Literary Master 1983

Chapter 414 South
The memorial service for Shen Congwen lasted for half a month.

Writers began recounting their experiences of meeting Shen Congwen, introducing this relatively unknown veteran author to the public. Many people were hearing the name Shen Congwen for the first time; he appeared like a shooting star in the "Nobel Prize finals," leaving behind a sense of regret that "he could have won the Nobel Prize."

“Shen Congwen’s place in literary history is impossible to assess, and no suitable title can be found. His readers are enthusiastic, but he himself is not, so only some professional scholars know his value!” said Zhang Shouren, the famous editor of “October”.

Li Duo of Beijing Literature publicly stated at a literary seminar, "Now we need to revitalize the economy, who cares about the life or death of a writer? A mere pen cannot boost production! It cannot even play a role in propaganda and mobilization! The scenery of the Xiangxi border region is naturally not valued by the literary world."

Many people mourned Shen Congwen.

However, time never stands still for any one person.

The new focus has shifted to the deaths of literary figures.

On March 14, a maritime conflict broke out in the south. A group of Vietnamese sailors attacked in a "lone wolf" style and wounded the deputy gunnery officer of one of our ships. Our side was forced to retaliate and sank two of the enemy's transport ships and severely damaged a landing ship.

The enemy suffered approximately 100 casualties, while our side sustained only one injury and no damage to our ships.

This incident occurred against a backdrop of de-escalation, and was therefore seen as strong evidence of the other side's wolfish ambitions. During this period, it was broadcast on the news every day.

When Yu Qie met with Liu Jiaju of Military Literature, he said, "Do you know the truth? It wasn't a lone wolf incident, nor was it a fluke; it was a carefully planned test! Because there were hundreds of them!"

"Damn neighbors! I've always said you can't trust them!"

How could this be an "accident"? Last year, at the request of UNESCO, we attempted to build a marine observation station in the area, but this was immediately obstructed. After a standoff that lasted for more than half a year, a substantive conflict finally broke out.

Yu Qie also agreed that it was "not an accident." He said, "We saw a good person being hit by dozens of throwing knives, and only one hit. We can't just focus on that one knife; there are all the others."

Liu Jiaju nodded and said, "Yes! You have a good understanding of dialectics... This is an inevitable 'accident'."

The publishing house that published "Military Literature" also had something to say. Old Chen, the editor-in-chief and second-in-command of the General Political Department's propaganda department, came to Yu Qie and said: "We need good novels that are full of genuine feelings and can inspire the soldiers' emotions, but we have very little time left. After thinking about it, I think only you, Teacher Yu, have this ability."

"Your name is the gold standard on the front lines!"

I will not shirk my duty.

Thus, the first installment of "The Bloody Battle of Laoshan" was published in "Military Literature and Art," and a book of the same name was also published.

The Chinese people were once again drawn back to the front lines of the cat-ear tunnels of a few years ago. The sound of gunfire rang in their ears, and their bodies were burning with heat. That thrilling feeling of being on the verge of death, with their hearts beating faster than bullets, returned in the text.

That morning, in the stilt houses on Yongshu, Huayang and other islands, a supply ship brought a week's worth of resources: fresh water, canned food, several boxes of weapons, and, more recently, spiritual nourishment.

There are three essential tasks for those stationed on the island: providing fresh water, vitamins, and spiritual nourishment.

They shared similarities with the group in the cat-ear caves; sometimes, spiritual nourishment was even more important. At the Laoshan front, there were still radios available, allowing them to play cards, hold poetry gatherings in the cat-ear caves, and listen to the radio… but here, even seagulls wouldn't linger.

Sailors mainly read "Naval Magazine" and "Naval Daily," which are known as the navy's "one newspaper and one magazine," specifically reflecting the development of the armed forces. Because they contain large pictures and the latest equipment news, they are extremely popular among sailors whenever they are published.

As for literature and novels, they were naturally popular. Stories like "Air Hostess" and "Wreath at the Foot of the Mountain" published in *Military Literature* influenced many. Among them, "The Fiancée's Letter" is the most classic. If Li Cunbao depicted a realistic character, Yu Qie directly confronted the fact that soldiers were lonely and helpless, relying on imagined beauty to support them through their current difficulties.

Therefore, the most moving articles in the military are mainly of two types: one is written by soldiers who are skilled writers, which, although they have many rough and uncultured aspects, appear to be true.

At this moment, even a letter or a few diaries written while stationed on the island are more endearing than rigid articles.

The other type is the work of a first-rate writer. He not only saw the soldiers' current situation, but also pointed out ideas that he himself had not been aware of, making them more profound in thought.

