They had entered the city.
Such a good opportunity was rare for Minghua’s family.
The happiest was Ning Zhi. In her eyes, her husband had always been exceptionally talented. It would truly be a pity if such an outstanding person were buried in the countryside.
Ning Zhi wept tears of joy: “Minghua, you can finally leave the village.”
It wasn’t that the countryside was bad, but to move upward, one had to go to the city.
Nowadays, finding a job in the city was extremely difficult—one position for one person, with many jobs passed down from father to son and from son to grandson. For others to secure a job, the effort and money required were no easy feat.
Fan Minghua, however, said, “It’s still uncertain at this point.”
Early the next morning, Fan Minghua put on a new set of clothes—a military uniform made from olive-green fabric.
Of course, this wasn’t a uniform retired from any military unit. Fan Minghua didn’t have the connections or background for that. The fabric was bought, and Ning Zhi had made the clothes herself.
And they were freshly made.
This time, Fan Minghua was going to meet the leadership, and Ning Zhi was fully prepared.
She had worked through the night to make him a military uniform.
Fan Minghua felt sorry for her and didn’t want her to exhaust herself, especially since she was still in her postpartum confinement period.
He could have gone in his old clothes.
But Ning Zhi didn’t see it that way. This opportunity was too rare, and it was essential to leave a good impression on the leadership.
Clothes make the man, and a good first impression could earn extra points.
In the end, Fan Minghua wore this newly made military-style outfit to meet the leadership.
Wearing military uniforms was fashionable at the time, so no one gave Fan Minghua strange looks for his attire.
On the contrary, everyone thought he looked incredibly handsome in this outfit.
Especially Jiang Youliang, who kept sizing him up and couldn’t help but give him a thumbs-up: “You really do look good in a military uniform.”
Fan Minghua said, “I think so too. My wife made this for me.”
Jiang Youliang rolled his eyes: “As if you’re the only one with a wife.” He paused, then added, “Ask your wife if she’s willing to make clothes. The brigade will give Work Points.”
Fan Minghua thought for a moment, “I can’t decide this on my own. I’ll have to go back and ask Ning Zhi. If she agrees, we’ll do it.”
Jiang Youliang: “Alright, go back and ask your wife. As long as she agrees, we’ll give six Work Points for each piece of clothing she makes. If she’s willing, I’ll have the Da Dui Bu finalize this.”
Fan Minghua nodded. Although he hadn’t confirmed it yet, he knew Ning Zhi would most likely agree.
After all, once she finished her postpartum confinement and returned, she would still have to work for the brigade unless his job situation was settled.
Suddenly, he felt a renewed enthusiasm for this job. For his wife’s sake, he had to leave a good impression on the leadership and strive to stay in the city, earning a public salary so his wife could also remain in the city.
The leader of the Agriculture Bureau was a lean and capable middle-aged man named Zhang.
Zhang Bureau Chief was already familiar with Fan Minghua’s background. Thirty years old, fled to Jiangtaiba with his parents before liberation, classified as a poor peasant.
Zhang Bureau Chief had no issues with this investigation. After all, before liberation, many refugees had fled to this area due to war and natural disasters. Shun County, being coastal, was a city more developed than inland regions.
The only blemish was that he had married a wife with problematic class background—the Ning family was classified as part of the Black Five Categories.
Another issue is his low educational background; his file shows he never attended school for a single day, and it’s unclear whether he is literate.
If he is illiterate, that would be somewhat troublesome. Even if Bureau Chief Zhang wanted to transfer him over, he wouldn’t pass the internal political review.
“Is your name Fan Tietou?” Bureau Chief Zhang’s face showed no expression.
Fan Minghua replied, “My childhood name is Iron Head, and my formal name is Minghua.”
Bureau Chief Zhang became interested. “You have a formal name?”
Having a formal name indicated literacy.
“Did you attend school?” His gaze was sharp, observing Fan Minghua’s expression.
If there was even a hint of deception, Fan Minghua’s interview would end in failure.
Naturally, Fan Minghua’s response was carefully considered.
By mentioning his formal name instead of his given name, he was signaling to the leader that he was literate, which was why he had a formal name.
“I never attended school, but I am literate,” he added, “I taught myself.”
He didn’t mention that it was a professor who had been sent down to the countryside who taught him, as he couldn’t risk bringing danger to that professor.
Bureau Chief Zhang nodded, as this now made sense.
The absence of school records in his file was because he had never enrolled.
But he was literate, claiming to have taught himself, likely with someone’s guidance. As for who taught him, Bureau Chief Zhang didn’t press for details.
He didn’t care, as long as Fan Minghua was literate.
Only then did Bureau Chief Zhang reveal his intention. “I called you here because I was curious—how did you know there would be a drought back then? You even mobilized the commune members half a year in advance to plant drought-resistant crops.”
Fan Minghua replied, “Based on environmental factors, wind direction, cloud patterns, and other changes, I determined that there would be a drought in the coming six months. It’s the accumulated experience of those who rely on the weather for their livelihood.”
