My name is Henry Ching.
I was in construction
in the South Sea.
I had hoped to build
homes for people,
but my business went bankrupt.
I lost everything.
My only option was to skip town.
A few months ago,
the British government
bought cement from all over Asia
and shipped it to the same place.
I thought that's
where I'd start over.
Who'd have thought
that a different story lay ahead?
Down with the ICAC!
Dignity for the police!
Down with the ICAC!
Since the ICAC's creation
two years ago,
it has charged
many corrupt policemen.
Hundreds of officers are protesting.
Criminal scum
robs my livelihood!
Criminal scum
robs my livelihood!
Criminal scum
robs my livelihood!
Today,
we are gathered here
to ask the HK government,
do you want the police
or the ICAC
to enforce the law?
- What's the bloody point?
- They rob my livelihood!
Don't bother asking,
it's pointless!
It needs the police!
Of course!
Screw the ICAC!
Screw the ICAC!
Let's go get them!
Come on. Let's go.
Follow me.
Let's go.
Screw the ICAC!
Hey, stop it!
Break it all!
Watch who you mess with!
Mutiny my butt.
We've done nothing wrong!
Hey!
Don't touch them!
Where are the files on me?
Tell them to stop!
Stop it!
You were a cop once.
Now you turn against your own,
shame on you.
You're assaulting an officer,
I have every right to sh**t you.
You're assaulting my boss,
I also have every right
to sh**t you.
Stay calm.
- Drop the g*n.
- Put it down.
If anyone pulls the trigger,
do you think the brass
will cover for you?
Put your g*n away,
return to the peaceful protest.
I'll pretend this never happened.
Sarge, don't do this.
The Brit's r*fle?
Mounted in his office.
There is no cartridge.
Put it back.
"To pacify the protesters,"
"Hong Kong's Governor
announces an amnesty"
"for minor offenses committed
before January 1st, 1977."
- Sir.
- Mr. Tsang.
- Mr. Tsang
- Next Wednesday.
You.
Screen the applicants!
- Don't waste my time!
- I'm sorry.
Please give me a chance, sir.
We need a clerk.
You're an engineer.
I have enough engineers.
Should I fire them and hire you?
I lined everything up
and you want out?
I'll mess you up.
Watch your tongue!
We're a legitimate company.
- Sorry, brother.
- Mr. Tsang.
I really need this job.
We are paisans.
Paisans?
A few Hokkien words
and we're related?
Is this a charity?
You.
Call security, get him out of here.
All right then.
Hey.
You're a paisan?
Mr. Wu,
HKD 3 million
for all 24 houses,
I'd lose my shirt!
K.K.,
I'm the only sucker
willing to pay HKD 3 million.
Your brother asked me
to look after you,
otherwise I'd never come out
to this dusty, lousy place!
Buddy,
I know you borrowed
HKD 2 million from the bank,
and the loan matures soon.
Reject my offer,
and your little project
is doomed.
You'd lose everything!
Dad,
Dato Muhammad has arrived.
Dato, please.
Dad,
Dato and I have an understanding.
He is very interested
in these houses.
Please stay shaded.
Listen,
My final offer.
HKD 9 million.
Take it or leave it.
Deal!
- Get the contract.
- Right away.
Mr. Wu, please excuse me.
Dad,
do you think he'll fall for it?
Wu is a sly guy.
With a HKD 9 million offer
he won't be able to resist.
Dad,
he's leaving!
What did he say?
Nothing!
What do we do?
Thank you, Mr. Tsang.
Mr. Ching,
this way.
Is your dad in trouble?
Dad is the youngest son
of a concubine;
his half brothers bullied him
all his life.
That land back there?
No water, no electricity.
One of my stupid uncles brought it,
and unloaded it onto my dad.
Actually,
losing a million or two
is not a big deal for the Tsangs.
But it makes Dad look bad
in front of my uncles.
Mr. Wu is
an uncle's gambling buddy.
I bet they want to rip off my dad.
Mr. Wu,
do you need help?
Old fart.
Brickhead.
Smoke...
Smoke this!
Well, Mr. Ching,
where should I drop you off?
I only wanted to pull a prank on Wu,
yet this prank changed my life.
Sir. How many?
Somewhere comfortable.
This way please.
A cigar, a glass of brandy.
Yes, sir.
- Hold on.
- Yes.
- Thank you, sir.
- Mr. Muhammad.
We've just met.
My name is Wu Ren Song
from the Xin Song Group.
Do you mind?
Please.
Put it on my tab.
Leave us,
we're talking business.
Did I outbid you on the houses?
My apologies.
No worries.
I admire a man
with such an unique vision.
What makes you think
24 houses
are worth HKD 9 million?
They are not.
I want the land.
That piece of land
has no water or electricity
and it's hard to get to.
Do you intend to farm it?
It has potential.
Are the Brits
building a power plant there
as part of the urban expansion plan?
Dato,
what's the scoop?
Care to share?
Just a wild guess.
Another thing,
Dato.
How much deposit did you pay?
HKD 10,000.
The rest is due next week.
How about this?
I have a proposition.
Allow me to purchase
the property for you.
No matter how much I pay for it,
I will sell it to you
for HKD 7 million.
You save HKD 2 million.
Not very nice, is it?
I made an offer.
I ought to keep my word.
Keep your word?
How about keeping your money?
Your cost is only HKD 7 million.
I just saved you HKD 2 million!
HKD 6 million.
- Final offer.
- Deal!
Rent is due.
Hey, pay up!
You're a month behind.
Take a hike if you can't pay.
Mr. Tsang?
After you left,
Wu returned,
paid HKD 4 million for my land.
Then he went to The Peninsula Hotel
looking for Mr. Muhammad.
He went up to the room
and found a black dude
who's buck naked!
The dude claimed to be Muhammad.
Muhammad!
Wu wouldn't believe him
and charged into the room,
where he saw
a naked black lady!
Wu ended up
with four broken ribs,
a fractured femur
and a couple teeth knocked out.
Turns out that Muhammad
is a heavy weight champ!
