A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch

While a film crew is making a late Ming era movie, three genuine classical Ming characters - Commander YUAN CHONGHUAN, Minister ZUO GUANGDOU and Eunuch LI JINZHONG - inexplicably wander onto the set. They are confused by the incomprehensible words of the film crew. They then ask production supervisor NG SIU-HA about Emperor Wanli's whereabouts. SIU-HA tells them this is the year 2017 and four hundred years have passed since the time of Wanli. Past events are coming back to the collective memory of the trio. Rewinding to Ming dynasty. To consolidate power, Crown Prince is marrying GUO QIAN, Crown Princess-to-be and daughter of a distinguished noble clan. CHONGHUAN, GUANGDOU and JINZHONG are team members of the matrimonial liaison task force. They have reached rural territory of Peking after days of strenuous traveling. However, Eunuch ZHANG CHENG plots to kill Crown Princess and sends his guards to wait in ambush. The task force gallantly protects QIAN. Amid the scuffles, they unwittingly venture into a foggy forest and QIAN suddenly disappears without a trace. Back to the present, the trio continue to question SIU-HA, who says she is in fact Princess Pearl. To unite Ming and Qing dynasties, GUANGDOU offers SIU-HA a jade pendant as his gesture of commitment. In exchange, SIU-HA offers a lighter as her pledge. GUANGDOU's trio are fascinated by the flame throwing capability of the lighter, which they think is a precious wonder. To save SIU-HA, Security Chief puts on Ming emperor costume and meets CHONGHUAN, who sees straight through him. They eventually find their way out of the studio and reach a busy street in Foshan. Attire of modern people and unfamiliar surroundings further confuse the trio.

FONG WAI-CHI, head of renowned Hong Kong restaurant Fung Ming Gui, and her uncle WAN WAI-TAI go to Foshan to recruit chef. While leaving rail station, they run into famous actress WONG YI-SAN, who has come to Foshan for TVC production. SIU-HA hires CHONGHUAN's trio as extras. WAI-CHI's jumper is damaged by CHONGHUAN, who offers her a kiss as compensation. WAI-CHI is furious and calls the police to arrest CHONGHUAN, who manages to escape by weightless levitation. SIU-HA obtains three identity cards for the trio. CHONGHUAN's new name is WAN TAI-KWAN, GUANGDOU is now FUNG YAT-BO and JINZHONG becomes LI SIU-TUNG. GUANGDOU borrows a notebook computer for learning about the internet. He also discovers myriads of knowledge spanning many centuries and across the world. JINZHONG goes into the kitchen and asks SIU-HA to give him some simple ingredients, which he uses to make an unusually tasty dish. SIU-HA and the production crew are pleasantly surprised. CHONGHUAN, GUANGDOU and JINZHONG feel that fate has brought them to this place after experiencing four hundred years. They decide to become sworn brothers.

WAI-CHI and her employees are promoting Fung Ming Gui's recruitment of kitchen staff. WAI-TAI cannot tolerate the toil. He puts down his promotion placard and sneaks off. TAI-KWAN's trio want to see YI-SAN, who looks like Crown Princess. TAK-LEI, YI-SAN's agent, tells them to join the fan club. SIU-TUNG sees Fung Ming Gui's promotion placard showing recruitment of kitchen staff and his interest is aroused. But he misses the scheduled time of interview because he was trapped in a lift. SIU-TUNG uses leftovers to make a famous Huaiyang dish DazhuGansi, but WAI-TAI drives him away. WAI-CHI returns to the recruitment venue and tastes SIU-TUNG's cooking. She reckons SIU-TUNG can fulfill the requirements of the position of Fung Ming Gui's chef. TAI-KWAN patiently waits for YI-SAN. When TAI-KWAN sees YI-SAN leaving the hotel, he descends from the sky and, while blocking the traffic, knocks down TAK-LEI and security guards. He then snatches YI-SAN and takes her back to Forbidden City in the studio. Meanwhile, WAI-CHI, bringing SIU-TUNG's photo along with her, posts missing person fliers all over the place.

