Written by Funn Lim
I can't remember much about this episode since I am writing this 2 days after I have seen it. So please forgive me if this is all over the place.
In Mongolia, to everyone's surprise, Bak Chuen and Fu Yi Chek who were dealing with some French ambassador or rich guy, I can't decide (played to such perfection in the sense it was perfectly awful by Joe Jr who was speaking Frenglish, as in French but nonsensical French) and lo and behold, guess who was his assistant cum interpreter? Guess! Guess! Yeah, Bo Yan Ba To in a fake wig, ugly moustache and well nice suit (those penguin types that come with tall hat). Fu Yi Chek immediately slapped him. Later Bo Yan Ba To came by to see Ko Wa and guess what she did? She slapped him! Poor dude. But Bak Chuen felt they needed to talk, however the deep the hurt and so he advised Ko Wa to see him but Ko Wa asked him "Aren't I your friend? Why are you on his side?" and Bak Chuen earnestly with a really blank look said "I am your friend which is why it is my advice you meet him and hear what he has to say, if not you might regret it".
Well she met him. The dude explained yes, he was on his way to the town to earn some money so that he can return to marry Ko Wa but halfway through he was attacked and was very hurt when he was rescued I think by the French dude which I don't think was the ambassador. Anyway he recuperated and realised he could learn much more and so he followed this guy as his interpreter as he learned French real fast and he hoped to earn some money so that he could come back and marry Ko Wa. That was 3 years ago. But Ko Wa bitterly asked him "Why did you come back now? You married!" and Bo Yan Ba To was confused. He said "I didn't marry! Who said I did?" and Ko Wa thought for a moment and Bo Yan Ba To said "I wrote you letters to explain what I was doing. Didn't you receive them?" and Ko Wa was like no and then it clicked.
It turned out her aunt and uncle hid the letters because Ko Wa was useful to them and so the problems were solved. Ko Wa now had her Bo Yan Ba To and they even talked about marriage with Fu Yi Chek calling him brother in law. Bo Yan Ba To even bought Ko Wa a Western dress (which Sonija looked very pretty by the way and so slim, her waist so small and she looked tiny) and everyone marvelled at how pretty she looked and she said "Oh you're all just kidding me" and Bak Chuen seriously said "No Ko Wa, you're very pretty, this dress suits you" and in a melancholy sad way he added "You two look very good together, a gentleman and his lady, I am happy for you Ko Wa" and Ko Wa smiled sweetly whilst Fu Yi Chek smiled like an idiot, Bak Chuen looking rather glum and Bo Yan Ba To looking well, alive. All was happy. Yeah!
Then problems occur. I can't remember this was before the above or after. Anyway Ding Fung Sing was involved in a dispute with Bo Yan Ba To's employer, the French dude. Apparently the French dude bought a property from a sly Chinese dude who before that actually mortgaged the house to Ding Fung Sing. Now that he ran away Ding Fung Sing will need to foreclose the house but the French dude was there, stopping them. The branch manager of Ding Fung Sing didn't know what to do because all discussions failed when that French man said "I'll see you in court!" and they all knew because Cixi wanted to make the westerners feel at home due to the many loans she has taken and failed to pay, westerners were acting arrogantly and they knew they would lose the case since it was sure win for that french dude. So Bak Chuen bold suggested "Sir, we let him win just this once. There is no point in suing him because we won't win. So why not we give him this one favour and he will owe us a favour. It might be useful in future". But the manager was reluctant "I don't have enough time to get Mr Kiu's approval since we have 48 hours to give that French man an answer" and Bak Chuen boldly said "I am sure Mr Kiu will agree with me. Moreover we have no time sir, we need to act fast". And so they did what he suggested and Mr Kiu received a letter to that effect and Yun Tin was so angry he said "You must fire that fool! He has caused us losses! How dare he act without consulting you first?" and Mr Kiu calmly said "He did right. What Bak Chuen concluded was also accurate. I trust him and we shall leave it at that". Poor Yun Tin, can't even be compared to a nobody like Bak Chuen. Hahahahahhahahahahahaha!
Sorry for the evil laughter. But it was funny.
Meanwhile, Ding Fung Sing had a big problem ahead.
The received a request by Chai Ngai to meet with them at the Chamber of Commerce. Once there he praised Mr Kiu for being so generous in his donation, much to the annoyance of Mr Cho and even gave Mr Kiu a name plague for being so charitable with Sung Man looking on. He was also given some official clothing to wear, like some title. And then the real punch came. Sir Chai wanted to see Mr Kiu's house, since he heard how big it was.
So he went there and lo and behold Mr Kiu was so confused why the entire living room was suddenly filled with their most expensive paintings, vases, what nots. Sir Chai was served with the most expensive tea and blood bird's nest and the most expensive silk as handkerchiefs. Mrs Kiu looked on like an idiot with Mrs Cho smiling slyly. Yun Tin began to panic. Sir Chai then said "Well the great Old Buddha has sent me here to Ping Yiu becaue this is the hub of financial institution. The westerners have stolen one of our beloved Cixi's most beloved treasure and she wishes to buy it back. You all know the treasury wouldn't be able to afford this and so she hopes you can give a generous donation to buy back that treasure and she will be most grateful" and Mr Kiu said "But it is much too expensive. I could hardly afford it" and Sir Chai said "Ridiculous. With all these? Well you can always speak with your fellow members at the Chamber Of Commerce, combine your effort" and Mr Kiu said "Well I will speak with them and give you an answer" and Sir Chai said "Alright, I shall wait, eagerly".
