"From what the captain said, he has figured out a solution. Can our children learn to read and write?"
"The team leader is very efficient. He's a good cadre who is dedicated to the collective!"
"That's right, when has the captain ever let us down?"
…
The members' discussions made Chen Baiwang very satisfied and strengthened his determination to run a school.
"Quiet down, fellow villagers. After discussions between me and the brigade leaders, we've decided to reopen a school in our village."
Only after the members had praised him enough did Chen Baiwang release this explosive news.
"Is our village going to rebuild a school?"
"It's only been a few years since the famine ended. Does the brigade have any money in its account? They won't ask us to take money from outside, will they?"
"My family has no money. I even borrowed money to marry my son last year."
"That's not the case. Children's education is a big deal, and it's only natural that we should give them some money."
"Sister-in-law, your family has many strong laborers and gets a lot of money every year, but my family barely has enough to eat. We are really not well off!"
…
When the members heard that Chen Baiwang wanted to build a school, the first thing they worried about was the money issue.
"Comrades, the brigade has already thought of the problems you have in mind. Please rest assured that you don't have to pay a penny.
After the spring of next year, I will organize the members to make adobe bricks and cut wood. The brigade will provide the work points, and we will build the school ourselves."
Chen Baiwang had already guessed what everyone was thinking and quickly told them his plan.
"The captain is right! Our village doesn't have anything else, but we have adobe and wood!"
"I can't get the money, but I have plenty of strength."
"I'm an expert at building adobe houses. We men can't hide this from you."
"I'm responsible for the school's doors and windows. I'll put all other carpentry work aside. In order for the children to go to school, I'm willing to volunteer with my three sons."
When they heard that they didn't have to pay, the members became happy again. As for working, they were not afraid at all. In the countryside, the least valuable thing is labor.
"Captain, where can we find a teacher? Will the commune approve us?"
Chen Baichuan suddenly asked.
In this day and age, it is not easy to find a teacher. Few people in rural areas have been to school, and people in the city prefer to work in units with a regular staff, which is the most prestigious job.
Another point is to work in a state-owned factory. Being a worker is a stable job, and being a worker is the most glorious.
Even if there is a way out, they are unwilling to become teachers, because teachers are not considered strong laborers, their salaries are not high, and even the food rations listed in the food allowance are the lowest.
"Baichuan, now that the school is built, are we still worried about not having teachers? In the educated youth compound, if you close your eyes and touch anyone at random, they'll all be high school graduates."
Chen Baiwang repeated what Yang Baiyi had said during the day, word for word.
"Captain Han, did I hear correctly? Are we going to be teachers soon? Will we no longer have to work in the fields?"
Cui Jinfa's face was full of excitement as he moved closer to Han Fei.
"If we heard correctly, that's what it should be."
Han Fei was also very happy. Although being a teacher in Chenjiatun certainly did not offer the same salary as a formal teacher, teaching children was definitely much easier than working in the fields.
Because the weather was cold, Chen Baiwang adjourned the meeting after he finished talking about building a school. The members went home while discussing excitedly.
The next morning, Chen Baiwang came to Yang Baiyi's house again.
"Bai Yi, our school needs a few teachers? Do you have any suitable candidates? Recommend them to me."
There are more than a dozen educated youth in the educated youth compound, and the school certainly cannot use so many people. Chen Baiwang doesn't know who to find.
"Team leader, teaching elementary school students is not difficult for any educated youth. We need a few teachers. Just discuss who to find as the teacher with the team leaders."
Yang Baiyi has a good relationship with every educated youth, and feels that it would be inappropriate to find anyone or not. Yang Baiyi does not want to get involved in such a thankless task.
"In the first year of the school's establishment, we only enrolled first-grade students. There were 80 to 90 children aged seven to 12 in the village, so we probably needed two classes.
These kids will be promoted to the second grade tomorrow, so we just need to select two first-grade teachers.
Baiyi, although the teachers in our village are not paid as well as the formal teachers, they can still get full work points without having to work, which is much better than it is now, right?
This is a big favor, didn't I think of you? "
Chen Baiwang winked at Yang Baiyi.
“Thank you so much, you only see the favors, you can’t see the offense at all!
Those who are chosen will naturally be grateful to me, but what about those who are not? Will they feel emotional?"
Yang Baiyi said unhappily.
"Comrade Yang Baiyi, this is the task assigned to you by the organization. Just give me the list tomorrow. I'm busy, so I'll leave first."
After saying this, Chen Baiwang left in a hurry without waiting for Yang Baiyi's reaction.
Although Chen Baiwang was the team leader of the production team, he did not have much contact with the educated youth. He only saw them when he was assigned work.
Chen Baiwang didn't know much about their character, so he relied on Yang Baiyi.
"That old scoundrel."
Yang Baiyi sighed helplessly, went back to the house to say hello to Lin Wanru, and reluctantly went to the educated youth compound.
A group of new and old educated youth were sitting in the three main rooms, which was the room where Yang Baiyi used to live.
Everyone seemed to be hesitant to speak, with expressions changing from gloomy to bright, reflecting that they were not at peace at the moment.
"Comrade Yang Baiyi, tell me, since the captain asked you to come here, you must be the one who makes the decision on this matter."
Cui Jinfa is an impatient person and can't stand such a depressing atmosphere.
It's a risk whether you stick your head out or not. It's better to decide on the candidate early so that you don't have to worry about gains and losses.
"Blond, how can I make the decision for you? We should discuss this matter together.
However, the candidate for the principal can be determined. I recommended Comrade Han Fei to the team leader, and the team leader agreed.
Comrade Han Fei was one of the first educated youth to go to Chenjiatun to work in the countryside, and he was also the leader of our educated youth team.
During his time as the captain of the educated youth team, he helped the new educated youth grow, set an example, united his comrades, and performed his job well.
Is there any objection to letting him be the principal of Chenjiatun Primary School?"
Yang Baiyi lied. In fact, he had not told Chen Baiwang about the principal. He said this to show his concern for Han Fei.
You can’t understand how difficult it was for the educated youth who went to the countryside unless you get involved.
If he hadn't occasionally given wild game to everyone to improve their lives, and if he hadn't been so tough when He Yingying was bullied, the lives of the educated youth would have been even more difficult.
But Han Fei and Li Xue have endured such a difficult life for five years.
Five years of hardship did not knock Han Fei and Li Xue down. They remained optimistic and loving, which Yang Baiyi admired.
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