Tai-Pan (1986) - full transcript

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China was an unknown, forbidden land.

For four centuries, her shores
had not been touched by the West.

But in the early days
of the great sailing ships...

Western merchants, drawn by
the wonders of tea and silk and jade...

teased at her coastline...

with the twin seductions
of bribery... and opium.

In the south
of China's vastness...

on the edge
of the inland city of Canton...

they boldly established
a trading center...

and defied the emperor to act.



Jin Qua.

From the High Commissioner...

of His imperial Majesty...

and the Celestial Court.

He requires absolutely...

to see the leader,
the Tai-Pan.

We're all taipans.

One taipan is the Tai-Pan...

Captain Brock.

Don't go.
He wants you dead.

Or for a hostage.

You cannot lay siege
to British citizens.

He demands a speech...

with the Tai-Pan.



- Do not go into Canton.
- He sent for me.

Oh,yes.
Terrifically true.

He kills Tai-Pan, and all barbarians
leave China. No more opium.

May-may, i'm British.
He would not dare to touch me.

Your most fastest ships
sail to England.

Do not see them
for nine months-- a year.

Your body be rotted
and horrifically finished...

even before your barbarian
queen know you're dead.

England has the greatest
fighting ships in all the world.

Oh, yes, but why
we never see one?

Even one in China?

Because, Tai-Pan, even your barbarian
queen knows better than you.

No man can resist
Celestial Emperor.

Burn opium
and do not go.

May-may is your slave...

but please, to grant her
one favor for all her life...

kowtow to him.

i do not kneel to any man.

Kill me then.

Do not be afraid.

Already he has killed
many merchants.

All of city
is terrified.

Do not think one barbarian
he very hotly detests...

will make him a gentle lamb.

Hmm.

Lin, the imperial
High Commissioner...

of the Court of Heaven...

issues these commands.

The barbarians are to deliver...

every particle of opium...

in their possession...

or submit like pirates...

to the extreme penalty
of the law.

- if the imperial Court will allow me--
- Do not speak!

Most honorable Lin...

emissary of the Celestial Court...

China has many riches.

if we were allowed to trade freely
through all the reaches of China, we--

When the emperor
of the Celestial Kingdom...

wants trade with barbarian warrior,
he will make laws...

not foreign devils
who sell opium.

if opium be surrendered,
there would need to be compensation.

And then there's the danger the opium
will fall into the wrong hands.

There will be no compensation.

The opium will be burned.

Burned? We're talking about
thousands of pounds of opium.

Oh, quake and tremble
at the imperial orders.

Do not resist.

The humble merchants
of the West know the imperial Court...

has many expenses to bear.

Tai-Pan, the opium
will be destroyed.

You and all the merchants
must leave Canton.

That's good.
Over here.

Damn you to hell!

Honorable Tai-Pan.
Father.

i thought i would stay and arrange
to bring May-may to Macao.

- if that is your wish.
- Of course, but be careful.

Trust no one.

i'm sorry for this.

i should have judged the man face to face
before i assumed he was like all the rest.

But Lin or no Lin,
Noble House will live for 200 years.

Gordon, you remember that...

in every act you do.

Now, steady strokes, lads. Come on.!

Struan, I should have broken your back
when you were an arrogant cabin boy.

I meant to.

i was a fool not to.

Right, lads. Keep it steady now.

Nearly there.

Come on.

They must have rode all night.

What's going on?

Mr. Brock.

- Mr. Brock, what has happened?
- The China trade be done.

They burned the opium.

Heave away, lads.

Manoel, there's something
i want to show ya.

We're changing course.

- East nor'east.
- East nor'east, sir.

i'm going to show you
destiny's gift to taipan.

The island of Hong Kong.

A sailor's dream, Vargas.

Deep water.
Safe.

And now she's
going to be England's.

- England's?
- Yes, Manoel.

I'm going back to England.

And I'm going to use every penny
I have to convince Parliament...

that the country cannot allow her merchants
to be humiliated by a medieval monarch.

And we're going to demand a piece
of China for England-- this piece of China.

I, Captain Glessing,
Royal Navy...

do hereby take possession
of this island...

Hong Kong...

on this day...

the 26th ofJanuary, 1 841 .

This soil...

is now British soil.

God save the queen.!

Shoulder!

Arms!

Parade will march off
in column of route.!

Left... turn.!

Forward...

march!

Right wheel.

Eyes left!

dd

- Eyes front.!
- We sail and fight in these
waters like pirates for years...

- Right wheel.!
- and when we finally convince
the navy to whip the Chinese...

he gets the government to take this--
this clump of rock-- this trophy.

it looks the safest harbor i've seen
in these waters, Tyler.

- it's not safe harbor we're needin'.
- dd

We could have demanded
trading rights in six Chinese cities.

Shanghai, Nanking.

Instead we take this
bloody rock.

Well...

what he can do
with Parliament i can do.

i mean to make
the government see sense.

dd

- Ah.
- Captain Glessing, sir. Congratulations.

- Thank you, Struan.
- Very nicely done.

- We'll probably have a celebration.
Horatio you know.
- We might have a drink.

- An historic occasion. Thank you.
- Your lads did you proud.

I have a little proclamation of my own,
if you don't mind, Captain Glessing.

Of course.

On behalf of
the Noble House...

of which i be
the immodest taipan...

I wish to invite all the merchants...

their beautiful wives
and ladies...

to a grand ball...

to be celebrated
in two months...

when our building will be
completed on that commanding knoll.

