Back to the 80s Machinery Factory

Chapter 453 Who exactly set a trap for whom?
Since Chen Luyang declined Li Zhengfan's invitation to do 'philosophy translation' in the philosophy department office last time,
Besides regular classes

He privately lost contact with almost all of his professors in the philosophy department.

After all, Chen Luyang's main profession is not philosophy, nor does he participate in any work related to the philosophy department.
Being suddenly summoned to Li Zhengfan's office, I figured it wasn't for anything good.

Sure enough, as soon as they entered the house,

As Li Zhengfan poured water, he casually asked, "I heard you've been working on a project to standardize parts lately?"

Chen Luyang said modestly, "It's alright, I just plan to make a few standard parts."

Li Zhengfan smiled and said, "The school values ​​your project very much; they even mentioned you on the radio."

Something's not right~
Chen Luyang smiled, but her mind was racing.

Why did Li Zhengfan contact me at this particular time of year? He must be up to something.

What the philosophy department wants is simply for them to work as intern translators.

He didn't have time before, and he has even less time now.

However, the other party is, after all, a teacher.

He had already firmly rejected them the first time, so it wouldn't be good to continue being firm.

and so!
Based on the principle that offense is the best defense
Chen Luyang smiled and said, "That's all just radio propaganda. As for actual results, it's a long way off."

"Speaking of which, Mr. Li, would you like to join my project as well?"

puff!
Li Zhengfan almost spat out the hot water he had just poured into his mouth.

"What do you say?"

The simple and honest Li Zhengfan stared wide-eyed at Chen Luyang as if he had seen a ghost.

Seeing Li Zhengfan's shocked expression, Chen Luyang instantly understood what was going on.

He moved the small stool closer to Li Zhengfan and said in a serious tone:

"Teacher Li, look!"

"The general-purpose parts project I'm working on now is essentially a manifestation of the division of labor, industrial logic, and instrumental rationality in society."

"This connects perfectly with the concept of technological rationality in our philosophy!"

Upon hearing the words "technological rationality," Li Zhengfan's face changed.

He even looked around very awkwardly, as if trying to see if there were any listening devices installed in the room.

Seeing Li Zhengfan's somewhat stiff expression, Chen Luyang felt even more relieved.

very good……

very good!
Taking on a project outside your field of study is no easy feat!

Take Zhang Diancai for example,

The first time he took the initiative to go to him, Zhang Diancai didn't even bother to say a word to him and simply sent him away.

Judging from Li Zhengfan's expression, he figured if he said a few more words, the other party would find an excuse to refuse him.

Once Li Zhengfan refuses first, he will feel embarrassed to bring up anything else.

Thinking of this, a smug look of triumph flashed in Chen Luyang's eyes.

Continued:
“Professor Li, although my project is an industrialization project, it has a very deep connection with the Department of Philosophy.”

“I believe my project can start from the technological practices of modern industry and explore the interaction between instrumental rationality and the structure of human society.”

Chen Luyang's little mouth chattered on and on, one sentence after another.

Li Zhengfan's eyes widened as he listened intently to each sentence.

Halfway through the conversation,
The office door was pushed open, and Xiao Hui rushed in, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Originally, today's conversation was intended to create an environment where Li Zhengfan could persuade Chen Luyang.
Philosophy professors all have things planned for them in the evenings, going home early to avoid staying in their offices.

However, Xiao Hui had some urgent documents to retrieve, so he had to come back to get them.

As soon as I entered the house,

Xiao Hui sensed that something was off about the atmosphere in the room.

As for what was wrong, he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

It just feels weird.

Just as he took the things and turned to leave,
Chen Luyang's words rang out from behind him!
“Teacher Li, what I do is standardize mechanical parts, but behind the standards is the abstract construction of rational systems.”

"for example."

"For a single gasket, integrating three different car models into one specification requires consideration of manufacturing precision, installation margin, and interchangeability."

"And all of this ultimately points to one question: how to achieve orderly coordination in complex systems through rational abstraction."

Li Zhengfan was slightly taken aback, and unconsciously nodded.

"And speaking of 'instrumental rationality,' isn't that something that Hegel, Weber, and Habermas have all been discussing?"

Chen Luyang's tone was seductive as he began to corrupt the naive philosophy teacher in front of him, sentence by sentence.

"If technology is not reflected upon philosophically, it will eventually degenerate into a cold and rigid system that prioritizes efficiency. But if it is embedded with an understanding of human scale and social structure, it can reflect a humanistic orientation in standardization."

