My era, 1979!

Chapter 155 Green Flower
"Green Flowers in the Army" originated from a folk song sung orally in military camps in the 1990s.

Originally titled "Tears in the Army," the lyrics are fragmented and there are many versions.

In 1996, music producer Wu Songjin collected creative materials from grassroots officers and soldiers, systematically organized and adapted them, and named the song "Green Flowers in the Army". It was officially released and sung by military singer Xiao Zeng.

This song features a simple melody of "fallen leaves in the cold wind" and heartfelt lyrics of "Mom, don't worry."

It accurately captured the soldiers' longing for their hometown and relatives and their sense of responsibility to defend their country, and quickly spread throughout the military and even society, becoming one of the representative works of "military folk songs".

Xu Chengjun didn't feel guilty about plagiarizing this song.

One is that the time has been brought forward significantly.

Another reason is that this song was originally a popular oral folk song that was widely sung in military camps in the 1990s.

The lyrics and melody are a collection of creative fragments from grassroots soldiers across the country, without a single, clearly identified author.

According to a report in the military newspaper, as early as three years before the release of the album "Military Folk Songs" (around 1995), companies across the country frequently wrote to request that this song be included in the album.

This indicates that its prototype circulated in the military around 1995.

The version that Xu Chengjun presented was the version of "Green Flowers in the Army" that Zeng officially sang.

In a 2022 interview with the PLA Daily, Zeng clearly stated: "This song should be considered to have been created by the vast number of officers and soldiers. I participated in the revision and polishing and sang it for the first time."

Minister Zhang paused slightly upon hearing the song's title: "Green Flower in the Army? Does it have lyrics?"

"Have."

Xu Chengjun picked up the Parker pen clipped to his shirt collar, tore off a piece of paper, and wrote down the lyrics.

"Take a look and see if these lyrics and emotions are suitable for singing in our performance to comfort the troops."

Minister Zhang looked at the simple lyrics and his mind became slightly focused; the lyrics alone were enough to stir his emotions.

If the young soldiers heard this, wouldn't they all burst into tears?
"These lyrics look great, but they're too subtle. I can't really explain them. How about this, I'll go talk to the leaders about it first thing tomorrow morning. Anyway, we still have a day!"

"I'm fine with that."

"Comrade Chengjun, don't be disappointed. The song is definitely a good song, but it's probably a sensitive topic in the military. Let's work together to get this song released!"

"Please don't be so polite. As an artist, I also hope that my work has a positive impact."

"That's good!"

Minister Zhang gave Xu Chengjun a deep look, patted him on the shoulder, and turned to explain the details of the performance to the others.

Xu Chengjun sighed, but he wasn't disappointed.

This song was later labeled a "banned song" on Douyin (TikTok).

Jokes such as "The song was sung at noon, and the person left by climbing over the wall at night" have become widely circulated.

While it reflects the song's "power," it is not accurate.

In an interview, Wu Songjin revealed that when he was organizing the songs, he found that the original song "Tears in the Army" was considered by some grassroots units to "affect morale" because of the lyrics such as "tomorrow we'll pack up and go home".

It was informally banned from being sung in some companies.

However, this restriction is not a uniform official ban, but rather a management measure implemented by some military units based on the psychological adaptation period of new recruits.

He made two key adjustments to the lyrics during the adaptation: first, he changed "tears in the army" to "green flowers in the army," which weakened the tragic tone.

Secondly, phrases that could evoke negative associations, such as "When the Ming Dynasty takes over, we go home," have been removed, strengthening the sense of collective belonging that "the military camp is our warm home."

This adaptation shifted the song's focus from "emotional catharsis" to "emotional sublimation."

It retains the tenderness of soldiers while highlighting their sense of mission and responsibility.

Therefore, Xu Chengjun was not too worried about whether the song would be adopted, as the atmosphere in China in the 80s was actually very open.

The next morning, Xu Chengjun and his group followed the soldiers who were leading the way to the outpost of the Third Company.

The sentry post on the earthen slope was just a low building. Soldiers patrolled the barbed wire fence in the morning dew, their boots covered with frosty grass clippings.