Now you,
why didn't you come back?
I was paid in full.
We're square.
You made HKD 1 million for me,
and you tell me
that we're square?
Indebted to you,
K.K. Tsang.
Nonsense, Mr. Tsang.
Henry Ching, at your service.
Good.
From now on,
I will call you brother!
"Eleven years later"
K.K. Tsang and Henry Ching
became partners.
After Carmen Century collapsed,
Tsang disappeared.
No record of him leaving HK.
According to Immigration records,
Ching never had a Hong Kong ID.
We can charge him
with visa violation.
Ming,
how much is
an average apartment in HK?
About HKD 160K?
Ching stole over
HKD 10 billion from this city,
enough to buy 60,000 units.
Charge him with visa violation;
he gets deported,
and takes everything with him!
Boss.
113 accountants
have all arrived.
Let's go.
ICAC.
Senior Investigator,
Lau Kai Yuen.
Good morning, sir.
We were making arrangements
for your colleagues.
Apologies for the delay.
This way please.
Officer Lau, just a moment, please.
Officer Lau,
this way, please.
Wait outside.
Officer Lau, is it?
Take a seat.
I often have low blood sugar,
plus I got a cold this morning.
I need to eat something,
or I might faint.
Have you eaten?
Join me.
Mr. Ching,
this is an arrest warrant.
The ICAC is arresting you
on suspicion of fraud and bribery
in connection with Carmen Century.
It is my duty to inform you
that everything you say
will be recorded
and used against you in court.
Do you understand?
Fraud and bribery.
Sounds serious.
It's very serious.
You face 14 years
in prison for fraud
and 10 years for bribery.
And there are multiple counts.
Prison? Really?
I'm a businessman.
Even if I breached a regulation,
the penalties should be monetary.
We will also freeze all your assets.
All?
Let me finish this congee first.
Excuse me.
Everything here
is considered evidence.
Please.
No handcuffs, right?
Are you hiring?
These rooms are full.
Mr. Ching,
this way.
Mr. Ching,
you're awake.
Happy to see you here.
How long was I out?
Two days.
That's 48 hours,
so I can leave now.
The court ordered you to be
remanded in custody.
Joseph is negotiating,
we'll hear from him soon.
And my friends?
Don't worry, Mr. Ching.
I have solicitors from top law firms
looking after them.
Keep a good eye on them.
If they misspeak under duress,
they may get into trouble.
Right?
You need not worry
about such things.
You think you can get away?
You want to take the rap
for the whole case?
Mr. Ching,
you don't have to answer that.
Tell me
who else is involved.
Maybe there's a way out for you.
A way out?
You think I'm stupid?
Don't you have enough evidence
to nail me?
I can't help you
if you think that way.
What kind of help?
Want me to turn snitch?
You want me to spill the beans,
take a deal.
What's in it for me?
For you?
Fine.
I'll lay it out.
In 1975,
Tsang started his own firm,
and you joined him.
In three years
you made a couple million.
In July that year...
Here.
Cheers!
I can't believe it.
The government paid HKD 7 million
for that rundown factory!
We didn't do jack crap
and made HKD 3 million!
HKD 1 million. Your share.
Thank you, K.K.
I came to Hong Kong as an engineer.
Now I'm a property speculator.
An engineer?
You would've starved!
Buddy,
whatever you're good at,
do that.
Hong Kong is no place
for daydreaming.
Don't you see?
You know that building?
The Golden Hill House,
the priciest office building
in Hong Kong.
10 years ago,
Golden Hill Construction
outbid the Brits,
bought the land and built it.
The Brits lost face.
Last year,
Golden Hill tried to go public,
and got swindled by brokerage firms.
Golden Hill was short on cash,
the Brits started a buyout.
Two days ago,
the Brits completed a takeover.
The building is now
back in British hands.
How about that for a dream?
A nightmare, brother!
What a strange place Hong Kong is.
People go to w*r
over an office building.
May I have your attention,
please welcome our chairman.
Ladies and gentlemen,
for the Yarden Group, today
is a historic day
with the reacquisition of
the Golden Hill House.
It feels...
It feels just a little bit like
Victory Day.
Rule Britannia!
God save the Queen!
My partner.
Henry Ching.
Hello.
My partner, Henry Ching.
K.K., how are you mate?
Terry.
Vice President of Hong Kong Bank.
Dad, Uncle is here.
Brother.
Someone swindled our U.S. branch...
That year, your family lost
a fortune in the U.S.
Your uncles sent your dad
to San Francisco to sort it out.
Before he left,
your dad gave Ching
HKD 2.3 million. Is that right?
Not that much.
Dad said
it was about HKD 1.5 million.
I'm not really sure
what had happened.
The glass is cracked.
I think
both panels should be replaced.
Are you hiring?
You're a good typist.
Ms. Carmen Cheung.
Your CPA is from
the Rose Garden School.
Which school is that?
It's a juvenile detention center.
Do you mind?
Not at all.
Okay then,
from now on,
you're hired
as my personal assistant.
HKD 8K per month.
What do you think?
HKD 8,000?
You mean HKD 800.
It's HKD 8K.
Is there a problem?
Do I get double pay
and year-end bonus?
Of course.
And stock options
if we're profitable.
Go to the Business
Registration Office.
My company isn't registered yet.
Thanks.
"Carmen Pest Control Services"
"Carmen Investment,
Carmen Paper Limited"
Carmen Transportation,
at your service!
Ms. Cheung,
Ching had just met you,
and he names
dozens of companies after you.
Is your relationship
strictly professional?
Ms. Cheung.
Bid increment is HKD 500K.
11.5 million.
12.5 million.
12.5 million once.
13 million.
14 million.
16 million!
That's insane!
Sold!
Hey, was the auction fun?
I wasn't talking to you.
I'll call you later.
How was it?
Hundreds of thousands
each increment!
Sometimes over a million!
Are you kidding me?
Just now, my heart
was pounding so fast,
I thought it would stop.
Could be a heart attack.
Stop exaggerating.
My mom died of a heart attack.
It's in my genes.
No way.
