Back to the 80s Machinery Factory

Chapter 396 The department added an extra course for you
Lian Yinghua's voice was hoarse from working non-stop.

This weekend, Lian Yinghua and several teachers in the office stayed up two nights in a row, making appropriate additions and revisions to Chen Luyang's manuscript.

Finally, they produced a complete manuscript that was passable.

Thanks to Chen Luyang's solid foundation in basic manuscript writing, the teachers saved a lot of effort when revising and polishing the manuscripts.

"When Director Zhang arrives, let's show him the manuscript," the Western economics professor said, weighing the manuscript paper covered in writing.

"If it goes smoothly, we'll hand the manuscript over to the printing room today, and it should be printed this week."

"With this version of the manuscript, our translation team will have an easier time carrying out our work."

"Yes!" Lian Yinghua smiled wearily. "The students will have an easier time going to class this time."

A professor of Introduction to National Economic Planning remarked, "People used to say that planning cultivates talent, but now that the market has opened up, students are actually flipping through pages of these books that were previously kept secret..."

The Western economics professor, sporting a head of messy hair, chuckled, "The younger generation always surpasses the older!"

……

The group chatted happily for a while.

After finishing his meal at the cafeteria, Zhang Guozhen arrived at his office on time.

As soon as he entered the room, he saw the manuscript of "Economics" on the table.

“We made some changes, but not many,” Lian Yinghua said.

“The student had a solid foundation, so a few of us teachers just went through his original manuscript and added a few footnotes and references.”

Zhang Guozhen nodded and began to read through the pages one by one.

As the head of the translation and compilation team for original economics texts, he would meticulously review even a student's lecture notes, as long as they were related to the economics department, to ensure they were academically sound and, in particular, free of any political or ideological errors before they would be approved.

Zhang Guozhen quickly finished reading the thick manuscript.

"This is really well written..."

Zhang Guozhen looked up at Lian Yinghua: "But we can't let him continue talking about this 'in private'."

Lian Yinghua's expression turned angry!
But then his brows furrowed tightly.

Universities today are still in the stage of "reconstructing academic norms." If students give lectures without the approval of the teaching organization, they are easily regarded as "giving private lessons" or "disrupting the teaching order."

If it's a small-group lecture, it's fine; you can just use student discussions as an excuse.

However, the matter of Chen Luyang giving a lecture was reported to the school's academic affairs office.

Now almost everyone in the school knows that first-year economics students are lecturing to upperclassmen on original economic texts.

If students are allowed to teach courses in their own capacity, even if their intentions are good, other teachers or departments may question whether they are "teaching beyond their level" or "disrupting the teaching system."

Moreover, lecturing is a teaching responsibility, arranged by the school and department. If a student gives a lecture individually and makes a mistake or causes controversy, who is responsible?

Doing academic research is important.
But protecting yourself and the students is even more important.

Lian Yinghua lamented, "Such a good learning opportunity, and we're not allowed to give lectures...it's such a pity!"

Zhang Guozhen reassured him, "I said we shouldn't talk about it 'in private,' but I didn't say we shouldn't talk about it!"

Lian Yinghua asked urgently, "Then what do you mean?!"

"I see!" Zhang Guozhen said after careful consideration.
"The department has set up a 'Guided Reading of Original Economic Texts' open course. The course content must be submitted to the teaching and research office for record-keeping, but the way it is delivered is up to us to decide flexibly."

“Establish another ‘academic research group’ and appoint Chen Luyang as an ‘academic committee member’.”

"His student status remains unchanged, but his responsibility is to host the 'Open Course on Reading Original Texts in Economics,' with the department arranging the time, location, and approving the lecture notes every week."

"At the same time, we will organize a series of academic lectures for students and organize them to have special exchanges on textbook reading and translation methods."

"In this way, he is no longer a 'student talking to students,' but a teaching extension project officially recognized by our department."

Zhang Guozhen continued, "No matter how well he speaks... he still needs to have a certain status, adhere to certain standards, and follow certain rules."

Lian Yinghua breathed a sigh of relief, but her brows remained furrowed: "Where are these lecture notes? We stayed up for two nights to get them sorted out."

"The lecture notes will serve as internal teaching materials, edited and printed by the department for students' study and reference," Zhang Guozhen said.
"The department has allocated special funds, and you teachers are responsible for overseeing the content. After printing, stamp and file it together, label it 'Economics Department Teaching Materials' to prevent it from being leaked."

In short, if everything can be done according to the proper procedures, then do so.

Lian Yinghua finally relaxed, and the expression on her face softened.

