1978: A Literary Giant Who Began His Military Service

Chapter 138 A First-Class Merit is totally normal! (Monthly vote~)

Zhou Xu then realized that he seemed to have been tricked.

But it doesn't matter, as long as I get the money.

Fifty yuan is still money.

Wang Anyi left happily after receiving Zhou Xu's promise.

Yao Fanghua glanced in the direction she had left and asked, "This older sister seems to be quite talented?"

“That’s right, she’s a talented woman? I’ve read a few of her novels, she was a bit of a late bloomer!” Zhou Xu chimed in.

"Oh!" She nodded in agreement.

"..."

After the New Year, Zhou Xu spent a few days here during the first month of the lunar calendar. He had rested enough, so he went to the courtyard to say goodbye to the old lady: "Grandma, I'm going back to school now."

"Oh? You're leaving?" The old lady was a little reluctant to see them go, after all, the house had been lively for a while.

She went into the house and brought out some things: "This is taffy, Yuhua tea... and these are the ducks I made. Eat more of them when you go to school!"

"Thank you, Grandma! I'll come visit you during my vacation!"

"Goodbye!"

After saying goodbye to the two, Zhou Xu went to school.

I entered the dormitory.

Yu Wenyong walked over: "Xiao Zhou, you're famous again! When I was on blind dates, they were all talking about you! As soon as those girls heard that I knew you, they got so excited, like they were in a revolution, and insisted that I get them an autograph!"

"Tsk, what are you doing? Am I setting up a blind date for myself? Isn't this setting up a blind date for you?"

Song Zhipeng tidied the bedding: "Aren't you happy? If Comrade Zhou Xu were next to you, he wouldn't even look at you, let alone talk to you!"

Yu Wenyong stroked his beard: "I think I understand now. Women only like two things, one of which is a face! Comrade Zhou Xu's face is very delicate, like a pretty boy!"

"Ahem..." Ye Huawei, the deputy commander, coughed as he entered.

Yu Wenyong immediately said, "Yes, yes, yes, the term 'pretty boy' cannot be used to describe Comrade Zhou Xu!"

Tang Guoqiang is often brought up in conversation, and everyone knows he's a pretty boy, which has become a negative term.

"Secondly, women like men who can pretend! I've found that writers who compose poems and essays and occasionally act all melancholic and resentful are the most popular! Of course, I'm not talking about you, Comrade Zhou Xu, even if those writers don't actually have any talent!"

Song Zhipeng found it amusing. He walked over and patted Yu Wenyong on the shoulder: "You actually found out? Aren't you going to make some changes? Shave off that beard of yours?"

"No, no, no!" Yu Wenyong immediately shook his head: "I'm planning to keep growing this beard, preferably a full beard, like Guan Yu's..."

"Still growing a beard? That'll be a violation next time!"

"It's not up to standard yet, so its length isn't a problem!!"

"Alright, alright, stop chatting, we have to meet this afternoon!" The other two found his words amusing.

"Are you all alright on your way back?" Zhou Xu picked up his small backpack.

Song Zhipeng nodded: "Speaking of which, when I went back, some leaders asked me about your situation! They asked why you didn't go back!"

"Is this the political commissar?" Zhou Xu thought to himself, "I told him I was safe during the Spring Festival."

"Yep!"

The group chatted as they walked toward the auditorium.

Upon arriving at the auditorium, the group sat down.

Today is another day of speeches and conferences at the beginning of the year.

Political Commissar Ding spoke at the front: "Our training class achieved remarkable results last year, which is inseparable from the efforts of all the junior officers at the grassroots level! But times are changing, and learning cannot stop. Political work and military theory are compulsory courses in the new era, and everyone must continue to study them thoroughly and deeply."

After saying a few words, it took about an hour! That's how old leaders always talk—they can drag on for over an hour.

"..."

Political Commissar Ding coughed and said, "Next, please welcome a leader from the Nanjing Military Region to speak."

"Everyone, stand up!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a slender but agile leader strode to the front of the stage, his gaze sweeping across the entire room, and his booming voice rang out: "Hello, comrades!"

Upon seeing their commander's face, the generals immediately raised their hands in salute, their movements perfectly synchronized.

The leader smiled and waved his hand, his tone friendly: "Alright, alright, everyone, please sit down!"

"What is this?" Song Zhipeng was stunned.

Ye Huawei nodded: "Yes, it's the High Commander!"

"Oh! Impressive, what are you doing at our military academy?" Yu Wenyong whispered among himself.

"Of course they have something to say? Maybe they're trying to poach someone?"

"..."

The commander quickly got to the point, his tone earnest and forceful: "I'm sure many of you read the novel 'Nanjing Photo Studio' during the Spring Festival, right? Especially our comrades in the Nanjing Military Region, who basically have a copy in every squad, so they should be even more familiar with it."

"This novel is really well written and full of momentum! It exposes the hideous face of the Japanese invaders in a vivid way and brings that heartbreaking history to the forefront. It is very moving."

"The municipal government had previously planned to build a memorial hall for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre by Japanese invaders. Thanks to the widespread influence of this novel, which resonated strongly within the city and province, the construction of the memorial hall has progressed exceptionally smoothly."