Watching TV, TAI-KWAN's trio learn YI-SAN is about to return to Hong Kong. They tender their resignations to SIU-HA as they want to go to Hong Kong to find YI-SAN, but SIU-HA refuses. WAI-CHI manages to catch up with SIU-TUNG at the studio. She invites the trio to work for Fung Ming Gui, but with the condition that SIU-TUNG must sign a three-year contract. Realizing they think a three-year term is too long, WAI-CHI lies to them that YI-SAN is her buddy. Phony remarks of CHU KWOK-FUNG, chairman of Dynasty Group, boasting about his culinary skills on TV truly disgust WAI-CHI's father FONG TIN. KWOK-FUNG contacts TIN to discuss buying Fung Ming Gui and points out memory of LAU LEUNG, Fung Ming Gui's chef, is deteriorating. In retaliation, TIN says LEUNG's mind is as sharp as ever. KWOK-FUNG deliberately challenges Fung Ming Gui to deliver their signature gourmet extravaganza The Golden Feast. SIU-HA and the entire staff bid TAI-KWAN's trio farewell. The three sworn brothers are really amazed by the sight of planes and bullet trains, which they have never seen before. CHU KA-HEEN, son of chairman of Dynasty Group, has a date with YI-SAN, who in fact tries to tempt him.

Accompanied by TAI-KWAN, WAI-CHI goes to convenience store for some shopping. On the way, they are disrupted by vicious gang fights. TAI-KWAN helps DING HAU fend off the attackers. As WAI-CHI knows HAU is the boss of Chung Ching Society, so she grabs TAI-KWAN and they quickly flee. Media reports on KA-HEEN pursuing YI-SAN hugely annoy KWOK-FUNG, who instructs Group CEO CHEUK WAH to handle this matter. CHEUK WAH then tells WAI-LING to revoke all contracts with YI-SAN. TIN introduces SIU-TUNG to the kitchen staff. TIN complains about WAI-CHI being misled by SIU-TUNG. LEUNG appears confused when he describes recipes for The Golden Feast. WAI-CHI realizes she cannot rely on LEUNG. TAI-KWAN and YAT-BO accuse WAI-CHI of cheating them by pretending to know YI-SAN. The trio quit on the spot. CHEUK WAH plays his trump card by declaring if YI-SAN and KA-HEEN continue their affair, Dynasty Group will seek another successor. During a press conference, YI-SAN declares that KA-HEEN is purely a business partner.

YI-SAN phones TAI-KWAN's trio and orders them to go to Kowloon City. She tells them the Manchurians are plotting to overturn Ming dynasty. The Manchurians have sent their agent to make secret deal with gangster big shot Mountain Leopard, and the trio must prevent the two parties from forming a union. TAI-KWAN uses his signature kung fu maneuver Immeasurable Ocean, which totally wipes out Mountain Leopard's gang. TAI-KWAN then realizes Mountain Leopard is actually HAU, the boss of of Chung Ching Society, who he once saved. HAU offers TAI-KWAN's trio to work for him, but they refuse. YI-SAN comes clean by saying she is not Crown Princess and persuades the trio not to contact her again. TAI-KWAN plans to leave Fung Ming Gui and return to Foshan to look for Crown Princess. WAI-CHI is relieved by SIU-TING's willingness to prepare The Golden Feast. She also begins to believe they are Ming people. In a TV studio, KA-HIN questions YI-SAN whether she has any non-showbiz boyfriends. Meanwhile, YAT-BO is attracted by the noise and goes to the scene. WAI-CHI announces preparation of KWOK-FUNG's banquet is aborted and Fung Ming Gui will close.

