Back then, owning a bicycle was a symbol of status. Although Jin Enhua was riding a half-new and half-old Phoenix bicycle, many passersby who woke up early on Moon River Street cast envious glances at him. On the surface of Moon River, those who owned a bicycle were either government officials or workers.
The narrow and dilapidated Yuehe Street looked old and quiet. It started from the river port by the Yuehe River that meandered from the county town. It was just across the river from the county's Red Flag Porcelain Factory. A mottled and dark stone bridge spanned across the two banks of the Yuehe River. At the end of it was a large playground. Beside it was Yuehe Middle School and Yuehe Central Primary School. The large playground was both a place for middle and primary schools to gather and exercise. It was also the place where hawkers and small merchants set up stalls on Yuehe Street Market Day on the fourth and ninth days of the lunar calendar. It was still the farmers 'grain-sunning field during the busy farming season. On the other side, a few hundred meters long dirt road passed through the paddy fields and connected to the largest granary on the Moon River Plain. Moon River Granary. Opposite the middle school was a row of two-story stone houses facing east. It was the Yuehe credit union and the Yuehe post office. Between the credit union and the post office was an old alley that was only three meters wide. A few signs were hung at the entrance of the alley, and Jin Enhua would be working and living in the alley.
Jin Enhua got out of the car at the entrance of the alley where a few old and worn-out signs were hanging. He glanced at them and thought to himself,'If the old doesn't go, the new won't come. These signs that have been exposed to the wind and rain should be replaced long ago.'
The noise coming from the alley interrupted his train of thought. He quickly pushed the cart into the alley. It was only six in the morning. When did the people of Moon River, who had always been lazy and comfortable, become so hardworking?
The township government was now the name of the community. It used to be the old residence of a landlord surnamed Jin. After decades of changes, other than the common Camphor trees, Willow trees, and Metasequoia trees that were easy to grow in the water plains, there was no longer any trace of the past. On both sides were two rows of bungalows built against the walls. The main building was a two-story wooden brick flat-roofed building. In the middle was a playground with trees growing. At this moment, it was occupied by a large group of people.
Jin Enhua estimated that there were at least forty to fifty people in the crowd, but he could not tell who was behind them. Strange, his luck was really bad. Someone was causing trouble on the first day of his appointment. The crowd was surrounding Secretary Liu Zhanggui and a chubby young man. Xiao Lanhui, the director of the women's department whom he had met yesterday, was also there. Of course, he recognized Old Liu. Old Liu had been stationed in the village's small river brigade for decades and was good friends with his grandfather. Everyone in the village called him Old Liu. After he got into university, he was the one who handled the household registration and food customs procedures. He had long made plans to take office in Yuehe. Old Liu should be the first person he could use. With a glance, he said, Old Liu was really old.
Teachers, please listen to me, please listen to me. Old Liu, who was sweating profusely, waved his hands and bowed repeatedly. He tried his best to shout at the highest volume, Teachers, teachers, today is the day the new township head takes office. I promise that when the new township head arrives, I will definitely report your problems to him at the first possible moment. I guarantee that your problems will be solved.
The teachers slowly quieted down, but they were all looking at Old Liu and the fat young man silently. They had no intention of leaving.
Jin Enhua parked his bicycle, took a yellow military satchel from the back rack, and slung it over his shoulder. He walked through the crowd to Old Liu.
Sigh, you finally…Old Liu slapped his own mouth in surprise and grabbed Jin Enhua's hand. He turned around and shouted," Teachers, this is our newly appointed Yuehe township's first township head, the deputy secretary of the township party committee, Comrade Jin Enhua.
There was a commotion in the crowd. Jin Enhua handed his bag to Xiao Lanhui and turned to face the teachers. He recognized his former homeroom teacher, the white-haired Principal Sun Yuqing, at a glance. He hurriedly stepped forward to hold the teacher's hand and bowed to him. Teacher Sun, are you alright? I'm Kim Eun-Hwa.
With tears in his eyes, Principal Sun caressed Jin Enhua's hand and said excitedly," Alright, so it's you, Enhua…Ah, no, Village Chief Jin, I haven't seen you in eight years.
Jin Enhua smiled and shook hands with the teachers in front of him. He did not forget to greet the teachers he was familiar with.
When he saw his third uncle, Jin Zeren, standing there, he was stunned for a moment before he reached out his hand." Yo, Third Uncle, you're here too.
Jin Zeren, who was slightly plump, smiled awkwardly. His face was a little hot as he called out to Enhua, but he pulled her to the willow tree behind Old Liu in a panic.
Jin Enhua deliberately pulled a long face and sneered in a low voice." Alright, Third Uncle, what a show of strength. It's my first day in office, and even you're here to cause trouble for me. Aren't you deliberately trying to hit me? I'll tell Grandpa and see how he'll deal with you.
Jin Zeren said aggrievedly," Please don't. How would I know that you're the township head? Besides, everyone is here. How can I not come?"
Tell me, what happened? Jin Enhua asked with a dark expression while waving at Liu Zhanggui.
Jin Zeren looked at the crowd behind him and said truthfully," The situation is like this. We private teachers haven't been paid for three months, and the public teachers haven't been paid for two months. You know, everyone's family is counting on this little money. How can we not be anxious? Principal Sun had come many times but didn't see any money, nor did he see a leader who could make decisions. Sigh, he really had no choice. When he heard that there was a new leader, he discussed collectively coming to the community to reflect.
