The peasant son Su Qin and his named brother Zhang Yi decide to leave their native village to seek fame. Su Qin says goodbye to her father, mother, brother, daughter-in-law and wife. He swears not to return until he reaches glory and nobility.

Sick on the way, Su Qin is left alone. He is greeted by the educated rich man Wang Chan-jae, heals, he warns with wishes of good luck and supplies the necessary for the trip.

Su Qin falls ill again and is left without funds. He suffers from cold and hunger and is forced to return home. But the father, and after him the other relatives mock him, do not want to recognize his own. Only his wife furtively gives him something to eat, but his brother takes it too. When Su Qin leaves again, his father, recollecting himself, scolds his family for not stopping him in time.

Su Qin, a beggar, comes to his named brother Zhang Yi, who became the first minister in Qin. Zhang Yi whispers some direction to the butler Chen Yong, then orders Su Qin to come in. Zhang takes the poor man in an unheated room, mocks him, treats him to cold food, and when Su Qin tries to protest, tells another servant to drive out the guest. At the exit, Chen Yong meets him and offers him a horse, a dress and money for the journey. Su Qin gratefully accepts the help.

An envoy from the “commander in chief of the six kingdoms” Su Qin arrives in his native village, who stopped nearby in the inn. Father and his family are in a hurry to congratulate him, but he refuses to recognize them. Zhang Yi appears, however, he is also greeted by a hostile reception. It is time to discover the truth - the butler acted on the orders of Zhang Yi, who evidently wanted to spur his friend’s pride. Su Qin forgives insults, everyone rejoices.