The story is set in 1937 against the background of the Red Army's Long March. In Liuxi Village in Jiangxi, an innocent and cheerful child, Pan Dongzi, spent his carefree childhood. But after reaching 10 years of age, he began to experience the sorrows and joys of life's partings and reunions.Pan's father was a Red Army soldier who was unfortunately captured during fighting against Hu Hansan, a wicked tyrant in the village. He was saved from danger by the Red Guards under the Red Army. Since then, Pan worshiped Xiuzhu, the Captain of Red Guards. The villagers of Liuxi Village also enjoyed a period of happy days under the protection of the Red Guards.However, good times did not last long. The Red Army had to set off on the Long March, and Pan's father had to go, too. Before father and son parted, Pan's father gave him a red star badge as symbol of encouragement. After his father left, only a few members of the Red Guard were left stationed in Liuxi Village. Hu the traitor, hired a number of cold-blooded killers and returned to Liuxi Village. He occupied Liuxi Village again, and Pan had no choice but to flee with his mother by following the Red Guards.During a fightback by the Red Guards, Pan's mother sacrificed herself to save everyone else. From that time, Pan grew up experiencing failures and frustrations with neither of his parents by his side. Pan constantly strove to become stronger, and gradually became a tough person. He had changed from a stubborn child into a brave and passionate young man.