Dragon Seed

This is the valley of Ling...

... as it was in the early summer of 1937.

The people who lived here were farmers.

They'd heard there was a world beyond the hills that bounded their little valley...

... but as yet, no one had climbed those hills to see for himself.

Perhaps it is because they were more fortunate than most.

The land was rich, and their bellies were full.

On this farm, lived Ling Tan and his family.

And they were among the most fortunate.

They were neither too wealthy, nor too poor.

And they were greatly respected in the nearby village.

They owned a strong house...

... and tilled the soil that belonged to their ancestors.

They were both good and bad, both wise and foolish...

... and sometimes all these things at the same moment.

And therefore, they were very much like such families in any other land.

It was time for the rice seedlings to be planted...

... and Ling Tan was eager for but one thing:

To finish as much of the work as could be done...

... before the sun was gone from the sky.

But Ling's first and second sons were eager for many other things as well.

For they were young.

Hey!

- Is that your mother? - Yes, my father.

Come, old man. I want to speak to you.

Time enough to speak with women when the sun is gone.

I know you hear me, you old turnip.

You two do not stop for anything until the field is done.

Ease your heart about that, Father.

What is it, old woman? What is it?

You grow deaf? Must I bawl like an ox to make you hear?

There is work and you call me from the fields.

Come. Come.

You work too hard and too long. You have sons to labor for you.

What nonsense is this? I'm not yet so feeble.

You're no longer young and you must not strain.

I do not strain myself. I'm as much a man as I ever was.

Come now. Wash your legs.

The very weight of the mud can tire a man of your great age.

Well, perhaps a younger wife with a softer will might be added to a man's household.

Bring her on, old man.

I shall have someone to help me with my work.

And you shall be in your grave before your time.

I think I would survive. I may try it to see.

What of those teeth marks behind your right ear, old turnip?

A hill tiger bit me. It was a long time ago.

I was the hill tiger.

You made the mistake of treating me like a tame house cat.

It could happen again.

Not so long as the scars remain to remind me.

Is it not good with me here?

Yes, it is, but a man with his juices still in him should not so indulge himself.

- I should go back to the fields. - The field will be finished without you.

Here. If you must be useful, help me prepare these ducks for market.

Ducks. That is woman's work.

If heaven sends a woman too much work, heaven will also send help to do it.

How is it, old woman, that heaven's will and yours are always the same?

The grass is good in the hills and the ox grows fat.

Which is the ox and which is our brother?

Is our brother dreaming?

No, that vacant look is his usual expression.

You are very dirty. Have you been playing in the mud?

We have. It was very pleasant. Why do you not join us tomorrow?

Oh, you ask too much.

Where you find hard work, you will not find our brother.

There is work for all. For those with strong backs and for those with strong minds.

If the mind is strong, the back need not bend.

Nor need the feet get muddy.

He has no mind, only a temper.

Brother, your mind is absent these days. Why is this?

I think, and my thoughts trouble me.

What is a brother for if not to share your troubles?

Well, then, here is one of the things:

Women are not the same as we are.

Married four months and you just found this out?

But here is another thing: Women do not think as men do.

Women should not think. They're not equal to it.

My wife Jade is equal to it.

You worry too much about that one of yours.

When she has a son, a son will be more important.

A son. I have not yet a wife... As I would have her.

She is like a western wind. When I reach for her, she's gone.

Even western wind can be caught and tamed.

I do not want her tame. Only, I do not understand her.

She is mine and yet she is not mine.

When I touch her, it is as if her spirit goes and only her body is left.

She is beautiful and sweet-smelling. Is that not enough?

It is your fault. I've watched you.

When the men sit and smoke, you're the first to leave.

Can I help it if the desire for sleep overcomes me?

Do you not know that with a woman, eagerness passes for weakness?

- Sit with the old men until the last as I do. - That is easy for you.

I've not found Jade in the same place twice.

And never waiting for me.

- Do you think that is the answer? - Yes.

Then I will not go to her until dawn. And perhaps not even then.

Jade, Orchid. The men of the house are at home.

Now, where are the women my sons married?

Jade, Orchid. Oh, there you are.

