Chapter 2, Alternative Recruitment

In a further corner, there is an old man hunched over, pitifully selecting candidates. Compared to the previous few ministries, the number of candidates he selects is significantly greater.

Wang Ting, dressed in a green military uniform, grew up in a military compound and aspired to join the Ministry of Public Security. He did not need anyone's assistance; he simply flipped through the phone directory to find the contact information for the Ministry of Public Security. After making a phone call, he introduced himself, saying, "I am Wang Ting from the Chinese Department of Peking University..." and secured the job without any rejection, not even a pretext of "let's consider it."

"Whether returning to my hometown, building my hometown, or beautifying my hometown." Zhu Kai leaned against the wall writing poetry and immediately echoed their words upon hearing them.

Wang Ting said a few more words, and seeing his resolute attitude, he sighed and said: "Let's first go to the student office to take a look. If that doesn't work, we can contact other organizations."

Then you should hurry and contact the organization. If the assigned unit is not ideal, making changes could be troublesome. Wang Ting said as he picked up his clothes from the bed, putting them on while continuing, We should go to the student office now. I heard that several organizations are coming to review the files today. With your talents from Su City, I am sure you can succeed by recommending yourself.

This is the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both vying for a university graduate

The walls of the blue bricks are already mottled, yet the lighting is excellent; through the window made up of 8 pieces of glass, the indoor light is by no means inferior to the grand buildings of later generations.

Su Cheng held onto Wang Ting and said helplessly, "Is it possible not to engage in professionalism?"

"I cannot argue with you, so I will take this student." The teacher in a white shirt picked up a resume, waved it in the air without showing it to anyone, and said to the teacher from the student office, "Could you please register this for Class 2 of English"

"How many years do you want to use them first? That would be like a meat bun thrown to a dog, which is unacceptable. This student is mine to keep. The Communist Youth League is an assistant and reserve force of the Party. Once we have trained them well, we will send them to you."

What surprised him even more was what followed. A student from a rural area in Hubei, who hoped to apply his knowledge to help his fellow villagers upon returning home, was unexpectedly informed that there were no allocations for grassroots positions in his department. As a result, he had to continuously write letters to the local party committee, the county party committee, and the party committee of Peking University in order to achieve his wish

It turns out that China National Petroleum Corporation is also looked down upon; they not only fail to enter the first tier, but they do not even make it into the second or third tiers. No wonder the officials responsible for recruitment have to hide in the corners.

For the roommates in Su City, the primary issue at present is the ideological problem of Su City, rather than a matter of choice

The person in the white shirt chuckled apologetically a couple of times, but did not relent, saying: "This student’s Russian is quite good; it would be wasted over there with you. We will use him for a few years along with the *illustrated* books, and then return him to you."

Recalling his contract with that logistics company, Su Cheng could only smile wryly.

Some say that the 1980s were the most free, happiest, and hopeful years in China. Those who lived in that era were fortunate, while those who traverse back to that time are left in confusion

A few people crowded together as they walked out of the red-brick building, passing through the triangular area adorned with various red and white posters and notices. Following the tree-lined path formed by the green pines and locust trees, they would eventually arrive at the small courtyard where the student office is located

If we set aside the historical context and personal experiences, living again as a Peking University student in 1987 would still be a gain. Moreover, during this period, China was witnessing the rise of new literature, where everyone took pride in reciting poetry and reading literature, making the literature major a prominent field, and it was incredibly fashionable.

Upon careful reflection, university students in the 1980s had no need to worry about the harsh realities of life; they only needed to contemplate the abundance of their ideals

Such discriminatory treatment is enough to make Su City green with envy

The lean and slender Liu Zi made a simple choice; he rode his bicycle to Dongzhimen and secured a reporter position at the China Youth Daily. He actually had several options, but the distinction lay in the fact that the China Youth Daily promised a two-bedroom apartment. Su Cheng fully understood his choice. Not to mention the status of a central-level newspaper, that two-bedroom apartment is located in Dongzhimen, Beijing, and in over 20 years, the property price could soar to 40,000 to 50,000. If there were to be a demolition, the area could potentially double. Of course, with his qualifications, even with a steady promotion, he would likely receive more than one apartment in over 20 years. Su Cheng fully understood his choice. Not to mention the status of a central-level newspaper, that two-bedroom apartment is located in Dongzhimen, Beijing, and in over 20 years, the property price could soar to 40,000 to 50,000. If there were to be a demolition, the area could potentially double. Of course, with his qualifications, even with a steady promotion, he would likely receive more than one apartment in over 20 years.

