Chapter Thirty-Four: The Spring Festival Gala (Three)

  Zhang Zhizhong forced a smile and asked, "Wen Ge, Chu Feng said you usually don't drink. Tell me, how did you wash your heart and change your face?" Zhang Zhizhong also started joking under the influence of everyone's laughter earlier.

  Song Zhe Wu had a high alcohol tolerance in his past life, although most of the time he drank low-degree white wine. He could drink two bottles, which would be absolutely impossible for ordinary people. Coming to this era, he also tried drinking more once to test the alcohol tolerance of his current body. He knew that whether a person can drink or not is related to the strength of their physical functions. Not knowing how Song Zhe Wu's body was now, after trying it out, he found that Song Zhe Wu's body was very strong and he could drink two bottles of Erguotou without any issues.

  Zhang Zhizhong's question was a bit hard to answer. He usually doesn't drink nowadays, actually he is intentionally suppressing his desire to drink, because he has great and difficult dreams to achieve, he must keep his mind clear and agile at all times. After hesitating for a moment, he said slowly: "It should be said that it's epiphany, yes, it's epiphany. Since my old father passed away, I knew I was no longer the second young master of the Song family, I am the heir of the Song family now, I want to prove my ability through my own efforts, achieve my dreams, do something for myself, for the country and our nation, only then can I comfort my late father in the afterlife."

  Lin Wei saw that the topic was a bit heavy, so he quickly picked up his wine glass and said with a smile: "I propose, for Wen Ge's epiphany, and not to be sad, let's toast!" Everyone laughed and drank it all in one gulp.

  The play ended amidst everyone's laughter. On the stage, Wang Yali said in her sweet voice: "Next, to thank the villagers of Laiyuan for their support of the Bao'an Travelers, the soldiers will sing two choruses written and composed by General Song Zhe-wu himself." Amidst everyone's shocked gaze, Song Zhe-wu hastily led several officers from the thatched hut out.

  The soldier choir walked onto the stage amidst thunderous applause from the audience. Performing in such an atmosphere, not only was the audience enthusiastic, but the soldiers on stage were also very excited. Because the unit assessment ended ahead of schedule, all units began to strongly support Wang Xinggang's program, so the chorus competition was cancelled and a choir was formed by selecting people.

  After Zhang Yali reported the name of the song "Dǎ Bǎo Gē", under Fang Zhen's command, the choir began to sing in two parts. In this song, Song Zhewu changed "fēng zhǎn hóng qí" (waving red flags) to "fēng zhǎn jūn qí" (waving military flags), and the soldiers sang with excitement and enthusiasm, winning a round of applause.

  Right after that, Song Zhe-wu led Xiao Guo-dong and all the regimental and divisional officers to come on stage. Their chorus song was "We are soldiers". Along with the stirring melody, Song Zhe-wu began to lead the singing in his deep voice: "We are soldiers, what's different about us..."

  The lyrics of military songs during this period were all very obscure, with many classical phrases and allusions that people who hadn't read books couldn't understand at all. "We Are the Soldiers" was completely different, with simple and easy-to-understand lyrics, no flowery language, and no allusions. Although the lyrics were concise, they had a lot of depth, and through the passionate performance by these young soldiers full of vigor, both ordinary people and soldiers deeply felt the strong masculine energy. Under the flashing camera lights, the whole audience erupted in long-lasting applause.

  Inside the reed shed, Shang Zhen, Zhang Zhizhong, Lin Wei and Yan Yangchu, Meng Chu, Chen Secretary General all have something different from those four in the song; In fact, they are also the same. The simple and unadorned lyrics can feel the selfless dedication of this group of soldiers. And from that sentence 'All yearning for glory, all winning honor' I can feel their heartfelt pride.

  Among these people, Shang Zhen was the most deeply moved. The singing had already ended, but he still had tears in his eyes and hummed softly. Although Shang Zhen's ancestors were from Zhejiang, he was born in Baoding, Hebei Province. In 1905, when Shang Zhen was 17 years old, he took the entrance exam for the Beiyang Military Academy (later renamed the Army Officer School) in Baoding and studied Japanese in the foreign language department.

  In 1910, Shang Zhen's subordinate Xiong Chengji attempted to assassinate Qing government naval minister Zaixun in Harbin, but the plot was exposed and failed. Xiong was captured and executed, while Shang fled to Jinzhou. In Jinzhou, Shang put down his pen and took up arms again, joining Shi Xingchuan's New Army corps.

  On the eve of the Xinhai Revolution, Shang Zhen organized a people's army outside Shanhai Pass and was promoted to commander-in-chief. In early 1912, he led more than 300 soldiers to land in Yantai. After the establishment of the Beiyang government, the people's army was disbanded, and Shang was transferred to the Ministry of the Army as a senior advisor.

  In 1913, he was appointed as a senior advisor to the Ministry of Army. In June 1914, Shang followed Lü Jianzhang, the governor of Shaanxi Province, into Shaanxi and was promoted to Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Shaanxi Pacification Force. After 1916, he successively held positions such as commander of the Shanxi Army, commander of the First Mixed Brigade, and commander of the First Division. These twenty years of military career were spent fighting bravely on the vast land of northern China with a passionate heart. He could deeply understand the emotions conveyed in this simple song lyrics, which was about dedicating oneself to the country and people without any selfishness.

