Chapter 005: A Guidebook of the Nine Yin Manual Level

However, when talking to my biological father, I can be detailed to the extent of saying, "I believe it is highly likely to resume this year"

The next day when going to school, the father trustingly gave Gu Ao a total of 10 yuan as pocket money.

Gu Chao knew about this set of books because it is so famous. Decades later, it was featured in the television series "Deng Weiren in the Turning Point of History" as an important plot point in the storyline of "the restoration of the college entrance examination"

In the week that followed, everything was very calm

Fine, I will trust you this once. Now, go ahead and cook the meat. We will talk after we finish eating

Gu Chao was not particularly proud of the report; it was all within his expectations. The only thing that could excite him was the prospect of having a meat meal this week

The educated youth who formed a bond on the front line later leveraged this good result to successfully return to their hometown, enrolled in Jiaotong University, and eventually became a renowned professor couple at the university.

Since you are so confident about resuming your studies, even if you go to the countryside, you must truly focus on your studies. Think about what books and materials you need for the exams, and find a way to inquire about them yourself; I will give you the money to buy them! Alas, in this day and age, the only thing you can buy without a ticket is books; if you have money, you can buy them. When you deliver meat to your sister next week, bring her a set as well, and share your thoughts with her. Encourage her to earn fewer work points and study more; after all, she has genuinely completed high school, and she is more likely to be confident about the exams than you are. With determination, who knows, we might really have a college student in our family... However, you must ensure that she keeps this confidential; no one can know. When you deliver meat to your sister next week, bring her a set as well, and share your thoughts with her. Encourage her to earn fewer work points and study more; after all, she has genuinely completed high school, and she is more likely to be confident about the exams than you are. With determination, who knows, we might really have a college student in our family... However, you must ensure that she keeps this confidential; no one can know. Spreading rumors about central policies is a serious offense.

When compared horizontally with society, there are actually not many. There are many families with three or four children, and they also have to rely on just a few dozen yuan to support them

He held back for a full week before finally seizing this opportunity today

As many as dozens of sheets

One must find a way to turn the money at home into something edible. In just a few years, the purchasing power of the Renminbi is bound to depreciate, so if this little amount of money is not spent to improve life, saving it would be a waste

When Gu Aogang first crossed over, he thought that his father was short on money because he had to support two children.

After closing the door, the old man opened his bag like a treasure and pulled out a stack of "Great Unity"

If the old man is willing to believe him, then the most crucial step will have been taken

In a television drama, there is a storyline based on a true event, which mentions that in a certain prefecture-level city in Anhui Province, after the college entrance examination results were released that year, 4 out of the top 20 students were educated youth sent down from Shanghai.

My mother always managed to exchange money for various tickets with neighbors who had none, or to buy expensive meat in the black market

However, after observing for a while, he realized that it was not the case

A Phoenix brand bicycle is equivalent to half a year's salary for others, yet Ge Ao can ride his father's bicycle every month to deliver a can of meat to his sister—this is already comparable to driving a Passat to deliver "Ele.me" 30 years later

Now that he has money, he must first spare no expense to obtain the "Nine Yin Manual"

However, if one wishes to self-study for the college entrance examination, such a budget is indeed necessary

It is either brown rice or solid steamed buns from the cafeteria, along with vegetables that are lacking in oil and moisture

The final sentence played a crucial role

In front of other close relatives and friends, Gu Ao would say at most, "I think it is possible that the exams will be reinstated."

This is a substantial sum, equivalent to half a year's salary of an apprentice

That day, when my father was discussing matters with Director Qin, he was smoking a Daqianmen cigarette

Even if a few educated youth manage to find this set of books at the recycling station, they still have to spend seventy to eighty cents per volume, asking the scrap collectors for a buyback.

After all, over the years, my father has only been able to work; asking him to write technical proposals or even papers is beyond his capabilities

The shock reaction of the old man upon hearing it was even greater than that of Teacher Yang: "You little good-for-nothing! Just a little snack and you don't want to study anymore! I'll beat you to death!"

Under a planned economy, scarce items must be obtained with tickets

The old man exclaimed excitedly: "Wow, keep your voice down, there are a total of 400 yuan here, which is more than three months' salary! This is a bonus issued by Director Qin! The report you helped me with has been reviewed by the special commissioner from the department, and they thought it was good. They have already taken the train back to Beijing today. In the future, we will need funding, equipment, and journals, all of which will be coordinated from above. I even secretly bought half a jin of expensive meat on the black market; let's have a nice meal!" They have already taken the train back to Beijing today. In the future, we will need funding, equipment, and journals, all of which will be coordinated from above. I even secretly bought half a jin of expensive meat on the black market; let's have a nice meal!

Because he believes that his biological father would not betray him, even if the prophecy is accurate, there is no risk of being sliced for research.

Another day after school, Gu Ao thought to himself while reading at home and waiting for dinner

... ...

Then he spoke up: "Dad, I have something I want to tell you..."

The impulsive father was finally persuaded with great difficulty, pacing back and forth anxiously, and interrogated: "Tell me, on what basis do you make your judgment?"

Therefore, the Gu family has not eaten meat for two years, not because they lack money, but because they lack tickets

In the presence of his father, his only advantage is that he can say more things that cannot be spoken in front of Teacher Yang and Ma Feng

Those who possess this set of books can score 100 points more in total across the three subjects of mathematics, physics, and chemistry compared to others, making competition futile

Unfortunately, Gu Jia later became like a startled bird, fearing that others would say his ideological awareness was lacking. For several years, his father did not dare to buy meat from the black market, afraid of being seen and having a handle on him.

It seems that my abilities have finally been proven, and my father is in a good mood today... It should be relatively easy to get through by telling him that Teacher Yang did not recommend me for further studies...

