Fugui and Jiazhen endure tumultuous events in China as their personal fortunes move from wealthy landownership to peasantry. Addicted to gambling, Fugui loses everything. In the years that follow he is pressed into both the nationalist and communist armies, while Jiazhen is forced into menial work.
as Xu Fugui
as Xu Jiazhen
as Town Chief
as Chunsheng
as Wan Erxi
as Long'er
as Xu Fengxia, as an adult
as Fengxia, as a child
as 徐有庆
as Fugui's Dad
as Fugui's Mom
as Sgt. Lao Quan
as 产科小护士
as Physician Wang
as 少年凤霞
as 馒头