A genius? I just love studying.

Chapter 331 Cultural Workers Must Have Culture

America, Wilson, and a dozen other members of parliament were also watching China's evening news broadcast.

Seeing those science fiction-like images on the screen, he felt a sharp pain in his heart, and the faces of the assembled councilors were all pale.

It is indeed a good thing that Earth's civilization is rushing into interstellar space, but what makes him uncomfortable is that this matter has nothing to do with him.

The stars and the sea!
It is believed that no human on Earth would remain unmoved by this, to the point that seeing China's actions in recent years has made even the idea of ​​ruling and dominating Earth seem utterly meaningless.

Having witnessed the beauty of the stars and the sea, this tiny planet Earth truly seems like a useless commodity.

What angered him most was that even Germany, which used to follow them around, and some other insignificant countries whose names didn't even deserve to appear before him, had started to make a living from the starry sky alongside China. On the contrary, they were still trapped in the cage of Earth. How could he, who was used to being a hegemon, tolerate this?

We absolutely have to do something!

One of the councilors slammed his fist on the table in anger and stood up.

"what can you do?"

"The reason we are able to sit here now is because China is busy developing the space network. If we dare to do something that attracts their attention, they will slap us to death."

Another councilor gave the young man a cold look, as if he were an idiot.

It was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over everyone's heads, and the atmosphere in the entire conference room plummeted to freezing point, with only the sound of the China News Network echoing in the room.

……

The evening news broadcast was still unremarkable, but it has become a tradition for Chinese people during the Spring Festival. Even if they don't watch it, they will still leave the TV on and let it play on its own.

This year, however, there were many new things, especially the performance of the Shui Diao Ge Tou dance by the Moon Palace Base, which brought the Spring Festival Gala to a climax. The scene that the ancients imagined has now become a reality.

For the average person, the world is truly changing every single day.

This must be the year Chen Hui has watched the Spring Festival Gala most attentively in recent years.

As the clock struck midnight, everyone wished each other a Happy New Year. Chen Hui gave the two little ones red envelopes and gifts, and then everyone started washing up and getting ready for bed.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Chen Hui visited Teacher An and Principal Zhao as usual.

Chen Hui had visited Teacher An's house several times, but he had never seen Teacher An's child. It seemed that Teacher An had some unspeakable difficulties.

Zhao Defeng's family, on the other hand, has both a son and a daughter. When Chen Hui arrived, the two little ones stared at him with wide eyes, curious about what was so special about this older brother who made his father turn down all social engagements and stay at home.

Then they discovered that it was the great scientist that their classmates often talked about, and the two kids immediately got excited and wanted to play with Chen Hui.

Zhao Defeng never expected that the little guy from back then would grow up to this extent. In order to welcome Chen Hui's arrival, he canceled all his social engagements for the day and waited for Chen Hui at home.

"Stay for a casual meal?"

After chatting for more than ten minutes, when Chen Hui was about to leave, Zhao Defeng, as usual, tried to persuade him to stay.

"I won't have a simple meal; let me treat the teachers to a meal instead."

Chen Hui said with a smile that in addition to Zhao Defeng, Teacher An was naturally indispensable, and he also invited Li Hai and Liang Peixuan, who were at home during the winter vacation, to join him.

A meal where both guest and host enjoy themselves.

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, I went back to my hometown again. This time, not only the village secretary, but even the county head was waiting at the village entrance. All the villagers stood at the village entrance to watch the excitement.

"The Chen family has really made something of themselves!"

"I watched Chen Hui grow up; he's been smart since he was little!"

Chen Hui was both amused and exasperated. He didn't remember being particularly smart as a child; he only knew that he was a notorious underachiever in his class during junior high.

"It's a pity that Old Chen and his wife were unlucky; they passed away too early and didn't get to enjoy any of the good fortune they had. Instead, Li Tianhua benefited..."

"Shut up! Back when Xiaohui was sick, Tianhua went bankrupt trying to pay for his treatment. When he borrowed money from everyone, you were the only one who hesitated and only gave him three hundred yuan. Tianhua shouldn't have gotten it so easily, why should you? You're still not satisfied?"

After paying respects to his parents, Chen Hui did not stay in the village for long.

