Literary Master 1983

Chapter 93 Commendation Conference
Ah Tie said: "We want to introduce all the things we can learn to our country. Your novel is very touching. There is no such novel in Thailand. I believe it will also be liked by our people..."

Of course, "Letter from the Fiancée" was derived from a Hollywood blockbuster, and the story has been refined and is still top-notch even decades later.

The comrades in charge of reception from the General Political Department and the General Foreign Affairs Department introduced: "During the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, there was a mother whose three sons lost two lives. She wrote a letter, which was handed over to the volunteer headquarters at the front. People around thought that this would cause the troops to be tired of war, but the leaders still insisted on finding the only son of the mother who wrote the letter and sending him back..."

This was not the first time Yu Qie had heard of this incident, and many people believed that Yu Qie's story originated from this true event.

Well, in this timeline, under the guidance of writer Yu, it indeed originated from this incident.

I'm sure we can find similar things in Thailand, and by fitting them into the story framework, we can write a Thai version.

At the same time, the prince invited Yu Che to Chulalongkorn University for exchanges. Some local writers and Chinese people hoped to meet writers from the northern great country.

Chulalongkorn University is the Thai version of Yanda University. It is named Chulalongkorn because King Rama V was named Chulalongkorn. Compared with Yu Qie's status as a Yanda University student, he was not wronged.

Do you know what Yu Qie is thinking at this moment?

He was thinking about the dual-track system for undergraduate theses, through which he could study Thai society and write a valuable article.

In the late 1980s, Southeast Asia was one of the most economically active regions in the world, also known as the Four Asian Tigers. It can be said that the mainland learned from Southeast Asia in the 1980s and from South Korea in the 1990s.

However, many conditions in Thailand are opposite to those in China, which can be regarded as a perfect comparison template.

"Which month are we going?" Yu Qie asked.

After Ah Tie said a few words, the translator's eyes widened: "You can go whenever you want. You are already our friend."

"I'm still a student, how about going during the summer vacation?"

"no problem."

The matter was settled. In July, some Chinese writers, painters and other artists were going to visit Thailand, and Yu Qie could go with them.

As a prince, A Tiegui may not take Yu Qie too seriously. In his eyes, Yu Qie is just a useful tool. He doesn't know that Yu Qie never does small things.

China and Thailand now have frequent exchanges and share common border enemies. In 81, Princess Sirindhorn of Thailand visited Yanjing University and later spent a month as an international student there. She is an expert on China.

After returning, Sirindhorn immediately wrote "Visiting the Land of the Dragon". After that, she set foot on this "Land of the Dragon" many times and wrote picture albums such as "Traveling on the Sand with the Princess" and "The Princess's Travels in the Three Northeastern Provinces".

Ji Xianlin, the former head of the Department of Literature at Yenching University, also had conversations with Sirindhorn, probably because of his research on Buddhism.

Throughout the 1980s, acrobatic troupes from various provinces in China went to Bangkok to perform more than 50 times. Thailand's current per capita income is four or five times that of China, so going to Thailand for exchanges is considered a good thing.

The commendation meeting lasted for three days. Yu Qie and Gong Xue once again read the letter from their fiancée to the officers and soldiers who were resting: "Among thousands of lights, someone will leave a light on for you."

The applause was thunderous.

Afterwards, the leaders put big red flowers on everyone and took a group photo.

Yu Qie also attended another commendation meeting that was open only to military personnel, where the third, second, first, and special merits of the troops were awarded. Because he was a member of the masses, Yu Qie could not be awarded a certain merit in principle in the 1980s.

This was because at that time there were quotas for certain merits among the company, battalion, and army levels. Individuals or groups who had made contributions could get benefits in the subsequent system, such as promotion or transfer to other places... Yu Qi was a person in the arts and literature. He took a quota but did not use those benefits, which was undoubtedly very inappropriate.

Could he refuse? That was impossible. Winning an award was also a kind of military order, and Yu Qie received the "military order" of the second-class merit.

Look at who was honored with him?

Shi Guangzhu, despite being wounded 4 times, 8 serious injuries, and blind, led the entire platoon to recapture two high grounds, completing the mission brilliantly and winning first-class merit. A famous oil painting of the counterattack war was painted of him.

Zhang Xingwu, Shi Guangzhu's comrade-in-arms, is the domestic real-life prototype of Yu Qie's new military novel "Bloody Battle of Laoshan".

"Bloody Battle of Laoshan" is a novel with documentary nature:
[Soldier "Zhang Xingwu" was a medical worker. During the battle to recapture Laoshan, he asked his superiors not to bring guns and ammunition to the battlefield, and the superiors severely criticized him...

