Chapter 2: It

The distance from Xu Yuexin's home to the People's Literature Editorial Office is over ten kilometers, but fortunately there is a direct bus between the two.

After boarding, Xu Yuexin sits by the window and takes in the street scenery that recedes along the roadside.

"The novel 'Class Teacher' was published a little over a year ago, and the discussions surrounding it are still ongoing. Many critics believe that the novel fully exposes …"

"Jeans, five yuan a pair, authentic Guangdong goods! If you're not satisfied, return within seven days!"

"In recent years, our country's literary endeavors have flourished, yet at the same time, Military-themed literature has shown a dual decline in both quality and quantity. Many readers are hoping for a refreshing new work to appear …"

The broadcast announcements and street vendors' cries rose and fell, yet they didn't feel noisy, only brimming with vitality.

The warm, lively, fresh and uplifting spring atmosphere is spreading through this ancient city at an unprecedented speed.

The bicycles on the road outnumber those Xu Yuexin saw when he first went to the countryside for the labor team, and among the pedestrians, beyond the traditional Zhongshan suits and work clothes, one occasionally spots trench coats and jeans …

These days buses are a bit slower than in later times; after two hours of jolting, Xu Yuexin finally arrives from HD District at 166 Chainei Street, Dongcheng, the location of the Magazine Office.

The five‑story low‑rise building stands out like a crane among chickens among the surrounding low houses; its ground floor, like most units in Jingcheng, is enclosed by a ring of blue bricks.

Directly in front of the building is the Security Officer; upon seeing the large envelope in Xu Yuexin's hand, he loudly asks, "You're here to submit a manuscript, right?"

"Send it back by mail to the address. As a rule, we do not accept in‑person submissions."

Before the reforms of the 1990s, security personnel in units across the country were all on the roster, mainly former enlisted officers, speaking with robust vigor, unlike the later generations of gate‑keeping old men.

Xu Yuexin does not shy away from difficulty.

Since it's "in principle", that implies the possibility of exceptions. Principles … are not meant for flexibility? "Comrade, I came from the Northeast to hand this manuscript to the editor myself."

Xu Yuexin steps forward, earnestly saying, "Moreover, my novel is about Military-themed literature."

He observes clearly: the Security Officer before him sports a crew cut, stands like a pine, ninety‑nine percent a veteran, and by revealing the theme, he might receive assistance.

"Oh? Military-themed literature?"

Something flashes in the Security Officer's eyes, as if he is pondering.

As a staff member of People's Literature, he reads often and knows that in the past two years the number of works depicting military life has dropped sharply, with Scar Literature being the most popular.

As a veteran, he still prefers Military-themed literature, hoping someone will produce a good work in that vein.

After some thought, the Security Officer unconsciously puts himself in Xu Yuexin's shoes and decides to do him a favor.

"How about this: there is a regulation, I can't let you in, otherwise the superiors will criticize me."

"Give me the manuscript; after I check it's fine, I'll deliver it for you, okay?"

"Alright, thank you!"

Xu Yuexin has been waiting for this moment; he swiftly stuffs the envelope into the Security Officer's hand, leaving no time for a change of heart.

The Security Officer opens the envelope, pulls out the manuscript, skims it roughly, and after confirming it isn't a mess, reseals it and walks into the courtyard carrying the envelope.

He didn't look closely earlier, only recalling a few names from the text.

Liang Sanxi, Zhao Mengsheng, Jin Kailai …

…

After a moment, in the People's Literature Editorial Office, Editor Group Leader Wang Chaoyin sees the Security Officer hand over the envelope, listens to the brief explanation, says little else, takes the envelope, opens it, and reviews the manuscript.

The office does not allow in‑person submissions, mainly learning from past lessons. A few years ago, when the magazine was first revived, authors coming in to submit was common.

Later, some authors who were rejected in person became mentally unbalanced and behaved inappropriately in the editorial room; repeatedly, this narrowed the path, so the Magazine Office instituted a rule banning face‑to‑face submissions.