After that, Chen Hui still read papers every day, but he would also take the two little ones out to play and eat some good food. He also bought a small villa in Luhu next door. The two little ones have grown up now, and Qingshan has been sleeping in the living room for a long time, just like Chen Hui back then.

This two-bedroom apartment in Qingfeng Times City is indeed not enough.

During his visit, Chen Hui also went to the Second Middle School and found that the archway at the school gate had been expanded to a much larger size. It had even become a tourist attraction, with many people coming to take photos even during the Spring Festival. Tourists are not allowed to come here during regular school days.

On the seventeenth day of the first lunar month, after attending Li Qingrui's parent-teacher meeting, Chen Hui flew to Beijing.

He had already resigned from his position as a professor at Jiangcheng University, and Professor Qian arranged a research room for him in Beijing. Now he is considered an independent researcher.

Speaking of Jiangcheng University, it is said that after that incident a few years ago, huge conflicts arose within its arts and sciences departments, and it has now split into two universities: Jiangcheng University of Science and Technology and Jiangcheng University.

However, none of this has much to do with Chen Hui anymore.

On the second day after Chen Hui arrived in Beijing, Mr. Qian came to visit him in person.

Are you satisfied with your stay here?

Mr. Qian asked with a smile, "Now that Nirvana No. 1 has been launched with good results, and the clinical trials of Immortality No. 1 have also shown remarkable effects, I really like Chen Hui more and more now."

If his granddaughter weren't so young, he would have loved to marry her off to Chen Hui.

"Apart from being a bit empty, everything is fine."

Although the location is a bit remote, the entire park belongs to him, so what could he possibly be dissatisfied with?

"It's a bit empty, but as long as you're willing, you can recruit the nation's top experts anytime. The government will provide ample funding, so you can go ahead and do it with confidence." Boss Qian patted his chest and made a promise. With Chen Hui's current reputation, he naturally wouldn't have trouble recruiting people.

After strolling around the park for a while, Mr. Qian suddenly asked in a serious tone, "The National Conference of Educators will be held in a few days. Do you have any good suggestions?"

"As you know, there were quite a few incidents in the past few years, it was really outrageous."

Education is the foundation of a nation, and Qian Xuesen always attached great importance to it.

Chen Hui understood. "You mean that matter, right?"

“I think that in the past our education mainly focused on cultivating talent, which has been very successful, but we have neglected to shape children’s character.”

Over the years, Chen Hui has experienced and seen a lot, and naturally he has this kind of insight, especially in recent years, when many absurd things seem to have happened.

Mr. Qian smiled wryly, “We also want to shape character, but it’s not that easy!”

Could you elaborate?

Chen Hui suddenly realized why a busy man like Qian Lao would make a special trip to visit him; it turned out he had come to ask for advice.

He readily agreed, and after a moment's thought, said, "Perhaps we can add some necessary practical experience to the graduation requirements. For example, liberal arts students who want to graduate must first go to the grassroots level for training."

Mr. Qian shook his head, somewhat disappointed. "Now, internships are a must for students to graduate, but they don't have a very good effect. Even if they are sent to internships, it's just that they are working in advance. It doesn't improve the situation for liberal arts students who have already entered the workforce."

"No, I'm not talking about a perfunctory internship, nor is it an internship where you start working before you actually start. I'm talking about going to the real grassroots level, farming, raising pigs, carrying bricks on construction sites, and tightening screws in factories..."

Chen Hui had clearly thought about this beforehand, and answered fluently, "And the internship period should also be extended, at least six months, or even a year!"

After a moment of silence, Mr. Qian said, "This strategy is also recorded in historical books, but it was not very effective at the time."

"Times change."

This time it was Chen Hui's turn to shake his head. "Besides, how many of today's great writers came from that era? Are there still people today who can write those profound works?"

"Only by experiencing hardship can one understand the value of a privileged environment. The hardships they endure in practice will become their strongest anchor, enabling them to withstand any adversity with a steadfast heart."

"Many children today are not bad; they are just exposed to the wrong things. Let them experience things firsthand, and they will understand."

Mr. Qian nodded. Many of them had gone through this process, but they had overlooked the importance of labor. Often, many truths are naturally understood through labor.

Old Qian muttered to himself, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.

He walked back and forth along the park's path with his hands behind his back, the snow crunching softly under his feet.

