Zhou Yanshan, an experienced well driller, insists on surveying the ground beforehand, keeping records, and following proper procedures. He refuses to lower his price of 1,500 yuan. His apprentice, Gao Zhibin, undercuts him by offering to do the job for just 800 yuan. To finish quickly, Gao cuts corners on inspections, and villagers cancel their orders one after another to hire him instead. But soon, several wells have unstable water supplies, requiring costly rework and leaving unpaid debts. Gao finds himself trapped in a crisis involving materials, wages, and refunds, and eventually swallows his pride and begs his master to return to the village and fix the mess. Zhou Yanshan reestablishes the rules of well drilling and personally inspects and repairs every household's well. At last, the water flows steadily into the fields.