“What Lili said earlier is good, but I… I can’t handle those educated youth. You’ll have to come with me.”
As he spoke, Daqing chased after him desperately, determined not to let Zhang Qinghua escape, otherwise what would he do?
Since I've already made all those boasts, I have to bite the bullet and get it done.
Therefore, Qinghua must.
And so, Zhang Qinghua was taken to the square by Daqing, and then they gathered the educated youth together.
When the educated youth arrived, he immediately revealed his purpose, which made Zhang Qinghua want to beat him up.
You just said that without any preparation, aren't you afraid of getting beaten to death?
Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, someone jumped out to object, "Why? We just arrived today, and you want us to go to the fields? We're not going."
"That's right, this is abuse, we don't accept it."
"I'm going to sue you, sue you for abuse."
"That's right, we're here to go to the countryside, not to be slaves. Don't go too far."
There were thirty or forty educated youth there, and some of them were expressing their dissatisfaction.
Zhang Qinghua raised an eyebrow. Sure enough, he was a city person, educated, and had many tricks up his sleeve.
They're already going to file a complaint on their first day here. Great, it seems they really need to be intimidated.
Zhang Qinghua slowly walked out and said, "Those of you who don't want to go don't have to go, but let me make this clear beforehand: if you don't go, you won't get any work points."
"Without work points, there is no food, and no money coupons. If you don't care about this, then fine, we won't force you."
Zhang Qinghua speaks with much more artistry than Da Qing; although the meaning is the same, it is much more pleasant to listen to.
Even when threatening, it's done subtly and quietly.
"Of course, I just heard someone say they were going to sue us? Sure, do you need us to send you there? If so, we can provide that."
"However, I advise you to think it through. No matter where you appeal, I think the outcome will not change."
“In rural areas, people rely on work points for food. If you don’t work in the fields, you don’t get work points. It’s the same everywhere. Even when people come to town, I still say the same thing.”
"Now, do you still want to go to Gao?"
Zhang Qinghua's frank and open demeanor really intimidated everyone, and the initially heated voices subsided and eventually disappeared completely.
The educated youth weren't stupid; they could tell what was right.
What Zhang Qinghua said are all valid points, and they can stand up to scrutiny anywhere.
For a moment, no one had a chance to refute it.
"But, but we've only been here for one day, and you're already making us work in the fields? Aren't we allowed to rest?"
Zhang Qinghua smiled slightly, exuding a gentle and refined air. "Sure, I didn't force you to participate."
"Didn't I just say that it's voluntary? Those who go will get work points, and those who don't will not."
“Once you’re here, you’ll be treated the same as everyone else in Hongqi Village. We’ll treat you all the same. You’ll get work points if you work in the fields, and nothing if you don’t.”
"The distribution of grain and money coupons is based on work points. The more work points you have, the more you get; the fewer work points you have, the less you get. You decide for yourselves."
Quiet whispers immediately broke out among the educated youth.
"Yes, he's right. I have a relative in the countryside who said something like that: you only get work points by working in the fields, and only with work points can you get grain and money."
"I think I've heard something similar before."
"Yes, yes, that's what my family heard too," said the person who had done their research beforehand.
"Oh, really? You won't get it if you don't go?"
"In that case, shouldn't we go? After all, it's related to food and money."
"Then...he didn't lie to us?" Those who didn't know were somewhat alarmed.
Some people are just here to kill time, so they don't care and naturally don't pay attention.
"Whatever, I'm not going today, what are you going to do about it?"
"Exactly, tomorrow is fine too, why insist on today?"
Zhang Qinghua stood steadily on the high platform, watching them discuss and debate below, waiting patiently.
Daqing ran over again and whispered in their ear, "Hey, why do they all listen to you as soon as you say something? Am I wrong?"
"But they all mean the same thing." Daqing was completely baffled.
Zhang Qinghua almost rolled his eyes. "How come you haven't learned any of Uncle Li's good qualities?"
A person who can become a village secretary must have a pleasant way of speaking, unlike Daqing, whose words make you want to punch him.
This... doesn't look like a biological son at all.
"I...how would I know? I don't know either." Daqing was also innocent; he couldn't learn it, could he?
Soon, the educated youth made a decision: some decided to go, and some decided not to go.
Zhang Qinghua nodded, "Those of you who are going, come here and register so I can record your work points later. Those who aren't going, please register as well, it will be useful for you later."
Throughout, Zhang Qinghua maintained a mild and non-confrontational attitude, yet he still gave the educated youth the impression that he was not someone to be trifled with.
By the time they had all registered, Zhang Qinghua had gotten to know them and could roughly match their names with their faces.
"Alright, those who have decided to go, I'll make the arrangements for you in a bit. Those who aren't going can leave now."
Then, a few people turned and left, while the others waited.
Zhang Qinghua did not forget what Song Lili had said, and had Daqing lead them to the nearest place where the Third Brigade was collecting stones.
Then he instructed the educated youth to carry stones, which meant carrying the stones they had picked up from the ground and put in their baskets outside to empty them. This was the most tiring thing to do when picking up stones.
This should be considered a warning shot, right?
After making the arrangements, Zhang Qinghua stopped worrying about it and turned to leave.
Everyone has their own tasks. The people of Hongqi Village won't help them. With Daqing around, those who slack off won't escape. He'd better go home and be with Lili.
When they got home, Song Lili indeed asked, and upon hearing Zhang Qinghua's words, Song Lili laughed heartily.
After today, they should be able to find their place and behave themselves.
Song Lili smiled and asked, "These educated youths are all from the city and have never done farm work before. They will definitely suffer in the coming days."
"However, they all have their own strengths; they are all educated, and quite educated at that."
"You know, now that they've all come here, what will they do for their studies? I think they'll definitely go back eventually."
"Moreover, they will go to university in the future. After all, they have studied so much, it would be a pity if they didn't go to university."
Zhang Qinghua's eyes suddenly turned deep, like a deep well, unfathomable. "How did you know?"
Song Lili forced herself to remain calm, saying, "I was just guessing. It's impossible for everyone to farm, right? That's simply not feasible."
"So I guess that in the future, apart from farmers, no one else will be able to farm."
"Then people in the city can go to school? They can go to university?"
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