"Is Teacher Yu in this episode?"

Sailor Lu Yingmo is one of the soldiers stationed on Yongshu Reef. He was transferred here at the beginning of this year and experienced the conflict that took place on the reef... When he saw the words "Bloody Battle of Laoshan" in the military literature, he felt his heart skip a beat and asked, "Teacher Yu, are you writing another military novel?"

The visitor was Yang Dechang, a writer from the cultural troupe who had come specifically to offer his condolences. He smiled and said, "It's Teacher Yu! He's written a new novel after many years!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Yingmo immediately opened "Military Literature" and read the novel section:

The southern border remained hot and humid, the air like a sauna. Soldiers were drenched in sweat with every step, not to mention carrying dozens of kilograms of equipment on their backs on steep mountain ridges, practicing infiltration and surprise attack tactics repeatedly for long periods of time.

Tens of thousands of officers and soldiers from the 40th and 41st Divisions have been undergoing intensive training for several months in order to retake the Laoshan position. The 118th Regiment is responsible for the main attack on the right flank of the high ground, while the 119th Regiment is attacking Songmaoling. The general offensive will be launched at dawn, and officers and soldiers are writing letters of request to join the battle, with everyone vying to be the spearhead. The 8th and 9th Companies are precisely these spearheads; the soldiers polish their weapons until they shine, and check their bullets and grenades again and again.

Among this group of people, Zhang Xingwu, a medic who was not yet eighteen years old, quietly looked at his comrades and suddenly had a rebellious idea.

……

The author's words, set against a grand backdrop, depict a small soldier without unnecessary embellishment, creating a vivid and compelling image.

Lu Yingmo shouted in his heart: It's the Battle of Laoshan! It really is the Battle of Laoshan!

This is Teacher Yu's new work!
Immediately, Lu Yingmo noticed a stack of novels wrapped in a waterproof tarpaulin behind Yang Dechang's dinghy. He said eagerly, "We can never get enough of Teacher Yu's novels, no matter how many we read! There are seven of us on the island, and you still owe me six books!"

Yang Dechang shook his head and took out another book. He said, "Comrade! I didn't just come to see you. Would the others like to read novels? We still have a few islands and reefs to visit. Two books are enough for the seven of you!"

Lu Yingmo could only watch Yang Dechang leave, staring blankly at the supply ship that was getting farther and farther away.

After a long pause, he suddenly turned around, picked up the issue of "Military Literature" as if it were a priceless treasure, and rowed frantically back to the stilt house. He stopped and tied it to the foundation of the stilt house. Inside, there were six other comrades. One of them laughed and said, "The Vietnamese have attacked? What's all the fuss about?"

"Teacher Yu has written a new novel! The Battle of Laoshan!"

"It's true!" All seven people perked up.

Forgetting about taking the supplies, he first glanced at the magazine fluttering in Lu Yingmo's hand; this issue's cover was red. Lu Yingmo felt like crying. In his mind's eye, he seemed to see the writer he had been longing for, writing furiously.

“Absolutely true!” he said.
-
The Vietnamese troops entrenched in Laoshan were not scattered soldiers. Since their occupation of Laoshan in 1979, they had constructed a deep defensive system on this mountain range at an altitude of over 1400 meters over four years: trenches with firing points everywhere, reinforced concrete bunkers, tunnels and pillboxes, dense minefields and barbed wire... They boasted that the Laoshan defense line could withstand an attack from the entire north, and that if the Chinese wanted to break in, they could leave only corpses behind.

"Are the Vietnamese really that arrogant?" Xiao Hu, a man from Guangdong Province, asked in surprise.

"Speak less! Read more!" said Squad Leader Li, the most senior among them.

He was a top student who graduated from Ocean University. After reading Yu Qie's novel, he developed the desire to join the army and serve his country. He wanted to go to the front line of Laoshan. Now, three or four years later, Squad Leader Li came to a place he never expected.

It seems to be even more difficult than the cat ear cave.

The island is called a "reef" because there is no land above the water. He was standing on a hollow bamboo raft, and by taking just four or five steps in any direction, he could sit by the stilt house and put his legs on the seawater.

Xiao Hu is still making a fuss over nothing!
"The Vietnamese attacked first, but they were utterly defeated. I don't know what they have to be so arrogant about! They can only fight when things are going well. As soon as they encounter resistance, they just yell and rush into the sea... I can hit them every time."

"You're underestimating your opponent!" Sergeant Li said.

