Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 627 Not going
Xu Zurui watched Chen Fan deep in thought, but he wasn't in a hurry. He picked up his teacup and slowly took a few sips of tea.

Not long after, Chen Fan raised his head and said, "Teacher, I've thought about it. Let's leave this opportunity for someone else."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zurui looked surprised and asked, "Oh? Are you sure?"

Before Chen Fan could speak, he continued, "You must understand that our country has not sent students abroad for more than a decade. Not to mention science and engineering students who want to learn advanced technologies, cultural exchange is also very important in the humanities."

If you are selected and sent abroad to study, you will likely be able to take on the important task of promoting our traditional culture abroad. At that time, it will not be difficult for you to achieve success and become famous all over the world.

Such a great opportunity, didn't you even think about trying to seize it?

After this news came out, not only students, but also many teachers who have been working for many years were very excited, including some researchers in scientific research departments, who are preparing to sign up.

Why does my own student seem so dismissive?

Chen Fan chuckled twice and said softly, "I understand that, but I really don't need this opportunity."

Xu Zurui stared intently at him. "What do you mean?"

Chen Fan smiled and said, "I am well aware of the importance of international students. Jiangnan University is also one of the schools that receive international students. Right now, there are more than 50 international students from more than a dozen countries studying at our school."

Most of their predecessors became bridges between their own countries and my country. Some became diplomats, while others taught Chinese in their own countries, making very important contributions to cultural exchange.

only……"

He shrugged, spread his hands, and laughed, “I am now the head of the European and American branch of the External Liaison Department of the Jiangnan Writers Association. After the higher authorities have clear policies, I will start to initiate communication with writers' associations in Europe and America to promote international literary exchanges.”

From this perspective, even if I study abroad and come back to do the same things, why bother going to such lengths when everything is closer to home?

Seeing Professor Xu thoughtfully put down his water glass, he immediately picked up the water bottle and filled it up. After putting the water bottle down, he took out his own travel mug from his bag, unscrewed it, took a sip, and continued, "As for personal career advancement, that's equally unnecessary."

He shrugged as he spoke, “My uncle is in the United States, and he’s a small-time capitalist. The United States is a money-driven society, and the best universities are almost all private schools. As long as you can afford it, getting an admission spot isn’t difficult.”

He suddenly chuckled twice, "Besides, with my qualifications, all I need is for him to help me get an assessment opportunity, and I can get in directly."

In this way, I won't take up a national quota. If I can send one more person abroad, I'll have one more talent for international exchange. Why should I compete with classmates who are even less likely to have opportunities?!

After hearing his explanation, Professor Xu was speechless.

His words sounded like boasting, but his disciple was telling the absolute truth.

For him, the study abroad opportunity that others could only dream of was something he had neither lack of money nor knowledge, and even the opportunity was delivered to him by his relatives. Naturally, he had the right to disdain it.

Thinking of this, Professor Xu couldn't help but sigh, "Indeed, people of the same kind have different fates."

Then he said to Chen Fan, "Since that's the case, I won't try to persuade you any further. This spot won't be reserved for you."

Chen Fan laughed and said, "No, no, it's best to give it to others."

After a pause, he added, "If you ask me, with you here, why bother studying abroad?"

On the contrary, those who admire our country's thousands of years of cultural heritage will probably try every means to become your disciples.

Upon hearing this, Xu Zurui burst into laughter, "You little rascal, you've gone to such lengths to flatter me, you're shameless."

Chen Fan's expression turned serious. "It's my sincere opinion, how can it be shameless? Believe me or not, if I just call out to any of the international students in our Chinese department, every single one of them will be vying to learn from you!"

Xu Zurui waved his hand dismissively, "Stop joking around in front of me, get lost."

Chen Fan stood up and bowed deeply. "Greetings, sir. I shall take my leave."

He then slipped out amidst Xu Zurui's laughter and scolding, with a voice following behind him saying, "Go back and read more books; I'll be checking up on you in a month."

Chen Fan, holding onto the door frame, turned around and said, "Okay."

……

As Chen Fan emerged from the teaching building, he scratched his head, reflecting on what had just happened.

It's not about the quota for international students, but about the international students currently studying at Jiangnan University.

I hadn't thought of it before, but these people are actually a rare resource!

As early as June 1950, Czechoslovakia and Poland proposed to exchange students with my country.

At that time, Premier Zhou personally made the decision, not only agreeing to the request to exchange students, but also taking the initiative to propose the exchange of students to Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria. All of these countries responded positively and reached an agreement quickly.

