Writer 1978: I Need to Give the Literary World a Lesson

Chapter 534 The Idea of ​​a Professional Battlefield Radio Station (First Update)
The 235th Regiment belongs to the Yanjing Military Region. They came to replace the 47th Army. They arrived recently and will go to the front line after pre-battle training.

The gunfire in the distance started out sparsely, but gradually intensified. In addition to the sounds of heavy machine guns, mortars and rocket launchers could also be heard, but no larger artillery pieces were heard.

"Comrades, the enemy has returned fire. The forward troops are suppressing them with fire."

Wei Wei said, "We should bombard them with cannons. We couldn't bomb them before because we didn't have cannons, but now that we have cannons, we should let them taste this good feeling."

"Yes, we have plenty of artillery shells, and we can give them a good thrashing from time to time. Comrades, let's go in first! We really enjoyed listening to the comrades from the 47th Army share their experiences with us."

Liu Yimin followed the crowd inside. The garrison was very large, with two four-story buildings in the middle and many tents on the side. Military uniforms were hanging to dry by the river.

The actors in the performance troupe looked around curiously, while the busy soldiers on both sides gave them shy smiles. Someone pointed at Liu Yimin and whispered to the others, trying to confirm if it was really "Liu Yimin".

Liu Yimin waved to them, and the soldiers smiled shyly and waved back.

After they entered the camp, the personnel from the 235th Regiment who were resting behind them lined up to give them a simple welcome ceremony.

"Hello, Comrade Wei Wei, Comrade Liu Yimin, Commander Wei, welcome to the front lines for your performance. Thank you to the leaders of the General Political Department for their concern. Our commander is in a meeting at the division headquarters and cannot come to welcome you in person." Political Commissar Wu then introduced himself.

"Comrades, you've worked hard. We're sorry to have troubled you all this time," Wei Wei said.

"No trouble at all! No trouble at all! The soldiers on the front lines get bored sometimes. You've come to cheer us on and boost our fighting spirit."

Political Commissar Wu asked the soldiers to help carry the delegation's luggage into the dormitory, because everyone had already eaten after getting off the plane, and the camp did not arrange for everyone to eat immediately.

Political Commissar Wu led Liu Yimin, Wei Wei, and the head of the drama troupe into the office, warmly inviting them for tea and briefing them on the current situation at the front:

"Currently, the fighting on the front lines mainly involves capturing strongholds, defense, and taking prisoners. There are far fewer intense battles, but the terrain is complex, the environment is extremely harsh, and there are minefields everywhere."

The soldiers of the 47th Army sang: "Having arrived in Malipo, Yunnan Province, we realized the hardships of life. We lived in foxholes, drank rainwater, and ate compressed rations."

Political Commissar Wu wasn't a good singer, but after a few notes, everyone felt a pang of sadness. He also recounted the changes in the soldiers' thinking; while domestic construction was in full swing, they were constantly battling the elements. Furthermore, the increasing influx of Hong Kong, Taiwanese, and foreign cultures into the military presented a significant challenge for their political officers.

"Comrade Yimin, you've been to the front lines. When you have time, go deep into the barracks and you'll feel the changes. However, overall, our soldiers are still tenacious and courageous, possessing an iron will."

Liu Yimin nodded. After Political Commissar Wu's explanation, everyone had a more comprehensive understanding of the front line.

"Political Commissar Wu, in this new era, with its new changes, it's not just the military that's adapting; our society is adapting as well. The prevailing worship of money in society will inevitably affect the soldiers. On the other hand, we also need to improve the treatment of the soldiers who are participating in the war," Liu Yimin said.

"Yes, Comrade Yimin, thank you for your support of the soldiers on the front lines."

Wei Wei asked, "Is this where we'll be performing?"

"The performance venue is right here. There's an auditorium behind it, which was left by the original garrison troops. Our army and division commanders will come to meet everyone tomorrow. When can we see when the performance will be held?"

