1978: A Literary Giant Who Began His Military Service

Chapter 105 Future Planning!! (Please add to the list!)

A group of people arrived at the dance troupe's rehearsal hall.

The projectionist in front has already installed all the equipment.

A group of people found their seats and sat down.

The movie I watched today was the classic "Little Soldier Zhang Ga," the 1963 version.

Set against the backdrop of the War of Resistance against Japan, the film tells the story of Zhang Ga, a mischievous boy who grows into a young hero in the war. It is not only a classic anti-war film, but also focuses on the awakening and growth of young people during wartime, influencing generations of viewers.

Many later works were adapted from this film.

After watching the movie, Qian Yunhua walked to the stage in front of the dance studio and said slowly, "Besides watching the movie today, there's something else I want to announce to everyone!!"

Everyone stared at Qian Yunhua.

"The military region has decided to award Comrade Zhou Xu a first-class merit in literature and art in recognition of the widespread influence of his novels 'Wreath Under the Mountain' and 'Lurking'!"
In addition, his composition of the song "The Song of a Strong Army" has sparked a wave of learning throughout the entire army. We applaud and commend Comrade Zhou Xu!

A group of people burst into applause.

"Huh?" Zhang Fangfang looked at Han Rong in surprise: "Another first-class merit?"

"...I'm so envious! Comrade Zhou Xu has already earned two first-class merits before even going to military academy," Zhang Yibing said sourly.

"If you can write a novel that the entire army studies, you'll be awarded a first-class merit!"

"Stop talking, from now on we're not on the same side as Comrade Zhou Xu anymore!" The last person to sigh was Han Rong.

It has to be said that the team members saw it very clearly: Zhou Xu arrived later than them, but his achievements and promotion speed were much faster—that's the difference!
Zhou Xu went up to the podium.

Qian Yunhua handed him a hundred-yuan bonus and pinned the heavy First-Class Merit Medal to Zhou Xu's chest: "Let us once again congratulate Comrade Zhou Xu on receiving this honor!!!"

Another round of joyful applause erupted.

"From now on, all comrades should learn from Comrade Zhou Xu, so that our troops and our cultural troupe can flourish!" Qian Yunhua exclaimed before ending the award ceremony: "Alright, everyone, dismissed."

After the awards ceremony, the group dispersed.

Lei Yuansheng walked towards Zhou Xu: "Xiao Xu, you've been hiding your true abilities! You've got one impressive trick after another. I didn't even know you'd received a first-class merit!"

Su Yunping also sighed, "Indeed, it was so sudden, we were all completely dumbfounded."

"..."

Zhou Xu left after receiving the award.

It's already May, and the competition is getting closer and closer.

During this time, Zhou Xu practiced singing while also making time to write, as he was about to be commissioned to write an article.

Soon, another month or so had passed.

With the competition fast approaching, the political commissar handed Zhou Xu over to his office.

The political commissar reminded him, "In June, you, Xiong Jiayuan, and some comrades from the song and dance troupe should prepare. Remember to go to the capital to participate in the competition! I have basically arranged the specific itinerary and accommodation."

"Political Commissar. I understand." Zhou Xu responded immediately.

The political commissar looked up: "You must bring back a good ranking! Oh, and there's something else I want to tell you!"

Zhou Xu nodded: "About the military academy application, right?"

Zhou Xu was naturally concerned about military academy matters, since his main goal in joining the army was to get promoted as quickly as possible.

By 88, civilian and military personnel were separated, and the military ceased to exist.

Moreover, the promotion path in the arts and literature field is much faster than the normal promotion path. Although it is very difficult to advance to a higher level, Zhou Xu is thinking of trying to get a third-level promotion this year.

If you're lucky, after being promoted three levels, you can go to military academy to complete your studies and then be promoted again upon your return.

Of course, these are all his goals.

After all, those who stay in the military are all people who want to advance.

Zhou Xu was no exception. He never suppressed his desires. If he didn't want to be promoted, he would have applied for a career change when he was lame last year.

Back then, he still had the chance to pursue Gong Xue and Zhu Lin! Of course, having chosen this target, he was destined not to be seduced by beauty now, like Liu Xiaoli.

"It's about the military academy. The draft I'm submitting now will be around October, after the competition. You'll be starting the fall semester, which will be exactly two years since you enlisted!" The old political commissar nodded slowly. "That'll be the perfect time to apply to the higher-ups."

"I understand. Which school are you planning to help me apply to, Political Commissar?" Zhou Xu blinked his big eyes.

"I'll try to apply to the Nanjing Senior Army School," the political commissar said as he signed the papers.

"However... there's something I need to remind you of. Success isn't guaranteed, even though you received another first-class merit in arts and literature last time. But winning a prize in this competition would be a more secure option, so you've been chosen as the team leader this time. You'll lead the Victory Regiment to the General Political Department," the political commissar said.

Zhou Xu's eyes lit up upon hearing this!

In January 1978, the Nanjing Senior Infantry School was rebuilt based on the Nanjing Military Region's Military and Political Cadre School, and was also directly under the leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. In December 1980, with the approval of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Nanjing Senior Infantry School was reorganized and renamed the Nanjing Senior Army School.

