[2][3] In the late 1950s and the early 1960s, the newly established Communist State suffered a natural disaster for three years running.

The mistake of Great Leap Forward and Soviets' pressing for the repayment presented severe difficulties for national economy.

On May 3, 1961, Zhou Enlai (Sun Weimin) comes to Boyan, an old revolutionary base in north China's Hebei province, to do investigation.

A passing little girl named Lian Di says the truth that the leaves were ate by local hungry people.

Soon afterwards, Zhou Enlai comes to the kitchen and ate a bowl of congee and half a substituted steamed corn bread (窝窝头).

On the second day, after inquiring about the situations of the field and the post office, Zhou Enlai comes to the Danganhu's (go-it-aloner) home to ask for information.

The films was shot entirely on location in Boyan Town of Wu'an, a county-level city administered as part of Handan, Hebei, China.