In the late 1950s, during China’s Great Leap Forward, Shanghai housewives participated, supported by Dai Mama from the neighbourhood committee. Liu Mama opposed her daughter-in-law Wang Caifeng’s involvement, wanting her to stay home, but her son Liu Genfa supported Caifeng. Zheng Baoqing also opposed his wife Cai Guizhen joining the production group, but Cai ignored him, organised her household, and led the sewing group. Dai Mama helped persuade Zheng Baoqing to change his mind. Lu Afeng joined the sewing group out of fear they would borrow her machine but felt ashamed when they made coats for the children’s welfare home.

Canadian surgeon Norman Bethune assists the Communists during the anti-Japanese struggle.

1943, the Japanese Army is falling back to the Pacific, leaving only collaborationist troops. Commissar Yang Xiaodong is sent to inflitrate the provincial capital.

Yi Ru is falsely accused of being a rightist in the People's Republic of China and severs all connections with his family.

Orphan Xiao Song is wounded in the Japanese attack that kills his parents and after recovering he joins the army and becomes an excellent soldier.