A soldier named Zhao Gang took out a tin box from the outpost, which contained a letter from his comrade: "Comrade, could you take a look? This letter doesn't mention how my mother is doing. I'm always worried about her."

Xu Chengjun took the letter and pointed to the sentence, "Everything is fine at home, so you can stand guard with peace of mind." He said, "Mom didn't mention it on purpose because she was afraid you would worry. Write to her later and tell her that you are eating and sleeping well here so she can rest assured."

Zhao Gang nodded and carefully put the letter back into the tin box.

The morning's visit passed quickly, and in the afternoon we arrived at the barracks of a regiment of the NJ Military Region.

The scheduled auditorium at the regimental headquarters experienced a "minor problem" in the morning.

Originally, only three companies in the surrounding area were notified to send representatives to participate, but the news spread like wildfire.

Soldiers from five nearby companies carried small stools and rushed over. Even local villagers brought their children to join in the fun. The entrance to the auditorium was so crowded that a few soldiers were forced to climb in through the window, but there wasn't even a place to stand.

The second company commander laughed and cursed, "These bastards, they all come faster than the last when they hear there's good news!"

The company commander didn't even look up: "We all came from the same military camp, everyone knows each other!"

"Hurry up and move over, or Old Liu will get angry and yell at you, Second Company Commander, for not being a good friend!"

"He dares!"

"When he went against the battalion commander, did you ask him if he dared to do it?"

"."

Standing at the entrance of the auditorium, Commander Wu looked at the huge crowd and wiped his sweat: "Alright, change the location! Move the performance to the playground on the east side and set up a temporary stage!"

Upon hearing this, the soldiers immediately got to work.

Several young men from the military region's cultural troupe ran ahead, carrying the iron frames of military tents.

The soldiers carried wooden planks used for training and pieced them together to form the stage floor.

The local villagers weren't idle either; one of them ran over carrying his own red cloth quilt cover, saying, "This cloth is so bright and beautiful, it'll be perfect as a curtain!"

Several girls squatted nearby, sewing five-pointed stars onto a piece of cloth with yellow thread.

In less than two hours, a makeshift stage that was "rustic" yet full of warmth was set up: an iron frame supported a red cloth curtain with three five-pointed stars sewn on it.

Four gas lamps hung around the stage, hissing and spewing blue flames.

The audience area below the stage was marked with white lime. The front row was for soldiers, and the back row was for family members and fellow villagers. Small stools were neatly arranged, and even the very edge was crowded with people. Some people even brought out a few bricks to use as stools.

As soon as the stage was set up, the military region's cultural troupe warmed up the audience with their rehearsal.

Li, the squad leader of the cultural troupe, was a storyteller who sang clapper talk. With a "crackling" sound, he began to sing: "Talking about the barracks, talking about the barracks, the soldiers in the barracks are busy with training. In the morning, they run five kilometers for morning exercises, and in the evening, they practice aiming and shooting..."

He had only sung two lines when Liu Xiaoqing grabbed him and asked to learn: "Squad Leader Li, you play the clapper really well, teach me a few lines!"

As soon as she took the bamboo stick, she didn't control her strength well and slapped her own hand, wincing in pain.

The soldiers in the audience burst into laughter.

Squad Leader Li laughed, "Teacher Liu, this kind of clapper talk requires skill, just like when you're acting in a movie, you have to get into character!"

The choir of the performing arts troupe was practicing "I Am a Soldier" on one side of the stage, with a dozen young men and women dressed in military green performance uniforms standing in two rows.

Chen Chong leaned over to sing along, but she started the tune too high and went completely off-key in the second half of the song, making herself blush.

She doesn't have the spirit of a powerful female protagonist from later generations.

This woman is quite an oddball.

She obtained a beautiful citizenship, but lost her status as a first-class actor.

When he got older, he wrote "Catfish," which even made it onto Douban's bestseller list.

I would be grateful if you would not accept this offer.

Wu Ni, a young soldier in the cultural troupe, quickly said, "Comrade Chen, follow my tune, let's go slowly—'I am a soldier, from the people,' yes, that's the spirit!"

