A professor's rebirth: I entered Tsinghua University in 1977.

Early spring of 78, the second year after the resumption of the college entrance examination.

An essay exam paper by a young examinee from Chuzhou region of Jingjiang Province was submitted through multiple levels of government.

Finally, Comrade Rao Xishao, Director of the State Education Commission, personally convened the experts from the Commission to review the papers.

This year's college entrance examination is the top priority of the Education Commission's work. The Commission is paying special attention to the situation of this year's college entrance examination and has held several meetings. During this period, Director Rao Xishao has been one of the busiest ministry officials.

Speaking of which, Director Rao also "gave up military service to pursue literature", and is definitely a general who has experienced many battles.

However, General Rao also performed exceptionally well as the director of the Education Commission.

"Director Rao, what good news do you have today?"

Officials from the Education Commission, along with some specially invited experts, entered the conference room. Someone asked a question. As the results of the college entrance examination marking gradually became clearer, good news was being reported from various regions, and everyone was extremely pleased upon hearing the reports.

These are all talented individuals for the country.

Rao Xishao smiled, then said seriously, "We've encountered a problem."

"Oh, what's the problem?"

Rao Xishao chuckled and instructed his secretary to distribute Liu Hongyi's essay to the attending leaders and experts. He explained, "This is a Chinese language exam paper submitted by Jingjiang Province. This student's overall score is outstanding, but the grading team gave this essay a zero. The Chuzhou Regional Education Commission believes this assessment is unfair and reported it to Jingjiang Province. After discussing it at a meeting, the provincial leaders couldn't make up their minds, so they submitted it to us..."

"Oh, a college entrance exam essay, it got a zero score?"

"Haha, that's quite interesting... What did this candidate write?"

"Let me see……"

The other leaders and experts from the Education Commission immediately started discussing among themselves and hurriedly picked up the test papers in front of them to take a look.

I was stunned for a moment after just looking at the title.

"On the Importance of Science and Technology?"

"This is an essay written by a student from Jingjiang Province?"

"Yes."

"Is this the topic for their college entrance examination essay this year?"

Because each province sets its own exam questions, the essay topics are different for each province.

Other officials and experts from the Education Commission also found it difficult to recall what the essay topic for this year's college entrance examination in Jingjiang Province was.

Director Rao Xishao shook his head and said, "No, their essay topic this year is 'What I have to say to the Party.'"

"This essay on the importance of science and technology was written by the examinee himself."

"Oh, I see... Well, that's what I really think... Your handwriting is nice, and the paper is neat..."

One expert couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

Director Rao nodded with a smile.

That was his first thought when he saw the exam paper. The exam papers distributed to others now are photocopies, designed to maintain their "original appearance" as much as possible.

“Oh, that’s an interesting point…”

Everyone read very attentively, at a slow pace. Some even went back to look at the earlier parts after reading the later ones, seemingly to verify whether the beginning and end corresponded.

"Well, science and technology are important indicators of advanced productive forces. They not only determine the nature, direction, structure, and level of productive forces, but also indicate their degree of advancement. In today's world, the level of scientific and technological development has become an important criterion for measuring a country or region's competitiveness..."

"Well said, well said, very insightful and profound!"

Someone immediately exclaimed in admiration, and the others nodded in agreement.

"The development of science and technology requires the support and investment of society. Governments, businesses, and educational institutions need to work together to promote technological innovation and application, and improve the scientific awareness and literacy of the whole society, so as to ensure that science and technology can be transformed into productivity to the greatest extent possible… Excellent, that gets straight to the heart of the matter. This candidate has great insight, great insight indeed…"

One expert applauded again.

A full half hour passed before most of the education commission leaders and experts had finished reading the entire paper. A few people were still somewhat unsatisfied and turned back to the first page to read it again from beginning to end. Only then did they gently put down the test paper, look at their colleagues, and show a hesitant expression on their faces.

Finally, everyone's attention fell on Director Rao Xishao.

"So, everyone, what do you all think? How should this essay be graded?"

"Director Rao, this person's viewpoint on passing the exam is very insightful. Could you please tell us more about his background?"

One of the older experts couldn't help but ask, wanting to know more.

Rao Xishao took a light breath, then waved his hand, instructing the staff to distribute Liu Hongyi's other three exam papers to everyone.

These are Liu Hongyi's test papers on mathematics, physics, chemistry and politics.

To ensure everyone had a comprehensive understanding of the candidate named Liu Hongyi, Director Rao did thorough research before the meeting.

All of Liu Hongyi's exam papers were urgently sent over and photocopied.

"This candidate's name is Liu Hongyi, from Chuzhou area of ​​Jingjiang Province. He is seventeen and a half years old and took the exam as a working professional. His math and physics/chemistry scores are outstanding; he is the only candidate in Jingjiang Province to achieve a perfect score in both..."

"Double 100s? Double 100s in math and physics and chemistry?"

Everyone was greatly surprised and picked up the three exam papers in front of them. The old expert exclaimed, "The papers are so neat, without any corrections. He answered all the questions on the first try..."

"Yes, this is the first time in all these years that I've seen such a neat and beautiful exam paper. I think it's not much different from those top scorers of the past..."

Another expert commented.

"Why is this young man so capable? Is there anything wrong with him?"

Upon seeing the exam paper in front of him, which looked exactly like a printed copy, an education commission official suddenly felt a sense of doubt.

Director Rao Xishao shook his head and said, "From what I understand, there shouldn't be any problem. This young comrade is a probationary member of the Communist Party and an active-duty officer at the rank of company commander in the army. He is engaged in technical research at the Third Research Institute under the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense. Last year, he was awarded a first-class merit and a second-class merit. The 35mm automatic grenade launcher and 40mm under-barrel grenade launcher recently equipped by the army were all developed by him and Comrade Tan Dexi... By the way, he is Comrade Tan Dexi's student."

Although Tan Dexi's position is not very high, he is still well-known in the field of military research.

Many leaders and experts have heard of him.

"Oh, no wonder he's so capable, and even earned a first-class merit? Impressive, truly impressive!"

"No wonder this young comrade wrote such an essay."

"They have a basis for this."