On her wedding day, Ning Xiuxiu, the daughter of Tianqiang Temple Village's richest man, is kidnapped by bandits. Her father refuses to pay the ransom, marrying her sister to her childhood sweetheart instead. In defiance, Xiuxiu cuts ties with her family and marries farmer Feng Dajiao, learning the value of land and community. Inspired by revolutionary ideals, she empowers village women to challenge feudal beliefs and leads efforts against banditry and the Japanese invasion.