All of Qiangba's Tibetan ancestors have been serfs. Shortly after his birth, his parents are tortured to death by serf owner Wangjie. In his teens, he becomes a household serf of Wangjie, and passes an inhuman existence. Qiangba from then on refuses to speak, showing his resistance through silence. After the PLA enters Tibet, Qiangba and female serf Landuo leave to find the PLA. Landuo is rescued by the PLA, changing her fate, but Qiangba is caught and taken back. The serf owner's son, with support from foreign imperialists, foments armed rebellion. After the rebellion is smashed, Qiangba is rescued by the PLA, and the serfs are liberated at last. Qiangba is reunited with Landuo, and begins to speak again after many years of silence.
In the mid-1950s Henan countryside, communist youth league member Xian Yue responds to the call of the county committee, signing up to participate in the youth commando team, as do the little sisters. Laoxin Yue and other elders firmly oppose the women going up the mountain, think it it is nonsense, unlucky and so on. In response to the feudal remnants of the discussion, Xian Yue does not compromise, carrying out a face-to-face struggle and eventually leading the commando members up the mountain.
