Siheyuan: I am protecting Shazhu, who dares to object?

After returning to the village, the educated youth were all busy. Li and Zhao were responsible for checking the growth of the crops in the fields, while Zhang went to help Uncle Liu in the village repair farm tools.

As Li Zhiqing walked on the ridge of the field, he said to Zhao Zhiqing, "Old Zhao, you said the crops look good. I think we should have a good harvest this year."

Zhao Zhiqing bent down and carefully checked the wheat seedlings, then stood up and patted the dirt off his hands, saying, "Well, it looks OK, but the weather is unpredictable. We have to see if there will be any disasters later. We have to keep a close eye on it and not let the hard work of the past few months go to waste."

As the two were talking, they heard shouting in the distance. It turned out that the children in the village were herding cattle.

Erdan, the leader, shouted loudly: "Li Zhiqing, Zhao Zhiqing, look, are my cows growing strong?"

Li Zhiqing smiled and responded, "Erdan, your cow is really strong. You must have fed it well."

Erdan said proudly: "Of course, I take it to the most fertile grass every day to eat grass, and I also give it clean water to drink."

Zhao Zhiqing walked over, touched the cow's head, and said, "Erdan, you have to take good care of the cow. This cow is the treasure of our village and can help with a lot of farm work."

Erdan patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, Zhao Zhiqing, I will definitely take good care of it."

At this time, the village radio sounded: "Attention, all villagers, there will be a meeting at the brigade tonight. All villagers must attend. There is an important announcement."

Li Zhiqing looked at Zhao Zhiqing and said, "I wonder what important matter is there?"

Zhao Zhiqing shook his head: "Who cares? You'll know when you get there. It's probably not about production, but about some new policies in the village."

In the evening, the villagers came to the brigade headquarters one after another.

The room was full of people, all talking in low voices.

Zhang Zhiqing sat with several other female educated youths. Zhang Zhiqing said softly, "What do you think we are going to talk about today?"

One of the female educated youth said: "I heard from Aunt Wang next door that it seems that a group of people are being organized to go to the county to learn new planting techniques."

Another female educated youth's eyes lit up: "Really? It would be great if I could go and study. Then I can grow better crops in our village when I come back."

After a while, the brigade secretary stood up, cleared his throat and said, "Everyone, please be quiet. I called you all here today because I have two things to say. The first thing is that there is a new policy to organize a group of young and strong villagers to go to the county to learn new planting techniques and come back to drive our village's agricultural production. The second thing is that our village's primary school is short of a few teachers, and I would like to ask if there are any of our educated youth who are willing to help."

As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd became noisy, with everyone discussing the topic one after another.

Li Zhiqing stood up and said, "Secretary, I want to go to the county to learn planting techniques. I think I can bring back new technologies to increase the yield of crops in our village."

Zhao Zhiqing also stood up and said, "Secretary, I want to go too. I have always been interested in agricultural technology and will definitely study hard."

At this time, a girl named Cuilan also stood up and said shyly: "Secretary, I also want to learn technology and contribute to the village."

The secretary smiled and said, "Okay, it's good that everyone has this intention. Then I will take note of you guys and make specific arrangements later."

Then, the Party Secretary asked, "What about our primary school teachers? Are there any educated youth willing to go?"

Zhang Zhiqing hesitated for a moment, then stood up and said, "Secretary, I'd like to try to be a teacher. I've helped tutor the children of my neighbors in the city before, so I think I can do it."

The Party Secretary said happily: "Okay, Xiao Zhang, I'll trouble you with this matter. The children in our village depend on you educated educated youth."

After the meeting, everyone went home one after another.

Li Zhiqing and Zhao Zhiqing were walking on the road, still discussing going to the county to study.

Li Zhiqing said, "Old Zhao, this is a good opportunity. We must study hard and bring back new technologies."

Zhao Zhiqing nodded and said, "That's right. When you come back, we will study it carefully and try to double the grain output of our village."

On the other hand, Zhang Zhiqing returned to the educated youth site and talked with other female educated youth about becoming a teacher.

A female educated youth said: "Xiao Zhang, you are amazing. You actually dare to be a teacher. I don't have that ability."

Zhang Zhiqing smiled and said, "Well, I just want to give it a try. I also want to make some contribution to the village. And I think it should be interesting to be with the children."

The next day, Li Zhiqing, Zhao Zhiqing and Cuilan began to prepare for their studies in the county.

They packed their luggage, took some dry food, and set off early in the morning.

Along the way, Cuilan was a little nervous. She whispered to Li Zhiqing: "Li Zhiqing, I'm a little scared. I'm afraid I won't be able to learn those techniques by then."

Li Zhiqing comforted her, "Cui Lan, don't be afraid. We are all here with the attitude of learning. As long as we study hard, we will definitely learn it. And we have Lao Zhao and I here. We can help each other."

Zhao Zhiqing also said, "Yes, Cuilan, don't worry. When we get to the county, we will see more, ask more, and learn more. There will definitely be no problem."

When they arrived at the learning point in the county, the teacher in charge of training received them warmly.

The teacher said: "Welcome everyone to participate in this planting technology training. I hope everyone can study hard in these few days, bring back new technologies, and contribute to rural production."

Li Zhiqing and the others nodded seriously and began their intensive study.

At the same time, Zhang Zhiqing also began her teaching career in the village primary school.

She walked into the classroom and looked at the little faces full of curiosity and thirst for knowledge, and her heart was filled with a sense of responsibility.

Zhang Zhiqing smiled and said, "Hello, students. I am your new teacher. My last name is Zhang. I will be the one teaching you from now on."

The children said in unison: "Hello, Teacher Zhang."

Zhang Zhiqing looked at the cute children and smiled happily.

She said, "Let's start the class now. Today we will learn some simple Chinese characters."

Under Zhang Zhiqing's patient teaching, the children studied very seriously and the sound of reading aloud could be heard from the classroom from time to time.

As the days passed, Li Zhiqing and his classmates' studies in the county were coming to an end.

They learned a lot of new planting techniques and their hearts were filled with joy.

Li Zhiqing said to Zhao Zhiqing and Cuilan: "Let's go back quickly and teach these techniques to the villagers so that everyone can benefit."

Zhao Zhiqing and Cuilan both nodded in agreement.

After returning to the village, they did not take time to rest and began to teach new planting techniques to the villagers.

Li Zhiqing stood in the field, holding a hoe, and demonstrated while saying: "Look, this new planting method requires digging the pit deeper so that the seeds can take root better."

The villagers gathered around and listened attentively. From time to time, someone asked questions, and Li Zhiqing and Zhao Zhiqing answered them patiently.

Cuilan was also helping out. She said to everyone: “Also, when applying fertilizer, you must pay attention to the amount. It can’t be too much or too little.”

Thanks to their efforts, the villagers have gradually mastered new planting techniques and everyone is looking forward to future harvests.

Zhang Zhiqing became more and more adept at school. The children all liked her very much and she established a deep relationship with them.

In this small village in the 60s, the educated youth used their knowledge and enthusiasm to bring new hope and vitality to the village. Their story continues...