1978: Female educated youth, don’t want an illiterate husband

In fact, Feng's mother also knew that her son-in-law's "Wreath at the Foot of the Mountain" was the best and most outstanding piece of writing among all his manuscripts!

It caused an even bigger sensation than the previous "The Appointment of Factory Director Qiao".

Moreover, after about half a month of publication and fermentation, it has gained a lot of reader response in society. In particular, the novel's content, which depicts the self-defense counterattack that just happened in the south, has deeply touched the hearts of the general public.

It closely connects military life with social reality, allowing readers to see the cruelty of war, the dedication of soldiers, and the various problems that exist in society.

Through reading this work, ordinary people gained a deeper understanding of the sacrifices of soldiers, a clearer understanding of the meaning of war, and were inspired with patriotism and respect for soldiers throughout society.

At the same time, the problems revealed in the novel, such as the unhealthy practices within the army and the difficult situation of the families of martyrs, also sparked in-depth thinking and heated discussion among the public about social phenomena, becoming an important topic of public opinion at the time.

As someone involved in the magazine and newspaper industry, Ms. Feng was always paying attention to the reactions from various news media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, and television. She must have been aware of the social impact of her son-in-law's article.

Moreover, it's not just the general public; many well-known figures in the industry have also begun to speak out in newspapers, magazines, radio broadcasts, and television news, expressing their thoughts on reading "Garland at the Foot of the Mountain" through various means.

For example, Feng's mother noticed that yesterday's People's Daily included Ding Ling's reflections after reading "The Garland at the Foot of the Mountain," in which she said:
"The new work by renowned young writer Cheng Xuemin, 'Wreath at the Foot of the Mountain,' possesses a powerful artistic appeal. With its realistic and vivid writing, it creates a series of lively characters, making readers feel as if they are in that era of war and personally experiencing the passion and heroism of soldiers."

The work has a rigorous narrative structure and a dramatic plot. It features both intense battle scenes and delicate character portrayals, which complement each other and demonstrate superb literary skills.

For example, in describing battle scenes, the author uses detailed descriptions of the battlefield environment and precise grasp of the soldiers' combat actions and psychology to allow readers to truly feel the cruelty and intensity of war.
In portraying the characters' emotions, whether it's Liang Sanxi's longing for his family, Jin Kaizi's camaraderie tinged with tension, or Zhao Mengsheng's ideological transformation during the war, all are depicted vividly and realistically, making the characters full-bodied and lifelike.

As everyone knows, Ding Ling holds a prominent literary position in the cultural sphere. Just like when she supported her son-in-law Cheng Xuemin's debut novel "The Herdsman," she was the first to speak out. This time, she even chose to speak out through the People's Daily, which shows just how much she recognizes and admires her son-in-law's novel.

Besides Ding Ling's public reading comments in the People's Daily, Wang Meng, who had just been transferred to the position of editor-in-chief of Yanjing Literature, also commented on "Wreath at the Foot of the Mountain" in the opening remarks of this issue of Yanjing Literature:

"The language of 'Wreath at the Foot of the Mountain' is very distinctive, simple yet powerful. It does not pile up fancy words, but it can strike the reader's heart directly with the most plain words."

The characters in the book speak with distinct personalities, reflecting their identities and character traits. For example, Jin Kailai's straightforward and outspoken language, full of "fireworks," vividly portrays his fiery temper and upright character; while Liang Sanxi's words reflect his honesty and sense of responsibility.

This style of writing, which is close to life and the people involved, imbues the work with a rich sense of everyday life and a powerful artistic appeal, allowing readers to resonate deeply with the story.

And then there's my old neighbor, Mr. Qian, a literary giant in the literary education circle, who even inserted a profound commentary on "Wreath at the Foot of the Mountain" in his work published in this issue of *People's Literature*:
In his comment, Lao Qian said that he felt this work was of extraordinary literary historical significance. It not only signifies the change in the thinking of military writers, but also marks the beginning of a new era in military literature creation.

The work boldly reveals contradictions, such as Zhao Mengsheng's "indirect transfer" in pursuit of comfort and his phone call to the front-line command post on the eve of the battle to get his son preferential treatment.

At the same time, the novel reflects the living conditions of the people in the old revolutionary base areas by describing Liang Sanxi's blood-stained debt bills and other content.

However, the work did not merely stop at exposing the problems; rather, while revealing the contradictions, it showcased the indomitable, courageous, and noble inner strength of Chinese soldiers who, despite their humble positions, never forgot their nation's concerns, and praised their lofty moral character, thus endowing the work with profound ideological connotations and social value.

Anyway, Feng's mother had already foreseen it. Everyone was saying that her son-in-law Cheng Xuemin's novel, with its profound ideological content, outstanding artistic achievements and wide social influence, was bound to become a classic in the history of contemporary Chinese literature.

Xuemin's work will not only help readers remember this period of history, but also allow them to deeply feel the power of literature. It will forever shine in the hearts of readers and inspire generations to come.

