Chapter 14 The third section writes popular literature and art

Before the Anti-Japanese War, no matter what, I never thought that I would write drum lyrics and ditties.The War of Resistance changed everything.My life and my articles also have to change with the tide of the battle. After the "July 7th" Anti-Japanese War and before the fall of Jinan, I had already noticed how to use drum lyrics and other propaganda to promote the Anti-Japanese War.I remember that I went with several young people who are enthusiastic about propaganda work to meet the famous big drummers Bai Yunpeng and Mr. Zhang Xiaoxuan, and asked them how to write drum lyrics.Later, when Jinan fell, I fled to Wuhan, just in time for the Taierzhuang victory. The slogans of sending articles to the countryside and enlisting in the army were proposed by the Literature and Art Association, and the Ministry of Education, the Central Propaganda Department, and the Political Department also asked the literati to go to the countryside to join the army. article.At this time, I met Mr. Tian Han.He is very enthusiastic about reforming old dramas, and he also encouraged me to try to write them immediately.I know a little about the form and singing of old plays, so I don't need to ask a tutor.As for drum lyrics, etc., I am completely a layman, so I have to ask for advice.So, I went to Fu Shaohang and Ms. Dong Lianzhi to ask for advice on the Dagushu of Peking and the Dagushu of Shandong.At the same time, General Feng Huanzhang took in three or four people who fled from Henan to sing Zhuizi, and I stayed with them day and night to learn a little Zhuizi singing.They all sang at the market in the countryside of Henan, so they needed long lyrics, and at least one section should be enough to sing for half a day.After learning the syntax of Zhuizi from them, I began to write a long story about the War of Resistance, totaling more than 3,000 sentences.It's a pity that I can't find the manuscript of this 3,000-sentence-long rhyme.However, I do know that the three pendant-singing gentlemen have recited it by heart and put it on the strings.Maybe, they would have actually sung among the people—they returned to their hometown when they were in critical condition in Wuhan.General Feng also invited several painters to paint the "West Lake Scene" of the Anti-Japanese War, and asked me to compose lyrics so that I could sing while showing the picture.At the same time, Mr. Lao Xiang and Mr. He Rong were editing and printing the monthly "Anti-Resistance to the End", which only collected simple and popular texts. I was invited to be a regular contributor.

I wrote quite a few pieces of this kind, but the only thing that has been reprinted is "Three Four One"—three drum poems, four plays in the old form and new content, and one novel.Other than these, all are written and discarded, and there is no way to print them, and I don't want to print them. "Three Four One" has three Dagu calligraphy, four Erhuang operas, and an old-style novel. Among the three drum cis, I personally think that "Wang Xiao Chasing the Donkey" can still go on. "Zhang Zhongding Ji" is not very realistic. "Fighting Little Japan" has no story, and the paragraphs are too long. I'm afraid I can't sing it. It can only be read as a small songbook.

I don't know whether the four plays are good or bad; I can't know where they are good or bad unless they are sung.Print it out and use it as a reference. If it is to be staged, everyone must revise it. Those who are willing to rehearse are welcome. An old-style novel, because I was busy, I couldn't write it very well. These eight articles were all written using the method of "new wine in old bottles".Kung fu is not deceiving.It taught me what is the folk language and what is the natural rhythm of the Chinese language.It is true that there are many things that are outdated in it, but only when we understand what is outdated can we understand what we must immediately give to the people.Knowing this and knowing that, you can almost call it a national form.I am grateful for this opportunity to learn.

After four or one year, unless someone specially invited me, I seldom write popular things on my own initiative.One day, I saw a wounded soldier who had read my drum words.He has cut off a leg.Who is he?no one knows.He died and entered the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.He lives, a nameless cripple.He has read my books, and he also read them to other brothers, that's enough, I just hope that some unsung heroes can read my works, and can give them some comfort, good; some encouragement, good .If for this reason I am barred from the temple of the gods of art, and spend my time serving unsung heroes, I am content, because my pen has not failed.