Chapter 133: The Recruitment Quota

Although Qi Zhaodi was not one for empty pleasantries, when she learned that Han Li was actually exhausted, her gaze toward the Yun sisters shifted subtly. She wondered just how much work Han Li had been made to do to tire out a man like him. How was Yun Yingying managing her relationship with him?

Qi Zhaodi, always restless, decided to follow the crowd this time. If things seemed off later, she planned to step in and defend Han Li.

Seeing everyone join in, Han Li quickly stepped aside from his spot.

Since arriving in Shanghe Village, Han Li enjoyed listening to villagers’ stories, sought thrills in the mountains, loved reading and writing, but had never taken an interest in group card games.

He Mi asked, “Your body’s still not fully recovered; what are you off to do?”

“I’m going to the restroom.”

“We’ll wait for you to start.”

“No need to wait. Six of you are perfect for teams. I’ll arrange everything for you later.”

Han Li declined and went into the courtyard, noticing a few dogs whining at him. He remembered no one had taken them out to relieve themselves yesterday, so he unleashed them and led them outside.

After the dogs finished, he let them romp a bit before calling them back home.

Near his doorstep, he saw Sun Yong, Jiang Xiaoli, and several other educated youths just leaving.

Jiang Xiaoli asked, “Comrade Han, are you heading to the fields?”

“I’m going to see if there are any more rat holes to dig. Where are you all headed?”

“We want to check at the village committee about when the grain distribution will be. Since there’s no more farm work, it’s better to get the grain and head home than to just eat here.”

Han Li said, “I envy you all going home this year. If I want to go back, it has to wait until next year.”

Sun Yong replied, “Everyone’s enduring the same way. We’ll get going to the committee then.”

Han Li noticed their hesitant, evasive demeanor. It was likely not about grain distribution. When all the veteran educated youths mobilize, it usually means one of two things: either a spot at the Workers-Peasants-Soldiers University has opened up, or a job vacancy at some unit has been allocated to Shanghe Village.

But clearly, they had misjudged Han Li. He didn’t meet either condition.

Of course, it wasn’t impossible to arrange through connections, but he wouldn’t tarnish his file for a moment’s convenience.

Even if he qualified, Han Li wasn’t planning to leave Shanghe Village just yet. He hadn’t enjoyed enough of the mountain herding. The mountains held countless resources waiting to be gathered, which would become his startup capital. Whether buying a house or dealing goods, without converting these resources into funds, it would all be just empty talk.

Back inside, Han Li saw the Yun sisters playing cards with Hao Hongmin and Yang Xiuying, while He Mi was teaching Qi Zhaodi chess.

He mentioned his encounter with the veteran educated youths. Except for Qi Zhaodi, the others were fairly knowledgeable about such policies, so their reaction was mild.

Yun Jingjing said, “Let them go then. Getting grain a day earlier isn’t bad. It’s a good chance to assess our own abilities and plan better for next year.”

Yang Xiuying added, “Exactly. Once the veteran educated youths are mostly gone, Hongmin and I won’t have to listen to their constant bickering.”

Hao Hongmin replied, “They won’t all leave. Don’t forget Xiong Xianjin, Zhou Guoan, Wu Lili, Qi Ruying, and Yuan Hongying—they can’t go home this year either.”

“Once the veteran educated youths leave, at least they won’t quarrel daily over winter firewood. But I hope the newcomers won’t come to borrow grain from us.”

“Wu Lili’s family situation means she definitely won’t borrow grain. Xiong Xianjin and Zhou Guoan might first ask the men. As for Qi Ruying and Yuan Hongying, it’s hard to say.”

“Why worry so much? We’ll cross that bridge if they do.”

Among the veteran educated youths, some were well-informed. They knew this year was special in Shanghe Village—no spots were allocated for the Workers-Peasants-Soldiers University by higher authorities.

However, to meet production needs, the Hegang Coal Mine, with approval from relevant departments, recruited 380 workers from across the province’s communes—educated youths sent down to the countryside, outstanding youths, and demobilized veterans—under a dual work-study arrangement. Shanghe Village had been given four spots.

These dual work-study workers were not given urban household registration; they retained their status as educated youths or peasants, without access to planned supplies in the city.

Because policies varied across regions, such workers typically had to bring food and provisions from their rural homes.

They sold their grain at the commune grain station in exchange for food coupons and used those to eat in the workplace canteen.

Villagers were in a slightly better position as their families would subsidize those working.

Educated youths had to hand over half their wages monthly to the village committee to guarantee basic work points for exchanging grain.

(This policy was changed in the early 1980s.)

Dual work-study workers’ benefits differed from official workers. Apart from similar protective gear, their medical treatment was only 60% of what official workers received, and other benefits varied.

