Wang Chao

"America isn't a place to live a long life. My philosophy is, "the fast die rich." Hopefully in that bed upstairs with a duck girl riding me like a thoroughbred."

—Chao to Ah Toy^[src]

Wang Chao is a former slave turned black market salesman who acquires contraband for both the Chinatown tongs and the San Francisco police. Due to his connections and invaluable assets, he is able to travel freely throughout all of Chinatown and has even been known to act as a mediator between rival tongs.

Biography

Early life

Chao was very young when he crossed the salt. After his parents died in the Taiping Rebellion, he decided to move to America and make a fortune for himself. However, the captain of the ship to America instead sailed them to Cuba and sold Chao as a slave for 11 years before he escaped.^[1] Chao eventually made his way to San Francisco, where he managed to create a successful black market business and even have a child with a local woman named Claire.^[2]

Selling Ah Sahm to the Hop Wei

Chao welcomes a ship full of new Chinese migrants to San Francisco. However, one in particular, Ah Sahm, stands out from the rest when he speaks proper English and takes out three police officers with little difficulty. He inquires about Ah Sahm's English and tells him to keep it to himself before taking him to Chinatown and selling him to Young Jun and the Hop Wei.

Later, completely separated from his work with the Tongs, Chao supplies Bill with weapons for his recently formed Chinatown Squad. And afterward, he runs into Ah Sahm at Ah Toy's brothel and tells him that there's a lot of money to be made with someone who can scrap as well as Ah Sahm, but he simply wants passage back to China, which Chao cannot do, explaining that Ah Sahm is owned by the Hop Wei now.^[3]

Ah Sahm's arrest

Chao informs Father Jun and Young Jun that Ah Sahm was arrested for fighting with a couple Irishmen in the pond. And unfortunately for Ah Sahm, Father Jun doesn't believe he's worth the cost and wants to pin the recent double homicide of two ducks on him. Chao goes on to share this information with Ah Toy, who is disappointed, as Ah Sahm seemed promising. While war may be good for business, it's not so much for Chinatown, though Chao assures Ah Toy that the Exclusion Act will never get passed, as it's bad for business. Chao works every angle, and some day, Ah Toy fears it'll get him killed. Chao replies that his philosophy is "live fast, die rich."

Chao translates for Li Yong as he confronts the officer who double-crossed him and allowed for his men to get diced by the Hop Wei. When the officer draws his gun, Li Yong redirects the weapon and shoots the officer in the head, then instructing Chao to get rid of the body.^[4]

Chao greets Ah Sahm at the back exit of the courthouse and gives him a ride back to Chinatown after his case is dismissed when the victims failed to show up. Ah Sahm initially assumes this was the Hop Wei's doing, but Chao informs Ah Sahm that they washed their hands of him. It was actually Mai Ling's doing, who Ah Sahm denies knowing. Chao isn't convinced and questions why she of all people would want to see a Hop Wei hatchet man freed. Mai Ling also asked Chao to deliver a message, telling Ah Sahm to get out of San Francisco.^[5]

A meeting with the Fung Hai

Albeit reluctant, Chao sets up a meeting between Mai Ling and the Fung Hai, as he requested. However, after Mai Ling poisons their leader, he confronts Li Yong over Pai's assassination. He doesn't like that they went behind his back and killed him after Pai agreed to attend the meet that was arranged by Chao, as it's bad for his reputation.^[6]

Chao is visited by Lee, who shows him a few of his sketches of the Fung Hai and asks if they look familiar, but Chao isn't interested in answering his questions. Lee's simply trying to understand the war, but Chao tells him that he's too young, too white, and too stupid. Chao advises Lee to stop trying to understand if he wishes to survive.^[7]

Chao is approached by Bill and Lee, who are investigating the recent murders involving a samurai/swordsman, but Chao doesn't sell swords, as they're worthless and old-fashioned. Bill pleads with Chao for some kind of information, if only a simple clue. If they don't catch someone soon, things are going to get ugly in Chinatown. And so, Chao offers to look around. That night, Chao attends the tournament fight between Ah Sahm and Li Yong to determine if the Long Zii will be cut in on the opium trade. And he witnesses as Ah Sahm is defeated and nearly killed by Li Yong.^[8]

11 years a slave

The fight has come and gone, and Ah Sahm is now working as a coolie, after being disowned by the Hop Wei. Chao approaches in disbelief that a guy with his intelligence and skill is working as a coolie. Chao informs Ah Sahm that they're starting to staff a big job with decent conditions. He'll make sure Ah Sahm gets picked if he shows up tomorrow, but he hopes Ah Sahm won't be. He continues to attempt to convince Ah Sahm to get up and fight back by telling him the story of his own troubling past. Chao was much younger than Ah Sahm when hr crossed the salt. His parents died during the Taiping Rebellion, and he figured he'd come to America and make his fortune. But the captain of the ship had a different plan and sailed them to Cuba and sold them as slaves. It took a week before Chao realized he wasn't in America. He was a slave for 11 years. He often thinks about the people he left behind, and as far as he knows, most of them are still in Cuba, but not him because he knows that he's more than just a slave, same way Ah Sahm isn't a coolie. Warriors have only two paths: get killed or get better.^[1]

Raided by the laws

As an incentive to give up some information about the swordsman, Chao's place of business is raided by Bill and Lee. Chao insists that he doesn't know anything but notes that Bill is probably under a lot of pressure, revealing that he's heard many of things about him.