Handing it over via security personnel, as today, is no big deal.

"The wreath beneath High Mountain …"

Wang Chaoyin flips through several pages, mutters the title, and shows a keenly interested expression. In recent years Military-themed literature has waned, and with the war in the Southern Frontier just concluded, works on that subject are especially scarce.

The novel's characters have intriguing backgrounds: Company Commander Liang Sanxi from a poor mountain region, the Jingcheng playboy Zhao Mengsheng, and the complaint‑prone Platoon Leader Jin Kailai …

The specific plot description is also spot‑on, giving readers an irresistible urge to keep reading.

Liang Sanxi consistently puts the unit and the nation's cause first, from voluntarily giving up a rare chance to reunite with his family out of concern for the company, to ultimately sacrificing his life to protect his comrades, thereby practicing his love for the motherland.

Jin Kailai is usually full of odd remarks and complaints, yet in battle he charges ahead without any weakness, becoming the company's spearhead.

Zhao Mengsheng evolves from a despised playboy to integrating into the company, and finally matures into a battle hero who mercilessly crushes the enemy …

War destroys people yet also shapes them, turning weaklings into heroes and making gold shine brighter after being forged.

The author's intent is very clever; the arrangement of characters and plot is just right, making readers reluctant to put the book down.

Based on experience, Wang Chaoyin concludes this is the work of a seasoned author; otherwise such a fine piece would not have been written.

The Security Officer, seeing Wang Chaoyin engrossed, feels it improper to disturb and turns to leave.

At this moment, Wang Chaoyin is reading with rapt attention, already reaching the scene where after Liang Sanxi's sacrifice his mother and daughter‑in‑law visit the unit and settle debts.

What wonderful soldiers, what wonderful families!

Wang Chaoyin's emotions surge, his heart roiling, uncontrollable; disregarding that this is an office, he bangs the desk: "Great, it's truly excellent!"

The other editors' attention is drawn to his commotion, and they all turn their gaze toward him.

What level must a novel be to make the senior editors slam the table in admiration? Everyone is curious.

"What a fine piece, let me have a look."

Someone steps forward and says.

"You see, I'll have to invite Comrade Chunfeng over for a good chat."

Wang Chaoyin reads the novel's ending carefully, muttering.

Chunfeng is Xu Yuexin's pen name, and Wang Chaoyin thinks it's quite good.

"Shall I go down and notify?"

A young editor asks.

"No, no, I'll go myself."

Wang Chaoyin puts down the manuscript, shaking his head repeatedly, and strides toward the exit, fearing that if he lingers the person will leave.

At the Magazine Office entrance, Xu Yuexin is chatting with the Security Officer, when Wang Chaoyin rushes over.

Liu Ganshi, is the comrade who just submitted a piece still here?

Wang Chaoyin asked loudly.

The Security Officer quickly ended the conversation, turned and jogged toward Wang Chaoyin, pointing at Xu Yuexin: "He is the one."

While speaking, the Security Officer felt very surprised: how good must the article written by this young man be to have the distinguished Editor Group Leader personally come down to invite him? When Wang Chaoyin heard that Xu Yuexin hadn't left, he was overjoyed, smiled, stepped forward, and shook Xu Yuexin's hand: "Comrade Chunfeng, hello, I am Editor Group Leader Wang Chaoyin. I just finished reading your manuscript and would like to discuss it upstairs. May I ask if you are available?"

Xu Yuexin shook Wang Chaoyin's hand firmly, feeling a surge of reassurance inside: the Editor Group Leader personally came to find him, indicating strong approval of his manuscript's quality.

Wang Team Leader, hello, I am Xu Yuexin, and I hope to have the opportunity to converse with you.

Xu Yuexin spoke without arrogance or servility, yet remained courteous and friendly.

He was eager to converse with this literary heavyweight before him, and of course hoped to confirm the manuscript fee in person.

(End of chapter)