Rosy Business
Set in Eastern China in the mid-19th century Qing Dynasty, the mercantile Chiang family and the ambition and jealousy surrounding the issue of who will inherit the family business when Chiang Kiu dies. Hong Po-kei marries into the Chiang family as Chiang Kiu's fourth wife. She gains ownership of Hing Fung Nin, the family rice shop, and guides the ambitious coolie Chai Kau to rise in the social status ladder.
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Ep 1Episode 1
Accompanied by his female chef HONG PO-KEI, the Prince is delivering a batch of royal rice to the city of Wuxi. On the way, they are under siege by a group of famine victims but KEI manages to convince their leader CHAI KAU to give way by offering them some rice in exchange. TSEUNG KIU, owner of Wuxi’s Hing Fung Lin Grain Store, is a well-known philanthropist and offers to donate one-third of his fortune to the relief fund. As a token of appreciation for his generosity, the Emperor has sent the Prince to Wuxi to hold a special rice feast for KIU. KIU asks his sons, PIT-MAN, PIT-CHING and PIT-MO to prepare three different gifts for the Prince. KAU has killed and eaten gang leader PANG HANG’s dog after arriving in Wuxi. HANG, the chief of Green Sect, is furious to learn that his dog is killed and decides to have KAU beaten up as revenge……
Ep 2Episode 2
YEE and PANG KIU ask MAN to call the police without causing any disturbance to the Prince and the feast. KEI gets caught and is brought to the front of the Prince. The Prince states that he will have KEI executed upon confirmation of her identity. KIU begs the Prince to release KEI. He emphasizes that KEI’s father was a good official and that he did not open the Royal Rice Store for his own benefit but only for the sake of thousands of famine victims. The Prince points out that anyone who has broken the law should get punished and KIU continues to intercede for KEI by asking for punishment upon him. The incident is finally over… KIU proposes to KEI and KEI accepts, although she knows she can only be his fourth wife. YEE and the other two wives of KIU object to the marriage and go to have a word with KIU’s mother KWAI YUK-YUE. However their request is refused and they end up getting a severe telling-off……
Ep 3Episode 3
The Yellow-breasted Buntings have posed a threat to the grain harvest. For this reason, MAN has launched a “Kill the Birds” Campaign and asks all the Wuxi citizens to join it. KEI urges MAN to stop the campaign at once, for wiping out the birds will cause damage to the ecosystem and lead to pest outbreaks eventually. MAN, however, refuses to take KEI’s advice. CHING meets YAU MAN and her mother in the city of Suzhou and the two of them have just been kicked out into the street. YAU MAN’s mother HING tells CHING about their story. CHING sympathizes with them and gives them some money. Not long after, CHING runs into YAU MAN again in Wuxi. YAU MAN says HING has passed away and as CHING is about to give her money, KIU, who is standing at the corner of the street, means to fling the hot cigarette ash at HING’s feet. KEI points out to KIU that CHING has the potential to progress further and does deserve more opportunities……
Ep 4Episode 4
Members of the TSEUNGs are debating whether or not to pay the ransom. As everyone is at a loss of what to do, HANG tells the TSEUNGs not to worry and that he will get all his followers to save MO. KIU is on a business trip and is astonished to learn that MO has been kidnapped. He decides to go back to Wuxi and as he is about to set off, he gets a letter from KEI. KEI wants KAU to do some observing and find out if there are any suspicious-looking individuals among the workers. To elicit his help, KEI decides to treat him to a nice meal. YEE and other members of the family receive a letter from KIU, in which he emphasizes that the kidnap case is to be dealt with by KEI. KAU plays a trick on HANG but gets caught on the spot. To seek revenge, HANG frames KAU for theft and has him arrested. PANG KIU is so worried about MO that she cannot get to sleep……
Ep 5Episode 5
KIU returns to Wuxi and decides to pay the ransom. KEI tries to stop him but in vain. KEI bribes HANG’s mistress HOI-TONG and finally manages to save KAU. KAU returns to the warehouse and spreads the message that he has had dinner with KIU and that KIU has made it clear that he will not pay the ransom no matter what. KAU reiterates KIU’s assertion that he will fight back by whatever means with all his money if MO ends up being killed by the kidnappers. CHING finds MO in the hill and manages to carry him back to the city center in the middle of the night. MAN happens to discover CHING and MO. Immediately he brings MO back to TSEUNG’s Mansion claiming that it is he himself who has rescued the little brother. KIU would like to appoint CHING to the post of First Deputy Manager……
Ep 6Episode 6
MAN makes a formal apology to KIU but KIU is still very angry and refuses to forgive him. During the breakfast, MAN discloses his plan to start a new business in Beijing, which, to everyone’s surprise, is supported by KIU. The TSEUNGs hold a party for MO to celebrate his safe return, during which MAN tries to befriend KAU and KIU is pleased to see such a scene. KAU gets drunk and declares himself as a member of the “HONG’s Gang”. KEI is irked and dismisses KAU in front of the guests. Police officers from the other province come to look for CHING. They say YAU MAN is arrested and would like CHING to provide more information for further investigation. CHING gets a little upset when he hears that YAU MAN and her mother have been captured. KAU keeps apologizing to KEI. KEI is moved by his sincerity and finally allows him to rejoin Hing Fung Lin as a worker. The price of rice increases sharply as a result of the natural disasters……
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