Iron Colored Ladder

In 1984, Feng Xuhui, Han Xiaobo, Cao Xiangrong, and Su Yunshang, a group of technical school students, had their assignments changed due to their eyesight problems. They were assigned from the train driver class to the engineering works section to build railways. Along with the trend of Ding Gang's reform, due to different personalities, pursuits, and three views, personal destiny has risen and fallen, leading to different destinations. At a time when many people were worried about their career as railway workers, Feng Xuhui and his family worked hard to "self-abuse" out of anger, making his family feel guilty, but instead gained recognition from his leaders and masters. In particular, his good calligraphy won him an honor in the copying team record book and discovered his talent. He was responsible for the engraving of the league magazine "Tiandai". With the role of the league magazine in stabilizing the youth team and its positive influence on the general factory league system, Feng Xuhui stood out. The work depicts the struggle, friendship and love of Feng Xuhui and this group of young people, and reflects the pain and contradictions experienced by state-owned enterprises when they transform from a planned economy to a market economy. People with different personalities, different struggles, and different futures and fates. The iron-colored ladder symbolizes the railway under the feet of railway workers. It is the title of the group magazine "Ladder to Heaven" run by young workers in the public works section. It also symbolizes the upward ladder for people to pursue a better life.