249 Idio (1/2)

Was it such an easy thing to have the same name as a Period of Destruction leader?

Given the level of adoration most people in the New Era had toward the heroes of the Period of Destruction, even if historical truths revealed distasteful news about a certain important character, fanatical worshippers would not be bothered.

The line of thoughts of these fanatical worshippers was this: Negative news? Flawed Character? I won't listen! I won't believe it! In any case, my hero is always number one! How thick skinned can you get, having the same name as my hero?!

When people with the same name as their heroes were spotted, piercing gazes of scrutiny were placed on them. This gave those people with the exact same name rather immense amounts of pressure.

There were too many worshippers of heroes from the Period of Destruction. The numbers were not in the tens of thousands but in the hundreds of millions! And for people who shared the exact same name as these martyrs, wherever they went, they would have to face all sorts of questioning gazes.

There were still some worshippers who did not want to see others have the same name as their heroes but had double standards for their own descendants and gave them names similar to martyrs in the hopes that their descendants would become great people just like their own heroes.

However, for those people who shared the exact same name as martyrs, many could not handle the pressure and chose to change their own names.

Those that could hold their own under this sort of pressure and could even make a name for themselves were generally not such simple people.

This was what old Mr. Head Consultant meant by the line ”It is rare for this person to not be inhibited by that name.” When he had first seen a young person who had the exact same name as his hero, he had been extremely astounded and had paid even more attention to Fang Zhao.

Even old Mr. Head Consultant had the same sentiments as other worshippers and would unconsciously draw comparisons when he saw the name ”Fang Zhao” and saw how capable the other party was.

As the revolutionary film project consultant team head, when he looked through the suggestions and opinions of everyone, he especially paid attention to the articles Fang Zhao submitted and had high expectations. Up to now, every one of Fang Zhao's articles had had opinions that made him very satisfied.

Old Mr. Head Consultant thought to himself, Worthy of having the exact same name as my hero!

But if Fang Zhao's performance had been poor, the old mister would surely have thought this: What a joke, to think he would actually share the same name as my hero!

This was how these worshippers generally thought.

Of course, Fang Zhao did not know what the old Mr. Head Consultant was thinking. After submitting his article, he browsed through the discussion platform to see whether there was any news he had missed.

According to these people's discussions, based on Fang Zhao's experiences during the Period of Destruction, if he was written into the drama series, he would have a tragic supporting role.

In truth, this was how Fang Zhao was written in the script.

Compared to the Founding Era generals, Fang Zhao's impact was not as big. After 500 years, his deeds mainly appeared in history books, and people outside Yanzhou did not know much about him. Even in Yanzhou, besides studying their materials for examinations, most people would not voluntarily make an effort to understand him. What was the point of reading historical information? The past would be forgotten anyway.

However, during every year's Memorial Day, the Cemetery of Martyrs commemorative-painting vendors would remind everyone that besides the Founding Era great generals, there was still another important hero.

Browsing through this year's painting styles at Yanzhou's Cemetery of Martyrs and seeing the new image of himself, Fang Zhao felt that... it burned his eyes.

He would not be purchasing any this year. He would rather paint them himself!

On the second day of his vacation, which was also the actual Memorial Day, Kevin Lin came over to broadcast Fang Zhao's blessings to audiences live, and he left just as quickly.

Kevin Lin wanted to let Fang Zhao appear more in the live broadcasts, but the column's chief editor had other plans.

The column's chief editor had spoken to Kevin Lin in private. ”Fang Zhao is no longer important,” he had said. ”What is important is how to get source material and take the opportunity during such a crucial time like Memorial Day to obtain more meaningful materials. Film those soldiers garrisoned here who do not have a high enough rank to bring their family members. Low-ranked soldiers who are unable to return home! And the new batch of wet-eared kids that from the October batch, they might not be adapting well, so film them too. This is also very good source material!”

In short, Kevin Lin was to look for more tear-provoking, gloom-inducing source material that would lead to passionate discussions.

Since it was a suggestion from the top, Kevin Lin could only listen to it. He had tactfully told Fang Zhao about it, but since Fang Zhao had not seemed to mind, Kevin Lin felt more at ease and was able to focus on his own assignment.

His colleagues from the other four channels were also rolling up their sleeves for battle. As they vied for views on this Memorial Day, Kevin Lin did not want to lag behind.

After the blessings on the live broadcast, Kevin Lin left and Fang Zhao continued with his commemorative painting.

Shortly after, Great-Grandmother Fang told Fang Zhao that there was a visitor.

The visitor was Lu Yan, a major from the mining area and a subordinate of Edmund. He lived next door and normally helped out the two elder Fangs with some small chores. Thus, he was familiar with the both of them. He had also brought along some Memorial Day presents with him.

Lu Yan passed the presents to Great-Grandmother Fang and saw the brushes and paper on Fang Zhao's table when he entered the room. Curious, he asked, ”Painting?” As Fang Zhao had not yet completed it, Lu Yan could not tell who it was.