1978: A Literary Giant Who Began His Military Service

Chapter 18 The Capital!

"Comrade, from basic training? Have you been assigned to a company?"

The platoon leader next to him offered Zhou Xu a cigarette, which Zhou Xu couldn't refuse, so he took it and put it in his bag.

"No, I was transferred to another location for a mission." He didn't want to go into details.

The team had explained the confidentiality rules quite a bit, so the group didn't ask any further questions.

Who knows, maybe it's the son of some old commander who's going to work in a company-level unit for a few months before being transferred back?

Zhou Xu's buttocks were shaking so badly, it felt like a massage chair.

Army drivers drive recklessly. While regular driving schools teach you how to avoid obstacles, the training program for army drivers is how to drive over obstacles without slowing down.

As for the comfort of the passengers and soldiers behind them, that's not their concern, since they all have iron butts.

If a car breaks down, it's not the driver's responsibility; otherwise, what's the point of having a car repair shop?

Believe it or not, this has its advantages, namely, it's incredibly fast.

at last!

Zhou Xu was transferred from his company to the Wuhan Military Region.

I got off the bus, greeted a few veterans, and left.

Holding the letter of introduction in his hand, he casually greeted a comrade: "Where is Company XX? I need to get on the train with them!"

"Which company in the capital? It's on the parade ground next to that building. Go there!"

Zhou Xu's car was always bumping into him.

After finding the assigned company, I followed them and took a car to the train station.

A green train, the entire carriage of which was reserved for the military... Zhou Xu boarded the train and managed to snag a seat.

Seeing that he looked travel-worn and his clothes were ordinary, the comrade next to him asked curiously, "Comrade, are you a new recruit?"

Zhou Xu nodded: "I haven't been in the army for long!"

"Go to the capital with the company?"

Zhou Xu ate his assigned dry rations and nodded slowly, "Yeah. I have some business at the General Political Department..."

"Wow! That's impressive! Going back to the capital before the Lunar New Year? He's already gone to the capital before even being assigned to a unit!"

A group of people watched as the new recruits, who had only recently joined the army, were transferred to the capital!

This inevitably led them to speculate: Could it be that the son of some high-ranking official was stuck at the grassroots level, and then they were pulled over to take up a direct post in the capital?
Damn it! Darkness has fallen over the capital! One hand can control the sky! Just which leader's son is this?
Some well-meaning people offered cigarettes, trying to strike up a conversation: "Comrade, want a cigarette?"

Zhou Xu took the cigarette and put it in his bag: "Don't smoke on the train!"

There are currently no regulations prohibiting smoking, because trains don't travel very fast, so people haven't realized the fire hazards associated with smoking on trains.

We'd be on the bus for a day or two, and the group was bored, so they played cards and chatted... then started looking around...

Finally, the group realized that Zhou Xu was not the old commander's son, but a soldier who had worked hard and made his own way in the army. They were ashamed to admit that they had misunderstood him.

"Oh my, a writer! It's a pleasure to meet you!"

……

Two days later!
Zhou Xu parted ways with his company at the Capital Railway Station.

He stood alone at the train station.

In December, the capital city was already covered with a thick layer of snow. Zhou Xu was wearing a military overcoat, a scarf that his mother had knitted before, and a felt hat. He felt very cold.

As a southerner, he rarely saw such heavy snow.

People walked through the snow, a moving crowd. Seven or eight years ago, everyone wore military overcoats and gray cotton-padded coats, unlike the colorful clothes of the 21st century.

Moreover, due to industrial impact, the sky is now grayish-green, and there is no vegetation along the roadside, just a bare expanse.

At first glance, the streets have that monotonous grayness reminiscent of old-fashioned cameras, and it's definitely not a problem with the old cameras. The streets are just a dull gray.

Of course, it wouldn't be strange if a soldier in military uniform suddenly walked through the crowd...

He held the letter of recommendation in his hand.

Zhou Xu didn't have Baidu Maps on his phone, and he couldn't find his way. He went to a newsstand next to the train station and asked, "Comrade, how much is a map?"

In those days, the first thing to do after leaving the train station was to check into the guesthouse, but Zhou Xu didn't need to because it was arranged by the magazine. The second thing was to buy a map.

"This is twenty-five cents! Comrade, do you need it?"

Zhou Xu deftly handed over the money and took the map.

This map was compiled and published by the Map Publishing House in January 1978 and distributed by Xinhua Bookstore Beijing Distribution Center.

