1978: A Literary Giant Who Began His Military Service

Chapter 115 This soldier's service was worthwhile

In the afternoon, the performing arts troupe performed as usual.

Zhou Xu watched from below the stage.

The group below started singing songs. This is probably an activity that the group does before every major meeting or movie screening, right?

"First Company!" The platoon leader of the Second Company was in front.

"one comes!"

"Let you sing!"

"You sing!"

"Shy and hesitant!"

"What do you want!" The soldiers of the Second Company took the lead in slapping their knees and making a commotion, their palms striking their military trousers in unison. Several soldiers in the front row even deliberately pushed their hats back, their eyes full of provocation.

A tall squad leader immediately stood up from the ranks, raised his arm, and said, "If you want me to sing, I'll sing. Where does that leave my pride?"

"..." These phrases are classic for rallying songs.

Even if you don't sing well, you must have enough energy and spirit.

Officer Li waved his hand: "First Company, listen up, prepare for the new journey!"

"Listen! The bugle call of the new journey has sounded! The goal of building a strong military beckons us forward! If the nation is to be strong, we must shoulder the responsibility!"

After the song ended, Officer Li said, "Everyone, the song we just sang was composed by Comrade Zhou Xu, a composer from our Wuhan Military Region, on the eve of the Sino-Vietnamese War, called 'The Song of a Strong Army'!"
Not only that, Comrade Zhou Xu is also the author of the books we often read, such as "Lurking" and "Wreath at the Foot of the Mountain"! Next, let's invite Comrade Zhou Xu to come forward and give a speech and sing a song!

Generally speaking, local military regions tend to favor their own writers. The Wuhan Military Region has the most subscriptions to Zhou Xu's novels among the major military regions, so the soldiers of the entire army have basically studied his works.

"Heave-ho! Oh!! Oh!!"

"oh!!"

The shouts from below were incredibly loud.

Zhou Xu was forced into this role, but a writer who can't give speeches or talk to his soldiers can't be considered a good leader.

He stood up.

Immediately, even louder shouts rang out from the troops!

"Ooooooooo!!!"

To understand this, just look at Xu Sanduo's influence in the military. Back in 2010, almost every soldier knew Wang Baoqiang, and most people joined the army because of Xu Sanduo.

Zhou Xu has produced numerous works in two years, and his influence in the military is now among the leading ranks of young military writers.

"Lurking" moved soldiers, "Garland Under the Mountain" inspired countless people to go to the front lines to fight the enemy, and even today's "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" has stirred up a strong sense of national pride.

Zhou Xu held the microphone and waited for the cheers to end before speaking: "Thank you all for your love and support of my work."

Although the military region subscribed to Zhou Xu's novels, would the military region have subscribed if the soldiers in these units hadn't shown such strong liking for his work? So Zhou Xu understood the cause and effect.

"Teacher Zhou Xu, I joined the army after watching your TV series 'Lurking'!!"

"Teacher Zhou Xu, I read the movie 'Garland' and the character who joined the army!!!"

"Teacher Zhou!! Your 'Song of a Strong Army' is wonderful!!"

"..."

The audience was incredibly enthusiastic.

After all, both of Zhou Xu's works were published last year, just a few months before he joined the army. Therefore, they influenced many young people, which is why Zhou Xu's first-class merit award was approved so quickly.

"One more, one more!! Zhou Xu!"

Zhou Xu looked at the group of soldiers: "Comrades, let me catch my breath first. Your enthusiasm is even more intense than the inspiration I have when I'm writing a novel! I also want to thank you all for your love once again."

Next up is the song "When That Day Comes"! I composed this song for a singing competition, so you might not have heard it before! But I believe you'll all love this new piece!! *Ahem*, Lei Yuansheng, get ready!

"..."

Lei Yuansheng and his instrumental troupe were already seated, and the song and dance troupe members had also come onto the stage. Zhou Xu had no choice but to start: "It's a bright morning, with the sound of pigeons whistling and the reveille!!!"

Zhou Xu finished.

The song and dance troupe continued, following his song: "But this world is not peaceful! Even in times of peace, there are turbulent times! Are you ready, brothers in arms?"

"it is good!!"

A burst of applause erupted from below.

After Zhou Xu finished singing, he immediately sat back down in the front row.

Officer Li handed him a cigarette, which Zhou Xu took with a slight surprise. Officer Li lit it for him, saying, "Comrade Zhou Xu! Don't be so formal. Soldiers are just that hospitable."

Zhou Xu nodded: "I was just a little surprised."

In this situation, Zhou Xu was slightly moved. It was a feeling of being recognized, just like Xu Sanduo was too moved to speak after being recognized by the Seventh Company.

Zhou Xu had been creating his work for two years, and this time when he went to the troops, everything seemed to change suddenly. Countless soldiers looked at him with excitement and affection!
Indeed, fame has a time lag; it was a year after "Wreath at the Foot of the Mountain" was published that Zhou Xu's reputation resounded throughout the Wuhan Military Region.

After taking a drag of his cigarette, Zhou Xu realized that joining the army was worthwhile.

