Sons of the Good Earth (大地兒女)

KAO Pao-Shu, CHIANG Kuang-Chao, CHEN Yanyan, Julia HSIA,

LI Kun, LEI Ming, LEE Ying, WU Ma, FAN Mei-Sheng

CHANG Pei-Shan, FUNG Ngai, WONG Chung, HAN Ying-Chieh,

YU Ling-Feng, TANG Ti, HAO Li-Jen, Patsy KAR Ling

Written by King HU, CHENG Kang Editor CHIANG Hsing-Lung

Cinematographer WU Cho-Hua Sound Recordist WANG Yung-Hua Assistant Directors LI Kun, CHOU Han-Pin

Art Director Johnson TSAO Set Dresser CHAN King-Sam Makeup by WU Jiang

Composer Joseph KOO Music by Eddie WANG

This is Wencheng County, an ancient town in North China.

This story takes place after the Mukden Incident.

The Northeast has fallen into enemy hands.

The warlords of imperialist Japan have shown their desire to invade North China.

The situation grows more tense by the day.

Yet some people are completely unfazed.

Look at Mr. Li here,

walking his bird with his grandson just like usual.

Lei Xiaogu, the secondhand merchant, is giving Mr. Li an update on current affairs.

Mr. Li said:

Youngsters are always so jumpy.

DOWN WITH JAPANESE IMPERIALISM We'll never compromise!

The Japanese would never dare come to our blessed land. Besides, such matters are not ours to interfere in.

The government will have its way. We need not worry, right?

Yes...

- See you tonight. - See you tonight.

This is Mr. Li's eldest son, Li Mengshi.

He's a pharmacist at the United Hospital

who is thoughtful, and understands the current crisis.

But like most intellectuals,

he has the ambition but not the ability.

Zhao Gang is a driver for North China Transport

who is well informed from his daily trips.

Tian Degui is the manager of a coffin shop. He's hardworking and experienced.

They say Japanese troops are drilling at Fengtai.

That can't be good.

It'll be fine!

We survived the Eight-Nation Alliance. Japan's nothing.

Here, have some hot tea.

This is Sun Gui, the best electrician in the county.

Not to brag, but when it comes to ad painting, I'm second to none.

Look at the details!

My partner Guan Sansheng handles the broad strokes.

Sansheng, pass me the white paint.

What's going on?

What was that?

He...

A woman tried to jump from up there!

Who is it?

Me!

Go take a look.

- A police officer is here to see you. - All right.

Did you win?

- How's it going, Third Master? - Not bad.

- Look after them! - Yes.

Manager Chang...

How can I help?

Someone tried to jump here?

No!

I saw it with my own eyes. If it wasn't for me...

Watch your mouth, painter boy! Say that about your own family!

- Trying to start something?! - What?

Let's talk this over.

I'm warning you! Don't spread lies!

As Jintan's sole agent, I can ruin you with one word!

Do it! See if I care!

- What? - What?

Stop this nonsense!

I just want to know if someone tried to jump.

- He's making it up! - What! I saw her...

Stop it!

That'd better be the case.

Manager Chang, you'd better be careful.

The new Chief Ding is a real hard case. Don't mess with him.

I see. No problem.

Let's go!

Wait. Have some tea?

No, thanks.

Then I won't see you out.

Thanks for the advice!

See you later!

Fuck!

Everything's fine...

- Lao San, get some cigarettes! - Yes.

Master Xu!

Are they gone?

I told you not to use force.

If someone really died, we're all done for!

What kind of bullshit is that?

You bought her here. You fix it.

Why are you in a rush?

How the fuck could I not be? I took old Ma's money,

but this bitch just won't give in. What am I supposed to tell him?

How about that girl...

Your motherfucking...

Shut your motherfucking mouth!

Business has been bad, so the old man wants a virgin bride for luck!

We'll figure this out in a day or two.

What? Another day or two?

He's coming tonight!

If this bitch still refuses, I'll brand her with hot tongs!

You can't do that!

It'll just get us in serious trouble!

The authorities are watching closely these days.

The new police chief is a real pain.

Useless wretch!

Straighten this out! Spend some extra money!

No use, Your Ladyship. He can't be bribed or bullied!

Drugs, gambling and prostitution must be eradicated!

Whatever problems there may be,

I'll take full responsibility.

Report, Chief.

These vices have helped fuel the city's prosperity.

Besides...

The city's prosperity is not our responsibility.

Our duty is to maintain public order and stamp out all illegal activities.

Chief...

Any other questions?

N-no!

Good. We'll conduct a raid tonight.

What's going on? Why are you arresting him?

Officer.

Out!

Move!

Buy your wife some face powder with this.

- Master Ma, you already gave us... - Don't be rude. We're practically family, right?

Thank you, Master Ma!

Manager! Manager!

There's a raid! Quick, pack up!

What's the matter?

Police raid! They're almost here!

- What do we do? - Don't panic. Stall them at the door.

Get the girls out the back. Hide them!

What about here?

Hurry! Keep moving...

This way! Don't panic...

Close it up...

Up the stairs...

Officers, thank you for your hard work.

Welcome, Inspector Zhu! Make tea!

Forget it. Don't move.

Keep watch.

This way.

Nothing.

Stay where you are!

That way!

What are you doing?

Let go! I can walk! Stop touching me!

Move!

Watch where you're going!

Sorry!

Are you blind or what?

That's enough.

You...

Have we met before?

You tried to jump this morning!

Sorry.

Did Chang Baolu force you into this?

Let's go.

- Check over there. - Yes.

What?

P-p-police.

Police? Where?

Help me.

All right.

Stop! Come back.

You two again!

It's fate.

- Who is she? - Who?

His wife!

She's your wife?

She's not my wife...

Then whose wife is she?

- Go on. - Yes.

See you.

Let's go.

Thanks...

- Don't mention it! - Don't mention it!

Stop!

What's your name?

Yu Rui.

I'm Guan Sansheng. Guan as in Guan Yu...

I didn't ask you.

Where do you live?

No. 7, Er Long Keng.

I'll come by tomorrow to investigate.

What time? We'll wait for you.

Don't get smart!

Yes!

- You may go. - Yes.

See you then.

Thank you both!

It's nothing.

You can't leave!

Why not?

She's your wife, remember?

- Stop fooling around. - I'm not!

What will you do about tomorrow's police investigation?

I'm sorry I dragged you both into this.

That's all right!

No, it's not!

I'm sorry, but you have to come back with us.