1978: A Literary Giant Who Began His Military Service

Chapter 144 A Rising Star Author!!! (Seeking monthly votes!!!)
at last.

Zhou Xu returned to his workplace, having missed almost half a month of his studies. He didn't know if he could catch up.

Once inside the dormitory, he handed out his local specialties to a group of people.

Ye Huawei said with a smile, "Comrade Zhou is famous now, huh?"

Zhou Xu laughed and said, "It was just luck!"

"..." Song Zhipeng immediately took the snacks and pastries from Daoxiangcun that Zhou Xu had brought back and started eating them.

Both Beijing and Suzhou have Daoxiangcun stores, and both are time-honored brands in China. Naturally, they will argue about which one is the authentic first Daoxiangcun.

As for who it is, Zhou Xu doesn't know either; as long as it tastes good, that's all that matters.

I just got back to my dorm.

The other dormitory leaders were not calm.

To be honest, the battalion commanders were all roughnecks. They were considered quite cultured if they read "PLA Literature" normally. Who would still be reading "Literary Gazette" or "People's Literature"?

But this time, the article reporting on Zhou Xu wasn't from the "Literary Gazette"!
It's the only People's Daily in the whole country!

"Comrade Zhou Xu, you're amazing! You even made the newspapers after just one trip! The newspapers reported so many of your deeds, but I never imagined you were a hero who defended the field hospital!"

"Comrade Zhou Xu, I really want to express my gratitude to you. There were quite a few wounded soldiers from my company at the field hospital you protected at the time! Thank you for your sacrifice!"

"Hey... Comrade Zhou Xu, could you show us what the National Excellent Novella Award presented at the Great Hall of the People actually looks like?"

Ye Huawei chuckled; this group of people had never seen the world before.

But that's the influence of the People's Daily.

In the 1980s, an influential newspaper reporter was no less influential than a well-known writer, because a single report he wrote could make a person or event instantly famous!
It's like these roughnecks have only heard that Zhou Xu, this artistic soldier, is amazing! But they don't really know just how amazing this artistic soldier is!

Now that the People's Daily is reporting that Zhou Xu is the only young person in the country to have received this award, they instantly feel incredibly proud.

It's like a writer isn't recognized until they win an award; only then are they considered a true writer! Ordinary people don't understand a writer's ability, but they value the authority and recognition of awards more than the writer's work! This is a common misconception!
Therefore, after Zhou Xu won the award, he was also reported by the People's Daily, which instantly made him stand out among the crowd.

Political Commissar Ding coughed and said, "It's time to rest! What are you all doing, standing around in front of someone's house? Do you have any manners?"

Commissar Ding was the most respected person in this group, so when he called out, no one dared to object, and they all withdrew their curious expressions and went back to their dormitories.

Zhou Xu looked at the group of people, then stood up and saluted the political commissar.

"Yes, Not Bad."

Political Commissar Ding glanced at the certificate of merit with curiosity and then left.

……

Back in their dorm, the battalion commanders were still discussing when, in the next dorm, the person in bed number one neatly folded their blanket: "Zhang Mo, what did you say last time? That a first-class merit award for an arts troupe doesn't come with any real merit?"

"Now you have the strength, right? The People's Daily has even reported on it, and the whole country recognizes it!"

Zhang Mo silently agreed.

The deputy battalion commander in bed number three, who had also come from the front lines, was the only one who had the opportunity to be recommended for further study. Looking at the ceiling, he said, "Tell me, the difference between people is just too great! What's the point of us studying here?"

We were all studying together, we were still learning to crawl! And you're telling me you've started running?

The difference was so obvious that it was immediately apparent to a group of people.

Although Zhou Xu will most likely enter the cultural official system of the General Political Department, you should know that even in the General Political Department, one is still an official in the central government! That's much more prestigious than being a battalion commander who works in the wind and rain.

"I'm saying everyone has their place, and the military can't do without us mid-level officers, right? Don't envy others! Just do your jobs well! We have great opportunities for promotion in the future!"

There was a lot of discussion about Zhou Xu's legendary status in the dormitory, mostly voices of envy.

……

On the second afternoon after Zhou Xu returned, the frontline song and dance troupe came to the troops again to perform for them.

One of the purposes was to celebrate Zhou Xu receiving such a prestigious award on behalf of the military.

Because the most famous award in the country right now is the National Excellent Short and Medium-Length Novel Award... In the future, it will also be called the Lu Xun Literature Prize! The current commemorative album for the National Excellent Short and Medium-Length Novel Award features a portrait of Mr. Lu Xun.

