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

Spring arrives later in Songshan and Shaoshishan than in Yanjing (Beijing).

The remaining snow in the mountain valley had not yet melted, and the icicles on the eaves of the ancient temple dripped water in the afternoon sun, tapping on the bluestone slabs and making a crisp sound.

Cheng Xuemin wrapped his military overcoat tightly and stood on the dilapidated platform in front of the Great Buddha Hall, watching Yuan Heping direct the martial arts performers in rehearsing the scene of "the monks breaking into the Pagoda Forest at night".

The filming conditions were more difficult than expected.

Without a smooth venue, the actors tumbled and leaped on the uneven, gravelly ground. By the end of the day, their costumes were badly worn, and many of them had bruises all over their bodies.

Li Lianjie, who plays Jueyuan, has a scene where she chases the villain on steep stone steps. The scene was filmed seven or eight times, and each time she had to tumble and crawl down dozens of slippery steps.

When he was filming the third take, he slipped and his knee hit the edge of a rock hard, causing it to swell up immediately.

Cheng Xuemin quickly called a halt and instructed the accompanying doctor to handle the situation.

Li Lianjie gritted her teeth, cold sweat pouring down her forehead, and waved her hand: "Brother Cheng, it's okay! I can still manage! Just spray some medicine and wrap the bandage tightly!"

He had Yu Hai help him up, hopped on one leg a few times to stretch, and then called out to Yuan Heping, "Master Yuan, let's do it again! The angle of that roll just now wasn't right, I'll be careful this time!"

Standing to the side, Yu Chenghui nodded secretly as he watched Li Lianjie's ruthlessness.

His character, Wang Renzhe, has many intense confrontations with Jueyuan.

One of the fights takes place in a dilapidated clock tower, where the two men must grapple amidst a pile of rotten wood and broken bricks.

Yu Chenghui was tall and strong, and his moves were fierce. Once, he lost control of his strength and his elbow hit Li Lianjie in the chest with a thud.

Cheng Xuemin felt a pang of anxiety behind the monitor. He was about to call a halt when he saw Li Lianjie simply groan, stubbornly resisting the attack, and then counter-attack Yu Chenghui's wrist with a grappling hook, without interrupting the performance.

Li Lianjie only let go of Yuan Heping's hand, rubbing her chest and gasping for breath.

Yu Chenghui quickly stepped forward, looking apologetic: "Lian Jie, I'm so sorry, I used too much force!"

Li Lianjie grinned, forcing a smile: "Teacher Yu, you, Wang Renzhe, are ruthless! That was satisfying!"

The two exchanged a smile; the tacit understanding and respect honed through their physical clashes were more genuine than any polite words.

The pairing of Ji Chunhua, a specialist in villainous roles, and Hu Jianqiang, a simple-minded monk, contributed many amusing anecdotes to the film set.

Ji Chunhua plays a bald eagle, and there's a scene where he sneaks out from under an incense table to launch a surprise attack.

He rubbed his bald head under the dusty incense table, and when he came out, his face and body were covered in dust. Coupled with his naturally fierce expression, he looked exactly like a demon who had just crawled out of the grave, which startled the stagehand holding the reflector so much that his hand trembled.

Hu Jianqiang, who plays Sekong, has a scene where he needs to carry water to practice his skills, and he has to walk across a puddle by stepping on plum blossom stakes.

He had a poor sense of balance and fell several times in a row, getting soaked to the bone. The early spring mountain wind made him shiver with cold.

As Ji Chunhua handed him a towel, she suppressed a laugh and teased, "Hey, Junior Brother Sekong, it seems your swimming skills are better than your kung fu!"

Hu Jianqiang's lips were turning purple from the cold, but he still retorted, "Senior Brother Bald Eagle, you try it if you dare! This stake is as slippery as if it's been greased!"

Cheng Xuemin moved between various filming locations, wearing a cotton sweater over a military overcoat, but he still felt the mountain wind seeping into his bones.

He not only had to keep an eye on the camera, but also coordinate various unexpected situations.

The generator would malfunction and stop working from time to time, so the lighting system had to be turned on with gas lamps as an emergency measure, which greatly reduced the lighting effect. We'll have to find a solution later.

Due to the inconvenience of transportation on mountain roads, the supply of film and medicine was intermittent, so he had to be meticulous and try to minimize the amount of waste film in each shot.

Living conditions were extremely basic; they ate nothing but steamed buns and pickled vegetables every day, occasionally going down the mountain to buy some meat to improve their meals.

