1978: A Literary Giant Who Began His Military Service

Chapter 108 Heroes of the world are as numerous as carp crossing a river!

June 10th.

Team leader Zhou Xu stood downstairs at the dormitory building. It was quite hot today, and he stood ramrod straight with his hands behind his back.

He whistled: "Victory Cultural Troupe, assemble!"

Upon hearing Zhou Xu's shout, a noisy commotion erupted on one floor, and a group of people quickly dressed and ran downstairs.

"..."

Ahem, Zhou Xu rarely adopted this kind of leadership demeanor, so he was actually a little unaccustomed to it. He pretended to look at the main group with a very serious expression.

Soon, one by one, the group members carried their belongings downstairs and gathered at the entrance.

Zhou Xu stood in front of them. He coughed and said, "Comrades! Today is the day our Victory Art Troupe participates in the singing competition. I know you're all in good spirits during your rest period in the capital, but it must be clear—relaxation is temporary, and training discipline cannot be relaxed in the slightest!"
We're not here for empty rhetoric about "friendship first." Our entire performing arts troupe has only one goal: to win first prize! And only first prize! From this moment on, everyone give it your all and fight for honor!

The military isn't a school; it rarely teaches you to prioritize friendship over competition. A soldier's primary requirement is courage and fighting spirit!

Zhou Xu took a step forward: "Did you hear that?"

Lei Yuansheng, amidst a group of people, shouted back, "We heard you!"

"..."

However, as a leader, one must pay special attention to one's image, and it is best to cultivate such an image in daily life.

People in society are inherently labeled individuals, and this image must be cultivated in all aspects of life, whether it's online live streaming or various social interactions.

For a group of people, Zhou Xu wasn't exactly a friend in the strict sense.

He often maintained a rather indifferent attitude towards this group of people.

Therefore, he only became authoritative when he transformed into a leader.

Conversely, if someone like Li Ziqiang, who often jokes around with everyone, were promoted to a leadership position within the performing arts troupe, the group wouldn't be convinced.

"..."

Lei Yuansheng watched the scene of his mobilization and Zhou Xu's expression and actions. Although Zhou Xu was mischievous in front of the political commissar, he was a teacher among the members of the Youth League.

He still felt that Zhou Xu did have potential.

"Ahem, everyone, let's head towards the auditorium." Zhou Xu led the way.

This performance by singers from the cultural troupe was held in the auditorium of the General Political Department.

The competition lasted for quite a long time. Apart from their own Shengli Cultural Troupe, cultural troupes from the 11th Military Region and cultural troupes of all sizes from various places sent people to participate in the competition.

Zhou Xu assessed his opponents. To be honest, he noticed someone from the General Political Department's Naval Song and Dance Troupe... Su Xiaoming was performing "Night at the Military Port" for the first time!

After the song was performed in the competition, it was also performed at the "Golden Autumn Concert" of the Beijing Evening News, which made it a nationwide sensation.

He was also the champion in the previous life, so he should be Zhou Xu's biggest rival.

"..."

The group entered the auditorium.

There is a relatively large stage in front, and steps leading down from the back. This auditorium is larger than that of the Shengli Cultural Troupe.

Liu Jia, who was in charge inside, immediately waved to Zhou Xu upon seeing him: "Over here, over here!"

Zhou Xu led a group of people toward her: "Where is our Shengli Cultural Troupe located?"

Liu Jia walked ahead: "Just follow me, I'll show you the way!"

The two quickly reached a position near the front.

After all, the cultural troupes of the 11th Military Region had to be respected, so the first group to sit down were the large cultural troupes of the 11th Military Region and the General Political Department, and then the contestants from the smaller cultural troupes gradually took their seats.

As soon as Zhou Xu sat down, some people in the Air Force Political Department's team looked up.

Liu Jia introduced, "Do you know who that is?"

"Who is it?" Zhou Xu looked at the face of the person staring at him and felt that it was somewhat familiar!
Liu Jia said, "Yan Su, the veteran composer of the Air Force Political Department Art Troupe!"

At this point, Zhou Xu finally understood.

Who is Yan Su?

He joined the army in 1950. In 1952, he went to North Korea to perform for the troops and was then transferred to the Air Force Political Department Art Troupe.

Later, he created the opera "Sister Jiang," which earned him a summons from his teacher. He also composed the theme song "Where is the Road Ahead?" for "Journey to the West," though this work has not yet been completed.

They're veterans of the performing arts troupe.

Yan Su stood up and walked over: "Is this young friend from the Victory Art Troupe Comrade Zhou Xu?"

Yan Su was slightly overweight and his teeth were not very straight, but his smile was quite gentle, although Zhou Xu could not see his eyes.

"Hello, Professor Yan Su, I am Zhou Xu." Zhou Xu stood up and shook hands with Yan Su.

The older generation has to take this seriously. He's following the same path as the older comrades.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Your 'Song of Strengthening the Army' is truly excellent. We in the Air Force Political Department are all studying it."

Liu Jia stuck out her tongue: "Teacher, it's not just your Air Force Political Department, our entire General Political Department Drama Troupe is learning from this!!"

"Haha! See that? Your song composition is fantastic!" Yan Su said.

At this moment, the Zhan You Song and Dance Troupe from the Beijing Military Region also walked towards them. The person leading the troupe was named Zang Yunfei.