Liu Zhanggui, who had already walked to Jin Zeren's side, nodded silently at Jin Eunhwa.
Jin Enhua frowned and said," It's like this. Why did you choose to come today? Aren't the teachers going to teach?"
Jin Zeren was also taken aback.'I'm curious too. He suddenly said he was coming. Enhua, are you suspecting that it's…'
A strange smile flashed across Jin Enhua's face as he thought," Alright, someone is deliberately causing trouble. However, there's no time to think about it now. It's almost time to go to work. Let's solve the problem at hand first. Otherwise, if word gets out, it will damage my " reputation."
He thought for a moment and quickly walked back to the teachers.
Jin Enhua bent down and bowed." My name is Jin Eun-Hwa. I studied at Central Primary School for two years and then at Moon River Middle School for two years. As the saying goes, a teacher for a day is a father for life. Although I've been away for eight years, I'm forever grateful to the teachers for their education and training. Without their teachings, I wouldn't be where I am today. I'm sincerely grateful to all of you.
Principal Sun grabbed Jin Enhua's hand and exclaimed excitedly," Village Chief Jin.
I hope that everyone will call me by my name in the future, because I will always be your student. Here, on behalf of the new Yuehe township party committee and township people's government, I sincerely thank you for your hard work, because you are the greatest hope for our Yuehe township to get rid of poverty and backwardness. Thank you.
Jin Enhua said in an emotional tone and bowed again.
Principal Sun took the lead in clapping. The teachers present were deeply affected and followed by a warm applause.
Jin Enhua continued," Teachers, I already know what you want to report. I fully understand and support your actions. If I were one of you, I would do the same. Therefore, I am here to express my stance. The township party committee and township government guarantee that your problem will be solved within a week. If I break my promise, then I support everyone to report the problem to the county party committee and county government. I am here to make a promise to everyone. As long as I am here, I will not allow such a thing to happen again. If the teachers are satisfied with my answer, I would like to ask the teachers to give me another round of applause.
At this moment, the applause was even more enthusiastic, and there was naturally a satisfied laugh.
Jin Eun-hwa gestured for him to stop and immediately raised his right hand like a primary school student. He smiled and said," Dear teachers, I have a small request. I wonder if the teachers will agree to it?
The township government compound was suddenly silent. Everyone wanted to hear what his request was.
Kim Eun-hwa smiled mischievously and said," This is a student's request. The teachers have to agree to it first. Do you dare to agree?"
Principal Sun smiled without hesitation and said,"I agree."
The teachers also shouted in unison,"I agree."
Jin Enhua chuckled and said," Alright, thank you, teachers. I'm not afraid that you will laugh at me. I'm very excited today. It's my first day as an official, and it's my first time getting on a palanquin like a lady. Therefore, I got up in the morning and went to work without eating. When I passed by the street just now, I saw the steamed bun shop owned by my classmate Huang Sichun's family from afar. I thought of the time when I went to school hungry. I was so hungry that I secretly ate two steamed buns from Principal Sun.
The teachers burst into laughter.
Jin Enhua continued," Therefore, I owe Principal Sun a breakfast. I have a job today, so I should pay you back double. I know that the teachers haven't had breakfast yet, so I'll treat you to this morning's meal. Huang Sichun's steamed buns are white and fragrant, and they're quite famous in the six counties of Tianzhou. Consider it my teacher appreciation banquet. I sincerely hope that the teachers can keep their promise."
The teachers burst into laughter. Principal Sun pointed at Jin Enhua as if he was seeing the mischievous brat from eight years ago again.
Jin Enhua turned around and pointed at the fat young man who had been standing beside him." Old Liu, who is this?
Liu Zhanggui introduced,"This is Secretary Luo, Luo Jidong."
Luo Jidong quickly said,"Hello, Village Head Jin."
Third Uncle, come here for a moment. Jin Enhua shouted and held Luo Jidong's hand." Comrade Luo Jidong, please bring the teachers with you and my third uncle to find Huang Li Chun immediately. Just tell them that I've already told them that I'll be taking care of the teachers 'breakfast today.
I'll go right away. Luo Jidong nodded and turned around to greet the teachers.
Principal Sun held Jin Enhua's hand and said with a misty look in his eyes," Enhua, no, township head, thank you. You must come to the school for a walk.
Jin Enhua smiled and said," Teacher Sun, if you call me township head again, I won't go. Please bring the teachers over quickly. I'll definitely visit everyone at school when I'm free."
Principal Sun wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes as he repeatedly said yes. Many teachers took the initiative to shake hands with Jin Enhua, making him busy for a while.
Looking at the backs of the teachers, Liu Zhanggui wiped the sweat off his face and let out a long breath. Enhua, thank goodness you came.
Jin Enhua pulled a long face and said,"Old Liu, remember to call me township head in public."
Liu Zhanggui looked at Xiao Lanhui and laughed," Are you trying to be cocky with me?
Xiao Lanhui said softly," Village Chief Jin, your office and accommodation have been arranged.
Thank you, Director Xiao. Suddenly, Jin Enhua frowned and shouted," Not good.
What's wrong? Liu Zhanggui asked with concern.
Jin Eun-hwa smiled strangely,'I woke up too early today, so I haven't finished my preparations yet.'
Jin Enhua asked for the direction of the toilet and shouted as he ran," Old Liu, the first task is to quickly send a few pieces of toilet paper to this township head.
This kid. Liu Zhanggui scolded with a smile. Xiao Lanhui watched Jin Enhua's back as a faint smile appeared on his pale face.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]