A widower's entertainment

Chapter 449 [The Winter Heatwave] (Please Subscribe)

The cold wind from the north arrived swiftly and suddenly, sweeping away the autumn leaves and ushering in early winter. Snow had already blanketed the northeast, while the capital city was desolate and bleak, as if a howling wind carrying snowflakes was about to sweep in at any moment.

Despite the frigid weather, no blizzard occurred, but the drifting snowflakes still draped a thin layer of grayish-white veil over the capital.

The weather varies across the country, but at this time of year, you can see the thick snow in Northeast China. The TV series "Crossing the Guandong" depicts the spring, summer, autumn and winter in the north, and naturally, the thick snow is a common sight.

It's fair to say that right now, with the popularity of "Crossing the Guandong," every household is gathered around the fireplace watching this drama full of life and vitality.

One plot after another kept viewers across the country engrossed, afraid of missing a single moment.

At the same time, many letters were sent to CCTV, and some people even called CCTV directly to praise the drama "Crossing the Guandong". It can be said that this grand and magnificent drama has truly won the hearts of countless viewers. This is a story of blood and tears about the migration of Shandong people. The scenes of Laojingou, Shanchangzi, Shuichangzi, as well as the farmers, restaurant owners, coal mine owners, and the various groups of people in Shanchangzi, Shuichangzi, opera troupes, bandits, and the Northeast Army are all truly thrilling to watch.

But as the war began, the plot became even more heart-wrenching. In the final episode, the Battle of Harbin broke out, with Chuanwu leading the Northeast Army in a desperate resistance. Yushu's child was born, and she named him Guoqiang, meaning "national strength," signifying a prosperous nation. Wen's mother gave the child the nickname Liangzi, meaning "bright boy," signifying his birth at dawn. But at that very moment, Xian'er brought Chuanwu's body home, plunging the Zhu family, who had just experienced joy, into deep grief.

No one expected that Zhu Chuanwen would bring Morita and Japanese soldiers to the Zhu family home. Morita forced Zhu Kaishan to submit to the Japanese. At the critical moment, Xian'er killed the Japanese soldier with two guns. After learning of his younger brother Zhu Chuanwu's death, Zhu Chuanwen, as the eldest brother, used Zhu Chuanwu's pistol to wound Morita. In the end, Zhu Kaishan ended Morita's life with a dart.

Even so, the tide of history moved forward, and Harbin eventually fell. Zhu Kaishan's family, along with their belongings and their love, hate, and grudges, were about to return to Shandong.

Even knowing that what followed was an even more turbulent era of war, the final scene of the family riding a snow sled across the white snow still moved countless viewers in front of their televisions.

However, besides being moved, there was also heartache and sadness, after all, Zhu Chuanwu had died.

"Traditional martial arts are dead?"
"Sigh, it's really so painful. Wen's mother acted so well!"

"Why did they kill off traditional martial arts in the first place?!"

"Wow, it's already the finale!"

It's fair to say that the ending of "Crossing the Guandong" truly sparked countless discussions among viewers, with many feeling heartbroken over Zhu Chuanwu's death, even though viewers already knew...
In Xinghua Hutong, on this sunny early winter day, the housekeeper, Sister Zhou, who was hanging clothes to dry, said with a regretful look, "Youcheng, why did you have to kill off Chuanwu!"

It can be said that before this, Xiu'er's lover, Ichiro, whom she had finally met, committed suicide by shooting himself out of remorse. Although this made the audience feel very sad and sorry for Xiu'er, it was all because the Anti-Japanese War was coming up, and they were on opposite sides, so it was still acceptable. However, Zhu Chuanwu's death really made the audience feel heartbroken.

Lin Youcheng couldn't help but laugh when he heard what Sister Zhou said. He had heard Sister Zhou tell him several times how much her family loved the TV series "Crossing the Guandong" and would watch it on TV every day without fail. So, naturally, he would ask her why the screenwriter had killed off Zhu Chuanwu.

"As you know, the war during the Northeast was extremely brutal."

Hearing Lin Youcheng's words, Sister Zhou understood. After all, that period of history was very tragic, and she felt only heartache and regret. She then asked, "What will happen to the Zhu family when they return to Qilu?"