The two pages each have a city traffic map on the top half and a bus route map of the suburbs of Beijing and a long-distance bus route map on the bottom left and right. The back of the page features maps of major scenic spots such as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the Summer Palace.

Looking at the station, he knew the magazine office was located in Beidazhuang, so he headed towards it.

Exit the train station.

Zhou Xu firmly stepped into the snow, screeching and crunching! The sound of footsteps on snow was really pleasant and beautiful to him, a southerner.

One by one,
Zhou Xu left behind footprints in the People's Liberation Army shoes.

We arrived at the bus station.

Get ready to wait for the bus!

After two or three days of traveling by car, Zhou Xu found the current transportation system very painful. He vowed that when he had money, he would fly every day even in the 1980s!
Zhou Xu finally arrived here!

At the entrance of the "PLA Literature and Art" magazine office in Zhongguancun.

Carrying a People's Liberation Army backpack and wearing a bright green military uniform, it wasn't that he didn't want to change clothes, but that this was the only uniform the army had.

It was not surprising at all that people in military uniforms came to the entrance of the "PLA Literature and Art" magazine.

He arrived at the door and randomly approached a young editor: "Hello, sir, I'm a writer here to revise my manuscript. Could you tell me where editor Liu Jiaju is?"

Zhou Xu was wearing a military uniform, and as a writer from the military, he was naturally more likable, especially his smile.

"It's inside the house. Let me take you there!"

The young editor led Zhou Xu inside.

The editorial department now has more than ten people crammed into one room. The doors and windows are large, but you still can't see clearly, so the lights are on.

With a group of people breathing inside, and the room tightly sealed, entering the editorial department in the dead of winter felt like warming up from head to toe...

Currently, only ministerial-level units have air conditioning, while editorial departments do not. However, the room is heated and very warm.

A group of people glanced at Zhou Xu and then lowered their heads. After all, the editorial department was bustling with people every day, and these new writers were not uncommon and not worth their curiosity.

They then came to Liu Jiaju's side.

"Editor Liu, someone's looking for you!" the junior editor said before running off. Zhou Xu, carrying his luggage, looked honest and simple, and immediately said, "Hello, Editor Liu, my name is Zhou Xu, I'm here to revise 'Changjin Lake'!"

Liu Jiaju was initially surprised, but quickly stood up happily and shook hands with Zhou Xu: "Hello, I am your editor, Liu Jiaju!"

"Sit down first."

Zhou Xu put his backpack on the ground.

Xiao Liu, the editor next to him, heard that Zhou Xu had arrived and curiously peeked over to take a look.

Liu Jiaju explained:

"This is Editor Liu from the editorial department!"

"Hello!" Zhou Xu said sincerely.

The other person was a slightly plump, affluent woman with large, bright eyes. Upon hearing Zhou Xu's words, she couldn't help but smile and reply, "Hello."

What are the must-visit places in the capital?

For young people, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall seem to evoke many different responses.

However, older people seem to prefer visiting memorial halls...

Liu Jiaju said, "Young people these days?...rarely like you."

"I grew up under the influence of my parents, and I especially love the song 'On the Golden Mountain of Beijing'!"
The golden sun shines brightly over the capital, Chairman Mao is like that golden sun, so warm and benevolent, illuminating the hearts of us serfs, and leading us to stride forward on the road to socialist happiness.

"Tsk!" The two exchanged a glance; this young man was really interesting.

They're so incredibly popular! Every casual remark they make is a viral sensation.

I still prefer revolutionary songs.

This surprised and delighted the two of them.

"Haha, I didn't know you could sing!" Editor Liu said with a laugh.

"Oh...right, you've confused me. I'm here to talk to you about the manuscript!" Liu Jiaju slapped his forehead, took out the manuscript of "Changjin Lake," and placed it in front of Zhou Xu.

"I looked through the documents the General Political Department gave me. Who is your father?"

Zhou Xu said, "My father was a volunteer soldier in the Chinese People's Volunteer Army who fought in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea... He went to the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, but not in the group mentioned in the book. The stories he told me about his regiment were told to me by others, which is why I embellished them artistically!"

"I never expected it! It's my old comrade-in-arms! I'd like to have a chat with your father sometime," Liu Jiaju exclaimed.

"Xuxu? Then I'll invite my father to the capital for a visit when I have time; he might be very interested."

However, Zhou Xu was just joking. If it weren't for a few more years, he would still be a migrant worker and wouldn't have many opportunities to enter the capital.

"Continue with the script..."

Liu Jiaju found Zhou Xu quite amusing to talk to; once they started chatting, they would start talking about other things and forget about the manuscript.

