Reborn in 1977

Chapter 592: Drawing a Pie in the Sky

Jiang University, Professor Xu's office.

Chen Fan sat in the chair, facing the three old professors and talking eloquently.

For four hours, from the most basic undergraduate stage of Chinese language and literature to the interpretation of the Four Books and Five Classics, from "Shuowen Jiezi" and "Erya" to the influence of the New Culture Movement on literary creation.

In the beginning, it was okay, considered a "friendly exchange", but later, the three old professors took turns asking questions, like heavy artillery washing the ground.

Chen Fan concentrated, racking his brains to answer a question like "Why did the mythology of Chu once become the mainstream of Han culture after the fall of Qin?", and a layer of fine sweat had already appeared on his forehead, even more tiring than fighting Zhang Shifu and the others.

Then he looked at Professor Xu expectantly.

It's also the final exam, why make things difficult for me alone?

Which final exam involves continuous questioning for 4 hours?

And the chief examiner is still one of the "Three Old Men of Jiang University".

There's no such thing as bullying!

"Little Fan."

Chen Fan immediately raised his head and straightened his chest, "Yes, sir."

Professor Xu grinned and chuckled, "Your performance today was good, I'll consider you passed."

Chen Fan breathed a sigh of relief, then quickly got up and bowed slightly, "Thank you, teacher."

Then he turned to the other two and bowed to thank them, "Thank you, Professor Liu, Professor Xi."

Xi Tianping, who was fair and chubby, leaned back in his chair, gestured to Chen Fan, and smiled, "Sit, sit, there are no outsiders here, no need to be so polite."

He crossed his hands and placed them on his small belly, which was rare in this era, and said to Chen Fan, "For those engaged in literature, the amount of reading is very important. I heard that you have already finished reading the first book list that Lao Xu gave you, which is the amount for a year. You can read it carefully and have some insights, which shows that you have worked hard and proves that you have good talent and are a good material for reading…"

After he finished speaking, Liu Dengzhuo next to him tacitly continued, "Extensive reading of ancient books is only the first stage of literary research. Later, you have to do in-depth research, while also taking into account foreign classics, including literary works, literary criticism works, philosophical works, etc., to broaden your horizons.

As the saying goes, the stones of other mountains can be used to attack jade. If you can draw even one or two sentences of essence from a masterpiece and be able to use it for your own purposes, then this book has not been read in vain…"

Finally, Professor Xu made a concluding speech, "This semester…"

Chen Fan silently corrected in his heart, it's two and a half months!

Came on April 15th, now it's the last day of June, isn't that exactly two and a half months?

Professor Xu didn't know that his proud disciple was distracted, calculating these one or two months. He was still seriously commenting, "Mainly to lay the foundation. My requirement for you is also to read and study, and submit reading notes. Now that you have passed the assessment, it proves that your mastery of these basic knowledge is not bad.

For the two months of summer vacation, I will not make any demands on you. It's up to you whether you read the book list I gave you or rest."

Chen Fan thought to himself: There should be a "but" here, right?

"But,"

Professor Xu's face turned serious, "As the saying goes, learning is for application, and knowledge and action go hand in hand. Starting next semester, the learning notes will be canceled, but I will assign you topics, and you will start doing topic research and form papers."

Chen Fan nodded with a serious face, "Understood."

Professor Xu's expression softened slightly, and he waved his hand at him, "Okay, go."

Watching Chen Fan walk out, Liu Dengzhuo turned his face to Xu Zhirui and said, "Xiao Chen's learning progress far exceeds other students. It is right not to follow the original teaching syllabus. However, will the learning plan you designed for him be counterproductive?"

Xi Tianping also nodded and said, "This progress is too fast. In two and a half months, you have completed almost all of the master's stage courses. Do you think we should slow down a bit?"

The master's stage he was talking about refers to the postgraduate education system during the Republic of China period.

In 1935, the then Ministry of Education imitated the British and American systems and promulgated the "Degree Awarding Law", which stipulated that degrees were divided into three levels: bachelor, master, and doctor, and some special disciplines only had two or one levels.

However, due to historical reasons, it was not well implemented at that time. By the time New China was founded, only 232 people had obtained master's degrees, and doctors were even rarer.

After the founding of New China, the postgraduate system was also seriously discussed, and more than 22,700 postgraduates were enrolled in the 15 years after the founding of the country.

Unfortunately, the educational stage and degree issues for postgraduates have not been determined.

Regarding this issue, the Ministry of Education held two enlarged meetings successively to discuss whether the degree should refer to the Soviet "Associate Doctor" system or continue to use the bachelor, master, and doctoral system during the Republic of China period.

