This novel tells the story of Sanjay, a poor farmer in China. In order to hold the funeral of his mother and his own wedding, he borrowed 30 yuan from the local landlord Vasin. Within five years, although he worked hard for Vasin, his wages and annual output of his own land were far enough pay off the debt because of high loan interest rate. Sanjay's family even failed to satisfy their basic need. The cruel real life made the young man gradually give up himself-stealing, gambling, and finally becoming a jerk that villagers hated in the old society. Since Sanjay did something disgraceful, Vasin united with other villagers to bury him alive. Therefore, Sanjay fled outside. After liberation over seven years later, he came back home to move his family. Although the story is short, it talks about inequality in that era and the poor people's…

Zhao Shuli was a member of the executive committee of the Chinese Writers Union and also served as the director of the Society of Chinese Authors, the president of the Society of Chinese Poets, and an editor of the journals Quyi (Performing Arts) and Renmin Wenxue (People's Literature). He was also appointed a representative to the Eighth National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and a deputy in the first, second, and third sessions of the National People's Congress.