- Tai-Pan.
- Get up here, you.

And to honor the beauty...

that has come from Macao
to gather with us today...

i'll be giving
a L1 000 prize...

- to the best-dressed lady at that ball.
- Ooh.

To be judged
by that incomparable artist...

Aristotle Quance.

You're trying
to ruin me, Tai-Pan.

And i'll wager any man here
that a Noble House ship...

Morning Cloud,
will be the first ship of commerce...

to anchor in that harbor...

- the envy of all the world.
- Hear! Hear!

I have here L200...

says the White Witch
will be unloaded...

before Morning Cloud
is seen on the horizon.

- Ooh.
- By God, Brock...

you've been dipping into the rum before
the chaplain's blessed the feast.

God save the queen!

Ohhh.!

- Steady now.
- Hold it.

- Very commendable effort, Tai-Pan.
- Oh, that was terrible.

Aye.

Ah, Mary...

if your father came to China
to save souls...

he should never have produced a daughter
who could so easily drive men to sin.

Ah. i'm in absolute
agreement, Mr. Struan.

i notice i've never tempted
you to fall from grace, Tai-Pan.

Mary, my dear sister.

That is only because,
my dear Mary...

i defer to the superior
claim of Captain Glessing.

dd

Ah, the "Heart of Loch Lomond."

You must excuse me.

- dd
- dd

Extraordinary man.

Do you know about his--
his China lady?

We've known all about
the Tai-Pan ever since we were children.

And we owe him a great deal.

Since your father's
death, you mean?

And before.
Long before.

Waiting for another ceremony...

to complete your sketch,
Mr. Quance?

No, i'm waiting for the highest bidder.
i shall put him center.

How about you, Mr. Tillman?
Have you a taste for being in history?

What i've a taste for,
Mr. Quance, is decency.

My niece just told me that you've
induced her to let you paint her nude.

As every white man in the Far East
not addicted to opium or sailors...

has tried to seduce or marry your niece
at some time or other...

i dare say you can
trust her to art.

And i promise you, Uncle,
no man'll ever see it.

Except for my future husband.

it's not the art that concerns me,
Mr. Quance. it's the artist.

A man who lives in a house
of ill-repute, hiding from his wife.

Uncle, please.

On the first yardarm.!

How far?

- Aye, aye, boatswain.!
- Two leagues.

- Maybe three.
- Is it enough?

Enough to put bile
in their blood.

A quarter starboard.
Don't you see the wind shift?

That Orlov's a wizard.

When God gave him a hunchback,
he put a compass in his head.

My father beat Orlov.

And, by God,
one day i'll do it too.

Get that mainsheet pulled in!

Aye, aye, sir.!

They'll not catch us.

it's these waters
we're approaching now.

The South China Sea.

They'll be your new home.

And here be your father's
Hong Kong.

i think he make
powerful mistake.

Huh. Who knows?

The Tai-Pan has
fantastic joss.

-Joss?
- Luck.

is, uh, Chinese.

it really means, uh,
favored by God.

i'm not so sure
that's true.

it looks like
one of the Noble House ships.

Morning Cloud.

Look here. This has to be seen to.

i'll have a word
with my commanding officer.

Culum!

Culum.!

Culum!

Culum, i did not know.
My God, i'm glad to see ya!

Oh, Father.
For the love of God, don't.

Culum, i tell you that nothing this nine months
has made me happier than the sight of thee.

Father, the plague
has struck Glasgow again.

Mama, my brother...

my sisters, Grandma--

By God's will,
they're all gone.

You and i are
all that is left.

God, i knew it.

This island i so longed for...

what price
is it going to take?

Yes, Gordon?

My apologies.

i was asked by Mr. Brock
to present you with L200.

Thank you, my son.

It's the White Witch.

Would you, um--

Would you join me
for a farewell tankard, Miss Tess?

Captain, i--

it may be our last chance
for such, uh...

civility.

This afternoon your mom
will come aboard.

And your brother, Mr. Gorth,
will be bringing your father aboard.

Oh, Tess.

Tess, i love thee.

i love thee.

i want you in Macao tomorrow.

i'll be there.

i've dreamed of going ashore
at Macao for months.

Mr. Brock, sir.

We'll take her into
the Pearl to unload on the noon tide.

Alert the crew.
We lift anchor at dawn.

Sir, welcome aboard.

i was just looking to see
if Miss Tess was all right.

- i was but checking, sir.
- Go below.

i don't want to be
discussing this around the crew.

Mr. Brock,
i didn't touch her.

- i didn't harm her, by God.
- You're a dead man, Nagrek.

i did nothing, sir. i swear.
i were only checking--

You put your stinkin' hands
under her shift.

No harm i done,
i swear.

it were only play.

i just want him dead.

He'll be dead.

But he won't die a man.

It was little Winnie who got it first.

Then Jamie.

it's funny.
it was Winnie who got it first...

but she lived the longest.

Do i have to do this?
i bathed before i left Glasgow.

You must bath every week,
Culum. You stink.

Everyone stinks.
That's why we wear pomades.

- it's unhealthy bathing.
- i dinna stink.

The Chinese dinna stink.

Phew. When did you last
wash these?

- Why, never. it would ruin the cut.
- i'll get you new ones...

and you'll wash them
every week.

And when you use the head, you'll wipe
your ass with paper and wash your hands.

- Why?
- The Chinese think dung makes people sick.

- That's crazy. in London, no--
- Forget London.