- I can't breathe!
- Do you need a doctor?
Am I dying?
I'll take you to the hospital.
Why are you laughing?
I'm messing with you.
You're not a kid,
stop mucking around!
Doing business
in Hong Kong is a lot of fun.
Fun for you, sure.
You called all the shots.
I wasn't always the shot caller.
When I took a beating,
no one took pity.
Good morning, Mr. Wu.
I know you like tea,
please accept this box of Pu'er
as my gift to you.
Sam!
I took the liberty of
treating your bodyguards to lunch.
You b*stard!
I was in a hospital for 6 months.
I oughta come after you,
how dare you come here?
You made a big profit
on K.K.'s land.
I know the government
paid HKD 8 million for it,
otherwise I wouldn't dare come here.
You're a big man. Forgive me.
I hear Sunny Properties,
which you own,
is looking for a buyer.
I'm interested.
What's your offer?
This is?
King of Stocks, Chung Yam.
Don't you know
the players in the game?
He is my man at the exchange.
To buy Sunny Properties,
you gotta go through him.
Now then,
what's your offer?
Sunny Properties closed
yesterday at HKD1.25.
I'm offering HKD 2.50 a share,
totaling HKD 100 million
for 50% of the company's shares.
Fine.
- 50,000 shares.
- Buy'em!
- 311.
- 20,000 shares.
Buy'em! 309.
- 30,000 shares.
- Buy'em!
Some fool wants to buy Sunny.
Let's get in on it.
Buy'em!
Yours!
Boss, we have competition!
Do something!
HKD 2.20.
- 274.
- 50,000 shares.
Buy'em! 178.
Buy'em!
How many?
It's at HKD 2.80 now...
I got a scoop,
Sunny's dealer
will jack up the price,
aiming at HKD 3.80.
It's wild!
Good... Great!
How high will it go?
Look, it's at HKD 4!
What is it?
No matter the cost,
- I can't hear you!
- Buy it all!
Buy it all!
Keep buying!
- 264.
- 20,000 shares.
Mr. Ching, it's impossible.
He has 8 brokerage firms
pushing the stock price.
You just spent HKD 40 million
for less than 10 percent.
You can't afford to keep buying.
Sell some while the price is high,
at least you'd make some money.
- I don't care...
- It's dropping!
It's dropping!
What's going on?
It dropped from HKD 3.50 to HKD 3.
HKD 2.50!
It's still dropping!
HKD 2!
Mr. Ching,
he's messing with you.
Listen up!
Some genius told me,
he wants to buy Sunny
with HKD 100 million.
I'll take his money.
Who else wants in?
Anyone?
Me!
Great!
Feast and party all night.
My treat!
Let's take him to the cleaners!
You cornered that idiot
and we all made a bundle.
He's right outside.
Scare him off and
we can't milk him no more.
Aiya!
Watch out, I'm set to win.
- You again?
- Oh no.
today is not my day.
- Going my way?
- Bye now.
I'm going.
Tailing me all day is useless.
How much would it take?
Name a price.
Well, it's not up to me.
Whatever offer you make
has to satisfy Mr. Wu.
I'm not talking about
Sunny Properties.
I want you to come work with me.
Unscrupulous, aren't you?
Chung,
I have a proposal for you.
Chung...
Mr. Ching.
My personal assistant,
Ms. Carmen Cheung.
Chung.
How do you do?
Excuse me,
I must go now.
Goodbye.
Thank you.
I need to make a call.
I got the bill.
Where did Henry go?
He has a meeting with Mr. Wu.
Would you like to go to a hotel
in Kowloon Tong or Central?
I've made reservations for both.
When a man acquires wealth,
he becomes amoral.
When a woman becomes amoral,
she acquires wealth.
Okay.
Tell me now,
how high
do you want this stock to go?
500 million?
One billion?
I want it to go as high as I want.
I want to issue
as many shares as I want,
just like the Americans print money.
Look,
the Americans have nukes,
what do you have?
I have her.
The Golden Hill House.
I will buy the whole building.
Buddy,
are your screws loose?
This is prime
commercial real estate.
People buy one floor at a time,
never the whole building!
Exactly! No one ever tried this.
That's why it'll work like a nuke.
How's that? Awesome, right?
The Brits own the Golden Hill House.
Would they sell it?
Little rascal, remember me?
Mr. Wu!
Relax.
You sold Sunny Properties to Henry,
and made HKD 100 million for me.
I'm grateful.
We have some new colleagues.
GM of investments
from Yarden Group, Martin.
Financial supervisor
from Yarden Group, Joey.
And Ian,
GM of real estate investment
from Yarden Group.
They will be joining our company.
Please be seated.
We will breach
the castle from within.
They have inside information.
Yarden Group is short on cash.
It has no choice but to sell low.
With this All-Star line-up,
you name the price, Mr. Chairman!
I'm not the Chairman.
Friends,
Chairman of Carmen Century Group,
Ms. Carmen Cheung.
"Carmen Century Group"
Let's take a picture.
Come on, boys.
It is my pleasure to announce
that Carmen Century Group
will acquire
the entire Golden Hill House
for a grand total of
HKD 600 million.
Before the deal was complete,
rumor has it that a buyer
offered us
HKD 1.1 billion for the building.
Carmen Century's
stock price doubled.
The Golden Hill House
cost us only HKD 100 million cash.
We paid the balance with stocks.
We made HKD 1 billion
on the deal.
Everyone wants to buy the stock
that makes money.
I kept issuing stocks
to keep up with the demand.
And the price kept going up!
Soon enough,
Carmen Century became a blue-chip.
He is not talking nonsense.
You literally
can use stocks as cash.
Before the IPO,
he spent hundreds of millions
to buy companies and properties.
Where did the money come from?
We have a travel agency, remember?
This way.
Mind the steps.
Be right with you.
Let me help you...
Rumor has it,
Henry met some local royalty
while shopping for shoes.
Your excellency,
I would like to introduce Mr. Ching.
He is an accomplished
businessman from Hong Kong.
Later,
he became their financial advisor,
and managed their
USD 1 billion trust fund.