HAU and his entourage come to invite TAI-KWAN to join their organization, but TAI-KWAN refuses HAU's well-meaning offer. YUK-FUN and YAT-BO notice differences between inventory records and actual quantities for the past three years. WAI-CHI prohibits them from revealing their findings. YI-SAN goes to the office to go through some script with rookie TSE SUM-YEE. YI-SAN is aware of SUM-YEE using sexy photos to attract the attention of several hundred thousands of lustful males. She also has many deliberately risqu_ photos available on the Net for viewing. CHEUK WAH proposes to use a big pay packet to poach SIU-TUNG. KWOK-FUNG agrees. YEE-HUNG reminds WAI-TAI that WAI-CHI may have already discovered discrepancies between inventory records and actual quantities. YI-SAN tells YAT-BO not to bother her again and gives him back the red bean cake. WAI-CHI is holding a family meeting. WAI-TAI and YEE-HUNG become hostile and launch preemptive strike against YUK-FUN. As WAI-CHI wants to maintain family harmony, she refrains from identifying the culprit and admits the inventory mistakes are hers instead. YUK-FUN reminds WAI-CHI that WAI-TAI and YEE-HUNG have their eyes on Fung Ming Gui, and she should not tolerate them further.

TIN and WAI-TAI are arguing about some interview. TAI-KWAN reckons as WAI-CHI is the head of Fung Ming Gui, so she should be the interviewee. TAI-KWAN and WAI-CHI catch the sight of SIU-TUNG getting into some stranger's car. SIU-TUNG is not answering his phone. YI-SAN is not happy about being recast in some supporting role in a drama. She orders her assistant to call KA-HIN. KWOK-FUNG knows KA-HIN has a dinner date with YI-SAN. When KA-HIN is changing clothes in a room, KWOK-FUNG seizes the opportunity and locks him up. CHEUK WAH takes SIU-TUNG to the largest restaurant in their group and announces SIU-TUNG is to take up the position of Executive Chef. TAI-KWAN and WAI-CHI are still looking for SIU-TUNG and they ask HAU for help. HAU knows SIU-TUN's whereabouts and offers TAI-KWAN the position of assistant. KWOK-FUNG goes to TV station to pay a friendly visit and declares he will increase his sponsorship on the condition that YI-SAN's character must be deleted. TV director suddenly cancels TIN and WAI-TAI's interview, but YAT-BO knows the director is lying.

At Fung Ming Gui, WAI-LING and female colleagues have taken special interest in TAI-KWAN's robust and muscular physique. They constantly find excuses to get close to him. A bunch of SIU-TUNG's little fans have come to show their support and they just will not let go of SIU-TUNG. YAT-BO vigorously searches the Net for information about YI-SAN's showbiz background because he thinks YI-SAN is reincarnated Crown Princess. The three brothers have another lively argument about whether Crown Princess is dead or alive. KWOK-FUNG tells KA-HIN his sad stories about Fung Ming Gui. He also thinks KA-HIN is his savior. WAI-CHI discloses the favorable terms offered to SIU-TUNG by Dynasty Group to poach him. Fung Ming Gui people are surprised that SIU-TUNG is not tempted. WAI-CHI unwittingly says SIU-TUNG fancies WAI-LING. When KWOK-FUNG sees TIN's interview in a magazine, he is furious and decides to sue TIN. FUNG-KIU reckons as CHEUK WAH fails to poach SIU-TUNG, they can explore the possibility of buying Fung Ming Gui. CHEUK WAH agrees. KWOK-FUNG decides to let KA-HIN handle this acquisition project.

