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An honest, low-ranking samurai, Munezo Katagiri finds himself buffeted by the confusion of old and new in mid-19th century Japan. Facing outside pressure, the Shogunate is trying to open Japan to the West and some carefully selected Western ways, while maintaining its fragile political base. Munezo, and his colleague Samon Shimada try to maintain their footing, paying heed to the demanding moral code of the samurai while also learning new military strategies, particularly the mastery of Western artillery. But Munezo also has a personal complication. He is secretly in love--so secretly, he may not even admit it to himself--with his family's maid, the sweet and beautiful country girl, Kie. His passion leads him to rescue Kie from a loveless marriage after she leaves his household; the samurai even shocks propriety by carrying away the low-caste young woman on his back. Just as Munezo starts to get his domestic situation in something to resembling order, Munezo hears devastating news. A comrade, Yaichiro Hazama, has been caught up in a plot in Edo. Their clan has sent the rebellious samurai home in the humiliating transport of a "prisoner's basket." Munezo comes under suspicion because he and Yaichiro, the clan's best swordsmen, shared a famed instructor, but Munezo refuses to cooperate with the chief retainer's witch hunt. Tension finally leads Munezo to confess his growing affection to Kie, a development that the young woman begins to hope will lead to the abandonment of caste structures. But before Munezo can realize his romantic destiny, Yaichiro escapes. Munezo is ordered to kill him, and the loyal, honorable samurai is faced with one final challenge to his principles.

Set during a period of reform, Li Chunsheng represents the Chinese worker who becomes braver in the face of obstacles and takes up the burden of caring for others. Towards the end of 1990's, Li Chunsheng of Hongxing Coal Mine obtains a national prestige as a model worker. At the grand celebration, he meets Bai Jie who has just started working. Li Chunsheng falls for Bai JIe at first sight but her mother Ding Ruilan is against their relationship. In spite of the doubts about him, Li Chunsheng persisted for his love. Sadly, Bai Jie dies due to complications at chidbirth. Li Chungsheng tries to get back on his feet, aligning his personal interests with that of the company, all while taking care of his family.

The Butterfly Lovers is a sad love story. It begins with a rich daughter disguised as a man to pursue her intellectual needs at an academy. There she befriends Liang Shan Bo. They study day and night together but because Shan Bo is a gentlemanly nerd, he fails to recognize her feminine characteristics. When they see their love for each other, it’s too late as Ying Tai is forced to marry anotherman. Shan Bo falls critically ill and eventually dies after hearing the news. On the day of their wedding, Ying Tai sneaks off to visit his grave and begs for it to open up. Once it does, Ying Tai throws herself into the hole. The two dead love birds become a pair of butterflies, never to be separated again.