I heard
he was a tour guide
in the Golden Triangle.
While waiting outside a craphouse,
a battle broke out
with the guerillas.
Here. Get in.
sh**t.
He and the opium warlord
became buddies.
And the warlord gave him
one ton of solid gold to launder.
Ah,
this is what I heard
from some bankers.
Apparently, this guy
was at a train station in Europe,
where a Mafia snitch was on the run.
Stop.
Stop.
Don't run!
With dumb luck,
he tripped the snitch.
The Mafia in your debt!
You can't get luckier than that.
From then on,
he became responsible
to launder Mafia money
in Asia.
You believe all that?
Guerrillas
and the Mafia? Come on.
If any of it were true,
I'd be dead by now.
So, whose money is it?
It's all here.
Mr. Ching.
The court has set your bail
at HKD 10 million.
My wife will wire
the funds tomorrow.
No need.
I know your wife and daughter
are in South Asia.
I've applied for
your wife's extradition.
Leave the family out of this.
I beg your pardon.
I'm talking about you.
Your wife just gave birth to a son.
Your daughter wants to
go to school in the U.S.
It costs a lot to study
abroad these days.
Luckily, I sponsor
a few scholarships.
If your daughter is interested,
Kelvin would be happy
to talk to her.
It's quite simple.
She fills out a couple forms,
she gets tens of thousands a year.
That's not all.
If the applicant is a friend,
we can add a zero to the amount.
That's what friendship is about,
helping each other out.
How can I help?
It's up to you.
If I help you beat the case,
how many zeros is that worth?
What were we talking about?
About extradition.
- Your wife and daughter...
- I'm tired.
Get him out of my face.
Mr. Lau.
Our medical team recommends
only 6 hours of
questioning each day.
Time is up.
Please.
Scumbag.
Where's your mom and brother?
They went to the restaurant.
Let's take a picture with mom.
Thank you.
Here.
Sorry. I forgot his
one month anniversary.
It's fine.
I'm glad you could join.
Here, let me hold him.
Soon he won't recognize you.
- Still recognize me?
- Hey cousins,
how about a family photo?
Sure.
Stand closer, Wing.
There, better. Ready,
1, 2, 3, cheese!
- Great, thanks.
- Thank you.
Take a seat.
I want you to take the kids and
leave Hong Kong for a few months.
Just the kids and myself?
I'm investigating
a dangerous criminal. That's why...
Are you not going with us?
I'm not.
I've arranged...
You really think I'm OK
with you being AWOL?
Go back to your work.
Please understand my situation.
Go back to work!
Your safety...
You're scaring the baby.
It's okay.
I have to get back to work.
These are records
from Carmen Century.
We spent days with the accountants,
and got through less than 10%.
These books here
are clean.
These are fishy
and need a second look.
The ones with blue tabs
are very fishy.
What's fishy about them?
College boy,
explain to the Boss.
All these numbers
have 2 decimal places.
Sir, why would a transaction
cost exactly 660 thousand
8 hundred 64 dollars and 21 cents?
Check this out.
HKD 660,864.21.
Split it into four parts.
66, 08, 64, 21.
Part D plus part B,
66 plus 64 equals 130.
minus the sum of parts C and A.
08 plus 21
equals 29.
130 minus 29.
This means
the number is divisible by 101.
They did the math.
All 400 settlement prices
are divisible by 101.
We can't figure out why,
we thought you should take a look.
The Golden Hill House
cost only HKD 100 million cash.
We paid the balance
with Carmen stocks.
We made HKD 1 billion
on that deal.
He is not talking nonsense.
You literally can
use stocks as cash.
Brilliant.
These are stocks.
To settle a transaction with stocks,
you pay a 1% commission.
The stock price times 101%.
Ching uses stocks
to settle transactions,
he uses stocks to bribe people.
At the same time
his stock price goes up!
That's it!
Great!
Stay calm.
Double check the numbers.
I want to know
who ended up with these stocks.
Let's get to work!
What is this?
These can't be shown in court...
What are you doing?
- Get him!
- Move aside.
You're stealing evidence!
I'm a Queen's Counsel!
Steals evidence?
Let's start.
Between October 1982
and May 1983,
on 51 occasions, Ching
transferred 15.3 million
Carmen shares
to your friends'
and relatives' companies.
With this evidence,
you have no chance in court.
Bring my lawyer back.
Your lawyer?
Those are Ching's lawyers.
I have nothing to say
without a lawyer.
Isn't it easier to speak
without a lawyer?
Hey.
The Golden Hill House
buyer pulled out?
If words get out,
our stocks will be worthless!
You are worthless!
Who told you there's a buyer?
Your job is to move stocks.
The buyer is
none of your freakin' business!
Fine.
Look,
we're on the same boat.
If not for me,
do it for Carmen.
Yeah?
Okay.
Don't worry,
I'll find a buyer.
Hang in there.
After work, let's have dinner
and go dancing.
Really?
What the...
K.K. came back,
and it made all the difference.
Are you familiar
with the blue bloods?
Hey, Robert.
- Dad.
- You have some gall to come here.
Aren't you worried about your wife?
Hey
Robert.
I could've met you downstairs.
No need, K.K.
Allow me to introduce someone.
Henry.
Mr. Henry Ching.
This is
Mr. Chan, of Fortune Grain and Oil.
Mr. Lee, of Arctic Shipping.
Mr. Law, of Southern Mills.
Mr. h*, of Celestial Hotel
and Casinos in Macau.
The Lau brothers of
Ping Shan Construction.
This is Robert.
We go way back.
Heir to HK's largest
Chinese owned bank,
Mr. h* h* Wan.
This party is popping.
The Brits can only hope
to match such pizzazz.
You must be esteemed
by all, Mr. Ching.
I am humbled by my esteemed guests.
Your forefathers built this city.
Without the foundations
they laid,
where would I be?
Right?
Screw you!
You dare call us trust fund babies?
To hell with your foundation.
Just kidding.
Are you frightened?
How did you know?
Thick-skinned, aren't you?
