
During the reign of Sung Jen-tsung in the year of Chia Yu, the Dik family are credited for worthy services rendered with imperial permission to deal exclusively in salt, rice and iron. The only heir of the family, Dik Ching, specializing in martial arts, is free and easy with no ambition for official titles. So his mother puts his brother Meng Chung-tsai in charge of the family businesses. Finally, bowing to his mother's wishes, Dik becomes a petty officer. Drunk, Dik Ching demonstrates his skills in the presence of self-stylec World No. 1 Archer Chang Chung, winning his and the public's applause. Chiao Ting-kuei, graced by the liege with a golden sword for services rendered in youth, is demoted for offending Court officials. Broke and helpless, he swaggers and swindles everywhere.… ...
During the reign of Sung Jen-tsung in the year of Chia Yu, the Dik family are credited for worthy services rendered with imperial permission to deal exclusively in salt, rice and iron. The only heir of the family, Dik Ching, specializing in martial arts, is free and easy with no ambition for official titles. So his mother puts his brother Meng Chung-tsai in charge of the family businesses. Finally, bowing to his mother's wishes, Dik becomes a petty officer. Drunk, Dik Ching demonstrates his skills in the presence of self-stylec World No. 1 Archer Chang Chung, winning his and the public's applause. Chiao Ting-kuei, graced by the liege with a golden sword for services rendered in youth, is demoted for offending Court officials. Broke and helpless, he swaggers and swindles everywhere.… ...
Dik's sister Wei Nuang, voluntarily divorced by her seriously ill husband, operated a wine shop for a living. Pan Hsiung, a rich family-in-the-Capital, who has been covetous of Dik's monopolized business, colludes with Secretary Han Kun to profiteer by secretly transporting government salt to Hsi Liao. When Dik comes to office, he tries to frame Dik, but Yang's remonstrance with the liege prevents him from conviction. Pan Hsiung spreads rumors of salt shortage so as to raise prices. In a countermeasure, Dik pleads with Emp. Jen-tsung to allow free trade in salt and announces news to this effect, winning Yang Tao's approbation. When transporting government salt out of the go down, Dik discovers some bags contain sand only. A thorough investigation shows Pan Hsiu has tampered with them to destroy evidence of their smuggling. Dik then lays the case before the monarch.… ...