Chapter 131: An Opportunity and a Test

After Adil left, Shu Ran's life at the division headquarters seemed to return to normal.

Shu Ran focused on the follow-up and summary reports of the mobile teaching sites. The success of the three new sites gave her more influence within the teaching department. The Education Section assigned her more coordination and planning work, clearly indicating an intentional effort to cultivate her talent.

That afternoon, Shu Ran was copying a progress report for the Corps when Yang Zhenhua walked in with a newly arrived internal newsletter, his face showing excitement.

"Shu Ran, take a look at this." Yang Zhenhua placed the press release on her desk and pointed to one of the sections.

Shu Ran put down her pen and picked up the paper. It was an internal communication document issued by a higher-level department, mainly conveying some policies and trends. The article Yang Zhenhua pointed out was titled "Reflections on Several Issues in the Current Education Field." It was short, but the language was sharp, directly targeting the so-called outdated education system and emphasizing the need to break with convention. The words conveyed a bold sense of innovation.

Shu Ran quickly skimmed through the article, her heart tightening slightly. The style and tone of this piece subtly contradicted the pragmatism she had always emphasized. She looked up at Yang Zhenhua: "Officer Yang, this is..."

Yang Zhenhua lowered his voice: "It's the wind blowing from above. I heard that a cross-departmental education revolution leading group office may be established soon to concentrate efforts on promoting... reform."

He carefully chose his words, “You’ve had outstanding results lately, and your name is on the corps’ register, so maybe… you’ll get noticed.”

Shu Ran's heart skipped a beat. Opportunity? Or risk? The words "educational revolution" sounded like an impending storm. The reforms she pursued were reforms grounded in the realities of the frontier, reforms that would benefit the children and staff, not the kind of movement divorced from reality, reforms for the sake of reform.

"These are just some old-fashioned methods, nothing fancy," Shu Ran replied cautiously, pushing the press release back to Yang Zhenhua. "These kinds of big things are too far removed from our lives."

Yang Zhenhua looked at her, smiled knowingly, and said, "Sometimes, when an opportunity comes, it's hard to avoid getting involved. It's never a bad thing to be prepared in advance." He picked up the newsletter, "Here, take a look at this when you have time and understand the spirit of the article."

After Yang Zhenhua left, Shu Ran looked at the newsletter on the table, her brows furrowing slightly.

She comes from a later era and has a vague premonition about certain historical trajectories. This kind of top-down revolution, heavily imbued with ideology, is often prone to getting out of control and deviating from its original purpose. Her achievements, which would be considered merits in normal times, could become targets or be used to do things that contradict her educational philosophy in a certain context.

She tucked the press release into the bottom of her drawer, deciding to avoid this sensitive topic for the time being. The immediate priority was to solidify the existing foundation. While the mobile teaching sites had been established, teacher resources, teaching materials, and stability were all major issues; any problem in any of these areas could render all previous efforts futile.

In the days that followed, Shu Ran frequently visited various regiments, companies, and teaching points in pastoral areas to personally attend classes, hold discussions with substitute teachers, and understand the real needs and difficulties of herders and staff. She discovered that enthusiasm and meager supplies alone were far from enough; many substitute teachers had limited education and used monotonous teaching methods, resulting in significant fluctuations in the children's learning outcomes.

She began to compile a set of supplementary teaching materials that were closer to life and easier to understand, combining literacy and arithmetic with knowledge of production and daily life such as herding, farming, and hygiene and disease prevention.

At the same time, she suggested to Director Sun that during the off-season for farming, substitute teachers from various teaching points be brought together to the division headquarters for short-term training to learn the requirements and exchange experiences.

This suggestion received the support of Director Sun. However, it involved funding, venues, and personnel transfers, requiring the cooperation of the Logistics Department and relevant companies. Shu Ran had no choice but to bite the bullet again and take the plan and budget to Deputy Director Li of the Logistics Department for coordination.

This time, Deputy Director Li's attitude seemed to have softened a bit. I don't know if he had learned his lesson after being outmaneuvered by Shu Ran last time, or if he had heard some rumors.

Although he still spoke in an official tone and emphasized the difficulties, he eventually approved some funding and materials, allowing Shu Ran to conduct training in the empty auditorium of the division headquarters.

"Comrade Shu Ran, everyone is emphasizing thrift these days. Your training must focus on practical results and avoid formalism," Deputy Director Li casually remarked as he signed the approval slip.

"Don't worry, Deputy Director Li, we will make sure every penny is spent wisely and that the training is effective." Shu Ran said sincerely as she took the approval slip.

Emerging from the logistics department, Shu Ran breathed a sigh of relief. The first step had been taken; the next steps—training teachers, compiling teaching materials, stabilizing teaching locations—each required considerable effort. Meanwhile, the news about the "Education Revolution Leading Group Office" occasionally surfaced in her mind.

That evening, she stayed in the office to work overtime, compiling a list of training instructors and course schedules. As darkness fell outside, she was left alone in the office.

