Safe Guards

SHEUNG CHUNG, the deputy leader of Wui Yau Security Services, gets attacked during a delivery trip. The goods entrusted to Wui Yau are stolen while CHUNG is kidnapped. CHUNG’s father SHEUNG CHING-TONG is shocked by the news and immediately sends his adopted son SHEUNG CHI to investigate the incident. CHUNG is back home safe and sound. CHI who wants to probe for more information has grilled CHUNG for a while, which irks his brother immensely. CHUNG’s half brother SHEUNG HAU turns up suddenly along with a group of security guards. CHUNG is planning to go to the Crow’s Nest and have a talk with the person-in-charge. CHI and his right-hand man FO YEUNG-HUNG have successfully kidnapped the son of the master of the Crow’s Nest, taking him as a bargaining chip in the negotiation with the Crow’s Gang. The gang leader refuses to give in nonetheless……

Though bitterly disappointed in CHUNG, TONG has no intention of removing him from his present position. LEI CHEUNG-FUNG, who has applied for a job as Guard Escort, goes to Wui Yau for an interview. CHI asks his aunt YAN CHING, the interviewer, to offer FUNG the job. FUNG goes and buys her mother CHEUNG SHUEN a second-hand coat but SHUEN does not seem grateful. Thinking that it is a total waste of money, SHUEN gives FUNG and FUNG’s father LEI YUNG a good telling-off. Upon his appointment as the Fifth-ranked Official, TONG receives an inscribed board from Prince GONG as a present. TONG is planning on holding a four-day celebration, to which a number of government officials, merchants, gangsters and groups of companies from the same industry will be invited……

HUNG grabs NGO’s jewelry and sells them all for cash. To settle the debts as soon as possible, he even takes back the goods which NGO’s father and brother bought with the loans. PING asks CHI to slow down the recovery process but CHI refuses. A senior security guard CHIU SUNG-KWONG finds himself unable to settle the debts and commits suicide. Led by CHUNG, a group of security guards have come to visit KWONG’s family. CHUNG suggests the folks should take KWONG’s body to Wui Yau and ask CHI for an explanation. CHING urges MAN to hurry back to Wui Yau but MAN advises that it would be wiser to stay out of the dispute. HAU cannot stop CHUNG from bringing the body into Wui Yau. PING is sad to learn that CHI has caused so much trouble. CHI and his family show up at the lobby to pay tribute to the late KWONG. Filled with dismay, CHI states that he is deeply saddened by KWONG’s death……

CHI and CHUNG have a terrible fight in the street. With the help of the inscribed board, MAN not only manages to stop the scuffle but also makes CHUNG promise to clear his debts. Upon returning to Wui Yau, TONG points out that CHI will lose support from his staff if he goes on seeking recovery of money in an uncompromising way. He suggests deducting a portion of the guards’ salary as repayment of the debts, and forbids CHI to mention the matter any more. CHI is excluded from the preparation of the celebration party. HAU, accompanied by CHI, turns to MAN for advice but MAN opines that everything TONG does is for the good of CHI. FUNG is to train the carrier pigeons. She is given the smallest and weakest pigeons, for which she is very unhappy. YUNG therefore offers her some tips on pigeon training. CHING is going to give the guard escorts a test and their future will be decided by their results. MAN is appointed as FUNG’s examiner……

CHI consults MAN for advice as to how to reveal Wui Yau’s financial situation to TONG but MAN gives him a bit of a strange reply by telling him to look for ways to please his father. FUNG is going on a delivery trip with the security guards. Before FUNG sets off, SHUEN goes to see CHING and tells her about her son who is being locked in prison. Not long after, FUNG is dismissed from her job. CHUNG learns from PANG that TONG has put a lot of trust in CHI. The four-day celebration costs a great deal of money but has paved the way for further expansion of Wui Yau. TONG’s birthday is coming up and his family are planning to hold a party for him. CHI has got a present for TONG, which is later replaced with a dead cat. TONG gets so sick when he sees the cat. YUNG has landed a deal and is ready to go on a delivery trip with FUNG. SHUEN is so worried that she expresses her strong disapproval of the security industry……