As for the most prestigious award for long novels, it goes without saying that it is the Mao Dun Literature Prize, which was established this year after Mr. Mao Dun passed away and donated 250,000 yuan to advocate for its creation.

On stage, the frontline song and dance troupe is performing with great energy.

Zhou Xu sat below watching the show.

After the performance ended, many female students walked over to Zhou Xu, saluted him, and looked at him with admiration: "Teacher Zhou, could you please sign your autograph?"

"Teacher Zhou, I am your reader. I have read all your works. If I hadn't read the People's Daily, I wouldn't have known that Teacher Zhou was actually in our army!"

This is the prestige of the People's Daily and the National Excellent Novella Award. It allows people all over the world to instantly recognize Zhou Xu as a writer. Now, Zhou Xu has gone from being a little famous to a truly well-known writer!

Zhou Xu happily signed autographs for a group of young fans.

After all, watching them dance was quite tiring, so this is a small consolation for everyone.

Seeing Zhou Xu surrounded by pretty girls, Yu Wenyong was green with envy! He couldn't stand seeing his brother doing well, and he especially couldn't stand seeing him eating so well!
"Damn it! This is a bad trend! Absolutely a bad trend! Haha!!" Yu Wenyong felt like he was laughing in anger.

Seeing this, Ye Huawei chuckled: "Alright, alright, what's there to be angry about? Why don't you publish a group report yourself?!"

Soon the captain of the front-line song and dance troupe came over, glanced at the group of girls, and they all had no choice but to leave awkwardly. She walked over and said, "Sorry, all these girls are like this!"

Zhou Xu nodded. Although the cultural troupe was also under military management, it was much more relaxed than a regular army unit and prone to disorder. His previous unit had the same problem.

After all, female soldiers are more emotional and harder to manage, while male soldiers who are dissatisfied are promoted to officers.

The frontline song and dance troupe tried to recruit Zhou Xu again, but he refused as always.

A few days later, the grass grew and the birds flew. As for Zhou Xu, he had been catching up on his studies. He had been away for more than twenty days to receive the award, and it seemed that he had fallen behind in his studies quite a bit.

Summer was fast approaching, and Zhou Xu, while pondering his new novel and studying, felt that campus life had returned to normal.

...A small courtyard in Xuanwu District.

Yao Fanghua rushed into the courtyard, holding a newspaper and shouting, "Grandma, come and see quickly!"

Once inside, she skipped and hopped in with the newspaper. The old lady turned and glanced at Fanghua: "What's all the fuss about?"

Yao Fanghua handed the newspaper to the old lady, and the front of the newspaper prominently featured the story of Zhou Xu winning the National Excellent Novella Award.

The old lady, slightly surprised that someone who was only published in the newspaper was considered a truly famous writer, exclaimed, "That's really impressive!?"

“It’s more than just impressive; it’s the first time such a young writer in the country has received such an honor!” Yao Fanghua responded with a smile.

Hearing this, the old lady smiled slightly: "That's really amazing... You must seize this opportunity."

Yao Fanghua blushed: "You really are talking nonsense!"

"I'm talking nonsense? I'm not talking nonsense! If you didn't like them, would you be paying so much attention to them?"

Yao Fanghua nodded silently. In front of the old lady, she didn't suppress herself as much. She really liked her. It was impossible not to like someone so outstanding!
"Ah."

Seeing her unusually shy expression, the old lady continued, "This kind of person is very sought after; you have to take the initiative!"

The little girl looked at her with admiration. The old lady found it both funny and amusing.

Boom boom boom!
Boom boom boom!
While they were still talking inside, there was a knock on the door!
When she opened the door, Zhou Xu was standing there. He was carrying some things and had said he would come to see the old lady, and he was determined to do so: "Grandma! You're here?! This is a gift for you!"

The old lady smiled and said, "Oh! Since you're already here, why bring a gift? Oh, by the way, I've smoked some cured meat in my house! Remember to take some to school!"

Zhou Xu went into the old lady's house as a guest.

"Okay, okay?"

Zhou Xu glanced at the beautiful woman in the room and smiled, "So Fanghua is here too."

Having just chatted with the old lady about Zhou Xu, Yao Fanghua's face flushed red as she looked at him, too ashamed to look up. "Oh!"

Zhou Xu continued walking inside!
Then I took a look around.

I didn't pay attention to it last time I came, but this time Zhou Xu looked at it as he entered the house and said, "Hey? Grandma, what's this?"

