Preamble:
We've all looked up with bated breath at the dazzling golden light on the stage.
It is dazzling, like a dazzling star, illuminating the artistic dream of every literature and art lover.
However, time fades its gorgeous coat, and when the light gradually dims, people begin to ask: who are you, where does your soul dwell, and what kind of baptism of life have you experienced to create the light in front of you?
Jiang Ziya, where are you wandering?
On a cold winter day in 1927, this ordinary family ushered in an extraordinary new life.
It was a gift from God to this family, a child with amazing talents.
His parents named him "Blue Sky" and placed high hopes on him to have a life as broad as the blue sky.
From an early age, Lan Tian showed a great talent for painting, and at the age of five he was able to create lifelike paintings that amazed his family.
The characters in the painting have a natural demeanor and a brilliant background scenery, which is almost not like the work of a child.
However, it is a turbulent era, and China is suffering from internal and external troubles.
In troubled times, people generally struggle to survive, and rarely have the time and energy to pay attention to and appreciate art.
The family is also not optimistic about Lantian engaging in literary and artistic careers, and hopes that he will engage in some "serious work".
The artist's mind is fragile and sensitive, and he is often forced to bury himself under the weight of reality.
Lan Tianye's artistic dream was suppressed and hidden in this way when he was a teenager.
At that time, he could only secretly draw some sketches in the middle of the night to vent his inner loneliness and love for art - this is the well-known stage star and the unsung hero, Lan Tianye.
Jiang Ziya on the stage, the unsung hero behind the scenes
In 1937, when Lantian Ye was 20 years old, the Japanese invaded China, and China was involved in the bloody War of Resistance Against Japan.
The family and country are on the verge of extinction, and their survival is in danger.
This war-torn country is in dire need of every child's strength.
Lan Tianye resolutely decided to join a military and political drama troupe in Wuhan and dedicate himself to the literary and artistic front.
His natural talent for acting was quickly discovered and appreciated.
The repertory troupe gave him a stage to show himself and give full play to his strengths.
In these promotional and inspiring drama works, Lantian Ye has successfully created many popular character images, such as Jiang Ziya, who is loyal and courageous and terrifying to monsters in "Jiang Ziya", which is deeply loved by the audience.
What is less well known, however, is that he was not only an outstanding stage star, but also a Communist agent.
During the day, he is a weak scholar-like literary youth in the eyes of people; At night, he went on secret missions, gathering intelligence, and serving the party-state.
The identity of an actor provides a good identity camouflage for his underground work.
Two completely different identities have led him to a painful contradiction and struggle – one is the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty in art, and the other is a dangerous mission.
He was always on the lookout for it, and he was deeply worried.
This is Lan Tianye, a glamorous stage star and a ruthless behind-the-scenes agent.
The contrast between the two identities is like the color block of a black and white movie, which makes Lan Tianye's inner world confusing.
Lantian Ye, this is a pseudonym
In 1944, Lan Tianye met the love of his life.
Unlike most love stories, this love affair is accompanied by the bitterness of life and death, rather than the sweetness and joy.
Loving someone is inherently destined to suffer the pain of loss.
What's more, Lan Tianye is still burdened with the heavy responsibility of an agent, and his life hangs by a thread.
He can't stay with his lover for the rest of his life like ordinary people, so he can only keep parting.
Lantian Ye needs to run around to perform tasks all year round, and he can't give his lover normal company.
He can't tell his lover his true identity, which casts a layer of light and shadow on the relationship between the two.
In the career of an agent with a sword and a sword, Lan Tianye's life hangs by a thread, and this also makes lovers frightened from time to time.
She didn't know if Lan Tianye would be able to return safely.
This sense of impermanence torments the hearts of two people who love each other all the time.
Out of protection and love, considering that his special status may cause trouble to his relatives, Lan Tianye decided to go incognito and change his name in 1947.
He chose to abandon his original name and identity and start from scratch.
The new identity of "Lantian Ye" was born.
It was a heart-wrenching choice for him, sacrificing himself to protect his beloved.
Perhaps, everyone has a ginger tooth in their heart and a heart of selfless dedication.
Blue sky after the founding of the People's Republic of China
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Lantian Ye's agent career came to an end.
He was finally able to pursue a career in art and fulfill his childhood dream.
Not only was he an outstanding stage actor, but he also grew into a performance artist at the level of an instructor.
His stage works are highly ideological and full of the atmosphere of the times, showing his excellent skills and profound humanistic accomplishment.
Lan Tianye is also a prolific theatre director, screenwriter and painter.
The dramas he directed were emotionally sincere and rigorously structured, and were well received by the audience.
His paintings are profound, and his brushwork is delicate and freehand, all of which show his extraordinary artistic attainments.
Even at the age of 80, Lantian Ye still insists on painting, writing and writing scripts.
He regards art as his life, and even in his last years, he will devote his last bit of strength to cultural undertakings.
This spirit of free and easy dedication is truly awe-inspiring.
Perhaps, it is this spirit of selfless dedication that allows him to constantly break through himself in his artistic practice and finally reach the height of an art master.
He used practical actions to explain what a true artist is.
Jiang Ziya, your light will never be extinguished
After decades of unremitting efforts, Lantian Ye finally won the highest honor in China's cultural circles on June 29, 2021 - the July 1st Medal.
This splendid medal is an affirmation of his outstanding contributions to literary and artistic creation and patriotic practice over the past 60 years.
However, at the pinnacle of his artistic career, on June 8, 2022, Lan Tianye passed away peacefully at his home in Beijing at the age of 95.
The bright star has fallen, and it will be extinguished forever in this artistic sky.
Lantian Ye's life is not only a legendary story of the growth of an excellent artist, but also a touching legend of an unknown devotee.
He used practical actions to interpret what is the true infinite love for art and what is the endless loyalty and dedication to the motherland.
Jiang Ziya, your light will never be extinguished.
You will always live in people's hearts, like a bright moon, warming and guiding future generations to explore and move forward on this thorny art road.
Your spirit is always worth learning and passing on to future generations.
Epilogue:
He is the golden light on the stage and the nameless devotee behind the scenes.
He spent his life interpreting what is love for art and what loyalty to the motherland is.
His story inspires us to break through ourselves and pursue truth, goodness and beauty in our journey of life.
Blue Sky Field, this light will always remain in our hearts, illuminating the way forward.