This point is prominently reflected in the job-seeking process of the students from Su City

This statement reflects considerable boldness. In the 1980s, universities were dominated by Peking University, Tsinghua University, Renmin University, and the University of Science and Technology of China, the latter of which was still located in Hefei and is not discussed here. Among the three remaining institutions, even for less popular majors, securing a spot to remain in Beijing was not difficult, let alone for the most prestigious literature program. Peking University's Chinese Department even briefly offered a secretary training program for several years, specifically to address the urgent need for secretaries among central leaders, which is unimaginable after the year 2000

The man in the gray Zhongshan suit said: "Old Tang, I have given you two people; I can't let you monopolize them, can I"

Su Cheng smiled sympathetically for two minutes, and when his mood had calmed down, he walked over to the old man and said with a smile: "Hello, I am Su Cheng from the Chinese Literature Department at Peking University..."

I am just tired of it. Su Cheng's voice was soft, and he knew that this reason was not valid. However, there was nothing he could do; although he had inherited memories, he had not inherited the mindset of a writer. If he were to write materials or take meeting minutes, he would surely be exhausted. It was obvious that the central government offices were not easy to deal with.

Wang Ting exclaimed in surprise: "What are you doing if not pursuing a profession? Wasn't this university education in vain? I went to the Ministry of Public Security, and I am also working as a secretary"

Wang Ting glared at him and said: "The treatment between local and central authorities is not the same. Su Cheng, you need to think this through. It is easy to go down now, but it will be difficult to come back later. The salary and benefits are also different. If you stay in Beijing, you can at least send more money back home. Moreover, the medical conditions in Beijing are better. Once you are allocated a house, you can bring your elderly parents over, which will allow you to fulfill your filial duties more effectively..."

On one side of the wall, there is a slogan written in small black letters: Please be mindful of conservation and do not waste the hard-earned efforts of the people

In the midst of conversation, the gray Zhongshan suit and the white shirt began to argue.

Su City, Ping Pong King Wang Ting, asked: "Why does he need so many people?"

The days of watching coldly did not last long. After the dormitory leader Wang Ting sorted out the introduction letter and other documents, he immediately came to check on Su Cheng and said: "Youngest, I have a responsibility towards you, and I cannot let you be indecisive. You need to make a decision about where to go; otherwise, when the deadline arrives, you will have to go wherever you came from"

In terms of the experience in Su City, this method of job searching is simply unimaginable.

Su Cheng found his increasingly absurd remarks hard to believe and interjected, "I never said I wanted to leave Beijing"

Su City was unexpectedly astonished.

Su Cheng was still observing with curiosity, while Wang Ting had already identified the individuals. He nudged his elbow back and whispered, "The one in the gray Zhongshan suit should be from the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League, the one in the white shirt is from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the older individual next to them is likely from the State Machinery Commission or the Ministry of Aerospace Industry. They are probably here to select students in the engineering and technology fields. The State Council and the Economic Commission may have already selected enough candidates. You are too slow; what a pity."

A few days later, Su Cheng accepted his new identity and became a literature major from the Chinese Department at Peking University, hailing from a remote mountainous area

Compared to the lively atmosphere of gray Zhongshan suits and white shirts, the men from the State Machinery Commission appeared particularly quiet. He reviewed the resumes one by one, but there were hardly any selections made.

... ...

"Who?" Wang Ting glanced and scoffed, "That person is from the Ministry of Petroleum. Don't be fooled by the number of people he has chosen; in the end, those willing to go can be counted on one hand. It would have been one thing if it were a couple of years ago, but recently there has been rampant talk of ministry reforms, with plans to cut the Ministry of Petroleum. Who would willingly step forward to be reassigned? If things go poorly, it might end up being a forced allocation."

The last student in the dormitory, Zhu Kai, hails from Shandong. He is tall and robust, yet possesses a fashionable and delicate heart, wholeheartedly aspiring to "pursue a profession." Ultimately, he chose the "People's Literature" magazine, which made many classmates envious. Seizing the opportunity, he brought over musical instruments and sang campus ballads for half the evening