There was a gentle knock on the door.

"Please come in."

Chen Yuanjiang pushed open the door and came in, carrying an aluminum lunchbox, as if he had just finished his official duties.

"Haven't eaten yet?" He walked to her table, put down the lunchbox, and steam rose from the edge of the lid.

"It'll be ready soon." Shu Ran looked up, rubbing her sore neck. Seeing him, a smile involuntarily appeared on her face. "Why are you here?"

"It's on my way." Chen Yuanjiang sat down in the chair opposite her, his gaze sweeping over the thick roster and lesson plans spread out on her desk. "Running into trouble again?"

Shu Ran briefly explained the matter of training teachers, omitting the difficult parts and only mentioning the progress.

Chen Yuanjiang listened quietly, and only spoke after she finished speaking: "What do you need me to do?"

Shu Ran felt a warmth in her heart. He was always like this, always ready to offer any support he could.

"Not for now, we've already got the approval. It's just that organizing things afterwards is a bit complicated."

"Okay." Chen Yuanjiang didn't ask any more questions and pushed the lunchbox in front of her. "Eat first."

Shu Ran opened her lunchbox; inside was food from the cafeteria, still steaming hot, clearly freshly served. On top of the rice sat a golden-brown fried egg.

"They still have fried eggs in the cafeteria at night?" Shu Ran was a little surprised.

Chen Yuanjiang looked away and gazed out the window. "Old Zhao from the cookhouse owes me a favor."

Shu Ran smiled to herself and picked up her chopsticks. She knew it wasn't that simple. As she ate, the only sounds in the office were the soft rustling of her food.

Chen Yuanjiang suddenly spoke up: "I heard that there might be new developments from above, related to education."

Shu Ran paused in her chopsticks, which were picking up food, and looked up at him.

Chen Yuanjiang turned his gaze back to her face, "The wind is blowing in the direction of 'revolution.' You've been riding high lately, so be careful."

He'd heard about it too. Shu Ran put down her chopsticks and sighed, "I know. Officer Yang showed me the internal communications. I'm a little unsure. Yuanjiang, what that article said doesn't seem to be the same thing I'm doing."

“What you’ve done is something that benefits the children here,” Chen Yuanjiang said with certainty. “As long as the foundation is solid, the tree won’t fall even when the wind blows.”

"But if the wind is too strong, you should know when to take shelter. Some waves are too big for you to handle." He paused, looked at her, his eyes deep: "But I will always be here."

Shu Ran understood what he meant.

"Right now, I just want to do the things in front of me well." Shu Ran picked up her chopsticks again and poked at the rice in her bowl. "Train the teachers, compile the teaching materials, and stabilize the teaching sites. As for the rest... we'll talk about it later."

"Okay." Chen Yuanjiang looked at her. "Tell me when you need me."

Shu Ran nodded and continued eating.

After finishing his meal, Chen Yuanjiang picked up the empty lunchbox and said, "I'm leaving. You should go back and rest early too."

"Okay." Shu Ran saw him to the door.

He walked to the end of the corridor, glanced back at her one last time, and then turned and disappeared at the top of the stairs.

*

The first training course for substitute teachers at mobile teaching sites under the division headquarters was held in an unused auditorium at the division headquarters.

The substitute teachers, from various regiments, companies, and pastoral areas, ranged in age from their early twenties to their forties, with varying levels of education, but all of them cherished their work.

Shu Ran stood before the podium, looking at the faces below, her heart filled with emotion. They were the most direct transmitters of the spark of education on this land. Once, she too had been a part of this place.

The training content was meticulously designed by her, focusing on practicality. It covered topics such as how to write the clearest blackboard notes with the least amount of chalk; how to use sand trays and sticks for early childhood education; how to combine literacy with calculating work points, recognizing receipts, and reading pesticide instructions; and even included some basic child psychology and classroom management skills.

She explained things in a simple and easy-to-understand way, using many examples. The teachers in the audience listened with great interest, often bending down to take careful notes.

During training breaks, Shu Ran would go among them, chat with them, and learn about the situation and difficulties at their respective teaching sites.

A young woman from a pastoral area asked timidly, "Teacher Shu, the children can't remember the words. They forget them by the afternoon after I teach them in the morning. What should I do?"

Shu Ran patiently explained, "Don't rush. You can connect the characters with concrete things. For example, when teaching the character 'sheep,' take them to see a sheepfold; when teaching the character 'water,' take them to the irrigation ditch. Use drawing and singing to make learning fun."

An older family member of a soldier in the company frowned and said, "Teacher Shu, the methods you taught are good, but our conditions are poor. We don't even have a blackboard like you mentioned."

Shu Ran nodded: "This is a very practical question. We can find alternatives, such as using a flat mud floor as a practice board and writing with twigs; or finding some discarded wooden boards, brushing them with ink, and that becomes a simple blackboard. The key is to have the heart to want to teach the child well."