Before he sets off for Shanxi, CHI asks MAN to make a prediction as to whether they will have a safe trip. CHI keeps a careful eye on the surroundings along the way and his heart is full of anxiety. Due to the bad weather, the crew have to change their route. Knowing that CHI has taken a different route, CHUNG immediately tries to speak ill of him but TONG reiterates complete confidence in CHI. YUNG and FUNG are stopped by a mob of gangsters who come for protection money. FUNG is sexually harassed by the gangsters and CHI flies off to save her from the predicament. YUNG trips and falls down the hill whilst looking for a way out. FUNG cannot locate her father and is shocked to discover that all the goods are lost. CHI’s crew are besieged by the Ng Yee Gang. CHI promises that he will not disappoint the gang in any way, following which he invites the gang members to a meeting in an inn……

The security guards manage to put out the fire and the goods are all in perfect condition. TAI-HUNG appreciates CHI’s wit and courage and makes friends with him. YING’s father SUEN SAM-PAU is shocked to hear about the death of his son and is resolved to seek revenge on FUNG. FUNG goes and hides herself in CHI’s room. Realizing that FUNG is in great trouble, CHI gives her some money and urges her to flee immediately. PAU and his gang have arrived at the inn, so FUNG has to make her way back. While CHI and TAI-HUNG are having a nice talk in the dinning-room, CHING suddenly turns up to deliver a message. Knowing that FUNG is in real danger, CHI tries to delay PAU by asking him to stay and talk about the pain of losing YING. HUNG has placed FUNG inside a packing box. CHI forbids PAU to open the box as this would affect the quality of the tea kept inside. In the midst of the quarrel, PAU’s assistant GUI persuades him to give up……

CHUNG is shocked to hear that CHI has gone on a delivery trip with a mob of thieves. This has caught TONG’s attention too. TONG does not blame CHI, which surprises CHUNG a bit. SHUEN has long been looking forward to the return of YUNG and FUNG. YUNG, who is injured, is finally back home. SHUEN decides to look for FUNG who has reportedly gone missing. CHI needs the guards to restrain themselves so that PAU will not be provoked. He lets PAU hold a religious rite for his son even though it is a taboo in the industry. CHI and his crew put up at an inn nearby. CHI is glad to learn that the inn is run by brigands. He advises FUNG to run away through the secret path in the middle of the night without realizing that PAU is in fact the owner of the inn. CHI is astonished to hear that PAU is well aware of the route of the secret path. He urges HUNG to get FUNG back, managing to save her life before it is too late……

FUNG gets caught by GUI while trying to escape. But instead of taking hold of her, GUI simply lets her go. Knowing that there is a plot against CHI, FUNG decides to go back and break the news to him. CHI feels obliged to protect FUNG and insists on keeping her company. Given the present situation, HUNG and his mates decide to reveal the truth to TONG. TONG is shocked to hear the news and immediately turns to MAN for help. Once again MAN suggests he leave the matter to CHUNG. CHUNG is glad to have been assigned such an important role. CHI claims that his guards are in no shape to proceed any further and really need to take a rest. He hopes to delay the trip and will try to arrange an escape for FUNG with the extra time available. CHI invites the other four leaders of the Ng Yee Gang to a formal meeting. In the meantime, CHUNG, who is accompanied by a senior security guard LAU SHING, has come along……

TONG, who has come along with HAU, asks CHI why he has to harbor FUNG. He needs CHI to hand the girl over to PAU at once. Knowing that she has nowhere to hide, FUNG pleads with HUNG not to reveal anything about her death to her parents. The next day, TONG has a sudden change of heart and decides to have a fight with the Ng Yee Gang. PAU’s assistants have kidnapped YUNG and SHUEN. FUNG is shocked to see her parents being held hostage and is willing to surrender in exchange for their return. All of a sudden, GUI comes out and reveals the truth about the death of YING. PAU is resolved to take revenge but ends up getting a good telling-off from TAI-HUNG. TONG knows that he cannot expect too much of CHUNG and decides to entrust his business to HAU. FUNG is moving back to her hometown with YUNG and SHUEN. CHI who has returned from Shanxi is shocked to hear about FUNG’s plan……