"Ahem, firstly! I won't go into the simple mistakes like typos and awkward sentences; I've already marked them!"
The most important thing is the theme; some details in the novel need to be revised.

Liu Jiaju was a firsthand witness and had written "Experiencing the Korean War," so having him guide on the details of the error was perfect, and he was also the most suitable person to revise Zhou Xu's manuscript.

"There are still some parts that I feel have been over-modified, and I'd like you to make some changes..."

Liu Jiaju has always been strict in revising manuscripts.

Zhou Xu kept his head down and silently memorized the notes. Anyway, he didn't need to write his first novel well; he just wanted it to be published. Revising the manuscript?
There is nothing that one is unwilling to do.

"..."

An hour or two passed.

Liu Jiaju's mouth was dry from talking. He picked up his teacup and took a sip. Surprisingly, the young and impetuous writer in front of him did not refute him.

"Huh? You don't have any objections? We can discuss it now, don't mind."

Zhou Xu shook his head at Liu Jiaju: "No, I don't have any objections. You're a firsthand witness, so your opinion is bound to be better than mine, which is just a novel written based on imagination, right? So just follow your line of thought!"

"Hey?"

Liu Jiaju punched the cotton ball, took a sip of tea, and then looked at his companion.

"We're not used to it now that there are no authors arguing with Lao Liu in the editorial department. There used to be quite a few people arguing with him!"

Zhou Xu said, "Professionals should do professional things. Editor Liu is an editor, so he is naturally much more familiar with revising manuscripts than I am. This is my first time publishing a work, so I am not proficient in anything."

"Great!" Liu Jiaju was in a good mood.

"Let's call it a day. You've only just arrived in the capital, and I've been so busy getting you to revise your manuscript that I haven't even arranged accommodation for you. I'll take you to the guesthouse so you can rest for a bit!"

Zhou Xu nodded, glancing casually at the revised manuscript on Liu Jiaju's desk.

This is incredible! It's Mo Yan Sang!
Yes, this is the timeline of Mo Yan's submissions to various literary magazines. In 1977 or 1988, he submitted several novels to "PLA Literature and Art" but they were all rejected.

After all, Mo Yan is almost twenty-five years old. If he doesn't get promoted, he'll have to be discharged from the army. If he wants to get promoted, he can only make a living by writing novels... What those TV shows about wanting to eat dumplings are just nonsense from those writers. Who doesn't write novels for money, fame, and fortune?

Of course, the group of ambitious young people at the beginning of the century were quite different. Those people were truly ambitious.

"..."

As Liu Jiaju spoke, he stood up and led Zhou Xu out of the editorial department.

As soon as I stepped out the door.

Zhou Xu felt a chill run down his spine as he stepped through the snow, leaving footprints with each step.
Liu Jiaju continued to chatter with him; "I saw in your file that you received a third-class merit when you were in basic training?"

Zhou Xu said, "It was our company commander, the one who answered the phone with you last time. He really valued me and gave me a third-class merit award, which he used to encourage the other soldiers. I didn't think much of it..."

Zhou Xu is very modest.

Liu Jiaju patted him on the shoulder: "Whether you're an arts and culture soldier or an ordinary soldier, these achievements are part of your resume. Make the most of them, as they'll be useful for future promotions!"

"Thank you for your guidance, teacher."

"I think you're an honest young man, so I said a few more words. Don't talk nonsense about these things... Besides, although the performing arts soldiers don't have much power, their treatment is the same as that of regular soldiers. Don't think that becoming a creative composer is a bad thing!"

"Uh-huh."

After wandering around for a while, the two arrived at Peking University Pingzhuang.

No. 36 Beitaipingzhuang is the General Political Department's family compound, where many people from the General Political Department's Cultural Department, Direct Work Department, and the PLA Literature and Art Society live.

The library building of the PLA Literature and Art Publishing House is located in the southwest corner of the Beitaipingzhuang family compound. Some rooms on the first, second and third floors were converted into a guesthouse to receive writers and poets who came to Beijing to submit and revise their manuscripts.

Some of the comrades who were seconded from the military to the three editorial departments of the Literary and Art Publishing House, namely "Liberation Army Literature," "Kunlun," and a series of books, also lived here.

The two arrived at the three-story bookstore building.

Nowadays, editorial departments and magazines have their own private guesthouses, but they are different from the guesthouses outside because they are converted from old buildings, so they do not take up any guesthouse quotas.

The hospitality in the capital is generally quite generous, so at least the magazine's guesthouse provides a place to stay compared to staying outside.

(End of this chapter)