A story spanning 40 years that follows the struggles of three generations of farmers and rural cadres.

Before the reform, the people of Fengyuan village suffered from starvation in spite of the countless honors that they had received. A higher-up has been sent to conduct inspections in the village, so preparations have been made to supply each household with food and rations that will have to be returned once the inspector leaves. Young farmer Qin Xue'an is appalled at the harsh reality. He makes a trip to Anhui by chance and discovers that they have abundant harvest due to land reform. Upon his return, he immediately tries to implement the same but is detained on charges of obstructing peace and order. Fortunately, the government had soon mandated the need for reform which led to Qin Xue'an's release. In the next forty years, Fengyuan Village will undergo many groundbreaking developments.

该剧讲述了以秦学安为代表的三代农民、四十年的奋斗历程，真实还原了农村的发展变化。故事围绕“三农”进行，四十年农村的变迁改革。从最初的“大包干”到“家庭联产责任承包”再到调整农村产业结构，允许农民经商，从而出现“乡镇企业”，再到“用现代科技技术改造农业，用现代产业体系提升农业，用现代经营形式推进农业，用现代发展理念引领农业，用培养新型农民发展农业”，促进农业发展农民增收，走中国特色农业现代化道路一直是发展历程中的重要组成部分，从“专业大户” 、“家庭农场” 、“农民合作社”到“新产业新业态”“科技创新驱动”，实施乡村振兴战略，实现农业强，农村美，农民富。