1978: A Literary Giant Who Began His Military Service

Chapter 120 Wuhan University or Army Academy, you choose one!

in the afternoon.

Zhou Mohai was too cowardly to admit it, so Zhang Linsheng finally issued an ultimatum:

"I'm only sparing your life now because you've served the government and the Party for twenty years. Since you're so resolute, then I'll have the police take Comrade Zhou Wei away!"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Mohai finally shed a tear.

He went to the police station, which is where ordinary people are interrogated. If it weren't for the county committee's leniency, Zhou Wei would have been taken to the police station for investigation long ago.

Once you're in the police station, this isn't the 21st century with its clearly defined rules anymore. How can someone force you to comply?

Zhang Linsheng said a few more things, and finally Zhou Mohai and Zhou Wei admitted to everything.

this day.

The entire county and city started to get noisy.

A list of charges against Zhou Xu was posted on the notice board at the entrance of the county committee, excluding Zhou Xu.

Gao Dashan looked at the list and sighed helplessly. In the three years since the resumption of the college entrance examination, a group of people had uncovered any other similar cases in the county.

Suddenly, a series of education-related positions became available in the county.

A week later, Zhang Linsheng, accompanied by two men, knocked on Zhou Xu's door.

The resentment in Zhou Mohai's eyes had vanished, replaced by a resolute acceptance of defeat. He led Zhou Wei with their heads bowed.

Zhou Mohai no longer cares about whether Zhou Wei seeks revenge or not; the greatest fortune is that Zhou Xu will not hold a grudge against the two of them in the future.

"Comrade Zhou Xu, we have fully realized our mistakes. This is an apology letter written by Zhou Wei and me."

Zhou Wei immediately bowed and said, "Comrade Zhou Xu, I also apologize to you for what I did."

Zhou Xu said calmly, "I don't accept it."

"..."

This refusal isn't just for myself, but for my family. Think of all the years I've worked so hard! And in the end, I've been replaced! Is this something that can be forgiven with just an apology?
"..." Hearing the cold, hard rejection, Zhou Mohai wiped away his tears and said, "Comrade Zhou Xu, I..."

"Stop crying, old headmaster. Save your crocodile tears for somewhere else. Besides... what you're worried about is me making things difficult for your child. I'm not that kind of person!" Zhou Xu walked out the door.

Zhou Mohai, along with Zhou Wei, bowed to Zhou Xu again: "..."

-

Finally, Zhang Linsheng brought the execution orders for the others to Zhou Xu.

The two arrived at the courthouse and listened to the verdicts announced by the other defendants.

Because things are done so swiftly and decisively in this era, if Zhou Xu had returned two or three years later, these people would have faced more than just criminal charges...

"Zhou Mohai, the then director of the bureau and principal of the county's No. 1 Middle School, abused his power to illegally apply for admission to Wuhan University under the name of Zhou Xu. Zhou Mohai has been dismissed from public office. Zhou Mohai was convicted of embezzlement and abuse of power. His actions seriously endangered social order and public interests. He was eventually sentenced to 15 years in prison in accordance with the law."

If he wasn't greedy, where did he get the money?
Many schools have clearly stated their prices!

For many people, attending a high school for a few hundred yuan and being able to get a job is considered a great stroke of luck.

"Upon verification, it was found that Zhou Wei had maliciously impersonated someone else to gain admission to university... Ultimately, his original student status was revoked, and he was sentenced to three years in prison..."

"Upon verification, Wang xx... was sentenced to three years in accordance with the law..."

"Deputy Director of the Archives Office...three years..."

"..."

Wow, there was a whole string of names, all ending in three years. Zhou Xu clicked his tongue in amazement. Being an official was slow to rise but quick to be promoted.

Firstly, this incident was entirely a way for their county and city to express their determination to the province and the military.

Gao Dashan cooperated very actively, after all, this was related to the old man's future.

Secondly, since the reform and opening up, this has become a typical example in education, so it is essential to demonstrate the execution and determination that came with the reform and opening up.

Finally, we need to give Zhou Xu an explanation. Zhou Xu is a well-known writer after all. He can't just endure being wronged, can he?

Zhang Linsheng smiled and patted Zhou Xu on the shoulder: "Comrade Zhou Xu, we've already coordinated with the comrades at Wuhan University regarding your student registration. However, I won't be able to go back to Wuhan with you this time."

Zhou Xu was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "Are you still staying here?"

Zhang Linsheng shook his head slightly, his tone becoming more serious: "I just received a notice from above that I will be in full charge of this case for the next three months. The plan is only in its initial stages, and there are still a lot of details to keep an eye on. In addition, the county committee has recently opened up many positions, so they have also asked me to temporarily step in and take charge of the work."

This major case is undoubtedly a good opportunity for Zhang Linsheng.

If he can thoroughly resolve these thorny issues in the county and city and achieve effective results, his chances of being promoted to director in the future will greatly increase.

More importantly, for a cadre like him who has served in the provincial government for a long time, having such solid "grassroots experience" is extremely rare and is a significant plus on his resume.

