Set in the 1930s, “Fortress Besieged” follows the misadventures of Fang Hung-chien, a bumbling everyman who wastes his time studying abroad, and secures a fake degree when learning he has run out of money and must return home to China. Fang was the son of a country gentleman. A marriage had been arranged for him while at university, but the intended wife died before he could see her.

After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, Chiang Kai-shek stepped up efforts to eliminate dissidents, and first targeted Long Yun, who was in power in Yunnan and had progressive ideas.

This movie accurately describes the accomplishment of chief hydraulic engineer Mr. Bing Li 2500 years ago, and his name is used as the title of this movie.