At night, the meditation room was drafty, and the blankets were damp and hard. Many people were so cold that they couldn't sleep, so they simply got up and gathered around the generator to warm themselves and discuss the play for the next day.

While Cheng Xuemin and the crew were battling the harsh conditions deep in the Songshan Mountains, another battle was reaching its climax in Yanjing City.

The rehearsal hall of the General Political Department's Cultural Troupe was brightly lit.

Commander Wang stood at the command post, his expression serious, sweat beading on his forehead.

Below the stage, the choir members, dressed in neat military uniforms, were full of energy.

After nearly half a month of intensive rehearsals, the chorus performance of "The Sun and the Moon Shine Together" has reached its pinnacle.

"On the banks of the Xiang River, the Ying trees stand tall and green..." A deep, resonant mezzo-soprano voice leads the singing, carrying a sense of historical vicissitude.

"Though in a foreign land, my soul returns to its homeland..." The male voice joins in, deep and resolute.

When the chorus reached its climax, with the lines "Forged in the flames of war, the loyal soul is forever forged, shining as brightly as the sun and moon, forever remembered by the mountains and rivers!" all the vocal parts merged into a magnificent torrent of sound, grand, affectionate, and full of power, as if it could penetrate walls and soar to the heavens.

The song expresses not only a deep remembrance of the martyrs, but also a heroic spirit of carrying on the legacy and forging ahead into the future.

Several figures had already quietly appeared at the entrance of the rehearsal hall.

Accompanied by Elder Shi, Elder Wu, and others, the former leader quietly came to conduct the interrogation.

He didn't disturb the rehearsal; he just listened quietly, his fingers tapping lightly on his side in time with the music.

As the last note faded and its echo reverberated in the hall, the old leader slowly raised his hand and began to applaud.

The applause wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear.

He stepped forward, shook hands with Commander Wang and the team members one by one, his gaze sweeping over each young and excited face, and said only one sentence:
"Well sung! Powerful! Emotional! Get ready, we'll sing it for the first performance of the all-army show next month!"

The news spread like wildfire.

"The Sun and the Moon Shine Together" not only passed the review, but was also designated as a key piece for major performances!
When Commander Wang received the official notification, his hands trembled so much that he almost dropped the phone receiver.

He recalled Cheng Xuemin's calm demeanor when he handed over the sheet music, his indifference to whether it would be accepted or not, and sighed inwardly once again:

This kid isn't just lucky, he's incredibly insightful! This isn't a lucky break; it's a perfectly timed delivery!
Time flies, and the hard days on the mountain pass quickly.

As the vegetation on Shaoshi Mountain was fully adorned with new green leaves and the mountain streams rushed merrily, the location shooting of "Shaolin Temple" on Mount Song was finally coming to an end.

The final act is the climax of "the monks rebelling against tyranny and burning the temple to the ground."

To achieve a realistic effect, the production team, with the temple's permission, built a controllable model of a side hall.

At a command, flames soared into the sky and thick smoke billowed. Li Lianjie, Yu Hai, Ji Chunhua, and others had to fight and break through in the simulated fire.

The heat was scorching, and the smoke stung their eyes, but everyone gave it their all until Cheng Xuemin shouted the final "Cut! That's a wrap! The Songshan section is all done!"

The entire crew erupted in a tired yet excited cheer!

Many people collapsed onto the ground, looking at each other's faces blackened by the smoke, laughing heartily, but as they laughed, their eyes welled up with tears.

Only they themselves know the hardships they have endured over the past two months.

The wrap party was held in the temple's simple dining hall. The food was simple, but there were a few bottles of local liquor.

Elder Xingzheng made an exception and had the kitchen prepare tofu and several vegetarian dishes, then personally came to serve tea to the film crew.

The old monk looked at the group of filmmakers whose faces were tired but whose eyes were bright, clasped his hands together, and his voice was a little choked up:

"Thank you all for your generosity... for bringing some life to our temple. We hope that when the movie is shown, more people will know about Shaolin..."

Cheng Xuemin quickly returned the greeting: "Elder, rest assured, once the movie is released, the whole world will know about Shaolin!"

Just as the film crew was packing their bags and preparing to return to Beijing, a telegram from Yanjing was delivered to Cheng Xuemin.

It was an official notice forwarded from the factory office: The 4th China Film Hundred Flowers Awards Ceremony is scheduled to be held in mid-April in Lushan, Jiangxi Province.

