Because they needed to coordinate water and electricity connections, Jiang Si and Director Yang didn't go to their office early this morning, but came directly to the Foreign Affairs Building.
The two inspected each floor and made a note of the areas that needed to be rectified.
When Minister Zhao arrived, the two were in the conference room on the top floor verifying these documents.
"So you were here! No wonder I couldn't find you anywhere!"
Sensing the agitation in Minister Zhao's voice, Jiang Si and Director Yang exchanged glances, still somewhat confused. "Minister Zhao, what happened?"
"Great news! Absolutely fantastic news!"
"Sit down, everyone, sit down and talk."
Despite their confusion, Jiang Si and Director Yang readily agreed and sat down.
"Minister Zhao, what exactly is the matter?"
Director Yang was an impatient person. As soon as he sat down, he said, "I still have a lot of things to do. People from the power company and the water company will be coming over in a while."
Minister Zhao didn't keep him in suspense, "Old Yang, you've been awarded the title of National Model Worker by the organization! After you finish your current work, hurry up and prepare, so you don't stutter when you go on stage to speak..."
"Wait a minute," Director Yang interrupted, looking astonished, "The person you were just talking about... is me?"
"Yes, it's you." Minister Zhao repeated, "If it weren't you, would I be here in this freezing weather?"
Now, Director Yang understood.
But this shouldn't be happening!
How did he suddenly become a national model worker?
Compared to Director Yang's shock, Jiang Si was more surprised.
As far as I can remember, the selection of national model workers was interrupted for many years due to the Cultural Revolution, and it was not until after 1977 that it was gradually resumed.
There are still five years until 1977.
But thinking about it, I suddenly felt relieved.
Some familiar events and figures appear in the book, but there are significant differences in the details.
Take the selection of the location for this foreign-related hotel as an example; this kind of mishap never occurred in later generations.
Realizing what was happening, Jiang Si immediately congratulated Director Yang.
"Congratulations, Director Yang! You truly deserve this honor!"
For more than a year, Director Yang has been working tirelessly on the front lines every day.
He organized no fewer than a hundred meetings just to coordinate the various units.
During the period when the mole was discovered, Director Yang lived and worked on the construction site.
Even though the project has now reached the acceptance stage, he still stays at the construction site until dark every day before leaving.
Jiang Si saw all of this.
But Director Yang still couldn't quite believe what he was hearing. "This shouldn't be, Minister Zhao. Is there some mistake on the part of the higher-ups? How could it be me?"
"Why couldn't it be you? Old Yang, everyone knows how much you've sacrificed for this project!"
Minister Zhao's tone was firm: "The phone call has already been made. The list is still being compiled. The invitation letter and commendation notice should be delivered to the unit in the next couple of days."
He paused, then added, "This honor is well-deserved!"
Director Yang shook his head, and his expression was not as happy as one might expect.
"Speaking of sacrifices, Xiao Jiang has also sacrificed a lot for this project."
"From design to construction, how many problems arose during the building's construction? Xiao Jiang solved all of them. She should be the one to win the award!"
"No, no, no!" Jiang Si had barely opened her mouth when she said that.
Minister Zhao smiled and looked over, "How do you know she didn't?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Si's eyes widened slightly, her reaction almost identical to that of Director Yang just now.
"How is this possible?"
Is it possible for one organization to produce two national model workers?
Of course, it's impossible to do so based on principle!
Minister Zhao explained, "Xiao Jiang did not receive the title of National Model Worker; she was awarded the honorary title of National Advanced Worker by the organization!"
Both are the highest national labor honors, and the winners enjoy the same treatment, but the focus of the selection is different.
Most of the national model workers are front-line production workers.
Advanced workers, on the other hand, focus on technological innovation and serving the country with their knowledge.
In any case, their construction department has produced two nationally recognized benchmark units, something that other units simply cannot match.
After receiving the call that morning, Minister Zhao's smile never faded.
Such a joyous occasion at work naturally calls for a celebration.
Before setting off, he had already notified the logistics department to hold a celebration banquet for them this Saturday afternoon. However, when he said this, Zhao seemed a little reluctant.
This celebration banquet was not only to celebrate the honor the two had received, but also to bid farewell to Jiang Si.
Once the building for foreign affairs is successfully inspected and accepted, her work will officially be over.
Out of a desire to cherish talent, Minister Zhao once again tried to persuade Jiang Si to stay.
"Xiao Jiang, I really hope you can stay in the Ministry of Construction. Why don't you think about it again?"
"Thank you, Minister Zhao."
Jiang Si is very grateful for everyone's help and support over the past year and a half.
But she had more important things to do, so she had to politely decline his offer.
"Minister Zhao, I really have other matters to attend to and I simply cannot spare the time. I apologize."
Seeing that she had made up her mind, Minister Zhao didn't say anything more.
Before leaving, he specifically instructed, "You two go to the finance office later and collect your rewards."
As the highest national honor, in addition to the awarding of medals and certificates on the day of the award, the material rewards are also substantial.
When Jiang Si went to her workplace to pick up her things in the afternoon, she was startled.
Are all of these mine?
Section Chief Peng of the Finance Department smiled and nodded, "Watches, bicycles, sewing machines—these are awards reserved for central-level commendations. Enamel mugs, towels, pens… these awards are given by the unit."
In addition, those who are recognized as model workers or advanced workers will receive a 15% increase in their monthly salary.
Housing allocation will be prioritized, and the allocated housing will be 20 square meters larger than before.
However, since Jiang Si is not a formal employee of the construction department, she cannot enjoy the latter two benefits, so this one can only be given in the form of a bonus.
Section Chief Peng handed Jiang Si a thick envelope, saying, "These two items together cost 1,500 yuan."
It's less, but it's the highest reward they can offer within the policy framework.
Jiang Si hadn't thought that far ahead; receiving this honor had already far exceeded her expectations.
She originally planned to tell her family about the award after receiving the commendation notice.
Having received so many things at once, it's impossible to hide it now.
So, when Huo Tingzhou picked her up from get off work that evening, Jiang Si told him in detail how she got all these things.
Unexpectedly, Huo Tingzhou said, "I know."
Jiang Si paused in fastening her seatbelt, then looked up in surprise, "You actually knew?"
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