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.
Yang Bailao, a tenant farmer, lives with his daughter Xi'er. The despotic landlord, Huang Shiren, attempts to forcibly take Xi'er for himself. On the eve of the Chinese Spring Festival, Huang forces Yang to sell his daughter as repayment of the debt Yang owes him.
