1978: A Literary Giant Who Began His Military Service

Chapter 64: Group Performance of "The Song of a Strong Army"

As soon as they sat down, Song Zhipeng and Chen Hui looked at Zhou Xu's First-Class Merit Medal with envy.

Chen Hui said, "I knew I was right. With such outstanding achievements, it would be easy for Comrade Zhou Xu to be awarded a first-class merit."

Song Zhipeng chuckled, "That's a classic case of hindsight."

Chen Hui said, "I'm so envious, but I only need to be awarded a second-class merit."

The two stared at Zhou Xu's First-Class Merit Medal on his chest, their envy palpable and lingering for a long time.

Next, the awards ceremony continued. Among the entire division, there were only about twenty recipients of the First-Class Merit Award, though the number of recipients in the entire division was definitely more than twenty.

After the First-Class Merit Citation was awarded, the Second-Class Merit Citation was next: "Comrade Song Zhipeng fought bravely on the front lines. After being wounded and returning to the field hospital, he bravely stepped forward to participate in the defense of the battlefield! He is hereby awarded the Second-Class Merit Citation!"

After he finished speaking, everyone continued to applaud. Song Zhipeng went up on stage, saluted, and presented the medal.

"Comrade Chen Hui fought bravely while defending the field hospital, killing three enemy soldiers... He was awarded a second-class merit!"

Indeed, it is extremely difficult to obtain a first-class merit award, and the selection process is very challenging. It's like a normal combat operation; only those with outstanding achievements have a chance of being selected.

However, for the two of them, being able to receive a second-class merit while still alive was already a lucky and extremely honorable thing.

After stepping off the podium, the two men were now wearing a second-class merit medal.

Finally, there is the Third-Class Merit Medal, which is the most numerous. Of course, not everyone receives a Third-Class Merit Medal; only about 20% of those who go to the battlefield receive one.

The awards ceremony is over.

The commander continued, "Whether it's a first-class merit, a second-class merit, or a third-class merit, all comrades who have received medals are long-tested soldiers of the Party and the people! They shed their blood and sacrificed their lives!!!"

With your charging backs, you built a defensive line; with your wounded hands, you lifted up victory. Every pattern on your medals is a testament to your fighting for the motherland; every story behind your honor is a testament to the loyalty of the People's Army.

Today, we crown our heroes not only to commemorate their past achievements, but also to pass on their enduring fighting spirit.

Finally, let us once again pay tribute with the warmest applause to all the meritorious soldiers! Let us pay tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to defend our country!

Whether they won awards or not, everyone burst into applause!

It was a joy that came with winning an award, and a joy that came with the end of a war!
The award-winning soldiers beamed with smiles; the sense of honor was immense for all of them.

The soldiers who didn't win awards were inspired by the smiles of these soldiers, and their envy became tangible.

Wait, the atmosphere has been built up. The leader clapped his hands: "All comrades, quiet down! The last program! Let's sing together! The song 'The Battle Song of a Strong Army' by Zhou Xu, a first-class meritorious soldier and composer of the cultural troupe!"

Even when Zhou Xu was fighting on the front lines, this song had already spread from the division to the 54th Army... and finally to the military region...

As a pre-war "strong army" battle song, it did indeed play an excellent role in boosting morale. Because of its subtle influence, no one knows exactly how much of a contribution this song made.

However, the soldiers felt that hearing this song before the battle was very inspiring, and that hearing it after the battle lingered in their ears for a long time.

Listen, the bugle call of a new journey has sounded!

The goal of building a strong military is calling us forward!
If our country is to become strong, we must take on the responsibility!
The battle flag is inscribed with the glory of iron and blood!

Soldiers, obey the Party's command!
Capable of winning battles and possessing an excellent work style!

Fearless of strong enemies, we dare to compete!
"To win victory for our motherland on the battlefield!"

With the bugle call resounding, this song was already being sung throughout the army during battle, and it was a song that most people had learned to sing.

There was no conductor, no accompaniment, yet the voices of more than a thousand people were united as one, louder than bugles and more stirring than artillery fire. After the last line was sung, the lingering sound echoed in the hall for a long time. No one spoke first, and no one moved first.

Finally, the old commander stared blankly at the scene, then shouted, "Everyone, order! Dismissed!!"

After disbandment.

The old commander slowly walked towards the group: "Combat heroes!"

Zhou Xu stood up hurriedly, straightening his clothes: "Commander!"

"It's alright, you don't need to stand up. I'm here to offer my condolences and show my concern for our combat hero!" The old commander didn't have time to greet Zhou Xu when he was on the stage, so he waited until the meeting ended before he had time to come down.

Looking at Zhou Xu from head to toe, he was 1.8 meters tall. He appeared somewhat thin due to his battle injuries, but upon closer inspection, he was still quite robust and powerful.

Then, looking at his feet and the cane beside him, the old commander sighed and said, "Your leg is... lame?"

Zhou Xu said, "It's nothing, just a shrapnel wound in my right leg. The stitches haven't been removed yet, so I can't walk properly. I'll be fine once the stitches are removed. It didn't damage any bones."

Zhou Xu took a deep breath; in fact, he himself was quite surprised when he first woke up.

After all, even a handsome guy like me might not be able to find a wife if I have a limp.
Fortunately, no.

"Oh! I was presumptuous. You performed very well on the front lines. You've also seen the outstanding achievements of your artistic creation, such as the 'Song of a Strong Army'."
The truth is, I never expected you to have written a report from the front lines and killed over twenty-five enemy soldiers… If there weren't no longer any special-class merit awards, I would definitely have reported it to my superiors!

The old leader patted Zhou Xu on the shoulder, his eyes full of admiration.

Seeing the appreciation in his eyes, Song Zhipeng and Zhang Lingxiao naturally understood what it meant. This kind of outstanding soldier was excellent in every aspect, so it was natural that he was valued and liked.

Zhou Xu gave an embarrassed smile: "If you're in a position, you should do your job. If you're in the cultural troupe, you should create popular songs. If you're on the front line, you should play your combat value."

"...That's a good point," the old commander said. "I see you're not fully recovered yet. I'll send someone to bring you some milk and supplements later. It's a personal reward from me, not from the army. Just accept it."

"Commander... this isn't a good idea!" Zhou Xu paused for a moment.

"What's wrong with that? My words are orders. Besides, you've achieved such outstanding results under my command, I don't think the reward should be so small." The old commander waved his hand and left.

"..."

Zhang Lingxiao and Song Zhipeng watched their leader leave before they finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh, right, I need to go to the hospital to have my stitches removed this afternoon. Comrade Zhou Xu, hurry up and go catch your ride."

Zhang Lingxiao urged.

Zhou Xu then remembered that he still had wires on his body.

They walked out of the auditorium with Zhang Lingxiao, got into a jeep, and went directly to the hospital.

Because he is now a war hero, he has priority access to the operating room. He is lying in a hospital bed with multiple sutures on his body.

The doctor immediately started removing his surgical stitches.

Afterwards, he said, "Your wound has healed very well this month, but you still need to continue taking medication and recuperating. You won't be able to resume normal training for another two or three months."

Zhou Xu nodded: "Thank you, doctor."

(End of this chapter)