94: Chapter 94 Volunteer Teachers

"All of this is to the credit of Township Head Sun and Party Secretary Xue. We will continue to work hard and lead the 50,000 residents of Mishui Township toward a moderately prosperous life."

"However, our township still faces many difficulties. If the leadership could provide us with a bit more support, education in Mishui Township would reach an even higher level."

Standing nearby, Wang Ling quickly responded to Vice Mayor Wang Pingan's praise, taking the opportunity to ask him for some benefits.

Wang Ling was never a traditionally gentle and magnanimous female official.

Having worked with grassroots citizens for a long time, she had long since developed a brisk and energetic demeanor.

A loud voice, a straightforward personality, and a decisive, swift style were her trademarks.

That was why she felt comfortable asking Vice Mayor Wang Pingan for benefits so directly.

In truth, Wang Ling couldn't stand Vice Mayor Wang Pingan's style.

"It's fine if you come to Mishui Township for an inspection—let's set the stage: you state your scope of investigation, and I will handle my reception duties."

"It's also fine if you keep your itinerary a secret; I'll just assume you want to see the true face of Mishui Township."

"But you came straight to Mingyue Village upon arriving in Mishui Township—who would believe you if you said that was just a coincidence?"

"Furthermore, you don't have any authority over me anymore; the new Party Secretary of Gongfan County is not your person."

This move by Wang Ling put Vice Mayor Wang Pingan in a difficult spot.

If Vice Mayor Wang Pingan didn't make a gesture now, he wouldn't be able to save face.

"Our educational cause requires not only the silent dedication of the vast teaching community but also the diligent efforts of us administrators."

"Mishui Township submitted a report a while ago requesting more volunteer teachers. I will have the Municipal Public Security Bureau handle this matter at their discretion."

So that was what Vice Mayor Wang Pingan was waiting for.

Still, Sun Ning was quite happy about this; Zhongzhou didn't have much, but it certainly had plenty of universities.

If the Zhongzhou City Education Bureau was willing to help Mishui Township recruit volunteer teachers, it would be beneficial for the township's educational cause.

Most of the rural teachers in Mishui Township only had high school diplomas, and some even had only middle school diplomas.

The average age of these people was mostly over forty.

If Mishui Township could attract some energetic college students, it would be a qualitative leap for the township's education.

This was far more cost-effective than the 200,000 or 300,000 yuan in education funds that Vice Mayor Wang Pingan could approve with a stroke of his pen.

Now that Vice Mayor Wang Pingan had said this, the city's volunteer teaching quotas would likely be tilted in favor of Mishui Township.

Sun Ning was accompanying Secretary Wang Shengli in the back. He leaned in and whispered into Secretary Wang Shengli's ear, "Good things always happen when leaders visit, don't they?"

"Look at that happy look on your face."

Secretary Wang Shengli couldn't help but tease him.

Sun Ning was always like this—he possessed great passion for his work, and whenever something was beneficial to the development of Mishui Township, he would throw himself into it with all his might.

Vice Mayor Wang Pingan's promise to solve the volunteer teacher problem was enough to keep Sun Ning happy for a while.

After the group hurriedly finished touring the school, Vice Mayor Wang Pingan kindly greeted all the faculty and staff before finally leaving the school.

The crowd surrounded Secretary Wang Shengli, waiting for the Mayor's next order.

"Officer Xiao Sun, before I transferred away, I heard you were developing a specialty economy here based on cave dwellings."

"Since I'm already here, I can be the first tourist today and experience these unique local customs."

The excuse Vice Mayor Wang Pingan found was quite appropriate; he was playing the role of a tourist today.

Judging by his tone, he was even planning to spend the night here.

In this way, Vice Mayor Wang Pingan's ulterior motives became even more obvious.

Of course, Sun Ning wouldn't dampen his spirits.

Who were the people here today?

Staff from the Zhongzhou Municipal Government, the newspaper office, and the Education Bureau.

