"Would there be a risk of being sliced if I stand out too much at school?"
Zhongshi suddenly thought of this possibility and was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat all over his body. He even threw aside the game console he was playing with.
At this time in China, the concept of "special abilities" was prevalent, but those with discerning eyes knew that these so-called "special abilities" were all fraudulent. However, the wealth Zhongshi had created over the years was real. Although he didn't have much cash on hand, a determined investigator might uncover some loose ends.
The 1980s in China were a rare period of good times after the founding of New China. The initial benefits of the reform and opening-up policy improved the quality of life for most of the country's citizens. However, the policy would soon become more conservative.
In fact, throughout the 1980s, China's policies oscillated between planned and market economies, with one side often overwhelming the other.
Politically, the country was becoming more open, but in certain areas, it was still very dark. Even twenty years later, there were still rumors about organs disappearing from executed prisoners.
When Zhongshi thought of himself lying on the operating table, with doctors in white coats and full protective gear carefully cutting open his brain, praising the tofu-like tissue, and then using a shiny spoon to scoop out a piece of white brain matter, tasting it, and praising it to the long queue behind him, "As expected, the brain of a time traveler tastes much better than that of executed prisoners. Everyone, don't be shy, come and taste it!"
In fact, in China, the status of the rich was not very high. Even with titles like CPPCC members or NPC deputies, it didn't mean much. There was once a billionaire in Yanjing, known as the Li Ka-shing of Yanjing, who was executed for hiring someone to commit murder.
As for those with a bit of money, they were even more vulnerable, like dough in the hands of certain people, to be kneaded as they pleased. This was partly due to the "original sin" of the initial wealth accumulation and partly due to the overwhelming power of the state administration.
Before a certain iron-fisted leader came to power, these situations were not so obvious.
"But I promised my father to go to school. What should I do?" Zhongshi was really worried. In those days, people in all walks of life were still quite dedicated and not easily swayed by corruption. It would be difficult to find a shortcut to avoid going to school.
After thinking for most of the night, Zhongshi finally came up with a brilliant idea.
Since he couldn't corrupt the old stubborn teachers at the elementary school, he might as well start his own school, one that would serve him from elementary to high school. This way, he would be safe.
By the time he reached high school, Hong Kong would be returning to China. At that time, he could take the SAT in Hong Kong and apply to American universities, shifting his business focus to the American market.
Saying and doing, Zhongshi sat up and dialed a number in Hong Kong.
"Old Liao, do you want to do some good deeds? I'm telling you, this is a great thing for the country and the people!" Zhongshi chuckled, his voice full of temptation.
"Mr. Zhong, what time is it now? My old bones can't take this kind of torture!" Liao Chengde on the phone sounded exhausted, yawning uncontrollably, clearly having been woken up.
"Old Liao, you've made a lot of money following me. Have you thought about giving back to society?" Zhongshi, who had finally come up with this idea, was too excited to notice it was the middle of the night.
"What? Mr. Zhong, do you have a good idea?" Liao Chengde's mind finally cleared up. He knew that whenever Zhongshi spoke, it wasn't without reason, and he became interested.
However, he was only interested in making money. Asking him to do good deeds was quite difficult. Imagine someone who had lived on the edge of life and death as a child. It would be like a dream for him to give back to a society that almost let him starve to death. Moreover, Liao Chengde was not well-educated.
"Do you want to be like Li Ka-shing and Run Run Shaw, to be received by national leaders and become a patriotic capitalist?" Zhongshi knew that Liao Chengde would never part with a single penny. To get him to do some good deeds in Hong Kong, there was a possibility.
"Actually, this doesn't require you to spend any money. It just needs your reputation. If this goes well, you might be received by national leaders. At that time, you can walk with your head held high, and your past can be erased." Zhongshi, seeing that Liao Chengde was silent, understood his thoughts and sighed, then laid out the whole plan.
"Really? Being received by national leaders? Are you sure?" Liao Chengde was greatly moved. In those days, for a businessman in mainland China to be received by the highest leaders was an unparalleled honor.
"But Mr. Zhong, why are you doing this?" Liao Chengde was not a fool. After a moment's thought, he asked about Zhongshi's underlying intentions.