The Chinese dinna smell. And they dinna
get sick in this heat like Europeans.

Just because they dinna
make good cannon, dinna be fooled.

They're a smart, wise people. And every ship
of mine runs on the rules they taught me.

You make these heathens out
to be smarter than--

And you'll drink tea
like they do too, not water.

Aye.

Your guests be Mr. Brock
and Mr. Gorth, sir.

Thank you, Captain Orlov.

i'll not interrupt
your China habit.

First, i tell you i'm sorry
for what happened to your family.

Aye.

You've been busy...

with your agent
in London.

Well, i've been busy too
these 1 2 months past.

But with commerce.
Not chasing barren islands.

The boy's water is chilling, Brock.
State your piece.

Gladly.

You're bankrupt,
Struan.

Bankrupt.

Gorth has come back from London
with L1 ,200,000 of notes...

drawn against Noble House
and your London bank.

My agents bought up
every last one of them...

and they're due
at month's end.

And i'll be givin' no credit,
acceptin' no goods.

When time's up, I'll be
taking over every ship in your fleet.

i'd sink them first.

You?

Sink a clipper? Never.

You have 23 days left
as Tai-Pan.

Enjoy them if you can.

Gorth, we're gone.

Your joss has turned, Struan.

Orlov, Vargas.

The money we needed to buy votes,
did MacGregor tell you where it came from?

The bank sold notes
against future trade.

- You authorized it.
- Notes to whom?

in the market.
i gave them no specific instructions.

i don't imagine he would know.

My God.

To Brock.

Maybe my joss has turned.

For your very great loss...

my heart is full
of sadness.

May-may...

i have much business today...

and i will make
certain arrangements.

You must do exactly as i say.

Of course.
Don't i always most times?

i may have to
sell thee, May-may.

It will be
to someone kindly.

And I will try to get you
the place of supreme lady.

i-- i thank you, lord.

i burned incense for
safe rebirth of the supreme lady...

and her children.

Everywhere today
i'm told...

Noble House must pay
in silver.

No credit.

Unless Tai-Pan produces
a miracle...

the ships will return
without silk or tea.

The Tai-Pan's cargo
does not contain miracles today.

it is hard to believe, Tai-Pan.

i must tell you that my mother
spent the night in tears.

Aye. Your mother.

At sea you learn that what is given
can be taken away, Gordon.

Worry about yourself, lad.
Not about me.

i was a privateer before...

and by week's end i'll take Morning Cloud
from under Brock's nose and be one again.

And then i'll be back
to haunt him.

Tai-Pan, if I could help.

Aye, i was counting on it.

- Have you heard of the pirate Wu Fang Choi?
- Of course.

He's on Amoy, i'm told.
i'm sending you to him.

i have need of safe harbor.

Tai-Pan.

"The Noble House is in need.

"These men will lead you
to a friend.

Come secretly."

- Do not do it.
- i have need of friends, Gordon.

Even dangerous ones.

Stay silent till sunset.

Then if you've heard nothin'...

bring Orlov and the crew
of Morning Cloud and find me.

You look see.

Mary.

Hello, Tai-Pan.

You need not worry.

Jin Qua has gone down
the other stairs.

i'm not worried.

- i'm disgusted.
- Why?

Because i like to go to bed
with Chinese?

You're a strange one
to feel that.

You're a woman...
and a child.

I don't want your drink.

- Why have you done this?
- Because you need my help.

And i had to prove to you
i could deliver it.

i would rather have tried
to make you mine.

By the sweetJesus...

i'm lost.

This is not
the Mary Sinclair i know.

Yes, it is.

Mary Sinclair, the innocent...

who loves church...

and singing and knitting,
is also me.

We are all that way,
Tai-Pan.

Look at you.

Devil, smuggler...

prince, murderer, husband,
father, fornicator...

saint.

Which is you?

- i'm sending you back to England.
- You don't have the power now.

ButJin Qua can restore it.

And Jin Qua is my lover.

He will have a price...

but he will do it.

i owe you that.

- You owe me nothin'!
- You've never been beaten.

You stopped my father
from beating me...

but not my brother...

from comforting me.

May-may was more a virgin
at 1 4 than i was, Tai-Pan.

Arrange to seeJin Qua.

He's returning to Canton.

He will be waiting.

Aristotle.

Mr. Quance.

Mr. Quance!

Mr. Quance.

- You must come quick.
- Great balls of fire.
What is it, Mrs. Fotheringill?

it's Gorth.
And he won't be stopped.

The man's a menace.

Out of the way.

Open this door, you dung-eater!

Open up!

What do you want?

Get your clothes on...
and get out of here.

Gently with her. Gently now.

Oh, God.

i don't want you back here.

That's for her.

And that's for keeping
your mouth shut.

God's blood!

You ought to be
beaten like that yourself.

The Tai-Pan's time
is coming to an end.

And when it does,
i'll look for you.

i don't know why
you worry.

You only pick 'em
off the street anyway.

i'll be back.

Jin Qua.

Please, eat.

I am told
the Imperial Commissioner Lin...

has been banished.

Oh, yes. He's blamed
for losing Hong Kong to British.

Forty lac dollars.
All silver.

Forty lac?

That would take Brock
off my throat and then some.

- if anyone knew it was here--
- i borrowed it.

ifTai-Pan wants to
borrow it from me...

i think Tai-Pan will pay.

How Tai-Pan pay?