Ah Sahm is in need of information and discretion, as he and Young Jun are looking for a local molasses source. However, Chao is reluctant to help Ah Sahm, as it has political ramifications. Whatever issues Ah Sahm has going, he tells him to get over it before he brings the entire tong down.

Chao reveals to Ah Toy that he knows she's the swordsman and that it's interrupting his business. The police shut down his shop because they suspect that he knows something. He's contemplating simply turning Ah Toy in, to which she replies that it's probably a good idea that she lie low. Speaking of secrets, she asks if he's gone to see his. Chao replies that he intends to do so tomorrow.^[9]

Chao visits Claire, a white woman with whom he has a child. He gives her some money to hold her over, though payment is light due to his shop being closed down. He notices her cleaning a new dress, though she assures him that she hasn't been "entertaining" if that's what he's thinking. Before leaving, he gives his daughter Hannah a spinning top to play with. When she calls him papa, he tells her to just call him a friend instead.^[2]

Going against the Fung Hai

Chao stops by the Barbary Coast to advise Ah Sahm from continuing her venture to find a local molasses source, all in the goal to destroy Mai Ling, despite the fact that she paid Chao to secure Ah Sahm's passage home when he was arrested a few months ago. It got him thinking, what is their relationship. All Chao knows for certain is that when Ah Sahm and Mai Ling's secret war is said and done, they're all going to suffer for it.

Chao is confronted by Zing after he failed to deliver the Fung Hai's daggers. Chao reveals that he got wiped out. Not to mention, Chao doesn't trust the Fung Hai. Last time Zing's boss ordered from him, he didn't pay. Zing questions if this why he helped set Pai up to be killed and confronts Chao for having no loyalties. Zing then drops half of the payment for his daggers at Chao's feet and tells him that he'll get the other half when he delivers the order.

After a nerve wrecking confrontation with Zing, Chao confronts Mai Ling about her uneasy alliance with the Fung Hai, but when she essentially blows him off, Chao meets with Li Yong behind Mai Ling's back to discuss the Fung Hai and how they also slaughtered the Suey Sing tong. And so, they devise a plan to take down the Fung Hai without starting a war.^[10]

Upon learning that Bill's family was attacked by the Fung Hai, Chao approaches Bill with a mutually beneficial solution. He warns Bill that he can't attack Fung Hai right now, as they're expecting an attack and Zing won't be there. Chao then alludes to Zing being the swordsman and asks for two days to set everything up. In return, he'll want everything back that was taken into police custody.

With Bill on board, Chao reveals to Ah Toy that he needs her help in framing Zing as the swordsman that's been killing people and asks for her sword. If all goes as planned, they'll be back to business as usual. And in return for getting the cops off of Ah Toy, Chao is asking a favor of her.^[11]

Chao delivers Zing's order of daggers, with Li Yong disguised as a helper to carry the shipment to the back. Zing pays Chao what he's owed plus more as a down payment on future endeavors. However, Chao doesn't take money he hasn't earned and leaves behind Zing's "down payment." Furthermore, he tells Zing that he doesn't like him, his tong, or his threats, but he's still willing to do business. However, the Fung Hai only do business with family. Zing orders his men to hold Chao down as he pours a gallon of milk down his throat to welcome him into the family. The initiation comes to an end when one of Zing's men discover that one of Chao's helpers are Long Zii. For this, Zing orders his men to hurt Chao badly but keep him alive. Chao attempts to fight back, but he is simply outnumbered. However, he pulls out a pistol and begins shooting, which also acts as a signal for Bill to lead the police department into the Fung Hai den in full force, guns blazing, killing many of the Fung Hai and getting Chao to safety.

After setting up the Fung Hai, Chao goes to Claire's home during the late hours of the night to take Hannah away and give her to Nellie, who agreed to help, as a favor to Ah Toy. Chao believes that she's deserving of a life that neither he nor her whore mother can offer. America wants to kill them, which Nellie is trying to change. He asks Nellie what she sees when she looks at his daughter, who has a better chance at life than he ever had, as she resembles her mother more than her father, as she's white passing. Nellie knows of a couple who are desperate for a child of their own. They're kind and well respected and will be good to her. When Nellie asks the child's name, Chao replies "Hah-na," which Nellie mistakes for Hannah, but Chao chooses not to correct her.^[12]