Gu Chao certainly had to lend a hand, after all, he had read so many books in his previous life, and he had at least written some papers. His writing skills were far better than his father's, who only had a middle school education, and he was also more familiar with the technical background.

How could someone who can afford several dimes for a pack of Da Qianmen be short on money

In this era, there are no hundred-yuan bills; the largest denomination of currency is the 10-yuan "Great Unity" note

At that moment, the door of the courtyard opened with a loud "bang"

After returning home in the evening, my father works late into the night, laboriously preparing the technical proposal report intended for the central commissioner. Occasionally, he also asks Gu Ao for suggestions to help organize the text.

The only commonality among these 4 Hujiang educated youth is that each of them possesses a set of "Self-Study Series on Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry" brought from their hometown of Hujiang

In the recent days of communication with his father, Gu Ao gradually recalled that before his mother had "drawn a clear line" with the family, she was actually quite adept at "speculating and profiting" in managing household affairs

This is what led to my father only choosing the best when buying things—after all, with only 5 packs of cigarettes a month, any extra money has nothing to be spent on, so if he is to smoke, he might as well smoke Da Qian Men.

Moreover, with the previous example of having a pleasant conversation with Director Qin, my father's confidence in our self-learning ability should have increased several levels, right

"Dad, don't worry, I know how to handle it." Gu Ao replied calmly, while calculating in his mind:

Gu Chao leaned out of the window to take a look, and indeed, it was his father who had returned

For instance, the most authoritative self-study textbooks for high school science currently are titled "Self-Study Series on Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry," consisting of a total of 10 volumes. Each new volume costs 2 yuan, and purchasing the entire set would require spending more than half a month's salary of a level three worker.

Life is lived in a state of simplicity and modesty

The old man has just gained tremendous benefits, and naturally, he tends to believe in the omnipotence of foreigners in matters of emotion

There are indeed some English books in the city library. The old man does not understand English and is unaware of the specific content, but he cannot fathom what other sources of information Gu Ao might have, so he chooses to believe it.

After finishing all the meat, the old man did not forget to gnaw on the broken pig bones, sucking out the marrow. While sucking, he instructed Gu Ao:

Two hours later, the half a jin of braised pork was completely devoured by the father and son, leaving even the oil broth wiped clean with rice

Perhaps this is the trust that Gu Ao earned by helping him resolve the technical approach for the helium production machine and dealing with the special commissioner from the department

Fortunately, Gu Ao was well-prepared. While waving his hand to shield his face, he spoke rapidly, "Dad, let me explain. I believe there is a strong possibility that the college entrance examination will resume this year! Becoming a sent-down youth is a shortcut!"

In a situation where everyone is inadequately prepared and rushed to the examination room at the last minute, the difference between having a study guide and not having one is naturally immense

He spoke while starting to unbuckle his belt

When Gu Ao watched this scene in a television drama in his previous life, he secretly sighed: How can this be the "Self-Study Series on Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry"? It is clearly the "Nine Yin Manual"!

Regarding how to spend money, my father has only one piece of advice: for anything that is needed for studying or exams, feel free to spend up to this limit of 100 yuan

The old man almost shouted when he saw Gu Ao, but in the end, he held it back. His hand was clenched tightly, with veins visible from a distance, as he firmly held onto the slanted shoulder bag. He hurriedly ran up the wooden stairs, causing the floorboards to creak under his weight

Then, he repeated to his father what he had previously said to Teacher Yang.

Gu Chao attends classes every day, focusing on his own English studies

Gu Chao did not wish to explain anything; let the results speak for themselves

In this era, the lowest part-time wage in the city is 8 yuan per month (working only three to four hours a day) — for example, some high school students work part-time as lifeguards at several swimming pools in the city after school in the afternoon; or they sign up at the traffic police team to work as anti-pickpocket personnel on buses, all earning 8 yuan.

Moreover, Gu Ao felt that his family had a large population, but this was merely an illusion caused by his accustomed perspective of the 21st century

... ...

Most of the primary earners in their 30s in society earn only about 30 to 40 yuan a month

However, the old man was unaware of his son's shrewdness and still reminded him: "Do not flaunt your wealth! Earning a few hundred dollars just by writing technical proposals is too conspicuous. Be careful not to speak carelessly, or you might get reported for being 'white-collar'!"

Gu Ao's father is a level 8 fitter and also serves as the head of the technical department in the factory, thus earning a salary of 120 yuan, which is equivalent to the combined income of three individuals in other companies

Among these 4 individuals, there is also a girl who, upon receiving the news about the restoration of the college entrance examination, learned that another boy had a set of tutoring books. She decisively became his girlfriend and thus shared the martial arts secrets.

For all full-time employees, even apprentices and auxiliary police, the minimum starting wage is 16 yuan, increasing to 24 yuan upon regularization. Beyond that, the salary increases by 8 yuan for each level and 4.5 yuan for each half-level, with raises based on skills, years of service, and performance

Gu Chaosong let out a sigh of relief and quickly recommended, "Ancient emperors also showed mercy to attract people's hearts, so why not take a gamble on this opportunity? Moreover, I visited the city library and read several English journals, which included analyses related to sociology. Many foreign economists have said the same thing—you know how formidable those foreigners are, right? You managed to handle the last incident precisely by following the foresight of those foreign scholars!"

The reason for this situation is that the examination in 1977 was organized too hastily, and many provinces' science examination question setters did not have a syllabus, instead directly referencing this set of study materials to formulate the questions

It is evident that in the eyes of the father, Gu Min, who has indeed studied for more than a year in high school, has a better academic future than Gu Ao

Although books are one of the few things today that can be purchased without a ticket and solely with money, the price of books is, in comparison to people's income, exceedingly high