Commander Wei said, "Tomorrow will do. Besides the play, we're sure the comrades want to see something else. Also, we request permission to go to the front lines to offer our condolences."

"We can only send everyone to relatively calm positions. The front line is too dangerous and difficult to reach. Our military equipment can't even reach those positions."

After Political Commissar Wu finished speaking, the office phone rang. Upon hearing the voice on the other end, Political Commissar Wu immediately stood up and said, "Commander, the comrades of the condolence delegation have been received, and their accommodations have been arranged."

Political Commissar Wu hung up the phone: "It was a call from our division commanders. They asked me to convey the welcome and gratitude from the army and the division to everyone."

The Laoshan front during this period was truly a constellation of brilliant generals.

As they left Political Commissar Wu's room, he told them about the 47th Army fighting on the front lines.

"The 47th Army fought very tenaciously, and many heroes emerged from the young people of Northwest China. Some of these heroes are quite exemplary. Comrade Yimin and Commander Weiwei, you are both writers, you should take a look."

One of the comrades was named Li Jinsheng. Before enlisting, he was already a wealthy man with tens of thousands of yuan in his pocket, but at the advanced age of thirty-five, he insisted on joining the army to serve his country. He was a stonemason by trade, and not only was he brave in battle, but he also used his stonemason skills to renovate the foxholes for his comrades, and his excellent experience was passed on to us.

Wei Wei exclaimed in surprise, "A household with ten thousand yuan? That's a very typical case. These days, having ten thousand yuan is quite impressive; it allows them to live a good life back home!"

"Yes, this person is an orphan, raised by the commune. When he grew up, he was determined to join the army and serve his country. Unfortunately, he was too thin and failed the physical examination repeatedly. Later, in order to meet the weight requirement, he even carried a weight with him. Later, he went to the leaders of the recruiting unit and made a strong request. The unit leaders thought he was a good example, so they agreed to let him join the army."

Our soldiers were deeply inspired when they arrived here and heard Comrade Li Jinsheng's story.

“Soldiers like these should be the focus of our People’s Daily reporting,” Liu Yimin said.

“Comrade Yimin, many comrades listen to your ‘Youth Night Talks.’ If you could talk about life on the front lines, I believe they would be very happy,” Political Commissar Wu said.

"I'll plan one when I get back."

That evening, everyone ate in the army's auditorium, while gunfire from the front lines continued to erupt from time to time.

On the way back after dinner, Wei Wei looked at Liu Yimin and said, "Yimin, why are you so quiet? You've been in low spirits ever since you entered the military camp."

"So obvious?"

"what happened?"

"Nothing much, just feeling nostalgic. Every day on the front lines, life and death are happening. The last time we actually went to the front lines, the fighting was still very intense. A comrade who was chatting in the bunker stopped breathing a few hours later." Liu Yimin sighed.

Wei Wei patted Liu Yimin on the shoulder; he understood the feeling.

"Political Commissar Wu said that the soldiers' thoughts have changed a lot, and I think we need to strengthen their psychological counseling. Separation from loved ones is not something that is easy to accept," Liu Yimin said.

Starting in 85, a special radio station was built on the front lines to broadcast letters from the families of Vietnamese soldiers and Vietnamese songs. From its inception, it exerted a powerful psychological offensive on the Vietnamese army, even leading to instances of enemy "camp bombings."

Liu Yimin felt that there should be a military radio station focused on the front lines to help officers and soldiers vent their emotions through broadcasting.

Commander Wei said, "Yimin, your idea is good, but I'm afraid it might make the soldiers homesick."

“Which soldier doesn’t miss home? The most important thing is to guide them, not to suppress them. Commander Wei, this homesickness can’t be suppressed and then it will disappear,” Liu Yimin said.

Wei Wei agreed with Liu Yimin's words: "Homesickness has both advantages and disadvantages. We are waging a defensive war, and homesickness can be transformed into indignation against the enemy, which can inspire everyone's patriotism. Back then, when we fought in the Korean War, we went to a foreign land. If we hadn't loved our hometown, we wouldn't have been able to fight so tenaciously."