HUNG has been busy raising money to pay off the arrears owed to Wui Yau, which however has drawn NGO into even greater debts. Her father and brother have also been cast in prison for this reason. Knowing that NGO is in financial difficulty, HAU has no hesitation in giving her a helping hand. With some money in his hand, he makes his way to HUNG’s house. NGO is trying to commit suicide, but is discovered and rescued by HAU who has only just arrived. CHI is surprised to learn that PING has gone vegetarian all for his sake. He has a great regard for PING’s physical well-being and asks FUNG to prepare some healthy dishes for her. CHUNG keeps grumbling to PING saying that HAU is going to take over Wui Yau and has already earned CHI’s support and confidence. CHUNG takes PING’s advice and apologizes to CHI. NGO has a terrible quarrel with HUNG and decides to move back to her parents’ home, which upsets HUNG no end……

CHUNG has employed a layman as a new Security Guard. TONG finds it a little inappropriate but to save face for CHUNG, he decides not to intervene. NGO is willing to carry on her affair with HAU and HAU offers to confide in her without any hesitation. CHUNG accompanies PING to a temple for a religious rite. TONG goes and asks CHI for his views on CHUNG’s appointment while CHUNG is away from home. CHI honestly points out that TONG does not seem to have chosen the right person. Their conversation is overheard by PANG who later takes it as a chance to sow discord between CHUNG and CHI. PANG tries to speak ill of CHI before CHUNG and PING, which infuriates CHI beyond measure. TONG would like to entrust his business to HAU. PING goes on a hunger strike as soon as she gets back home. She asks TONG to drive CHI away and to appoint CHUNG as the leader of Wui Yau. Despite her determination, TONG refuses to give in……

PING and TONG who are seeking to hook up CHI and FUNG have created a number of opportunities for the pair. HAU manages to reconcile NGO with HUNG, for which HUNG is very grateful. HUNG expresses his thanks to HAU, which embarrasses HAU a bit. NGO is confirmed to be pregnant. HUNG shows great concern for NGO, which makes her a little guilty. NGO writes a love letter to HAU, which is later discovered by HUNG. CHI has a date with FUNG, during which CHI means to put on a pair of sunglasses hoping that this will give him a better chat-up line. But the sunglasses have blurred his vision and caused him to fall over. HUNG stalks NGO around in an attempt to track down her secret lover. He gets attacked along the way and lapses into unconsciousness. HUNG has grown suspicious of HAU. He asks NGO for clarification but NGO denies it. HUNG doubts if he is the biological father of NGO’s baby and is going to have a blood test with it after it is born……

TONG has his eyes on HAU and NGO all through HUNG’s funeral but cannot find any clue. TONG goes for a discussion with MAN and CHI. CHI manages to find some evidence which can prove the adulterous relationship between HAU and NGO while MAN discovers that there is a secret behind HUNG’s death. FUNG has come to console CHI who is extremely exhausted. CHI learns from a government official that HAU was well aware of the presence of the thieves but didn’t care to give HUNG a warning. He is shockingly sad to learn about the truth. HAU begs CHI to keep the secret but is rejected. TONG is not wiling to accept the fact, so MAN suggests he put HAU on trial. HAU falls into their trap and the truth is finally out. TONG gets so disappointed in him. CHI goes to visit the tomb of HUNG. Having heard what CHI has said in front of the tomb, NGO decides to break up with HAU. She leaves him a letter before walking out on him……

