188: Chapter 188 National Day Gala 4: "The Young Dragon Kingdom's Tale"

"When we were afraid, he would tell us about the ancient heroes in Peking Opera segments, calling on us to learn from them."

"When we were happy, he would sing Peking Opera for us and perform Peking Opera stunts. This was the only one spiritual solace we had on the battlefield."

"He was the seventh child in his family. Before he joined the army, his father and six older brothers had all sacrificed themselves on the battlefield."

"Sacrificing along with them were other opera performers from the troupe."

"When he told us about this past, his face always appeared very calm, but he would have nightmares at night."

Grandpa spoke very slowly, as if the Company Commander he respected was standing vividly before his eyes at this moment.

Zhang Jianqiang handed Grandpa a teacup.

Grandpa took a sip of tea and continued speaking slowly.

"In one battle, the order I received was to do everything possible to blow up the enemy's bunker."

"But just as I set out carrying the explosive pack, I was shot twice in the leg and simply couldn't complete the task."

"Just then, Company Commander Zhang Shanfeng took the explosive pack from my hand and successfully blew up the enemy's bunker."

"Ultimately, we achieved the final victory in that battle, but the process was incredibly tragic."

"Our company... only I was left. My comrades-in-arms, my respected Company Commander, they all sacrificed themselves."

"..."

Grandpa's voice was choked with emotion, and his breathing became increasingly rapid.

Zhang Jianqiang stopped Grandpa and didn't let him continue, although he really wanted to know the whole process of Grandpa's time in the army.

However, he finally knew why Grandpa was so emotional.

It turned out that this song "actress" told the heroic deeds of 'Company Commander Zhang Shanfeng'.

After Grandpa's emotions subsided, the two continued watching the gala.

Although Zhang Jianqiang was concerned about the rest of the story, now was certainly not a good time to ask.

Zhang Quanzhi stared closely at the feedback for this song: first, the warm applause and reddened eyes of the live audience;

Then came the screen-filling comments in the live stream room and the heated online discussions about Peking Opera and actors;

Finally, the real-time ratings of the program even surged to the peak of the night.

All of these represented the success of the program and also represented that his idea of advocating for the addition of new elements was correct.

Everyone approved.

A heavy stone fell from his heart; he knew that this program was a success.

He couldn't help but fantasize that after this gala, his popularity would soar.

This situation would certainly bring dividends to the movies he directed.

...

The next program was also a song.

The stage changed to a deep blue tone, and a giant screen displayed the sea of stars and slowly flowing Chinese calligraphy.

A man dressed in a neatly tailored white Zhongshan suit stood tall as a pine on the stage.

The man's name was Zhang Jue.

Behind him was a group of primary school students wearing red scarves and school uniforms.

They recited word by word with clear and bright voices, like taking an oath.

"If the youth are wise, the country is wise."

"If the youth are rich, the country is rich."

"If the youth are strong, the country is strong."

"If the youth are free, the country is free."

With every sentence recited, the corresponding Chinese characters lit up on the screen behind them, the ink marks dripping with vigor.

Zhang Jue followed the end of the students' recitation and began to sing, full of emotion and infectious energy.

"The red sun rises, its path is full of light. The river flows from its hidden source, pouring into the vast ocean. The hidden dragon leaps from the abyss, its scales and claws soaring. The young tiger roars in the valley, and all the beasts are struck with terror."

"Youth naturally have their own wildness; with bodies like the mountains and rivers, we hold our spines straight. Daring to measure the sun and moon once more, today I am the only youth."

"Daring to ask heaven and earth to test the blade's edge, who can block the way as I hack through the thorns? The world may laugh at me, but I shall strengthen myself and not fail my youth."

This is the wild spirit of a young person, the most confident declaration of pride in youth.

'I' am the backbone of these great mountains and rivers.

'I' have the ambition to break through all boundaries and the warrior's posture to actively challenge fate.

'I' do not blindly believe in authority, daring to redefine the rules of the world and explore the unknown.

'I' am the youth, 'I' am the country. The country does not age because of me, and it has no boundaries because of me.

After listening to this song, the live audience, the people in front of their TVs, and the netizens online all felt their hearts surging and their blood boiling.

It was as if the genes carved into their bones had awakened; they only wanted to win glory for the country and do something with a clear conscience that would bring honor to their families.

"I am no longer a youth, but after listening to this song, I completed a noble self-confirmation and emotional baptism in the melody."

"There's another mock exam in a few days. I was quite afraid at first. After listening to this song, I feel full of strength. What's first in class? I can even overturn first in the entire grade."

"This is the kind of song teenagers should listen to. I suggest that all middle and high schools include this song in their music textbooks, and it must be learned."

"I watched it with my child, and he said, 'Dad, I want to stand with an upright spine in the future too.' As a 38-year-old youth, I cried like a baby. Just one song is more useful than seven or eight years of earnest education."

"We must protect our youth; external forces are eyeing these flowers of the motherland to harm them. May I ask the Dragon Country Education Bureau, when will the toxic textbooks end?"

Chen Shaoping looked at Zhang Ying, who was watching the program seriously beside him, gently hugged her, and said softly.

"Darling, you must teach our child to sing this song in the future."

"Mhm." Zhang Ying nodded solemnly, then felt something was wrong and grumbled in a low voice: "Who's going to have children with you?"

Chen Shaoping pretended to be angry, his tone dissatisfied, "Anyway, I like children. If you won't have them with me, I'll find someone else to have them with."

Zhang Ying immediately bristled, her eyes flashing with coldness as she warned loudly, "You dare. I'll break your legs and make them lose their purpose for existing."

She even stared at him sinisterly for a few moments.

Her face was full of threats.

Chen Shaoping gasped, feeling a chill down below, and said aggrievedly: "Then what should I do if I want a child?"

Zhang Ying lightly patted her forehead and said helplessly: "It's not that I won't have them! If you want a child, we at least have to get married first."

"I don't want to..."

She lowered her head shyly, her voice getting smaller and smaller.

"I'll listen to you." Chen Shaoping hugged her even tighter.

The programs proceeded one by one. Chen Shaoping didn't watch the programs carefully at all; he had no idea what was being performed.

If it weren't for Zhou Bule's program still to come, he would have wanted to leave early.

However, the acrobatics program at this moment made him look a few more times.

The performers were all young people, and many high-difficulty moves left him dumbfounded.

Truly, a minute on stage takes ten years of practice offstage.

Moves like backbends, jumping, rolling, and splits were completely child's play for them.

After the performance, Chen Shaoping sincerely gave a warm round of applause.

When the gala was nearing its end, Zhou Bule finally made his appearance slowly.

Chen Shaoping, who was originally drowsy, suddenly became energized.

At this moment.

The stage appeared in the shape of a time tunnel, with flowing historical images on both sides:

Ruined walls suffering from gunfire in black and white photos, figures of builders, scenes of scientific research breakthroughs, silhouettes of border soldiers...

As Zhou Bule sang, the images gradually turned into colorful modern cities, harvest fields, space launches, and children's smiling faces.

He stood in the center of the tunnel, wearing a simple beige suit, like a connection point in time.