1978: A Literary Giant Who Began His Military Service

Chapter 102: Army-wide Study Session? Two More?
After the New Year, the performing arts troupe returned to its original noisy atmosphere.

It's almost March now, and the entire cultural troupe is working hard on their creative projects, because everyone wants to win awards in the military!
At the end of last year.

Regiment Commander Qian Yunhua and Deputy Regiment Commander Liang Liang wrote something to request that the influence of the two works, "The Song of a Strong Army" and "Wreath Under the High Mountain," be expanded within the military.

Soon, the proposal was seen by the higher-ups.

Even without any recommendations, "Garland at the Foot of the Mountain" was already a well-known work in the military.

The only drawback of "The Song of a Strong Army" is that it was only passed down orally in the four military regions where the war was fought: Wuhan, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Yunnan.

So, after the New Year...

Several leaders from the General Political Department of the People's Liberation Army held a meeting and decided to approve the application from the Wuhan Military Region.

[All military regions, services and arms, headquarters, armed police forces, military academies and directly subordinate units:]
"The Song of Building a Strong Army," with its powerful melody and inspiring lyrics, vividly interprets the rich connotations of the goal of building a strong army... Its role in the counterattack against Vietnam was evident. In order to further boost morale and inspire enthusiasm for building a strong army, the General Political Department decided to launch an in-depth study campaign of "The Song of Building a Strong Army" throughout the entire army...

[To deepen the study of Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military in the New Era, inherit the red gene, promote patriotism and revolutionary heroism, and guide officers and soldiers to deeply understand the mission and responsibility of soldiers, it has been decided, after research, to organize the study and reading of the novel "Wreath at the Foot of the Mountain" throughout the entire military...]

"..."

Zhou Xu and Regiment Commander Qian Yunhua looked at the two documents issued from above. Qian Yunhua sighed:
"Congratulations, Comrade Zhou Xu!"

Liang Liang nodded in agreement: "This official document is extraordinary!"

"Yes, it was personally ordered by the General Political Department."

"That's true!" Liang Liang exclaimed in surprise. "Have we really studied that many works by the entire army?"

"Not many, but there are very few people in our group."

The number of works studied by the entire army is neither too many nor too few.

Literary works such as Yang Mo's "Song of Youth" and "How the Steel Was Tempered," and songs such as "Night at the Military Port," "I Stand Guard for the Great Motherland," and "The People's Army Is Loyal to the Party," all advocated this.

Of course, there aren't many, but those that are studied by the entire army are all classic works.

Zhou Xu copied classics from later generations. Needless to say, "The Song of a Strong Army" was written for the entire army to study. As for "Garland Under the Mountain," it should be a movie that every new recruit would watch from the moment they joined the army.

The political commissar exclaimed, "So you really are from the General Political Department? Xiao Xu's future is getting brighter and brighter! It seems we have to apply for schooling this year."

"By the way, is there payment for the articles?" Zhou Xu asked after a pause.

"Royalties?" Qian Yunhua was stunned. "No...where would these royalties come from?"

"However, the Literature and Art Publishing House has commissioned me to publish a standalone book, saying they will pay royalties... The 'Wreath Under the High Mountain' that the entire army is learning about printing should all be published by the PLA Literature and Art Publishing House?" Zhou Xu said slowly.

"The publisher promised to pay you the royalties, so they will. The military won't take advantage of you." Liang Liang shook his head, his eyes fixed on money.

Zhou Xu's mouth watered upon hearing this...

The entire army studied it, so there must have been at least 500,000 copies, right? At 2% per 10,000 copies, 500,000 copies would have earned two royalties.

...If I write a few more books like this, I'll be one of the few people in the military with ten thousand yuan in income, right?
Thinking of this, Zhou Xu was even happier than when the whole army was studying: "Hehehe, military writers are making quite a bit of money."

"Ahem! Alright, forget about your royalties. We'll apply for a second-class merit award for literature and art after the New Year. The Political Department shouldn't refuse." Qian Yunhua still felt the reward wasn't enough.

After all, Zhou Xu spent the entire last year, excluding the counterattack against Vietnam.

They also achieved a series of good results, such as "The Song of a Strong Army," "Wreath Under the High Mountain," and "Lurking." Back then, they didn't even receive a third-class merit award... so they'll save those for this year's awards.

Liang Liang walked over and patted Zhou Xu on the shoulder: "What a great honor! You've been recognized as a model soldier for the entire army and you've also received a second-class merit award. Congratulations!"

The two had indeed been working together for a long time. After offering a sweet treat, they were about to punish Zhou Xu. Qian Yunhua then asked:

"What's the latest on the match we talked about before the New Year?"

"A little, but I should be able to prepare before the competition." Zhou Xu nodded immediately. He had just won these honors, and it was only right that the leaders wanted him to bring glory to the military region.

"That's good. You're our team's top prospect this year."

Liang Liang beckoned over and brought over the regimental commander's communications officer: "Tell the canteen to prepare some good dishes, especially some meat dishes!"

in the afternoon.

A group of people sat in the canteen. Because the Wuhan Military Region had become a little famous today because of Zhou Xu, everyone had an extra meal.