The three chatted for a while before preparing to go to sleep. They shared a room, with Wei Wei sleeping with Commander Wei, and Liu Yimin sleeping with Li Xuejian.

Back in the room, Li Xuejian was sitting at her desk reading. When she saw Liu Yimin, she immediately stood up and said, "Professor Liu, thanks to you, I've also been able to stay in this double room."

"Haha, what book are you reading?" Liu Yimin asked curiously.

Li Xuejian handed the book to Liu Yimin: "Your book is called 'The Pilgrimage of One Man.' Do you need a desk? Here, take the desk. I'll read it on the bed."

"I don't need to now. I'm tired from traveling by plane and truck, and I want to go to sleep early."

"Okay, then I won't watch it either. Go to bed early, there's a performance tomorrow. If you want to wash your feet, there's hot water in here." Li Xuejian picked up the thermos on the table.

“I’ll do it myself,” Liu Yimin said.

While soaking her feet, Li Xuejian discussed with Liu Yimin the ideas behind the scriptwriting and the actors' mental state.

"Comrade Xuejian, it seems you read quite a lot of books." Liu Yimin wiped his feet.

“When I have nothing to do, I like to read. We’re actors, but we also have to learn. We can’t just read scripts; we also have to read the original novels. I’ve read your ‘Triumph at Midnight’ and ‘Acacia Tree in the Minefield.’ To be honest, before coming here, I also went to see ‘Hachiko: A Dog’ in the cinema,” Li Xuejian said with a smile.

"Yes, keep up the good work. You'll be retiring from the Air Force soon, right?"

"I might have to retire next year!"

"You're welcome to work at the Beijing People's Art Theatre when the time comes."

"Really?"

"Really, I can introduce you to the Beijing People's Art Theatre. The theatre is desperately missing a good actor like you."

After retiring from the military in 1987, Li Xuejian was admitted to the Central Experimental Theatre, which is a theatre directly under the Ministry of Culture.

Li Xuejian said excitedly, "If it's really possible, I will definitely work hard at the Beijing People's Art Theatre."

"Okay, go to sleep now!"

Liu Yimin rubbed his sore muscles. Li Xuejian turned off the light and opened her eyes wide. Liu Yimin asked, "Why aren't you asleep?"

"Professor Liu, you go to sleep first. I sometimes snore, so I'll go to sleep after you do."

“Exquisite!”

Liu Yimin quickly fell asleep. Li Xuejian, seeing that Liu Yimin was not moving, gently turned over and went to sleep as well.

The next day, when Liu Yimin woke up, Li Xuejian had already finished washing up and was slowly sweeping the house with a broom.

"what time is it?"

"It's nine o'clock!" "I didn't hear the reveille!"

"The soldiers of the 235th Regiment didn't sound the reveille so as not to disturb our rest. Professor Liu, this is the food I brought for you; I've already eaten."

Liu Yimin quickly put on his clothes, walked out of the dormitory and looked down. The sun had already risen, the soldiers were busy, and some people were standing outside watching their building.

"I'm sorry to trouble you." Liu Yimin sat down and started eating. This unit was from the Yanjing Military Region, and since most of the soldiers were from the north, the food was more suitable for them.

Wei Wei walked in and saw Liu Yimin eating: "Yimin, are you up?"

"Sorry, I was sleeping quite soundly."

"It's alright, it's alright. Sleeping soundly means you're tired, and it also means you're in good health. At my age, I can't sleep longer even if I want to. After we finish eating, let's go see the people from the 27th Army."

"They're all from the Yanjing Military Region, you know them all, right?"

Wei Wei said with a smile, "I know everyone above the division level. The 27th Army is a unit of the Yanjing Military Region. It has excellent weapons. Once it gets to the front line, it will definitely show the style of the Yanjing Military Region."