The two sang in harmony, gradually finding their rhythm, and the soldiers below the stage began to hum along softly. Their voices, carried by the wind, filled the entire parade ground.

Liu Xiaoqing stood in the center of the "stage" and practiced the scene of "He Cuigu carrying the stretcher" from the play "Little Flower". When she moved too much, the corner of her clothes swept against the enamel mug on the ground with a "clang", which made the soldiers laugh.

She wasn't annoyed.

He even chuckled and said to everyone, "What a surprise!"

Tao Yuling was warming up her voice.

Tang Guoqiang huddled in a corner with a few soldiers, demonstrating tactical maneuvers. From time to time, the soldiers would correct him, saying, "If your posture is wrong, you'll suffer on the battlefield."

Xu Chengjun sat by the window with his guitar, tuning it and occasionally glancing up at the people rehearsing. He gently tapped the guitar, pondering the melody of "Green Flowers in the Army".

Can you sing?
The atmosphere in the small conference room of the military region's office building was not as lively as in the rehearsal hall.

Around the long wooden table, several leaders sat around a piece of paper with the lyrics to "Green Flowers in the Army" written on it, their brows furrowed.

Originally, it shouldn't have come to this level because of a song.

But it just so happened that I happened to be at a meeting, so it was a lucky coincidence.

Political Commissar Wang spoke first, pointing to the line "Mom, don't worry": "These lyrics are too tender. The soldiers train every day, and if they hear them, they'll miss home. What if it affects their morale?"

Chief of Staff Li nodded in agreement: "Hearing this, I'm afraid it's hard to feel at ease. Let's hope there won't be another mutiny."

Minister Zhang, sitting next to him, quickly chimed in: "Sir, this song was written by Xu Chengjun. His older brother is still on the front lines in the south! This song isn't just about homesickness; it also expresses the spirit of defending one's home!"

He pushed the lyrics towards the officers, saying, "Xu Chengjun understands soldiers. 'Red Silk' is about soldiers, about the concerns of the soldiers. The soldiers all love to read it. This song shares the same sentiment as 'Red Silk.' With tenderness comes greater responsibility!"

Chief Liu remained silent; the tea in his cup had long since gone cold.

He picked up the lyrics, leaned close to the light by the window, and slowly recited: "The cold wind blows, leaves fall, the army is a green flower..."

"I understand your opinions."

After reading it, he put down the paper and tapped the table with his knuckles: "But! Comrades, soldiers are not machines!"

The voice wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced the conference room: "Soldiers in the new era must be compassionate and righteous!"
A person who can fight and bear arms, and who can also miss their mother—that's what makes them a living, breathing human being! If you can't even bear to think of home, what are you talking about protecting your home?

Political Commissar Wang was taken aback and was about to speak when Commander Liu continued, "Xu Chengjun is a true red son! 'Red Silk' depicts the hardships of the soldiers on the front lines and the thoughts hidden in their hearts. He wrote this song not to let the soldiers vent their emotions, but to let them know that—if they miss home, they must protect it even more! This is an elevation, not a burden!"

Chief of Staff Li relaxed his brow, picked up the lyrics and looked at them again: "The commander is right! We don't need to sing it in the recruit company. Let the veterans and the soldiers in the grassroots companies hear it. It will remind them of the hope for home and give them more energy to stand guard!"

Political Commissar Wang nodded, folded the lyrics neatly, and said, "Alright! It's settled then! Let Xu Chengjun sing it at the performance, and we'll hear if this 'Green Flower' can really boost morale!"

"You're going too?"

"Since we have nothing to do tonight, let's go over and hear how well our young comrade can sing!"

By the time Minister Zhang returned to the Second Company's rehearsal area, it was already dusk.

Xu Chengjun was teaching several soldiers to play the chords of "Waiting for You to Return to the North".

Minister Zhang walked over, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile in his eyes, "Chengjun, good news! The leaders have agreed to let you sing 'Green Flowers in the Army' at the performance!"

Xu Chengjun paused in his guitar, then looked up at him: "Really?"

"Of course!"

