Chapter 325 Do you want to go to university?
Just as Minister Zhao was racking his brains over this, Jiang Si and Professor Li exchanged a glance, and then Jiang Si calmly took out a document from her briefcase.
"Minister Zhao, Professor Li and I have already discussed the employment issue."
"This is a preliminary plan. Do you think it's acceptable?"
In fact, on the very day that Chi Heng made the request for a specific construction period.
Jiang Si then told Professor Li about it.
The two discussed it for several days before finally settling on this plan.
This scheme is somewhat similar to the labor dispatch system of later generations.
At Professor Li's prompting, Jiang Si gave a brief explanation.
"Our idea is not to recruit workers in the city."
"Then where do we recruit?"
"suburbs."
Minister Zhao listened without saying anything more, but gestured for her to continue.
Jiang Si said, “There are many communes around the capital. The summer harvest and planting are over, but the autumn harvest has not yet officially started. There is a large number of young and middle-aged laborers idle in the communes.”
“We can completely bypass the planned quotas and directly sign short-term employment contracts with these communes.”
"As for their income, they receive part of their wages themselves, and the other part is handed over to their production brigade according to the agreement."
"The production brigade will convert their attendance into work points."
"This way, we can both ensure our labor needs and generate some income for the commune members."
At this point, Jiang Si added the most crucial point, which was also the management issue that gave Minister Zhao the biggest headache.
“These people are registered in the commune, so they are essentially still commune members.”
“In case of any problems or disputes, we can directly contact the local commune leaders and let them coordinate and handle the matter, which makes management more convenient.”
Of course, this is the worst-case scenario.
Jiang Si felt that this possibility was not very high.
After all, for many people, the opportunity to work and earn money in the city is like a windfall.
Anyone with a brain would put in their best effort to do it.
There will absolutely be no cheating or shirking of responsibility.
Jiang Si had also considered the workers' meals and accommodation.
When the time comes, we'll find a commune that's relatively close to the embassy district.
There is no need to arrange a separate shuttle bus.
All that's needed is one monthly bus pass subsidy per person.
Of course, these are just some of their initial ideas.
It depends on what the leadership thinks.
Jiang Si said, "Minister Zhao, please reconsider. If this plan doesn't work, we can..."
"No need, this is fine!"
Minister Zhao found the plan increasingly reliable and immediately approved it.
"Let's go with your idea. How many people do we need to hire, and what is the approximate budget? You can submit a report later."
He paused for a moment, then added, "As for the paperwork, I'll have Xiao An coordinate it in a bit, and I'll send it to you once it's done."
“Okay.” Jiang Si nodded.
With the business concluded, Minister Zhao looked relaxed.
Seeing that it was getting late, Jiang Si stood up and said, "Minister, if there's nothing else, I'll go and get back to work."
"Xiao Jiang, wait a moment." Minister Zhao called out to him with a smile at this moment.
Jiang Si sat back down, confused, just as she thought Minister Zhao had other requests.
Minister Zhao looked over seriously and went straight to the point without beating around the bush.
"Xiao Jiang, do you want to go to university?"
"Go to university?" Jiang Si was taken aback.
Minister Zhao's tone reminded her of that classic line: "Old Xu, do you want a wife?"
The problem is that it is only 1970 now, and there are still more than seven years before the country officially resumes the college entrance examination.
No, it was briefly restored in 1973, but it was later ruined by a candidate who wrote a blank paper.
Thinking about all this, Jiang Si suddenly realized something.
Minister Zhao was probably not referring to going to university in the traditional sense.
Sure enough, the idea had barely formed in my mind when I first thought it.
Minister Zhao then took a document out of the drawer.
"Xiao Jiang, you'll understand once you take a look at this."
Jiang Si took it and glanced at it. What came into view was a row of eye-catching red characters.
Request Report Regarding Admissions (Pilot Program) to Peking University and Tsinghua University
The date on the document is June 27, 1970.
The report was short, but it essentially said that after more than three years of major political movements, Peking University and Tsinghua University had met the requirements for student recruitment.
Therefore, the plan is to start recruiting students in the second half of this year.
There are two types of school systems.
One is a regular class that lasts two to three years.
There is also a refresher course that lasts about a year.
In terms of teaching content, a three-pronged approach of 'teaching, scientific research, and production' will be implemented. In addition, military physical education courses with war preparation as the main content will also be offered.
The target students were worker-peasant-soldier students with practical experience.
Before transmigrating into the book, Jiang Si had read many novels on this subject.
Therefore, she recognized it at a glance.
This should be what later generations often referred to as the Workers', Peasants' and Soldiers' University.
Influenced by the times, the focus of university admission during this period was not on exams or academic level, but on recommendations.
Applicants typically need two to three years of practical experience, which includes a wide range of topics.