HAU shows his true gangster colors and nominates TAI-KWAN as the leader of Chung Ching Society. KA-HIN explains to FUNG-KIU that he and WAI-CHI have known each other since childhood, so he has difficulty in raising the issue of acquiring Fung Ming Gui with WAI-CHI. YI-SAN decides to make porn movie. TAK-LEI advises her to have her breasts enlarged before signing the contract. YAT-BO overhears YI-SAN's upcoming porn debut on the other side of the phone line. WAI-LING has an appointment with SIU-TUNG as she wants to find out whether SIU-TUNG wants to make a career out of cooking for Fung Ming Gui. SAI-FUNG, TAI-HUNG and MAN-DI search high and low for TAI-KWAN. They resort to waiting for TAI-KWAN to show up at Fung Ming Gui. The trio have also brought along several ledgers to seek TAI-KWAN's advice. WAI-CHI wants to have a look at the books and asks the trio to hand them over, but TAI-HUNG refuses to cooperate. WAI-CHI repeats her request again in a much more demanding style. Having no other option, TAI-HUNG timidly caves in to WAI-CHI's demand. After a whole day of number crunching, WAI-CHI arrives at the conclusion that Chung Ching Society could be turned around subject to implementation of certain reforms. TAI-HUNG and his gang are not happy with WAI-CHI telling them to change their dodgy ways. They make some loud noises in protest.

YAT-BO plays spokesman and lies to Chung Ching Society that he and TAI-KWAN are undercover police. WAI-CHI admires YAT-BO's bravery and decides to promote him to servicing manager. SIU-TUNG asks WAI-CHI to consider letting TAI-KWAN return to Fung Ming Gui. WAI-CHI gives SIU-TUNG a positive answer. TAI-KWAN and YAT-BO reckon SIU-TUNG is chatting WAI-CHI up. They become suspicious of SIU-TUNG's eunuch status and demand him to remove his pants for further examination. YAT-BO and TIN pay YI-SAN a visit and invite her to participate in Fung Ming Gui's advert production. As YI-SAN realizes SUM-YEE has taken her role in Dynasty Group's advert production, she instantly changes her mind and agrees to Fung Ming Gui's advert offer. KA-HIN invites WAI-CHI and her other two sisters to Dynasty Group's Silver Ribbon 3 stars restaurant to sample gourmet dishes which he personally prepares. KA-HIN also gives WAI-CHI a HK$30,000,000 cheque for acquiring Fung Ming Gui. KA-HIN points out that Silver Ribbon judges will soon visit Fung Ming Gui. If the food is not up to scratch, Fung Ming Gui's value will be questionable.

TAI-KWAN's trio put up fliers of Crown Princess all over the place, which have drawn YI-SAN's attention. WAI-CHI suggests using adverts to make Crown Princess come to look for them. Dynasty Group's lawyer reminds YI-SAN that if she insists on accepting advert offer, she will be liable to compensate Dynasty by paying HK$30,000,000. YI-SAN runs out of options and reluctantly turns down the advert offer. She suggests YAT-BO to try somehow to win HK$30,000,000 from horse races, so she could settle her dispute with Dynasty. YAT-BO begins to study horse races. KA-HIN wants to learn from SIU-TUNG and reveals FUNG-KIU has bribed the Silver Ribbon judges. WAI-CHI and TAI-KWAN engage FUNG-KIU in a debate. TAI-KWAN has gone to some place of worship, and the abundance of smoke makes him think it is about time to return to Ming dynasty. CHEUK WAH tells KWOK-FUNG and FUNG-KIU that Silver Ribbon has changed their appraisal format to live TV broadcast. CHEUK WAH suggests to KWOK-FUNG that Fung Ming Gui is not a wise buy. FUNG-KIU knows CHEUK WAH has some trick up his sleeve.

WAI-CHI and SIU-TUNG discuss about what dishes are likely to please the judges. TAI-KWAN and a bunch of colleagues become keen racing spectators and show their enthusiastic support for the horses. YI-SAN specifically comes to Fung Ming Gui. She realizes many favorites have turned out to be disappointments on this racing day, and YAT-BO's luck is equally as disappointing. The thirty-million dollar dream is over and YI-SAN hopelessly leaves. KWOK-FUNG invites members of top management to sample Sweet and Sour Mandarin Fish, and they unanimously agree it can earn them the honor of Silver Ribbon 3 stars. KWOK-FUNG reminds everyone not to have any crafty ideas about Fung Ming Gui. SUM-YEE mentions to YI-SAN some unhappy incident from two years ago and now she wants revenge. YI-SAN is saddened by SUM-YEE's words. Advert production crew have come to Fung Ming Gui to start shooting, but SIU-TUNG has stage fright. WAI-LING deliberately stands beside the camera and gives SIU-TUNG encouragement. FUNG-KIU asks to see WAI-CHI and reveals Silver Ribbon Asia regional chief judge and CHEUK WAH were university classmates. Therefore, regardless of SIU-TUNG's cooking performance, he will be rated as a mediocre cook, so WAI-CHI should better withdraw from the live TV broadcast.