Chen Hui's suggestion was not a baseless castle in the air, but rather deeply touched the long-lost sense of identification in his heart.

Who among his generation didn't toil and struggle in the fields and factory workshops?

Those experiences tempered my body and refined my character.

“Farming, raising pigs, carrying bricks, screwing screws…” Old Qian stopped and repeated Chen Hui’s words, his tone filled with a complex emotion, “It sounds rustic, but it is the real foundation.”

What young people today, especially liberal arts students who love to talk theory, lack is this down-to-earth foundation!
The grand principles in books, without the nourishment of earthy sweat and toil, are ultimately superficial and untenable.

“That’s right.” Chen Hui nodded. He saw the resonance in Qian’s eyes. “This is not punishment, but remedial teaching, so that they can understand the hardships of life, experience the sense of accomplishment in creating value, and feel the most genuine connection between people through the most basic and real labor.”

Chen Hui knew that Qian Lao understood his meaning, so he continued, "Only by carrying a load on your shoulders and having calluses on your fingers can you truly understand the weight of every grain of rice being hard-earned, and comprehend the greatness and hardship of ordinary laborers. This understanding will become the most solid foundation of their values!"
So that when they later pick up a pen, hold a microphone, or assume a management position, they won't be out of touch with reality and say or do absurd things like "Why don't they eat cake?"

Chen Hui paused, then added: "The culture of cultural workers is not just book knowledge, but also includes a profound understanding and reverence for society, life, and the people. Otherwise, mere knowledge will only turn them into sophisticated egoists, or even a source of chaos."

Grassroots practice is the most direct way to instill this cultural foundation in them.

"Do you think six months would be enough time?" Old Qian pondered, clearly seriously considering the feasibility.

"At least six months, a complete farming season, or the construction period of a project, all require time to immerse oneself in in order to truly appreciate the joys and sorrows. A superficial, fleeting experience of life is meaningless."

"A year is ideal, allowing you to experience the complete cycle of the four seasons, witness the entire process of sowing, cultivating, and harvesting, and feel the cyclical nature and resilience of life," Chen Hui said firmly. "Of course, specific positions and times can be scientifically arranged, but the core must be genuine, in-depth, and long-term participation, and it must be a strictly assessed requirement for graduation, not an optional elective."

Old Qian let out a long breath, white mist rising in the winter air. He patted Chen Hui on the shoulder, a relieved smile on his face. "Good! Well said! Times have changed."

The current conditions, logistical support, and our determination are far superior to what they were back then. This proposal is well-founded, insightful, and hits the nail on the head!
I will take it back and make it one of the core topics of the educators' conference, so that everyone can discuss and improve it.

He looked up at the somewhat empty but promising group of buildings in the park and exclaimed, "It seems that coming here today was really the right decision."

Chen Hui, your mind isn't just filled with grand ideas; the fundamental issue of education also needs your wisdom to solidify it. Only wisdom like yours can pinpoint the most fundamental problems.

Chen Hui smiled and said, "These are just some basic ideas, but I hope they can be of some use."

"It's very useful!" Old Qian nodded vigorously. "Alright, I won't take up too much of your time. You've just settled in, so take your time to familiarize yourself with the environment. I'll let you know when the meeting results are in a few days."

"If you need anything, just let me know. The country supports you; this isn't just empty talk."

"Thank you, Mr. Qian." Chen Hui watched Mr. Qian's car drive away.

The park quieted down again, and the crisp air made his mind exceptionally clear. Chen Hui turned and walked towards his research building.

He pushed open the heavy door, and his footsteps echoed in the empty hall. He stood in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, outside of which was a well-planned but still uninhabited park.

“Character building, spiritual anchor…” he murmured to himself.

Solving the technological challenges of humankind's journey to the stars is certainly exciting, but how can we ensure that the core spirit of human civilization is not lost or corrupted on this voyage to the stars? How can we ensure that everyone basking in the glory of science and technology can become a normal person with roots, a soul, and warmth?

“Education is perhaps a more fundamental and long-term endeavor than any cutting-edge technology.” Chen Hui’s gaze drifted into the distance, as if piercing through the bustling city of Beijing and reaching the vast rural fields and the roaring factory workshops… A new research direction seemed to be quietly sprouting in his heart.

(End of this chapter)