The Legend Of Dik Ching

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.… ...

Yuan Yen-lieh orders E Ba Cha, his subordinate,to fight with Dik who wins the fight because of the help of Tzu-en. Tzu-en loves Dik whole-heartedly but it is only a one-sided love. Dik falls in love with Shuang-shuang when they meet. Pang Hsiung is bribed to help Hsi Liao to conquer. Chung Yuan. Dik misunderstands that Shuang-shuang wants to get the military map. Later, Tzu-en is surprised to see that Dik asks pardon from Shuang-shuang. Dik wants to attack E Ba Cha but is injured. Since Dik wants Shuang-shuang to stay with him, he pretends to have been injured seriously. But Dik's mother is not pleased with the open nature of Shuang-shuang.

Pang Hsiung wants to find a husband for Yuan-yuan, his daughter. By accident, Ting-Kuei is chosen but Yuan-yuan does not want to marry him. A maid is married to him. Dik's mother gives a ring to Tzu-en as engagement. On the other hand, Dik also gives another ring to Shuang-shuang which makes the two girls embarrassed. The condition of Dik worsens suddenly because he was injured by the Poisonous Palm and can only be cured by -the Snowy Cicade of Hsi Liao. Neither Dik's mother nor Shuang-shuang can get the anti-dote. At last, Shuang-shuang and Tzu-en sneak into the palace and steal it. Unluckily they are discovered. Tzu-en is caught.

At the time Tzu-en is caught, Tuan Wen appears and saves her. Jen-tsung is attracted by Tzu-en. In order to get Tzu-en, he summons beauties from the country. Pang Hsiung also gets Yuan- yuan into the palace. But she only becomes a maid. When Jen-tsung knows that Tzu-en is Yang Tao's daughter, he summons her as his concubine. Tzu-en hints to Dik to save her. Dik rushes to the palace and says that he is engaged with Tzu-en. Jen-tsung can only release her.

Dik Ching and Ting-kuei become friends