Political intrigue by the Nationalists among the Jingpo people after the liberation of China.

Lu Xi, a female engineer at a locomotive factory who lost her husband during the decade of turmoil, and Feng Shaoheng, a young engineer, are working on the automation of lathes.

The Gang of Four orders a major railroad disruption.

Ma Changqing went deep into the grassroots to understand the situation. He lived in the collective dormitory in the rain and witnessed the practical difficulties of the young workers. At the meeting of the Mining Party Committee, he proposed to solve the housing problem, improve the canteen, prioritize living over production, and propose democratic election of team leaders. Through a series of measures, the mine has undergone great changes. Ma Changqing always does a good job in ideological work in the first place to address the outstanding problems among the young workers.