In the beginning, wasn't our relationship with Lao Su pretty good? Some universities did their own thing with the Soviet system, that is, "Associate Doctor of Science", which is roughly equivalent to a master's degree, and the Doctor of Science is naturally a doctorate. There is no bachelor's degree.

Then, before the discussion results came out, they encountered the suspension of postgraduate education, which lasted for 12 years.

So Chen Fan said that he is a postgraduate student, but no one cares whether he is a master or a doctor?

Ahem, in this case, when the degree system is announced and implemented in the 1980s, and implemented from New Year's Day in 1981, it is not easy to say whether he will get a master's degree or a doctorate.

Anyway, it doesn't matter if you issue a doctorate certificate, as long as you pass the assessment.

Well, that's probably it.

Professor Xu took a sip of tea leisurely and said to the two old friends, "It's not that I'm helping him grow seedlings by pulling them up, it's that he is learning too fast. He can memorize a book in a few days and understand it thoroughly. Although he can't be said to have a photographic memory, it's not far off.

You also understand the principle of teaching students in accordance with their aptitude. I can't deliberately slow down his learning progress in order to take into account the teaching syllabus, right?"

After a pause, he smiled again, "Moreover, his learning progress is so fast, it is also greatly related to his previous foundation. Before coming to school, he had already self-studied most of the major courses in the undergraduate stage of university, and also took into account some literary monographs.

He has good talent and a good foundation, so of course I have to help him and let him become a talent faster."

Xi Tianping took a deep breath, his brows furrowed slightly, "I received news that someone has made a suggestion to the Deputy Chief, asking him to seriously consider the issue of establishing a degree system. The Deputy Chief stated on the spot that he wanted to implement a degree system, and he would propose it to the organization at an appropriate time and announce it to the public."

Saying that, he turned to look at Xu Zhirui, "According to my estimation, this matter should have results at the earliest next year and at the latest the year after. If Xiao Chen's learning progress is too fast, and you issue him a graduation certificate, you may not be able to catch up."

When Liu Dengzhuo heard this, he also nodded lightly and turned to look at Xu Zhirui.

Professor Xu pondered for two seconds, raised his head and smiled, "If that's the case, then let him write two more papers, and graduating one or two years later is fine. Anyway, the power to pass is in my hands, and no one will question it."

Liu Dengzhuo and Xi Tianping's expressions froze suddenly, and the next second, they both gave a thumbs up and said in unison, "You are really cunning and treacherous."

…

Chen Fan drove out of the school, one hand resting on the car window, feeling very happy, humming a song, "Hee hee hee hee, ha ha ha ha, it's vacation time, it's vacation time, it's vacation time, exams are over, exams are over, exams are over, I am a happy little bird in the summer vacation, I am a happy little bird in the summer vacation, fly, fly, fly, fly happily..."

He flew all the way to the unit, braked at the entrance, and Chen Fan stuck his head out and shouted, "Uncle Xiang, have you eaten yet?"

Uncle Xiang immediately walked out, one hand on his hip, the other waving a cattail fan, looking up and laughing, "It's already 12:30, haven't you eaten yet?"

Chen Fan's face fell, "Alas, I had an exam this morning, and I ran as soon as it was over. My stomach is still empty."

Uncle Xiang walked closer, "Oh, so pitiful?"

Then he pointed to the office building, "I don't know if there's any food left in the cafeteria. Why don't you go and take a look first?"

The corner of Chen Fan's mouth twitched slightly, "I thought you were going to treat me, but you're telling me to go to the cafeteria?"

Uncle Xiang fanned himself with the cattail fan, grinning as he said, "I would like to treat you, but didn't you tell me to buy more delicious food to nourish my grandson? My little bit of money isn't even enough to nourish him, where would I get the money to treat you."

As he spoke, he tilted his head and leaned closer to Chen Fan, whispering, "Or, just like last time, you go to the wild game cafeteria and bring back a few lunch boxes, and I'll make you a big stew?"

Chen Fan's face stiffened slightly, "Uncle, how did you become so calculating?"

Uncle Xiang sighed, "I have to be calculating. The kid's body is showing some improvement, but according to the prescription you gave, he'll need nourishment for at least three to five years. Even if it's not a bottomless pit, it's about the same. I have to save money."

Chen Fan said, "If you ask me, you should listen to your old chief and get a different job. At least the salary would be higher, right?"

Uncle Xiang immediately laughed and scolded, "Get lost, you're instigating me to take advantage of the public."

Saying that, he waved his cattail fan triumphantly, "You don't know, how many old buddies envy me for this job. If I weren't here guarding the gate, how would I have met a little miracle doctor like you?"

