The film tells the legendary story of the famous general Qi Jiguang who fought against Japanese pirates and brought peace to the coastal areas. During the Jiajing period in the middle of the Ming Dynasty, the local government was corrupt and the Ming soldiers were in disarray. The Japanese pirates took advantage of the situation and repeatedly invaded the southeastern coast. At a time of internal and external troubles, Qi Jiguang (played by Zhao Wenzhuo) was ordered to recruit 3,000 Yiwu villagers with Yu Dayou (played by Sammo Hung). In just a few days, they trained the new recruits with strict military discipline and extraordinary means, and armed the troops with advanced weapons and exquisite formations, becoming the first "special forces" in history and the world-famous "Qi's Army".