Chapter 196: Chapter 196: Reading Can Also Make Money
Two model workers were selected, and the members were encouraged to learn from their examples and so forth.
Jiang Mianmian stood below, leaning against Jiang Changhai, feeling utterly drowsy.
She hadn’t fully awoken that morning, and now she had to listen to this lengthy speech, which was as hypnotic as a lullaby.
Just as she was about to drift off to sleep, Jiang Changhai suddenly became excited, “Daughter, wake up, it’s your turn, listen, the commune secretary is praising you right now.”
The commune secretary was the top official of the commune!
Jiang Mianmian rubbed her eyes, looked up, and saw the commune secretary in a Sun Yat-sen suit, standing on the stage, passionately praising her.
He praised her to the skies, stating she was naturally intelligent, diligently studious, humble in conduct, and courteous to others, among other things.
Jiang Mianmian felt somewhat embarrassed by the praise; had it not been for the mention of her name, she wouldn’t have recognized the exceptionally outstanding young person being described as herself.
“Alright, next, let’s invite student Jiang Mianmian to the stage to receive her award.”
As soon as the commune secretary finished speaking, the adults standing in front of Jiang Mianmian consciously made way for her to ascend the stage.
Under everyone’s gaze, Jiang Mianmian stepped onto the award platform and bowed to the commune secretary, quietly waiting for her reward.
The commune secretary solemnly took out five yuan, “Jiang Mianmian, this is the commune’s reward for you, hoping you will continue to work hard, study well, and achieve further brilliance.
“Thank you, Secretary, I will definitely study hard and live up to the commune’s encouragement and expectations,” Jiang Mianmian said crisply.
The Secretary, impressed by her confident and straightforward manner, gave her another careful look, thinking highly of the girl.
In such a large assembly, even an adult could become stage-frightened, yet a child of her age stood firm.
Indeed, she was a promising young seed.
Meanwhile, the villagers below were ecstatic, “My heavens, when did studying become profitable?!”
“If only I had known studying could earn money, I would have sent my child to school too.”
“Exactly, I am sending mine too!”
The Jiang family members shouted with faces glowing with pride, “This is my daughter/granddaughter!”
The principal of the commune primary school, standing to the side, was very pleased with their reactions; this was the impact he desired.
The country had issued documents to restore the university entrance examinations, all signaling that the national focus was shifting back to education.
However, people still harbored old thoughts, believing that farming was more beneficial than schooling, which is why he had made such a spectacle, hoping to change their conventional thinking.
Whether it was for their children’s future or for the scholarships, as long as they sent their children to school, that was enough.
“Alright, everyone, quiet down.” The commune secretary gestured for silence with a downward wave of his hand, indicating for everyone to listen to him.
The secretary’s word carried authority, and the villagers immediately closed their mouths to listen quietly to his speech.
“I have another piece of good news. The principal of our commune primary school said that in order to encourage the children to study, the school has decided to increase the reward system. From now on, any student who ranks among the top three in any grade will not only be exempt from tuition fees but will also receive a monetary reward.”
Upon hearing this, the members below could not help but exclaim and discuss in astonishment again.
“Did I hear that right?! No tuition fees and still earn money, can there really be such a great thing in the world?”