WAI-CHI and TAI-KWAN are having a discussion. TAI-KWAN mentions one of his battles from the past. After listening to TAI-KWAN's story, WAI-CHI has made up her mind. YI-SAN tells WAI-TAI that SIU-TUNG's trio were once movie extras. Their identity cards had some issues and they were dismissed because of the suspicion that they were illegal migrants. WAI-TAI promises he will look into this matter. WAI-CHI and her entourage go to TV studio to prepare for programme production. KWOK-FUNG and CHEUK WAH show up. TIN and KWOK-FUNG have another heated argument. WAI-LING phones SIU-TUNG and orders him to leave the TV studio. She also says FUNG-KIU has not told any lies. While waiting for WAI-LING, SIU-TUNG is hit by a car. WAI-LING insists on taking injured SIU-TUNG to hospital for treatment. SIU-TUNG cannot attend the contest. WAI-CHI comes up with an ingenious idea of herself dressing in little lamb style to disguise as SIU-TUNG, who shall teach WAI-CHI to cook Sweet and Sour Mandarin Fish over the phone. While WAI-CHI and her people are waiting for contest results, KWOK-FUNG persuades her to sell Fung Ming Gui. He also promises to maintain the status quo. Everyone agrees to KWOK-FUNG's offer, except TIN.

YI-SAN pretends to be drunk and grumbles to KA-HIN about being blacklisted by Dynasty. KA-HIN promises to help her. WAI-TAI gets hold of contracts of TAI-KWAN's trio and goes to the roof to question their identities. TAI-KWAN's trio tell WAI-TAI the truth. WAI-TAI and TIN insist on kicking them out, but WAI-CHI reckons only the trio can help Fung Ming Gui win Silver Ribbon 5 stars. KA-HIN renews sponsoring YI-SAN's promotional activities. YAT-BO knows YI-SAN has accepted Fung Ming Gui's advert offer. He also thinks WAI-CHI can help him find out YI-SAN's true identity. FUNG-KIU regretfully tells CHEUK WAH her contribution to Dynasty is not properly appreciated by KWOK-FUNG. CHEUK WAH knows KWOK-FUNG's plan very well. He suggests WAI-CHI to look for KA-YIU, KWOK-FUNG's second daughter, and ask her to help take over control. WAI-CHI makes storyline suggestions to YI-SAN and production director. Onlooking TAI-KWAN's trio observe YI-SAN's reaction. WAI-CHI tells TAI-KWAN to stop bothering YI-SAN because she is not Crown Princess. However, YI-SAN has left behind documents from some meeting.

An intoxicated WAI-CHI attempts to find out YI-SAN's history and background. She even declares she is conducting this investigation for the three brothers. WAI-CHI tells TAI-KWAN's trio YI-SAN is not Crown Princess. She even guesses Crown Princess could have already died in the foggy forest. Seafood supplier chases after WAI-TAI and demands payment, causing WAI-TAI to become agitated. CHEUK WAH is willing to settle this outstanding payment. KWOK-FUNG orders KA-HIN to stop using YI-SAN in Fung Ming Gui's promotional activities, but KA-HIN refuses to cooperate. SIU-TUNG notices LEUNG's strange behavior and persuades TIN to tell LEUNG's relatives to seek medical attention. LEUNG tells TAI-KWAN after several days he will return to some place where he originally came from. The three brothers are certain LEUNG is in fact ZHUGE LIANG. LEUNG further adds that after two days, it will be the occasion of 9-star alignment and they will be able to breach the time barrier and return to the past. SIU-TUNG goes to Dynasty Group to see WAI-LING. He tells her he is leaving Fung Ming Gui. GUANGDOU goes to production location to bid YI-SAN farewell. TAI-KWAN wants to keep WAI-CHI company and lets her enjoy snowy views.