After being analyzed and commented on by various industry leaders, and with their voices being heard in different fields, Feng's mother knew that her son-in-law's work had achieved considerable success.

But now, after watching the news and receiving confirmation from her husband, Mr. Feng, Mrs. Feng realized that her son-in-law was about to take off again.

This was reported on the evening news, calling on all units across the country, the entire Party, and the entire military to promote reading!
Furthermore, Lao Feng said that his former leader would personally fund a copy of "Wreaths Under the High Mountain" written by his son-in-law Cheng Xuemin for each of the soldiers fighting on the front lines.

This...this...what glory and honor this is?!
"Mom, my brother-in-law has achieved so much, why are you starting to cry again as you talk about it?" Feng Jiamo, the younger sister-in-law, noticed that her mother's eyes were starting to water and asked in surprise.

"No way! It's just sand in your eyes!" Mrs. Feng wiped her eyes as well, and found that she couldn't help but shed tears again, so she quickly made up an explanation.

Mother Feng was happy, but she was even more concerned about her son-in-law, who had personally gone south to the front lines to complete the work commissioned by the General Political Department!
Moreover, she was trapped deep in enemy territory for nearly a hundred days, barely escaping with her life, before she was able to produce this highly praised work. She felt proud of her son-in-law, but even more so, she felt lingering fear.

Yes, thinking back to those months, the entire Feng family was so worried. They thought that their son-in-law's return alive was a false alarm and a narrow escape, and that the ordeal was over for the time being!

However, the success of this work, coupled with the emotional impact it had on Feng's mother, made it impossible for her not to shed tears.

"They still don't quite understand the students!"

Although those renowned critics highly praised their son-in-law Cheng Xuemin and his work "Garland at the Foot of the Mountain," unfortunately, they had no idea under what conditions their son-in-law was inspired to create this work.

That work was created by someone who was on the front lines, trapped in enemy territory for nearly three months, fighting alone and narrowly escaping death.

Unfortunately, the details are top secret and cannot be disclosed. Otherwise, the praise her son-in-law would receive would be even greater.

However, the news broadcast reported that the former leader personally wrote an instruction calling on the whole nation to read, which is the highest praise for his son-in-law. He certainly did not treat his son-in-law unfairly!

"Oh? Mother-in-law, really? This...this...is Xuemin's writing really that good? Even our old leader said so?"

Originally, Cheng's mother, sister, and brother-in-law, who were in the backyard, were also disturbed and came to the front yard. After hearing the good news from Feng's mother, Cheng's mother, Qin Guilan, didn't really understand anything, but when she heard her mother-in-law praising her eldest son so much, she knew that he must really be well!

That must mean he's happy for his big son!
"National reading? It was on the news just now?" Brother-in-law Wang Quanwen exclaimed in disbelief, slapping his thigh, "I missed it! I was just about to come and watch the news, Wenxiu, you made me miss it!"

Wang Quanwen missed the news because his brother-in-law was on the evening news, but he missed it because of his wife, Cheng Wenxiu. How could he not slap his thigh and regret missing it?

"Really, really, mother-in-law, you've raised a wonderful son! Xuemin has truly made something of himself!" Mother Feng hugged her mother-in-law's hand, sighing repeatedly.

"He's accomplished! He's accomplished! It's all thanks to you, my in-laws, for being intellectuals, and for raising him so well. I have to thank you for raising Xuemin so well. You've also got a good son-in-law!" Cheng's mother, Qin Guilan, wasn't very good at talking, but she had a whole lot of compliments to say.

In front of the intellectual's mother-in-law, all the credit will definitely be given to her, saying that it's all thanks to her as the mother-in-law for her excellent guidance!
"Not at all, it's really because Xuemin is so talented!" Hearing the approval of her son-in-law's mother, Mrs. Feng was overjoyed and kept saying many polite things. Finally, she added, "Of course, Xuemin's excellent results are also inseparable from Jiayou's support, help, and encouragement!"

She was indeed well-trained, but it certainly wasn't her mother-in-law, Feng's mother, who was the one who trained her; it must have been her daughter, Feng Jiayou!
Back then, Mother Feng was extremely skeptical of her son-in-law, who came from humble backgrounds!
It was her own daughter, the debt collector, who was so obsessed with that peasant that she didn't dare to go against her wishes and tacitly accepted Cheng Xuemin, her peasant son-in-law.

But who could have imagined that someone so stubbornly convinced of his peasant origins could transform into this? It's truly astonishing.

Perhaps from the very beginning, he was just a naturally gifted person with hidden talents. He didn't have the platform or opportunity to showcase his abilities in his rural hometown. But now that he's returned to Beijing with his daughter, it's like a dragon entering the sea or soaring into the sky.

"It's all good, it's all thanks to everyone!" Cheng's mother said with tears in her eyes, patting Feng's mother's hand repeatedly.

"They're back! They're back! Xuemin and the others are back!"

