Cheng Daqi (Huang Xiaoming), who was originally a clerk in a fruit shop, joined the powerful inspector Hong Shouting (Sammo Hung) in Shanghai and worked as a casino thug. He was appreciated by Hong Shouting's wife Ling Husheng (Yuan Li), which made him quickly stand out. Cheng Daqi is quite skilled in the underworld. He is not only brave and daring, but also good at negotiating with all parties. He is willing to share interests and often turns hostility into friendship, which finally made him the first generation of Shanghai heroes. Cheng Daqi was successful at a young age and met the most beautiful woman in Shanghai, "Yichunyuan Abao" (Mo Xiaoqi). Abao was not polite to the princes and wealthy businessmen, but she was deeply in love with Daqi. Unfortunately, she found that no matter how much Daqi loved her and spoiled her, she would always be the second in his mind. The first place was always his childhood sweetheart, Ye Zhiqiu (Yuan Quan), who had no news at all. Many years later, Cheng Daqi (played by Chow Yun-fat), who has reached middle age, has become a local hero, and his reputation and status have surpassed his master Hong Shouting. There is almost no one who can match him in Shanghai, but the ambition and tyranny of foreign enemies have become his biggest problem. At this time, Mao Zai (played by Wu Zhenyu), who saved his life, has become a big spy chief. He is ambitious and abuses his power for personal gain, forcing Cheng Daqi to plan to "fight his way out." At this time, he unexpectedly met Ye Zhiqiu, whom he had not seen for many years, and discovered that she was already married...