The Ordeal Before The Revolution

A plugging contest is held in several villages of the Hos. Niu representing the Eastern Village is ordered by Ho Kuei to try hard to win the championship. Niu does all his best, but a foul play resorted to by the Western Village causes a confusion. Then news goes around that Ho Fu's son has won the bachelor's degree. Ho Kuei immediately changes his stance and orders Niu and Chun-mei to apologize to Ho Fu instead, much to the chagrin of Chun-mei. Ho Szu-chin returns from town to the village, and Niu and Mei come to meet them at the station. Chun-mei falls for Szu-chin, hoping to marry into riches. Szu-chin sends her a pair of shoes, much to her exaltation. On the other hand, Niu also loves Chun-mei, and is disappointed to find her attached to Szu-chin. When the Western Village is plundered by bandits, Szu-chin, in spite of his parents' opposition, leads Niu and others to suppress them.… ...

Niu is wounded for rescuing Szu-chin. Paying tribute to his excellent services, Ho Kuei makes Niu the Captain of the militiamen. Szu-chin and Chun-mei congratulate Niu. Niu frankly admits he won't mind Szu-chin marrying Chun-mei, and Chum-mei becomes embarrassed when Szu-chin clarifies that he has no intention to. A constable returns to the Hos' Village to offer to his ancestors. When an attempt on his life is foiled, the revolutionaries are killed, and Szu-chin, severely wounded, is brought by Niu to the woods for shelter. On his way back home, Niu is arrested by the constable on charges of being a rebel. Niu hastens to defend for himself and takes the constable to find Szu-chin, but he has already left. Niu is detained. Ho Te tries to frame Niu. Chum-mei learns of it and sets fire to the Rural Committee to release Niu. Niu and Chun-mei flee to the city, but to avoid arrest, they take refuge in the wilderness.… ...

Niu and Mei, who are forced to tell Ying the whereabouts of the gems, declare that they know nothing of it. Since Mei does not want Niu to be killed, she brings them to look for the gems which have already disappeared when they arrive there. Mei runs away and falls down from the cliff. Niu thinks that Mei has died. One night, Niu escapes from the stockade and goes home but is followed by Chang Tai. Niu, who is brought back to the stockade, wants to burn the stockade but is prevented by Yu Lao-chiu. Shan brings the officers to arrest them and Niu is mistakes as a bandit too. At that time Niu meets Chang Lei.

Niu's foot is wounded by a guard and he is saved by Chang Lei. On the other, hand, seeing that the stockade is ruined, Mei thinks that Niu has been killed. Later, she becomes Lu Hao-mei's servant. Chang Lei brings Niu back to the stockade for him to nurse his wound. Although Niu is still discontented with the bandits, he becomes a good friend with Chang Lei. Once when Chang Lei is on duty, Niu tempts him away. But then disturbance is aroused in the stockade for the alarm rings suddenly. Chang Lei is thus punished for not performing his duty. Feeling guilty about it, Niu is willing to be punished for Chang Lei.

Since Niu has recovered from his wound, he is sent away. On the way, he meets Ho Kuei and teaches him a lesson. Then, he decides to go back to the stockade and be a bandit. Mei, now working in Hao-mei's house, is attracted to Ming Lan-ku, the great actor.. But once, Lan-ku wants to rape her. Hao-min now decides to force Mei to be a prostitute. You Su-chung, who is going to marry Kan Yi-wen, plays with him on the street. They are scolded by their fathers. Su-chung goes to receive Kuo-chung who comes back from Japan. On their. way home, Ying, who robs; them, kidnaps Su-chung.

Actually Lao-chiu was a rich man. But Dao-lin had robbed his properties. So Ying wants to take revenge for him this time. Lao-chiu decides to blackmail Dao-lin with Su-chung. Dao-lin discusses with Wen's father for what they are going to do. Su-chung, who is sad and angry when she knows what his fathers had done, is pacified by Niu. On the other hand, Mei is not willing to be a prostitute. Once, she runs away and goes to seek help from Ming Lan. When Ying and Chang Lei go to get the ransom. Chang Lei is caught. Since Niu is afraid that Lao-chiu will do harm to Su-chung, he let go of her.