Back to the 80s Machinery Factory

Chapter 429 The Humble and Low-Key Chen Dazhi

“If it weren’t for the pressure they faced with the application materials, and if we hadn’t promptly submitted the audio for review, you might not have been able to win this award.”

After a pause, Gao Hongming looked at Chen Luyang with a kind expression and said softly:
"Of course, writing well is a prerequisite, but behind the scenes, a lot of people have helped you get through it."

Chen Luyang's hand trembled.

A lump rose in his throat.

Since he failed the college entrance exam, the provincial university has been the one that has helped him the most and invested the most effort in him.

The university I feel most guilty towards is the provincial university.

He originally thought that if he told the provincial university that he had applied to Peking University, the provincial university would give up on him.

Who would have thought that even after I came to Peking University to study, the provincial university would still help me like this!
I'm such a monster...!
Chen Luyang was both moved and guilty. He really wished he could take the train back right now and hug and kiss each of the teachers from the provincial university.

Emotions always need an outlet.

Although the provincial university is far away.

But Peking University is right in front of us!
"Teacher Gao... thank you."

Chen Luyang's shoulders trembled slightly.

If there weren't so many teachers around, he would have spun Gao Hongming around several times!

Gao Hongming's eyelids twitched.

The two students got into a fight, and it was the shoulder that was touched first!

However, since it was broad daylight, he wasn't afraid that Chen Luyang would do anything inappropriate.

"There's no need to thank me. What we've just received is the approval document. The commendation and certificate will be sent to the school in a few days. Just wait for our notification."

Chen Luyang nodded gratefully, then looked at the invitation and after a long while said:
"Professor Gao, to be honest, I've been busy with lectures in the External Relations Department these past few days. The speakers are all professors and experts, and I've even written a book about it..."

"Am I suitable to give such an academic and professional lecture?"

Although Chen Luyang also teaches at Peking University, those open classes are completely different from this kind of large-scale lecture with a strong academic focus.

Gao Hongming asked with a smile, "Do you think that the person giving the lecture has to be a professor? Does he have to have white hair and speak with a lot of eloquence?"

“You are the one who produces results and solves problems, so you are the most suitable person to take the stage.”

Chen Luyang asked worriedly, "Teacher Gao, what do you think I should talk about? I'm afraid I'll mess it up."

Gao Hongming replied, "I actually have a topic in mind for you: 'Practical Language and the Construction of Bridges for Communication in the New Era.' What do you think?"

Chen Luyang was taken aback: "Isn't this question... a bit too difficult?"

"A broad topic is meant to make you visible to others, not to give you empty talk."

Gao Hongming explained: "First of all, what you wrote is a 'practical language handbook,' not notes on language aesthetics, nor a paper on translation theory."

“In the past, we lived in isolation, and foreign languages ​​were a skill for a select few; now that we have opened up and reformed, tens of thousands of people have to deal with foreign businessmen, negotiate with foreign companies, and hold meetings with technical experts. At this point, simply talking about ‘How do you do’ is far from enough.”

"Language is a bridge, a road, and a key. Whoever masters this practical language holds the potential to take the lead in the new era."

Gao Hongming paused, looking at Chen Luyang:
“This ‘spring of science’ is not just a ray of light in the laboratory. We, as linguists, must also build a bridge to spring.”

Chen Luyang's gaze gradually darkened.

"I understand, Teacher Gao. I will prepare well."

Gao Hongming looked at him, smiled and nodded, then glanced at Xu Yunfeng standing to the side, and suddenly changed the subject:
"Oh, by the way, let me introduce you to everyone,"

"This is Wei Chuxiong from our Foreign Languages ​​Department. He is representing the school in the National Higher Education Foreign Language Speech Competition."

“You’re an expert in this area, so why don’t you give him some guidance when you have time?”

After saying that, Gao Hongming said to Wei Chuxiong, "This is Chen Luyang, the author of the 'Practical English Communication Handbook' that you used to memorize example sentences in your practice materials a few days ago. You should ask him for advice more often in the future."

Wei Chuxiong almost dropped the exercise manuscript in his hand.

His expression was stiff, as if he had been acupunctured.

Chen Luyang looked at Wei Chuxiong with a smile.

"Don't worry, Teacher Gao, I will definitely communicate well with Wei and tutor him properly."

……

Stepping out of the foreign language department office,

Unable to contain his excitement, Chen Luyang rushed to the phone booth in the convenience store, picked up the phone, and called the provincial machinery factory directly.

After a few rings, Lao Tian's familiar voice came through the phone.

"The machine factory, who are you looking for?"

"Uncle Tian~ This is Chen Luyang, I'm looking for my mom!!"

"Oh, a college student is calling! Your mom's not home, but your dad is."

"My dad's here?? What's he doing at the door?"

Chen Luyang was taken aback.

It's currently working hours, and Chen Dazhi is both the workshop director and a key technical staff member.