- Your husband comes. Attend him. - I go, Mother.

Take this clean towel I have made ready.

Mother, I must tell you about my youngest child.

My grandchild? What about her?

She was lying there and all at once, she opened her mouth and I thought...

I thought she was going to speak.

You are surely one of those who has given birth...

...and remains in a daze at what you've done.

- Your husband waits. - Yes.

Jade.

Jade.

- Take care. - You take care.

I wish you would take that squealing thing from him.

You should get him a wife. It's time he brought grandsons into this house.

- In time. In time. - If you told him to marry...

...you're not sure he would obey.

- So you spare yourself dealing with him. - There is no need to deal with him.

- Shall I tell you a secret thing in your heart? - No.

Our third son is the son you love best, but most uneasily.

He's different from the others. You fear that.

That's why you go on the far side of an argument.

Our sons wait for their towels.

Jade. Jade, where is my towel? Jade?

Thank you, Jade.

I've not seen her since the sun was in the middle of the sky.

The matchmaker cheated us.

- What? My wife is not in the house? - I could not find her.

This comes of women having their feet free. Nowadays they run around like goats.

- May I help you, Mother? - Have you ever done so?

Or has your worthless one?

All that is done in this house, I do.

- At least my wife stays at home. - Jade has a reason to go to the village.

When a woman knows a man wants her, she will ever display herself.

That is true. Have you not seen our fourth cousin look at Jade?

He resembles a sick cat:

I would beat her until she was not so good to look upon.

If more of that were done, there will be less trouble with wives.

Only men should make sure first they are able.

These new-fashioned women are not easily beaten.

I will dress and go find her. Then we will see who is able.

Eat first, my son, and your arm will be stronger for all this beating.

Who tries to see within our house without himself being seen?

Are you eating, wife of my third cousin?

Our rice is poor and scanty. And we have no pork at all.

- But will you share it with us? - Thank you. But I cannot.

Are you alone, then? Is my fourth cousin not here?

My son is not home yet.

But your third cousin, my honored husband, is here.

How are you, sir? What new thing have you found in your book?

Nothing his family can chew, swallow and grow fat on, I can tell you.

My fourth cousin is in the city perhaps?

I do not know. My son has been gone since the noon meal.

Well, I must get on. I have business in the village.

He lies.

He has no business in the village at this hour.

He looks for his wife, Jade.

And if he finds her with our son, as he well may...

Jade is married to Lao Er. The thing my son felt for her has ended.

It will never be ended until one of them is dead.

You old book fool, it is your fault. It is your fault we starve.

It is your fault we did not get Jade for our son.

- Can I control a woman's choice? - A woman's choice?

Did not your cousin Ling Tan give you 30 silver dollars?

Did you not tell our son he could not have the girl?

Quiet, woman. I read.

Out of all this, something terrible will happen.

We are students who have come from the university...

...to travel through the country and tell you and others like you...

...news of the war in the North.

The Japanese march toward us.

These are two pictures of what the Japanese are doing.

They are doing it now.

While you sit here and watch, these very things are happening.

Shen, have you seen my fourth cousin?

These are your people they are murdering and mine.

This is our country they are looting.

The enemy is ruthless. He regards us only as slaves.

We cannot deal with him. We must resist him.

- I'm sorry. - Seeking someone perhaps?

- Not the one who would sit near you. - If she were my wife...

It is with pleasure that I leave you.

When the Japanese reach your village...

...they will come with lies in their mouths and death in their hands.

And you must resist them, even to your own deaths.

And beyond.

Are you able to do this?

Tell me you are. All of you rise and tell me you are able.

We are able.

See? There is one who speaks.

Are there not others? Tell me. Come.

Yes. Come.

You come. I'm hungry.

The woman should have food ready when her man is hungry.

My wife is at home where she should be.

Am I speaking into the wind?

Have you not understood what you have seen and heard?

I know you have. Tell me you will resist the enemy when he comes.

- How then can we resist? - Can we fight machines with our hands?

Why do you shame me by showing yourself off to everybody?

I come home, my belly roaring like a hungry lion.

Why did you not eat and silence it?