Minister Zhang briefly explained what happened in the meeting room, adding, "Chief Liu also praised you for understanding soldiers, saying that the songs you wrote demonstrate a sense of responsibility!"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding soldiers all gathered around. Wang Xiaohu was the most excited, grabbing Xu Chengjun's arm: "Teacher Xu, could you sing it once first? We want to hear it!"

Xu Chengjun smiled and nodded, picked up his guitar, and adjusted his posture. The light from the kerosene lamp fell on his face, and as he gently plucked the strings, the melody of "The Cold Wind Blows and Falling Leaves" drifted out, and the rehearsal room fell silent instantly.

Liu Xiaoqing stopped rehearsing, Chen Chong moved to the front row, and Tang Guoqiang also stood among the soldiers, listening quietly.

The melody lacks any rousing tunes, yet it flows like a warm current, slowly permeating everyone's hearts, this training ground filled with military green, and this land of the NJ Military Region in 1979, letting everyone know that the tenderness of soldiers is never a weakness, but rather the strongest force for protecting the country.

The song was only half sung.

They were stopped by Minister Zhang's shout. "Don't just stand there, Chief Liu is coming today!"

When he shouted, none of the young soldiers below moved. It was understandable that they didn't move, since they weren't his soldiers.

But what's wrong with you, Second Company Commander?

Back when I was a company commander, you were the one standing guard at my door!
"Second Company Commander! Get over here!"

"Hey, here we come!"

"Why are you grown men crying?"

"I didn't cry, I didn't cry, this song is so touching!"

"What song?"

"Green flowers in the army!"

Minister Zhang was dumbfounded. The lyrics seemed quite gentle, but how could they make the mud-slicked platoon leader cry?
"Stop talking nonsense and quickly bring over some chairs. The commander is here today to watch the performance with the soldiers!"

offstage
The soldiers were very excited and arrived at the stage early, then hurriedly waited on the parade ground.

No wonder they are like that. In these days, there are not many entertainment activities. Even a feast in the village can make them happy for many days, let alone a formal and large-scale event like a performance to comfort and entertain guests.

In addition, they were all young men, and it goes without saying that there was a lack of recreational activities in the military camp.

Suddenly relaxed, I was really looking forward to the cultural performance.
Backstage, Minister Zhang was checking the program with Xu Chengjun, pointing to the "5th" position: "Chengjun, put 'Green Flowers in the Army' in the middle. Before it, there's the chorus of 'I Am a Soldier' ​​by the art troupe, a segment of 'Little Flower' by Xiaoqing, a skit by Guoqiang and the art troupe, and a song by Chen Chong after it. The rhythm is just right."

"That's good, as long as you didn't put me together with Teacher Tao."

Tao Yuling leaned closer: "What's wrong? Am I too old to be with me?"

"Oh, I was just afraid you'd make me look bad!"

Liu Xiaoqing was touching up her makeup in front of a small mirror, holding a large piece of red paper in her hand, dipping it in water to use as blush. Seeing that Xu Chengjun had finished his work, she came over and teased, "Chengjun, you'd better hold that guitar steady, or the string will break when you sing something emotional!"

Xu Chengjun laughed: "If I break it, I'll learn to sing 'Little Flower' from you. You can teach me."

"That won't do!"

Liu Xiaoqing waved his hand, "I just started learning clapper talk from Squad Leader Li of the cultural troupe, and my mouth is almost lisp. How can I have time to teach you?"

As he spoke, he picked up a bamboo clapper and smacked it twice. He didn't control his strength well, and the bamboo clapper almost flew out, causing everyone backstage to burst into laughter.

Under the light.

How's my makeup today?

Liu Xiaoqing looked up, and what came into view was her ivory-white swan neck. Her silky hair was gently pulled back, emitting a warm glow under the light. Her bright red earrings were particularly eye-catching, charming yet elegant, making her stand out.

This woman is truly amazing. She managed to make even the most outdated and unfashionable old-fashioned military uniform look fashionable and sophisticated.

Good foundation! Good foundation!
These women are, after all, capable of walking the runway even in their sixties and seventies.

Xu Chengjun said sincerely, "It looks great. Is it your own work?"

Liu Xiaoqing brought her hands, which had been behind her back, to him; they were full of makeup tools. "Of course, do you want me to help you?"

