Chapter 289 Zhu Sujin is Convinced

Fucheng.

In the early morning, the clouds were hanging low.

Howling cold air raged across the military area.

Downstairs of the dormitory building, a street lamp was on in the dim sky.

“Boom!”

A hurried sound of footsteps came from the dark little iron gate.

A thin young man, about 1.7 meters tall and wearing a military coat, trotted out of the dormitory with an enamel bowl in his hand.

“Su Jin! Wait for me, I’ll go with you.”

A middle-aged man with a messy hair and also wearing a military coat was shouting behind me.

“Can you hurry up? I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”

The young man turned around, revealing a face wearing glasses.

It was Zhu Sujin. It had been almost a month since he returned to Fucheng from southern Xinjiang.

During this month, he has been paying attention to news related to military field trips and essay competitions.

Not long ago, Cheng Kaiyan’s deeds were published in the “People’s Liberation Army Daily”, and the entire military region knew about it.

When his friends and colleagues heard that Cheng Kaiyan was a teammate of his during the field trip, they came to Zhu Sujin to ask about some specific information about this combat hero.

Although he answered the questions patiently on the surface, Zhu Sujin felt complicated when he saw that they couldn’t help but express admiration and other emotions.

If I had also joined in the transportation of supplies and made contributions, I would be the one admired by everyone now. I’m afraid even Team Leader Ning Qiuyue would look up to me.

Fortunately, not long after, an exciting news was brought back by the military district’s postman.

That was the work that Zhu Sujin sent to the editorial team of the Military Travel Essay Contest, and he received a reply.

The letter was written by teachers Liu Baiyu and Xu Huaizhong.

The letter mentioned that “Shooting the Wolf” had passed the review, and the standard fee was six yuan per thousand words. It would be published in the “Military Writers’ Special Issue” soon.

Maybe there’s a chance to win a prize.

According to the director’s analysis, at least a third prize is no problem.

The news spread quickly and the whole office suddenly became lively.

Although it was not published in “People’s Liberation Army Literature and Art”, it is also its subsidiary publication.

Moreover, this sub-journal is co-sponsored by several heavyweight organizations.

Among them are the General Political Department, the China Writers Association, and the PLA Literature and Art Department.

The unit where Zhu Sujin and others worked was actually the creative office under the Political Department of the Fucheng Military Region.

Generally speaking, it is under the jurisdiction of the General Political Department.

For a while.

Everyone in the office, from the director to the cleaning lady, treated him differently and showed him great favor.

“Besides, my work was actually published in the first issue. Doesn’t this mean that my work is better than many other writers’?”

Thinking of this, Zhu Sujin couldn’t help but reveal a smug smile on his face.

Now, I’m afraid even Cheng Kaiyan is not as good as me?

Speaking of Cheng Kaiyan, Zhu Sujin actually admired this young man’s heroic performance on the battlefield.

But more often than not, they regard him as an opponent and a strong enemy from the bottom of their hearts.

This was also the reason why he went to find Cheng Kaiyan to say goodbye and issued a declaration of war before leaving.

He planned to compete with Cheng Kaiyan in this military essay contest to see who was the real talent.

“Haha, I just don’t know if there will be any of his works in the first issue.”

Zhu Sujin pondered secretly in his heart.

“I’m coming.”

At this time, the middle-aged man ran over panting and caught a glimpse of Zhu Sujin’s face full of thought.

I asked curiously, “What are you thinking about? You are so absent-minded. Are you thinking about Comrade Xiuying? You are so lucky!”

“Go away! What nonsense are you talking about? I have nothing to do with Comrade Xiuying.”

Zhu Sujin waved his hands impatiently.

Hu Xiuying is actually recognized as the most beautiful female comrade in their office. Recently, because of his outstanding performance and the director’s appreciation, she has frequently taken the initiative to find opportunities to chat with him.

Yesterday I invited him out for dinner.

However, Zhu Sujin refused on the grounds that he had to go back to write manuscripts because his heart belonged to Ning Qiuyue.