Because he understood this, Zhang Linsheng not only didn't feel the task was heavy, but was actually happy from the bottom of his heart.

"Then I wish Director Zhang all the best in his work."

— Three days later.

Zhou Xu returned to the provincial capital. As soon as he stepped out of the train station exit, a black Shanghai-plated sedan came to a steady stop in front of him.

The car door opened, and a tall, well-dressed man strode forward, extending his hand: "Comrade Zhou Xu, I am Zhang Nong from the General Office of the Discipline Inspection Commission. I came here specifically to pick you up."

Zhou Xu quickly grasped the other person's hand and replied with a smile, "Director Zhang, it's too kind of you to make this trip in person."

Deputy Director-General?

This was the highest level of government he had ever seen!
Zhang Nong opened the car door: "How well did Zhang Linsheng handle things along the way?"

“Director Zhang did everything exceptionally well, and I am very grateful to him for giving me justice,” Zhou Xu said immediately.

When someone does something for you, you can't expect them to find fault with you, right?
"Good, good. As long as he handles it to your satisfaction, our Discipline Inspection Commission can give the military region an explanation!"

Zhang Nong continued to say to Zhou Xu, "By the way, regarding the matter at Wuhan University, a director in the admissions office took a thousand yuan from Zhou Mohai before finally doing things for him, so we've taken care of things at Wuhan University as well!"

"Oh!" Zhou Xu was surprised. So he was handling things on two fronts?
After finishing his conversation with Zhou Xu, Zhang Nong escorted Zhou Xu to the military region before leaving.

Inside Wuhan University at this moment.

The director of the academic affairs office and the department head met together.

"Has Comrade Zhou Xu's matter been resolved?"

The department head nodded: "We have completely removed Zhou Xu from the student list, and the director of the admissions office was also investigated and dismissed for accepting bribes. So... what about Zhou Xu's situation?"

The director of the academic affairs office paced around and around: "But our answer to the military region can't just be this! We need to reinstate Comrade Zhou Xu's student status!"

"But he's serving in the military now, so he can't go to school, right?"

“Many people go on to serve in the military after studying. What if they want to continue their studies after they're discharged?” The director of the academic affairs office still felt it was inappropriate.

“That’s true! But… Comrade Zhou Xu’s original major was computer science. Will he find it difficult to adapt to this new class?” the department head asked.

"Are you stupid? Can't you change your major? What is Comrade Zhou Xu? A famous writer! I don't believe those guys in the School of Literature would be unhappy with Zhou Xu." The director of the Academic Affairs Office shook his head helplessly.

Soon, the director of the School of Humanities came over: "Comrade Zhou Xu, are you transferring to our school? If you really come to our university, we would be 100% happy to accept you!"

As the saying goes, Chinese literature departments never train writers.

But wait!

If you send over an already famous writer, wouldn't the Chinese literature department accept that? That's impossible, isn't it?

Besides, many writers would go back to literature school to retake their degree after they became famous.

"..."

The next day, Wuhan University sent Zhou Xu his admission notice.

"Comrade Zhou Xu, your letter!" The messenger outside personally handed the admission notice to Zhou Xu.

This was Zhou Xu's second day back at the regimental headquarters.

The political commissar looked at the letter, a little curious: "What's this?"

Zhou Xu opened the letter: "This is a reissued admission notice from Wuhan University, inviting me to return to the School of Literature at Wuhan University to repeat my studies, and then start my studies directly from my junior year!"

Is this equivalent to giving Zhou Xu a free bachelor's degree?
The political commissar said, "Huh? So fast, the admission notices from Wuhan University have already arrived?"

Zhou Xu stroked his chin. All they had sent him was an acceptance letter.

"Can I still apply for the Army Academy?" Zhou Xu turned to the political commissar and asked.

"Yes, you can apply, but it depends on you. Do you choose to study at Wuhan University or the Army Academy?"

There is a term called sunk cost.

Zhou Xu has already spent too much time on the construction of the military.

The works he has written and the various things he has researched over the past two years have all been aimed at building his influence as a military writer within the armed forces! So his dilemma of whether to study at Wuhan University or an army academy was actually a very simple choice.

Choosing Wuhan University might lead to some success in politics.

However, choosing a base already established by the military will lead to greater future achievements.

"I... I'll go to the Army Academy!" Zhou Xu shook his head, no longer making any further choices.

After all, if I go away for a year or two of further training, I'll come back as a battalion commander! Maybe I'll even have a chance to become a deputy regimental commander!

Anyway, staying in the military is definitely not a bad thing.

Pooh!
The political commissar was surprised: "Actually, going to Wuhan University is indeed a good choice, but I am still very pleased that you chose the army, which proves that you have really developed feelings for the army over the past few years."

Zhou Xu nodded: "Then..."

"I will submit the application again in a few days. This time I've made such a big deal out of it, they won't reject it this time, and it should be successfully submitted!"

(End of this chapter)