  Zhang Zhizhong and Lin Wei did not have the same complex experiences as Shang Zhen, but their many years of military career also moved them with this majestic melody and the proud spirit of soldiers. They deeply understood that these young soldiers, led by Song Zhiwu, were extremely proud of their status as soldiers in the Security Regiment.

  Meng Chuzhen excitedly muttered repeatedly: "A majestic army, a blessing for the country!"

  Yan Yangchu and Secretary Chen stood silently, gazing out at the excited soldiers.

  Xiao Guodong led the crowd back to the reed shed, and Shang Zhen hurriedly asked: "Where is Wen Ge? Why didn't Wen Ge come back?" Xiao Guodong told Shang Zhen: "Wen Ge still has a program and was left in the background." Shang Zhen asked again: "Is this song really written by Wen Ge?" Wang Xinggang smiled and said: "Chairman Shang, the lyrics and composition are indeed done by Song Commander, absolutely true." Shang Zhen repeatedly praised it as good, and then said with a lingering tone: "Being able to write such lyrics and music proves that Wen Ge is absolutely a passionate soldier, I, Shang Zhen, didn't misjudge him."

  Lin Wei sighed: "Wen Ge is indeed worthy of being called by the Chairman as 'the elite of the party and the model of the national army'!"

  Next, two actors from Nanjing came on stage and sang two songs, one of which was the very famous "When Will You Return". The emotions of the audience in the auditorium were still intense, but the people under the canopy thought that compared to the passionate lyrics they had just heard, these two songs were not worth mentioning. Lin Wei and Meng Chu seemed particularly unimpressed, Lin Wei because he had arranged for these two to come from Nanjing and felt a bit embarrassed; Meng Chu, an old-fashioned scholar, thought this was just frivolous music that harmed one's moral character.

  Li Rujun takes the stage and announces: "The next program is 'Peking Opera Duet', created by General Song Zhe-wu."

  It's Song Zhe Wu again, and the audience cheered. Shang Zhen and others were stunned, thinking, "This Song Wen Ge is also too incredible, he actually has a study on Peking Opera?"

  Song Zhe-wu in the background was furious when Li Ru-jia announced his name, and he had just strictly ordered Fang Zhen, Wang Ya-li and Li Ru-jia not to announce his name again. Unexpectedly, Li Ru-jia ignored him and wanted to lose his temper, but Li Ru-jia had already gone with Fang Zhen and Wang Ya-li to organize the actors on stage, no one paid attention to him.

  The following "Peking Opera Chorus" made everyone's ears and eyes fresh, to know that this chorus is Song Zhe Wu from the real Spring Festival Gala in later generations, the effect is absolutely not ordinary good, even people who don't understand Peking Opera will be conquered by that beautiful singing voice like flowing clouds.

  Later, when Fang Zhen sang Li Rujun's "Huang Tu Gao Po", he reported again. The lyrics and music author General Song Zhe Wu could only smile bitterly with helplessness.

  Li Rujun's unique voice, paired with this majestic and powerful song, immediately made the previous "He Ri Jun Lai" pale in comparison. The northwest wind is originally a folk song from the northwest, possessing the grandeur and openness of the northern people, which suits the audience's taste here. As soon as the song ended, the audience below, regardless of whether they were civilians or soldiers, were all excited and lost their composure, with someone shouting "Encore!" The shouts immediately became a chorus. Song Zhe Wu couldn't help but secretly congratulate himself on preparing two songs. Without exception, another song "Xin Tian You" once again moved the audience. Next, Wang Ya Li took the stage with her sweet and elegant voice, reconquering the somewhat crazy audience on site. "A wide river with waves, wind blowing fragrant rice flowers on both banks, my home is just on the shore, I'm used to listening to the boatman's whistle, I'm used to seeing the white sail on the boat..." The sweet and refreshing lyrics fully expressed the sincere love for the motherland's great rivers and mountains. Another song, "Qing Dao Tian Ya Hai Jiao Lai", which was full of southern charm, also stirred up a hot wave among the audience.

  Seeing the audience liked the songs composed by Song Zhe Wu, Fang Zhen immediately asked Li Ru Jia to announce and brought forward the originally scheduled "Great China" to be performed immediately. Song Zhe Wu nodded secretly, indeed a person who had studied psychology, and handled matters decisively with great courage.

  This "Great China" is unexpectedly good, it turns out that the female vocal technique was still good at that time, can be elegant, gentle, low and even sobbing. The male vocal technique is relatively single, one is high and loud; Another is like the movie "Street Angel" low singing small tune. And "Great China" organically blends multiple singing styles together, sometimes cheerful and jumping; Twelve surging highs; Sometimes with a comfortable and leisurely tone. "China blesses you, no need for thousands of words and languages." The high-pitched and surging tone leads the emotions of the whole audience to **

  Song Zhe-wu saw through the gap in the curtain that Shang Zhen led the applause. He knew that Shang Zhen and others were not only applauding for Fang Zhen's singing, but mainly for the lyrics of this song. If this song spreads out, it will definitely be popular all over the country, and all the kind-hearted scholars who love this ancient land will applaud and cheer for him.

  I'm really sorry to the friends who are reading this book, this chapter and the next one should have been together as one chapter. It's not that Deep Blue is being lazy, it's just that I couldn't finish writing today. Deep Blue asks for everyone's forgiveness! Next week, Deep Blue will definitely prepare some drafts in advance, and it will be better. I don't dare ask for recommendations or collections.