Her words were practical and sincere, devoid of empty platitudes; every sentence resonated with the teachers. After several days of training, these substitute teachers, who had initially felt somewhat apprehensive and uncertain, now had much more confidence in their eyes.

On the last day of the training, Shu Ran organized a simple seminar for everyone to share their experiences. The atmosphere was lively, with teachers eagerly speaking up, sharing their own practical methods developed in teaching, and also raising many real-world challenges. Shu Ran noted them all down, preparing to study and resolve them later.

Before Shu Ran could even catch her breath after seeing off the teachers, Director Sun called her into his office.

Director Sun, beaming with joy, handed Shu Ran a document: "Shu Ran, good news! The Education Department of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps attaches great importance to our previous experience summary and has decided to have you give a keynote speech at the meeting next month!"

Shu Ran took the document; it was a meeting notice, and her name was on the list of speakers. This was indeed an opportunity to make an appearance.

"This is the organization's trust in you, and also an affirmation of our division's educational work!" Director Sun said enthusiastically. "Prepare your speech carefully, and be sure to highlight our strengths!"

"Yes, Director, I will definitely prepare carefully," Shu Ran solemnly replied.

However, before she could carefully consider her speech, a few days later, another notice arrived at the Education Section. This time it was a document from higher authorities, officially announcing the establishment of an Education Revolution Leading Group, with an office under it, and requiring the selection of young cadres from across the entire Corps.

This document is more formal and sharply worded than the internal communications previously brought by Yang Zhenhua. It lists various shortcomings in the current education system that require a revolution, including an overemphasis on fundamentals while neglecting political guidance, and clinging to traditional teaching models while lacking a spirit of bold innovation.

As Shu Ran looked at the documents, her anxiety intensified. Her premonition was correct; the winds had indeed blown, and their direction didn't seem entirely in her favor. What she was doing was precisely laying a solid foundation; the practical and down-to-earth methods she advocated might be seen by some as "ignoring politics." And the content of her upcoming speech at the meeting was somewhat inconsistent with this revolutionary spirit.

Director Sun also saw the document. He called Shu Ran over, and the joy on his face faded, replaced by a more serious expression.

"Xiao Shu, you've seen the notice of the Corps meeting and this document." Director Sun tapped his fingers on the table. "This is an opportunity, but it could also be a test. You need to be careful with your speech. You should fully mention our achievements, but also appropriately reflect your understanding and implementation of the directives from higher authorities."

The words were phrased tactfully, but Shu Ran understood. Director Sun was reminding her that her remarks should align with the prevailing sentiment, or at least not openly contradict it.

"Director, I understand." Shu Ran nodded. "I will consider it carefully."

Back in her office, Shu Ran stared at the blank sheet of paper, lost in thought. According to the document, she should strongly criticize pragmatic education and emphasize its political nature. But her teaching location, all her efforts, were based on respecting the laws of education and meeting needs. She couldn't bring herself to deny what she firmly believed in and practiced simply to conform to the prevailing trend.

But if she speaks entirely according to her own ideas, will it cause controversy at the meeting? Or even damage the division's reputation? Will she be targeted because of this speech?

That evening, feeling troubled, she took a walk on the path leading to the Gobi Desert behind the division headquarters compound.

Familiar footsteps sounded behind me.

Chen Yuanjiang walked to her side and stood beside her, looking into the distance.

"Have you run into a problem?" he asked.

Shu Ran told him about the document from her superiors, without hiding her inner conflict and worries.

"I don't know how to write this speech." Shu Ran looked at the last rays of the sunset on the horizon. "I can't bring myself to lie. But if I tell the truth, I'm afraid of causing trouble for Director Sun and the division headquarters, and I'm also afraid of getting myself involved."

Chen Yuanjiang was silent for a moment before speaking, his voice low but clear: "Shu Ran, do you still remember your original intention at Qiming Elementary School?"

"I remember," Shu Ran replied without hesitation.

"So, do you think what you've done is wrong?"

"No," Shu Ran shook her head. "I think it's right."

“Then stick to what you believe is right.” Chen Yuanjiang turned to look at her. “Going to the meeting is for you to explain how you got things done, not to guess what others want to hear. Presenting the results of your work is more powerful than any fancy words. Director Sun is telling you to be tactful to protect you, not to go against your conscience. When it really comes down to a choice,” he looked at her and said, word by word, “choose the path you believe in. The rest, I’ll take care of.”

"You're here?" Shu Ran looked at him.

"Hmm." Chen Yuanjiang responded, "I've been a witness to your journey so far, and what you've done can't be wrong."

His words made Shu Ran more clear-headed, and most of the pent-up frustration in her chest dissipated.

Yes, why should she panic over a wind direction that isn't even fully clear yet?

"I understand. I know how to write it now."

The two stood in the twilight for a while longer, until it was completely dark, before turning around and walking back.

Chen Yuanjiang stopped in his tracks when he reached Shu Ran's dormitory building.

"Let's go up."

"Mm." Shu Ran nodded, walked up the steps, and looked back at him. "Chen Yuanjiang, thank you."