I like that.
K.K. told us that
you have quite
an antiques collection.
Must've spent a lot of money.
Well,
you can't get good antiques
by throwing money at them.
Robert is an expert.
Sotheby's and Christie's
often seek his advice.
If Robert spots a fugazi,
oh man,
that would be embarrassing!
That's perfect!
Please have a look.
Come. This way.
Please.
Here.
Please.
Robert,
isn't that Cheri,
the starlet who stood you up?
Tomorrow,
let's push Carmen stocks to HKD 9.
Mr. Lee,
you buy 100 lots at HKD 6.50.
Mr. Chan, buy them at HKD 7.50.
Mr. h*,
HKD 8.
Mr. Law
and Lau Brothers,
HKD 8.50.
- 200 lots each.
- Then we will
inform the press and media
that your families are investing...
Shut the hell up.
Why am I paying the highest price?
Don't worry Mr. Law,
the shares and the money
are all held by us.
No matter who buys at what price,
there's no risk.
Stupid brains,
the price does not matter.
Idiot.
Let's swap then!
Good idea!
We don't want to go last.
Yes, lets swap.
Okay, we will switch with you.
- Good! Let's swap
- Fine.
Swap your mother!
Hey now,
gents,
please calm down.
How about this,
whatever price
the stock ends up at,
you pay HKD 5 a share,
I guarantee I'll buy them back
at HKD 10. OK?
Guarantee? How?
I'll buy them all!
Morning, chums.
Henry!
Mighty Henry second to none,
makes us rich he's the one!
I made reservations
at the restaurant.
Henry, ride in my car.
Your driver sucks. Take my car.
Take my car, it's more spacious.
Next time we'll get a limousine,
we can ride together.
It'll be a riot.
For now,
I'm smoking,
better take the convertible!
Okay!
Ah, I almost forgot,
boat party on Sunday.
I bought a new yacht!
I'll bring 20 models!
No wives and girlfriends allowed!
- Bring swimming trunks only.
- Or pay a HKD 1 million penalty!
- Just relax.
- Boys only.
Henry set it up; it's a surprise.
See, I was right.
Johnny.
Get everyone seated.
Got it. Please take a seat.
Robert.
K.K.
We are celebrating.
Come and join us.
You guys made a fortune,
- it has nothing to do with me.
- Why you...
You bought 500 lots
at HKD 7 this morning,
you made bank.
Come celebrate with us.
Sure, I got in on it.
Do you want a cut?
Of course not.
Actually,
Henry really wants to work with you.
Work with me?
You mean work for him.
A partnership.
We'd like you to
buy something from us.
What?
The Golden Hill House.
My old man isn't dead yet,
I don't have that kind of money.
With your pedigree, who needs money?
Your name is worth a fortune.
Look.
I sell it to you
for HKD 1.6 billion,
then I find a buyer
to buy it for HKD 2 billion.
Your cut is 30%.
You'd make HKD 120 million
without spending a dime.
Heir to China Commerce Bank
buys Golden Hill House
for HKD 1.68 billion.
How do you think the market reacts?
Buy'em...
He lined up an army of brokers.
From Garden Road to the Peak,
every household got in
on Carmen stocks.
In less than a week,
stock price went up
to HKD 16 a share.
The top brokerage firms
pegged the target price at HKD 30.
Carmen stocks
are worth more than money!
What's going on?
HKD 20.
Stocks can be used as cash.
It's shopping time!
Shopping...
What should one buy?
U.K. Century Shipping,
HKD 1.2 billion.
U.S. Anyan Insurance Group,
HKD 1.3 billion.
Lida Hotel, Tsim Sha Tsui,
HKD 2.8 billion.
Pricier than
The Landmark in Central!
In Canada, a 50 hectares
urban development.
HKD 3.5 billion.
Perpetual Petroleum International,
HKD 4.5 billion.
Plus the biggest movie studio
in Japan.
In less than 6 months,
Carmen became
an international conglomerate.
With more than
HKD 10 billion in assets,
and market capital
exceeding HKD 20 billion,
it was bigger than the blue chips.
Banks and corporations
from around the world
want to do business with us.
Hi, Mr. Ching.
I am Terry,
Vice President of Hong Kong Bank.
You probably forgot, Terry,
we've met before.
The party at Yarden Group.
Of course we did.
Please allow me to announce
a quarterly loan of
USD 110 million to Carmen Group.
Pardon me?
Is there a problem, Mr. Ching?
Tell him 11 is unlucky for me.
Mr. Ching says,
USD 110 million
resembles 11.
11 brings him bad luck.
I'm sure there's a way around this.
Would Mr. Ching
mind picking a luckier number?
I would say,
USD 168 million.
It's a lucky saying in Chinese.
A path to wealth. OK?
Alright.
USD 168 million it is.
A path to wealth!
Good negotiator.
Hong Kong Bank was such a pushover.
Hey,
Bank Deutschland called as well.
How much should we ask for?
These days,
every bank is at your beck and call.
Henry,
I want HKD 80 million.
Sure.
I'll tell Chung to transfer
some stocks to you tomorrow.
I want cash.
HKD 80 million in cash?
Not even a bank has that much cash.
Of the USD 168 million
from Hong Kong Bank,
only 100 showed up
in the company account.
You should be flush.
Fine,
I'll get you the cash tomorrow.
Here.
Hey.
You didn't go yachting today?
- Sorry, boss.
- Yachting?
I'm drowning here!
Care to join?
You promised me
a buyer for Golden Hill,
where is he?
You got me
to join your little charade,
your stocks went up,
you made bank,
and I end up holding the bag?
The Brits in the DOJ told me that
the Commercial Crime Bureau is
looking at me
for market manipulation!
What do I do?
Calm down.
I'm going to jail! Calm your a*s!
Stay calm.
This is a promissory note
from Mr. h* to Carmen Century,
in the amount of HKD 1.68 billion.
Once you sign it,
technically,
the deal is complete.
As long as the check is not cashed,
you have purchased Golden Hill House
You opened an account in my name?
Why not do it at my bank?
