PDLP Chapter 5: Veterans Look Down on Young People
Chapter 5: Veterans Look Down on Young People
Chen Weihong recounted the story while tears streamed down her face.
It turned out that their class teacher, Li Guilan, wanted her to go to the countryside.
Li Guilan was an activist at school, and she specifically encouraged students from ordinary families to give up the college entrance examination and go to the countryside.
Chen Weihong's grades were among the best in the entire grade, but she was unwilling to sign up.
During today's class meeting, Li Guilan called her name in front of the whole class.
They said she was backward in her thinking and coveted the comforts of city life.
Chen Weihong said aggrievedly, "Where have I been greedy for comfort? I just want to go to university, I never said I wouldn't contribute to the country. After I graduate, won't I be able to contribute to the country too? Why do I have to go to the countryside now?"
Chen Weiguo put his chopsticks down on the table: "This teacher of yours has serious ideological problems. Tomorrow I'll go to the school with you and talk to your principal face to face."
Chen Weihong was taken aback: "Brother, what are you going to do?"
"Nothing much, just want to have a chat with the principal."
"Don't get into arguments with anyone."
"Don't worry, your brother is a reasonable person. Just eat your meal and wait for the letter tomorrow."
Chen Weiguo picked up a piece of meat for her, looking distressed.
If I hadn't retired from the military soon, who knows how badly this girl would have been bullied.
Perhaps he really couldn't withstand the pressure and gave up the college entrance examination to go to the countryside.
In that case, Chen Weihong would probably regret it for the rest of her life.
After all, her biggest dream was to get into university.
And I'll probably regret it for the rest of my life.
……
Early the next morning.
Chen Weiguo rode his old-fashioned bicycle with Chen Weihong on the back, heading straight for her high school.
Upon arriving at the school gate, Chen Weihong asked nervously, "Brother, what exactly do you want to say to our principal?"
"You don't need to worry about it. Go to class, I'll leave after I finish my business."
Chen Weiguo parked the car in the shed.
Instead of going to the classroom, I went straight into the office building and found the principal's office.
The principal was reviewing documents when he looked up and saw him. Curious, he asked, "And you are?"
"Principal Sun, my name is Chen Weiguo, and I am the older brother of Chen Weihong, a second-year student at your school. This is my work ID."
Chen Weiguo handed over the work permit he had obtained from the Yanjing Machinery Factory the day before.
The principal took it and glanced at it a few times: "Oh, it's Chen Weihong's brother. Please have a seat."
Without any pleasantries, Chen Weiguo got straight to the point: "Principal Sun, my younger sister came home from school crying yesterday. Her homeroom teacher criticized her by name during the class meeting for being backward-thinking and seeking comfort. I wanted to ask about this; were you aware of it?"
Principal Sun's smile froze for a moment.
"This...mobilizing people to go to the countryside is a requirement put forward by higher authorities, and our homeroom teachers are all working on it."
"Mobilization is one thing, but is specifically criticizing a sixteen-year-old girl really mobilization? Is this method of mobilization truly appropriate?"
Principal Sun was stumped by the question, and adjusted his glasses: "The methods used may indeed have been inappropriate. However, Teacher Li was only following the requirements from above."
Chen Weiguo did not refute.
He took two things out of his pocket.
One of them is a pension certificate from the original parents.
The other medal is his Third-Class Merit Medal.
"Principal Sun, my sister Chen Weihong is the child of a martyr. Our parents died in the line of duty, making contributions to the country. This certificate of compensation clearly states this; you can take a look."
Chen Weiguo paused, then continued, "Children of martyrs have priority in their education; this is stipulated by the state. My sister wants to go to university but doesn't want to sign up for the rural service program. Is that illegal? Mobilizing students to go to the countryside is acceptable, but mobilizing students who can get into university to give up the college entrance exam... I don't think that's mobilization; that's burying talent."
After reviewing the compensation certificate, Principal Sun looked at the military medals.
He stood up abruptly.
"Comrade Chen Weiguo, don't worry. I'll handle this. The martyr's child should respect her wishes. Since she wants to continue her studies, no one can and should stop her."
Chen Weiguo nodded: "Then I'll have to trouble Principal Sun."
Principal Sun immediately had his secretary summon Li Guilan.
"Principal, you wanted to see me?"
"Teacher Li, you no longer need to work on Chen Weihong's college entrance examination issue from now on."
Li Guilan's face turned pale and then flushed: "What happened?"
Principal Sun didn't give her a chance to speak: "Chen Weihong is the daughter of a martyr. Her priority admission to higher education is protected by law and is a consensus in our society. You no longer have the authority to work with her. This matter ends here."
Li Guilan glanced at the unfamiliar young man beside her.
He guessed that the principal's instructions must be related to him.
However, she didn't say much; she could only agree to the principal's order.
The matter has been settled.
Chen Weiguo stood up: "Thank you, Principal Sun."
"Of course, of course."
……
As he exited the office building, Chen Weihong, who had just finished class, was waiting for him at the door.
As soon as she saw him, she ran over quickly: "Brother, how are you? I just saw our homeroom teacher's face, it looked really awful."
"That's it. Your homeroom teacher won't let you sign up for rural service anymore."
"Really?"
"Really. The principal has promised. If she dares to cause you any more trouble, just tell me."
"Um!"
Chen Weihong smiled, revealing two small dimples on her face.
"Brother, what did you say to the principal? Our homeroom teacher is usually so domineering, acting like everyone owes her money. Even the principal has to give her a wide berth. How did you manage to persuade her?"
Chen Weiguo smiled and said, "You go to school first, and I'll tell you slowly when you get home this afternoon."
"Oh, okay then."
Chen Weihong watched with some reluctance as Chen Weiguo rode his bicycle.
Then they happily went back to the classroom.
……
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Chen Weiguo arrived at the military industrial trial production group on time to report.
The group has about ten people, the youngest being in his early forties, and most of them are level seven or eight workers.
Chen Weiguo, a young man in his early twenties, stood there looking out of place.
"Is this the new guy? I heard he was personally handpicked by Factory Director Zhao, a level six worker?"
"Are you kidding me? Is this mission just for Level 6 craftsmen to practice on?"
The experienced workers whispered amongst themselves, making no attempt to hide anything from Chen Weiguo.
Chen Weiguo pretended not to hear.
It's normal for senior employees to look down on younger people.
However, my skills are not limited to just being a fitter.
He possesses an industrial technology system and his mind is filled with a large number of design drawings and design concepts.
That's his strength.
Guo Dajiang, the leader of the military industrial trial production group, is an eighth-level fitter and is over fifty years old this year.
Upon seeing how young Chen Weiguo was, he turned and went to the factory manager's office.
"Factory manager, are you joking with me?"
Guo Dajiang didn't stand on ceremony as soon as he entered.
"You know better than I what level of mission the military prototype production group is. The oil heads and oil line connectors for this batch of aero engines require a precision of N6, and the material is nickel-based alloy steel. In our group, who isn't a senior technician at level seven or above? You're giving me a level six newbie, a young guy who's only been in the factory for three days. Is this job just for him to practice on?"