Set in southwest China, a spy code-named "old Guanyin" wants to send information hidden in a statue of Guanyin.

Hunan boy Zhu escapes from local tyrants chase, joins the Hunan troop and gets promoted soon. The superior recommends Zhu to the military school where he meets undercover CCP Cheng Kang. Zhu participates in the Northern Expedition after graduation and joins CCP later.

A story set in 19th century China and centered on the lifelong friendship between two girls who develop their own secret code as a way to contend with the rigid cultural norms imposed on women.

A Tibetan college student is escorted down a treacherous mountain road by two soldiers/cadres. On the way, they pick up a sick hunter by the roadside.