There’s no comparison between Hu Xiuying and Ning Qiuyue, right?
The former can only be described as having a pretty appearance, but the latter is a real beauty.

“See if I believe it or not.”

The middle-aged man felt envious and jealous, thinking that Comrade Hu Xiuying was such a pretty girl, how could Zhu Sujin not like her?
Zhu Sujin shook his head helplessly, ignored him, and turned to walk towards the cafeteria.

After dinner he had something more important to do, which was to go to the military bookstore to buy books.

Because today is October 15th, the day when the works will be published.

……

After breakfast.

Zhu Sujin and others came to the military district bookstore.

The store entrance is located behind an office building, tucked into a small staircase.

“Comrade, do you have a special issue of “Military Writers”?”

Zhu Sujin was already impatient to see his own work and asked anxiously.

“When everyone heard that the works written by the heroes fighting on the southern Xinjiang front were also published this time, they all rushed to buy them. Only a few copies were left.”

The clerk pointed to the few scattered magazines on the door panel and sighed.

“Give me one.”

Zhu Sujin raised an eyebrow.

“Row.”

Zhu Sujin took the magazine, which was a heavy book.

He couldn’t wait to open the first page of the catalog, and the first work that caught his eye made his heart beat faster.

The work placed at the front was actually “Shooting the Wolf” written by himself.

This huge surprise made Zhu Sujin’s face turn red all of a sudden.

Generally speaking, the works placed on the first page of a magazine are usually the better ones in that issue.

He looked down with satisfaction, and what appeared below his name was Cheng Kaiyan’s “Youth”.

He was also featured in the first issue?
Zhu Sujin raised his eyebrows and murmured, “This guy really can’t be underestimated, hehe! But in the end he’s still ranked below me.”

He closed the book and walked away briskly.

After a while, we arrived at the office.

At this time, everyone in the office had arrived and was sitting at their desks writing, drawing, and reading.

As soon as Zhu Sujin walked into the office, people all looked at him.

Zhu Sujin’s heart skipped a beat when he saw this, and he thought the director had just gotten angry.

next second.

“Su is coming in?”

“Congratulations! Xiao Zhu, I just read your work, it’s really good!”

“It’s actually the first article in the magazine. That’s amazing!”

“That’s right, it’s several hundred dollars in royalties!”

Everyone had a warm smile on their face and said nice things.

Suddenly the office seemed to come alive.

Zhu Sujin breathed a sigh of relief, it turned out to be because of this!

He returned to his seat and said calmly, “It’s no big deal, it’s just a new small magazine. There are countless works published by big guys. I am the one who wants to learn from you all!”

“Hey! Look, Comrade Xiao Zhu is being modest.”

Someone said with a smile.

At this time, a pretty girl with short hair, fair skin and big eyes came over shyly in front of everyone with a cup of tea and said with concern: “Comrade Su Jin, it’s cold outside, right? Have a cup of tea to warm yourself up.”

“Thank you, Comrade Xiuying.”

Zhu Sujin quickly stood up and took it, sighing in his heart.

To be honest, he still has some feelings for Miss Xiuying, but it’s all because Team Leader Ning is too beautiful.

“fine.”

Miss Xiuying quickly lowered her head and ran back under the mocking gazes of everyone in the office.

The office was noisy for a while and finally quieted down.

Zhu Sujin finally had time to sit down.

“Hey, Xiao Zhu, is Cheng Kaiyan the hero mentioned in the People’s Liberation Army Daily? His works have also been published.”

At this time, the young clerk sitting next to me came over and asked curiously.

“It is indeed him. Comrade Cheng Kaiyan is a well-known talent. Although this is his first time writing a military work, I think it should be quite good.”

Zhu Sujin praised with a smile.

This time, Cheng Kaiyan was ranked behind him, which naturally meant that the work Cheng Kaiyan wrote this time was not as good as his.

To praise him is to praise yourself.

“That’s right. After all, Xiao Zhu, your work was placed first… Oh no, I’m going to call you a great writer, a great writer!”

The young official understood and complimented.

