Teacher Li’s Mission in Dongshaoqu Village

Who Is Teacher Li?

Li Quansheng, a 51‑year‑old cadre from Beijing Foreign Studies University, has spent two years living and working in Dongshaoqu Village, Miyun District. Villagers affectionately call him “Teacher Li” because he shares his knowledge and helps improve daily life in the countryside.

Bringing Sports and New Horizons to School

Physical Education with a Traditional Twist

Every morning Li starts at the village elementary school, where he teaches Jiaodi—an ancient Chinese wrestling style. He first introduced this sport at his university and later shared it with schools in Hungary and Poland. Now the children of Dongshaoqu get to practice it too.

When Li walks into the gym, eight kids in matching tracksuits rush to greet him. Ten‑year‑old Zhang Hongyi proudly shows off a new move, beaming as he shouts “Teacher Li!” whenever he sees him on the street.

English Reading Corner

Near the gym, a dozen children sit quietly with English books that Li donated through his university contacts. Guo Hongyan, the deputy principal who grew up in the village, notes that the biggest gap between city and rural kids is the breadth of their horizons. Li’s books open a wider world for them.

One little girl looks up from her page and whispers, “My English is getting better. Someday I’ll talk to foreigners and tell them about my home.”

Helping Neighbors with Daily Life

A Warm Lunch for an Elderly Widow

After class, Li walks to the home of 81‑year‑old Diao Shufang, a widow who lives alone. He brings fresh fish and tofu, cooks her lunch, and chats while she leans against the doorframe.

Diao tells him that the village roads are rough, making it hard for her to get outside. Li explains that a road‑repair project he helped plan will be finished by May, promising smoother travel and more freedom to enjoy the blossoms.

Over the meal, Diao says, “When you’re alone, the days feel long and lonely. But when you come along, my heart is full of joy.” Li promises to visit more often, even after his term ends.

Boosting Local Agriculture with Technology

From Greenhouse to Online Market

In the afternoon Li heads to the village greenhouses, where pesticide‑free tomatoes grow thanks to natural bumblebee pollination. Most farmers are over 60 and unfamiliar with the internet, so selling their produce has been tough.

Li teams up with 61‑year‑old Jia Hailian, who tends the tomatoes. He films short videos showing the ripe fruit, buzzing bees, and Jia’s harvesting routine. He posts the clips online, and they start gaining attention—even Olympic swimmer Luo Xuejuan tries the tomatoes and helps spread the word.

Former students from Beijing visit the village to give advice and buy directly, creating a new sales channel for the farmers.

Working Side‑by‑Side in the Fields

Li then joins Cheng Baijiang, a hard‑working farmer, in spreading manure across a field. Rolling up his sleeves, Li works alongside Cheng, sharing the labor and learning from the farmer’s experience.

A villager once remarked that seeing cadres roll up their sleeves and work in the fields is rare nowadays. Li took that comment to heart: true service means getting your hands dirty and listening to the people on the ground.

Leaving a Legacy of Knowledge

The 120,000‑Word Report

At day’s end Li returns to his modest office. On his desk lies a 120,000‑word research report—two years of field visits, problem analysis, and village data compiled for the next first secretary.

He hopes the report will ensure a smooth continuation of the work started during his term. “The flowers bloom every spring,” Li says quietly, “but making sure our 1,986 villagers live better lives is a responsibility that can’t wait.”

Conclusion

Teacher Li’s story shows how dedication, simple acts of kindness, and a willingness to learn from locals can transform rural life. By teaching sports, sharing books, improving roads, helping farmers sell their produce, and documenting his experiences, he plants seeds of hope that will grow long after his two‑year assignment ends. Across China, countless first secretaries follow a similar path, quietly building brighter futures for villages one step at a time.