Zhou Xu looked at the certificate of "First-Class Merit" hanging in the room!

The old lady glanced at it and said, "That? That was something my husband brought back a long time ago, but he's long gone now!"

Zhou Xu nodded. He thought it was pretty impressive!

The 43 Draft of the Disciplinary Regulations stipulated that those who made contributions to the revolution would be awarded the Red Flag Medal by order of the highest military authority and have their photos taken under the red flag of the troops. It also officially established the establishment of "three certificates" in the whole regiment: individuals have a "Merit Certificate", companies have a "Merit Book", and merit certificates are issued to the families of officers and soldiers who have made meritorious contributions.

Here is the individual's "Certificate of Merit" for the First-Class Merit Citation. Zhou Xu always respected veterans: "This is written...wow. Your husband is really amazing, ma'am!"

The old lady said, "Impressive!? I'm not quite sure. Have some tea!"

Zhou Xu spoke with the old lady for a while and then took some of her cured meat with him.

The old lady already had a pension and her husband's allowance, so her family was naturally doing well. Zhou Xu was less worried about her, especially since Yao Fanghua was there to take care of her!

When Zhou Xu reached the door, the old lady pushed Yao Fanghua forward, saying, "Go and see him off!"

Yao Fanghua nodded slowly and walked with Zhou Xu on the cobblestone path by the street. The two of them walked slowly!

She chatted casually.

Are you going to see a play?

"Maybe next time? I only come out during my afternoon rest time today."

"Oh!"

Zhou Xu talked with her for a while before returning to his unit.

……

It's that time of year again, and Zhou Xu went back home several times. The old lady brought him a lot of food, and he also got free tickets to Yao Fanghua's play several times...

While conceiving new plot ideas, Zhou Xu also kept up with the learning.

However, the military doesn't have summer vacation. Summer vacation is for regular universities. Military academies don't have summer vacation. It's basically used for military exercises, internships, intensive training, and a series of other things!
Xie Jin called Zhou Xu again!
Zhou Xu followed closely behind as they exited the school gate.

Standing next to Xie Jin were all handsome men and beautiful women!
Upon seeing Zhou Xu, Gong Xue immediately walked over, shook hands with him, and greeted him, "Comrade Zhou Xu! It's so good to see you're alright!"

Zhou Xu chuckled: "You're making it sound like something terrible has happened to me?"

He looked at Gong Xue's face! The saying "rich people raise rich people" is true. Since she became famous, Gong Xue has become rich and naturally takes good care of herself. Now her skin is even more radiant than before. Wearing a semi-transparent coat, she looks very elegant and noble.

Gong Xue pouted: "Of course not! I heard from Xiao Jia that you went to the front lines, and I was so worried about you! I thought something had happened to you! Luckily you're alright! But congratulations on winning the National Excellent Novella Award!"

Zhou Xu smiled slightly and gently withdrew his hand. This girl is really sentimental! No wonder Liu Jia said she often talks about herself; it doesn't seem fake.

Zhao Mengsheng (Tang Guoqiang) looked at Zhou Xu and said with a smile, "Comrade Zhou Xu! Congratulations on winning the grand prize! I am Tang Guoqiang!"

Prime Minister?

Bah! Fourth Master! I'll slap you!

To be fair, Tang Guoqiang's acting skills are absolutely superb; he's just unlucky to have a wife who doesn't bring him good fortune. As for whether his wife is neurotic or he actually has a problem, Zhou Xu doesn't care. As long as the actor performed well, that's all that matters. As long as it's not a matter of political stance, there's no need to concern oneself with such things.

Xie Jin watched the group reminisce before saying, "Screenwriter Zhou! These two are Zhao Mengsheng and Han Yuxiu, whom I chose! It would be inconvenient for Liang Sanxi and Jin Kailai to fly over from the August First Film Studio, so I only brought these two along! I also wanted you to give me some pointers on the play!"

Gong Xue nodded, her big eyes blinking at Zhou Xu. More than the content of the play instruction, Gong Xue was actually more interested in Zhou Xu's experiences over the past few years!

She and Wang Shuo shared a similar mindset; they were old friends who hadn't seen each other in a long time. Suddenly, upon meeting again, she realized he had not only become a great writer, but one she herself relied on!

Although Gong Xue felt that her experience was quite lucky, she couldn't help but be amazed when she looked at Zhou Xu.

Of course, it's impossible to say that Zhou Xu didn't leave anything in this older sister's heart, after all, one shouldn't meet someone too amazing when one is young!

(End of this chapter)