CHEUK WAH takes WAI-TAI to some unlicensed oil factory and makes some cunning suggestion about ordering cooking oil for Fung Ming Gui. WAI-CHI and YI-SAN are thinking of some ways to retain the trio. SIU-TUNG painstakingly teaches the kitchen staff the essence of frying. Meanwhile, YAT-BO gives a lecture on management to TIN, YUK-FUN and the servicing staff. TIN suddenly receives a call from advertising agency telling him YI-SAN is not making the advert. While waiting for KA-HIN, WAI-CHI catches sight of KA-YIU, KA-HIN's second younger sister. While looking for WAI-CHI, YI-SAN hears some familiar flute melody. She then realizes YAT-BO is simultaneously drinking and playing flute on the street. TAI-KWAN and SIU-TUNG take LEUNG to some back lane and prepare for his return to Three Kingdoms. Thunderous bolts of lightning soon appear in the sky. LEUNG promptly disappears without a trace. When YAT-BO wakes, he realizes he is naked and sleeping in YI-SAN's bed. YI-SAN tells him he did something indecent when he was drunk. The police come to Fung Ming Gui and ask for TIN. To prepare for return to Ming dynasty, TAI-KWAN's trio have put on official costumes.

The time has come, but nothing happens to the trio and time keeps ticking forward. CHEUK WAH suggests public listing of Dynasty. The board of directors unanimously agree. KWOK-FUNG decides to hand over control to the younger generation before listing. Zita informs CHEUK WAH Fung Ming Gui's cooking oil contains aflatoxin, which is more commonly known as gutter oil. CHEUK WAH orders Zita to send report to producer of news department of TV station for further follow-up. The trio understand there is no chance of returning to Ming dynasty and decide to learn the modern way of living. WAI-CHI, her two sisters, KA-HIN and his younger sister have a casual drinking and chit-chat session. KA-YIU sneakily opens WAI-LING's phone and finds out SIU-TUNG is her boyfriend. WAI-CHI reminds WAI-LING to stop going out with SIU-TUNG. TV news crew come to Fung Ming Gui and ask TIN and WAI-TAI for some response. CHEUK WAH reckons if KA-HIN shoulders the blame for Fung Ming Gui, KWOK-FUNG will not win the support of the board, then KA-HIN will also not be able to succeed as chairman.

While waiting for the police to come to deliver their arrest warrant, WAI-CHI phones TAI-KWAN's trio and offers her apology for saying inappropriate words while she was drunk. She also asks them to safeguard Fung Ming Gui and her relatives. SIU-TUNG and TAI-KWAN remove and then destroy gutter oil. While handling gutter oil, TAI-KWAN overhears WAI-TAI saying something. TAI-KWAN takes him home for further questioning. WAI-CHI wants to give WAI-TAI a chance and persuades TIN not to make further guesses. FUNG-KIU gets hold of CHEUK WAH to discuss canceling the motion to have KWOK-FUNG letting KA-HIN assume the position of chairman. CHEUK WAH is very confident this KWOK-FUNG motion will not be passed. CHEUK WAH puts forward motion to place Fung Ming Gui under Dynasty management. This motion is accepted by the board. At this moment, ICAC officers show up and ask KWOK-FUNG to help in investigation of a bribery case involving top management of a TV station. CHEUK WAH points out KWOK-FUNG's association with bribery investigation affects Dynasty's listing plan. The only way out is to expel KWOK-FUNG and appoint CHEUK WAH as chairman. CHEUK WAH proposes a very favorable offer to YI-SAN for assuming the role of Dynasty's spokesperson.