1978: A Literary Giant Who Began His Military Service

Chapter 39 Departure
February 10th.

It drizzled this morning, and a group of people wearing black raincoats walked around. The atmosphere at the performing arts troupe remained as dull yet slightly busy as ever.

Zhou Xu skillfully prepared to walk to the rehearsal hall of the cultural troupe, while the group of people hadn't even had a chance to warm up yet.

Heavy footsteps sounded at the door, clattering and thumping! The political commissar, wearing a wet military uniform, walked to the door and suddenly ran onto the platform.

Everyone knows that whenever the political commissar arrives, it's because there's an urgent matter.

The political commissar pursed his lips and said in a deep, heavy voice, "Everyone, assemble at the entrance."

Zhou Xu immediately changed into a raincoat.

The male lead singer from Chen Hai's cultural troupe leaned over and asked, "Comrade writer, do you know what's going on?"

Zhou Xu shook his head.

The cultural troupe was highly skilled; a large group of people quickly assembled and lined up. Zhou Xu stood on one side of the line with the political commissar.

The rain is still falling, and it's getting heavier.

Everyone looked at each other, wondering what was going on.

A military vehicle, which looked to be of high rank, drove towards this area, drove over the pond, and stopped in front of the cultural troupe.

The car door opened, and a man in his sixties wearing a military uniform stepped out.

Zhou Xu recognized the man as Zhang Yuhua from the Political Department, who served as the Deputy Political Commissar and Director of the Political Department of the Wuhan Military Region.

"Comrade, all members of the cultural troupe have assembled. Please give instructions!" The political commissar saluted.

Zhang Yuhua returned the greeting and then turned her head away.

"A month ago, the Central Military Commission had already ordered the military to enter a state of combat readiness and be ready to fight at any time. A few days ago, the military region received a transfer order, and all personnel were prepared to go to Guangxi to follow instructions and carry out combat operations!"

"Art and literature serve the people, first and foremost, the workers, peasants, and soldiers"—this is what the instructor once said.

Although we don't carry guns, our musical instruments and costumes are our "weapons," and our songs and drumbeats are the "charge" of our soldiers. This is our strength!
Next, we need to be just as focused as the combat troops: pack the performance costumes, check the instruments to ensure they can perform at any time; refine the programs to boost morale, and prepare more short programs that can be performed during marches and on the front lines, so that the soldiers know that we are with them.

Don't be afraid of danger and hardship. We wear the same uniforms as the soldiers on the front lines, and we bear the responsibilities of soldiers! Our cultural troupe has never faltered from the War of Resistance against Japan to the War of Liberation; this time, we will also show our backbone and courage, using our songs as "ammunition" to defend our country.

All soldiers stood at attention, right fists clenched and placed on their waists, and responded in short, unified voices: "Rest assured, sir!"

"Specific time: 5 PM today, urgent departure! Everyone prepare! Attention all personnel, dismissed!"

The old leader got into the car, which sped away, leaving behind a trail of exhaust fumes.

The political commissar clapped his hands: "Today's training is over. Go back and pack your things. Assemble before 5 p.m.!"

Some people sighed in surprise, some shuddered, and some clenched their hands, their nerves on edge...

Nervousness, fear, and excitement! These are the emotions of this performing arts troupe.

Only after the political commissar announced the disbandment did everyone start chattering and discussing.

"What? Are we going to the front lines?" He Jing suddenly asked.

Zhou Xu nodded silently, determined to go along as well.

"Even if we're in a cultural troupe, we're still soldiers when we go to the front lines to fight the enemy!"

"Bullets and cannon fire don't discriminate; as long as you can sing well, that's enough!"

"I never imagined we'd still be fighting in this day and age!"

"We meet at 5 p.m., I need to write a letter to my mom first..."

A group of people suddenly became busy and slowly dispersed towards the rehearsal hall and dormitory.

Zhou Xu also returned to his dormitory.

The military region troops mainly travel to the front lines in Guangxi by rail, and then travel by car for part of the journey after arriving in Guangxi.

He began packing his bag, including an outfit, paper, and pen.

When they arrived at the front lines, the cultural troupe would also be equipped with guns.

Zhou Xu put the camera around his neck, touching it with a heavy heart...

Of course, I wasn't afraid. I was at first, but by this point, it wasn't so serious anymore. After all, this life was already a reward. At worst, I could just go into battle and contribute my strength.

But war will sacrifice the lives of many comrades. He touched the camera and thought that the photos he took might be the last heroic images of some soldiers.

Pack your backpack.

Zhou Xu also started writing a letter inside the room.

He knew that this trip might encounter some unexpected problems, and he needed to inform his parents beforehand and entrust them with some matters...

This notice was indeed quite urgent, given just before departure. Of course, the team had been trained, so even if they were notified just before departure, they would still be on the bus with half an hour to spare.

— After I finish these tasks.

In the afternoon, the raindrops lessened.

A group of people came out of the performing arts troupe and stood in front of the car.

The assembly and formation were quick, but even among the members of the performing arts troupe, many showed signs of worry.

"Boarding will be done in batches."

Zhou Xu walked towards the political commissar with his camera, and the political commissar nodded:
"Thank you for your help with the group interviews and writing reports."

Zhou Xu said, "This is all my responsibility."

"You can ride with me in the bus later, there are enough people on the bus."

Zhou Xu followed closely behind the political commissar.

Everyone in the performing arts troupe was familiar with this youthful figure.

Zhou Xu followed the jeep toward the train station.

These days.

The train station has been requisitioned.

However, Zhou Xu calculated that there was only one week left before the start of the battle, and after arriving at the combat position, there should be three days to prepare...

Upon entering the waiting hall, one finds rows of people standing inside.

Everyone was carrying backpacks, dressed neatly, and lined up in an orderly fashion. The entire Wuchang Station was covered by this sea of ​​green.

There were veterans and new recruits. There were officers and soldiers.

Zhou Xu remembered a saying: young soldiers yearn for military merit.

Among them are many young people with eyes that are burning with passion, sincerity, and a hint of ruthlessness.

Of course, there are also those who, like Zhou Xu, feel confused and afraid in the face of war.

Regardless, everyone who is standing here is prepared to sacrifice, including Zhou Xu.

"..."

Zhou Xu took out his camera and captured the scene.

The train arrived quickly.

"The 19th Division, assemble and board the vehicles!" the leader shouted over the loudspeaker.

A group of people boarded the bus in an orderly fashion.

The political commissar leaned over to Zhou Xu and said, "You can get on the train too. Our cultural troupe is in carriage number one. You can walk around, do some interviews and take some photos... You can come back to the troupe later."

Zhou Xu nodded.

He randomly boarded the vehicle with a company, but instead of sitting down, he took photos in the carriage.

"..."

After walking around, Zhou Xu returned to his cultural troupe.

Chen Hai waved over from the other side: "Comrade Writer, over here!"

Zhou Xu's luggage was in the car, so he sat down directly.

Wow! Are you nervous?

"Of course we're nervous. Even a field hospital could be shelled." Zhou Xu took a deep breath.

"I heard you used to be the top student in basic training."

"I haven't touched a gun in a long time either."

The cultural troupe also had shooting training. Zhou Xu tried it once when he came, but the level of training was definitely not as good as that of the grassroots companies.

I just don't know if they'll issue guns to me, the communications officer, once I get to the front lines.

"..."

Zhou Xu's head drooped back in his seat, quietly gazing at the mountains and rivers outside...

"bang bang bang"

"Boom!"

The steel behemoth started moving and headed south.

(End of this chapter)