Wui Yau has been thrown into chaos under the instigation of HAU and its business is going down the pan. CHI takes an uncompromising stand against the staff, which irks a group of security guards who are captained by HAU. CHI escorts FUNG back to her home and they run into SHUEN and YUNG along the way. All of a sudden, the wife of YEUNG KIN, a security guard of Wui Yau, shows up and tries to hurl water at CHI. Not wanting CHI to get wet, FUNG immediately springs forward to ward off the water. SHUEN is left with a deep sense of unease when she realizes that FUNG is already so in love with CHI. CHI announces the promotion, demotion and dismissal of certain members of staff, leading to a torrent of boos and catcalls. CHI goes on to explain why he has to fire some security guards. Having heard what CHI said, almost everybody is struck dumb. HAU nominates PING as the leader and forces her to dismiss CHI. PING has no idea how to react……

TONG cannot make a decision on who should replace him as the leader of Wui Yau while PING suggests appointing CHI. TONG prefers CHUNG, his biological son, to CHI, his adopted son, and seeks to get CHUNG to the position of the head of the business. TONG goes to see a government official named LOK PING-CHEUNG, hoping that he will offer CHUNG a deal associated with the royal government. CHEUNG agrees to TONG’s request. TONG sends PANG and HAU away from Hangzhou and asks CHI to look after CHUNG all through the delivery trip. PANG tries to get HAU on his side along their way to Suzhou. FUNG and her parents move back to their hometown, where they make their living by farming. She misses CHI terribly and has been looking forward to his letters. There are a lot of refugees along the way but CHUNG thinks nothing of it. CHI, on the other hand, believes that there must be something wrong……

TONG and PING are thrilled to bits when they know that CHUNG is not yet dead. The three of them are so happy that they embrace one another with sheer joy and excitement. CHUNG reveals to his parents what he has experienced all these days. Fearing that CHUNG will be blamed for having cheated the Emperor, MAN warns the SHEUNGS not to disclose the fact that CHUNG is still alive. None of them is aware that CHUNG’s whereabouts have already been noted by TONG’s concubine KAU LAI-SHEUNG. PANG and HAU are surprised to hear that CHUNG is still alive. Both of them take it as an opportunity from which they can benefit. FUNG has not heard from CHI for a while, which upsets her a bit. CHUNG has to stay in PING’s room day in and day out and is left in a constant state of anxiety. CHI suggests CHUNG may turn himself into a monk to stay safe, about which PING is a little hesitant. There is a rumor going around that CHUNG is still alive……

CHI passes the money and an invitation card to CHEUNG. CHEUNG knows what it is all about, and therefore does not give any comments. The party room is packed with guests but nobody dares to take his seat before CHEUNG’s arrival. CHUNG hates to be an object of ridicule and is about to reveal the truth. Just before he makes the announcement, CHEUNG comes along. The guests surge forward to greet CHEUNG as soon as they catch sight of him. FUNG has not heard from CHI for a long time, which distresses her acutely. CHI has suddenly come around to see her. Not until this moment do they realize that both of them have a real concern for each other. CHI and FUNG go to visit FUK in prison. Upon the dissolution of the marriage between FUNG and FUK, CHI makes a formal proposal to the girl. CHI, FUNG, YUNG and SHUEN set off on their trip to Hangzhou. CHI and FUNG return to Wui Yau……

CHI is sure that this FUK is a fake. The man looks familiar to CHUNG but CHUNG cannot place him immediately. CHUNG gives the man a punch and drives him away. SHUEN and YUNG prove that the man expelled is the real FUK. The banquet continues until suddenly FUK comes along with a group of police officers. FUK alleges that CHI has stolen his wife. As CHI is about to be sent to the police station, CHUNG recalls where he had his first encounter with FUK. A thought suddenly occurs to CHUNG. He makes a false allegation against FUK by referring to him as a thief and has him sent to prison accordingly. TONG and MAN go to see FUK in prison, where he admits that he has been bribed by HAU and PANG. TONG is seriously ill and HAU pretends to have repented in an attempt to please him. TONG is so disappointed in HAU. TONG who is going to make a will asks CHEUNG to be his witness. He warns PING not to announce the will unless it is really necessary……

