1978: A Literary Giant Who Began His Military Service

Chapter 132 Fundraising Memorial Hall (Seeking monthly votes)
Nanjing seemed unusually quiet that day.

That winter, "Nanjing Photo Studio" suddenly ignited the streets of Nanjing. A group of people were filled with a melancholy mood because the novel was so moving.

And then, whoosh!
This novel is a bestseller in Nanjing!

Nanjing is a city with a rich history, and even outsiders can be moved by it. Moreover, there are many people from Jiangsu here, and a group of people can empathize with the victims!
Meanwhile, the NJ city government was receiving a flood of letters from readers into its mailboxes.

The mailboxes downstairs in the city government office building were already overflowing, and mail carriers were carrying stacks of letters upstairs. The handwriting on the envelopes was dense and mostly showed signs of urgency.

Mayor Li, who had just finished a meeting, passed by the mailroom and, glancing at the mountain of letters, paused in his tracks: "What urgent matter has been received?"

Old Zhang from the mailroom quickly explained, "Mayor, these are all letters from readers! Recently, Comrade Zhou Xu's 'Nanjing Photo Studio' has become very popular. After reading it, everyone is calling for us to establish a memorial hall for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre by the Japanese invaders, so that the victims can have a memory and future generations can remember this history."

The original world: The Memorial Hall of the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre, also known as the Memorial Hall of the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, began construction in 1983 and was completed and opened to the public on August 15, 1985.

Mayor Li casually picked up the top letter, quickly scanned the words, and was overwhelmed by the sincerity and indignation between the lines.

The envelope was in neat, feminine handwriting. The letter read: “I am a middle school history teacher. After reading ‘The Nanjing Photo Studio,’ many students cried and asked me in class why there isn’t even a proper memorial for those compatriots who perished. The children said they wanted to remember their names and know that they had truly lived. I earnestly request the government to build a memorial hall so that the 300,000 innocent souls can rest in peace and future generations can have a place to remember them.”

A thought struck him: how poignant were these children's questions! Our generation has a responsibility to help them preserve their memories, and not let history remain only in books.

Tears welled up in my eyes; I felt both excited and sad.

Another letter was found, the handwriting strong and vigorous, the ink slightly blurred, revealing the writer's intense emotion: "As a retired soldier, I read countless historical materials about the War of Resistance during my time in the army, but the plight of civilians depicted in 'The Nanjing Photo Studio' still keeps me up at night. The blood of 300,000 compatriots cannot be shed in vain. We need a cemetery, not to perpetuate hatred, but to remember the lessons. Let future generations know that backwardness invites aggression, and that peace is hard-won!"

Mayor Li ran his fingers over the letter; the veteran's words struck a chord. The memorial hall is not a symbol of hatred, but a warning bell, ensuring that every Chinese person remembers this humiliation and pain.

Turning the page further, there was a letter with childlike handwriting and tiny white flowers drawn along the edge: "I am 16 years old this year. After reading the novel, my classmates and I researched a lot of information, and the more we researched, the more upset we became. Those uncles, aunts, grandfathers, and grandmothers struggled in the darkest days, but they couldn't leave their names. I hope someone can write down their stories so we can visit them often, remember them forever, and not let history be forgotten."

His nose tingled with emotion; the pure feelings of young people are the most touching. These children are the hope of the future, and building a memorial hall is to give them a vessel to touch history and pass on their spirit, so that they don't have only a vague understanding of this past.

"I need to inform the municipal party committee and the municipal government. I think this matter really needs to be reported to higher authorities! So many memorial halls have been built across the country for the War of Resistance Against Japan and the Crossing the Yangtze River Campaign, but why isn't there a memorial hall dedicated to our compatriots?!"

The next day, a meeting was held in the city.

Originally, after the establishment of the Crossing the Yangtze River Memorial Hall, the municipal government had already considered establishing a "Memorial Hall for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders." Coincidentally, Zhou Xu's novel ran right into the crossfire!

So they started discussing this matter and casually came up with the idea of ​​using Zhou Xu's "Nanjing Photo Studio" for promotion!

After a long discussion, the leader finally said, "Although the timing is excellent, we don't have the funds right now! Building a memorial hall requires money..."

“…Urban development requires economic construction, and now spending money to build a memorial hall is a waste of public funds.”

"Then donate! If you don't have money, raise funds!!" The city secretary slammed his fist on the table and said, "Nanjing hasn't had this kind of vitality in a long time!! Harbin has even started to respond to the 731 incident, and has subscribed to 10,000 copies of 'Harvest' magazine for its factories to study. We, Nanjing, cannot fall behind!"

Besides, this should have been built decades ago. Now that nationalistic sentiments are running high, we should take advantage of this time to build this memorial hall!

"..."

the next day.

The Xinhua Daily, Nanjing's largest newspaper, published the following:

"Following government discussions and approval from higher authorities, it has been decided to establish the 'Memorial Hall for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders' in Nanjing. This notice is issued to inform all citizens and to solicit donations!!!"

In the 1980s, China was relatively poor, extremely poor. The Asian Games were held only after receiving donations, and many of the buildings were funded by donations.

So even though Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu province, it is still poor!
The memorial hall would cost at least several million, and they might not even have the money.

but.