But Zhang Xingwu was not reckless. He found that in a battlefield like Laoshan where both sides were fighting and mainly relying on artillery to kill the enemy, medical personnel did not need to carry guns, but should rescue as many wounded as possible and carry as many medicines and equipment as possible... After obtaining approval, he finally carried a large number of first aid kits, medicines and medical equipment, which exceeded the standard equipment for company medical personnel stipulated by the army by several times...】

[Zhang Xingwu miraculously crossed the Vietnamese army's line of fire dozens of times without getting even a hair hurt, and rescued 47 comrades in arms. He completely won the respect of his comrades in arms]

In the real Laoshan battlefield, Shi Guangzhu himself was rescued by Zhang Xingwu, who was awarded the second-class merit.

He Zhiguang, a Tibetan, had four generations of ancestors who were serfs. After liberation, he finally turned things around. He led a battalion of people to attack the high ground. On the way, he met a python, which he killed with his sword. He then annihilated 18 Vietnamese soldiers along the way. When he came back, he met the chopped-off python again. He took the python meat back, shared it, and drank to celebrate... He was awarded first-class merit.

——Fortunately, the troops did not put Yu Qie in a difficult position, and the superiors urgently gave him a second-class merit. Division Commander Jin, who had received Yu Qie at Laoshan, specially applied to participate in the commendation. He held Yu Qie's hand tightly and said: "If it weren't for you, Laoshan would not be remembered by so many people! We are not afraid of death, but we are afraid that no one will remember us!"

Yu Qie said: "People die twice, one is the death of the body, and the other is the death of memory - as long as we remember them, they are still alive in our hearts."

Upon hearing this, Commander Jin was speechless. He just held Yu Qi's hand tightly again and again. Everything was said without words.

Many people heard this sentence at the commendation meeting. During the entire condolence activity, Yu Qie was the most charming and always said unforgettable "golden sentences", which was simply fascinating.

On the last night, everyone opened their hearts, drank wine and ate meat.

Division Commander Jin raised a glass of wine and said, "The last time I met you, I didn't drink a drop of wine because the battle was intense at the front. This time I apologize to you. But I am not in good health, so I can only drink one glass. Don't look down on me for being stingy... especially our comrade, Comrade Yu Qie."

Yu Qie's face flushed red: "What are you talking about? You can't do that!"

Commander Jin drank it all in one gulp and showed Yu Qie the bottom of the overturned cup. Feng Gong performed for him, Gu Yue told him about the joy of being an actor, and Zhu Shimao said, you are the hero of my "Laoshan Diary", and I can't help but mention you in every article.

"Comrade Yu Che! Salute to you!" The soldiers raised their glasses, equally unceremoniously.

That night, Yu Qie was completely drunk.

People helped Yu Qie to the bed in the guest house. Gong Xue and Yu Shuqing, two female comrades, took the initiative to report to take care of Yu Qie. They sat on both sides of the bed and watched quietly. Yu Shuqing said, "Sister Xue, what do you want to say? He is in this condition now... Do you still want to say it?"

Gong Xue shook her head: Why should I talk to a drunk person?

Feng Gong suddenly knocked on the door.

"what happened?"

"Yu Qie's girlfriend called. She called long distance from Beijing. She waited for several hours before the call was connected. It was so hard. Yu Qie must be completely drunk. Is he unable to talk?"

"Yu Qie, Yu Qie!" Gong Xue pushed Yu Qie twice, but there was no response. Feng Gong also came in and saw it, and shook his head, saying, "It looks like there's nothing we can do."

"Teacher Feng Gong, does Yu Qie have a partner?"

"I just found out too. She's two years younger than him, a local from Chengdu, her name is Zhang Li, and she's also an actress."

"What does she look like?"

"How do I know what she looks like—" Feng Gong sensed something and said patiently, "Gong Xue, that should be a lovely girl, with a very cheerful voice. She is currently undergoing training and has the calmness of a lady from a noble family."

"Oh." Gong Xue waited until Feng Gong left, then she held her chin and looked at Yu Qie, her eyelids drooping, looking very lost.

"——Sister Xue, if you slap him, I will definitely not tell on you." Yu Shuqing said.

"You said something like that, aren't you afraid that he will shoot you when he wakes up?"

"I'm scared! But I'm planning to immigrate to Australia. No matter what Yu Qie does, he can't execute Australians. I have no grudge against him."

"Australia? Yu Shuqing, you're quick-witted. Coming to the Laoshan show won't hinder your pursuit of a better future. You gave a hug to a soldier before. I heard that soldier died before he reached the plateau."

Yu Shuqing is much younger than Gong Xue, but at this moment she suddenly said something worldly-wise: "We are all just moving towards higher places, and we all have a future to pursue."

"Even someone as outstanding as Yu Qie has to take the risk of going down the cat ear cave..."

What greeted her was Gong Xue's angry glare: "I believe Yu Qie was sincere. He is a great writer with a writer's character. Have you read his novels? Do you know what he thinks?"

Yu Shuqing didn't want to conflict with Gong Xue: "Just pretend I don't know."

Afterwards, Yu Shuqing left with an excuse, leaving Gong Xue alone. After thinking for a while, she took out the letter that she had recited with Yu Qi before.

(End of this chapter)