When the economics department's student council member approached Chen Luyang, saying that a professor in the department wanted to see him and asked him to come to the office,
Chen Luyang and students from the Economics Department (1) rehearsed a fast-paced storytelling performance.

"What does the teacher want to see me about?"

Chen Luyang followed behind the clerk, quietly asking questions.

"I don't know," the clerk said.

"Which teacher contacted me?"

"I don't know either." The clerk was tight-lipped and quite boring, refusing to say another word.

Chen Luyang asked a few questions, but they were all in vain. He quietly glanced at Ma Sa, the errand boy, from behind.

We were almost at the teaching building.

Chen Luyang suddenly remembered something: "Was it a teacher from our department who wanted to see me?"

“This…” The clerk paused, then nodded, “It’s a professor from the department who’s looking for you.”

call……

That's good, that's good.

Chen Luyang took a deep breath. Only then did she feel relieved and jog into the teaching building.

When they arrived at the office, Chen Luyang stood at the door and gently knocked.

Looking at the room full of teachers,

Chen Luyang subconsciously looked at Lian Yinghua and tentatively asked, "Hello, teacher, I am Chen Luyang. May I ask which teacher is looking for me?"

"Xiao Chen, come here."

Chen Luyang looked in the direction of the sound.

In the innermost row of the office, near the window, a teacher waved to me with a kind expression.

This teacher looks quite old.

Her hair was half black and half white, but her eyes were incredibly bright. She had a gentle and humble appearance, and her temper was much better than that of the hot-tempered Lian Yinghua!

Zhang Guozhen?!

Chen Luyang's heart stirred.

What does he want from me?
Although Zhang Guozhen's classes hadn't started for the freshmen yet, Chen Luyang had seen him at the opening ceremony and knew he was the head of the economics department.

"Teacher, you wanted to see me?" Chen Luyang walked up to him and asked tentatively.

"sit."

Zhang Guozhen smiled and invited Chen Luyang to sit down, saying, "I've called you here today for a few things, and I'd like to ask for your opinion."

"Firstly, the department wants to formally compile your Samuelson translation manuscript, print it as internal material, and distribute it to economics students as a reference textbook."

"The cover reads 'Teaching Materials from the Department of Economics at Peking University,' and it was revised by several of us teachers as an extension book for the course."

"Do you agree?"

Chen Luyang's eyes widened.

Before he could even ponder the meaning of Zhang Guozhen's words, his brain had already instinctively nodded as if out of control.

"I agree!"

...Peking University wants to use my manuscript as supplementary teaching material for their courses. Only a complete idiot would disagree!
"But," Chen Luyang continued, "..."
"I wrote this manuscript page by page, and I checked every translation and annotation myself."

"For printed publications, how does the department arrange authorship and royalties?"

Although he is a student, he is willing to contribute to the school.

But the things belong to me.

He's not that generous, willing to use his own things to enhance someone else's reputation. If the department can give him a good arrangement, then he'll follow it.

If the arrangements aren't ideal... that's fine too, we'll just print the existing manuscripts.

At worst, I'll just stop talking about it in the future.

Zhang Guozhen smiled.

He took out a sample of the lecture notes and turned to the beginning: "Your name will be listed first, under the heading 'Editor and Lecturer of the Draft'. The Economics Department's Translation Team will be listed below it, with the note 'Edited based on the lecture content, with some additional terminology notes'."

"The payment is calculated per thousand words, based on internal standards. We are not a publishing house and do not make money from this. Although the payment is not high, it is not a small amount."

Chen Luyang said "no need" but her sharp eyes glanced at the cover and she was relieved to see her name printed on it.

Zhang Guozhen noticed Chen Luyang's subtle glance and smiled gently:

"Don't worry, our economics department doesn't take advantage of students' work for free."

"Then this first thing is considered as your agreement."

Zhang Guozhen looked at Chen Luyang and said seriously, "The second thing is about your lectures."

“You are a student, but what you have done has gone beyond the scope of an ordinary student.”

"No matter how well you speak, it's all temporary and informal. You never know when someone will step forward and find fault with you."

"If any problems arise, you'll be the one to bear the consequences."

Chen Luyang did not speak.

Since Zhang Guozhen is willing to put the matter on the table and discuss it with him, there will inevitably be further developments.

"Fortunately, the department has added a 'Guided Reading of Original Economic Texts' open course," Zhang Guozhen said with a smile.

"Would you agree to be appointed as the 'Academic Committee Member' and responsible for the weekly introductory lecture?"

"I agree!"

...This is recognized and arranged by the department to teach students, only a complete idiot would disagree!
Zhang Guozhen smiled and said, "Don't rush to agree."