What kind of a lawyer are you?
This is fraud!
How is this fraud?
With your signature,
the deal is valid.
I will sell Golden Hill floor
by floor.
I'll find buyers.
We'll share the profit
among us.
Here.
No.
If we are going to share,
I want my share now.
As they say,
wine reddens one's cheeks,
gold blackens one's heart.
Splitting the loot always
makes enemies of brothers.
There never is honor among thieves.
Welcome to Carmen's.
I named the restaurant after you,
because you deserve something
truly yours.
Change the name.
People might get the wrong idea.
Who might get the wrong idea?
Henry Ching?
Every month, I make a deposit
to his wife's account
in Timurlaysia.
His wife's name
is also Carmen.
Carmen Law.
I met Mrs. Ching two years ago.
I know my place.
Don't worry,
I'm not that naive.
Stay here tonight.
Tell me,
the firm has over
a hundred billion in debt,
aren't you worried?
That's nothing.
Our stock is still climbing.
It's been climbing for a year.
You sure it won't fall?
Silly girl.
"In 1982, the British
and Chinese governments"
"commence negotiations
regarding Hong Kong."
"The Hong Kong Association
of Banks increases"
"the Prime Lending Rate to 20%."
"Hong Kong's largest British"
"conglomerate decides
to re-domicile."
News from the stock exchange,
the Hang Seng Index
continued to decline,
from 910 at market open
to 710 at market close.
Trading volume was down 60%.
HKD 14.20!
HKD 14.20, anyone?
HKD 14.20!
Financial news,
Bank of China purchased,
at the price of HKD 1 billion,
a site in Central
to house its new headquarters,
far below the market expectation
of HKD 2.5 billion.
The Hang Seng Index declined again.
"The Hong Kong dollar
depreciates to HKD 9.6 to USD 1."
"The public swarms to banks
to withdraw money."
"Many deposit-taking
companies collapse."
Financial news,
continuing its downward trend,
the market opened lower today.
Within 15 minutes of market open,
the Hang Seng Index
fell over 100 points.
Decline continued afterwards.
At market close,
the Index fell to 463.4,
over 200 points lower.
It is the biggest drop
within a day recorded.
Anyone wants them? Anyone?
What were the mistakes
that led to this crash?
It's no time for reticence;
the shareholders are panicking.
Please give them an explanation.
What's Carmen Century's strategy?
Do you have any contingency plan?
Carmen Century has heavy debts,
and banks are unwilling
to keep lending.
Is this true?
Please respond!
You rarely attend these functions,
does your appearance today mean
that there is trouble?
We're not ebullient
on the local market,
but Carmen Century
has a global outlook.
Which is why
we remain profitable
despite the market downturn.
Our share price
will quickly recover.
Recover? How?
Please elaborate.
Are your property projects
in the US affected?
To reward our investors,
we will distribute a dividend
of HKD 0.12 per share!
Thank you all.
Mr. Ching,
you're the majority shareholder,
how do you account to the others?
Can you please
give a straight answer?
Carmen stocks
are trading below HKD 3.
Yet you're paying 12 cent dividends!
A generous man!
To buy us some time.
It's all over
if we fall under HKD 2.
Buy some time?
For your company, sure.
My company is finished!
If I go under, I go to jail.
What does it have to do with me?
Nothing to do with you?
How dare you say
it has nothing to do with you?
You mortgaged my company stocks
over and over again.
You borrowed ninety dollars
on every dollar!
The police are onto me.
If I go down, you go with me!
Don't touch me.
I just don't have
the cash to bail you out!
- Call him!
- Call whom?
Call your backer!
When we made money,
everyone's happy.
When things go to crap,
I'm the fall guy.
Call him.
Do it now!
Or I'll call the police!
My partner, K.K.
USD 5 million.
It's all there is.
What's the matter?
You don't want it?
This is our first meeting.
Also the last.
We've never met.
Agreed?
Understood?
Henry, you stay.
Douchebag!
He promised USD 20 million.
This is only USD 5 million.
What's wrong?
Stop it, K.K.
We can't afford to mess with him.
Did your father ever tell you
who the backer is?
I really don't know.
I only know he's
from Southeast Asia.
When was the last time
you saw K.K. Tsang?
Where did he go?
Gone into hiding?
Or... gone?
When ICAC comes for you,
pay attention,
are they asking for assistance
or is it an arrest?
If they want assistance,
say what I just taught you to say.
If it's an arrest,
say nothing.
Just do what Kelvin tells you to.
Found the Southeast Asian yet?
Ching has
over 200 companies in HK,
with shareholders
from all over the world.
Among them, about 190
Southeast Asian nationals.
We need some time.
Fine.
When was the last time
you went home?
Three, four days ago.
Go home and see you wife.
It's okay.
Wing is here.
Dad,
I brought some soup.
Thank you for the soup.
No need.
Your daughter made it.
Did she use sugar?
No way!
I didn't sweeten it.
Hey.
Let's...
Let's go out to dinner tonight.
Let's go out to dinner tonight.
Little brother,
don't cry.
We're safe now.
It's over.
Hey.
Your boss was lucky that
Special Branch got wind of this.
From now on
we'll watch him 24/7.
No problem.
Don't worry.
Alright,
I'll go have a look.
Appreciate it.
Thanks.
Boss!
Boss,
stay cool.
Lau Kai Yuen,
don't come home
until you put him away!
Scumbag.
Hey.
Where're you going?
You just assaulted my client.
What is this?
Police.
Is there a brawl?
That woman assaulted my client.
Who assaulted that woman?
His wife assaulted my client!
What does his wife look like?
Anyone
saw his wife?
Please come forward if you did.
Do you need a doctor?
The police in cahoots with the ICAC?
The common man is screwed.
Wait.
Mr. Henry Ching?
Homicide, New Territories.
I am Mr. Ching's solicitor.
What's the matter?
The Royal Hong Kong Police
has issued an arrest warrant.
We suspect that Mr. Ching
is connected to a m*rder case,
please assist us
in our investigation.
The victim's name
was Ahn Wencescala.