Noble House...

buys only from Jin Qua...

and Jin Qua's sons...

for 1 0 years.

ifJin Qua sell
at market price.

Plus 1 0%.

Hmm. Five.

Eight.

Five.

- Seven.
- Five.

Seven.

All right.

You sellJin Qua five lac dollars' land
in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong plan is wise.

You sell toJin Qua in the name
of your improper boy chillo...

Gordon Chen.

if that is your wish.

Well, after midnight...

I will deliver silver
to your warehouse.

And then...

you are in my debt.

You can use my lorcha
for getting downriver to Hong Kong.

The risk is yours.

i will send my safest men.

But...

40 lacs of silver...

would make rich
many, many Chinese families...

for generations.

And you are...

but a barbarian.

Well...

I leave you to enjoy your meal.

Zai jian.

- Zai jian.
- Zai jian.

What are you
toJin Qua, Gordon?

What the Tai-Pan is
to the British...

Jin Qua is to the Chinese.

i am proud to be British,
but i am also proud to be Chinese.

And i am proud of you.

ThankJin Qua.

Tell him his news filled me too much
to enjoy the delicacies he offered.

Another time.

Eat.

They make you very potent.

it is fantastical true.

Prawns are very important
for your figure.

That may be.

But do you have to eat
the heads?

Ahh.

Dinna ken?
They're the best part.

That'll teach ya.

i think...

they are beginning...
to work.

By God...

i've given you
too much already.

More.

Just one more.

i want you to be
fantastical good.

That lump of dog meat Brock
is breaking you by huge monies owed.

- is it true?
- Who told you?

it is terrifical simple
to solve this business.

No sell May-may.
Kill Brock.

- it is time now.
- That's one way.

i've thought of it.

One way, another way--
you think of a way.

Will i?

Yes.

After tonight,
you remember for sure...

you do not want
to lose May-may.

i've paid for you,
and too much.

Ay-ya!

You not the only man
in China!

When i was virgin,Jin Qua could have
sold me easy to Manchu prince...

even to the emperor
for a thousand taels!

i was Jin Qua's gift to you
for China trade.

i know...

you're not stupid.

You will beat Brock...

because i please you
too much.

Now, come to me, Tai-Pan.

No.
it gives me pleasure...

and it is my duty.

Your custom is man
have only one wife, ay-ya?

Aye.

Chinese custom more better.

Many wives.

How soon will you marry?
What is the custom?

- Oh, i dunna think i'll marry again.
- You should--

an English or Scottish.

But, first,
you should marry me.

So for once,
i be your supreme lady.

Aye, perhaps i should.

Aye, perhaps you should.

Come, lass.
it is time.

This filthy dirt
destroys my perfection.

- You owe me 50 cash to repair.
- Come on.

What for two girl chillos, hya?
No can.

- What your name?
- Wung.

Girl chillos belong me.

Cast off, Wung.

Tai-Pan.!

Tai-Pan.!

No.!

And now for you, laddie.!

Come here.

What's this mean,
Culum doin' a land auction?

Exactly,
my dear Tai-Pan.

Captain Glessing
did it to honor you...

and hoping, no doubt,
that given the honor...

you won't embarrass him
by bidding.

Whatever his motives,
i did not think...

the man had
that much stomach.

My God.
How long has that been goin' on?

The young men choose
their own friends.

It's one of the hardest lessons
ofbeing a parent.

You'd know.

Well, i may not have
performed like a parent...

but i have suffered
as one.

i'm sure.

i'd be grateful, Aristotle,
if you'd put it about...

that i'm havin' a tea at my tents
this afternoon...

and i'm particularly
invitin' Mr. Brock.

My pleasure.
Oh, by the way...

as a certain lady
was sitting for me...

i learned that
she's in flux for you.

Absolutely lovesick.

Now that you're eligible again,
you've taken on a certain charm...

even if you are
bankrupt.

dd

- Good day, Miss Johnson.
- Beautiful day.

That's enough, please.
Thank you.

Ah!

- Mother, this be Culum Struan,
once heir to Noble House.
- Culum.

My pleasure, ma'am.
i've never thought of myself as that.

Still, it was true, lad.

And if there be ought left
when your father pays his bills...

it'll be left to you.

i hear you're
a God-fearing lad.

Though I'm no friend of your father,
I'm pleased to meet you proper.

- Oh, Tyler.
- Well.

it's best the boy knows
the truth.

And whatever he holds against me
for defeating his father...

i expect the auction today
to be done fair.

it will be,
i assure you.

And this be
my sister Tess.

Culum Struan.

- it is my honor, miss.
- Mr. Struan.

The Tai-Pan asked my father...

to bring along the sight drafts
he holds against Noble House.

Has he decided not to bid?

i don't know.
i know that he wants the knoll badly...

but i hope
he will not bid.

- Mary.
- Tai-Pan.

is Quance paintin'
your portrait?

No.

Well, Dirk, champagne?

Well, you always did
have a style about you...

even in defeat.

i'm honored
that you've come.

Mrs. Brock.
Tess.

You too, Gorth.

Now, Tyler, i wonder if
you'd do me the courtesy...

to let me see the sight drafts
you say you hold against Noble House.

i don't say.
They're here for your own eyes.

Check them against
the ledger, Mr. Vargas.

One million, two hundred thousand,
Mr. Vargas.

Make sure you add them right.

Prawns are right tasty,
Dirk.

You can tell your cook
he'll have a job with the new owner.

i'll pass
the message along.

