The Gentle Crackdown II
# The Gentle Crackdown II

The Gentle Crackdown II (Traditional Chinese: 秀才愛上兵) is a TVB costume comedy series broadcast in January 2008.

The series is an indirect sequel to 2005's The Gentle Crackdown (秀才遇著兵). The main cast features Wayne Lai from the original series and new cast including Steven Ma, Yumiko Cheng, and Ha Yu. The dynasty this costume sequel is in the Ming Dynasty.

## Synopsis

Having lost her father at an early age, farm security guard Chan Sai-Mui (Yumiko Cheng) grew to be an outspoken and determined woman who would do her utmost to protect her home village. It is her sincerity that has won her respect from all villagers of the Leung Choi County. Sometimes she would get too enthusiastic and impulsive that she could bring about a lot of misunderstandings. Amusingly, she has mistaken the newly appointed agricultural magistrate Tse Wong-Sheung (literal meaning "Thank you, Emperor") (Steven Ma) for a thief and the two of them have been bitter enemies ever since. To keep himself from any possible trouble, Sheung has been avoiding Mui intentionally.

For the benefit of his son's future, Sheung's father Tse Chong-Tin (Ha Yu) has not only invited the intelligent Tai Tsung-Man (Wayne Lai) to be Sheung's assistant, but also found him four special bodyguards playfully named Chuk (Congee), Fun (Rice Noodle), Mein (Wheat Noodle), and Fan (Rice). (The names are foods that are the main staple foods of China.) Despite the best arrangements for Sheung, he still gets framed by the corrupted officials from Changsha and is in danger of facing the most torturing punishment. Luckily, Mui and Man manage to save him in the nick of time with a jade bowl bestowed by the former emperor. To everyone's surprise, the jade bowl turns out a fake, but with Man's wit and courage, Sheung is finally saved from danger. Mui has been through a lot together with Sheung and is starting to fall in love with him. Sheung, on the other hand, has no feelings for Mui and decides to turn to Man for tips as to how to break away from her. Mysteriously, Sheung starts being pursued by a hitman soon afterwards.

## Cast

### Main cast

| Cast | Role | Description |
| - | - | - |
| Steven Ma | Tse Wong-Sheung 謝皇上 | aka Tse Tung Lui Agriculture Magistrate → County Magistrate Chan Sai-Mui's lover. |
| Ha Yu | Tse Chong-Tin 謝蒼天 | Rice Shop Owner Yau Yuk-Lan's husband. Tse Wong-Sheung's father. Saved the Emperor's life. |
| Law Koon Lan | Yau Yuk-Lan 游玉蘭 | Tse Chong-Tin's wife. Tse Wong-Sheung's mother. |
| Wayne Lai | Dai Tsung-Man 戴從文 | Tse Wong-Sheung's assistant. |
| Wayne Lai | Dai Tsung-Mo 戴從武 | Inspector General of Eight Prefecture and unfilial son. Brother of Dai Tsung-Man. |
| Yumiko Cheng | Chan Sai-Mui 陳細妹 | Constable Tse Wong-Sheung's lover. |

### Supporting cast

| Cast | Role | Description |
| - | - | - |
| Lee Shing-Cheung | Mak Sui 麥帥 | Head Constable |
| Johnson Lee | Chuk Ching-Tung (Congee) 祝清庭 (粥) | Constable Tong Shui's lover. |
| Dai Yiu Ming | Ho Fun (Rice Noodle) 何粉 (粉) | Constable |
| Li Kai Kit | Yee Mein (Wheat Noodle) 伊麵 (麵) | Constable |
| Ng Man Seng | Fan Yat (Rice) 范一 (飯) | Constable |
| Elaine Yiu | Tong Shui 唐水 | Song Girl Chuk Ching-Tung's lover Tong Yi's granddaughter |
| Mimi Chu | Tong Yi 唐依 | Tong Shui's grandmother |
| Winnie Shum | Xiang Shui 香水 | Tong Shui's friend |
| King Kong Lam | Xiu Yaocheng 徐耀成 | Xiang Shui's Boyfriend |
| Joseph Lee | Tong Dahai 唐大海 | Tong Yi's Son Tong Shui's Father Villain |
| Savio Tseung | So Chun Tung 蔬镇東 | Inspector of Six Preferences Magistrate of Wenzhou Main Villain |
| Evergreen Mak Cheung-ching | So Tsan-nam 蔬镇南 | Advisor to So Chun Tung Dai Dai Tsung-Man & Dai Tsung-Mo classmates Villain |

## Viewership ratings

| | Week | Episode | Average Points | Peaking Points |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | January 21–25, 2008 | 1 — 5 | 28 | 30 |
| 2 | January 28 - February 1, 2008 | 5 — 10 | 27 | 31 |
| 3 | February 4–8, 2008 | 11 — 15 | 25 | 27 |
| 4 | February 11–15, 2008 | 16 — 20 | 32 | 37 |

## Awards and nominations

| TVB Anniversary Awards (Accolades) | Nominees | Results |
| - | - | - |
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Wayne Lai | Nominated |
| Best Drama | | Nominated |
