The young revolutionary Mao Zedong experiences a China on its knees. After the end of the empire, the country is in the firm grip of warlords and imperialist powers. Mao's dream of a united China and a communist society that will lead the country back to its former greatness grows. Mao and his communist movement are involved in a bloody civil war until Mao finds himself at the gates of Beijing in 1949.

After the proclamation of the People's Republic, Mao begins to transform the country into a socialist state, but the Korean War catches up with him. As he pushes forward industrial development, he leads the country to the brink of the abyss: one of the greatest famines in history is the result, with millions of deaths.