Zhou Xu actually loves meat, and he ate very happily today.

"..."

Two more days passed, and Zhou Xu did indeed make the most of his time to write, but what he wrote was a lot and quite varied.

As for the trainees, their basic training was basically over, and Zhou Xu no longer needed to train them; they returned directly to their units.

Bai Hua had originally planned to take Zhou Xu to see his play, but seeing Zhou Xu creating his own work, he decided not to disturb him.

Finally, Zhou Xu finished writing the piece he intended to use for the military arts performance. There were quite a few people in the studio who understood music, but he only had a good relationship with a handful. Zhou Xu first showed the song to Lei Yuansheng:

"Old Lei, what do you think of my new song?"

Lei Yuansheng put down his own work, which he had originally intended to show to Zhou Xu. He looked at the song Zhou Xu had just written.

All I saw was a large title on the manuscript: "When That Day Comes."

It's a bright and sunny morning!

The sound of pigeon whistles mingled with the reveille!

But the world is not at peace!
Even in times of peace, there are turbulent events!

Are you ready!?

Soldiers, brothers!
When that day finally comes!

Looking at the lyrics, Lei Yuansheng glanced at the sheet music, then pushed his own manuscript behind him, instantly feeling it paled in comparison!
Look at the songs that other people write?
The melody is powerful and majestic, as firm and forceful as a bugle call, which can definitely inspire the soldiers' passion and heroism, and make people feel a sense of pride and mission.

Holding the manuscript, Lei Yuansheng said excitedly, "Wow! Comrade Zhou Xu, this song you wrote is really good! Wait, I have to show it to the deputy commander."

Liang Liang is a first-class screenwriter because screenwriter is a general term used in professional rankings, but he is actually a composer.

It just so happened that Liang Liang was in the troupe these past few days, so Lei Yuansheng hurriedly picked up the manuscript.

Zhou Xu followed behind him and had no choice but to walk towards the door together.

The two walked to the office, and Lei Yuansheng went straight to the desk, slammed the manuscript on it, and said, "Deputy Commander, take a look at this song?"

Liang Liang glanced at the hurried Lei Yuansheng and swallowed the words he was about to say.

He nodded as he read, expressing the same feeling as Lei Yuansheng had just had. He said:

"The musical score of this song is simple in structure and grand in scale. It is in F-sharp minor and mainly uses leaps, often leaping to the core notes of the chord, which fully demonstrates the orderly training life of soldiers."

Next, Liang Liang went to look at the lyrics:

"When that day really comes!"
Don't worry, Motherland!
Don't worry, my dear!
For victory, I must bravely advance!

After reviewing the completed score, he looked at Lei Yuansheng with great surprise, put down the manuscript, and said with a smile, "Comrade Lei, did you write this song? It's really good. I didn't expect you to have this ability."

Hearing the first part, Lei Yuansheng was somewhat happy, but when the last sentence came down, his expression changed.

What does it mean to say that I never thought I had this ability?
Am I really that incompetent?

The gap between me and Zhou Xu isn't that big, is it?

Judging by the number of works produced, Zhou Xu is not as good as me!

Lei Yuansheng thought to himself, but he was certain that Zhou Xu was not the sole credit: "I didn't write this song. Comrade Zhou Xu wrote it. Commander Liang, please don't misunderstand."

Liang Liang picked up the manuscript again and said with a smile, "I knew it! When have you ever written a song like this? It would be normal if Comrade Zhou Xu wrote it!"

"Pfft!" Lei Yuansheng almost spat out a mouthful of blood. He immediately said, "Commander Liang, I'm still here. Aren't you being too hurtful by saying that?"

“Did it hurt you? I’ve always been this blunt,” Liang Liang said.

"Speaking of which, Xiao Zhou, this song you wrote is really good, its quality is comparable to 'The Song of a Strong Army'! You have to tell me about your creative process, I want to learn from you!!"

Zhou Xu immediately said, "I had this idea at the last commendation meeting. It was a feeling of pride that arose spontaneously! Later, when I was writing the novel, I kept thinking about creating it."

These past few days everyone's been busy preparing for the singers' performance, right? So I've been focusing on preparing this song.

Liang Liang nodded: "I see. You were a comrade who participated in the Sino-Vietnamese War, so it's not surprising that you could write this kind of song."

"That……"

"Why don't you go back and start selecting singers? The singer audition allows for solo performances as well as group performances," Liang Liang said.

"Yes, Commander." Zhou Xu saluted, then walked over and took the manuscript.

When working, address people by their job title. For general deputy positions, don't deliberately call them "deputy"! Zhou Xu has indeed started to study the progress guide.

After leaving the office, Lei Yuansheng asked, "Who are you planning to have study with?"

"Let me think about it? This song is actually more powerful when sung by male vocalists." Zhou Xu stroked his chin, deep in thought.

-

The previous chapters have been revised; they were probably the first few chapters before the book was published. If you're interested, go back and take a look.

I have read most of your comments, and I have made changes where possible. I will also handle any further comments as appropriate.

(End of this chapter)