Xu Chengjun shook his head: "No need, I'm not used to this thing."

Liu Xiaoqing pointed to the central area backstage, "Everyone who's going on stage today is getting their makeup done and taking photos. Aren't you getting yours done?"

Xu Chengjun turned his head to look, and Tang Guoqiang smeared Vaseline on his face, but still refused: "Today's protagonist is the soldiers below, not me."

Liu Xiaoqing: "If you can talk, then talk more."

Xu Chengjun: "Actually, it's mainly because I'm naturally beautiful."

Liu Xiaoqing rolled her eyes.

Meanwhile, Tang Guoqiang huddled in a corner with Lao Zhou from the performing arts troupe, studying the lines of the skit script.

They were going to perform a skit about a new recruit mistaking someone for his superior, Old Zhang, the cook. "Old Zhou," one of them said, "we need to add a down-to-earth line, like the recruit saying, 'Commander, your apron is so stylish!' The soldiers will definitely laugh!"

Tang Guoqiang gestured as he spoke, and Lao Zhou nodded: "Do it the way you said. Soldiers need that kind of simple-mindedness to be like the kids in our company."

At 2:00 PM sharp, the hosts—Xiao Yang, a female soldier from the cultural troupe, and Lao Zheng, an officer from the troupe headquarters—walked onto the stage.

Old Zheng's booming voice: "Comrades, fellow villagers! Today we gather together to present a performance for our soldiers who defend our country. Now, the performance officially begins!"

The first program was a chorus performance of "I Am a Soldier" by the cultural troupe.

A dozen or so young men and women dressed in military green performance uniforms stood in two rows, their voices so loud they made the gaslight flames flicker: "I am a soldier, from the people..."

The soldiers clapped and kept the beat, and the villagers in the front row hummed along, instantly creating a lively atmosphere.

Xu Chengjun's lips twitched; it really felt so dated.

The second is a clip from Liu Xiaoqing's "Little Flower".

She was wearing the floral print shirt from the play, and as soon as she stepped onto the stage, she was greeted with cheers: "It's He Cuigu!"

She was acting out the scene where Zhao Xiaohua is looking for her brother. When she said, "Brother, you must come back alive," her voice was trembling with tears. Several young soldiers in the audience quietly wiped their eyes.

They also have a younger sister waiting at home.

The third is a skit by Tang Guoqiang and Lao Zhou.

When Tang Guoqiang, playing a new recruit, saw Lao Zhang, who was wearing a white apron, he stood at attention, saluted, and said, "Greetings, Commander!" Lao Zhang was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "I'm Lao Zhang, the one who tends the fire." The soldiers in the audience burst into laughter, and one soldier shouted, "This new recruit looks exactly like me when I first joined the army!"

But when the new recruit said "I miss my mom" in the second half of the segment, the audience fell silent again, as many people recalled what it was like when they first left home.

The fourth is Chen Chong's "The Waves of Honghu Lake".

She stood in the center of the stage, her hand swaying gently, and sang slowly along with the accompaniment: "The waters of Honghu Lake, oh, the waves, oh, the waves..."

Her voice was soft and gentle, like the water of Jiangnan.

The soldiers listened intently, and one soldier from Hubei even hummed along softly, his eyes filled with homesickness.

After finishing her song, Chen Chong bowed, her face flushed, and said, "Thank you, comrades. I didn't sing well..."

Applause immediately erupted from the audience, and someone shouted, "Teacher Chen sang well! Sing another song!"

Then, Xiao Yang went up on stage and announced with a smile: "Next, let's give a warm round of applause to our young writer, Comrade Xu Chengjun, who will sing his original song, 'Green Flowers in the Army'!"

Xu Chengjun walked onto the stage with his guitar, his steps steady.

The audience fell silent instantly, all the soldiers staring at the guitar in his hand.

This instrument was rare in the company. Someone whispered to the person next to him, "Can this thing play military songs?"

"I've never seen it before either!"

What's this thing called?

"Guitar?"

"It's hard to say. Teacher Xu's 'Red Silk' is so good, the song should be pretty good too."

Xu Chengjun sat on a wooden stool in the center of the stage, first tuning the strings, the gaslight shining on his face.