They had no quotas for promotion or raises. If the factory downsized, these dual work-study workers were the first to be cut.

After six months without issues, educated youths working in factories could be converted into official workers under national policy.

Additionally, some leaders’ children could be regularized smoothly; for others, it depended on the factory.

Those who advanced to technical staff positions could also become official workers and enjoy full benefits.

(This policy was updated in the late 1980s.)

The recruitment criteria for dual work-study were strict: educated youths had to commit to at least two years in the countryside with at least a high school education; outstanding youths and demobilized veterans needed a junior high education or above.

Even so, the worker spots were highly coveted.

At this moment, the village committee was in chaos. After village chief Zhao and team leader Liang returned from a meeting yesterday, word of recruitment spread rapidly. Had the news come out earlier, they probably wouldn’t have slept peacefully.

Though Sun Yong and Jiang Xiaoli were disappointed about no university spots, becoming coal miners was better than staying to farm.

By the time they arrived at the committee, it was already packed.

Outside, only village chief Zhao and team leader Liang were speaking with villagers amid the disorder.

Village accountant Zhang Chaomei hadn’t appeared at all in recent days, busy nonstop.

She was not only tallying each household’s total work points and their corresponding grain and money amounts but also handling the most tedious task—the exchange rates for different grains.

For example, one jin of corn, sorghum, or sweet potatoes could never be equal to one jin of wheat flour.

All this overwhelmed the novice Zhang Chaomei, slowing the process and causing this year’s grain distribution delay in Shanghe Village.

Sun Yong, Jiang Xiaoli, and the other educated youths found themselves unable to join the conversation, anxiously stomping their feet on the sidelines.

While the village committee was in uproar, Han Li’s household was already preparing to make dumplings.

Some were kneading dough, others chopping vegetables or mincing meat. When cutting boards or knives were scarce, they went home to get more.

Han Li had no intention of helping but out of courtesy, he reached out.

Each time he tried to pitch in, Qi Zhaodi whisked him away, and the others stopped him from interfering.

“This small task doesn’t need your help. Rest well on the side.”

So, Han Li ran over to the village committee to watch the commotion but quickly realized the chaos would yield no quick resolution.

He returned to calmly read and play with the dogs, waiting to enjoy ready-made dumplings.

Many hands made light work. Several people discussed the recruitment as they worked, and soon the dumplings were laid out on the kang table.

It is said lamb dumplings are delicious but tricky to season. Today’s lamb filling was prepared by He Mi.

She used just a touch of minced ginger to neutralize the gaminess, resulting in a juicy, flavorful, perfectly seasoned filling with a satisfying chew, leaving a fragrant aftertaste.

The badger meat dumplings were made by Qi Zhaodi, who surprisingly added chili to the filling.

It was Han Li’s first time eating spicy dumplings, and the flavor was uniquely delightful.

Though he couldn’t speak with a mouth full, Han Li gave them both a thumbs-up.

Even Yun Jingjing, who had practiced extensively, admitted she couldn’t replicate the same effect. Everyone enjoyed a satisfying meal.

Han Li ate two bowls before patting his stomach contentedly and leaning back against the kang cabinet.

As they chatted and tidied up, the group decided to take a stroll in the mountains that afternoon, avoiding village troubles.

Their intuition proved accurate.

The Yun sisters and Hao Hongmei waited at the door with their backpacks for He Mi when the veteran educated youths returned from the village committee.

Jiang Xiaoli asked, “Are you all heading to the mountains?”

Yun Jingjing replied, “Yes, if we don’t hurry, we’ll soon be starving and suffering. What are so many of you going to do?”

Sun Yong asked, “Where’s Comrade Han Li? You all aren’t going to the mountains this afternoon? Let’s discuss something together.”

Yun Yingying said, “Han Li is sick and resting at home. The autumn harvest is over now; what is there for us to discuss?”

Sun Yong said firmly, “This concerns the welfare of all of us educated youths. It’s better to talk together.”

Yang Xiuying scoffed, “It’s about the recruitment spots this year, isn’t it? Next year, it won’t be our turn anyway. I don’t see what there is to discuss with you.”

Sun Yong raised his voice, “Yang Xiuying, how can you say that? Aren’t you part of the educated youths?”

“I am, but what do you want to discuss? Do you have a way to get us jobs as workers this year?”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

Thanks to: Wandering Daoist You Sifang for 500 points.

Thanks to: Xiao Se Nei Wai for 100 points.

Thanks to: Jade Emperor for 100 points.

Thanks to: Reader 20211029073941954 for 100 points.

Thanks to: Reader 20220804193823698 for 100 points.

(End of chapter)