mesbooks Chapter 6: Watching the Parade – A Global Perspective?
Chapter 6: Watching the Parade – A Global Perspective?
Chen Huai'an carried the pot of noodles and placed it directly on the coffee table.
Set out two sets of bowls and chopsticks, and skillfully divide the noodles.
He smiled apologetically and said, "Just have something simple for breakfast, I'll take you sightseeing this afternoon, and we can have something better then!"
Last night it was instant noodles, and breakfast was also instant noodles. I felt a little embarrassed to serve the girl this for two meals in a row.
However, as if something was urgent, he quickly divided the noodles and then eagerly turned on the TV.
Then I picked up a rectangular black plastic plate and pointed it at the TV.
As soon as I pressed the button, the TV program automatically changed; it was amazing!
When the camera stopped on CCTV-1, a majestic and solemn city gate appeared on the screen.
A huge photograph was hanging on the city gate tower, of the person she admired most!
Lin Wan blinked, feeling that the city gate tower looked familiar, but she couldn't remember where she had seen it before.
However, a deep male voice soon came on the television: "On the Tiananmen Gate Tower..."
Hearing the narrator's voice and combining it with the images in my mind, I suddenly remembered where I had seen it before.
"This...this is Tiananmen Square?!"
Lin Wanxing's eyes widened, her mouth agape in astonishment.
I remember taking a set of photos of the Forbidden City when I went to Beiping for an interview two years ago.
In my memory, Tiananmen Square was a dilapidated and old city wall, surrounded by weeds, exuding a sense of decay and desolation.
It's completely different from the majestic and solemn city gate towers on TV!
Chen Huai'an slurped up a mouthful of noodles and explained, "Today is the 80th anniversary of the victory against Japan, a day of national celebration. We can't go to the scene, so we can only watch it live on TV."
Although it was only viewed on television, the clear, color picture made it feel like you were actually there.
Such a huge color television screen would have been fiercely contested by the powerful and wealthy during the Republic of China era!
Compared to the most advanced black-and-white television set in the Republic of China era, which was like a cabinet, it was nothing.
But then I heard someone complaining beside me: "The landlord's so stingy! They just gave us a crappy 32-inch apartment. A 55-inch one would have looked much better!"
Lin Wan blinked her big eyes, already feeling very shocked and satisfied.
I couldn't help but sigh, perhaps this is just the difference of time.
A 32-inch TV that would have driven countless people crazy during the Republic of China era was actually criticized for being stingy.
Chen Huai'an was very dissatisfied with the layer of oil floating in the instant noodle pot, and even said that it was just junk food that could barely fill his stomach.
It should be noted that in 1949, when she lived, the streets of Shanghai were filled with homeless people who were barely clothed, and at its peak, there were as many as 100,000 beggars.
These people begged everywhere to avoid starvation, and they often fought over a piece of spoiled flatbread.
Even ordinary people with jobs and houses to live in live very hard lives, and they can only afford to eat a little bit of oil and fat every few months or even a year.
Even the meals in wealthy families aren't as oily and juicy as this pot of instant noodles.
Thinking about the contributions made today that have brought such a prosperous life to the people 76 years later, a sense of pride rose up on her pretty face.
Just as I was feeling sentimental, the flag-bearing formation marched out with neat and steady steps.
With each synchronized step, my heart trembled with excitement.
Chen Huai'an immediately announced, "The flag-raising ceremony is about to begin!"
The camera angle on TV changed, and everyone in the stands stood up.
Lin Wan was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly wiped her lips with a tissue and stood up straight.
With a determined look in his eyes, he couldn't help but recall his experience in Xibaipo last summer.
As the stirring song began, the fluttering red flag slowly rose.
"Arise! Ye who refuse to be slaves...!"
Lin Wan sang along softly, two lines of tears streaming down her face.
The voice was soft, yet it was filled with intense excitement and pride.
"The March of the Volunteers" was composed in 1935. On May 24, the film "Children of Troubled Times" premiered, and the song quickly spread throughout the country, becoming a clarion call to inspire the Chinese people to fight bravely against the Japanese invasion. It played a huge role in inspiring the patriotism of the Chinese people.
On September 27, 1949, the National Conference unanimously adopted it as the provisional national anthem.
On March 14, 2004, the National Congress of the Communist Party of China passed an amendment to the Constitution, officially designating it as the national anthem of the People's Republic of China.
The National Anthem Law officially came into effect on September 1, 2017.
Lin Wan already knew this song twelve years ago when the Battle of Shanghai broke out.
Hearing the familiar and stirring song now, I was so moved that tears streamed down my face.
As the song ended, my tense body finally relaxed.
Chen Huai'an pulled out a tissue and handed it to him, comforting him, "Your era will soon face this day as well."
Lin Wan took the tissue to wipe her tears, nodded and smiled, "Thank you."
His voice was filled with relief and gratitude.
It seems to be a way of expressing gratitude that, because of him, we were able to see the new world they had built.
Chen Huai'an lit a cigarette, leaned forward slightly, and excitedly announced, "The main event is about to begin!"
With a resounding announcement, the military parade officially began.
As the marching formations passed by, their synchronized movements were awe-inspiring.
Lin Wan stared wide-eyed, utterly awestruck by the orderly and imposing scene.
Especially when they saw the heroic female soldiers appear, they clenched their fists in excitement.
Their big, dark eyes were shining; they were so envious they were practically drooling.
She fantasized that she could also wear a handsome military uniform and be in the parade.
As the music grew deeper and more stirring, the battle flag formation led the equipment formation onto the field.
The rows of Type 99B main battle tanks, lined up neatly, looked like heavily armored steel behemoths rushing towards us, making us tremble with fear.
As each piece of unmanned equipment was unveiled, not only Lin Wan was shocked, but the foreign leaders invited to the city tower were also deeply impressed!
Rumor has it that the Pentagon's pizza index skyrocketed during the parade!
When the laser weapons appeared, everyone couldn't help but whisper among themselves, their faces filled with surprise and shock.
Lin Wan looked at the various advanced and powerful equipment and trembled with excitement.
If they also had such advanced weapons, they would surely be able to defeat the Chiang Kai-shek regime much faster!
When she saw the enormous missile vehicle at the end, her mouth gaped open in surprise, forming an "O" shape!
She never imagined that one day artillery shells could be made so big!
Just then, the announcer's voice came over the television: "The Dongfeng-5C liquid-fueled intercontinental strategic nuclear missile has a strike range covering the entire globe...!"
His voice was deep and powerful, every word penetrating and exhilarating.
It will make the enemy tremble with fear!
"Coverage...coverage of the whole world?" Lin Wan pointed her fair finger at the TV, her wide almond-shaped eyes filled with disbelief.
These four simple words are incredibly powerful; there is no longer any safe haven behind us!
Chen Huai'an exhaled a puff of smoke, his voice casual.
"As for its power, it's only 266 times that of the little boy."
"This is a J-10 fighter jet. It used to be the Air Force's sweetheart, but now it's become the old hag. It only got the job of pulling smoke and creating atmosphere because it did something meritorious recently."