Now if you can free your hand,
i'd like you to sign this receipt for me.

- What's that for?
- All correct, Mr. Struan.

i've decided
to pay in cash.

i assume that's acceptable.

Don't you pull one of
your damn tricks on me.

Captain Orlov, please.

Haul away, lads.

He's done it.!

It's all been weighed.

But there's a scale
if you wish to check the amount.

God rot you to hell, Struan.

Gorth!

Get your bully boys ashore
on the double, armed!

Every heathen pirate in Asia
will be on our backs.

Captain Glessing...

i'm asking your marines to guard this
till i get it safely aboard a clipper.

Aye, Mr. Brock.
it'll be my pleasure, sir.

Buy yourself a coffin.

Mr. Brock!
Mr. Brock!

Let me tell you this!

You do that auction fair,
or no man'll save thee--

not thy father,
not anyone.

And i'll have that knoll.

if he tries to outbid me, i'll use his own silver
to drive him back to bankruptcy.

You tell him that.

Brock and Son
will be the taipans.

And the last lot--

1 1 2-B.

- The bids will open at L1 00.
- Wait, wait, wait.

What do you mean, the last lot?
What about the knoll?

Aye, the knoll.

The knoll
has already been purchased.

- Purchased by whom?
- By me for the church.

Captain Glessing
agreed to the deed.

One pound a year.
A church will be built on the knoll.

- It will belong to all.
- You knew that land was for Noble House.

The knoll belongs
to the house of God.

You dare to cross me on this?

Oh, shut up, Brock!

Tell Culum i want him
on his knoll.

- Mr. Struan, i'm sure
he only meant to do good.
- i want him alone!

- Honorable Tai-Pan, the boy--
- Tomorrow morning.

Thy days are numbered, lad.

You know how to make
enemies on all sides.

The view's extraordinary,
do you not agree?

- if the church is not built on the knoll--
- i know all about the church.

i'm not afraid of ya.

- You can kill me if you like,
but you'll hang for it.
- You think i'd kill ya?

When i came here,
you were God to me.

Now i think you be the devil.
i know you were a murderer and worse.

Come here.

- Sit down.
- i'm all right standin'.

There's a wondrous land
across that water, Culum.

A strange, silent world that
stretches for leagues and leagues...

like an unsailed sea, and more people
than we could ever dream of.

- They hate us.
- Aye, some do.

I feel I was meant
to bring them to us and us to them.

About the church...

i want you to understand
that i was not defying you.

it was the only way. i know.

With all that silver,
Brock would have slaughtered us.

i couldn't have stopped it.

- The knoll was a matter of face.
- And you weren't angry?

Oh, aye, i was...
at first.

But then i saw it saved me,
and it gave you face.

But you lost face.

Oh, aye.
But i've enough, and to spare.

Now, why be i the devil?

You trade in opium.
You smuggle.

- You've done it for years.
- Aye. And what did you think i did?

i thought you traded goods
from England for tea from China.

The emperor will not let us
sell goods from England...

yet he demands silver
for his tea.

And if we paid in silver,
it would bankrupt England in a year.

So we sell opium to the Chinese for their
silver and give it back to them for tea.

That's how
the China trade works.

- Opium for tea?
- Aye. Why not?

- i didn't invent opium, nor the trade.
- Aye.

You did not invent adultery either,
but that doesn't make it right.

Culum, you do not understand.

How old is Gordon?

- Nineteen or 20.
- He's my age.

And he's your son also.

And you sold his mother
to Chen Sheng when you tired of her...

- and bought yourself a new mistress.
- I did not sell her.!

i gave her away
with a dowry.

She became Chen's third wife,
and she is respected.

And then you bought
a new, younger woman.

Culum, i've not been
livin' in Throgmorton Street.

- This is the custom here.
- Mr. Brock has one wife.

Brock's wife is here!

Your mother spent
one year in Macao...

and then went home
never to return.

Culum, i want you
to take over from me.

i need to be in London
to stop Brock's maneuvers.

And i want to be your friend.

You are my father.

There is nothin'
i can do about that.

But i choose my friends.

- Tillman.
- Sorry to arrive uninvited, Struan...

- but Shevaun insisted.
- Shevaun?

it's an old American custom
to wish a new house well.

- You're both very welcome.
- We cannot stay.

- But we brought some gifts for the house...
- Aye.

to bring luck.

Some bread,
baked by my own hands.

- Your own hands?
- Yes.

Some salts...

wine...

and something i found
in the market in Macao.

it's most unexpected.
i'm very grateful.

Well, now that we've done our duty,
we'll be off.

You must stay
for some sherry.

Oh, no.
Uncle's right.

We've intruded enough.

i'll look forward to
seein' you at the ball.

Well, i hear men
are placin' bets...

- on the winner of your prize.
- So i've heard.

Were it not partial of me
to do so...

i can assure ya
where my money would be.

Ah. Tea.

Ay-ya!

That maggoty-drawers dung-heap doxy
is after you to marriage her!

Marry, not marriage. And how do you know?
You did not even see her.

What for should i work over plans
of house god-rotting hour after hour...

to see and
not to be seen?

Kiss the hand, huh?

What for you no kiss my hand, ay-ya?

What for you linger
with cow eyes?

Ay-ya.
Mens.

Men, not mens.

Men!

"i am told mens are placin' bets...

on the winner of your prize."

And you stand there
and eat up her bosoms!

What for my bosom
you not stare at, ay-ya?

