Four Dragons

---

Towards the end

of the 17th century,

massive tin deposits

were uncovered

in the district of Kinta,

a discovery that placed

Malaya on the world map.

As a result

of this discovery,

throngs of laborers migrated

from South China.

Many were deluded by the dream

of the tin rush.

But they were treated

as slaves.

Living conditions

were harsh.

They worked the land

without reservations.

In the transition of time,

the people and land were

woven into one.

Though foreign yet familiar,

the enchanting land

became home to many.

Where's the money?

From sunrise to sunset,

this is the order

of nature.

Do you hear me?

You're gonna pay us.

We thought our destiny

was in our own hands.

I'm not asking you again.

But we were susceptible

to what our minds would

allow us to believe.

I want my money now!

You hear me?

Tin Sok fostered four

young men under his care.

With resilience

and persistence,

they triumphed in these

turbulent times.

Dragon-- full of integrity,

Ied by common sense,

feared by all

for his iron fists.

Blaze--

reserved and scheming,

an expert in the ancient

art of T'ai Chi,

cold, aloof,

a rogue.

Ace-- persistent,

brave for a cause,

goes all out,

fights to the bitter end.

Tiger-- impulsive,

defies conventional wisdom,

fast as lightning,

light as a feather.

Untold stories are abundant,

filled with bliss and delight,

pain and grief.

Each is significant

in their own right.

Life is unkind

to these miners

as they toil

the land every day,

despite the forces

of mother nature.

Whether rain or shine,

they have no one

to turn to,

nowhere to hide.

Day in and day out,

they toil

the abundant land.

Romance is the most beautiful

melody in life.

When sorrow looms and hope

is in despair,

this is the solace to soothe

the desolation.

Nice.

- All right.

- I don't like that one.

Exhausted by labor,

weary and worn out,

what kept them motivated?

Kept them from giving up?

Would their loved ones

from the homeland

be able to feel

their sorrows?

Would they ever

know the truth?

Please, let me introduce

my guest Mr. Yoshimura.

How do you do,

Mr. Yoshimura?

Mr. Yoshimura is quite

impressed with our cultural dance.

Also, I'd like you to meet

the head of our tin mine, Master Sam.

- This is Tin Sok.

- Oh, Tin Sok.

- A pleasure.

- It's an honor to meet you.

And who are they?

This is my beloved wife,

my lovely daughter Dan Dan

and her charming friend

Rose from Great Britain.

Please, won't you

have a seat?

The tin business has brought

you great fortune.

We've been

partners for years

and I'm very interested

in the tin business.

I may invest, as the potential

is limitless.

It's the same food

every day.

We work all the time

with no days off.

Yeah!

Okay, Tiger's right.

We'll go see Tin Sok

and arrange a meeting with the boss.

- With Master Hoong?

- You with me?

Tin Sok,

we've never complained.

But lately it's been

real hard down there.

- The men are mad.

- They need rest.

We're hoping that

Master Hoong will help.

Only you can arrange it.

So will you help us?

All right, you

and Dragon can go.

Okay.

Should we go now?

No, not yet.

Master Hoong

is a busy man.

You'll wait

and go on the 15th,

the night

of the full moon.

It is the night

of good fortune.

- Both of you will wait here.

- Okay.

Master Hoong, two of the workers

from the mine are here to see you.

- Dragon and Tiger.

- Let them in.

Yes, sir.

Master Hoong

will see you now.

- Hello, sir.

- You're Dragon and you're Tiger?

Yes, sir, we are.

We have come here

in the hopes that--

Tell Tin Sok that he doesn't need to

worry about this matter.

It'll be resolved

soon enough.

You and the other men

will get all

the rest you need.

Thank you, sir.

We will leave you now.

You take care.

Master Hoong,

the Japanese investors

have agreed

to join with you.

That's a good sign.

So, are you interested

in joining in?

Of course.

In that case, someone

will have to be replaced.

Well, it's the 15th,

a perfect time for a little

house-cleaning.

Take these vegetables.

They're set to go out.

Oh, Tin Sok.

Tin Sok.

Okay, quiet.

Quiet.

It's the 15th of the month,

a truly lucky day.

Now just relax

and enjoy your meal.

We'll hope for good news

from Dragon and Tiger.

Go on, enjoy yourselves.

Go on, sit down.

- Right.

- Okay.

No one escapes.

- Run!

- Let's go.

Him.

Keep him here.

Never mind it.

Let's get out of here.

No, don't!

Save yourselves!

Get away!

What happened

at the mine?

What are you

doing here?

We were all betrayed

by the boss.

We were ambushed too.

I don't understand.

Why did all this happen?

I don't know.

Hey, where's Tin Sok?

We got separated.

We looked for him.

Dragon was injured

in the throat.

I don't think

he can talk.

Weather is perfect today.

Help.

Help us.

Hey, did you

hear that?

Hey, there's somebody

in there. Come on.

They're gonna need help.

Let's take them back

to the village.

Come on.

What happened to them?

Who are they?

Tin Sok!

Tin Sok.

Tin Sok.

Tin Sok?

Tin Sok?

Tin Sok.

- Abu.

- Yeah?

What's his condition?

I think he's gonna

be all right, Tok.

- I will.

- Don't push yourself.

Just rest.

Tin Sok?

Tin Sok.

They must mean

my old friend Tin Sok.

Abu, I want you

to take the two of them

along with you

and go find Tin Sok.

Leave as soon

as they're able.

But, Tok, I'm afraid

that might put all of us in danger.

Abu, just follow

my orders.

Yes, sir.

Three months ago

we settled in here.

We worked the land

day and night

with hope that one day

we would be able to return

to our homeland

and make a better living

for ourselves.

Because we've shed our sweat

and our blood in this land

from sunup to sunset,

we've become part of it.

It's become our new home.

From now on we are family.

This is where we eat,

sleep and work.

This is Tin Sok.

He's the head of the mine.

Tin Sok!

I want you to know

I realize your arrival here

has not been easy

for you.

Therefore I offer

some advice,

that is:
follow the rules

of the mine to the letter.

The leaders will help you

if you need it.

But be forewarned,

escape is out.

Make no attempt at it.

Is that clear?

Yes, sir.

Work hard and you'll all

do really well here.

Someday you will

be free men.

- Dragon.

- Sir.

Dragon will give out

the work assignments.

He will teach you whatever

you need to know

for your respective jobs.

- Blaze.

- Sir.

Blaze will arrange

for your lodging.

Need I remind you that work

in the mines is exhausting?

I suggest you use your rest

time to do just that.

- Ace.

- Sir.

Ace will explain all the rules

and regulations.

It's imperative

you follow them.

If you have any questions

at all, ask Ace.

- Tiger.

- Sir.

Take them

to get cleaned up.

From now on there is no more

fooling around here.

And finally, the cutting

of the braid ceremony.

It signifies

a new beginning.

It makes us aware that we

cannot return to our homeland.

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