“Isn’t this the truth?” Xiao Hu said. “Teacher Yu, a writer, actually managed to kill a Vietnamese scout on the front lines, and with a pistol no less! I think their tactics are rigid, and they’ve gotten too cocky these past few years! They were exposed a few days ago!”

"Don't talk, read the novel first." Lu Yingmo couldn't help but say.

Xiao Hu braced himself against his arms, but finding no one around to support him, he decided not to make a fool of himself. His comrades were almost all shirtless, and he was used to their strong body odor, but being so close was still a bit much for him.

He said, “We only have one book here, but there are so many people, we can’t even read it all… Besides, who will go out to guard the reef? We might as well read it aloud.”

"It's better to keep watch with my left ear and listen to the story with my right than to just stand around watching."

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then looked up at each other: This is indeed a good idea!
So, who should we send?
“Class monitor, you’re a top student, why don’t you read the novel? You also like Teacher Yu the most—we all know why you came here,” Xiao Hu said.

Several other people also began to persuade them.

Squad Leader Li naturally couldn't join in, so he looked at Lu Yingmo and said, "Little Lu, you read the novel."

Lu Yingmo said, "I'm afraid I'll run into unfamiliar characters and make a fool of myself!"

Squad Leader Li said, "I've been reading Teacher Yu's novels for many years. He must know who he's writing them for. This one is for us, so he certainly won't make things difficult for you!"

"Alright!" Lu Yingmo had no choice but to agree.

Is Teacher Yu's novel really that professional?

Not only is it interesting to write, but it also predicts who will read it?

Lu Yingmo continued reading aloud from where he had just broken off his reading:
The strategic location gave the enemy a significant advantage. From the main peak of Laoshan, they could overlook dozens of kilometers to the north and frequently opened fire indiscriminately on our border, causing more than 200 casualties among border guards and civilians, and destroying nearly 70 houses.

This provocation can no longer be tolerated. Following the directive to "use a sledgehammer to crack a nut," our army has amassed a powerful force and is preparing for a general offensive.

This is the first episode of "The Battle of Laoshan," which tells the story of medic Zhang Xingwu who realizes that instead of carrying guns and bullets, it would be better to carry more gauze and medicine kits.

The night before the attack, he keenly sensed the high morale of his comrades and understood the enormous casualties that lay behind it.

Humans are not plants; once injured, they bleed, lose limbs, or even die. The enemy's fortifications were intricate and complex. Although they had endured days of artillery suppression, these "spearheads" who seized the high ground were daring warriors who snatched chestnuts from the fire!

The more Lu Yingmo read, the more he felt the somber atmosphere.

He seemed to have become "Zhang Xingwu" himself, worrying about the safety of his comrades.

Did everyone really disregard life and death before the great war? Not at all. He had never been to Laoshan, but he actually spent half a year on the islands and reefs.

The island's high humidity caused severe rheumatism in everyone's leg joints, requiring everyone to wear knee braces on the reef. Long sleeves were also essential; otherwise, the ultraviolet rays at sea would cause skin peeling after just two hours. Vegetables were scarce, seasickness was common, and unpredictable "local typhoons" frequently occurred, often resulting in vomiting…

Lu Yingmo once encountered "rolling thunder"—a monster unique to the South Pacific. Ordinary lightning protection devices were ineffective against it. When his ship encountered a typhoon, the sky was pitch black, and muffled sounds came from the sea every now and then. With each sound, visible flashes of lightning could be seen on the sea.

At that moment, Lu Yingmo couldn't remember anything. All he felt was: I have to live, at least to leave behind a complete corpse, otherwise my parents would see... their son's death was just too tragic.

"Xiao Lu, why did you stop reading?"

Outside the stilted house, separated only by a bamboo raft, Squad Leader Li shouted loudly.

“Yes! Yes!” the others chimed in.

Even Xiao Hu, who had just spoken out in criticism, seemed impatient.

I had been lost in thought for so long?
Lu Yingmo quickly replied, "Reporting to the class monitor! I'll start reading right away!"

His friend Shi Guangzhu asked him, "What are you thinking?" He replied, "I want to go up without guns and ammunition, but with more first-aid kits."

"How can you go to the battlefield without a gun?" Shi Guangzhu and the battalion commander were both taken aback. With the attack imminent, fearing it would affect morale, the two could only speak privately with Zhang Xingwu. Shi Guangzhu handed his dagger to Zhang Xingwu, saying, "If I am killed, you must bring my body back."

Zhang Xingwu accepted the dagger, opened the letter his girlfriend had sent, and found more photos of his parents. He put the letter and photos in the metal box, silently telling himself to stop thinking about it.

The dawn here is quiet...

(End of this chapter)