Serving in the army, being sent to the countryside, or working in a factory all count.
People like her who are affiliated with a company also count.
Of course, this is on the premise that her resume is good enough.
Seeing Jiang Si's solemn expression, Minister Zhao spoke up at the right moment: "Little Jiang, this is a rare opportunity. Our unit has three nomination slots."
"If you have this idea, we will prepare the recommendation materials later."
This marks the first time the country has resumed college admissions since it was suspended in 1966.
The two schools selected for the pilot program are both top universities in Beijing.
You could say they were among the first to try something new.
Both for his own sake and for public reasons, he felt that Jiang Si should seize this opportunity to further her studies at university.
After all, in this day and age, a university degree is far more valuable than a high school degree.
This is reflected in salary grading, professional title evaluation, and welfare housing allocation.
Minister Zhao values talent and cherishes it, so when he learned of this opportunity, the first person he thought of was Jiang Si.
Professor Li also had deep feelings about this.
Over the past few months, their relationship has been one of both mentor and friend.
He knew that Jiang Si was an extremely talented and insightful person.
He truly saw countless possibilities in her.
If this had happened in the past, he would have advised her to spend a few years in university to reflect on her experiences.
The problem is that this time, university admission is entirely based on recommendation.
This means that there is absolutely no way to control the quality of the student body.
Therefore, when Professor Li received a look from Minister Zhao, he did not immediately try to persuade him.
Instead, I analyzed the pros and cons of this matter for her from a neutral perspective.
That's the situation; it ultimately depends on your own perspective.
In this matter, Professor Li fully respected Jiang Si's thoughts and gave her the right to choose.
Jiang Si was extremely grateful for this.
She's only been at the company for less than six months, yet she's already being treated so well.
For her, it was truly a very lucky thing.
Moreover, this opportunity is indeed very rare.
But after thinking it over, Jiang Si still refused.
"Xiao Jiang, is there something on your mind?" Minister Zhao thought she was worried about her family background.
Jiang Si shook her head.
Judging from her future plans, she doesn't need the title of "worker-peasant-soldier college student" to enhance her qualifications.
Furthermore, you won't learn much even if you go to university.
As far as I can remember, these past few cohorts of worker-peasant-soldier students have all been in a work-study phase.
Students don't want to learn, teachers dare not teach, and students have to do factory work practice in their spare time.
Jiang Si felt she couldn't endure this kind of hardship.
Furthermore, after finishing these two design projects, she has other commitments to make, and she simply doesn't have the time or energy to be in two places at once.
Having said what she could say, Jiang Si said, "Thank you for your kindness, leader, but going to university is not currently in my life plan."
Knowing that she was a person with her own opinions, Minister Zhao did not try to persuade her further.
"Since you have this idea, then I won't say anything more."
However, Minister Zhao felt quite sorry when he heard that she would no longer be taking on design projects.
In fact, Jiang Si hesitated for a long time about this matter.
But what ultimately made her decide was not what her master said.
She just felt that, given the current social environment...
She seems unable to design according to her own ideas and preferences.
Therefore, after much deliberation.
Jiang Si followed her heart and made this decision.
The hotel catering to foreign guests was the last gift she gave herself.
Although Professor Li didn't understand, he still affirmed her choice and ability.
As we went downstairs, I gave her a few words of encouragement.
Jiang Si smiled and said, "Thank you."
Coincidentally, just as she uttered those words, she ran into Vice Minister Xu once again.
It was lunchtime, so the group went to the company cafeteria together.
Vice Minister Xu was one to keep quiet, and as soon as he stepped out of the building, he smiled and said, "Congratulations, Xiao Jiang."
Jiang Si was wondering what this joy came from.
Vice Minister Xu's voice rang out, "About going to university."
Before Jiang Si could even speak, the words had barely left her lips.
Suddenly someone called out to Vice Minister Xu.
Jiang Si turned around and saw it was Secretary Yan.
"Oh dear, I almost forgot, I had an appointment with Lao Yan, I have some other things to do at noon."
After Vice Minister Xu finished speaking, he waved his hand and said, "Old Li, you guys go ahead and eat. I won't go to the cafeteria."
After everyone left, Professor Li noticed that Jiang Si remained silent for a long time. "What's wrong?" he asked.
Jiang Si pursed her lips, feigning concern, "I was wondering if many people in the workplace know that Minister Zhao is going to recommend me for university?"
No, not at all.
Professor Li affirmed, "Minister Zhao is a prudent person, and the number of nominees is such a sensitive matter. Before the list is finalized, not many people besides the individuals involved will know about it."
"What about Vice Minister Xu..."
"You mean him?" Professor Li smiled. "Speaking of which, it was Vice Minister Xu who suggested you to Minister Zhao about recommending you for university."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Si's heart sank.
She finally understood where that strange feeling had come from—
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