Once he's inside the workshop, he doesn't come out unless it gets dark or he needs to use the restroom.

Why did you spend so much time in the mailroom today?

"Then let my dad answer the phone."

Chen Luyang is very happy right now. Although she can't tell her mother right away, she can tell her father instead.

finished,

Then Lao Tian's voice came through the microphone:
"Dazhi, your son called."

The dial tone came on, and a few seconds later...

Chen Dazhi's rough yet familiar gruff tone came through.

"You little brat, all you ever do is look for your mother, don't you ever think about me!"

Chen Luyang burst into laughter.

"Dad, how could I not miss you? I miss you terribly! I feel restless if you don't scold me for a day."

Chen Dazhi retorted irritably, "Give me a break! You think you can miss me? You think of everyone but me."

Chen Luyang grinned, showing his big teeth, and said in a cute but cheeky tone:

"No way, I miss you the most in our family~ I dream about you beating me. Dad, you usually don't like to come out and chat, so why are you hanging out with Uncle Tian today?"

Chen Dazhi retorted with a single sentence: "Is something wrong? Why aren't you studying? Why are you calling home?"

Chen Luyang's eyebrows almost flew to the sky.

"Dad, Peking University wants me to give a lecture!!!!"

"It's not the specialized course I told you about before, but a lecture I was invited by the school's Youth League Committee in conjunction with the Foreign Languages ​​Department to be given to the entire school!!!"

"They even gave me the invitation!!!!!"

When Chen Luyang talked about this, he was so excited he almost jumped for joy.

He was having a good time.
Then, on the other end of the phone, Chen Dazhi suddenly yelled.

"What did you say???"

"Peking University sent you a separate invitation to give a lecture to the entire university???"

Huh?!
Chen Dazhi's loud voice almost shook Chen Luyang's ears.

What are you doing?

"Dad, I can hear you, you don't need to shout."

Chen Luyang wished she could take the phone two miles away, but Chen Dazhi didn't know if it was a bad signal or static.

One shout after another erupted in howls:
Why did Peking University invite you to give lectures?

"What? Your book got an award from the ministry???" "The National Higher Education Outstanding Teaching Achievement Award... only a second prize!! Why didn't you get a first prize?"

"It was even included in the Higher Education Department's 'Reference Catalog for College Foreign Language Teaching' and recommended for use by universities nationwide???"

"A foreign language audio-visual education system that simultaneously includes audio resources?!?"

……

Chen Luyang felt a silent sense of helplessness.

"Dad, my ears can't take it anymore."

"What??? You even got professors from the Department of Mechanics at Peking University to draw up the blueprints for us??"

"Can the prototype be made next week?"

"You can't even use a machine, yet you went to the film city to make parts. You've got some skills."

Chen Luyang: ...

Well, who knows who might be around Old Chen right now.

I reckon it's either Old Jin or Old Yin!

Apart from Old Jin, no one else in the machine factory could ignite such a strong competitive spirit in Chen Dazhi.

Just a pity.

This time, it was him!
猜！
wrong!
Now!
Hang up the phone,

Chen Dazhi's face was flushed, and he calmly put down the phone.

Turn around,
In front of the gate of the provincial machinery factory,

Wang Qingzhou, Yu Anshan, Jin Daikui, Director Niu, as well as Zhu Jifei, the engine factory director, Xu Qingsong, the second-place winner of the provincial technical worker competition, and dozens of workers from the engine factory.
They stood in a dark mass, all staring at Chen Dazhi.

"This is supposed to be Peking University? They can't even find a better phone to use!"

"They insist that I can't hear them clearly, which is exhausting for me."

Chen Dazhi's voice was hoarse from shouting, and he muttered something in disgust as he walked over to Wang Qingzhou.

Xu Qingsong said with a forced smile, "Yes, you can't hear clearly on the phone, but we can hear everything clearly."

"Really?" Chen Dazhi asked, his eyes wide, feigning ignorance.

"What are you all listening to when my son and I are talking?"

finished,

Chen Dazhi rolled his eyes at Xu Qingsong and stood next to Jin Da Kui, who was also rolling his eyes at him.

Wang Qingzhou suppressed the urge to roll his eyes at him and greeted Zhu Jifei and the others warmly:
"Welcome, brothers, to visit our machinery factory!"

"Let's go inside now."

As he spoke, Wang Qingzhou stepped aside and invited everyone into the machinery factory with a smile.

Since the provincial machinery factory was designated as "Project No. 1" at the beginning of the year, and subsequently launched a new car model in collaboration with Japan and Italy,
The provincial machinery factory was like a rocket, hurtling towards the sky.

In just six months since its launch, the company has already achieved its annual production target ahead of schedule, selling a total of 2246 cars.