It's like he originally didn't want to join the army, but after being gradually persuaded, he actually started to like the feeling of military life.

"I really like your 'Lurking'!" The company commander shook hands with Zhou Xu.

He didn't underestimate Zhou Xu, knowing that the cadres leading the cultural troupe were at least one battalion commander, and even the deputy battalion commander was still a battalion commander.

The second company commander also ran over to shake hands.

"..."

After the first performance ended, Zhou Xu stood up again: "The next performance is still by our Victory Art Troupe, performing 'The Song of a Strong Army'!"

The show continues.

Next, Xiong Jiayuan sang a solo, and the dance troupe performed "Sister Jiang"... After two or three hours, it was over.

The cultural troupe members had just stood up. Officer Li immediately stood up: "First, second, third company!"

Everyone stood up: "Evacuate in an orderly manner."

Zhou Xu also went over to organize the team: "Dance troupe, assemble! Count off!"

"one two three four……"

"Where is the other person?"

"Going to the bathroom."

"Okay!" Zhou Xu nodded: "Meet at the entrance when you leave, and return to the cultural troupe in the evening."

"..."

Following closely behind the cultural troupe, Zhou Xu stepped out. He exhaled a long puff of smoke. A writer who doesn't smoke can't be pretentious, and a leader who doesn't smoke isn't respectable either.

Although he rarely smokes, there's nothing he can do about it; smoking has been a custom for decades.

They had just come out of the auditorium.

A soldier from the other company said to his company commander, "Company commander, can I ask Teacher Zhou for an autograph?"

"Oh? Get one for me too!"

"I want to go too..."

The company commander was moved and waved his hand, saying, "Keep your voices down, don't let the second and third companies know!"

The soldiers of the first company walked to the door and then walked towards Zhou Xu.

Before the group could celebrate for long, soldiers from the second and third companies came from all directions and headed towards Zhou Xu's position.

Zhou Xu didn't move, waiting for a group of people to surround him.

"Could you please sign your name, Mr. Zhou Xu?"

"I want one too! Sign it in my book!"

"..."

Zhou Xu took out a pen and signed each of them one by one. As a military writer, he had to be as close to the grassroots soldiers as the leaders.

How should I put it? Is this considered a rule within the system? If you're not approachable, what kind of cadre are you? Although some people may not actually achieve it, the appearance is a must.

The battalion commander walked over and shouted, "What are you doing?"

The group of soldiers were stunned for a moment, then stood up one after another.

The battalion commander walked over and pulled Zhou Xu out of the crowd: "Alright, alright, Comrade Zhou Xu is going back to the cultural troupe, everyone disperse!"

After everyone had left, the battalion commander took out a magazine: "Comrade Zhou Xu, about the autograph?"

Zhou Xu, being pragmatic, also signed the document.

"Knowing that you were leaving tonight, I came here specifically to see you off."

The battalion commander saluted and said, "Thank you for your help with this performance. I really didn't expect the soldiers to take up so much of your time, more than an hour longer than expected! I'm so sorry!"

Zhou Xu waved his hand and shook hands with the battalion commander: "There's no need to apologize. It's my honor that the soldiers like my work! Our cultural troupe came to the grassroots to cheer you on!"

"This is troublesome, this is troublesome."

"Alright, Battalion Commander, I'll be leaving now. See you next time!"

"Bye now!"

Zhou Xu waved his hand again, this time bidding farewell to the battalion commander.

Back at the truck, the driver saluted: "Captain Zhou!"

The members of the song and dance troupe did not get on the bus, but stood neatly in place.

Zhou Xu nodded slightly: "Is everyone assembled? Tao Huimin, begin counting off!"

"one two three four……"

"Report, everyone is present."

"Get in the car! I just called the troupe's canteen. If we go back now, we can still have a hot meal!" Zhou Xu waved his hand, and a group of people immediately climbed into the car.

Zhou Xu lent a hand and then got into the car.

As soon as he sat down, Lei Yuansheng exclaimed, "Comrade Zhou Xu, you are becoming more and more like a leader."

"Really?" Zhou Xu smiled slightly.

"Of course." Xiong Jiayuan nodded.

However, Zhou Xu felt that his future was to inherit... well, I mean, to strive towards becoming the head of the cultural troupe, and then take the next step up to enter the political department...

……

A group of people returned to the performing arts troupe.

Captain Zhou just notified the canteen to add a meat dish for the dance troupe members and made sure to leave hot water for the evening.

Actually, going to the grassroots level is quite hard work for the performing arts troupe, but there is a subsidy for going to the grassroots level. Compared with the normal salary, each time you go to the grassroots level, you will receive an extra one or two yuan.

Zhou Xu also got a bowl of rice, with spare ribs as an extra dish, and cucumber and dried tofu as the rest.

He ate alright.

After finishing his meal, Zhou Xu took a shower and went straight back to his dorm.

The next morning, the political commissar knocked on Zhou Xu's dormitory door early in the morning.

"Political Commissar?" Zhou Xu asked in surprise.

"Come here quickly, to my office. I have something to tell you. You all came back too late yesterday, so I didn't have time to talk to you," the political commissar said.

(End of this chapter)