1978: A Literary Giant Who Began His Military Service

Chapter 37 Rave Reviews
Early February.

There are still two weeks left until those exciting yet arduous days.

Like the military, the People's Liberation Army Literature and Art magazine also has a three-day holiday.

Over the three days, only some editors-in-chief had time to come over for two days; otherwise, everything was as usual.

In the morning, Liu Jiaju shivered from the cold. Liu Jia had been rarely home lately because of the security situation, and many of the art troupes of the General Political Department and the Air Force Political Department had gone out to perform for the troops.

At times like these, if someone wants to have a resume to show for their life, they will go to the front lines to offer condolences.

Liu Jiaju was quite supportive of his daughter, but judging from the looks of it, Zhou Xu, as a promising candidate for the Wuhan Military Region, would probably go. He prayed for Zhou Xu for a little while.

After all, guns don't discriminate; even if you're not on the front lines, you might encounter small, scattered squads.

During the Liaoshen Campaign, the 3rd Battalion of the 21st Regiment of the 7th Division of the 3rd Column of the Northeast Field Army, led by Deputy Regiment Commander Xu Rui, marched rapidly towards Hujiawopeng. Upon arrival, based on clues provided by local residents, they deduced that Hujiawopeng might be the enemy's command post.

Finally, "Gold-rimmed glasses, Hunan accent, capture Kuomintang general Liao Yaoxiang alive!"

This is like a small, niche team accidentally sneaking into someone else's rear.

Liu Jiaju shook his head.

I joined the editorial department.

He glanced at the mailbox by the door and asked, "Xiao Li? Why haven't you cleaned out this mailbox yet? It's overflowing."

Xiao Li came out, carrying a bag of letters: "Editor, I'm still packing!"

Junior editors have no human rights; they get all the dirty and hard work.

Because I haven't managed my email for a few days, the editorial department has been receiving more and more emails lately.

Liu Jiaju asked, "What are all these letters for? Why are there so many?"

"I just glanced at it, and it's almost all letters from readers!" Xiao Li said.

"Letters from readers?"

Liu Jiaju was caught off guard.

Picking up two letters at random, it's clear that they were both addressed to "The Battle at Lake Changjin." This shows just how influential Zhou Xu's novels are among the people!

Some of these letters came from the military, while others came from the general public.

They all expressed their love for Zhou Xu and their respect for the most lovable person... Anyway, the content was a lot and varied, and basically more than half of it was dedicated to Zhou Xu.

Wow!
Liu Jiaju was surprised: "This novel is so popular?"

He helped Xiao Li carry a pile of letters, and then led him into the house.

Editor Xiao Liu leaned over and looked at him: "Old Liu, this is strange today, you're still working?"

"Nonsense, do you think I'd be like you if I didn't work?" Liu Jiaju glared, but he was in a good mood.

Because "The Battle at Lake Changjin" seems to have a good influence in society.

After all, "The Battle at Lake Changjin" was a novel about the War of Resistance against Japan written by the military.

Often, things receive critical acclaim but not commercial success. Liu Jiaju believed that Zhou Xu could achieve good results in the military, but he was unsure whether he could achieve similar success in civilian life.

It has been more than twenty days since the novel was published.
The reputation of "The Battle at Lake Changjin" is slowly growing, and there is a noticeable increase in discussions about the novel in society.

The novel's influence on society has reached its peak.

And most importantly, the magazine's sales are indeed steadily increasing.

Liu Jiaju asked Xiao Liu, "Xiao Liu, have you tallied the sales figures?"

"Sales figures?"

"How many copies of this magazine have you sold in the last few weeks?" Liu Jiaju sighed, rubbing his forehead. "I've been so drowsy at home lately, I haven't checked yet! I'll go check for you!" Little Liu left his desk and ran off to check the sales figures.

After a while, the other party hurriedly returned.

Liu Jiaju was even more anxious than her: "How many copies exactly?"

"In these twenty days, this novel—I mean, this magazine—sold a total of 400,000 copies!"

Even Liu Jiaju couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.

400,000 copies in 20 days; proportionally, that's 600,000 copies in a month.

However, the reality is not proportional, but rather resembles a parabola, meaning that the final sales volume may reach 700,000!

For the magazine publisher...

The normal monthly sales volume is two to three hundred thousand copies, which is the normal sales volume for a literary magazine. "PLA Literature and Art" is a literary magazine published by the military.

However, the fact that 700,000 copies sold proves that "Changjin Lake" doubled the magazine's sales for this issue!

For the magazine, this is definitely an excellent novel!
However, while the novel sold well and received positive reviews, it didn't generate much discussion in literary circles.

Because novels about the War of Resistance Against Japan are all similar.

It is extremely popular, but its literary quality is slightly lacking, so naturally it is discussed less in literary circles.

"Wow, that's really something! Let's see what the readers have to say! I wonder what they think of this novel!" Liu Jiaju said.

Editor Xiao Liu nodded.

There are three large piles of letters from readers, all addressed to Zhou Xu.

They were quite respectful of readers and authors, so they only looked at the reader letters sent to the magazine, and planned to mail the rest to Zhou Xu later.

"The smoke of battle ignited not only the wheels of history, but also the great journey of the new China! The Volunteer Army was great!"

"When I saw the final scene, when the seventh intervening unit finally found one person, I couldn't help but shed tears. Without our predecessors, we wouldn't have the life we ​​have today."

This Seventh Company is the prototype of the Steel Seventh Company. Of course, it is obvious that both are scripts written by Lan Xiaolong, so it is normal for them to have some connection.

"A single punch can prevent a hundred more! This novel is very well written..."

As Liu Jiaju looked at the letters, he naturally knew that this novel had ignited the patriotic passion of an individual and was also an excellent novel that promoted the greatness of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army.

"Wow! It seems the novel has quite an influence among readers."

Xiao Liu nodded: "Let's pick a few readers and write them a reply."

Liu Jiaju immediately said, "I'll write the reply..."

"You wrote...? Don't you never write back?" Xiao Liu was stunned for a moment.

But soon.

She then realized she had said something wrong.

Liu Jiaju's feelings for the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea were deeper than theirs, so he was naturally more willing to do these things: "Okay, then I'll go help. I'll pack up the letters and send them back to Comrade Zhou Xu!"

"Hmm." Liu Jiaju lowered his head and began writing a reply while lying on the table.

Xiao Liu deftly began sorting through the readers' letters.

Upon inspection, one of the three large piles of letters was addressed specifically to Zhou Xu.

Some of these letters contained gifts, and some even included money and tickets...

These are all thank-you gifts for the author. This kind of thing happens a lot these days. Some writers have even said that they survive on readers' tips.

(End of this chapter)