At an average price of 30,000 yuan per car, 2246 cars would total 67.38 million yuan!
It not only boosted the development of nearly 20 related supporting factories,

Wang Qingzhou even donated 30% of the profits to the treasury as a "special subsidy for pilot units".

It not only provided strong support for a series of projects, such as the renovation and expansion of the provincial technical school and the factory's primary school, but also for the energy-saving renovation of the Qicheng Steel Foundry.

They also set up a "Side Business Liaison Office" outside the factory area and organized employees' families to form sewing groups and spring seat leather patching groups.

The newly established toy workshop prioritizes hiring laid-off workers and their children, solving the employment problem for more than 600 people.

Not only has the problem of feeding tens of thousands of employees in this large factory been completely solved, but...
It has now taken a giant leap to provide employment for tens of thousands of people.

As the first factory in the province to "use industry to support people's livelihoods," factory director Wang Qingzhou was not only named a "Provincial Model Worker," but his work was also reported to the national authorities for record-keeping.

He was also awarded the "First-Class Merit Award for Advanced Scientific and Technological Collective" and the "Major Technology Promotion Medal" as an individual, and served as the "Part-time Deputy Director" of the Provincial Department of Industry.

To facilitate other factories learning from advanced practices and experiences.

The Provincial Revolutionary Committee's Industrial Bureau and the Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League jointly organized a "Pioneer Visiting Group for the Four Modernizations" to visit the Provincial Machinery Factory to learn about the implementation of the Sino-Japanese-Italian joint manufacturing project, focusing on learning about the team responsibility system management, the rational layout of supporting processing lines, and the intensive production model of sideline production lines.

Today, the first group of visitors has arrived – the provincial engine factory.

The visitors were workshop directors, key technical personnel, engineers, and project leaders from the engine plant.

To express our welcome,
Wang Qingzhou, Yu Anshan, and worker representative Chen Dazhi were already waiting at the entrance.

Little did they know that the phone in the mailroom rang as soon as the guys from the engine factory arrived.

Then Chen Dazhi's loud voice made it seem like he wanted everyone to hear him.

In the end, even Lao Tian from the mailroom couldn't hold back anymore.

However, Chen Dazhi, being thick-skinned, didn't care at all.

Since today, the Lunar New Year, his photo has been pasted on the gate and then ridiculed and desecrated by a bunch of his old colleagues at the factory.
He's gotten shameless!
So what!
His wife said that if they were so capable, they would also get on the newspaper and post the newspaper on the door.

cut!
……

There are no secrets in a machine factory.

In just half a day, the news that Chen Luyang had been invited by Peking University to give a lecture to all the teachers and students of the university spread throughout the entire factory.

"It's just a lecture! What's there to promote?"

In the cafeteria,
Ms. Feng Jiuxiang, with great disdain, thoroughly humiliated Chen Dazhi in front of her group of girlfriends.

"Hasn't my second son given enough lectures? He's given lectures to provincial leaders, to factory workers, and to the provincial leaders."

"This is a lecture given at Peking University, and it's so lacking in depth."

As Feng Jiuxiang spoke, she snapped the stem of the purple eggplant with a "whoosh".

The group of girlfriends next to them: ...

They truly are a perfect couple.

Even his pretentious manner is so irritating!
He even gave a lecture at Peking University, but it wasn't very profound...

Is being a factory manager in a small workshop in the commune the same as being a factory manager in a provincial machinery factory?
Seeing Feng Jiuxiang's eyebrows and eyes practically flying to the sky, the girls quietly and secretly slapped themselves in the mouth.

This is totally unnecessary!

……

Chen Family Courtyard at night
It got quite cold in Northeast China in November.

Junjun felt cold sleeping on Chen Luyang's kang (heated brick bed), so after the National Day holiday, he grabbed his pillow and went back to Chen Lihong and Sun Zhigang's room.

The courtyard is now piled high with things.

A couple of days ago, the factory distributed autumn vegetables and coal.

Chen Luyang wasn't home; his share of coal and autumn vegetables was delivered by Jiangbian Duyilang, Song Liaosha, Huang Pingtao, and Dong Mangui.

Since Chen Luyang left home to go to school,
Ebi Watari was like a second son to the Chen family, running home every few days.

He runs around even more frequently than Song Liaosha.

They come to clean the yard today, or to check the cellar tomorrow.

The meat, coupons, and welfare benefits that the factory usually issues are all sent to the Chen family.

Even if Chen's mother absolutely refused, they had to force it into her hands.

Even the straw mats covering the honeycomb briquettes in the courtyard were fanned on by Ichiro Ebiba.

The family treated Ichiro to a hearty meal of steamed buns at home before warmly seeing him off.
They all crowded into Mr. and Mrs. Chen's room, eagerly seeking information.

"Old man, come and tell me what our son said! He's going to give a lecture at Peking University?!"

Chen's mother sat cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed), holding Junjun in her arms, and spoke excitedly.

(End of this chapter)