Wei Wei led them into the conference room, where not only the leaders of the 27th Army but also the leaders of the 47th Army were present.

Wei Wei greeted them warmly and then said, "Comrades, this is Comrade Liu Yimin."

“Old Wei, do you need to introduce me? Back when the Yanjing Military Region held a grand arts competition, I was sitting next to several leaders. Comrade Yimin, we even shook hands back then.”

"Commander Qian, I didn't expect it to be you," Liu Yimin said, shaking hands.

"Haha, this is like meeting an old friend in a foreign land. Comrade Yimin, welcome to the front lines. This is from the 47th Army, he shares my surname, Qian!"

"Commander Qian!"

"Comrade Yimin, welcome, welcome, welcome to you all."

After everyone sat down, they began to discuss the specific performance time. Their performance was not only for the soldiers of the 27th Army, but also for the soldiers of the 47th Army.

Commander Wei first talked about the prepared repertoire: "Our actors can perform anytime, as long as there is a venue. In addition, there are singers, skit performers, clapper talkers, and so on, who can perform on the field."

"In addition, we also brought some canned food, biscuits and other supplies collected by the General Political Department. They arrived last night and need to be distributed to the soldiers," Wei Wei said.

"The General Political Department really went all out this time!" The two unit leaders smiled at each other.

"We just arrived, so we don't need these supplies. Let's give them all to the comrades of the 47th Army!"

"Then we would be disrespectful."

These supplies filled three large trucks, not even enough for an entire army. After discussion, it was decided to send them to field hospitals or to some easily accessible front-line high ground.

Just as the meeting was about to end, Wei Wei suddenly said, "Old Qian, Yi Min brought up an idea yesterday that I think is good. You can report it to the forward command. Build an internal radio station to provide leisure for the soldiers and to help them feel better through broadcasting."

I know that different military units sometimes have similar issues, but the forward command post can do a more professional job. The thinking of soldiers is changing in the new era, and our ideological work must change accordingly.

"That's a good idea, Comrade Yimin. You're truly a radio host. Actually, our soldiers on the front lines are all very lovely and talented. They've written quite a few songs. Sometimes when they're on rotation, they have nowhere to vent their energy, so this is a good way to do it," said the commander of the 27th Army.

Commander Qian said, "We can make a suggestion to the forward command."

After the meeting, Director Wei began to call on the actors to prepare for the performance.

Liu Yimin and Wei Wei did not participate in the performance; instead, they went to a nearby field hospital to distribute supplies.

Before even reaching the field hospital, one could see white bandages fluttering in the distance or blood-stained white sheets drying in the sun. Vehicles transporting the wounded blared their horns frantically on the road, and occasionally helicopters would land at the hospital carrying wounded soldiers.

"The wounded soldiers coming from the Wenshan front will all be placed here. The battle at Laoshan was the most intense, so there will be more wounded soldiers there," Political Commissar Wu, who was accompanying the group, explained.

Upon arriving at the hospital, the hospital director came to greet them. Wei Wei said, "Director, you can go ahead with your work. We'll unload the supplies; the logistics manager can come over."

Wei Wei was afraid of delaying the rescue, but the hospital director smiled and said, "Don't worry, they'll call me if they need my surgery."

The dean instructed everyone to move the supplies into the warehouse. Wei Wei said apologetically, "Dean, we don't have many supplies."

"The higher-ups are also providing special supplies, and the wounded and sick are eating much better food than before. Besides, having something is better than having nothing!"

Then the hospital director took Liu Yimin and the others to visit the soldier lying in the hospital bed. The ward was filled with various smells, especially the pungent smell of disinfectant, as well as the smell of rotting flesh.

The lightly injured soldiers were playing cards, while the seriously injured lay in bed. Some of them had relatively optimistic expressions, while others looked grief-stricken and despondent.

They placed the items on the soldiers' tables and shook hands with each of them. Liu Yimin sat beside a soldier who had lost a leg and chatted with him about everyday things.

"Professor Liu!"

