Dragon Inn

Ming Dynasty China...

in the eighth year of the Jingtai Emperor's reign...

or 1457 A. D.

Eunuchs have seized power in the palace.

They also control two powerful espionage agencies:

the Eastern Depot and the Imperial Guards.

These are the Imperial Guards.

These are agents of the Eastern Depot, a kind of secret police.

These agents and guards are ruthless.

The people quake in fear

at word of their approach.

This is their second in command, Mao Zong-xian.

This is their commander, Pi Shao-tang.

All are well-trained swordsmen, unscrupulous and evil.

Their chief eunuch is Cao Shao-qin.

He's a master swordsman and wields great power.

He's unsurpassed in the martial arts.

High government officials all tremble in fear

at the sight of Cao.

Today he's supervising the execution...

of Yu Qian, Minister of Defense and tutor to the prince.

Though loyal and patriotic...

Yu was framed by treacherous and powerful eunuchs

and sentenced to death for conspiring with foreigners,

and his family has been banished to Dragon Gate.

DRAGON INN

Executive Producer SHA YUNG-FONG

Produced by L. S. CHANG

Planning by ZHANG JIU-YIN

Starring

BAI YING, SHIH CHUN SHANGKUAN LING-FUNG

KO FEI, KO HSIAO PAO GAO MING, TSAO CHIEN

HAN YING-CHIEH MIAO TIEN, HSIEH HAN

CHANG YUN-WEN YEE ANG

WAN CHUNG-SHAN, WEN TIAN TIAN PENG, HSU FENG

Cinematography by HUA HUI-YING

Assistant Director TU CHUNG-HSUN

Action Choreography by HAN YING-CHIEH

Lighting by CHI HSIEH-FU

Art Direction by CHOU CHIH-LIANG

Costume Design by LI CHIA-CHIH

Sound Recording by CHANG HUA

Edited by CHEN HUNG-MIN

Music by ZHOU LAN-PING

Production Manager YANG SHIH-CHING

Written and Directed by KING HU

Yu's spirit won't die easily.

Even with his children banished, there'll be no end of trouble.

Your Excellency is most insightful.

I say rip the weeds out by the roots!

Hurry!

- They're coming! - Go on ahead!

Hold it there!

Stop!

Step aside!

Beat it!

Officer, take them away.

- You are...? - Hurry!

Your Excellency.

What is it?

Someone intervened?

They can't get far. We can overtake them.

No, wait for them at Dragon Gate.

- Look. - What?

Just look!

Go tell the boss.

- Boss! - What's all the commotion?

We have guests. Look.

Go help with their things.

Leaving now? Come back soon.

How strange! Guests at this time of year?

You must be tired. Let us take your things.

You've had a hard journey. Please come inside.

This way.

Draw water for washing, and prepare tea.

I'm sure you're all very tired. Please sit down.

Have some tea. Pour tea for our guests.

Have some tea.

Would you like a room upstairs?

Please sit down.

Make some tea.

Right here is fine.

Where's the innkeeper?

He's away. I'll be happy to help.

What do you do here?

I'm the bookkeeper.

How many guests are staying here now?

This time of year? None.

- Good. We'll take the entire inn. - The entire inn?

We'll probably stay five to ten days.

You're to accept no other guests while we're here, understand?

Yes, but —

- Go arrange rooms for the men. - Yes, sir.

A gratuity for our trouble, sir?

- Wait over there. - Yes, sir.

I'll get you some fresh tea.

Waiter!

Bring some fresh tea.

- How much? - Whatever you think, sir.

The luggage was heavy, and we lugged it for miles.

I see.

How many soldiers are stationed nearby?

- I'm not sure. - Out with it!

About twelve.

You there... go handle it.

We need this place for a little business.

If other guests arrive, you consult with me first.

Understand, bookkeeper?

Yes, sir.

Give them a good burial,

and bring me a nice pot of tea.

I'll wait for them on the road.

Take some men into the woods. We'll meet down below.

And leave a few men to guard the inn.

We have no rooms, sir.

- I won't be staying. - And you are...?

Is the innkeeper, Mr. Wu, here?

He's away on business.

When will he be back?

I don't exactly know.

Perhaps you could come back in a few days.

No, I'll wait.

I'd leave now if I were you.

Why?

Because —

Because...

the thing is...

this area isn't safe right now.

Because of the Tartar soldiers?

Exactly!

That's all right. I'm not afraid of them.

Why did you stop playing?

Besides, the inn is full. You'd best —

He just told me that. Any lodgings will do.

Bring me some mutton noodles and wine.

You...

Bring mutton noodles and wine.

Waiter...

I'd like a bowl of mutton noodles too.

I want the bowl on that gentleman's table.

That bowl there.

Sir, I'll bring you another bowl.

Hold it!

I want that bowl. Understand?

Yes, I understand, but...

The gentleman can have this bowl.

Thank you.

Here!

Please.

Waiter, don't just stand there.

Go see if my wine's ready.

Take it to him.

Take it to him!

Sir, your wine is —

What about it?

Your wine is —

No, don't!

What's wrong?

Your wine spilled.

I'm sorry.

What's going on? What's the matter with you?

You!

It wasn't me!

- What's going on? - I have no idea.

Sit down.

Bet this for me.

Get some rope to tie him up and take him away.

Move it!

You keep away!

- You put something in my wine! - I didn't!

- No? Then you drink it. - No!

You have no choice!

Get back!

You blind dogs!

You've got some nerve! Don't you know who I am?

Waiter, another pot of wine.

What are you doing here?

Let me use your towel.

I'm talking to you! You hear me?

Pick those things up.

Don't just stand there!

Bring me my wine.

- What happened? - Hold it!

Don't forget your tools of the trade.

One step closer and you're dead!

Oh dear!

- Bring me another bowl of noodles. - You still want to eat?

Do as you're told!

Now you've done it, sir! - How so?

There are dozens of them. They'll be back any minute.

Don't worry. They won't dare return while I'm here.

- I'll go look into it, sir. - Wait.

This fellow's clearly up to no good. Be careful.

Did you kill that man?

Why?

- Didn't he tell you? - He did.

Then you needn't ask me.

I heard one side of the story. I want to hear yours.

What are you to him?

I'm his friend.