During the time the "Gang of Four” is on the rampage in China, a poet named Qiu Shi who has been in prison for 6 years is secretly transferred from Sichuan to Wuhan by boat under the guard of Li Yan and Liu Wenying.
They meet six passengers on the boat – a poor girl named Xing Hua who has to sell herself as a wife, a just woman teacher, an old actor of Beijing Opera, a frail elderly woman who has just lost her son, a young worker who has a clear stand on what to love and what to hate, and a little girl in rags.
One night, feeling hopeless about her life, Xin Hua attempts suicide by jumping into the river.
All the people aboard are deeply moved by this brave poet, including Li Yan and Liu Wenying.
With the help of the passengers aboard, Qiu Shi with his daughter finally regain freedom.