Chapter 9: We Are Also Cultured People

Shazhu's serious look while reading the document left Director Wang, who had been about to take the document back, stunned on the spot.

Observing Shazhu's appearance.

He seems to be literate.

In these times when illiteracy runs rampant.

It's too hard to find a literate cultured person.

Moreover, Shazhu's face would occasionally flash a thoughtful expression.

"Shazhu, do you recognize the characters above?"

"I do!"

"You recognize all of them?"

"Knowing them all, isn't it just about promoting this matter of widows remarrying and reformed persons returning to society? Reformed persons returning to society is difficult to handle!" Shazhu hit the nail on the head, "People still hold prejudices against them."

"Who says no." Director Wang casually said, "Shazhu, what's your education level?"

"I have a senior primary education."

In elementary school, grades one and two are called junior primary; Liu Haizhong couldn't get promoted to Level 8 Technician not because of lack of skill but because his education level was limited to a junior primary diploma, while Yi Zhonghai at least had a middle primary diploma, which refers to the level of grades three to four; grades four and above up to the first year of junior high are collectively called senior primary.

In this era, even a junior primary education counts as being cultured.

As soon as Shazhu said he had a senior primary education, Director Wang instantly felt he had found a treasure.

Out of caution.

He also wanted to test Shazhu.

"Shazhu, I'll give you a problem: what is two hundred plus fifty?"

"Two hundred fifty."

"Not bad." Director Wang nodded, "What is five hundred divided by two, multiplied by one, minus zero?"

"Still two hundred fifty."

"Come on, come on, read a passage from this text for me."

After the math test, Director Wang then tested Shazhu's language skills, handing him today's newspaper and asking him to read a passage from its content.

"Our brave Public Security Bureau recently cracked a case, arresting and killing over ten criminals; here, our Public Security Bureau formally..."

"Good, good, good." Director Wang, who was extremely satisfied with Shazhu, suddenly thought of something and asked, "Shazhu, I recall you didn't go to school before? How is that?"

"Director Wang, do you remember the incident when I was chased while selling buns on the street that year?"

Done intentionally.

He deliberately brought up that remark.

Because someone used Shazhu's bun-selling story to gossip, claiming his identity wasn't that of three-generation hired farmers but a hidden wealthy household, which amounted to him buying himself insurance.

"We've suffered from lack of culture; after the Capital City was liberated, we poor folks have been living well, and I've been thinking about studying, taking advantage of empty evenings to read and learn on my own."

"Young people are full of vigor; our Jiēdào needs someone like you, cultured and motivated. I've decided: from now on you're an official member of our Jiēdào, and I'll process the paperwork right away."

"Director Wang, this young brother's talents are wasted staying with you; give him to us."

This Cheng Yaojin who popped up out of nowhere is no ordinary person.

He is the person in charge of the sole material recycling station in Red Star Community.

Some say he's the head of scrap collection.

That statement is incorrect.

Nowadays, the recycling station isn't really about dealing with waste paper boxes or scrap; their main task is to find usable parts and materials from countless scrap items.

The defeat of the little devils damaged a batch of equipment and supplies.

The big bald one's defeat also damaged a batch of equipment and supplies; he deliberately tore apart much usable equipment or material into a tangled mess, scattering it all over the Capital City.

From a tiny bolt to the gear of a transmission component, people need to search for them at the scrap station.

The scrap station is a very important department.

This is also why the station chief dares to directly demand personnel from Director Wang.

Directly report work to the leadership.

This can be considered a special feature of these special times.

"Our station has recovered a batch of items said to be from Yagangchang; even I, an uneducated person, can see that they contain the key components we need. There are too few cultured people at the key station, causing delays and hindrances to our progress toward the four modernizations."

"Old Liu, you can't snatch people from our Jiēdào; although he's young, I plan to make him a permanent employee, specifically responsible for widow remarriage and reformed persons' marriage matters."

If Director Wang didn't mention this, it would be fine.

But once he brings it up,

Shazhu instantly extinguished the idea of staying to work at the Jiēdào.

The notion of sticking to it from start to finish still remains.

To have widows remarry is to go against a tradition spanning over two thousand years.

As for reformed persons marrying, anyone who resolutely decides to marry them must inevitably put in painstaking effort in their heart.

Rumors can kill.

"I won't lecture on big principles; if push comes to shove, I'll ask your superiors for people—I can still decide on assigning a Level 1 Recycling Worker."

"Only Level 1?"

Director Wang retorted in surprise, and the recycling station chief, making a special exception, promoted Shazhu another level.

"Level 2 Recycling Worker."

"Shazhu, go with him."

"Old Wang, you're screwing me over."

"If you feel screwed, you can just quit."

Director Wang's smiling, squinty look was exactly like an old fox shedding its fur.

Old Ma at the recycling station also knew he'd stepped into a pit.

No solution.

Talent is hard to come by.

"Who said I don't want him? I'll get He Yuzhu's hiring paperwork done right away."