Militiaman in Lü Liang Shan actively organize to fight enemies.

During the early War of Resistance Against Japan in Baiyangdian, Hebei, the Yanling Squad, led by Communist Party member Hei Lao Cai, conducted effective guerrilla warfare. Yang Xiaomei, fleeing abuse from her husband Zhang Jinlong, joined the squad and developed feelings for farmer Niu Dashi. Zhang Jinlong, unable to change, defected to the Japanese. As Japanese sweep operations intensified, Xiaomei, Dashi, and Zhang Jinlong faced different paths in the conflict.

An idealistic youth moves to the countryside in search of a purer, more honest society, but finds injustice even in his remote village.

Ma Lan (Qin Yi), who was born in the city, was unwilling to be a mediocre housewife and determined to take part in the surging socialist construction. Her parents did not agree with her plans, but she resolutely goes to the construction site. There others look at her strangely, but Ma Lan does not care. The master Hu Agen looks down on women, dismissing Ma Lan, who decides to learn to drive a loader. Even in secret if she must.

The residents of a nursing home sneak past security guards to compete in a nationally televised talent contest.