The organizing committee cordially invites the main cast and crew of "Tai Chi," including Cheng Xuemin, Huang Jianzhong, Zhu Lin, Li Lianjie, and Huang Jianzhong, to attend the awards ceremony.

Cheng Xuemin looked at the telegram, smiled, and felt little emotional. He had always been indifferent to awards, and besides, the two months of honing his skills in Songshan had made him realize that creating good works was more important than anything else.

But he also knew that this was an important affirmation and honor for Zhu Lin and Li Lianjie.

The descent was much easier than the ascent, but the feelings of parting were complicated. The old abbot, Xingzheng, saw them off with great pomp and circumstance, reluctant to leave.

But in the end, we still have to part ways!
Looking back, Shaoshi Mountain still stands majestically, and the ancient temple hidden among the green trees is still dilapidated, but it seems to have quietly regained a bit of vitality because of the arrival of this group of filmmakers.

Cheng Xuemin thought to himself that perhaps in the near future, this place would really change its fate because of a movie.

The convoy began its return journey. Cheng Xuemin planned to first send the crew members back to Yan Film Studio before continuing south to the awards ceremony in Lushan.

Back at Yan Film Studio, before Cheng Xuemin could even settle down and have a cup of tea, the old factory director, Wang Yang, hurriedly took him to the lake!
No need to think!
It must have been the song "Sun and Moon Shining Together" that he had given to the General Political Department's Cultural Troupe when he left Beijing that had already terrified the old factory director, Wang Yang.

We finally managed to get this kid back, so we had to hurry up and send him to the lake so our old leader could deal with him.
"Xuemin, oh you!? What am I supposed to say to you?"

"Why didn't you just go and film your Shaolin Temple? Why did you have to write those songs? Now look what's happened!"

"You have no idea what was going on at the Yan Film Studio and with your father-in-law while you were gone!"

On the way to the lake, the old factory director, Wang Yang, kept berating Cheng Xuemin for his audacity. Seeing that Cheng Xuemin was still laughing, he blurted out, "You're in for a world of trouble! Don't you know that?"

"Old factory director, it's just a commemorative choral song, is it really that scary to you like this?"

Cheng Xuemin joked with the old factory director as he drove.

In fact, during his time at Shaolin Temple, Cheng Xuemin was not completely isolated from the world. He was able to receive telegrams from Beijing from time to time!
Moreover, the broadcasts already revealed that the General Political Department's Cultural Troupe's large-scale performance, "The Sun and the Moon Shine Together," had received high praise from the veteran leaders, who called on all military arts troupes to participate in the performance.

This proves once again that Cheng Xuemin has truly touched the hearts of his former leaders.

At this time, what's needed is a song that soothes emotions rather than serves as a memorial.

"Is it really that serious?" Old factory director Wang Yang rolled his eyes at the young man's nonchalant words, clearly annoyed.

When I went to the lake, I only saw Old Wu, and he inevitably made a few more jokes and scoldings at Cheng Xuemin.

He was told that his former leader was going to meet him, but Cheng Xuemin's return was unfortunate, as his former leader had already gone south.

Did they head south?

When Cheng Xuemin heard this news, he calculated that the timeframe was indeed about right.

The curtain of a new era is truly about to rise!
Cheng Xuemin also returned to Yan Film Studio. After settling the crew in, he chose to go home to be with his wife.

The wheels rolled over the familiar streets of Yanjing and finally stopped at the gate outside the courtyard house.

Cheng Xuemin carried his simple luggage and pushed open the mottled wooden door. A warm feeling of home mixed with the aroma of food wafted out, instantly dispelling the fatigue of the journey and the chill of the mountains.

Before he could even stand up straight, a figure rushed out of the house—his wife, Feng Jiayou.

Her eyes were red-rimmed, and her face still bore the lingering worry and fear. She punched Cheng Xuemin's shoulder with considerable force.

"You finally decided to come back! What... what kind of mess did you make before you left! That song... that 'Sun and Moon Shining Together'! Do you know how scared your parents were?! Dad couldn't sleep well for days!"

Cheng Xuemin quickly put down his luggage, smiled, and held his wife's hand. It was ice-cold to the touch, showing how nervous she had been.

"Oh dear, honey, I'm back safe and sound. It's just a song, why are you so worried?"

"Just a song? That's all?" Feng Jiayou glared at him, her voice trembling with tears, and said, "Mom was so worried she cried! She said you're too bold, you dare to write anything!"

"What will we, your whole family, do if we get blamed by our superiors?"

