Veteran's Collection -- Unwavering Love

Author: Qing Shi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
Features: When this brilliant starlight illuminates the literary sky, we are surprised to find that they, like us, all have a history of serving in the military. Whether they are celebrated masters and giants of literature, or professors and scholars who have nurtured countless students; whether they are trendsetters on the literary shore of the new era or pioneers of literary changes in the new century; in their youth, they carved a green mark filled with masculine beauty onto their lives. The unique aura of soldiers transforms into profound life insights, and their distinctive character weaves beautiful rhythms into life. In their works, you can surely catch the resounding songs of the military. The words dance with the fire of youth, and the ink flows with the passion of military life. The years they spent in military uniforms and the songs of their past are emotions that never fade.
Reading the "Collection of Veteran Masters," one can see that these white-haired elders, most of whom were born in the 1930s, have the fire of youth dancing in their words and the passion of military life flowing from their pens. They cherish their youth so dearly, and when they recall the years they wore military uniforms, their hearts are always filled with excitement. Although all are essays and sketches, their styles are distinct—Liu Baiyu's enduring elegance, Lin Fei's simplicity, Li Guowen's wisdom, Deng Youmei's calm serenity, and Liu Meng's sincere authenticity. However, when viewed as a whole, there is one thing they share in common: their expressions of military life are all deeply heartfelt. Whether they describe the scenery of battlefields, paint the landscapes of border regions, narrate the camaraderie of fellow soldiers, or praise the bright moon of their hometowns, their works are filled with the sentiments of soldiers.
As Zhao Dayan and Deng Youmei said, after 70 or 80 years of life, looking back carefully, what has influenced them the most is their experience of wearing a military uniform. The military camp shaped their personalities, taught them sincerity, and instilled in them the spirited character of soldiers, teaching them to face difficulties head-on. Perhaps it was precisely this military experience that allowed them to stand tall and overcome many hardships and adversities in life, to carve out their own space, and to achieve their brilliance. Therefore, when they wrote their experiences under the title "Collection of Veteran Masters," they were more serious and dedicated than in any of their other major works.
Their life stories and personal experiences unfold in their writing, inspiring readers to think deeply and strive forward. These works are like textbooks, telling readers about the colorful chapters of life.