"Just call me Comrade Liu Yimin. Comrade, are you a soldier from the Northwest?"

"Comrade Liu Yimin, how did you know?"

“I can tell from your face shape. People from Northwest China have thick eyebrows, big eyes, regular facial features, and slightly thick lips.” Liu Yimin grasped the soldier’s hand.

"My home is in Huining, and my name is Liu Dagui!"

"Huining? What a wonderful place! The final meeting point of the Long March!"

"Have you heard of it? Alas, my father was also a soldier, and I was a soldier too, but I lost my leg, and I will never be able to walk again!" Liu Dagui suddenly lost control of his emotions and burst into tears, clutching Liu Yimin's hand.

In an instant, everyone's eyes turned to them. Liu Yimin hugged Liu Dagui's shoulders, tears streaming down his face, unsure how to comfort him.

"Comrade Dagui, don't worry, the prosthesis is on its way. Once you've recovered, you can walk again with the prosthesis on," the hospital director said hurriedly as he approached.

"Fuck you, can it even be as good as my real legs?!"

Liu Yimin patted Liu Dagui on the shoulder: "Comrade Dagui, I... I understand how you feel. My good brother lost his arm too, and he arrived a few years before you."

Liu Yimin told Li Lanyong's story, hoping to rekindle the fighting spirit of the seriously wounded and help them recover properly.

"Everyone must focus on recovering. No matter what, our families are worried about us. We children will always be our parents' concern. Our families are waiting for us to come home!" Liu Yimin said.

"Comrade Yimin, how's the factory in your brigade doing?"

"The factory is doing very well now. All the members of the brigade work there and earn much more money than before."

"Comrade Liu Yimin, the members of your brigade are very fortunate. Our Northwest is still very poor."

"Comrades, I'm telling this story not to tell you all to go home and lead the brigade in work. I just want to say that you must look forward. I know you all think what I'm saying is empty talk, after all, I still have my own legs and my own arms."

But comrades, what's done is done, there's no going back. All we can do is look forward!

As they left the field hospital, everyone had different feelings, but they all remained silent.

As they approached the base, Wei Wei patted Liu Yimin on the shoulder: "Yimin, you spoke well."

"Sigh, whatever we say is too weak."

"Yes, you were right yesterday. Getting to the battlefield requires a decision and a transfer order, but leaving the battlefield is a long process," Wei Wei said with emotion.

Then Wei Wei deliberately changed the subject, asking Liu Yimin about the team-run enterprises in his hometown.

"It's alright. What I said earlier was the truth. The roasted nuts factory is doing a great job. When I have time, I'll send you some to try," Liu Yimin said.

"The Northwest is poor, and it's not easy for our Henan province either. It's a process for the people to become rich. Yimin, could you invite Comrade Li Lanyong to do an episode of 'Youth Night Talk' to set an example for the countless soldiers who have returned from the battlefield?"

"That's a good idea. 'Youth Night Talk' can't just do ideological work among young people in society. The soldiers on the front lines are also young people."

Back at the base, there were many more people there, all of whom had come to watch the performance.

The drama troupe will be performing two plays tonight: "Triumphant at Midnight" and "Our Hero - Deng Jiaxian".

The actors had to perform two shows back-to-back, with music in between. Liu Yimin and Wei Wei entered the auditorium, where the actors had already changed into their costumes and were sitting on the floor eating, bowls in hand.

After finishing their meal, Liu Yimin and Wei Wei sat in the seats in front of the auditorium, and the soldiers who came to watch walked in in a line.

"Old Qian, you've read Yimin's script 'Triumph at Midnight,' but you haven't read 'Our Hero - Deng Jiaxian.' Let me show you. The script is very well written. Everyone in Beijing is watching it now. The old leader personally selected it as a patriotic education and promotion play."

P.S.: One update today, will make up for it tomorrow. I don't know why I was particularly sleepy when I woke up today. There are some revisions at the end of the last chapter.

(End of this chapter)