“No, no.” Zhu Sujin stood proudly, feeling very pleased.

“Then I won’t bother you anymore. I need to take a look at Comrade Cheng Kaiyan’s work. This is the work of a combat hero!”

“Uh-huh.”

Zhu Sujin nodded indifferently. He was not as good as himself anyway, so he was not in a hurry to watch.

So he took the tea that Comrade Xiuying brought to him and started drinking it.

Then he slowly turned the pages of the book.

“Fang Hua? That’s a good name. It depends on the story.”

Zhu Sujin saw the title of the book and commented casually.

But as he continued reading, he quickly put aside all his contempt and became completely immersed in the story.

……

When he saw in the book that tanks crushed the soldiers’ bodies on the battlefield, girls on the stage sang songs happily, and soldiers applauded excitedly.

Zhu Sujin’s face was solemn and he took a deep breath.

What was Cheng Kaiyan’s intention in writing this contrast?
He soon realized that they were a group of young people of similar age.

On one side are the noble, sacrificed soldiers trampled into the mud, and on the other side are the innocent, cheerful actors from the art troupe.

The contrast between the two is really sharp.

Cheng Kaiyan is so bold in writing.

He continued to look down.

The sharp knife company participated in a blocking battle.

On the battlefield, they faced enemies that were several times their number.

After experiencing several battles, the protagonist Cheng Lu finally grew up.

He was now able to hold a machine gun and fire in the trench without flinching, with no ripples in his heart.

But because he was so blinded by killing, he did not notice the bomb flying towards him, and the company commander who had been taking care of him subconsciously flew over.

Blocked the fatal blow for him.

Before he died, the company commander said in a hoarse voice, “Save me.”

After the battle, Cheng Lu, the protagonist who was the only surviving hero of the spearhead company, was extremely scared.

He chose to be a coward and went to the art troupe in the rear area.

……

“This completely subverts the image of a hero! Even for the sake of shaping the protagonist’s growth.”

Zhu Sujin had seen so many literary works in the army, but had never seen anyone write like this.

Although he wrote the protagonist in Shooting the Wolf as a hero who has both an iron will and ordinary people’s emotions.

The three-dimensional portrayal of “heroes are also ordinary people” breaks through the previous stereotyped image of “tall, big and perfect”.

But compared with what Cheng Kaiyan did, it is simply not worth mentioning.

The hero created by Cheng Kaiyan.

For example, Captain Lin, who sacrificed himself to save the protagonist, did not want to die and was afraid of death before he died, because he had his younger sister Lin Suisui to take care of at home…

Captain Lin’s contradictory performance appears particularly real and three-dimensional.

This is a living person who is afraid of death.

He didn’t close his eyes until he entrusted his sister to Cheng Lu.

The protagonist is a cowardly boy. Even after several battles, his inner cowardice cannot be eradicated.

It was even true, just as the veteran Chen Laoer said, that he escaped to the art troupe.

Even his later experiences in the art troupe were not satisfactory.

This combat hero was even a marginal figure in the art troupe.

Cheng Lu had to be put in solitary confinement for several days, and Lin Suisui taught him a lesson, telling him not to think that this was still a battlefield.

Even later, everyone in the art troupe chose to remain silent.

This kind of pierced and despised hero makes people silent and thoughtful.

Zhu Sujin couldn’t help but think:
In the collective, in the eyes of the majority of the people, it is undoubtedly glorious.

But in the eyes of these cadres’ children, even…

Zhu Sujin didn’t know, and didn’t dare to think about it.

He could only continue to look down.

……

late at night.

In order to clear up the undisciplined atmosphere, the leader arrested Cheng Lu and interrogated him.

Lin Suisui, who had just returned from the interrogation room, was still in shock. She lay on the bed in a daze, leaning quietly against the quilt, looking at the ceiling above her head.

Those red, bloodshot eyes are deeply engraved in my mind.

It was unforgettable for her.

