Chapter 4081

"Those previous mayors were all good-for-nothings."

Su Xinghui said, "Master Zhao, you can't really say it like that. The environment was different, and the times were different too. Perhaps those previous mayors were just helpless."

Of course, Su Xinghui was saying things he didn't truly believe, but in such a setting, he had no other choice. Regardless, he had to maintain the prestige of the municipal government.

The old worker said, "Mayor Su, I don't blame you for saying that. I know there are some things you cannot say. In any case, on behalf of my whole family and all the laid-off workers in the city, I thank you!"

Su Xinghui did not continue with this topic. He asked, "Master Zhao, are you a teacher invited by the Vocational and Technical College?"

The old worker nodded and said, "I never even imagined it myself. I, old Zhao, am nearly seventy years old, yet there came a day when I could be invited by a university to be a teacher."

Su Xinghui said, "You have the qualifications. I can see that your skills are excellent."

Zhang Shouye chimed in at the right moment, "Mayor, Master Zhao was an eighth-grade machinist in the past. He was also a National Model Worker, a Provincial Model Worker, and a Municipal Model Worker. He is famous throughout our Linshan City. For such a talent to be willing to come to our school to teach, it is the honor of our Linshan Vocational and Technical College!"

Zhang Shouye's words made Su Xinghui feel a sense of reverence. He knew the weight of an eighth-grade machinist. In a city, there might only be a few dozen workers of such a level; they were the absolute top-tier. It turned out this Master Zhao was a worker of that caliber, not to mention his status as a National, Provincial, and Municipal Model Worker. People with such credentials were the backbone of the Republic.

Su Xinghui said, "Master Zhao, I was disrespectful just now. You are a hero of the nation!"

Master Zhao waved his hand and said, "That is all in the past. A hero shouldn't dwell on past glories! Now, I just want to teach these children my humble craft so it doesn't get lost. That is enough to satisfy me."

Su Xinghui asked, "Are these children doing alright?"

Master Zhao looked at the group of students around him. He hesitated for a moment and then said, "They're alright. Although they aren't the best, they do work hard when they are in my class."

Master Zhao's words gave the students some face. After all, they were just students, and Master Zhao had no real confidence in how much they could learn. He had only been a teacher for a few months, and the students' progress wasn't particularly fast. After all, they weren't like the apprentices of the past who spent eight hours a day at the machine tool; they still had other classes to attend and only came to the training base a few times a week.

Even during those few times, they weren't necessarily willing to listen carefully. After all, most of them were only attending this school to get a diploma. Even if they were in the mechanical department, they might not necessarily work in this field after graduation; most of them would change careers.

Now, Master Zhao even had some doubts about whether he should have come here to teach. He was terrified that his lifelong reputation would be buried in this place. If these students graduated and told people they were apprentices of old man Zhao, yet possessed only mediocre skills, wouldn't people laugh at him?

However, in front of Su Xinghui and so many others, he certainly wouldn't embarrass his students; he still left them some dignity.

Su Xinghui could certainly hear Master Zhao's insincerity. He smiled and said, "Master Zhao, then you must teach these students your best-kept secrets!"

Master Zhao looked at his students again and said, "As long as they are willing to learn, I am willing to teach!"

Master Zhao had one more thing he didn't say: if they weren't willing to learn, there was nothing he could do. Because his current status was that of a school teacher, not the master in the factory of the past. Back in the factory, if his apprentices didn't learn the craft properly, he would hit them; scolding his apprentices was a daily occurrence.

But now, could he hit or scold these students? It was already a blessing that they were willing to learn this craft. If he hit or scolded them, wouldn't they all run away? Their parents might even come to the school to cause trouble.

Master Zhao couldn't help but sigh. In the past, at the factory, for a worker like him, others would have parents come together, bringing gifts to beg him to take their children as apprentices. They would even tell him that if the child didn't listen, he should hit and scold them hard, and never give them any face.

But now, why had the world turned upside down? He had such great skills, yet he had to go out of his way to teach these students. The principal also kept telling him to be patient and that he couldn't hit or even scold the students. This made him feel incredibly stifled.

Seeing the clumsy way those students couldn't learn no matter how he taught them, he had raised his hand many times, but in the end, he never brought it down.

Su Xinghui certainly understood the current reality. The reality was that not many people were willing to be workers. These students came to the technical school to study mechanical engineering out of necessity; if they could have gotten into other schools, they wouldn't have come to this dump.

Therefore, Su Xinghui also understood the subtext in Master Zhao's words. He said to the students, "Students, do you understand the concept of an eighth-grade machinist? Do you understand the concept of a National Model Worker?"

These students were all young people between seventeen and twenty. How could they know what an eighth-grade machinist was? How could they understand what a National Model Worker was? They shook their heads blankly one by one; some said a few words, but they didn't grasp the point.

They had no idea that an eighth-grade worker was the highest level for a worker, and a National Model Worker was the highest honor for a worker.

Hearing their responses, everyone shook their heads. Zhang Shouye sighed, "Students, you really don't know. Your Master Zhao is at the highest technical level among workers. When he was named a National Model Worker in 1979, he was even received by national leaders at the Great Hall of the People. It is your honor to be able to learn technology from him!"

Only then did these students realize that this thin, inconspicuous old man actually had such a prestigious background. He had been received by national leaders at the Great Hall of the People! What a great honor that was. Even as ignorant as they were, they knew this kind of honor wasn't something an ordinary person could obtain. They couldn't help but look at Master Zhao with eyes full of admiration. ===== CHAPTER 4083 =====