1978: A Literary Giant Who Began His Military Service

Chapter 70 Back

“Dad, this brother is amazing! I want to write him a letter!” Tao Huimin suddenly said.

Hearing Tao Huimin's words, Tao's father was a little surprised: "I wonder if Comrade Zhou Xu will receive your letter."

"I think I should be able to receive it? I want to send it to the military region."

These days, writing letters to celebrities in newspapers seems to be a common occurrence. Tao Huimin also wanted to write a letter to express her admiration and her condolences to the soldiers.

Tao's father fully approved of her action: "That's right, we can also express our condolences to the soldiers!"

Mr. Tao happily patted Tao Huimin's head.

"Hmm!" She picked up a pen, pursed her lips, placed it on the newspaper, and began to write a letter. Looking at Zhou Xu's appearance on the other side of the newspaper, Tao Huimin felt her admiration for Zhou Xu grow even stronger.

She wrote a letter of one or two hundred words, which contained Tao Huimin's admiration and respect for the hero Zhou Xu.

"Dad, look at my letter, how is it?" Tao Huimin held the letter in both hands, the ink still smeared on her lips.

Looking at his adorable daughter, Mr. Tao smiled knowingly: "Okay, let me take a look first!"

Holding the letter, Tao's father glanced at it and said, "The letter is well-written! Let me fill in the various information for you!"

The current Ruian Drama Troupe does not give its members a share of the profits from performances and gigs, but the troupe will give them a monthly living allowance of five yuan.

Tao Huimin currently receives a living allowance of five yuan, making her a wealthy woman who reigns supreme among the children.

"Shall I go out and mail a letter?"

"Okay, you can take it... Oh, and remember to buy a bottle of soy sauce when you come back."

Tao Huimin nodded.

Holding the envelope, she left the gate and walked along the unique path of Jiangnan, listening to the sound of oars paddling in the river... There are still many low-rise courtyards in the south.

At the post office, Tao Huimin paid and handed over the envelope: "Comrade! I want to mail a letter!!!"

"Oh! It's Xiao Tao! Wait a minute, let me register you!"

Tao Huimin waited patiently, then handed over the envelope.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Three days later, at the entrance of the Victory Cultural Troupe.

Zhou Xu got out of the jeep, and his comrades quickly helped him with his luggage. He stared at the door, slightly dazed.

The sign that reads "Victory Cultural Troupe" is still pasted on the main entrance, and the portraits of the instructors on the wall are still there.

Soon, Political Commissar Huang walked towards Zhou Xu.

"The combat hero is back." Political Commissar Huang walked over to Zhou Xu and helped him with his luggage.

"You said the novel is finished?"

"Yes, I just finished. I'm going to hand it in to my boss as soon as I get back!" Zhou Xu said with a smile.

"Oh! We'll talk about the novel later. Let's go inside the regiment first; everyone's been waiting for you for a month or two." Political Commissar Huang walked ahead.

Soon, after dropping off their things at the dormitory, Zhou Xu was taken to the dance troupe's practice hall before he could even rest.

Upon entering the house.

Zhou Xu's tall and upright figure and Political Commissar Huang's slightly thin body immediately attracted the attention of the entire cultural troupe. Zhou Xu's deeds were promoted as a model throughout the troupe early on.

After all, few members of the cultural troupe went to the front lines to fight, and even fewer were able to achieve military merit.

Everyone stopped and stared at the two of them.

Political Commissar Huang led Zhou Xu to the front of the cultural troupe. Standing on the stage, he coughed and said, "Everyone! Stop for a moment and listen to me say a few words."

A group of people from the performing arts troupe immediately came over to assemble.

They stood in neat rows, forming a square formation. Political Commissar Huang continued, "As you all know, what I'm talking about is a warm welcome to combat hero Comrade Zhou Xu! Before the battle, he composed 'The Song of a Strong Army,' during the battle he protected the field hospital, and after the battle he comforted the soldiers on the front lines!"

Soldiers capable of these things are rare! Soldiers as outstanding as these are even rarer!!

"Clap clap!" Political Commissar Huang was the first to applaud.

A group of people followed suit and applauded enthusiastically.

Of course, besides verbal praise, there were also tangible rewards. Political Commissar Huang pulled out a certificate for "Advanced Worker" from his pocket:

"You've been awarded a First-Class Merit for Combat. Since our regiment doesn't have any more First-Class Merit awards, you'll be awarded the 'Advanced Worker' award this month. And here's a hundred yuan; this is a bonus from all the teachers in our creative studio!"

After giving Zhou Xu the certificate and bonus, Political Commissar Huang continued, "Everyone must remember this! Learn from outstanding comrades! Correct the unhealthy tendencies in the cultural troupe!"

"..." Another round of applause followed.

The speech had just ended when Political Commissar Huang led Zhou Xu out of the dance studio.

The group of male and female members of the performing arts troupe immediately started chattering and discussing.

"Oh my! A first-class merit! That's amazing. Was Comrade Zhou Xu injured? And he's limping a bit?"

Hearing this, He Jing was stunned for a moment: "His foot is really injured? What a pity."

"...Now writers have become heroes?"

The team leader glanced at the performing arts troupe and said, "Disband, disband! What are you all talking about regarding their business?!"

"..."

I went back to my dorm.

Zhou Xu was making the bed, with Political Commissar Huang helping him. After a short while, Political Commissar Huang asked, "Comrade Zhou Xu, I've looked at your hospital records... You should reduce your drills and training for the next few months. Wait until you've rested before continuing."

“…Okay.” Zhou Xu didn’t try to be stubborn.

The cultural troupe is also part of the military, and they will occasionally conduct shooting and running training.

"By the way, Political Commissar, my novel is right here! When should I submit it for publication?"

"Submit your article now, of course! You're writing about the Vietnam War, right?" Political Commissar Huang asked.

"Ah."

"If you want to publish a novel about the Vietnam War in a magazine in the capital, you have to go through the General Political Department for review and approval first. Shall I submit it for you then?"

The General Political Department is the political department of the People's Liberation Army and also the highest organization in the arts and literature sector.

The PLA Literature and Art Publishing House mentioned earlier is just an organization directly under the Propaganda Department of the General Political Department.

Zhou Xu nodded: "Then I'll trouble you, Political Commissar."

“What trouble is there? Taking care of you is my duty. When I first heard about your deeds of killing twenty-five enemies and protecting the field hospital, I was moved to tears! It was truly touching!” Political Commissar Huang said.

The old political commissar calculated that he was actually five or six years older than Zhou Xu's parents.

My father participated in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. As for those who can hold important positions in military cultural troupes in this day and age, they must have made great contributions during those years of the War of Resistance.

"Ah."

The political commissar took Zhou Xu's manuscript and left.

He went to the office, filled out some materials, and quickly sent them to the General Political Department.

Zhou Xu was lying on his bed in the dormitory.

Touching my right leg, which is still aching slightly! The journey of life...

Actually, I originally planned to serve in the army for three years and then leave, but after receiving a first-class merit... I'll most likely be promoted to officer after three years. Getting recommended to a military academy or arts college won't be difficult either.

(End of this chapter)