"Ah, you really see through everything. Actually, I don't really want to go to school, so I thought of setting up a school to cover it up." Zhongshi chuckled and told Liao Chengde his plan.
"Uh... It's just setting up a few schools, right? Why go to such lengths? Wait, Mr. Zhong, if it's just a few schools, why would you be received by leaders?" Liao Chengde first breathed a sigh of relief, then realized something was off and asked in confusion.
"Hehe, it's just a bit larger in scale. I plan to spend ten million Hong Kong dollars to build schools in poor areas!" Zhongshi said, a bit embarrassed.
"..." Liao Chengde was speechless at Zhongshi's generosity. Just to cover up his not going to school, Zhongshi was willing to spend ten million Hong Kong dollars, which was more extravagant than his own son.
...
In Yanjing, at the office building of the Youth League, facing dozens of journalists with notebooks, Liao Chengde spoke confidently: "This time, I am donating ten million Hong Kong dollars in my personal name to help the children who have dropped out of school in the poor areas of Jiangzhong Province. As we all know, children are the future of the country and the hope of the nation. Although I have not received much education, I understand the importance of education. Now that I have the ability, I want to contribute to the education of our country. This donation is just the beginning. I and my friends in the Hong Kong business community will continue to donate to help the education in other areas. Thank you all!"
Behind him stood the Youth League secretaries wearing large black-rimmed glasses, with Secretary Song Fu at the front, followed by Li Zhiqiang, Li Haichao, and others. Li Haichao had the most smiles on his face because Jiangzhong Province was his hometown, and he had spent his youth in a farm in Yanshui City, so he had deep feelings for it.
As for how Liao Chengde found the Youth League, it started with the United Front Work Department of Jiangzhong Province. One day, Liao Chengde suddenly appeared in the provincial capital and discussed his plan with the United Front Work Department. The department head was overjoyed and immediately agreed. However, when Liao Chengde proposed that the Youth League handle the matter, and preferably through the national Youth League, the department head was reluctant.
If the money stayed in Jiangzhong Province, it would be ten million, but if it went through another channel, it was uncertain how much would remain. Local officials, concerned about their own interests, were not willing. However, after Liao Chengde promised to make up for any shortfall, Jiangzhong Province reluctantly notified the national Youth League, leading to the scene described above.
"First, I would like to thank our friend from Hong Kong for his generous donation to help the children who have dropped out of school. On behalf of...," Secretary Song addressed the journalists, delivering an enthusiastic speech and calling on other capable people to contribute: "I hope that all patriotic compatriots and capable people from all walks of society can contribute money and effort to build a better New China. I believe that in the near future..."
After a half-hour speech, Mr. Liao Chengde, the "patriotic businessman" from Hong Kong, and Secretary Song of the Youth League jointly held up a large prop check for the journalists to photograph.
After this event was reported by dozens of central media outlets, it sparked a wave of donations. People called the newspapers to ask where they could donate to help the children who had dropped out of school, creating a strong social response.
Zhongshi's plan was successful, and Liao Chengde successfully attracted the attention of the higher-ups. Such "patriotic businessmen" were always the target of the country's united front.
The national Youth League, after this event, seriously considered the issue of helping children who had dropped out of school. After several years of planning and implementation, they launched a nationwide program to help these children, which later became known as the "Hope Project."
Zhongshi did not expect that his action to avoid going to school would lead to the birth of the "Hope Project." This made him, a butterfly that had accidentally flown through time, decide not to interfere with the course of history, but he still found himself involved.
Zhongshi had not thought of these things at the moment. He was comfortably lying at home, enjoying the cool breeze from the fan, and looking at a stack of enrollment certificates from first to fifth grade, smiling with satisfaction.
Although the schools he had donated were still under construction, with certain people's instructions, Zhongshi had already successfully completed his elementary education.
It was now summer, and "Black Monday" was approaching. Zhongshi began to secretly plan in his heart, but before that, he had one more thing to do. (Some readers commented that the protagonist is too young. Actually, I considered that in 1997 or 2008, the protagonist's age would be just right, as there are still many financial crises to come.)