"Speaking of which, I have some good news to share with you all—the author of this novel is one of our students! Last year, when the Wuhan Military Region applied to send this art troupe member to study here, it sparked a lot of discussion. Now it seems that the decision was absolutely right! It was because he came to Nanjing and deeply experienced the history and sentiment of this land that he was able to write such a significant work as 'Nanjing Photo Studio,' which has brought such a great social impact."

"The municipal and provincial governments have expressed their sincere gratitude to Comrade Zhou Xu. What is even more admirable is that Comrade Zhou Xu also donated 1,000 yuan on behalf of the army. This gesture has brought the citizens' respect for him and our People's Liberation Army to a climax. The people and the government have high hopes for us, and our military region must also live up to these expectations!" He paused here, his gaze sweeping across the room.

"Oh!" Yu Wenyong's mouth formed a big "O" shape. He never expected that the chief had come all the way here for such a thing!
Ye Huawei was also surprised for a moment. He had always been calm and composed in the past, but today he finally showed a slight change in his emotions!

The entire room erupted into another heated discussion.

Who is Zhou Xu?

"Confirmed! Our unit has produced a scholar?"

"What's with all this talk about scholars? How many of the founding generals were Confucian scholars? Don't discriminate against scholars!"

"That's awesome..."

Most of them were at the level of deputy battalion commander or battalion commander, and in their eyes, the commander was still very distant and something to look forward to.

"Then I'll invite Comrade Zhou Xu to the stage first!" the leader continued.

Zhou Xu walked towards the front desk.

All eyes were on him; he was indeed dazzling.

Zhou Xu stood at the front of the stage, saluted the leader, and then followed him to his position.

The commander returned the salute and shook hands with Zhou Xu: "Of course the military region must reward Comrade Zhou Xu! That's why our Nanjing Military Region specially applied for a First-Class Merit Award!!! Today, we are awarding Comrade Zhou Xu the First-Class Merit Medal!"

Zhou Xu is still a member of the Wuhan Military Region.

However, it is reasonable for the Nanjing Military Region to award him the First-Class Merit Medal for his outstanding contributions.

Besides, it's a high-ranking official like him applying for a first-class merit award. There aren't any complicated procedures involved.

Zhou Xu was also taken aback. Another first-class merit? He felt like he had overshadowed his superiors!

A burst of applause erupted from below.
"Did I hear that right?" Yu Wenyong looked at the two of them.

"What did you say?"

"I asked if it really was a first-class merit?"

Ye Huawei nodded.

Yu Wenyong scratched his head, looking surprised: "Another first-class merit? I remember he just received one last year, and he's getting another award in less than a year? Tsk tsk!"

Ye Huawei took a deep breath, his face showing surprise, and then said slowly, "Normally, there's a time interval when awarding medals, but last year it was the Wuhan Military Region and this year it's the Nanjing Military Region—the two military regions don't have as many concerns. Besides, the Nanjing Military Region is especially grateful to Zhou Xu, which is why they commended him so quickly!"

"How many are there now?" Yu Wenyong couldn't help but count them on his thumb.

Song Zhipeng coughed and said, "Three first-class merits and one third-class merit!!"

"..."

The two were a little stunned when they heard the number.

Three First-Class Merits?

With these three first-class merits, a promotion after graduation is inevitable!

Even Ye Huawei was envious of Zhou Xu's rapid promotion. Cultural soldiers in peacetime really do get promoted quickly!

Song Zhipeng took a deep breath: "It's perfectly normal for him to win an award!"

"What's so normal about this?" Yu Wenyong muttered.

Song Zhipeng was already used to being surprised by Zhou Xu's award-winning journey. After all, he had three merits in two years of service, so it wouldn't be surprising if he had four in three years!

The soldiers below became even more excited! They burst into applause.

Zhou Xu was awarded a first-class merit medal.

In fact, he himself was quite surprised by this first-class merit award.

Soon after, the leader shook hands with him again: "Thank you for Comrade Zhou Xu's righteous act. I am expressing my gratitude on behalf of the citizens of NJ!"

Zhou Xu immediately saluted: "This is what we soldiers should do!!"

"it is good!"

After Zhou Xu received the award, he returned to his seat, and the old leader continued speaking: "We should learn from Comrade Zhou Xu's spirit of selfless dedication..."

-

Soon, Zhou Xu's commendation was reported by Xinhua Daily.

It began to spread in the urban area of ​​Nanjing.

"Should he be awarded a first-class merit? I think he should be awarded a special-class merit!!"

"Comrade Zhou Xu has made such a great contribution, this first-class merit is well-deserved!"

The city and even the province have greatly appreciated the military region's move.

Of course, this was also the leader's attitude. The old leader had already heard some criticisms of "Nanjing Photo Studio" within the province.

He went to the propaganda b site to make a statement, and this time he directly awarded Zhou Xu a first-class merit, which can be regarded as a complete statement of the Nanjing Military Region's attitude, which is to give Zhou Xu absolute support.

So quite a few of those strange noises have subsided!

Sales of "Nanjing Photo Studio" fluctuated slightly during this period.

-

I was editing code until midnight last night and didn't get up until noon today, so I didn't have time to post it. Since I post after checking, I didn't set a timer.
(End of this chapter)