The Nanjing Senior Army Academy generally recruits officers at the battalion level or above, so if Zhou Xu successfully advances three ranks and has two first-class merits, he will have the opportunity to apply for admission directly.

Therefore, the political commissar thought this method was feasible.

Zhou Xu's eyes welled up with tears as he listened. He ran over and almost started kissing the political commissar's feet: "Wow, leader, I'm going to cry!" "Pah, pah, you bastard! I've trained a regimental commander and a political commissar under my command, and I'm benefiting from it too! I'm making these plans for you so that you'll work harder!" the political commissar said.

After all, not everyone is completely selfless, but Zhou Xu listened to the political commissar's words and treated him exceptionally well.

Of course, it was a rare opportunity for the political commissar to encounter such an outstanding soldier as Zhou Xu in his teaching career.

Actually, Zhou Xu could understand it from a different perspective.

If he were placed in a fantasy novel, he would be an unparalleled genius who is blessed with a seven-colored divine deer and encounters a divine sword that recognizes him as its master.

Which military writer under twenty years old can earn a first-class combat merit? And have two or three works studied by the entire army? This achievement is rare even among first- and second-level screenwriters today, right?
So this is how a sect's supreme elder met a genius inner disciple.

"But why didn't the political commissar apply to the arts academy for me?"

The political commissar shook his head: "Don't you want to become a political commissar or a regimental commander? The restrictions at the Arts Academy are too great."

Zhou Xu nodded immediately, finally understanding the political commissar's good intentions.

He wouldn't serve as a company or battalion commander in a grassroots unit, but becoming a leader within a cultural troupe would be a good option. (The author dared not write this simply because of the regency.)
"I understand. I guarantee I'll complete the mission and bring home a first prize from the singing competition for the political commissar!!"

"Alright, good that you understand. You can go now." The political commissar patted Zhou Xu on the back, urging him to leave quickly.

Zhou Xu went straight to his dormitory and started packing his things and luggage.

It can get quite hot in the capital in June and July, so Zhou Xu should just pack a few lighter clothes... even though it seems like everyone in the military is in uniform?
The next day, Zhou Xu finished packing his things.

Zhou Xu accompanied Xiong Jiayuan out of the performing arts troupe.

Behind him followed other contestants from the performing arts troupe, including some instrumentalists.

Tao Huimin, Xiao Zhangyu, and other students went along to broaden their horizons because they could play musical instruments.

Zhou Xu carried his luggage, followed closely by the girls and musicians.

The group boarded the truck, all feeling incredibly excited. After all, they had been training together for two or three months and were just waiting to make a name for themselves in the singing competition.

"Huh!? This is your first time in Beijing, right?" Zhou Xu asked Tao Huimin.

Putting everything else aside, the girl was growing really fast at this age. Tao Huimin is fourteen years old this year, but she suddenly looks like she has grown to 1.6 meters tall.

Although Tao Huimin's height is pretty much set and she will only be this tall in the future, it's not Zhou Xu talking nonsense.

Tao Huimin nodded: "I've never been to the capital before!"

Zhou Xu looked at the little octopus: "And you, little octopus?"

The little octopus pouted helplessly and said, "Teacher, my name is Zhang Xiaoyu!"

"Okay, okay, Zhang Xiaoyu!" Zhou Xu reached out and pinched Zhang Xiaoyu's round cheeks.

He had no other feelings for these young trainees than the new recruits he had trained, so he treated them all like younger sisters.

Zhang Xiaoyu bit Zhou Xu's hand: "Teacher, you can't touch a girl's face!"

"Alright, I'm not teasing you anymore. We're getting ready to board the train. Remember to keep your instruments safe on the train."

Xiong Jiayuan looked at Zhou Xu and said, "Musical instruments? But we're wearing military uniforms, who would dare steal our things?"

Zhou Xu naturally felt that there was nothing wrong with what he said.

Every time I take the train, I deliberately change into a military uniform, and then I sleep much more soundly. Not only do I feel more secure, but the whole carriage feels much safer.

It has to be said that this is the sense of security that comes with the People's Liberation Army.

The people's army.

A group of people arrived at Wuchang Station, carried their luggage, went directly to the waiting hall, and boarded the train in no time.

Sitting on the train.

Several little girls stared with wide eyes.

Lei Yuansheng sat down with Zhou Xu and Xiong Jiayuan and sighed, "It's a pity that Lao Gao is retiring soon and won't be able to go with us."

"What's there to be so surprised about? It's just normal retirement, it's not like I'm doing anything anymore." Zhou Xu stared intently at the roof of the train, as if he could see the rust.

Seeing this, he remembered the movie "A World Without Thieves" that he had seen before, which was about a group of people fighting on a train.

"Ah Qiu! It's time to sleep." Zhou Xu immediately lay down in his seat.

"Hey? Sleeping?"

Zhou Xu said, "I was reading novels all night, just so I could get a good night's sleep on the bus today. Besides, who doesn't sleep on a bus?"

He said he would go to sleep.

But to be honest!

Even a direct trip from Wuhan to the capital would take a day and a night, so Zhou Xu decided to spend the time playing cards and sleeping.

"..."

(End of this chapter)