He was from Timurlaysia.
He had been in HK for a year.
He was a manager
of a finance company.
He rented a hotel room
and stashed 50 boxes
of confidential files
on Carmen Century.
We contacted
the police in Timurlaysia.
He turned out to be
an undercover agent
of Timurlaysia's Ministry
of Interior.
He came to Hong Kong
to investigate
Carmen Century's dealings
with the finance company.
Boss.
A week before his m*rder,
Ahn Wencescala denied
a USD 10 million loan
to Henry Ching.
This finance company has
only USD 100K in registered capital.
How can it make
a USD 10 million loan?
It sure can.
Its parent company,
Bank Persekutuan of Timurlaysia,
is loaded.
20 years ago,
oil was discovered in Timurlaysia,
the country became a crude exporter,
earning USD 10 billion annually.
Bank Persekutuan of
Timurlaysia was established
to invest these petrol dollars
all over the world.
In 1978, the bank's rep in Hong Kong
is Musharra Hafa.
He happens to be a shareholder
of a dozen Carmen affiliated firms.
Looks like he and Ching
used the petrol dollars
to bankroll Carmen Century.
That makes sense.
Wencescala's investigation
exposed the connection
between Ching and Hafa.
Ching had every reason
to want him dead.
Ching has plenty of money,
yet he hired an inept k*ller
who left clues all over the place.
After the hit,
he didn't clean up;
once caught,
he fingers Ching right away.
Are you saying
Ching didn't hire the k*ller?
Then who did?
News from a police briefing,
an hour ago,
the suspect in the
Ahn Wencescala m*rder case
overturned his earlier testimony.
He now denies
that Henry Ching ordered the hit.
Due to lack of evidence,
the police has released Henry Ching.
What the hell?
How can they release him?
Mr. Lau,
I am Mr. Ching's new solicitor.
I have spoken to your supervisor.
Mr. Ching is willing to cooperate
in exchange for
the release of his associates.
None of them knows anything,
so let's stop wasting
everyone's time,
OK?
Based on new evidence,
the court decrees that
you turn over
the contents of your safe.
Here is the combination.
We came prepared.
We are cooperating.
Chi Ching.
Let's begin.
Mr. Henry Ching,
do you know Musharra Hafa?
He is a shareholder
of a dozen companies
including Carmen Pest Control
and Carmen Tours.
You are the majority shareholder;
you should be
well acquainted with him.
Mr. Ching,
do you know Musharra Hafa?
I'm asking you a question!
Henry Ching!
Mr. Ching,
On July 11th, 1980,
did you transfer to Hafa,
though Carmen Pest Control,
one million shares
of Carmen Century?
In return, did he
approve a USD 10 million loan
to you?
On February 24th, and March 24th,
of 1981,
did you transfer through
Carmen Transportation,
in 3 installments,
600,000 shares of Carmen Century
to Hafa?
In return, did he authorize
a USD 20 million loan to you?
Do you not understand?
I'll ask again.
From August 1980...
...at Bank Persekutuan,
to Hafa and his superiors.
Is that correct, Mr. Ching?
Doesn't matter if you talk or not.
Testimonies from your associates
and evidence from Timurlaysia
will put you away for a long time.
By then,
it'll be too late
even if you want to talk.
Now that you've mucked things up,
what more can I say?
I mucked thing up?
Rich as you are,
you don't call the shots
on what's right or wrong.
Of course I don't call the shots,
officer.
In the past few months,
Carmen Century's stock fell
from HKD 20 to HKD 0.15.
Sure,
HK investors lost HKD 20 billion.
But the OTC brokers,
After-Hour traders and Rat-traders,
the international players
lost hundreds of billions
in offshore markets.
Some genius thought
murdering the auditor and framing me
kills two birds with one stone.
But if I go to prison,
who's left to take
the rap for the losses?
The backers may get dragged
into the mess.
Hey,
these are not novice investors.
I'm talking about
national figures here.
Therefore,
the k*ller must recant his testimony
so I can be the scapegoat.
You keep asking me
who my backers are.
At my level,
I don't even graze their shadows.
You think I'm a wizard
with the Midas touch;
in fact,
I'm just a frontman, disposable.
Every being under heaven
has its purpose.
We all have our roles to play
on this stage called high finance.
The plot goes where the money flows.
Every move and line is scripted.
This looks good.
What else does the chef recommend?
Officer Lau,
I know you have enough evidence
to put me away,
but has it occurred to you
that you are also a performer
in this piece of drama?
Boss.
- Go ahead.
- Sir,
we opened the safe.
There's nothing in it.
Someone cut a hole
through his roof.
Hello?
Hold on.
Line two.
It's the police.
Officer Lau,
Ching's lawyer, Kelvin,
drowned in his swimming pool.
We found a suicide note,
but also found his body in chains.
Boss,
Timurlaysia's Ministry
of Interior called.
Hafa and other bank executives
have disappeared.
Sir,
I'm here to turn myself in.
I'm responsible for everything.
Here is
all the evidence.
These...
Officer Lau,
we deposited
HKD 50 million bail money,
and with guarantees
from ten Justices of Peace,
the court has granted bail
to Mr. Ching.
Scapegoat or not,
did you think that I'll just sit
and let you pull my strings?
I didn't get to where I am
by being a pushover.
K.K. Tsang's son
pleaded guilty to fraud and bribery.
He got 14 years.
Ching thought he got away clean,
but the Department of Justice
charged him for
the false sale
of the Golden Hill House.
A few months later,
we put him on trial.
Quiet in court.
Court.
I thought the story was over.
Who knew
it was only the beginning.
Hello, Mr. Ching.
How nice of you to be
in court with us today.
Thanks for your kindness,
your honor.
Please make yourself comfortable.
We know Mr. Ching
has a tight schedule.
For the benefit
of Hong Kong's economy,
I'm hoping that counsels for both
parties may proceed expeditiously.
Sit.
"A month later,
the judge acquits all defendants,"
"citing procedural errors
by the prosecution."
"The defendants may not be
tried again for the same offence."
