"The commune leaders previously proposed to the county to build a school in Hongxing Commune. This morning, at a commune meeting, Secretary Li let me know that the matter has entered the approval process and should be approved soon. All five brigades want to build the school on their respective territories. You know our situation here, and the Dongjiang Brigade doesn't have any advantages. We were wondering if you could help us out?"
Han Zheng supported the construction of the school and asked him, "Where do you want to build the school?"
"Go to the three-way intersection between Nanzhu Brigade and Floating Bridge."
Zhao Xuelin had thought about it long ago. This location was very good. Apart from the children from the Dongjiang Brigade, the students from Nanzhu and the two brigades on the opposite bank all came to school not far away. The only one that was farther away was the Nanwan Brigade, and the biggest resistance in the future would also come from the Nanwan Brigade.
“There’s nothing wrong with this location.”
Old Man Han spoke, but he had concerns. "Every spring when the river floods after the rain, the floating bridge is very unsafe. Parents from the two brigades on the other side of the river are worried about their children crossing the bridge to go to school. If the bridge problem is not solved, they would rather their children walk the long way to the school in the next commune than let them go to school here at risk."
"It's already very difficult for the county to invest in building a school here, so it's basically impossible for them to invest in building a bridge." Zhao Xuelin said with certainty.
Han Zheng thought for a moment and said, "If the Dongjiang Brigade and the two production teams across the street develop new economic industries and boost the county's economy, then it's possible."
Zhao Xuelin was helpless: "If we had our own property, we wouldn't have been ridiculed and bullied by the Nanwan and Nanzhu brigades over the years. It wouldn't be their turn to dictate the construction of the school."
"Xue Lin, didn't you say before that you wanted to build a rice mill?" asked Old Man Han.
"Yes, I am planning to set up a rice mill and have visited a machinery factory. However, the price of a set of equipment is too high. The funds on the brigade's account are not enough to buy even a small rice mill." Zhao Xuelin had no words to express his grievances.
"Don't use a new one for now, a second-hand one will do." Han Zheng suggested.
"The city took away all the secondhand rice mills from the Yang County Machinery Factory, leaving behind a pile of broken metal parts. I had considered hiring a technician to assemble a set, but the technician at the machinery factory asked for an exorbitant fee: 200 yuan for each set. He also said many parts were missing and he had to procure them, clearly trying to profit from it. That aside, the most disgusting thing was his contemptuous attitude. Old Wu, who went with me, was so angry that he left immediately."
"If you decide to build a rice mill, I'll go with you to take a look tomorrow. The team won't have to pay for the assembly fee. You know the rest." Han Zheng gave him a look.
Zhao Xuelin: "...I understand."
He moved his neck and looked at Mr. Han opposite him, grinning and saying, "Grandpa Han, did you know that this old iron tree of his is about to bloom?"
Mr. Han smiled and asked him, "How is that female comrade?"
"From Jing County, 18 years old, high school graduate, very beautiful." Zhao Xuelin emphasized the last three words and added, "She looks like a fairy. I've never seen a more beautiful lesbian."
Old Man Han didn't think his grandson only judged people by appearance. He thought this woman must have other outstanding qualities. He asked again, "What's her family situation?"
"I don't know about that." Zhao Xuelin had never asked about it.
He didn't know, but Han Zheng did, and he volunteered, "She's like an orphan. Her grandparents are dead, her mother is dead too, and her father is a scumbag. Her stepmother tricked her into going to the countryside. She also has an uncle, a lawyer in Hai City, but now his entire family has been sent to Sichuan Province for labor reform. To avoid implicating her, he published a newspaper announcement severing ties with her."
"To be able to produce a lawyer, they must be a family of high-level intellectuals."
Old Man Han likes people with knowledge and culture the most. He earned his military honors by risking his life on the battlefield, so his education level is limited. His wife has read a little more than him, but she cannot be called an educated person either.
Although both of his sons work in the army, they do not have a high level of education. Only his daughter graduated from a medical university. She is the only college graduate in the family and the younger generation he is most proud of.
Although the current political situation is special and most intellectuals have suffered, he still urges his grandchildren to study more and hopes that when they choose a partner, they will try to choose a spouse with a high level of education.
"Her grandfather and mother were both doctors when they were alive. Her grandfather was a famous doctor in Jing County and had a very high reputation." Han Zheng introduced.
Zhao Xuelin looked at him with a strange look in his eyes. "Have you found out everything?"
"Before I came here, I went to Jing County on purpose. A leader was seriously injured, so I took him there to ask for the precious medicine left by Grandpa Huaying, and also asked about her family situation." Han Zheng thought about the news he had heard, and he couldn't help but feel sorry for Yun Huaying.
Seeing that his eyes were different when he talked about that lesbian, Mr. Han was sure that he was really moved. "Zhengzi, are you sure?"
"Sure."
Han Zheng is a very goal-oriented person. Once he has an idea and decision in mind, he will not give up no matter how many difficulties and dangers lie ahead. His deep black eyes gleamed with light: "Grandpa, she is a person with great personal charm and temperament. She is very smart and decisive. I think she and I are of the same type. Although we have not known each other for long, I am sure that our personalities and temperaments are similar. I think she is the most suitable person for me."
“What suits you is the best.”
Grandpa Han believed in his grandson's judgment, but when it comes to relationships, it also depends on the woman's willingness. "Since you're interested in her, show your affection. If she has feelings for you, be sure to tell me. If she doesn't like you, Grandpa doesn't think you should force it. A forced relationship won't be sweet."
"Grandpa, I know." Han Zheng nodded.
Seeing that he was serious, Zhao Xuelin smiled and said, "The three female educated youth who came this time are quite good. They performed much better than the other educated youth when they first arrived. All three of them are high school graduates and have a high level of education."
At this point, he had another idea in his mind, and his smile deepened when he looked at Han Zheng, "Please help me settle the school matter. The school will definitely need to recruit teachers by then. They are all recent high school graduates, so the teaching positions are almost certain to be secured."
Even though he didn't say it, Han Zheng had already thought of it, "Let's go and take over the rice mill tomorrow."
"OK."
Although he did not give a definite answer, Zhao Xuelin believed that with his help, there was a high possibility that the school would be built in Dongjiang Brigade.
With a commune school and a rice mill, they can find a way to build the bridge later. The Dongjiang Brigade will no longer be so passive. They don't have to look at other people's faces every time they go to a meeting, nor do they have to listen to Wang Youwen and Liu Dazhu's bragging.
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