When Chao gets a full order of hatchets, he begins to suspect that the Hop Wei may be going to war and is surprised to hear that Young Jun is running things now. He wasn't sure Ah Sahm would pull it off and warns him that taking the seat is far easier than keeping it. More importantly, they still have the Fung Hai to worry about. They're leaderless, but not for long, because Chao suspects Mai Ling will step in to absorb them. Chao's knows better than to bet against the Hop Wei, but he wouldn't bet his fortune on them either. The ones who survive in Chinatown are those who operate between the lines, he advises Ah Sahm.^[13]

Turning in Jacob

When the Mayor is killed in his home, Chinatown is filled upside down by the police, and Chao is among those being questioned and hassled, that is until Bill intervenes and simply asks for Chao's help with finding Jacob. Only then will the cops leave, but Chao has already given him so much as it is. He asks how many times does he have to do Bill's job for him. Chao explains that he doesn't know Jacob and is on his way. However, he returns to his shop to discover that it has been broken into. With his pistol drawn, he slowly enters and finds Jacob hiding. With his hands held high, he pleads with Chao for help.^[14]

Jaocb offers to pay Chao for his help, which he reluctantly accepts. Chao warns Jacob that they won't let up until he's caught or dead. His best bet is across the salt. Chao intends to do this by putting Jacob in the coffin and shipping him back to China along with the rest of the dead. However, when he is called upon by Mail Ling, Chao is forced to give up Jacob's location, who is then captured by the police, only to be hanged by an Irish mob, who then make their way to Chinatown and begin terrorizing the neighborhood, forcing Chao and Mai Ling to take shelter in Ah Toy's brothel, which Chao helps protect while Mai Ling mends to the wounds of a badly injured Ah Toy.^[15]

Chao spots Father Jun as he's leaving Chinatown, commends him for going out strong, and asks where he's headed. Father Jun simply replies the "big country" and that he'll know when he's there. He then looks to Chao to break the news to Young Jun and asks him to keep an eye on him.^[16]

Counterfeit operation

Chao meets with Austin Greer to undergo a guns deal. Greer loads the gun and points it at Chao, who shows no fear in the face of death and reminds Greer of their agreed upon price. Greer lowers his weapon and counts the money owed to Chao before dropping it at his feet and telling him to leave. Later, Chao is confronted by Young Jun for dealing with the Long Zii, to which Chao replies that Father Jun saw the value of an independent contractor. After speaking with Ah Sahm and learning that the Hop Wei was in need of chop, Chao takes him, Young Jun, and Hong back down to the docks, where Greer supposedly has a large sum of cash stashed. However, they instead find all the ingredients to print counterfeit money.^[17]

After employing Yan Mi to print the fake chop, Chao joins Ah Sahm, Young Jun, and Hong as they use it to pay for their product with Happy Jack. Not long after, Chao gets an unexpected visit from Lee, who is working with the Secret Service to uncover the counterfeit operation. However, Chao insists he has no information to offer and points Lee to the exit, though he realizes that Lee is working with a partner, Agent Mosely who attempts to follow Chao but loses his trail in a laundromat.^[18]

Personality

Chao is a cunning and manipulative opportunist, always trying to take the route that best benefits himself. Despite this self-serving nature, Chao isn't greedy or cruel, and never tries to harm anyone if he can help it, nor does he like to go back on his word, proven when he felt deep guilt for betraying Jacob.

Skills and abilities

Chao is a shrewd businessman and a skilled criminal strategist and organizer. He is skilled with pistols and while not a trained martial artist, Chao has above average unarmed combat skills, allowing him to contend with seasoned Fung Hai brawlers and crazed Irishmen. Chao is also multilingual, fluently speaking his native language Cantonese, as well as English with a thick accent, and a bit of Spanish as well.

Significant kills

• Fung Hai hatchet men — Chao killed several members of the Fung Hai after setting them up to be raided by the police.^[12]
• Irish Mob — Chao killed at least three Irishmen who broke into Ah Toy's brothel during the riot.^[15]

Appearances

Season 1

• The Itchy Onion
• There's No China in the Bible
• John Chinaman
• The White Mountain
• The Blood and the Sh*t (credit only)
• Chewed Up, Spit Out, and Stepped On
• The Tiger and the Fox (credit only)
• They Don't Pay Us Enough to Think
• Chinese Boxing
• If You're Going to Bow, Bow Low

Season 2

• Learn to Endure, or Hire a Bodyguard
• The Chinese Connection
• Not How We Do Business
• If You Don't See Blood, You Didn't Come to Play
• Not for a Drink, a F*ck, or a G**damn Prayer
• To a Man with a Hammer, Everything Looks Like a Nail (credit only)
• If You Wait by the River Long Enough
• All Enemies, Foreign and Domestic
• Enter the Dragon
• Man on the Wall

Season 3

• Exactly the Wrong Time to Get Proud
• Anything Short of a Blow to the Head
• No Time for F*cking Chemistry

Behind the scenes

• Chao is portrayed by Hoon Lee.

Gallery

References