Chen Luyang: ? ? ?

Zhang Guozhen said, "Once classes officially begin, it means you will become part of the economics department's teaching system. Every word you say in class will be subject to the department's supervision, and you will be responsible to the economics department."

Chen Luyang realized: "So I have to write a lecture note in advance every week and submit it to the department for review?"

Zhang Guozhen said, "Yes."

"Translation, analysis, and annotation are all included. You need to submit your lecture notes to the department in advance for review, and Professor Lian and Professor Meng will be in charge of the review."

"You have to let us know what you're going to say first."

“Okay, I agree.” Chen Luyang said without hesitation.

It's called lecture notes, but isn't it just a translation of the original text?
If I translate the original work myself, the department will even pay me a fee.

A win-win situation, killing two birds with one stone!

Only a complete idiot would agree to that.

“Write well, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself.” Zhang Guozhen’s tone softened: “Teachers will help you with the content, we’ll help you with the terminology, and the department will support you on stage.”

Chen Luyang nodded readily: "Mhm!"

Seeing Chen Luyang agree without hesitation, Zhang Guozhen felt inexplicably worried.

People like Chen Luyang, who are born to be academics, all have one flaw... they're too naive!

They are very knowledgeable when it comes to academic matters, but when it comes to everyday life and interpersonal relationships, they are very inflexible.

Not only are there not many complicated procedures, but it's also very easy to be deceived by someone who speaks kindly and has a good attitude.

Zhang Guozhen frowned slightly.

Don't let this child be stupid, listening to everything others say.

Chen Luyang, caught up in the moment, asked with a silly grin, "Teacher, is there anything else?"

“There is indeed one more thing…” Zhang Guozhen hesitated.

He took out a stamped attendance certificate from the drawer and pushed it in front of Chen Luyang:

"The Philosophy Department has issued you an auditing certificate, and the department has signed it. You can attend classes with the Philosophy Department students from now on."

what? !

Chen Luyang slowly opened her mouth, staring wide-eyed at Zhang Guozhen in astonishment.

Proof of auditing classes in the Philosophy Department?

Why would the philosophy department issue him an auditing certificate for no reason?
Chen Luyang picked up the certificate and looked at it!
The name "Xiao Hui" was signed elegantly above.

Seeing Chen Luyang's shocked expression, Zhang Guozhen, still worried, earnestly advised her:

"Xiao Chen, even if you get an auditing pass for the Philosophy Department, remember that you are an Economics student."

"If there's a scheduling conflict, we'll take our turn; and if we want to achieve results, we'll have to focus on our side first."

"..."

Zhang Guozhen was genuinely worried.

Those people in the philosophy department are all masters of sophistry.

They speak with such eloquence that you can easily fall into their trap if you're not careful.

That's fucking annoying.

Chen Luyang is naive to begin with; don't let those philosophy students fool you again with just a few words.

Just as Zhang Guozhen was about to say a few more words to remind Chen Luyang...

Chen Luyang spoke up.

"Teacher, can I not go and audit the class...?"

What? !

Upon hearing this, Zhang Guozhen's eyes widened in surprise.

The teachers in the entire economics department put down their pens and turned to look at Chen Luyang in surprise.

Lian Yinghua raised her two large, fiery eyebrows high, as if she thought she had misheard.

Why don't you want to go?

After a brief moment of surprise, Zhang Guozhen smiled and looked at Chen Luyang with great curiosity.

Although there are many auditors at Peking University.

However, if a student obtains an "auditor's certificate" from a department, then he is not "someone who sneaks in to listen to the class," but a "formal auditor" recognized by the department.

Chen Luyang received this auditing certificate, which not only meant that he could freely enter and leave philosophy classrooms and have his own seat in the classroom,

It also means that he is allowed to ask questions, participate in class discussions, and submit assignments.

You can even participate in exams and defenses!
This is not just a simple certificate, but a form of identity verification!

Such a great opportunity was presented to Chen Luyang, yet he said he didn't want to go!

“Waste of time…” Chen Luyang looked troubled.

Why is he studying philosophy?
Before he transmigrated, he translated dozens of philosophical works. Even if his level couldn't compare to Xiao Hui's outstanding teachers, he was still quite good at it.

He came to Peking University to learn new things he didn't know before.

Studying philosophy is a waste of time!
Besides, I'm already too busy with my own major to do anything else!
But he didn't want to go, and the others wouldn't allow it.

"No! I have to go!"

Lian Yinghua's loud voice startled Chen Luyang.

(End of this chapter)