He looked up at the soldiers below the stage, including young recruits, veterans with weathered faces, and villagers holding children. He suddenly smiled and said, "This song, 'Green Flowers in the Army,' is written for every comrade who misses home, and also for the relatives who are waiting for their comrades to come home."

As soon as he finished speaking, the guitar strings were gently plucked.

The melody of "The cold wind blows and the leaves fall, the army is a green flower" floats out, as if someone has opened a neatly folded letter from home.

The audience fell even quieter instantly; even the children stopped making noise and stared wide-eyed at the stage.

There were no rousing tunes, but a lingering, earthy charm enveloped the entire playground.

When the melody is soft, it's like a mother whispering sweet nothings under a locust tree, the words "Don't worry, my child" floating in the wind, even the mud on the soldiers' shoes in the front row seems to quiet down.

At times, it's like gripping a steel gun and shouting out one's concerns, the lingering echo of "standing guard to protect the country" sinking into the earth.

When Wang Xiaohu heard "Mom, don't worry," his Adam's apple bobbed, and he quietly touched the inside pocket of his shirt.

The second company commander grabbed the first company commander's hand: "Are you crying? You're so pathetic!"

"Get the hell out of here! Wipe your eyes clean before you speak!"

"This song is really good!"

"Use your fucking words! If it's not good, why are you trying to make me cry?"

"My child, I have grown up. Standing guard is to protect the country."

Xu Chengjun's voice wasn't loud, but it was like a warm current that slowly spread across the playground.

The veteran in the back row suddenly reddened his eyes, quickly turned his face away, and pretended to wipe his sweat.

But he didn't expect that when he turned around, he would also run into other soldiers hiding from others.

Their eyes met.

I can no longer control my tears.

'homesick.'

Chen Chong and Liu Xiaoqing, sitting in the audience, forgot their jokes. Their bamboo clappers froze in mid-air as they swayed gently to the melody, their eyes filled with admiration: "This song..."

Tao Yuling's tears streamed down her face. Looking at the young soldiers around her, she sighed inwardly, "This song has truly touched everyone's hearts."

Excitement flashed in Tang Guoqiang's eyes: 'This means I've got priority in choosing a spouse!'

Is it too late to learn guitar now?

"The army is our warm home, and our comrades are our brothers." When this line was sung, a soldier couldn't help but hum along, his voice getting louder and louder until all the soldiers in the audience joined in.

With a sob in his voice.

With longing in my heart.

Under the gaslight, the soldiers in their green uniforms swayed gently to the melody. The song, carried by the wind, drifted far away, even reaching the soldiers at the distant outpost, who quietly stood by the barbed wire fence and hummed along.

As the last note faded, Xu Chengjun looked up.

No one in the audience deliberately held their breath, but they all forgot to applaud.

A villager's child stopped crying and stared at the guitar on the stage; a female soldier from the cultural troupe quietly wiped her eyes; even Old Zhang from the cookhouse, who was smoking in the corner, put out his cigarette and moved closer to the stage—he was thinking of his wife back home.

Sobbing could be heard in many places.

The leader nodded slightly: "The song has a stronger aftereffect than I thought."

Minister Zhang shook his head: "I kind of regret letting him sing this song."

Looking at the sobbing soldiers around him, the commander said, "Only by combining suppression and guidance, and by using both firmness and flexibility, can we go further. If we simply suppress their emotions and don't let them vent, problems will arise sooner or later."

"His name is Xu Chengjun, right? I'll help you contact the Warrior Publishing House later."

"And this song, ask him if he'd like to record it. Sometimes when he sings it, it still has a lot of power!"

Minister Zhang had barely finished speaking.

The audience erupted in thunderous applause, louder than any of the previous performances.

The soldiers shouted, "Teacher Xu, sing it again!" The villagers clapped along, and even the babies in their arms clapped their little hands.

"What's Comrade Xu's name? Is he a writer?" a soldier who had just arrived from his shift asked the person next to him.

"His name is Xu Chengjun! The one who wrote 'Red Silk'!"

"No wonder they understand us soldiers so well!"

(End of this chapter)