Shan Liang

The passenger ship Haiyan, with more than a thousand people aboard, sails through a thick fog at night. Despite having the knowledge that there are reefs nearby, the captain refuses to stop or slow down.

1930's China. The village of a poor family is taken over by the occupying Japanese army. One son, Zhongliang, leaves his wife and young son to join a medic group for the Chinese Army. The other son, Zhangmin goes into hiding to protect his family. The focus shifts back and forth from the brothers' parents and Zhongliang's wife and son to Zhongliang's newfound life of luxury in a town not too far away. The plight of Zhongliang's mother, his wife, Sufan and her son, Kongeson is contrasted with Zhongliang's rise in a flourishing company.

China 1839. Because the British imports of opium into Southern China are creating such widespread medical and economic problems, the weak Manchu emperor Tao Kuang is forced to take action that precipitates the 'Opium War'.

Wu Qionghua, a house maid, is abused by a cruel warlord until she joins a troop of women soldiers.

The story of fifteen-year-old shepherd Gu Xiao, who ran away from his landlord to the mountains. There he met scouts from the People's Liberation Army and helped them find the right path. The shepherd then took part in an important combat operation. For his courage and resourcefulness, Gu Xiao was enlisted into the ranks of the soldiers at the request of the company.

The Min River is crucial for Fujian Province’s economy. In 1947, Lin Sen Guan, a Communist Party member and driver of the “Fuzhou” steamship, smuggled weapons and radios to a guerrilla base with fellow party members. The enemy, led by transportation inspector Wang Xun, sent spy Li Boguang to monitor them. Lin Sen Guan tricked Li Boguang, but the spy later discovered the weapons. Lin Sen Guan pushed him into the water, witnessed by helmsman A Wang, who refused to reveal the truth despite enemy pressure. The underground party decided to transport remaining weapons to the guerrilla zone. The “Fuzhou” set sail, followed by enemy ships. Near Luohan Tan, a guerrilla team unloaded the weapons. The enemy opened fire, but A Wang steered the “Minh River” into an enemy vessel, causing mutual destruction. The weapons reached the guerrilla zone, and Lin Sen Guan continued their underground efforts.

The government sends caravans to Miao villages periodically to provide goods which facilitate the folks. A detachment protects the caravans from robbery.