Because "Nanjing Photo Studio" ignited nationalistic sentiments throughout the city, coupled with the current era of collective prosperity, a considerable number of people donated money.

Moreover, many people support the municipal government's move: "The Memorial Hall for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders should have been established long ago. Support the government's activities!!"

"I'll donate ten yuan! This is half a month's salary; consider it a donation for the country!!"

"I'll donate one thousand yuan!"

"I'll donate 50 cents."

"..."

We returned to the courtyard.

Zhou Xu also saw the news. After a moment's thought, he realized that the root of the problem lay in the novel he had written. Finally, Zhou Xu decided to donate as well, not just because he was a public figure, but because he felt he should.

in the afternoon.

Zhou Xu took the royalties sent by Harvest magazine to the outside of the municipal government office.

"I'm Zhou Xu, can you help me find the director?"

The security guard, Xiao Zhang, said, "Are you Zhou Xu? I'm still Niu Xu... Donations are made outside the gate..."

Snap!
Xiao Zhang felt as if he had been struck on the head. When he turned around, Director Zhang from the donation office walked over and said, "Teacher Zhou Xu, hello!"

Xiao Zhang was completely dumbfounded!
So, the person behind your milk is Zhou Xu? The writer Zhou Xu!
But seeing how young he was, he subconsciously ignored it, assuming that writers were all elderly. He immediately apologized, "Professor Zhou Xu, I'm sorry, I don't know you!"

Zhou Xu waved his hand: "There are plenty of people who don't know me, it's okay, not everyone needs to know me."

"But we Nanjing people should all remember your name! Your novel is excellent! You made the whole country remember the Nanjing disaster once again!" Director Zhang immediately shook hands with Zhou Xu.

Zhou Xu was taken aback, not expecting it to be so important. He smiled and replied, "It's nothing, these are things I should do. I also really like Nanjing!"

"Teacher Zhou, is there something you want to tell me?" Director Zhang tapped the gatekeeper on the head again and led Zhou Xu into the house.

Zhou Xu donated all his postage payments: "All royalties and income received by 'Nanjing Photo Studio' will be donated to the NJ Municipal Government in my own name and in the name of the military!!!"

"All of it? That's a thousand yuan!" Director Zhang was stunned.

A thousand dollars is a huge sum of money in this day and age!
For an individual, it can change their lifestyle; eating meat every day wouldn't be excessive.

"Thank you so much, Comrade Zhou Xu. On behalf of everyone in Nanjing, I thank you for your kindness!" Director Zhang replied, "No, we will report on your deeds in the newspaper tomorrow, Teacher Zhou Xu!"

Zhou Xu was taken aback: "Isn't that enough?"

"Why not use it! We should remember history, and we should also remember great writers like you!"

Zhou Xu knew that people were currently in the spotlight, so they even used the word "great," even though he himself felt he didn't deserve the word "great."

the next day.

Zhou Xu's good deed has indeed made it into the Xinhua Daily!
"Comrade Zhou Xu donated all his royalties from his work at the 'Nanjing Photo Studio' to help build a memorial hall in Nanjing!!!"

At this point, Zhou Xu's support in Jiangsu and Nanjing had reached an unstoppable peak!

While he may not become a so-called national hero overnight, Zhou Xu is already recognized in Nanjing as the writer with the greatest "social conscience and merit".

Not only did he write an article commemorating the victims of the Nanjing Massacre, "Nanjing Photo Studio," but he also donated all of his royalties to Nanjing!
Zhou Xu! You're so kind and inspiring!!!
in the afternoon.

The girl who got the newspaper immediately rushed to Zhou Xu's house.

"Hey, you really donated? That's a thousand yuan!" Yao Fanghua was so moved by Zhou Xu that she burst into tears.

Zhou Xu had also thought that since he had done such a big thing, he would definitely be criticized if he didn't donate something: "Of course, I donated it all."

Yao Fanghua's eyes instantly welled up with tears. Filled with excitement and gratitude, she ran quickly toward Zhou Xu, her voice still choked with emotion: "You are such a good person!"

Before she finished speaking, she hugged Zhou Xu tightly. Zhou Xu could clearly feel a soft embrace coming towards him—Yao Fanghua was a dancer, and her body was as delicate and smooth as silk, and when she pressed against him, it was full of warm and soft touch.

A strange yet pleasant fragrance wafted into his nostrils. He had always thought that "body fragrance" was just a rumor, but now he could truly feel the unique and elegant aura emanating from this girl.

Her body was warm, the warmth seeping through the sweater fabric, feeling incredibly real. Zhou Xu didn't push her away, but gently raised his hand and patted her back, his tone gentle yet tinged with helplessness:
"Okay, okay, it's not that outrageous."

Yao Fanghua stiffened, then immediately stood up and stepped aside: "Ahem, sorry, I got a little emotional!"

Zhou Xu joked, "It's okay, I'm the one who benefited, although you also got a little bit!"

As she spoke, her face grew increasingly red, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Zhou Xu. She struggled more and more internally, and her feelings for Zhou Xu grew stronger and stronger.

"Oh……"

"Why are you blushing?" Zhou Xu took the initiative.

"nothing!!"

(End of this chapter)