Dream Alone Reigns Supreme

In the late Qing and early Republican era, Chen Li, a Guangdong-born young master, loses his family and fortune because of the court's reparations. After living on the streets, he joins the army and later turns to writing. Zhong Huaixue, an orphaned girl left destitute by famine, joins the army after foreign bandits attack her, only to be enslaved. Chen Li returns to China for a meeting, outraged at the injustice, and is arrested. He finds Huaixue and escapes with her. As he is leading her back to their unit, he is mortally wounded and dies. From then on, Huaixue endures humiliation and hardship, rises to power, and arms herself to save the nation. But Chen Li, who could not be laid to rest, is dug up and revived. The young master of the Song family, Xiubai, joins Huaixue's cause with his whole family. In the end, he has a child, Song Song, with the eminent and beautiful Dr. Tan. Misfortune strikes again: Xiubai favors the traitor Wang Jingming, and his whole family is wiped out. Dr. Tan grows arrogant on the strength of her favor and defects, leaving no heirs. Huaixue gains both fame and fortune, while Chen Li is torn between regret and joy. A nonsensical, generation-spanning spirit of the Long March.