiled but asked "What about your parents?" and Sung Man said "I intend to ask them when I go back but sir, why no you with me? Then both parents can meet and discuss" and Mr Kiu said "Fine! I shall do so!".

In the garden Sung Man and Jun were happy with their reunion and teased each other endlessly. And as usual they ended the day with a duet together.

However Sung Man received a new assignment; he was to takeover the magistrate's position in Ping Yiu. His assistant whom I mistaken as a servant smiled and said "Well then you can now work here and be near your loved one" and Sung Man was pleased although he felt he could have been no. 1 scholar but decided he would do his best in his assignment.

Jun was so happy she asked her mother's permission to go walk in the town after a temple visit and she was accompanied by Ko Wa. Then Jun saw a kite flying and Ko Wa suggested why not buy a kite and they were busy crossing a street when a horse with a cart charged ahead. Ko Wa was in the way and Jun bravely pushed Ko Wa to the floor but she herself ended up being dragged into the moving cart. Ko Wa stood up and saw Jun was missing and began a frantic search.

Back at home Ko Wa apologised endlessly for what happened, Ching scolded her with Yun Tin adding a few harsh words but Mr Kiu didn't blame her as he said "It was clearly planned" and Sung Man held Ko Wa as she stood up. Then Mr Kiu said "But I have no enemies that would do such a dishonourable thing" and Sung Man cleverly deduced "Then it must be kidnap for ransom!" and sure enough a letter arrived asking for $5000. Mr Kiu asked Sung Man if he should pay and Ching added "Money and life is nothing, sister's reputation would be severely affected by this!" and Mr Kiu told her to shut up but Mrs Kiu crying and said "Husband, I don't care. Jun being safe is more important. Save her..." and Sung Man too agreed and said "I will ask my guards to hide and to arrest if possible" but Yun Tin said "They might know, they may hurt her still" but Sung Man said "Don't worry".

But the kidnappers' were smarter and Sung Man was tricked when they saw a dead woman's body wearing Jun's shoes and it wasn't her. Curiously Ko Wa sneezed when she saw the body.

Then the 2nd letter came and asked for $10000 and for Sung Man to come alone. Sung Man discovered it was the guy who escaped his arrest in the salt fraud who was doing this and Sung Man was very upset because he felt he caused this to happen. Mr Kiu didn't blame him and Ko Wa volunteered to deliver the money but Sung Man "I must go alone".

And so Sung Man went alone but he ended up being taken from point to point until he was at one deserted place surrounded by the kidnappers.

Meanwhile Ko Wa read the letter and suddenly again she sneezed and Mrs Kiu asked if she was alright and Mr Kiu observed she had sneezed twice and then Ko Wa said EUREKA!

Sung Man was cornered and the kidnappers' dramatically revealed Jun under a deep hole, crying and Sung Man fought with them, the money forgotten since this is about revenge and Sung Man was knocked into the hole. He held Jun tightly and said "If you want to kill me, kill me! Let her go, she is innocent" and the kidnapper laughed and said "Well then I am giving you lovebirds an opportunity to die together!" and the began to shovel sand in when the guards arrived and saved the day!

Sung Man was with Mr Kiu at Mr Kiu's home and Mr Kiu said "You should rest Sir Cheung" but Sung Man was worried about Jun and was told Jun was fine, just needed some rest. Sung Man was most apologetic for what happened but Mr Kiu said "It is in the times of crisis we could see a person's true nature. I am happy for Jun". And Sung Man was told about how Ko Wa was allergic to some grass and how Mr Kwan deduced the only place with those grass and that was where they were found.

I really forgot what was the final scene but it ended with a happy note. I can't remember the preview for the next episode either. Bad memory.

One thing did stick in my brain for the longest of time.

How can Ding Fung Sing run out of money so soon? The accountant deduced each day $20000 is withdrawn. Isn't that sum a bit too high considering people at Ping Yiu wouldn't have so much money in the bank since life may be good but they're not that rich? A loan of $100 had to be thought carefully before giving so the savings wouldn't be much. Moreover these are not big depositors because as we saw later the big ones came with $5000 each to withdraw. I find that whole people surrounding the bank a bit dramatic and guess what? In the end the people came back to deposit the money when the rumours died down! Pure drama actually.

The entire episode was dramatic, especially the scene with Jun being tied up. Could Sung Man's father refuse the wedding because she was once kidnapped and her good name gone since she was with the kidnappers, all men for a whole day? I can't wait to find out why. The best scene however is Bak Chuen's arrival with the money. Truth is Bak Chuen is Mr Kiu's perfect son in law in the making.

As for Sung Man, I am beginning to find him bland as an official.

As for Sonija Kwok's performance, well well well... she didn't panicked enough when Jun was missing. In fact she seems rather not that panic. I expected her to cry and stutter and stuff since she is close to Jun, she is scared, she didn't look after Jun well and she is worried for Jun. None of those. Just big guilty eyes minus the tears, fear, worries and stuttering. Bad moment for Sonija.

Everybody else was the same. No change, except a bit more expression on John Chiang's face.

Anyway still eager for the next episode to see how the love stories go.