In the 1920s, a young hardworking peasant arrives in Beijing to become a rickshaw boy at a time when the city is torn by dueling warlords. The owner of the rickshaw company's daughter falls in love with the boy despite a ten year age difference and decides to marry him. Not long after their marriage she dies in labor and his world becomes empty and meaningless. He is a wreck of emotional suffering induced by an archaic society, at the mercy of his environment. This is a must see for anyone interested in the Beijing of the 1920s.

Winner of the Japanese International Film Festival Northeastern Countries Best Film Award, 1991.
Best Atress, Best Feature Film awards at the 6th Hundred Flower Award 1983
Excellent Feature Film award at Huabiao Award 1982
Best Feature Film, Best Atress, Best Art Director and Best Props awards at the 3rd Golden Rooster Award 1983