Child‑less Beijing‑style master carpenter Tan Jianguo has two apprentices, Sun Pengfei and Li Yongqiang. To test their integrity, he fakes a 5,000‑yuan leg‑surgery emergency, offering his priceless 5‑million‑yuan sandalwood mortise‑and‑tenon armchair as a reward for loyalty. Furniture‑factory boss Sun Pengfei disowns his master in writing. Poor laborer Li Yongqiang drains his pregnant wife's savings and takes multiple odd jobs to gather the money. Once the test is exposed, Master Tan sells the armchair to bankroll Li Yongqiang's furniture workshop. Greedy Sun Pengfei tries to claim the chair, and his wife slanders Li. Master Tan publicly demonstrates his craftsmanship to vindicate Li, attracting partners and an overseas returnee apprentice. Sun Pengfei's factory collapses from contract breaches; his wife deserts him. He regrets bitterly upon learning his startup capital came from his master's wood sales. He watches Tan bequeath his craft and benevolence to the grateful Li Yongqiang.