Six months later,
we tracked down Hafa
and other bank executives
in the U.K.,
France and Germany.
ICAC sought cooperation
from these countries,
and local authorities arrested them.
I will not go to Hong Kong.
Mr. Hafa,
you've been incarcerated
for quite a while.
If you cooperate with us,
a Hong Kong court
will only give you 2 years.
With time served here,
after the trial,
you'd be out in no time.
Coming with me
is a better deal, right?
Better?
Do you know what kind
of a man Ching is?
If he finds out I'm going back,
how long do you think I will last?
Mr. Hafa,
your Chinese is quite impressive!
In Timurlaysia,
my ex-employer is Chinese.
And your line of business?
My new employer
sent me here
to look for investment
opportunities.
Hong Kong is indeed
full of opportunities.
Is that so?
My name is Henry Ching.
Thank you Mr. Ching.
Pleased to meet you.
At first,
I invested in his travel agency.
We made over USD 100K.
Next, we put a few million
in real estate,
It doubled in no time.
Then came the IPO.
No matter how much we put in,
we'd at least double our investment.
My bosses didn't care
that I took kickbacks.
I was transferred
back to headquarters,
return on investment dropped,
but kickbacks remained the same.
However,
the loan amount
got bigger and bigger.
Henry,
you've maxed out your loan limit,
it's hard for me
to explain to my bosses.
It'll be harder to explain
if I go under!
Ching became
an international frontman,
fronting for god knows
how many backers.
The amount he handled
far outvalues any human life.
Henry, you stay.
The scariest thing is that
if anyone stepped on his tail,
someone would taken action
without him uttering a word.
Henry,
what do we do now?
The Ministry of Interior
is investigating!
Come on. Do it.
Do what?
Finish the show.
What're you doing?
What the hell are you doing?
I'm saving your neck.
I never should've told him
Wencescala was an investigator
from the Ministry of Interior.
I k*lled him!
I let him die.
Your testimony is vital.
Come back to Hong Kong.
I won't go to Hong Kong.
I don't want to die.
I won't go back with you.
Open the gate!
- Calm down.
- Open!
- I said calm down!
- Open!
Open!
- Open!
- Darn it!
Open the gate!
Maybe he was right.
That same evening,
the judge who acquitted Ching
died in an auto accident in Cyprus.
"Five years later"
In 1988,
several U.S. bankers
were arrested for taking bribes.
Turns out they all took
bribes from Ching
and gave loans to Carmen Century.
The Hong Kong government
charged Ching again.
This time,
with new evidence from the FBI,
we couldn't lose.
Court.
Who'd have thought
the judge's wife had brought
1000 Carmen shares 7 years prior.
Ching's lawyer
cited conflict of interest.
At the end, the judge
had to declare a mistrial.
Ching walked.
Yes!
Thank you.
Well done, sir.
Congratulations.
I need a drink.
Ronnie!
Congratulations, boss.
- Thank you.
- My pleasure.
"Eight years later"
Your extradition order.
The court decreed that
you should stand trial in Hong Kong.
I appealed that decision.
The High Court
dismissed your appeal.
I'm applying for political asylum.
The Ministry of Interior
rejected your application.
I will appeal at the UN.
Will you stop!
Please come in.
Hey,
do you know the cost
of an apartment these days?
HKD 15K per square foot!
Had you not brought me down,
my shareholders
would be filthy rich by now.
Would you like some?
Join me.
I'm fine.
Go ahead.
How many times have you arrested me?
This is the 8th.
Last time, you confiscated my house.
I've been living in a hotel since.
In the presidential suite.
Must be tough.
By my calculation,
through these years,
litigation costs must ran
north of HKD 200 million.
Investigation costs,
say HKD 100 million?
10 years of your life
spent on one case,
no promotion.
What's it all for?
To punish wrongdoers? For justice?
Come on, get off your high horse.
Ask yourself,
are you doing this out of spite?
You hounded me all these years,
what's the beef?
Did I m*rder your family?
Look,
you endangered certain people,
that's why they came for you.
Don't pin that on me.
If they really wanted you dead,
would you still be here today?
My son is in middle school now.
He tells me that
canned food
was invented in 1772.
But the can opener
wasn't invented until 1858.
Some 80 years later.
Late, perhaps,
still plenty useful.
As you said,
every being under
heaven has its purpose.
Without a guy like me,
who will look after guys like you?
For more than a decade,
we worked with many countries,
and arrested over 50 criminals
connected to this case.
Courts handed down
over 200 hundred years
of prison time.
We've frozen
and confiscated
over USD 80 billion.
And most importantly,
they've all testified against you.
Do you really think
you're going to get away?
Hong Kong is supposed
to be a goldmine.
Now where's the fun
when crooks have
to submit to the law?
Case number,
High Court Criminal Case 116,
Mr. Henry Ching
and Mr. Musharra Hafa
are charged with violations
against section 9
of the Prevention
of Bribery Ordinance
between 1980 and 1983.
On multiple occasions,
the defendants
offered pecuniary advantage
to the Directors, CEO and CFO
of Bank Persekutuan of Timurlaysia,
in order to obtain billions
in bank loans.
Defendants,
how do you plead?
Your honor,
my client pleads
guilty.
Order in court!
First defendant,
do you understand
the charges against you?
First defendant,
do you understand
the charges against you?
I do.
The defendants' unlawful conduct
seriously undermined
the rule of law long established
in Hong Kong,
an international financial center.
For well over a decade,
the defendants used
every possible means to imped
this inevitable indictment.
Such crimes must not go unpunished.
As the defendants pleaded guilty,
and returned most
of the pecuniary resources,
I shall consider
carefully the sentences.
I now order that the defendants
be remanded in custody
until sentencing.
Over ten years of work
to put one person away.
Was it worth it?
I ask myself the same question.
"The High Court of Hong Kong"
"sentenced Henry Ching
to three years in prison."
"A few years later,
Carmen Century Group"
"completed the liquidation process."
"Proceeds were distributed
among major creditors,"
"while general shareholders
received nothing."
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Goldfinger, The (2023)
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