Once Upon a Time a Hero in China

Wong Fei-hung is arrested when the Governor orders a manhunt for fugitives at Po-chi-lam. The Governor holds Wong responsible for the chaos that erupted during the theatre ambush, where the Shaho Gang and Jackson's men attempted to assassinate him. Although Wong fought to protect the Governor, the authorities view him as a threat to stability. Wong eventually surrenders to prevent further bloodshed among his apprentices, and he is imprisoned along with them. However, his status in the community earns the guards' respect, leading to his eventual release.

Earlier, the Governor had already disbanded and arrested the militia after the restaurant clash with the Shaho Gang, establishing the tense relationship between Wong and the authorities.

13th Aunt (Siu-kwan) is the daughter of a sworn brother of Wong Fei-hung's grandfather, making her a distant relative. She comes from a generation older than Wong due to the family naming convention, hence the title '13th Aunt.' A quiet but genuine romance develops between them, though it remains restrained due to the conservative social norms of the late Qing dynasty era. Their relationship provides a secondary emotional layer to the film, showing Wong's human side beyond his martial prowess.

The Shaho Gang burns down Po-chi-lam as an act of revenge against Wong Fei-hung. Earlier, Wong had defeated the gang's leader in a confrontation and captured him, though the lack of reliable witnesses prevented a legal conviction. This defiance angered the gang, so they responded by setting fire to Wong's clinic and home. The arson marks a major escalation in the conflict between Wong and the criminal organization.

The tension between Wong and the Shaho Gang had been building since they began extorting local businesses and clashed with Wong's militia in the restaurant.

Jackson is an American entrepreneur running a covert criminal operation in Foshan: kidnapping Chinese women to sell them as prostitutes in America. After the Shaho Gang's leader escapes justice, the gang seeks shelter with Jackson and begins assisting his trafficking operation. Jackson represents the foreign exploitation and humiliation of China during the unequal treaty era, and he orchestrates the ambush at the theatre alongside the Shaho Gang.

The Jesuit priest identifies the gang as the arsonists and reveals they have aligned with a foreign businessman, hinting at the larger criminal network.

The Jesuit priest sacrifices himself to save the Governor during the ambush at the theatre. When Jackson's men and the Shaho Gang open fire with the intent of assassinating the Governor, the priest blocks a fatal shot directed at the Governor with his own body. His death adds emotional weight to the film and highlights the theme of sacrifice and foreign presence in China during this period.

The priest had earlier identified the Shaho Gang as the arsonists of Po-chi-lam, showing his involvement in helping Wong and the community.

Wong defeats Iron Vest Yim by exposing his cheating. During their one-on-one duel at Jackson's base, Wong notices Yim has tied a hidden spearhead to the end of his queue (braided hair). Wong tears away the concealed weapon, exposing Yim's dishonesty and defeating him honorably. This moment underscores the film's theme of martial arts integrity versus deceit.

Yim had challenged Wong earlier to establish his reputation and gain fame for opening a martial arts school in Foshan, showing his ambition but also his willingness to use underhanded methods.

Iron Vest Yim is fatally shot by Jackson's men during the climactic infiltration of Jackson's base. After being defeated by Wong and exposed as a cheater, Yim makes one final appearance but is shot by Jackson's men. With his dying breath, Yim declares that 'martial arts stand no chance against guns,' reinforcing the film's social commentary on the decline of traditional Chinese martial arts against modern weaponry.

This moment connects to the earlier scene where Liu Yongfu handed Wong the hand fan with all the unequal treaties, symbolizing China's vulnerability to foreign powers.

Wong defeats Jackson by flicking an unused bullet into his forehead with his bare fingers. When Jackson holds the Governor at gunpoint during the ship confrontation, Wong uses his incredible martial arts skill to flip the bullet from a chamber Jackson had fired previously, sending it into Jackson's forehead and killing him instantly. This display of superior martial prowess saves the Governor and ends Jackson's threat.

The scene showcases Wong's exceptional skill level established throughout the film, from his earlier defeats of the Shaho Gang leader and Yim.

13th Aunt is abducted by the Shaho Gang and taken to their base as part of Jackson's operation. The gang kills the escaped Chinese laborer who had warned Wong about the trafficking. Bucktooth So escapes and warns Wong in prison, leading to Wong's eventual release. Later, Wong and his apprentices infiltrate Jackson's base, where they defeat the Shaho Gang and Jackson's men, freeing 13th Aunt along with the other kidnapped women.

The abduction occurs after Wong is imprisoned, creating a personal stakes moment that motivates his rescue mission.

Wong accepts Leung Foon as his fourth apprentice at the film's end because Leung has proven himself through loyalty, courage, and dedication throughout the conflict. Leung had been fired from the opera troupe and became involved in the fight against the Shaho Gang and Jackson's operation. He assisted in the rescue mission, rallying with the apprentices to free the kidnapped women. His actions demonstrated the character and martial arts potential Wong looks for in a student.

Leung had crossed paths with Wong early in the film and developed a crush on 13th Aunt, but his role evolved from a clumsy outsider to a committed ally.

The lion dance scene at the beginning establishes several key elements: it introduces Wong Fei-hung's exceptional martial arts skills by showing him completing the performance after sailors mistakenly fire upon the dancers. It also marks his first meeting with Liu Yongfu, commander of the Black Flag Army, who gives Wong a hand fan inscribed with all the unequal treaties China has signed with foreign powers. This moment sets up the film's themes of national humiliation and foreign exploitation that drive the conflict.

Liu Yongfu hints at China's perilous position during their meeting, foreshadowing the film's social and political commentary.