"Professor Li, I really think our philosophy department can't stand idly by!!!"

"If the philosophy department could participate in my project,"

“Even setting up a research group on ‘technology and rationality’ can demonstrate Peking University’s philosophy’s concern for reality.”

Xiao Hui stopped.

Xiao Hui turned around.

Xiao Hui was surprised!

In the quiet office,
Chen Luyang seemed to be involved in a pyramid scheme, single-mindedly trying to lure Li Zhengfan into joining his project.

He was completely oblivious to the fact that the head of the philosophy department was standing by watching his performance.

Yes ~
He did it on purpose!
I'm discussing these matters in front of your leaders to clearly state my position.

Don't keep trying to get me to work for free!
What is this called?
This is called turning the tables!
After saying what she wanted to say, Chen Luyang looked at Li Zhengfan with anticipation.

Come on~
Reject me!

After I refused, I left immediately, without looking back!

"So, if we agree to join the project, what can you offer us?"

Ok? !

Chen Luyang suddenly turned around subconsciously, looking at Xiao Hui with a suspicious expression.

What does it mean? ? ?
What does this mean!
Chen Luyang suppressed his unease and continued to deceive him:
"Our project can not only provide a wealth of first-hand materials from industrial sites, but also present case studies on instrumental rationality, labor organization, and standardized design to the philosophy department as material for reflection."

"For example, the interchangeability of parts is actually a 'synthetic judgment' in the Kantian sense. It requires abstracting commonalities a priori and then empirically implementing them in specific operations."

Having said all that,

In layman's terms, this means my project can provide industrial practice.

"That's not enough."

Xiao Hui gently shook his head.

then,

Xiao Hui, who had just been rushing out with his documents, slowly turned around, pulled up a chair, and sat back down in his office.

"We acknowledge the value of industrial practices, and they certainly deserve philosophical intervention."

“But if you ask our philosophy department to take the lead in getting our names listed, initiating projects, writing materials, and coordinating with reviewers, and we also need to assign several teachers to compile manuscripts, provide guidance, and follow up... this is no small matter.”

"Didn't you just say that behind the general components project is Kant's 'synthetic judgment,' and the modern practice of instrumental rationality?"

"Then we need to know which statement you are referring to, which logic you are using, and which basis of your argument."

Xiao Hui paused, then said casually,
"You used Kant as an example, so you can't have made it up yourself, right?"

Chen Luyang was slightly taken aback, and the word "Oh no" flashed through her mind.

Sure enough, Xiao Hui's voice continued unhurriedly:
"Cooperation must adhere to standards."

"You say you can integrate technology and philosophy, fine, we'll work with you on projects, but we need to make sure that the theories you're talking about are supported by original texts and that the terminology is translated accurately."

"Philosophy is about reasoning, not feelings."

His tone remained calm and unhurried, yet every word he uttered struck at the heart of the matter.
"Even if you can actually create an industrial miracle, if you want to get the philosophy department to produce results, we can't just write a bunch of vague sentiments in the project report."

“You want us to participate in your project? Fine.” “Then we also need to be able to understand, write accurately, and explain clearly. The Hegel passages, Kant terms, and Habermas’s conceptual logic that you mentioned need to be grounded in the literature.”

So~

Xiao Hui shrugged, as if he were talking about a trivial matter that was taken for granted:

"If you want our philosophy department to participate in the project, you have to first find those original passages, clearly indicate the source, and write an introduction explaining your views on its relationship with 'generalization'."

wipe……

Chen Luyang was numb.

He intended to dig a pit for someone to fall into, but instead of jumping out, the person sat right in!

But now is not the time to numb it!!!
"Teacher Xiao, do you mean you'd like to join my project?"

Chen Luyang's breathing became a little rapid.

The internship as a translator is a minor matter; the real big deal is getting the philosophy department involved in a project!

This is the Philosophy Department of Peking University!
It is one of the nation's top theoretical bases, with top-notch academic reputation, policy channels, and research grant applications.

If the Department of Philosophy really joins as a "cooperative unit",
That would not only bring about a qualitative improvement in the project's level, but also elevate the project's "theoretical level" to a higher level!

The combination of "industrial practice + philosophical principles" is a winning combination!

This has a natural appeal both on and off campus, and even at the level of the Ministry of Education and the Municipal Science and Technology Commission!

Once the philosophy department joins the project
In the future, even if I apply for breakthroughs in municipal science and technology commission projects, take over provincial research projects, or even approach national ministries and commissions, I will have a theoretical basis to support my claims.