She got angrier and angrier as she talked, and punched him again.

Cheng Xuemin knew she was genuinely worried, and his heart softened. He dropped his joking expression, gently put his arm around her, and patted her back.
"Alright, alright, it's all over now. See, I'm back safe and sound, aren't I? Not only am I alright, but there's good news too."

"Good news? What good news could there be? We should be thankful if we don't get criticized or punished!" Feng Jiayou sniffed, clearly not believing it.

Cheng Xuemin smiled mysteriously and carefully took out a brown paper document bag from his worn-out military satchel.

He deliberately and slowly untied the sealing string and pulled out a folded, thick piece of paper.

"Look at this," he said, unfolding the paper in front of Feng Jiayou.

Feng Jiayou leaned closer in puzzlement, her gaze falling on the bright red national emblem and the four large characters of "Certificate of Commendation" at the top of the paper, and her breath caught in her throat.

She quickly scrolled down: "...Comrade Cheng Xuemin's choral song 'The Sun and Moon Shine Together' is profound in thought and exquisite in art. It performed outstandingly in the performance and is hereby commended..."

The signature included the names of several important departments and dates that she had only seen in newspapers.

“This…this is…” Feng Jiayou suddenly raised her head, her eyes wide open, looking at the certificate, then at her husband’s smiling face, she could hardly believe her eyes.

The worries, fears, and complaints from just now were instantly swept away by the overwhelming joy.

She snatched the certificate, her fingers trembling as she traced the raised seal and gold lettering, examining it repeatedly, her voice trembling:

"Really? This is true? Xuemin! You...you've done it again?!"

"Hmm, what else?!" Cheng Xuemin looked at her face, which had instantly brightened and turned red with excitement, and felt a warm glow in his heart. He said, "I just went there today. Old Wu gave it to me personally. He said the song is very good and that the higher-ups are very supportive."

"Oh my! Oh my!" Feng Jiayou held the certificate as if it were a precious treasure, spun around in place, and tears welled up in her eyes. These were tears of joy.

She threw herself into Cheng Xuemin's arms, crying and laughing at the same time: "You scared me to death! Really... why didn't you say so sooner! You made Mom and Dad worry for so long for nothing!"

Just then, hearing the commotion, Feng's mother came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands. Seeing her daughter hugging her son-in-law, both crying and laughing, and holding a bright red piece of paper, she asked in bewilderment:
"Jiayou, what's wrong? Xuemin is back? What's making you so happy?"

"Mom! Mom! Look!" Feng Jiayou hurriedly handed over the certificate, stammering, "Xuemin is alright! He did a good deed! He was commended by the higher-ups! Because of that song!"

After taking the certificate and examining it carefully, Mrs. Feng's face instantly lit up with a smile, and she let out a long sigh of relief.

"Oh my! This is really...this is really great! Thank God! My heart has been in my throat these past few days! Now I can finally relax!"

She patted her chest, her eyes filled with satisfaction and pride as she looked at Cheng Xuemin. "Xuemin, you really are...always giving people surprises! Terrifying surprises!"

The atmosphere at home instantly shifted from heavy and worried to relaxed and cheerful.

Mrs. Feng hurriedly prepared to add more dishes. Feng Jiayou carefully placed the certificate on the most conspicuous cabinet in the living room, looking at it again and again, unable to hide the smile on her face.

The atmosphere at the dinner table was exceptionally warm.

Feng Jiayou kept putting food on Cheng Xuemin's plate, and looking at his noticeably thinner face, weathered by the mountains, she said with heartache:
"You must have suffered a lot up in the mountains, right? You're so thin. Eat more and nourish yourself."

Cheng Xuemin picked at the food in his bowl, smiling and nodding: "It was tough, but everyone's in the same boat. We'll get through it. The filming went smoothly."

While eating, Feng Jiayou seemed to suddenly remember something and said, "Oh right, Dad also set off at the beginning of the month, heading south with us."

Cheng Xuemin paused with his chopsticks for a moment, then nodded: "Yes, I know. Dad mentioned this before the New Year."

This trip is of extraordinary significance because it is also called the Nanxun Tour.

Cheng Xuemin was well aware that after this trip, Feng's father would likely reach a significant milestone in his career.

This means that Cheng Xuemin may indeed have a powerful backer in the future.

Because Mr. Feng got off that train, once he starts his training outside the region, his starting point will be very high.

The future is even more promising!
……

Please vote with monthly tickets and subscribe to the full chapter! Thank you! Thank you! (End of Chapter)