Zang Yunfei called out, "Comrade Yan Su, it's been a long time!"

"So it's Yunfei! Let me introduce you, this is the legendary Comrade Zhou Xu."

Zang Yunfei looked at Zhou Xu and immediately extended his hand: "I didn't know Comrade Zhou Xu was so young! I've heard so much about you."

"You are Comrade Zang Yunfei." Zang Yunfei achieved great success in his later years.

His musical works include "One Two Three Four Song", "Soldiers", "Mount Everest", and "Three Hundred and Sixty-Five Blessings". He served as the chief screenwriter and director of the TV series "Red Star Over China" and participated in the work related to film and television works such as "Soldiers Sortie", "Three Kingdoms", and "Tangshan Earthquake".

"Your 'Song of Strengthening the Army' is truly outstanding. Not only the Air Force Political Department and the Navy Political Department, but our comrades-in-arms group is also studying it. However, everyone is discussing where you are from. I didn't expect the Victory Art Troupe to be full of hidden talents."

The group of people from the Shengli Cultural Troupe had their heads down. The oldest among them was Lei Yuansheng, who was only thirty years old.

It's true that they can't compare to these veteran creators.

"By the way, Comrade Zhou Xu also wrote a song for the competition?" Zang Yunfei seized the opportunity to gather information.

"I wrote one, but I didn't sing it."

Yan Su said with a smile, "I really want to hear what kind of song Comrade Xiao Zhou has written."

After a brief discussion, a group of people from the Navy Political Department and the Zhanqi Song and Dance Troupe came over to greet them.

The most famous singer from Zhanqi is Yongxi, who sang "On the Golden Mountain of Beijing," and of course, Sister Bao, but she didn't participate in this competition.

"..."

The group quickly sat back down.

The host walked to the center of the auditorium: "Today we officially begin our first singing competition since the reform and opening up..."

After the host gave an introduction, the performance competition quickly began. The General Political Department Song and Dance Troupe took the lead, and the representative sent by the General Political Department Song and Dance Troupe was Yan Weiwen, who would later become very famous.

It's Yan Weiwen, the one who sang "Little White Poplar".

Later, the comrades-in-arms group also sent someone up, who is now very famous in the comrades-in-arms group, Geng Lianfeng.

Geng Lianfeng has performed at the Great Hall of the People.

Following them are Chen Xiaotao, Yong Xi...

Zhou Xu felt that everyone present was an exceptional individual, and these famous people in later generations would at least have been promoted to a first-level administrative position...

Really!

Heroes from all over the world are as numerous as carp crossing a river!

"..."

"Let's welcome Comrade Su Xiaoming, a singer from the Naval Political Department Song and Dance Troupe, to perform 'Night at the Naval Port'!!!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a group of people burst into applause.

Actually, this song really suits the Navy Political Department. At the time, the leaders were quite worried about how to get it into the competition, so they specially wrote the lyrics and composed the music for this song.

When "Night at the Military Port" came out, Yan Weiwen and Geng Lianfeng, who had performed before, paled in comparison. At the end of the performance, the other contestants and judges in the audience applauded and cheered.

This song really caused quite a stir in the 1980s. It became one of Su Xiaoming's signature works!
"Who wrote this song for the Navy Political Department?" Zang Yunfei asked in surprise.

Yan Su said, "It seems that Ma Jinxing wrote the lyrics and Liu Shizhao composed the music!"

"Hiss... Not bad, not bad." Zang Yunfei nodded.

"..."

Zhou Xu also thought it was good.

Xiong Jiayuan coughed.

Zhou Xu asked, "Old Xiong, don't be nervous. Our Victory Group is just as good."

They're both military cultural troupes, so there's no difference in their rank!

"It's nothing, I'm not afraid! Cough cough, let me clear my throat."

Soon, the host began to speak:

"Next up, we invite Comrade Xiong Jiayuan from the Shengli Art Troupe to sing 'When That Day Comes,' a song with lyrics and music by Comrade Zhou Xu!!"

The host has finished speaking.

Xiong Jiayuan straightened his military uniform, while the musicians behind him were all eager to get started.

After all, everyone wanted to make a name for themselves in this first all-army exercise since the reform and opening up.

There are arts and cultural competitions held by the entire military, and there are also military skills competitions for soldiers! These are competitions where the best individuals from each unit are selected. While the latter may be more prestigious, the singers' performances are equally impressive.

"..."

Xiong Jiayuan quickly stood on the competition stage, the instrumental team sat below, and Xiong Jiayuan picked up the microphone...

After coughing once.

Lei Yuansheng nodded and gently waved his baton. Although the instrumental ensemble was streamlined, the loud and powerful music instantly filled the entire auditorium thanks to the microphone.

Xiong Jiayuan waited a while, then began to speak:

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, brothers in arms?
When that day finally comes!
Rest assured, Motherland! Rest assured, loved ones!
For victory! I will bravely advance!

"..."

When Xiong Jiayuan started singing, the audience fell silent instantly. Everyone listened intently to the song, since everyone present was either a singer or a lyricist and composer, and no one was unfamiliar with music!
They stared intently at Xiong Jiayuan on the stage!

Less than ten minutes later, Xiong Jiayuan finished his performance. He looked at the silent audience and was lost in thought.

(End of this chapter)