Chapter 57: When the Youth Are Strong, the Nation Is Strong

When Fang Xing decided to perform "Ode to the Youth of China," he researched the history of this world. He discovered some details: the history before the nineteenth century here was largely identical to that of his previous life on Earth, but after that, it veered onto a parallel path.

The recording of the show continued.

The stage lights dimmed. Fang Xing and Shao Yu gave each other a high-five, then walked to opposite sides of the stage and stood ready.

The director cued the accompaniment for "Ode to the Youth of China."

After two drumbeats, the Haining Children's Choir began to recite the prose, their voices pure and filled with youthful vitality:

"When the youth are wise, the nation is wise; when the youth are rich, the nation is rich; when the youth are strong, the nation is strong; when the youth are free, the nation is free..."

The main melody had not yet begun; it was only the children's recitation. Many of the professional judges in the audience felt a jolt in their hearts.

At last, they understood what Fang Xing meant when he said, "Only the brave would dare not to vote."

This passage from Mr. Liang Qichao’s "Ode to the Youth of China" was being recited. As long as the song was not botched, who would dare not to vote for it?

"Ode to the Youth of China" was written by Liang Qichao in 1900, after the failure of the reform movement. In it, he extolled the vigor of youth and his ardent hopes for the future, expressing his love and expectations for his country.

The song "Ode to the Youth of China" has lyrics by Liang Qichao and Er Shui, composed by Xu Song, and performed by Zhang Jie. In 2018, it was sung on the CCTV program "Classics Chant the Ages."

Zhang Jie and the "Classics Chant the Ages" team, facing this century-old classic by Liang Qichao, spent two months refining four versions. In the end, the version composed by Xu Song, after much polishing, finally achieved a satisfactory result.

...

The Haining Children's Choir finished their recitation.

Fang Xing took up the melody and began to sing:

"The red sun rises, its path bright and vast. Rivers burst forth from hidden streams, flowing mightily.

"The hidden dragon soars from the depths, its scales and claws flashing. The tiger cub roars in the valley, and all beasts tremble in fear.

"Youth has its own wild ambition, standing tall like the mountains and rivers.

"Daring to measure sun and moon anew, today I alone am the young man.

"Daring to test the world’s edge, cutting through thorns—who can stand in my way?

"The world may laugh, but I grow stronger, living up to my youth..."

When this verse ended, the powerful and heroic lyrics, brimming with emotion, gave voice to the cry and spirit of youthful aspiration.

Each shout was like a heavy hammer striking the heart.

Chen Chaonan even clenched his fist, and, unusually, shouted out, "Bravo!"

He was a doctoral advisor in Eastern Music, and though he understood pop, his expertise leaned more towards music with a main theme.

Thus, this "Ode to the Youth of China" struck directly at his heart.

Among the professional judges present, some even felt their eyes grow moist, though they quickly hid it.

Liang Yusong's expression was frozen—he was stunned.

For someone of his age, he knew even better how difficult the road to a strong nation had been, and that the youth were the hope for the future.

At this moment, he suddenly understood something.

Chao Yin Entertainment's desire to sign Fang Xing was nothing more than wishful thinking. With just this song, "Ode to the Youth of China," a company like Chao Yin, focused on entertainment, could never hope to afford him.

In the entertainment industry, whichever company signed Fang Xing would be basking in his glory.

...

In the director’s area, Liu Rongxuan watched the singer on stage, listened to the music, and his expression grew more complex.

After just half the song, Liu Rongxuan already knew Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen had lost.

There was no need to vote—the outcome was clear.

Originally, Liu Rongxuan had sent the popular second-ranked Liu Yichen out to compete, paired with Wu Junchen, aiming for a certain victory.

He never imagined their opponent would bring out such a "nuclear" weapon.

Just as the saying put it, "Only the brave would dare not to vote."

With such a song, those judges in the professional seats—if they hesitated to vote, they’d be afraid of the consequences.

Liu Rongxuan turned with a complicated expression toward Tong Fei, a trace of anger in his eyes.

Because this song had clearly been rehearsed—Tong Fei could not possibly have been unaware.

Yet, until this moment, he had received no word about this song.

If he’d known, he would never have let Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen compete. He would have simply conceded.

Conceding is not shameful—being beaten down by your opponent and unable to utter a word is the most unbearable.

Liu Rongxuan, with suppressed anger, said, "President Tong, this is rather unfair of you."

Tong Fei maintained her elegant smile, legs crossed as she lounged in her chair, feigning ignorance. "What are you talking about, President Liu?"

Liu Rongxuan pointed at the singers on stage. "This song should never have appeared on this show."

Tong Fei spread her hands and shot back, "And what’s wrong with this song?"

Liu Rongxuan said unhappily, "You know exactly what I mean."

But Tong Fei was unbothered. "President Liu, we agreed to let them compete directly. I followed your request to the letter.

"As for your lobbying of the professional judges, I turned a blind eye.

"If you won, whoever needed to be eliminated would be. I would never show favoritism.

"To be honest, everyone on the production team knows the show is already biased toward your Chao Yin Five.

"Even the theme was set by you—what more do you want?"

Liu Rongxuan was left speechless.

Because so many of the rules for this performance were changed at Chao Yin Entertainment’s request.

The Chao Yin Five performing together, Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen singing as a duet—these were all prearranged.

Even the theme, "My Youth, Unwasted Years," was chosen to support Wu Junchen's new single, "Reckless Youth."

And yes, Chao Yin Entertainment had indeed lobbied the professional judges.

Everything Chao Yin did was to defeat Fang Xing.

Yet, despite all this, Fang Xing still brought out an unbeatable song.

At that moment, Liu Rongxuan began to realize just how formidable Fang Xing was.

He even felt some regret—he should never have insisted on this head-to-head competition from the start. He should have simply agreed to all Fang Xing’s terms and signed him with a platinum contract.

...

The music continued.

After the instrumental interlude, Shao Yu stepped forward and began the second verse:

"The sword is sharpened, its edge emerges. Heaven covers with blue, earth with yellow.

"Though the ages stretch long, and the world vast, the road ahead is like the sea, with endless days to come..."

When Shao Yu finished his solo chorus, the grand finale began.

The accompaniment now included the harmonies of the Haining Children's Choir, as Fang Xing and Shao Yu sang together:

"Youth has its own wild ambition, a heart like a blazing sun, shining with endless light.

"No matter how many hardships, I will break through. Today, I alone am the young man.

"The sky is high, the sea is wide, ten thousand miles long—Chinese youth, bold and spirited.

"Striving to be strong, to stand as pillars, living up to our youth..."

As the final note faded, the song ended.

The venue fell silent once again.

Some audience members, moved by the song, felt their hearts surge and their emotions roil.

Certain fans in the crowd, those who understood the song’s meaning, were stricken with despair.

Some of Liu Yichen’s fans even cried out in anguish to the person next to them, "Is Yichen going to be eliminated? No, please…"

He Hao solemnly returned to the stage. "Thank you, Fang Xing and Shao Yu, for bringing us such a powerful song. Fang Xing, is there anything you’d like to say after your performance? Do you think you’ll win this time?"

Fang Xing replied calmly, "Nothing to say. Let’s vote."

That was all he said, but to the professional judges, it was as if he were repeating, "Only the brave would dare not to vote."

Especially those few who had accepted gifts from Chao Yin Entertainment—their expressions looked as if they had just eaten a dozen cans of pickled herring.

In their hearts, these judges all muttered: I’d like to vote for Chao Yin Entertainment, but do I dare?