The students gave an enthusiastic round of applause.
Just as the applause began to die down, a familiar black sedan that Ding Yue knew well drove slowly up. It was the official car of Director Xiao Wenxing of the Education Department.
In a short while, Director Xiao Wenxing’s official car came to a stop in front of Ding Yue.
"Director Xiao, you’re here."
Ding Yue enthusiastically stepped forward to greet him.
"I got caught in a bit of traffic, otherwise I could have arrived earlier. I hope my tardiness hasn’t delayed your departure," Director Xiao Wenxing apologetically said.
He had made an agreement with Principal Ding to come in the afternoon to send off the faculty and students of the Agricultural Academy for their "campaign". But due to the traffic conditions in Mist City, which really need to be addressed, he had arrived slightly late.
"No, no. We’ve just gathered at the gate, and I’d just finished delivering a few words of ’farewell’ to the students when you arrived. Director Xiao, why don’t you say a few words?"
Ding Yue shook his head and then invited Director Xiao to speak.
Director Xiao was indeed a little late, but he didn’t delay much. Even if he had delayed a bit, it was no big deal considering he is a leader from the Education Department, responsible for Mist City Arts and Science University.
"Okay, then let me say a few words succinctly."
The trip of the Agricultural Department of Mist City Arts and Science University to the countryside for the Rural Support Project was something that Xiao Wenxing took very seriously. A significant part of the smooth progress was due to Xiao Wenxing’s negotiation with the Poverty Alleviation Office.
"Students, Director Xiao is going to address us," Ding Yue turned to the faculty and students and announced.
Applause broke out once again. After all, a leader from the Education Department was going to deliver a speech, and the applause needed to be enthusiastic enough.
Xiao Wenxing raised his hand to indicate that the applause was not necessary, and he simply stated: "I am here today to wish you well on your journey. I hope that this trip to the countryside will be successful. I hope you can bring solid knowledge and technical guidance to the villagers. Moreover, by taking part in this Rural Support Project, you are responding to the country’s call. I give you a big thumbs up!"
After Xiao Wenxing finished speaking, he gave a thumbs-up to all the faculty and students of the Agricultural Academy.
Making a difference in poor and remote areas by providing villagers with knowledge and technical guidance is a challenge for many young people who have lived in big cities and are receiving higher education.
Xiao Wenxing was amazed that Principal Ding was able to mobilize so many students to participate in the Rural Support Project.
You could tell from the students’ expressions that they were well-prepared mentally and had not been forced by the school to go.
When Director Xiao Wenxing finished speaking and gave a thumbs-up, the students broke out into another round of enthusiastic applause.
"Alright, the weather is still a bit chilly. Let’s not delay the students’ departure. Let’s get them on the bus and ready to leave."
As Xiao Wenxing had finished speaking and Principal Ding had said his piece as well, he thought it would be better for the students to leave earlier rather than freeze in the cold.
Although it was March, it would take a while before the spring truly arrived in the region of Mist City.
Ding Yue nodded and immediately told all the students: "Let’s set off!"
After that, Ding Yue said to Director Jia Nong: "Director Jia, lead the way. Take the students safely and bring them back safely, okay?"
"Don’t worry, Principal Ding," Jia Nong replied.
All the students were adults and accompanied by professors from the Agricultural Academy and the director Jia Nong. This "campaign" was a full-scale deployment of the Agricultural Academy. Although they were going to a poor and remote area, they were not unprepared for survival. The conditions would just be a bit harsh.
Ding Yue believed they could all take care of themselves and return safely. At that time, not only would he have completed his mission, but his Mist City Arts and Science University would garner certain social recognition, improve its status slightly, and also win Director Xiao Wenxing’s favor. The benefits were numerous.
Watching the students gradually board the bus, Ding Yue’s mood became somewhat complex.
This was the first time Ding Yue had seen his students "deployed". With a first time, there should be a second, third... Ding Yue couldn’t help but wonder what the scene would be like when he sent off his students in the future.
In less than ten minutes, all the students had boarded the buses.
"Principal Ding, we are departing now." Jia Nong said and the bus at the front started off slowly towards the gate of Mist City Arts and Science University.
The buses followed one by one.
This time, the location of the Rural Support Project secured by the Mist City Education Department for the Agricultural Department of Mist City Arts and Science University was not in Mist City, but in the neighbouring Guizhou Province. Although it wasn’t far, the terrain was quite complex.
The school bus of Mist City Arts and Science University would deliver the students to the railway station, where a special train would transport the group of students to Guizhou Province.
In the following period, perhaps a spring, or even a summer, depending on circumstances, these students would provide villagers in a poor and remote area of Guizhou Province with knowledge and technical guidance on this year’s economic crops.