"The story that follows is naturally about survival in that period of history, but no matter what hardships the Zhu family encounters, they will always strive to be self-reliant."

Hearing Lin Youcheng's words, Sister Zhou nodded repeatedly. Her whole family loved the TV series "Crossing the Guandong" because of the Zhu family's spirit of moving forward and striving for their family. The family went to the Northeast to build a home and make a living. Zhu Kaishan went to Laojingou alone to acquire a few acres of land and build a home. In Harbin, they fought wits and courage with the Pan family to protect their home. Even Chuanwu and Xian'er, who ran away from home, went through many hardships. In the end, all they wanted was to build a home of their own in Yemawan.

Even Sister Zhou was well aware of the various entanglements between the Zhu family and the Japanese, and even their life-or-death struggles, all for the sake of their nation, their homeland, or rather, their integrity.

"Youcheng, are you going to write a second part of the story for 'Crossing the Guandong'?"

Lin Youcheng smiled and shook his head.

Actually, it wasn't just Sister Zhou who asked him this question. CCTV had been wanting to make a sequel to "Crossing the Guandong" since its ratings were rising and it was loved by the audience. However, CCTV was also very clear that the key was the screenwriter, Lin Youcheng. After all, the reason why "Crossing the Guandong" is so popular is because Lin Youcheng's script was so solid and wonderful.

However, it's clear that Lin Youcheng has no intention of writing a sequel or prequel to "Crossing the Guandong," as it's unnecessary. After all, "Crossing the Guandong" is the truly classic drama, and other prequels and sequels are simply made for the sake of making them. In Lin Youcheng's view, it's better to use that time to write other scripts and make other dramas. After all, truly good dramas aren't limited to "Crossing the Guandong," there's also "The Great Song Dynasty Forensic Examiner," which is scheduled to be filmed later. Of course, Lin Youcheng is also well aware that even outside of "The Great Song Dynasty Forensic Examiner," he can start writing other scripts.

Just as Lin Youcheng is talking to his nanny, Sister Zhou, right now, the most popular TV series in China is Lin Youcheng's "Crossing the Guandong".

To be honest, it wasn't just Sister Zhou; there was also Aunt Zhao, the director of the neighborhood office, his parents-in-law in Tianjin, and some friends who all told Lin Youcheng about their love for the TV series "Crossing the Guandong".

There's no way around it, the TV series "Crossing the Guandong" is truly a beloved work among the people.

In the eyes of the people, the story of Zhu Kaishan's family venturing into Northeast China was not just a microcosm of the era, but rather a reflection of the tens of thousands of people in the country. This story gloriously depicts the historical event of more than 20 million poor people from Shandong venturing into Northeast China, portraying vivid characters and truly expressing the great loyalty and righteousness in the national spirit. How could such a good work not be loved by the vast majority of the people?

It can be said that "Crossing the Guandong" has been making headlines ever since it aired, and the news about the finale is even more sensational.

CCTV ratings for "Crossing the Guandong" hit a new high.
The final episode of "Crossing the Guandong" concludes, with traditional martial arts characters sacrificing themselves on the battlefield.
"Recently, the CCTV hit drama 'Crossing the Guandong' concluded its run, achieving record-breaking ratings. The death of Chuanwu in the finale brought tears to the eyes of countless viewers..."

……

In fact, these news reports are not enough to describe the popularity of the TV series "Crossing the Guandong". There are so many media outlets and newspapers reporting on the TV series "Crossing the Guandong". In the eyes of some artists, this TV series is not just about crossing the Guandong, but also about the fate of the people and the survival of the nation.

There's been a lot of discussion about this popular drama. People are talking about the characters and plot, and newspapers are also filled with articles from artists praising Lin Youcheng's "Crossing the Guandong" and discussing the characters, not just the men of the Zhu family, but also the female characters.