Let's go into even more depth!!!

If one day the repair shop project is upgraded into an industry model...

The inclusion of the philosophy department can also serve as a theoretical basis for "the construction of technological ethics in the context of modernization".

At that time, I will have a set of "material classification, system archiving, and technical path organization" on my left and right.

On the right is a set of "philosophical interpretation systems".

That would truly be "With the sunflower in hand, I have the world at my fingertips!"

"Teacher Xiao, do you mean you'd like to join my project?"

Chen Luyang's throat tightened, her breathing became labored, and her tone was almost tinged with disbelief and elation.

Xiao Hui looked at him slowly and deliberately.

"Your project is good."

"The rest depends on how closely this project relates to and integrates with philosophy."

"Huge! That's incredibly huge!"

Chen Luyang's eyes turned red with excitement.

"Teacher Li, Teacher Xiao, I have something to tell you."

"This project is inherently philosophical!"

"Standardization is essentially a two-way movement of abstraction and reduction; it is a projection of instrumental rationality and organizational logic into reality!"

"Give me three days, and I'll write a philosophical argument right away!"

"From Hegel to Weber, from instrumental rationality to social structure, I can connect them all!"

Li Zhengfan wanted to say something, but ultimately held back.

Xiao Hui, however, smiled and said, "No rush."

“I have a few books here. Take them back and take a look. Write down all the philosophical basis related to the project.”

"The more complete your information and the more theoretical evidence you provide, the easier it will be for us to propose project cooperation to the school."

"I understand!!!" Chen Luyang nodded frantically.

"I'll get it done as soon as possible!"

It's as if they've gotten a great deal.
Fearing that Xiao Hui and the others might change their minds, Chen Luyang held a large stack of original books tightly in her arms.

"Teacher, I'm going back to write the report now! I'll bring it back when I'm done."

After saying that, Chen Luyang was so excited that she almost ran out of the office.

The door slammed shut.

The room fell silent for a moment.

Xiao Hui and Li Zhengfan exchanged a glance.

He burst out laughing.

……

Back in the dormitory, Chen Luyang seemed to be full of energy.

As soon as he entered the room, he greeted Tao Runze and the others, took the book and a thick stack of manuscript paper given to him by Xiao Hui, went to the corridor, sat on the stairs and began to bury himself in translation.

The first book Xiao Hui gave him was a well-worn copy of "Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Law".

Although it is obscure and difficult to read, it is an original German text.

But it's not a big problem!

He's translated before, he knows it!

Not only does he understand it, he also knows which parts can be connected to his project as theoretical evidence!

The Peking University campus is never short of people who study diligently.

In the corridor late at night, Chen Luyang was not alone.

People upstairs and downstairs were reading and studying with him.

As I wrote...

Suddenly, Chen Luyang stopped translating!
I wipe???

Something is wrong!

Isn't this going too smoothly?
Chen Luyang looked up and reviewed what had just happened in the philosophy department office.

Li Zhengfan summoned him to his office, but he didn't say anything from beginning to end.

Xiao Hui was clearly the last to enter the room, but in the end, he became the main person talking to me.

Xiao Hui dismissed such a serious matter as interdisciplinary projects with just a few books.

Moreover, it seems that these books were arranged in advance.

hiss……

Chen Luyang paused for two seconds, then her gaze hardened!
Whether today I fell into a trap myself or it happened naturally,
He'd do anything to get the philosophy department involved and make his project a success!

It's just translation, isn't it?

He's capable!
Gritting his teeth,
With bloodshot eyes, Chen Luyang frantically scribbled on the manuscript paper.

……

In recent days, Tao Runze and others have been very concerned about Chen Luyang's mental state.

Something's not right...

Although Chen Luyang was very hardworking before, she at least had a limit.

When the lights are turned off at night, I always go back to bed on time.

But recently, they have hardly seen Chen Luyang's face at all.

While they slept at night, Chen Luyang sat in the corridor studying.

When they got up in the morning, Chen Luyang got up early again and sat in the corridor to study.

Several times during the night, when Tao Runze got up to pee,
You could see Chen Luyang hunched over, with several thick books beside him, engrossed in writing.

On several occasions, Tao Runze called Chen Luyang back to her room to sleep.

However, Chen Luyang only hummed in response and continued writing.

Good news: No one will laugh at Chen Luyang's "red scarf" anymore.

People will only respect and learn from those who are hardworking, persevering, and capable.

Bad news: The clouds hanging over everyone's heads have gotten even darker...

(End of this chapter)