Wen Huaiming said a few polite words, then changed the subject and asked, "Is there a spirit in the province to promote the formalization of private teachers in Jiangdong?"
Wen Huaiming's words have a profound historical background. After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, in order to vigorously popularize compulsory education, millions of private teachers were produced. Compared with public teachers, they have low wages, low social status, no status, no security, pay the most, but get the least, and may have to leave sadly after working for decades because of a word from a leader. This chaotic education system with public and private interweaving did not improve until 1994, when the state clearly stipulated that all qualified private teachers should be absorbed by the end of the 21st century.
However, due to historical, financial, and scale reasons, the formalization work in various provinces and cities progressed very slowly. Some places simply regarded the central government's documents as a piece of dead paper, and even made irresponsible remarks publicly, such as "With so many more people eating public food, local finances will go bankrupt." This caused great resistance for a while.
In 1995, a four-episode TV series "Old Road" was recorded and broadcast by Jiangdong Guanshan TV Station. It tells the story of a private teacher who taught for 30 years, with a monthly salary of 27.5 yuan, but sponsored more than 200 out-of-school students. He eventually became ill from overwork and collapsed on the podium.
Once the TV series was broadcast, it caused a strong response in society. The central media such as People's Daily, Dazhong Daily and Jiefang Daily reported it intensively. CCTV also specially invited the daughter of the deceased teacher to the Great Hall of the People to tell the people of the whole country about her father's touching deeds. The overwhelming public opinion also pushed Jiangdong Province to the forefront of "private to public". So at the end of last year, there was news that Jiangdong was about to issue the "private to public" detailed rules, based on the "Implementation Opinions on Several Issues of the Teachers Law of the Republic" issued by the State Education Commission on October 6, 1995, combined with the local reality of Jiangdong, to quickly promote the formalization of private teachers.
So when Zuo Yuxi appeared, Wen Huaiming had been thinking about her purpose. After thinking about it, only this reason made sense. As for the others, he could never think of them even if he was beaten to death.
Zuo Yuxi still had some smiles on her face towards Ding Mei, but she was much calmer towards Wen Huaiming. She placed her white jade-like palms on the fire and slowly turned them over, saying, "Secretary-General Wen is in the Municipal Party Committee. If there is any spirit in the province, you should be the first to know. Why are you asking me instead?"
Wen Huaiming was choked, Wen Liang covered his mouth and coughed lightly, Zuo Yuxi's eyes moved, and suddenly he smiled and said, "Oh, I was just joking, Secretary Wen, don't mind!"
Wen Huaiming's hands were itching, and he had the urge to hit his son for some reason. He smiled and said, "No, no, what does Director Zuo mean?"
Talking about work, Zuo Yuxi's expression became serious, and he spoke countless times more than usual. He said: "The Provincial Education Commission is only soliciting opinions internally. The transfer must be made, but the specific method of transfer, the number of batches, and the number of people in each batch have not yet been determined. This matter is very difficult to do. The higher-ups are still hesitating, and they should hold briefings with various cities."
Zuo Yuxi paused, extended his hand and invited Wen Huaiming to sit on the chair opposite the fire, and said: "Secretary-General, if we hadn't met today, I would have gone to the Municipal Party Committee to report to you. When the provincial government comes to solicit opinions, I will ask the Secretary-General to make suggestions in front of Secretary Xu. 'Private to public' may temporarily increase pressure on local finances, but in the long run, it is definitely a good thing that benefits the country and the people. Qingzhou must not only not lag behind, but also be at the forefront of the province."
There was a lot of information in these words. Wen Huaiming didn't know how many thoughts went through his mind in an instant. In the end, he didn't say a word. He nodded and said, "I'll do my best!"
Then he said in a deep voice to Tian Zhibin at the door: "Zhibin, just listen to these words in the room, don't go out and talk nonsense. Until the policy is released, it will be unknown. Do you understand?"
"I understand," Tian Zhibin was smart now. He took the opportunity to answer Wen Huaiming's question and walked over. He bent down and said respectfully, "Director Zuo is right. It's time for private teachers to be regular employees. I know an old elementary school teacher who worked all his life. When he got sick, he didn't even have money to buy medicine. In the end, he died at home. It was so tragic..."
Zuo Yuxi didn't even raise her head, leaving Tian Zhibin there. Wen Huaiming had no choice but to introduce him again, saying with a smile: "Zhibin is the director of the General Affairs Office of Yunshui No. 1 Middle School, and is Wen Liang's uncle-in-law..."
"Oh, it's you!"
Zuo Yuxi finally reacted, but what she meant was that she remembered Wen Liang's words about a relative in No. 1 Middle School that day, who was not very capable and was not allowed to be promoted. But Tian Zhibin thought it was about the case, and was immediately frightened. He no longer cared about being roundabout and tactful, and said timidly: "Yes, yes, Zuo Ju, I was confused for a moment and was fooled by Tian Peng. Please show mercy and forgive me this time!"
Zuo Yuxi intervened in this case for two reasons: one was to help the female teacher, and the other was to establish his authority. He would not care about who was involved. He was confused and said, "Huh?"
Wen Huaiming explained: "It's like this, it was Tian Peng who suggested that Zhibin go to No. 1 Middle School, and he was also involved in the subsidy issue..."