Jiang Hui, deputy editor-in-chief of the *Yanjing Daily*, wrote an article highly praising the female characters in the TV series *Crossing the Guandong*, stating: "Wen's mother is a traditional Chinese mother figure—kind and strong. She has always been the hearth in this snow-covered home, ensuring peace and warmth no matter how harsh the outside world may be. This nameless character is the core of the family. She is illiterate and doesn't understand grand principles; she only knows how to care for her son, look after her husband, and diligently manage her small family. Wen's mother's personality also changes; when she was young, Zhu Kaishan was not at home, and she was both..." A loving mother is also a strict father. In her old age, she was simply a loving mother. She didn't understand what Chuanwu did outside; she only hoped her son could stay home for one night and get along well with his wife. Zhu Kaishan and Wen's mother's attitude towards Chuanwu was that of traditional parents. The father discussed national affairs with his son, encouraging him to bravely fight the enemy and defend the country. The mother didn't understand these things; she would only call out "Wu'er," pat her son's face, and say, "Be careful in the dark; bullets don't have eyes, so you have to dodge them." She would often burst into tears while saying this, which Zhu Kaishan would laugh at. But isn't that what mothers are like?

"As for Xian'er, she has the most tenacious vitality. She endures blows that are enough to make people lose their will to live, and she lives on tenaciously. She has experienced too much suffering, but she has always been able to keep going."

"Na Wen is my favorite character in the drama. She's the most realistic woman, with the lovable yet frustrating trivialities and gossip of a woman, the gentleness of a woman, the talent that surpasses that of most women, and the courage and magnanimity that rivals any man. The most exhilarating scene is when Na Wen wins back half of the Zhu family's fortune. Watching it ignites a fire in every woman's heart, making us cheer for Na Wen!"

"And that poem by Wen, written in the heat of the wine, is simply wonderful! I want to shout as soon as I pick up my wine cup—'Ladies and gentlemen, play the zither! Servants, listen attentively! Watch as I get drunk, bring out my writing tools, and compose a poem to share with the moon!' How wonderful it is! ...And then there's the scene of her taking a knife to kill her traitorous husband—what a display of feminine spirit! This section alone is brilliantly written! And the actress Jiang Wenli's performance is superb!"

"Furthermore, Xiu'er is a woman with traditional Chinese virtues: filial piety, kindness, generosity, devotion, and the courage to love, yet unable to hate. It seems that throughout history, devoted women are destined to meet unfaithful men. Chuanwu betrayed her, yet she continued to yearn for an impossible dream. Unfaithful men are despised and ridiculed, but Chuanwu was not a womanizer or a polygamous man; rather, he was a devoted lover single-mindedly devoted to Xian'er. It wasn't Xiu'er who was devoted, which may be why Xiu'er always loved Chuanwu, and why she couldn't hate him. She finally found Yilang's love, but it was so fleeting, like a flash in the pan."

"Xia Yushu, the last character, is a typical representative of modern girls. She has her own career, her own ideas, and a childhood sweetheart. Perhaps she is the luckiest woman in the entire series. Her child is named Guoqiang, which means a strong and prosperous motherland. Isn't this also a reflection of hope for the future?"

……

It can be said that such commentary articles really resonated with many readers, because in the eyes of the audience, the female characters in the TV series "Crossing the Guandong" are really quite eye-catching, and each character is a very impressive presence.

Such articles can be said to express the audience's inner thoughts, because they also greatly appreciate and love those characters.

Actually, it wasn't just the *Yanjing Daily*, but also newspapers like the *Beijing Morning Post* and the *Xinhua Daily*... there were so many, newspapers everywhere reported and discussed the drama *Crossing the Guandong* and every character in it. The script was brilliant, and every actor in the series delivered a superb performance, bringing their characters to life with distinct personalities. It truly was a legendary and magnificent drama.

Now, the higher authorities are holding another seminar on the TV series "Crossing the Guandong," all because the series is so beloved by the people.

Although the winter of 1994 had arrived, the wave of excitement generated by the TV series "Crossing the Guandong" was only just beginning.
It can be said that the finale of CCTV's "Crossing the Guandong" did not extinguish the winter heat. After CCTV's broadcast, local TV stations also broadcast it simultaneously. At the same time, CCTV received letters and voices from the public, requesting a rebroadcast of "Crossing the Guandong".

That's right, even though the TV series "Crossing the Guandong" has finished airing its finale on CCTV, the discussions and the craze for watching it are far from over.

In this cold, snow-covered winter, the TV series "Crossing the Guandong" truly brought a wave of warmth, drawing countless families together around the fireplace, sleeves tucked in, watching the show together in a cozy atmosphere.

(End of this chapter)