“Sui Sui? Are you still thinking about that beast Cheng Lu? What’s so good about him? As early as when he first came that year, I knew that this bastard was not a good person. He even hugged Shen Xiaoping and turned around in front of you. Isn’t this just having an affair?”

Opposite the bed, a young girl named Cai Rui with short hair and a heroic look sneered at Lin Susu’s distraught face.

“He…he doesn’t…”

Lin Susu blushed and wanted to say that Cheng Lu was not that kind of person.

But in the blink of an eye, those red eyes full of surprise appeared in her mind, making her feel like a deflated ball, and she collapsed powerlessly on the bed.

What’s the use of talking about this now?

Lin Susu’s heart was suddenly in a mess. She felt heartbroken, regretful, wronged and scared.

After all, Lin Susu still has feelings for him, so it’s hard not to feel distressed.

What she regretted was that she didn’t say a word to Cheng Lu from the beginning to the end, acting as if she wasn’t familiar with him, and she didn’t even make any excuses.

She chose to remain silent in the interrogation room, chose to sit back and watch Cheng Lu being wronged and framed, and even began to doubt…

She felt aggrieved because Cheng Lu hated her. This incident was caused by Cheng Lu in the first place, so why should she be blamed?

What she was scared about was that fortunately Cheng Lu chose to handle it himself at the critical moment and did not betray her.

If those letters were discovered…

“Yes! Letters! Those letters.”

For a moment, Lin Susu felt like she was electrocuted and her whole body began to tremble uncontrollably.

If my letters were discovered, I would be in big trouble. At the very least, I would be transferred out of the art troupe.

“What’s wrong? Sui Sui?”

Cai Rui asked with a frown.

“Nothing, nothing…”

Late at night, the dormitory was extremely quiet.

On the lower bunk, a figure got out of bed carrying a pile of heavy things and went into the bathroom.

After a while, the sound of paper shredding was heard along with the sound of flushing.

There is also a woman’s almost delirious voice:
“Don’t blame me. I didn’t want this to happen either… It’s you. It’s you who caused this.”

……

“Letters between lovers, as carriers of individual desire, must destroy themselves in a collectivist environment.”

Zhu Sujin looked at the line of text in front of him and muttered to himself.

He understood what was expressed in youth.

Ordinary people in the collective are just domesticated and disciplined beings.

Just like Lin Suisui, who was in love with Cheng Lu in the past, her personality changed drastically after her brother, Company Commander Lin, died and she had no family to rely on.

From a bold, confident and generous girl who was like a female star in the art troupe, she has become an ordinary person who goes with the flow and survives in the cracks among the small group of children of cadres.

In order to protect herself and not be implicated, Lin Suisui chose to ignore the expectant gaze of the protagonist Cheng Lu.

Even late at night, they secretly destroyed the letters that originally conveyed their love and sweetness, and flushed the torn papers and the feelings into the dirty sewer of the toilet.

Watch the entire work.

“Cheng Kaiyan’s work is really…”

Zhu Sujin closed the book with mixed feelings, supported his forehead with both hands, and stared at the table in a daze.

I do not know how long it has been.

The office became lively and colleagues started to communicate enthusiastically.

“Hey! Have you read Teacher Cheng Kaiyan’s “Youth”? What do you think of it? I think it’s very good, and it seems to have deep thoughts.”

Someone asked curiously.

“A very amazing work! Youth and ideals, love and betrayal, the growth of a group of young people in a collective, writes about the youth and beauty of their generation of young people.”

A young writer pondered for a moment and commented.

“Didn’t you notice? Teacher Cheng Kaiyan said it was about the growth of young people, but this is actually just a layer of skin on the surface. There is another layer of bones hidden underneath…”

Suddenly, the office director stood up, his eyes sparkling, and he looked at Zhu Sujin: “Comrade Zhu, what do you think?”

“This work is indeed well written. I am not as good as him.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Sujin slowly shook his head.

He felt ashamed of himself and accepted his defeat sincerely this time.

But the problem is, although “Youth” is a very well-written work, some of the ideas it contains are a bit too sharp in the current environment.

I am afraid……

(End of this chapter)