Not long after, they heard the familiar sound of a car horn coming from the street outside the courtyard. Inside the house, Mrs. Feng and Mrs. Cheng knew that their son-in-law, Cheng Xuemin, and his family had returned, so they went out to greet them.

"This...is it really that serious? You only passed the exam with one Jia Zhao, and it's enough to make Mom and the others come out to greet you personally?"

Ke Yumei, the eldest sister-in-law who hadn't gotten off the bus yet, was astonished by the scene at the door and laughed at Feng Jiazhao, who hadn't gotten off either.

"This isn't a welcome for me!?"

"The second brother must have already returned and told them about Xuemin!"

The eldest brother-in-law, Feng Jiazhao, knew perfectly well that his mother must have already told them about her brother-in-law's good news before the second brother, Feng Jiacheng, had even come home from get off work.

"What about Xuemin?" Sister-in-law Ke Yumei asked in surprise, "What good news has Xuemin had this time? You didn't tell me anything on the way here!"

Indeed, her husband hadn't mentioned it to her once the entire way, he was only focused on driving!

"I...I...I was just too nervous driving and didn't dare to get distracted!" Brother-in-law Feng Jiazhao finally breathed a sigh of relief after parking the car, and then retorted, "Besides, you've been like a silent gourd the whole way, not saying or asking a single question!"

"I was just afraid that talking would distract you!"

Okay!

Since it was her husband Feng Jiazhao's first time driving, Ke Yumei, sitting in the back, really didn't dare to breathe too loudly, just for fear of affecting her husband's driving, let alone speaking and distracting him!
As for Cheng Xuemin, who was also sitting in the car?
The couple, the brother-in-law and sister-in-law, were both incredibly nervous the whole way, barely daring to breathe. Cheng Xuemin was no exception; he barely dared to squint, let alone talk or chat with them.

Also, since his brother-in-law didn't mention it and his sister-in-law didn't ask, Cheng Xuemin couldn't bring it up on his own initiative, otherwise he would be showing off too much!

How are you now?

It must be that my second brother-in-law, Feng Jiacheng, had already come home from get off work and told the family about the good news that he had shared with us at noon earlier, even before they could.

It's just that my brother-in-law drives too slowly; otherwise, they should be the ones driving faster, since my second brother-in-law has to go back to his unit's general logistics department first to pick up his bicycle and ride it back.

They just drove off, but little did they know that the brother-in-law's speed was really not something to brag about. All I can say is that if you're bad at driving, you need to practice more.

"Ah, yes, yes, yes!" Faced with his wife's rebuke, the brother-in-law nodded obediently and said, "It's Xuemin's 'Wreath Under the Mountain,' which received high attention from the old leader. He even gave a special instruction at the meeting, calling on all units of our Party and the army to organize everyone to read it!"

"What?" Upon hearing this, Sister-in-law Ke Yumei was so shocked that she almost miscarried, and her face showed utter astonishment.

"Xuemin, is it okay to just lock the car like this?!" Feng Jiazhao didn't stop locking the car after getting out, and he even checked it again after locking it.

"Yes, that's the right way to lock it!"

Cheng Xuemin glanced behind him, nodded, and then went to greet his mother-in-law and his mother.

As expected, the family already knew, but it wasn't that the second brother-in-law, Feng Jiacheng, was ahead of them. No matter how slow the eldest brother-in-law's car was, he was still ahead of the second brother-in-law.

It turned out that it had already been reported on the evening news. My family had just been gathered around the TV when they suddenly saw the news, which was a huge surprise for them.

"Mom, look at this, Xuemin just showed it to me!"

After exchanging compliments, Cheng Xuemin and Feng Jiayou, carrying their son Little Squirrel, went into the house and checked the door. They saw that their husband had revealed something even more deadly.

Looking at the familiar handwriting and hearing her husband confirm it, it really was another inscription written by that person.

Startled and overjoyed, she rushed to the front yard to find her mother, and secretly took it out and whispered something to her.

"What is it now?" Mrs. Feng asked, turning her head in surprise and confusion.

"Why don't you see for yourself?!" Feng Jiayou said with an overly smug look in his eyes. Seeing this, Feng's mother shook the water off her hands and was about to take it when the little devil quickly shrank back and shouted, "No, no, no, don't use your hands to take it! Don't get it wet!"

"I said, is it really that serious?!" Mrs. Feng glared at her, annoyed. What was she thinking, acting so strangely? It was just a piece of paper!

"Mom, when you see this, you'll think it's really that serious! Look!" Feng Jiayou raised a brow, "Really that serious?"

If Mom saw this, she'd be even more nervous than she is, afraid of getting it wet.

"Then hold it in your hand and show it to me..." Mrs. Feng muttered irritably, her curiosity about what she was holding in her hand growing stronger.

Before she could finish speaking, the words and content that came into view startled her so much that her eyes bulged out, and she trembled with fear as she repeatedly asked:

"Oh no... Oh my god, please don't get it wet!"

……

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