A smart person doesn't need to explain too much. Zuo Yuxi understood that this was an innocent person who was begging for mercy. She had no objection. Since he was Wen Liang's relative, it would be a simple matter for him to say a word for her. So she turned to look at Wen Liang, and when he nodded, she immediately made the call.
Wen Liang strictly abided by the agreement reached with Wen Huaiming outside from the moment he entered the door. He stood beside Ding Mei without saying a word. When he saw Zuo Yuxi's inquiring gaze, he just smiled but neither nodded nor shook his head.
Zuo Yuxi's attitude immediately turned cold, and he asked, "How much did you take?"
"ah?"
Tian Zhibin looked at Wen Huaiming helplessly. Wen Huaiming frowned and said, "Tell me the truth. If you don't tell me, Tian Peng will tell me. How much?"
"Five... fifty thousand..."
Wen Huaiming didn't expect the amount to be so large, and his brows furrowed even tighter. Zuo Yuxi said coldly: "Fifty thousand, how much does it cost to treat the old teacher you mentioned just now?"
Tian Zhibin lowered his head almost to his chest. It was a very cold day and sweat dripped down his forehead.
"Secretary General, fifty thousand is enough for a ten-year sentence. I can't control this matter, and I hope you don't interfere!"
Zuo Yuxi stood up and smiled at Ding Mei, "Aunt, I'm leaving now. I'll come to see you another day when I have time, but I have to wait until I learn the braised winter jellyfish dish you just taught me."
Shao Erdong is a famous dish in Jiangdong. It is extremely nutritious and is a dish that women in Jiangdong must learn to cook. Mothers-in-law often use this dish as a standard to judge their daughters-in-law's cooking skills.
But when it came to Zuo Yuxi, everyone thought it was just a coincidence, and no one thought about it in any way. Ding Mei was in no mood to talk about cooking at this time. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Director Zuo..."
"Auntie, I told you to just call me Yuxi. Secretary-General Wen is my leader, and you are also an elder. You don't have to be so polite."
Ding Mei emboldened herself and said, "Yuxi, I shouldn't interrupt you guys when you're talking about serious matters, but Zhibin is not a bad person. He was bewitched and followed Tian Peng to do the wrong thing. Please help him this time. If he is really caught and put in jail for ten years, how will his wife and children live in the future?"
As she spoke, tears began to flow. Wen Liang said helplessly, "Mom, why are you crying? Isn't everything fine?"
"What do you mean it's alright? She's about to be sentenced to ten years in prison and still she's alright? If Ding Li doesn't say anything about her, how do you expect Dandan to live her life in the future?"
Ding Mei's crying woke Tian Zhibin up. He only had this one chance to live or die. If he missed it, it would be all over. He knelt down in front of Zuo Yuxi and begged bitterly, "Director Zuo, please have mercy on me, please..."
Ding Li had been hiding outside the door eavesdropping for some time, and she pushed the door open and rushed in, kneeling in a row with Tian Zhibin, crying and shouting, "We know we were wrong, and we won't dare to do it again, please... Sister, brother-in-law, please say something too, I owe you all my life..."
Wen Huaiming's face turned pale. After all, he was a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and a deputy-department-level leading cadre. It was really embarrassing to see his relative become like this. If it weren't for Ding Mei and the old man, he really wanted to walk away.
Annoyance flashed in Zuo Yuxi's eyes. What was her status? If Li Jun and the others heard her, there might be a lot of gossip behind her. Wen Liang saw that if he didn't show up, the room would be in chaos. He sighed and said, "Director Zuo didn't say he wouldn't help. How about this, Dad, you talk to my aunt and the others and see if you can discuss a way that is not illegal and can avoid criminal punishment."
Then he said to Zuo Yuxi, "Director Zuo, Yunshui may not have much else to offer, but the air is much fresher than Qingzhou. Don't leave in a hurry. I'll take you out for a walk first, and then come back to try my mother's pickled cabbage noodles. They're really delicious."
Seeing Zuo Yuxi's hesitation, Ding Mei hurriedly said, "Yes, Wenliang, please take Yuxi out for a walk. Don't say anything else. At least you have to eat a bowl of noodles I made before you leave, otherwise Auntie will be angry."
Zuo Yuxi really treated her differently. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "I heard that there is a blind fortune teller in Yunshui who is quite accurate in fortune telling. Do you know where he is?"
She came here to discuss something with Wen Liang. When she was about to leave, she planned to use the excuse of being blind to ask Wen Liang to lead the way so that they could have a chance to be alone together.
Yunshui had a blind fortune teller, whose surname was only known as Li. He was very famous in several surrounding counties. Wen Liang had heard about his fortune telling from childhood until his ears were callused. He smiled and said, "Okay, as long as Director Zuo is not going to arrest feudal superstitions, I will take you with me!"
Ding Mei slapped him on the back of the head and cursed: "Yuxi looks like a fairy, maybe she came from heaven, why are you still arguing about feudal superstition!"
If Ding Mei wanted to, she could still flatter people, but her level was inevitably a little different from that of the flattery master Wen Liang. However, Zuo Yuxi was still very happy and followed Wen Liang out with a smile on her lips.
Blind Li, in Huixian Town!
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