Especially the reporters; they prided themselves on having the integrity of scholars and were particularly fond of unique things.

Once the reputation was established, it would be easy for news to spread like wildfire.

Sun Ning treasured every single tourist.

Therefore, he expressed his gratitude to Vice Mayor Wang Pingan with great joy.

"Thank you, leader, for promoting the specialty tourism of our Mishui Township."

"Our Mishui Township will focus on building a specialty cave dwelling project, supplemented by new business models such as cultural sentiments and rustic village life."

"We will also improve public cultural services, such as building a village stage, so that those who love Heyang opera can hum a few lines here in this mountain village."

"We will improve our rural earthen-pot cuisine, filling the air with the aroma of home cooking and giving guests a different experience."

"With all the leaders advertising for our Mishui Township today, I believe the people of Mingyue Village will be very happy."

"It is already noon; let us begin our experience with a meal."

"However, those cave dwellings are in the mountains, and the nearest one is a ten-minute walk away. I ask the leaders to please move!"

He understood the subtext!

Since Vice Mayor Wang Pingan had brought up the cave dwellings, Sun Ning would not hesitate to share! He quickly stepped forward to take over the conversation.

Trying to steal the idea? Go ahead! Even if I let you copy my homework, you wouldn't be able to get a high score!

As for whether having so many people involved constituted public-funded tourism? No one would think that.

This was the leadership inspecting work.

As for who would pay for the expenses? Naturally, the Gongfan County and Mishui Township Governments would pick up the tab.

All those annual entertainment expenses had to be spent, didn't they?

Sun Ning didn't bother with such things; ensuring the common people received tangible benefits was what really mattered.

How much could they possibly spend in Mingyue Village? This was obviously saving money on the township's fiscal expenditures!

Since the leader had already made the arrangements, Sun Ning apologized to Vice Mayor Wang Pingan and walked to the end of the line.

"Tian Lei, organize the best cooks in the village immediately. Get everything ready: earthen-pot stewed chicken, corn cakes, cold noodles with egg and garlic—serve it all up."

"Remember, the taste must be good, the ingredients must be plentiful, and when serving, you must emphasize that the food is purely green and pollution-free."

"Also, have the company staff prepare the ingredients; let them do it themselves in the evening! We won't need to do the cooking."

"And clean up all the cave dwellings in Mingyue Village so the leaders can rest there at noon!"

Even though it was said to be 'doing it themselves,' in reality, the village people still had to prepare the leaders' meals.

Did you expect those leaders, who had never lifted a finger in their lives, to actually cook? Don't be ridiculous!

They even had their secretaries prepare warm water at the perfect temperature just for them to drink.

Upon hearing Sun Ning's instructions, Tian Lei hurried toward the village committee.

In fact, Director Zhou Qiang had already arranged this matter.

Because it was obvious that this lunch needed to be eaten in Mingyue Village, and as the Director of the Party and Government Office, he had to handle such small matters properly!

However, Director Zhou Qiang had arranged to host the leaders at the village committee office, and after they were wined and dined, he planned to let them rest a while before inspecting the cave dwelling project.

Now that he had Sun Ning's direct instructions, Village Party Secretary Tian Lei would naturally act according to them.

Sun Ning turned back and personally led the group up the mountain.

Along the way, Sun Ning acted as a guide, explaining the local customs and practices to Vice Mayor Wang Pingan.

In reality, Vice Mayor Wang Pingan was from Gongfan County, but that didn't stop Sun Ning from going through the motions.

Otherwise, the reporters from Zhongzhou City and Gongfan County, as well as the staff from the Propaganda Department following behind, wouldn't have any material to work with.

"Mayor, this road is the path from Mingyue Village into the mountains. We have simply paved it, but that doesn't prevent it from retaining the feeling of a country trail."

To put it bluntly, it was a cement road that didn't look like a cement road, but the cement road had to look as if it weren't that smooth.