Chapter 5: The Camp Performance

The next morning, as soon as Liu Feng woke up, he saw Li Yousi bent over the bedside, furiously writing. He quickly came over. "What are you doing?"

"Writing a novel."

"Ah?" Liu Feng was surprised. "You're in the instrumental ensemble, not the publicity team. Why are you writing a novel?"

He leaned in to take a look, but Li Yousi pushed him away. "Haven't you noticed the publicity team just wanders around the camp every day?"

"I like that kind of work. I want to transfer there too. Sitting in an office by nine in the morning—wouldn't you want that?"

Liu Feng nodded, "I want that too, but you have to have talent! Everyone in the publicity team can write novels. I don’t have that skill."

"Then that's it. If I manage to finish one, maybe I can get transferred."

"Let me see it!" Liu Feng asked.

"No time now. I’m still writing. When I finish in a few days, I’ll show you."

Besides writing novels, the rest of the time was still spent training. After training, they ate, and then it was back to writing. Li Yousi settled into a routine of training and writing.

A few days later, Zhang Li went to the cast of "Dream of the Red Chamber" for another audition. Although it was uncertain what role she might get, the director liked her temperament very much.

Wang Fuling smiled and said, "The role of Zijuan suits you perfectly! Since you like the character yourself, it’s settled. In about half a month, our crew will leave Chengdu and head to Beiping!"

"Thank you, director," Zhang Li nodded after her final audition and prepared to leave.

She sighed softly and thought about Li Yousi. She then asked on his behalf, "Director, what about our comrade Li Yousi from the troupe? He’s preparing to audition for Jia Baoyu. Is there really no chance for him?"

Wang Fuling shook his head. "He’s not quite right for Baoyu. He lacks that gentle, feminine softness. Jia Lian could be a stretch, but Li has better temperament and looks. He himself doesn’t want to try for Jia Lian."

"Besides, Comrade Wang Guie seems to have found a suitable Baoyu."

Clearly, Wang Fuling was politely declining Zhang Li’s request.

The actor for Jia Baoyu was already selected from the Emei Film Studio—they had finalized the cast by the end of 1983.

Zhang Li could only nod. That was all she could do.

"Thank you, director."

Wang Fuling nodded and continued, "Comrade Zhang, you have to seize this opportunity. Many people are eager to get into the 'Dream of the Red Chamber' crew! Even playing Zijuan requires spirit and energy!"

Zhang Li left and began packing her things back in the dorm.

Soon, the news of Zhang Li’s selection spread throughout the cultural troupe.

After all, she had only been a backup a few days ago; today was the official notice.

For the troupe, this was a big deal—they were about to produce their second major star.

The first was Liu Xiaoqing, a fiercely ambitious woman who once caused a huge stir at CCTV.

"Congratulations, Zhang Li! You got into the 'Dream of the Red Chamber' crew. That’s amazing!" A young girl from the dance team suddenly approached Zhang Li.

"Just lucky… I didn’t expect to be selected," Zhang Li replied with a smile.

"You’re going to be an actress, just like Comrade Liu Xiaoqing! I’m so jealous!"

"From now on, we’ll only see Comrade Zhang on TV."

...

The days spent writing novels passed quickly for Li Yousi.

At the same time, he was practicing playing the suona horn.

But what about the suona player the troupe promised to transfer in?

Li Yousi had been waiting for so long, but no one had arrived yet.

About ten days later.

In one of the troupe’s courtyards, dozens of comrades holding instruments were practicing diligently—sounds of "du du du" and "da da da" mixed together, chaotic yet somehow melodic.

Zhu Chunsheng was guiding from within the group, holding a conductor’s baton and smiling as he said, "We’re performing for the troops tomorrow, so everyone keep this up."

"Transfer... well, just like that."

After training, Zhu Chunsheng looked towards Li Yousi and reminded him, "Tomorrow, just follow everyone’s rhythm. Just don’t mess up."

Li Yousi’s eyes drifted. "Teacher, what about the person they said would be transferred in?"

"Ahem, the New Year is coming soon, and there’s less movement in the troupe," Zhu Chunsheng said uncertainly, trying to placate him. "So you’ll have to wait a few more days."

Li Yousi sighed helplessly. "Tomorrow and tomorrow again..."

He picked up a few steamed buns from the canteen, returned to his dorm, and continued writing his novel. He had been working on a medium-length novel of one hundred thousand words for over ten days.

Every day after training, he would think things over and carve out time to write.

After each monthly performance, the troupe had a break—this was the only time they were allowed to go out and have some fun.

The next morning.

The troupe gathered in the center of the playground—there were usually two or three times a month when they had to visit frontline units to perform.

Most of the time, they just performed at some camps.

During the war with Vietnam, the troupe had to go to the front lines for morale-boosting performances.

The leaders were already speaking to them up front...

Li Yousi had been to the troupe several times and had grown accustomed to it.

He waited for the speech to end.

The bus stopped in front of the playground.

Everyone in the troupe wore olive-green military caps and uniforms—the Type 65 uniforms were still in service. They filed onto the bus in orderly fashion.

Li Yousi boarded and saw Liu Feng waving at him. "Come over!"

Li Yousi walked over.

Liu Feng excitedly showed off, "Look at my uniform! Brand new!"

The performance troupe performed dramas, Peking opera, operas, plays... Their troupe mainly performed dramas.

In 1964, the opera "Sister Jiang" caused a sensation nationwide and became a staple of their performances for a long time.

But recently, they had changed a few new pieces—soldiers got bored of seeing the same shows repeatedly.

"Wow, not bad. New clothes!"

When performing dramas, they changed into stage uniforms. Performance uniforms were known to be far more ornate than actual military uniforms, with richer colors and decorations.

"Of course, this is from the new company," Li Yousi smiled. "Where are we going this time?"

"I heard from the teacher it’s to somewhere outside the city..."

The troupe and military were both secretive units; they didn’t know their destinations before performances.

On the bus, someone started singing a song.

Everyone joined in singing a well-known, heartfelt ballad...

"The night at the naval port is quiet,

The waves gently rock the warships,

Young sailors rest their heads on the waves..."

It was Ma Jinxing’s "Night at the Naval Port," a song widely beloved among troops of that era.