Chapter 4113

Su Xinghui said: "Old Zhang, I heard that some students at your school don't go home for the summer break and are staying here to learn technical skills from Master Zhao. Is that true?"

Zhang Shouye nodded quickly and said: "Mayor, that is true. Quite a few students didn't go home for the summer break; they are here learning technical skills from Master Zhao."

Su Xinghui said: "Then lead us over to take a look."

Zhang Shouye hurriedly and attentively led Su Xinghui and the others toward the training base, where those students were indeed following Master Zhao to learn technical skills.

Su Xinghui asked: "Since they aren't going home for the summer break, how are they handling their meals?"

Zhang Shouye said: "You can rest assured about that. I specifically arranged for the head chef in the cafeteria to cook for them. They won't go hungry, and meals are free during the summer break. I guarantee they will be well-fed."

Su Xinghui nodded and said: "That's not bad."

Generally speaking, when schools are on summer break, the cafeteria does not provide meals for students. Even if some students don't go home, they usually have to fend for themselves, unless it is a school with a particularly large number of students who don't go home, in which case a small cafeteria might be opened.

The Linshan Vocational and Technical College doesn't have many students to begin with, and it is rare for students to stay at school during the summer break. This time, it was a novel occurrence, and Zhang Shouye's approach could be considered quite flexible.

This was, of course, because Su Xinghui placed special importance on technical school students learning skills. If Zhang Shouye couldn't even think of this, he might as well not be the principal.

Su Xinghui offered a word of praise, which made Zhang Shouye beam with joy; he walked with a spring in his step, though Su Xinghui kept up with him easily.

Soon, the group arrived at the training base, which was that factory building. The main gate was open, and from the outside, everyone could hear the sound of machine tools. Looking in from the gate, Master Zhao and several other teachers were there teaching the students technical skills.

Su Xinghui could see that there were about twenty students next to the machine tools, and Tang Xiangming, who had left a deep impression on him last time, was among them. He was standing in front of Master Zhao, processing a part.

Su Xinghui walked quickly toward Master Zhao. Master Zhao and Tang Xiangming were both very focused—one teaching earnestly, the other learning earnestly—and neither noticed Su Xinghui.

Su Xinghui didn't let the others speak. He stood there watching them teach until Tang Xiangming finished processing a part and Master Zhao nodded in satisfaction after measuring it with a vernier caliper; only then did he call out, "Master Zhao."

Master Zhao turned his head, saw Su Xinghui at a glance, and said happily: "Mayor Su, you've come!"

Tang Xiangming also saw Su Xinghui, and he called out with some embarrassment: "Mayor Su, you've come!"

Su Xinghui smiled and patted Tang Xiangming on the shoulder, saying: "Little Tang, very good! I see your skills are progressing very quickly!"

Tang Xiangming touched his head and said shyly: "This is all because Master Zhao teaches so well."

Su Xinghui nodded and said: "I see that Master Zhao is indeed teaching well. Master Zhao, how do you think Little Tang and the others are doing?"

Master Zhao said: "They are still far behind where I was back then..."

Tang Xiangming and the others lowered their heads in shame.

Master Zhao continued: "However, compared to other students, they can already be considered to be learning quite well."

Having received this praise from Master Zhao, Tang Xiangming and the others touched their heads in embarrassment again.

Su Xinghui asked again: "Master Zhao, when do you think they will be able to reach your level?"

Master Zhao pondered for a long time and shook his head, which made everyone very disappointed.

However, Master Zhao said: "I don't know if they can reach my level. The trade of a bench worker is like any other; the master leads you through the door, but the practice is up to the individual. If they are truly interested in this trade and put in a few more years of effort, becoming a senior technician or master craftsman shouldn't be a problem. I think Little Tang and the others have quite a bit of talent."

Master Zhao's words made Tang Xiangming and the others happy again. They also knew that Master Zhao's skills were among the best in the country; it was unrealistic for them to reach his level, or rather, such skills were not learned entirely through study—they also relied on one's own hard work.

Such skills rely not only on talent but also on hard work. There are some things that even a master cannot teach. Just think, Master Zhao can hear which part of a machine is malfunctioning just by listening; which master could teach that kind of skill?

If one hasn't spent years and months working at the side of the machines, becoming so familiar with their sounds that they couldn't be more familiar, the sound of the machine would just be noise, and one wouldn't be able to tell the difference at all. Besides time, it also takes heart; if you don't put your heart into it, no matter how long you listen, you will only feel it is noise.

Since Master Zhao said they have talent, they still have hope of becoming senior technicians and master craftsmen. Of course, this also requires them to work harder. Just not going home for one summer break is far from enough; they need to devote more time to learning technical skills.

Su Xinghui nodded and said: "Master Zhao, you have also worked hard. Since they aren't going home for the summer break, you have to be here to teach them too."

Master Zhao said: "What does this count for? I don't have many classes usually, so it's a good thing to give them some remedial lessons during the summer break. Besides, I don't want to take these few skills of mine to the grave. Otherwise, I'm afraid my master would be so angry he'd jump out of his coffin to scold me."

Master Zhao's words made everyone laugh.

Su Xinghui asked again: "Then how is the living environment arranged by the school for you all?"

Master Zhao said: "Not bad. The food cooked by the head chef in the school cafeteria is very good, and they let us eat for free. We are doing manual labor here, so we eat a lot. These boys can really tuck in; haven't you noticed they've all grown stronger?"

Su Xinghui looked at Tang Xiangming and the others. Sure enough, not seen for a few months, they had all grown much sturdier. This was also normal; they were doing heavy manual labor. Some parts weighed dozens of jin each, and they had to move them back and forth. Processing parts weighing several jin, they would stand for most of the day. As long as they learned earnestly from Master Zhao, there was no reason they wouldn't grow stronger.

Su Xinghui patted Tang Xiangming on the shoulder again and said: "Little Tang, very good! You are indeed much stronger than before. You'll be good material for a worker in the future. Tell me, do you plan to be a worker in the future?"

Tang Xiangming said: "If you can really guarantee me a monthly salary of ten thousand, then I'll be a worker."

Su Xinghui laughed and said: "As long as you can become a senior technician, I guarantee you a monthly salary of ten thousand."

Tang Xiangming said: "That's a deal. I will definitely be able to become a senior technician. I won't just not go home this summer break; I won't go home for the winter break either. I'll just stay here and learn from Master Zhao."

Su Xinghui said: "You won't go home for the winter break either? Then what about the New Year? And, does Master Zhao not rest during the winter break?"

Master Zhao nodded with a smile and said: "I can state my position on this: as long as they are willing to learn, I am willing to teach, even on the first day of the Lunar New Year."

Tang Xiangming said: "Master Zhao, I can't learn from you on the first day of the Lunar New Year. I have to go home to celebrate the New Year, and you have to celebrate it too. But I'll only go home for three days. After three days, I'll come back, and then I'll trouble you to teach me!"

Master Zhao laughed heartily, patted Tang Xiangming on the shoulder, and said: "Good lad, don't you worry. I'll definitely teach you then. If the school cafeteria chef isn't working, you can just come to my house to eat."