When Chen Fan heard this, he couldn't help but laugh, "Oh, just because I know how to do acupuncture, I'm a little miracle doctor? At most, I'm like Cheng Yaojin, with only three and a half tricks up my sleeve, not a bit more."

Uncle Xiang looked at him with a face full of disdain, "Hiding, hiding like crazy, as if people think you're so rare."

The corner of Chen Fan's mouth twitched slightly, "Alright, I won't argue with you. My stomach is still hungry, I'll go to the cafeteria to find something to eat first."

As he said that, he was about to drive forward.

At this time, Uncle Xiang grabbed the car window with one hand and quickly asked, "Are you still going to the hospital this afternoon?"

Chen Fan continued to step on the brake, shaking his head, "I'm not going. Everything has been dealt with. I'll say hello to Chairman He later, and then go back to my hometown."

Uncle Xiang's face changed, "All 33 are finished?"

Chen Fan nodded, "Yeah, I finished it yesterday afternoon. Director Gong also arranged for an examination. They've met the requirements for surgery. There's nothing left for me to do."

In order not to delay his summer vacation, he had worked hard, completing the treatment tasks in advance, and would not delay for a single day.

Uncle Xiang nodded slightly, took a deep look at him, then took two steps back, and waved with a smile, "Then you go, be careful on the road."

"Okay."

Chen Fan waved his hand, then released the brake and drove into the courtyard.

He went to the small cafeteria on the first floor first. Because of the nature of their work, it was common for the staff of the Writers' Association and several magazines to eat at irregular hours, so the cafeteria would keep a special stove with some hot food and dishes, so there was always something to eat when he came.

The conversation about food with Uncle Xiang just now was purely for fun.

Chen Fan quickly ate a full meal and returned to the office.

If there were no special arrangements, Bian Huifang would usually be in the office sorting out materials or reading a book.

When she saw Chen Fan coming in, she immediately stood up to greet him and turned to pour tea.

Chen Fan waved his hand, motioning her to come over and sit down, then said, "Starting today, I'm going on summer vacation..."

Bian Huifang was stunned, "Summer vacation?"

Wait, is your main job a student or a cadre of the Writers' Association?

Chen Fan continued calmly, "Before I leave, I'll briefly explain the work to you."

Bian Huifang came back to her senses, immediately ran to get her notebook, sat down, and prepared to take notes.

Chen Fan glanced at it, "There are mainly two things. The work of the Correspondence Center is now on the right track, just do it step by step. If there are any special circumstances that you can't solve, go to Secretary Xu. If she can't solve it, she will naturally go to Chairman He and Vice Chairman Tan."

Bian Huifang nodded while taking notes.

After she finished writing, Chen Fan continued, "The second thing is the Foreign Liaison Department."

Hearing this, Bian Huifang couldn't help but look up, then quickly lowered her head to prepare to take notes.

She was wondering, is the Foreign Liaison Department going to start working?

I haven't heard anything about it?

Chen Fan said, "In the past, although there was no Foreign Liaison Department, there were many foreign exchange activities. Although it was mainly focused on Asia and Africa, it doesn't mean that there were no exchanges with Europe and the United States.

As far as I know, France, Germany, and the United States have all had relevant exchange programs with the General Association of Writers, especially the United States. The American poet Paul Engle and the Chinese-American novelist Nie Hualing jointly founded an 'International Writing Program' project at the University of Iowa, intending to invite Chinese writers to do residency visits.

That is, to exchange and learn from each other. During the time I'm away, you can collect information in this area."

After a pause, he still explained, "Since the General Association of Writers has established a Foreign Liaison Department and included Europe and the United States, even setting up separate branches, then there should be a plan in this regard, at least there is a willingness to communicate with European and American writers.

In this way, our provincial branch, following the establishment of this department, cannot simply treat it as a decoration that follows the General Association. It is best to do some work to prepare for future international exchanges."

Of course, he wouldn't say anything definitive, so he smiled and continued, "If there are no activities in this area, or even if our European and American branch is canceled, it doesn't matter. The information you've compiled won't be wasted. It can not only expand your own horizons, but also submit the information to the General Association, which can be considered a small contribution from us."

Bian Huifang quickly finished recording and nodded solemnly, "I understand."

Then she asked, "Director, is there anything else?"

Chen Fan thought for a while and said, "Learn more, read more. Whether it's the Correspondence Center or the European and American branch, they may expand in the future. I hope that when there is an opportunity, you can take over."

When Bian Huifang heard this, her face was full of excitement, and she nodded excitedly, "Yes, I will definitely work hard."

Chen Fan smiled slightly, secretly sighing, the person who used to eat the pie has finally become the person who draws the pie.