May-may, i do. i do, May-may.

Mass'er, where you want these?

Ay-ya.!

All right, lass!
Two's fine, but three's extravagant!

May-may, it cost the earth.!
It's from England.!

isn't this splendid?

You look very beautiful,
i must say.

Ah, look at them.
French, German, Russian, American.

They were all forbidden in China,
but now they can land here, trade here.

Oh, it's a glorious night,
Mary Sinclair.

- They all thought you mad.
Even i had my doubts.
- dd

Well, it had to be.
i knew in my China bones...

it was my fate to
make it be no matter what.

it may have its price.

I tell you,
out here miles from home...

more things can happen between
a boy and a girl at one ball like this...

than in a year of normal life.

And how would you know?
This is your home.

Perhaps.

When the fleet returns
to india...

Captain Glessing's staying on
as commander of the harbor.

- He's asked for my hand.
- Really?

it may only be the ball,
but i'm sorely tempted.

- He's a fine man.
- Yes.

But do you think the Mary you know
would be a fine wife for him?

if you marry him proper...

he would be a blessed man,
whatever the past.

dd

i love this one.
it's my favorite.

My God.

She does not give you much of a choice
when it comes to judging.

Oh, Manoel, you're like the rest.
You're all transfixed by her tits.

True, they are impeccable...

but the contest
is for the best dressed...

not the best undressed.

dd

I think we could have a marriage.

- You're mad.
- Mad?

i've been encouraging it
everywhere i could.

They need not marry.

Just be engaged.

No, they should marry.

She loves him, i know.

And he her.

That's enough to overcome
whatever she might have done.

By the way...

the Tai-Pan wants
to go back to England.

And if he runs
into money troubles...

he'll have to.

He's going to leave
Culum in charge.

Before he knows
what's happened...

it'll be Brock,
Struan and Sons.

- How are you so close to Culum?
- i told him...

our fathers may hate...

but it would be un-Christian
for us to do the same.

Instead of destroying each other,
we should be friends.

- And Culum's a right religious lad.
- And he be right.

Struan has always had
the most fantastic joss.

But in the end,
God be givin' me thee, Gorth...

and him only Culum.

Thee be my joss.

- dd
- Thank you very much.

May-may, you sent for me
at a very poor time.

Supreme lady say
you sit, please.

God's blood!

i mean,
it's very nice.

May-may!

May-may.!

May-may, open the door!

Forgive me, master! Forgive me!

May-may, you took me
for surprise.

May-may.
May-may.

May-may, stop it!
Stop it!

Stop.

Wait.

i fix.

- i fix.
- All right.

May-may--
Put that knife down, May-may!

May-may--

Did ya expect
to come to the ball?

No.

No, it was only
for you to see.

Stop it, lass.

it's all right.

it was just a surprise.

Please, you go, mass'er.

All right now.

Never mind.

No worry.

Watch her close.

- i'll send Ah Sam to help.
- Yes, mass'er.

Yes, mass'er.

dd

She'd make a fine wife.

in England, she'd do a man no end of,
uh, good socially.

Yes. Expensive,
but useful.

Captain Glessing seems
to be enamored with Mary.

if someone of your stature
were to mention Shevaun...

i feel sure he'd realize
he was missing a great opportunity.

i know all about
Glessing and Mary...

and i would not like
to hear...

that anyone i knew--
knew well--

interfered with
their own decision.

dd

Tai-Pan, my dear fellow,
it's time for thejudging.

Very good, Aristotle.

Well, you were the life of the party.
What's the matter?

it's May-may.
She's lost face with me.

Oh, it is the Chinese curse.

You'll have to beat her.
You must play the man.

Mr. Quance!

Great thunderballs of death!

'Tis herself,
my blessed lady!

Mr. Quance,you were due back
in England three years ago.!

'Twas only by
the grace of St. Patrick...

that i found passage
to this immoral lair!

Now take me hand, for 'tis time
for you to say good night...

and we be on our way.

Mrs. Quance, Aristotle
has a task to perform.

- Yes.
- We be on our way.

Say good night, me boyo.

- Good night, Tai-Pan.
- Beat her!

- And now, we're without a judge.
- Tai-Pan?

As a stranger for the very first time
in Hong Kong...

may i have that honor?

- The czar's fleet to the rescue.
- Of course.

Ladies and gentlemen,
as you well know...

there is a contest to bejudged this evening.

i'm afraid our immortal Quance
is otherwise engaged.

But His Highness,
the Archduke Zergeyev...

has volunteered to make
the L1 ,000 choice.

i believe this belongs
to you, Miss Brock.

Very nice.

This slave begs her master
to sell her.

You're not a slave,
and you'll not be sold.

Please to sell... to anyone,
to whorehouse, to another slave.

You're not for sale.

This slave have no face
before her lord and owner.

She cannot live here.

Get up.

You have not offended me.

You surprised me.

European clothes
do not suit you.

i will not sell ya.

But if you dinna
want to stay...

you're entirely free
to leave.

Please to sell.
Until owner sell, a slave cannot go.

By God.

You are a miserable slave.

i've a mind to sell you
into the street of blue lanterns.

But who'd want to buy
a dirty baggage like you? i dinna ken.

I paid good silver
for ya...

and i was cheated,
by God.

- Am i not good to ya? Eh? Generous?
- Yes, lord.

You thievin', miserable slave.
i'm gonna whip ya till my arm hurts.

Lie down there.!

Go on!

You dare to get clothes made
behind my back!

