Nils Asther: General Yen
Photos
Quotes
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General Yen : Perhaps I shouldn't speak. I might astound you. Perhaps you believe us incapable of such moments. Yes, I'm sure you do. Have you ever read our poetry, Miss Davis? Do you understand our music? Have you ever seen our paintings of women walking among fruit trees? Where the fruit trees look like women and the women look like fruit trees? There has never been a people more purely artist, and therefore, more purely lover, than the Chinese.
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Megan Davis : It's pretty hard to become acquainted with a man who ruthlessly slaughters helpless prisoners in one move, and in the next shows such a tender reverence for the beauty of the moon.
General Yen : You have the true missionary spirit. Really, Miss Davis. There are times when I would like to laugh at you, but there are also times when I find you... admirable.
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General Yen : Conquest of a province, or the conquest of a woman... What's the difference?
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Megan Davis : Doctor Stike told me all about you. You yellow swine, if you think that... I advise you to send me back to Shanghai just as soon as you can.
General Yen : You will always find me, your most humble servant.
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Bob : I want a safe conduct pass to Chapei.
General Yen : What on earth to do you want to go there for? That's an inferno.
Bob : That's why I must go. Our orphanage is between the lines. The children are in danger. We've got to...
General Yen : Ohhh, orphans. What are they anyway? People without ancestors. Nobody. Please sit down, Doctor. I will get you a glass of wine.
Bob : General, you don't understand.
General Yen : Later on we will be entertained by some sing-song girls. Say, Doctor. Have never been curious about sing-song girls? Mmmm?
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General Yen : The only way to get loyalty is to compel it. Take Captain Lee, for example. He is the only son of a very powerful family which claims to support my rule. Alright, I believe them. But, as evidence of their good faith, I made them place him in my hands, as a hostage. Now, if they would betray me, the life of Captain Lee enables me to save my own face. That's the way we get loyalty in China.
Megan Davis : That's why China's 2,000 years behind the times.
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General Yen : Should be another Great Wall to keep your kind out.
Megan Davis : You've already got a Great Wall around you that isn't built of mud and stones. It's made of ridiculous pride and inhuman cruelty.
