The story of a village amidst the winds of change, with Aunt Guo a female member of the Communist Party as the center. This multi-level display of Chinese farmers of different thinking style and perplexing relationships, reflects some of the major changes in China's rural areas from land reform to the people's commune being established in this historical stage.

A wounded soldier of the Northeast Anti-Japanese forces is found and helped by a local girl. They fall in love, but the soldier wants to return to his team.