After school, Xinhua Primary School was quiet until Principal Lin Zheng heard arguing between fifth-graders Hua Xiaochuan and Fang Mingzhu. Fang was supervising Hua, who was late, as he did chores. Hua’s friend Zhang Chen wanted to help, but Fang refused, causing an argument. Principal Lin believed labour as punishment was ineffective and should be replaced with work-study programs, as instructed by the municipal party committee. He assigned Hong Dawei to lead the program, but Teacher Jiang opposed it, emphasising classroom education. Despite initial resistance, students participated in tire-moving labour, training teachers, parents, and students. Three students took sick leave, fueling Teacher Jiang’s objections. Principal Lin and the academic director found some parents were overly indulgent. Secretary Liu commended their efforts and encouraged them to continue.

Women play a heroic role in the Volunteer Army fighting the Japanese in the puppet state of Manchukuo.

In 1947, the Northeastern People's Liberation Army won a major victory in fierce fighting. In need of work, Molong Wang and his wife Juan Zhang were sent to work in Taohuachuan, a remote and difficult new area. As soon as he arrived in the district, Molong Wang and district official Chenzhong Liang went to the village and saw the fields dry up. The dam needed to be urgently repaired. The daughter of the village kulak Xumei Sun and the Kuomintang agent Jiantou Li conspired to provoke a series of problems to undermine the unity of the two villages in order to crack down on the new head of the district, Molong Wang...