No whip too hard!

i'm three months with child!

You dare to wear them
without my approval!

You worthless,
dirty slave!

How i put up with you
these years, i dinna ken!

Stop your wailin'!

Come, remove my shoes.

is it true?
You be with child?

Go wash yourself.
And bring me tea, you motherless wretch.

Quickly!

Gorth. Thank God.

i want to ask your father
for Tess's hand.

Go home, Tess.

Good night.

You look
all hot and bothered.

i know what you need.

Come on.

You be with child?

Well, if that be the case,
i may give you another chance.

Yes, please.
Please, forgive.

But it better be a son.

Now, get into bed.
i'm cold.

in time, i may be
forgiving you, lass.

in time.

i really do not think i should.

Don't worry, Culum. it's no sin here.

it's only trade.
The girls need the business.

Evening, girls.

No. No!

You've got to know
the ropes, Culum.

it's expected.

And, believe me,
you won't mind learning.

Will he, lads?

Oh, to be a virgin
like Culum.

- Did you do it?
- Yes.

- But it was a sin.
- Ah, well, you be used to sin.

Well, at least now he'll know
what to do when he marries young Tess.

Never, by God! He think
he be marryin' Tess, but he'll never.

Our Christian Culum
is a bit hot in the groin...

and he isn't used to
honest drinking.

She's fixed him up with
the most poxed whore in all Macao.

He's at it with her
right now.

By the time he's finished...

he won't be fit for any woman,
and never for Tess!

No.
No, listen.

it's all right.
You're lovely.

it's just when
i felt this locket--

if you could just see her,
you'd understand.

i can't.

Plenty good, master.

Me can do special.

Make you want to jig-a-jig.
No more charge.

No, listen,
i'm gonna pay all the same.

Christ, if i just
dinna get sick.

Your boy and mine
be like old shipmates.

Aye. They are.

'Tis about Tess
i come to see you.

Your boy
wants to marry her.

i'm against it...

but the girl and her mother,
they talked me into it.

Somehow,
i thought they would.

Her dowry will be
the richest in all Asia.

- They be marryin' next year.
- i'll see ya in hell first.

That be later, Dirk. That be later.

First, they be marrying.

i know what's in your mind,
and Gorth's...

but i'll not let you break Noble House
through a girl's skirts.

i hate your guts
and i always will...

but she loves Culum,
and that's the mortal truth.

She'll get over it.

You don't love your Culum
the way i love my Tess.

i'll tell you this.
You give them a fair wind and an open sea...

and I'll be doin'likewise.

You know,
when i was a cabin boy...

and you were a bully
of a third mate...

I despised ya.

But by the Lord,
I never dreamed you'd sink...

to using your own daughter to get something
you're not man enough to take on your own.

i'll use the devil
to break you.

And by God...

break you i will.

i know what's
puttin' you in bed.

You eat too many prawns.

You're not mad at me for coming back
to the old house, are you?

No, if you want the baby
here in Macao, that's fine.

Maybe next month, no sick.
We go to Hong Kong.

- Aye.
- Mass'er. Mass'er.

Mass'er,
young Mass'er Culum outside.

He look plenty sour.

- Now you sad again.
- I have to get him back.

i've tried every way,
but Gorth has some hold on him.

- It is no good killing son of Brock.
- Why not?

You risk vengeance
of insane barbarian law...

what demands eye for eye,
whoever has eye, which is crazy mad.

- No, don't get up.
- i walk with you very careful.

Do not argue.
You make me more sick.

Now, my counsel is...

have fantastical quick marriage here--
Culum to Tess.

That's out of the question.
i have nothin' against Tess...

but with a little time
he'll find another girl.

Oh, i agree very heatedly,
Tai-Pan.

But i seems to memory
that barbarian custom...

which for once follows
wise Chinese custom:

girl comes to house
of husband.

Ay-ya?

So sooner
Brock girl marries...

sooner Gorth lose control
over simple Culum.

i'm not so sure. Married, Gorth will feel
he's even more right to interfere.

By God, i am!

What for is your son
so sick crazy in the head?

He needs to bed her
fantastical bad.

That's what's making him crazy sick.
He's frantical hot.

So he listens with tongue
hanging out to every word...

that crazy Gorth say.

Please, Tai-Pan,
let him have girl.

Then will he spend
hour after god-rot hour...

listening to brother Gorth?

By God, no!

He spends every minute
in bed...

playing bosoms...

exhausting himself
making babies.

Mmm.

And he detest interruption...

from you or from Gorth,
hy-ya?

We're comin' into
the season of storms.

Pretty soon you'll have to wear
your hair in pigtails like i do.

i've been talkin'
to Orlov.

He believes tea will grow in india.
They have the same rains and the same heat.

Aye, probably.

The Chinese will not let you
take seeds or plants.

it's an imperial edict,
and death that one.

With enough daring and a little squeeze,
we could get hundreds of plants.

Gordon has already
got dozens.

Are you suggesting we bribe
and smuggle and steal?

Well, i'd rather do that than
live by smugglin' opium.

- Have you discussed this with Gorth?
- Not yet.

i'm sending you to
Hong Kong this afternoon.

You're to go in
Morning Cloud.

And i'm puttin' Orlov
under your orders.

For this trip,
you'll be master.

- is that so important?
- To me, yes.

Do i have time
to say good-bye to Tess?

Aye. You can catch
the noon tide.

Since you're so set on it, lad,
i've changed my mind about Tess.

