In May 1950, the newly established People's Republic of China enacted the Marriage Law.
When news reached Xia Village in Hua County (a fictional place), the villagers who had lived on this land for generations looked utterly bewildered. What?
Equality between men and women?
The men leapt to their feet in outrage: A wife is like a horse you buy. I can order her around and beat her as I please!
The women nodded in agreement: A cat should catch mice, and a man should be the one in charge.
Freedom of marriage?
The clan elders objected: Marriages are arranged by parents and matchmakers. A virtuous woman never marries twice. Once you've married, you must accept your fate. That's how a wife should behave.
Freedom to divorce?
The village accountant whispered: Let me tell you, this is just a divorce law. It teaches your wives to run off and leaves you bachelors for the rest of your lives.
Xia Dahan from the village entrance declared: I'll break the legs of anyone who dares come here to promote divorce.
The new Marriage Law faced a difficult road in Xia Village.
In 1953, twenty-five-year-old Jing Hongying accepted an assignment from the organization and came to Xia Village as the director of the village women's committee, working to promote and implement the Marriage Law.
Theme: Don't take the wrong path, and don't turn back.
