1978: A Literary Giant Who Began His Military Service

Chapter 17 Shock!

Listening to these people talking, Wang Kang felt a surge of jealousy: "What are they talking about? It's just writing an article outside, right? We have teachers in our village who go to the county to edit manuscripts! And they haven't been promoted!"

The official found Wang Kang's ignorant remarks laughable.

Knowing that this kind of person was just being sarcastic, he continued, "You don't even understand what a magazine is, so don't say things like that. It's disgusting to hear!"

"What don't I understand? Isn't a magazine just a publishing house? What other difference could there be?" Wang Kang retorted.

The others chimed in, "That's right, isn't a magazine just a publication for the comic books we read? What's so special about it?"

One official complained, "Let me ask you a question: can you distinguish between national, provincial, and municipal publications?"

"So what if it's run by the government? It's a national-level project, isn't it? What's the big deal?"

"Alright, let me ask you another question... Has that middle school teacher you mentioned ever published in a provincial-level or higher journal, let alone a national-level one?" The cadre was unconvinced; these people didn't understand the true value of Zhou Xu's work at all!
"..." Wang Kang was speechless after being rebuked; it seemed that only the county had revised the manuscript.

"Let me tell you, those who have published their works in provincial magazines are at the level of writers in our Shengli Art Troupe. Many of them are only at the level of city-level publications. The vast majority of writers have never published their works in 'PLA Literature and Art'!" The cadre said while smoking.

He felt that although literature was not high and mighty, it was indeed clearly divided into different levels.

Especially serious literature!

Some people never figure out how to publish their novels in national-level magazines; this is a difference in talent.

Talent is clearly defined.

While "PLA Literature and Art" isn't among the top-tier national magazines, it's definitely one of the more established and capable publications, and it's not something a group of provincial-level writers can compete with.

"Let's not talk about literary potential, which you wouldn't understand. Let's talk about royalties. This guy has published a novel... and he's making tens or hundreds of dollars. What right do you have to look down on him?" the cadre complained.

"Wow! So much money?"

"The payment is based on word count. If he writes a lot, two or three hundred yuan is not a problem!"

"Dig a trench?"

Zhou Youcai was the first to be stunned upon hearing the news…

Zhou Youcai then realized that the difference between an elite soldier and an ordinary soldier was not just on the surface. A deep sense of loss swept over him and over everyone in the company.

The officer stood up, cigarette in hand, and said, "I'm not saying anything more. Some people wouldn't understand anyway. Damn it, how could someone like this appear in your recruit company! I'm leaving now!"

"..."

The group of people then started chattering again.

"Oh dear, it would have been better to transfer him to a front-line company! How come Comrade Zhou Xu is so outstanding? Could he have just gone to a company to gain experience?"

Zhou Youcai retorted on behalf of his brother: "Gold plating? There's no need for gold plating, he's from the same village as me!"

"But there are advantages too! If Comrade Zhou Xu is transferred, we'll have one less competitor during the new recruit assessment!"

"Your explanation is perfect. Now I look at Comrade Zhou Xu with gratitude! How could I possibly have a chance to be promoted or transferred to the second or third term if I competed with him?"

Their eyes were filled with envy.

It wasn't just about the royalties; it was more about his future prospects in the military... Listening to what the officer had just said, they seemed to understand how promising Zhou Xu's future was!

After dinner.

A group of people went to train in the evening, and as usual, Zhou Xu was not present that night.

I didn't get back to my dorm until evening.

The first thing that caught the eye of the third squad was a large backpack, which was issued to them when they joined the company... The group also learned that Zhou Xu was about to leave.

Then they went inside, where Zhou Xu was still leisurely reading a novel while lying on the bed.

"Brother Xu!"

I don't know which little devil shouted first.

Zhou Xu looked over and saw Li Xiang's fawning face.

"Hey? You guys are back!"

"Holy crap! You didn't go to training?" Zhou Youcai asked.

"The company commander and the clerk said they'd give me half a day off this afternoon so I could get myself together and take the bus tomorrow..." Zhou Xu said.

He was unaware that his deeds had already spread throughout the entire recruit company, so he remained indifferent.

