In the 1930s, a new government is formed in Shanghai, where several foreign powers carve out for themselves sovereign "concessions". In the French Concession, the big three tycoons in Shanghai, KIU NGO-TIN, CHAK KAM-TONG and KUNG SIU-SHAN, jointly establish a monopoly, Sam Heng Company, on the opium trade, gaining dominant control over the area. SHUN-KIT, an opium addict, is caught red-handed stealing some opium and suffers severe injuries after a bouncer called SCARFACE savagely beats him up, following which SHUK-KIT's father, KAI-WAH, is stabbed to death while trying to save his own son. In the wake of this, the students who are protesting against drug abuse and opium trading also join the conflict, during which they even set fire to burn the opium. Having heard this, NGO-TIN not only decides not to pursue the liability for the damage, but also orders to release the student protesters……

Overview not available

For the sake of YEE-HUNG, KAM-TONG goes to a pier where he almost falls into a trap. Fortunately with SIU-HONG's help, he has a narrow escape, on the heels of which he reprimands YEE-HONG for getting him into trouble. To express his gratitude to SIU-HONG for helping KAM-TONG, NGO-TIN wants to give SIU-HONG some gifts but SIU-HONG rejects this. Thinking there might be a mole in the company, KAM-TONG gets suspicious of NGO-TIN, so he goes to question NGO-TIN. NGO-TIN not only indicates that it's CHUN-NGOK who wants to suppress KAM-TONG, but also reveals his own plan to KAM-TONG. CHUN-NGOK meets up with MAN-KWAN to snitch on KAM-TONG for having concealed illicit opium. MAN-KWAN then goes to have a word with NGO-TIN, requesting him to surrender the opium, otherwise, he will have to close down their Sam Heng Company. Seeing that KAM-TONG sends someone to tail after her, YEE-HUNG cannot help feeling upset……

NGO-TIN greets KOO SIU-LAU after watching the Peking opera, surprisingly, SIU-LAU responds that she does not know him at all. Seeking an urgent meeting with SIU-SHAN and KAM-TONG to discuss business, NGO-TIN reveals to them that he wants to stop participating in the opium trade, and then apply for an official gambling license. KAM-TONG intends to view the accounting books of Paramount, but KWAI-SENG refuses to cooperate, leaving KAM-TONG no other choice but to ask NGO-TIN to help persuade KWAI-SENG to surrender the assets of Paramount. Meanwhile, KWAI-SENG is heartbroken after learning from her subordinate, FOOK, that KAM-TONG is going to marry YEE-HUNG. Upon NGO-TIN's return home, YUET-LAN asks him whether he knew about SIU-LAU's return to Shanghai. It turns out that SIU-LAU is YUET-LAN's fellow sister and they both learned to perform Peking Opera in Beiping years ago……

Following the murder of the Commissioner for Narcotics MAN-KWAN, YAT-LEUNG suspects the big three tycoons were involved in the murder case, so he orders HON LAP to form a special investigation team, bringing them in for an interview, yet SIU-SHAN fails to show up. HON LAP then goes to meet up with SIU-SHAN, who claims that he has no idea what's going on as he went to Hangzhou the day before. In an attempt to knock down the big three tycoons, CHUN-NGOK deliberately points the finger at SIU-SHAN. Though HON-LAM and the others want NGO-TIN to expose SIU-SHAN, SIU-HONG on the contrary knows very well that NGO-TIN is reluctant to do so. KAM-TONG arrives at KWAI-SENG's home only to find out that KWAI-SENG has already left. Through his discussion with SIU-HONG, NGO-TIN gets inspired and learns the way to solve the problem……