PANG gets to be the first to announce TONG’s death. He further points out that Wui Yau should be handed over to TONG’s own sons. CHI asks FUNG to keep the key to the Audit Room while HAU tries to mediate between CHI and PANG. MAN explains to CHI that HAU, SHEUNG and PANG have been acting so that they can pave the way for HAU’s succession to the chairmanship of Wui Yau. MAN suggests CHI should head for Beijing to attend the party celebrating the extermination of the thieves, through which he can, to a certain extent, cement his status as the leader of Wui Yau. CHI reminds CHUNG that it is only necessary for him to follow MAN’s instructions. MAN has got a terrible stomach-ache, so PANG grabs the chance and urges him to let HAU stay. FUNG tries to keep the accounting records and banknotes in a secret place but is discovered by SHEUNG. SHEUNG alleges that FUNG was attempting to steal money……

Having got inspired by TONG in his dream, CHI decides to send PANG and HAU away to Suzhou the following day. PANG asks HAU for money so that he can bribe the government officials. CHI hires a private tutor for YEE, for which YEE is not at all grateful. In YEE’s eyes, CHI is just an ignorant country boy, under whose leadership Wui Yau is doomed to fail. By stratagem, HAU manages to stay in Wui Yau. CHI finds YEE’s comments very reasonable and goes to discuss the matter with MAN hoping to find a way out. MAN suggests shifting the family business to sea freight services. CHI has a meeting with CHEUNG to discuss the feasibility of their sea freight proposal. Believing that this will lead to an increase in the government revenue, CHEUNG is in support of the proposal. CHEUNG, who is going to be transferred to a new post, writes a letter to Official YIU asking for his follow-up……

MAN, CHUNG and CHI are being locked up in prison. MAN asks them to calm down and wait until the situation becomes clearer. FUNG struggles to run Wui Yau herself. MAN, CHUNG and CHI have not yet been released. MAN is worried that they will sooner or later be forced into bankruptcy if they fail to settle the debts. FUNG destroys all the contracts signed by HAU and seeks to negotiate new contracts with the exiting clients. This has irked the clients immensely but CHING arrives in time to settle the dispute. FUNG follows MAN’s instructions and start to approach different bankers. The bankers fall into MAN’s trap as expected. CHUNG, CHI and MAN are finally set free. PANG and the bankers have come to ask for money. CHI points out that Wui Yau is running out of money and that their debtors would not benefit in any way if Wui Yau is declared bankrupt……

MAN bustles around to look for her wife but later CHING and the rest of the guard escorts are all found dead. CHING mentioned in her letter that she wanted to support MAN and would try every possible means to make money for his sake. Tears roll down MAN’s face when he is reading the letter. PING orders CHI to cancel the sea freight proposal but MAN wants to carry out CHING’s last wish and refuses to give up at this point. Wui Yau is requested to submit the design of the ship and a draft contract. CHI and MAN once again have to raise money for the project. CHI has recently heard a rumor that the Ng Yee Gang has refused to give way to the security guards who have failed to offer protection money. A sudden though strikes CHI and he wonders if it is possible to borrow money from the gang. PING faints in a fit of rage when hearing that. CHI blames FUNG for bringing the news to PING……

YIU claims that he has not embezzled the money and has been discriminated against for this reason. YIU assures CHI that he will try his very best to get them a license and that he will be offering his resignation if he fails. The security guards have lost their confidence in CHI who has owed them wages. They learn from PANG that a lot of valuable treasures have been hidden in Wui Yau. They believe what PANG says and are all desperate to dig the treasures out. A senior security guard turns to PING for help, and CHI, upon his return, gives the staff a terrible telling-off. CHI tells them about the financial circumstances of Wui Yau and explains why they have to seek a change, in the hope that they will understand the situation. CHI has not yet heard from YIU, so he sends MAN to Beijing to see how the project is progressing. Prince HING refuses to see YIU. YIU gets so frustrated that he takes his life……