It wasn't until Liu Xiang asked, "Brother Xu? They said you went to the capital to revise your manuscript? Is that true?"

Zhou Xu looked around: "Huh? Everyone already knows?"

"Pretty much! How could I not know?" "That's it then, the clerk did indeed inform the company commander about this!"

"..."

Only after Zhou Xu personally admitted it did the group feel relieved, and their gazes towards Zhou Xu changed from envy to admiration.

This kind of person really does enter the army to get promoted.

This journey!
First he received a third-class merit award, then he was ranked first in all training exercises.

We've now entered the capital!
The future is bright!
Who turned on the light? I can't see anything in front of me at all. Oh, it's Brother Xu's bright future!

"Brother Xu! Have a smoke!" Li Dafu took out his treasured cigarettes.

"Pah!" Zhang Duoyu took out a pack of Peony cigarettes from his bag. "Does your cigarette deserve our Brother Xu?"

"Tsk! Flattery!" Liu Xiang complained about the two.

"Brother Xu, when you become a company commander in the future, no... you'll at least be a regimental commander. Once you're a regimental commander... I'll talk about becoming a volunteer soldier!"

"..."

Seeing that everyone was starting to bribe Zhou Xu, Li Jin immediately reprimanded them: "What are you doing! What are you doing! Even if Zhou Xu really becomes a regimental commander, by the time he does, you'll all be discharged! If you persevere until he becomes a regimental commander, maybe he can transfer you to volunteer soldiers! But can you do that!"

"..." Zhou Xu smiled slightly: "Don't think too highly of it, everyone. I'm just going to the capital to revise the manuscript. I'll be back in about a month. It's not like I'm being transferred to the capital! Basic training will continue!"

Squad Leader Li nodded: "Zhou Xu, don't worry, I've saved your spot for you!"

In the evening, the group continued their cheerful conversation and began discussing other things.

The flattery just now was all a joke between brothers.

Most people in a dormitory get along quite well now.

……

The next day, Zhou Xu slept in late, a rare occurrence, and didn't get up until 10 a.m.

He slowly got up.

Then I started washing up.

Finally, he put his things into his backpack.

With his backpack on, he looked like a wanderer stepping out of the gate.

"The clerk?" Zhou Xu arrived at the office building and found the clerk.

Zhao Xin was delighted to see Zhou Xu: "You're here! Wait a minute, the transportation is all arranged for you, don't worry! A car will be going to the military region soon, and once you get there, just take the military region's train directly to the capital. Here's a letter of introduction!"

A schedule has been arranged for Zhou Xu.

Zhao Xin took out a letter of introduction from his drawer and gave it to Zhou Xu.

Why is a letter of introduction required to travel to the capital city now?
Without a letter of introduction, individuals may be treated as "vagrants" and face situations such as being unable to find accommodation, purchase tickets, or be forcibly repatriated.

In addition, the letter of introduction is also tied to survival resources; only by holding the relevant letter of introduction and documents for the transfer of grain and oil relations can one obtain basic living supplies in the city.

Holding the letter of introduction, Zhao Xin signed it and said, "You... do your best at the PLA Literature and Art Publishing House. Let me remind you, they're full of leaders there, you might get noticed and transferred!"

The clerk couldn't reveal too much, but although colonels and generals in the General Political Department didn't walk around in droves, you could still see one every few steps.

Zhou Xu said, "I am still a soldier in our recruit company."

"...Well, I was just saying, hurry up and go wait for the car at the entrance."

Zhou Xu walked out the gate carrying his luggage.

He was feeling heavy-hearted.

Finally... have I come this far?
After a while, a military truck indeed drove up and stopped at the company gate. The comrade in the front of the truck leaned out and asked, "Zhou Xu?"

Zhou Xu took out a letter of introduction: "I'm going to the military region!"

"Get in the car!"

He climbed onto the back of the truck and went inside to find a truck full of old, stiff-bottomed soldiers, their hands gripping iron bars.

"There's a spot over there!" the platoon leader pointed out a location.

The first time Zhou Xu rode in this kind of vehicle was when he went down to his unit... He put down his backpack, grabbed the pole, and sat down.

(End of this chapter)