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.

- lf 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

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