Only it seems a pity Brock insists
on you waitin'a year to marry.

Aye. 'Tis,
but he will not bend.

To be truthful,
i'm surprised you've not considered...

taking your lives
into your own hands.

- Elope?
- Aye. Why not?

No, i suppose Brock would be furious,
and certainly Gorth.

It's a bad idea.

i know it's not necessary...

but i want you to explain
to Captain Orlov...

that i'm makin' you
absolute master.

And by the powers
vested in me...

i now pronounce you
man and wife.

And may God
have mercy on us all...

when your father hears of it.

Wait outside, Tai-Pan.

She's all right.
Weak, but all right.

i'm sorry about the baby.

it was a boy,
but it had no chance.

She'd like to see you.

Bad joss lose baby, Tai-Pan.

Unworthy slave very sorry.

Unworthy slave
is not to worry.

She is good joss.

How else did she come
to Tai-Pan?

Oh. Dinna scare me
with all my past disastrous.

'Tis not fair, laddie.

i want your son
terrifical bad.

i know, lass.
i know.

You sleep now, lass.

if you hurry up and get better,
i'll give you a hundred taels of silver.

You give me huge face,
Tai-Pan.

Oh, mind.

May-may more gorgeous
after tragedy.

Going to make you
fantastical happy.

Struan!

You planned it.

You told Orlov
to marry 'em!

Our Tess wedded
to that pox-ridden bastard!

No.! Stop them.! Stop them.!

- No!
- Let me go, for Christ's sake!

He knows!
Culum be poxed!

- Culum's not poxed.
- He be.!

Everyone knows he was in
the whorehouse in Macao.!

- i paid for it myself!.
- Let him go, lads.

This is no place to fight!

Tomorrow at dawn.

- You be a dead man.
- Hire a junk.

i want witnesses
and a fair fight.

i choose fightin' irons.

- Look out!
- Tai-Pan!

Dear God.

Your blasted joss!

Someday.
Someday.

Gorth went for him
with a knife.

it wasn't his fault,
Tyler.

- We all saw it.
- Gorth started it.

Struan?

i want you on your precious knoll
that was to be.

You come alone at dawn.

i know now
it be God's will.

-Gorth started it, Tyler.
- He didn't mean to--
- Be still!

He killed my son.

Hurry!
Get inside! Move!

You planned the elopement,
didn't ya?

i did.

You planned to kill
my Gorth.

Gorth chose his fate.
We all do, Brock.

Your island is done, Tai-Pan.

We're getting off
this blasted rock.

A royal commission's come,
and that's my doin'.

That's why I wanted you here.

I should have
killed you years ago.

Now, by God, i'll do it.

You're a fool.

As long as i breathe,
you'll not be safe.

The eye.

The eye of the storm.

We're going into
the eye of the storm.

Ay-ya.

Ay-ya.

- Has it stopped?
- Yes, it's just a trickle.

Get the tongs.
Bring me a coal from the fire.

Get the tongs! i've got to cauterize it.
You can be sick later.

Culum, have you seen
Captain Glessing?

Tai-Pan! Tai-Pan!
Have you seen Mary?

Or Glessing?
i must find her.

i caught her maid
and whipped the truth out of her.

Mary's a whore!

i must warn Glessing.

He'll never marry a whore
of the Chinese!

She'll come back to me!

She has no choice!

Get to shelter, Horatio!

it's comin' back!

No!

Aaah!

My God, Tai-Pan!
Do not leave me!

Never, lass.
i'll never leave thee.

- Where shall we hide?
- No hiding from a typhoon.

You ride her out
or you do not.

We'll wait
for the sun together.

Do you not love me, laddie?

You are my supreme lady.

You must laugh
when you say that...

or you break my heart.

'Tis no laughin' matter.

There.

So that was
the China lady.

Why couldn't i talk to him?

Mr. Quance, please.

Please leave me alone.

i'm sorry, lad.

i haven't the strength
to go back down.

i'm sorry
about your dad.

it was his fate.

-Joss rules us all in the end.
- i hate that word.

The oldest story
in the world...

is of sons who didn't appreciate
their fathers until they were dead.

i wouldn't make
a cross of it.

L-Look, look, i know it's a bad time
to bring it up, Tai-Pan...

but could you conceivably
lend me 1 50 guineas?

- What did you say?
- Oh, it's as embarrassing
for me as it is for you, Tai-Pan...

but that old witch
Fotheringill--

she's so upset about
the damage to her houseboat...

she's going to throw me out
unless i pay her.

- You called me Tai-Pan.
- Well...

you are, aren't you?

Master Culum.

- Aye.
- Captain Brock sent a parcel
of orders aboard my ship.

What orders?

He ordered us
to put the flag at half-mast.

Something that didn't need
his telling.

He also ordered your missus
to go aboard the White Witch...

and to tell you not to worry,
he was arranging your dad's funeral...

and would dispose of
the China lady.

He said you'd be joining him now,
and i was to--

is that your wishes?

Gordon will make the arrangements
for our father's funeral.

And it is my wishes...

he and his lady
be buried together.

Then go aboard White Witch
and fetch my wife.

- "Fetch"?
- Aye.

Fetch. And take as many men
as you think you'll need.

And, Captain Orlov,
give these to Brock.

They're his gold sovereigns.

Tell him...

if it's a funeral
he wishes to arrange...

the Tai-Pan suggests
he buy himself a coffin.

Aye, aye...

Tai-Pan.