Alone, Yun Tin was screaming at the butler who was so afraid he was shaking uncontrollably. "WHY DID YOU PUT ALL THOSE EXPENSIVE STUFF IN THE LIVING ROOM? WHY DID YOU SERVE THAT BIRD'S NEST? ARE YOU TRYING TO HARM US? IS THAT IT?!?!??!". And the butler answered shakingly "No sir, I didn't mean to but it was the madam's instruction. I was just following instruction" and Mr Kiu said "You're excused". Yun Tin said "Obviously someone fooled mother and it was Mrs Cho" and Mr Kiu said "Don't falsely accuse someone. After all Mrs Kiu made the decision however foolish she was". Yun Tin looking very worried said "But we can't afford this, we just recovered financially!" and Mr Kiu said "Calm down. There will be a solution and panicking will not help us".
Mr Kiu spoke with the Chamber of Commerce, everyone complained "That greedy witch! She wants to milk us dry is that it? We can't afford it!!" and Mr Kiu asked Mr Cho "And what is your opinion on this?" and Mr Cho I think said something like they can ill afford to offend Cixi and someone said "If you wish to donate, you do it yourself! I will not pay a cent. Even if it means offending her, I don't care!" and so Mr Kiu concluded "Alright then, I shall convey your decisions to Sir Chai".
Sir Chai was very very angry, and saw this as an insult. Sung Man tried to reason with him saying "Well sir, they just recovered from a major catastrophe. We could hardly blame them. Moreover sir, this is a donation, and we can't force someone to donate if they don't want to" and suddenly Sir Chai said "Well then, if they won't donate, then you spread my words. I herebly proclaim that all banks here must pay taxes, whether it is deposits, transfers or withdrawals and the rate shall be 10% of the transaction sum!" and Sung Man said "But sir, this is too much! They won't agree, the bank will not have profit!" and Sir Chai said "Well if the banks won't bear the tax, let the people do". Sung Man didn't know how to rebut him.
And so Sung Man with Sir Chai went to Ding Fung Sing and loudly made the proclamation. People panicked and Mr Kiu was very angry. "You're killing our business sir!" and Sir Chai said "I have asked you nicely for your donation. Since you won't, then it shall be this way! For as long as there is a transaction from now onwards, 10% tax must be paid!" and Mr Kiu said "But this is a losing end for us and no client will want to pay 10% tax. It is as if they're making a loss, who would want to do transaction now?" and Mr Chai said "I don't care!" and Mr Kiu said "Are you forcing me Sir Chai? Are you that unreasonable? Alright if that is the case ... CLOSE THE DOORS! THE BANK IS NOW CLOSING FOR THE TIME BEING! CLOSE!!" and they closed immediately.
The other Chamber of Commercer met and agreed to close in unity but Mr Cho secretly decided to remain open as he said to his wife (they met secretly and he told her to continue to spy on them) "Ding Fung Sing and the others are so stupid. Let them close and when people do not have any place to do the transactions, who would they go to? We shall have the business of all the banks! and I shall buy over Ding Fung Sing!" and Mrs Kiu said "And we don't have to listen to their nonsense anymore".
So people wanted to withdraw money and discovered all banks closed except for one. Business was brisk until they were told they need to bear 10% of the tax. However Mr Cho or King Yin explained the people couldn't see the logic and ended up saying "I'd rather withdraw all my money and keep it under my pillow!" and which they did forcing Mr Cho to scream "CLOSE THE DOORS!!! CLOSE THE BANK!!".
Stupid isn't he? Now I see he ain't that great as first taukeh anyway. He's so desperate to trump Mr Kiu he simply forgotten how to do sensible business.
Meanwhile Sir Chai persisted. Sung Man cried "Sir if this continues the people will suffer! Don't let your ego get in the way!" and Sir Chai angrily said "How dare you speak to me that way?" and Sung Man bravely said "If you persist sir, I shall report this to the Empress Dowager and let her decide!" and Sir Chai said "I came here under the orders of the Empress Dowager. Do it! Do it then!" and Sung Man idealistically did and his report was presented by his father and Sir Chui. The Emperor saw Sung Man's worries but Cixi slyly said "I don't see how this would affect the empire" and Sir Chui explained "The banks are the cornerstone of our economy. The reason why we are able to continue to pay the loans we owe the western banks is because of these banks continous business and the flowing transactions. If we don't end this thanks to Sir Chai's ego of one man, the economy will crumble and we will not be able to meet the instalments and this will affect the empire greatly". Cixi had no choice but to order Sir Chai to stop but she didn't punish him as urged because she felt "He was just overeager, he didn't mean for the consequence to happen the way it did".
Yeah right.
Anyway so Ding Fung Sing was safe again.
Meanwhile Cixi was alone with Eunuch Lee and Cixi was very very angry.
"My plans was foolproofed! I agree with Sir Chai, the treasury needed money and this was the best way. But I could never believe my plans could be thwarted by that Cheung Sung Man. Cheung Sung Man, you be careful now. I shall take my time but I shall ensure you will never get a peaceful day from now on. You shall see.....".
Next 5 episodes, Sung Man will be fired and Mrs Kiu dies with the request Ko Wa take care of Mr Kiu and Bak Chuen refused to run away with her.
Drama! Woahhhhhhh poor Sung Man! He was just doing what's right.
I have no comments on the performances but this is by far one of the most and I believe it so, accurate portrayal of how stupid, unreasonable and malicious Cixi was. Stupid above all else. This woman will just do anything to kill her empire. And the Emperor, useless bugger. Simply useless. Why didn't someone just kill them both or at least Cixi? Dumb stupid egoistical woman.
Other than that, no comments. Really. I mean everybody is the same. Wood is still wood, bad acting still bad acting and yes yes yes, Sonija Kwok improved a lot. She was also very pretty in here. Ok so kill me! I do like her Ko Wa whom I have christened Barbara Ha Yi Ko Wa because it sounded like Barbara. Cute.