Bureau Chief Zhang shook his head. “Many people rely on the weather for their livelihood. Even experienced old farmers failed to predict this severe drought.”
Even the meteorological bureau hadn’t issued an early warning. By the time the drought arrived, it was too late. Adjustments could only be made afterward, but the crops were already planted, leaving no choice but to rely on human efforts to combat the disaster.
Fan Minghua said, “Perhaps it’s because I’ve read a lot of miscellaneous books.”
“Oh?” Bureau Chief Zhang grew more interested. “What kind of miscellaneous books?”
Jiang Youliang, who had accompanied him, had initially tried to stay in the background. This was Fan Minghua’s moment, and as the brigade leader, he naturally didn’t want to steal the spotlight from a commune member.
But upon hearing Fan Minghua mention reading miscellaneous books, he grew anxious.
In those times, not all books were permissible to read.
Reading privately was fine as long as no one found out, but if it was brought up openly, it could spell trouble.
He kept winking at Fan Minghua, hoping he wouldn’t say anything reckless.
Whether Fan Minghua didn’t notice Jiang Youliang’s gestures or knew exactly how to respond, he said, “They were mostly books on meteorology, geography, and agricultural science.”
He didn’t specify which books.
Bureau Chief Zhang grew even more intrigued and began asking him about specific titles.
Fan Minghua answered each one.
The books he mentioned were not banned, so there was no risk of trouble.
Jiang Youliang breathed a sigh of relief.
Bureau Chief Zhang, however, grew more and more excited as they talked, even delving into some professional knowledge, particularly regarding agricultural science.
In his position, his primary concern was how to increase production and ensure that all the people had enough to eat.
As long as someone could help increase production, he was willing to employ them, regardless of their background or social status.
Trust no one you suspect, and suspect no one you trust—this has always been Zhang Bureau Chief’s standard for employing people.
Not only did he chat with Fan Minghua himself, but he also called over another agricultural expert from the bureau.
This expert, surnamed Liu, was a Cadre at the Agriculture Bureau.
In addition to the county Agriculture Bureau’s officials, there was also Yang Station Chief from the Gongshe Agricultural Technology Station. Everyone began discussing agriculture.
Jiang Youliang couldn’t get a word in; he could only try his best to blend into the background as a wallflower.
Although he was the Da Duizhang, overseeing all production in the brigade, he wasn’t an experienced old farmer. While he knew a thing or two about agriculture, he couldn’t engage in conversation with the Agriculture Bureau’s experts the way Fan Minghua did.
Not only could Fan Minghua hold a conversation, but at first, it was the leaders asking questions and him answering.
The discussion was evenly matched, but later, his answers came faster and faster, subtly gaining the upper hand.
Jiang Youliang wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but it seemed Fan Minghua answered without hesitation, speaking off the cuff.
Meanwhile, the three leaders discussing with him seemed to think more and more slowly.
Based on his understanding of Fan Minghua, Jiang Youliang felt that Fan Minghua wasn’t giving his all and was holding something back.
Jiang Youliang’s feeling wasn’t wrong.
Fan Minghua was indeed holding back.
After all, the people discussing with him were leaders—two from the county and one from the Gongshe. If his answers were too profound and the leaders couldn’t respond, it would make them lose face.
Making things difficult for the leaders would only make things difficult for himself.
Although Fan Minghua had never been an official or held a job, having always lived in the countryside, he understood these principles well.
Reading teaches one reason, and in dealing with people, one shouldn’t be too rigid.
He handled this balance perfectly.
He wanted the leaders to see his ability, but he couldn’t completely overshadow them.
Moreover, he had already rehearsed the possible scenarios for today’s meeting in his mind the day before, going over all the questions the leaders might ask.
He knew exactly what kind of answers would be best.
He was well aware of his own capabilities.
But in front of the leaders, he could only slightly exceed their expectations—enough to make them take notice of him without causing them to lose face.
As a result, all three leaders were very satisfied.
Zhang Bureau Chief’s eyes were filled with the excitement of a talent scout discovering a rare gem, and this gem was one he had found himself.
On the other hand, Yang Station Chief’s face was full of regret.
He naturally knew that Fan Minghua had caught Zhang Bureau Chief’s eye, and as a subordinate, he couldn’t possibly compete with his superior for talent.
It was precisely because he knew this that he felt such anguish.
Unable to help himself, he glared fiercely at Jiang Youliang, who was standing by as a wallflower.
Jiang Youliang was baffled. Why had the station chief suddenly glared at him?
He hadn’t done anything wrong.
Even as they left the Agriculture Bureau, Zhang Bureau Chief personally escorted them out, patting Fan Minghua on the shoulder and saying, “Come report tomorrow.”
He had made the decision directly, without even consulting the bureau’s personnel department.
【Author’s Note】
Hmm, I’ll be giving out red envelopes in the comments.