That winter, the first batch of 33 students from five countries arrived at Tsinghua University and enrolled in the "Eastern European Exchange Students' Chinese Language Special Training Program".

Later, this specialized training program was transferred to Peking University, which then became the main training base for international students.

之后的15年里，我国共接收来自68个国家的7239名来华留学生，分布在全国17个城市的94所学校。

In addition to 90% of the students from socialist countries, there are 533 students from third-world countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, and 135 students from Western Europe, North America and Japan.

Then it was suspended, and it wasn't until 73 that enrollment resumed, but on a much smaller scale, far less than before.

In the five years from 73 to 78, the total number of people reached only 2063.

However, as Chen Fan just said, after returning to China, the vast majority of these people became the backbone of exchanges with China and played an important role.

The 50-plus international students at Jiangnan University at that moment were recruited later.

Now, Chen Fan hopes they can play a greater role.

Once the idea came to mind, I immediately drove to the Writers' Association.

When He Qingsheng saw him coming over, he immediately took out an approval form from the drawer, placed it on the table and pushed it towards him, then tossed a cigarette aside. "No need to be in such a hurry. Just tell them to print it as soon as possible. This thing won't hold you back."

Chen Fan waved his hand, pulled out a chair and sat down, "It's not about that..."

He picked up the approval form, glanced at it, and seeing everything was normal, folded it up and put it in his bag. He continued, "I was thinking, my uncle's publishing house isn't very big. If my book becomes a bestseller, and other colleagues also want to get it published in the US, I'm afraid we won't have enough resources." He Qingsheng, with a cigarette dangling from his mouth, looked at him with a dark expression. "Are you trying to slap me in the face?"

Chen Fan took out a lighter, lit it, and shook his head, saying, "No. This is what I think."

He gestured, "Look, the Ministry of Culture knows my book is going overseas, but they don't say anything. And this time, you signed a contract with Takahashi, you must have informed them, right?"

He Qingsheng frowned slightly, his eyes thoughtful, and nodded gently, "Mm."

Chen Fan slapped the table and said seriously, "Look, look, here comes the important part. Not prohibiting it is the same as allowing it. Tell me, shouldn't we put our External Liaison Department into operation?"

This time, He Qingsheng understood. As he thought about it, he said, "You mean we should take the initiative to contact writers' associations or publishing institutions overseas to promote cultural exchanges."

As he spoke, he looked at Chen Fan, put down his cigarette, placed it on the ashtray, and gestured, saying, "At the same time, through cultural exchange, let's promote our works abroad?"

Chen Fan nodded repeatedly, "Considering that we've been separated for so long and are now reunited, the writers' associations of the relevant countries will most likely recommend some publishing resources to us."

This method of official communication serves two purposes: firstly, it ensures that overseas resources remain firmly in the hands of the association, and secondly, the association can act as a mediator.

Internally, we need to control the quantity and quality of our works going overseas. Externally, having more publishers means more choices, unlike now where we only have one publisher, Takahashi Publishing, working with us, and we don't understand the real situation outside.

At this point, he suddenly lowered his voice in a sinister tone, "Most importantly, if the Jiangnan Writers Association can push this forward, and if it succeeds, it will definitely be noted by the General Association, and our branch will really gain face!"

He Qingsheng looked at him and said, "If you're going to show your face, then show it. Why are you making that face? It's creepy."

He then took a deep breath and said through gritted teeth, "Our branch's external relations department was originally set up in line with the new structure of the headquarters, and we never intended to show our faces in the first place."

"It would be great if I could show my face, but what if I fail to do so and give myself away?"

Chen Fan rubbed his face, sat up straight, and said, "What can we do? Since we're the vanguard, there are bound to be successes and failures. Who can guarantee that everything will go perfectly? Even if the higher-ups really want to hold us accountable, I'll just take the blame. It's not a big deal. They can't just remove me from my post."

"If you really dismiss me, that's fine with me. I can go back to the production team and collect work points; that's much better than being a pathetic foreman."

"You think beautifully."

He Qingsheng rolled his eyes. "I'm not dead yet, it's not your place to stick your neck out."

He slapped his forehead, pondered for a few seconds, and said softly, "You were right about something earlier. We submitted explanations for our book exports and collaborations with smaller publishers. Since the higher-ups didn't object, that means they agreed!"

He looked up at Chen Fan and said, "Here's what we'll do: you draft a more detailed plan, and I'll submit it to the higher-ups. If they don't object, we'll get started."

Chen Fan's face fell. "I'm just the deputy director in charge of the European and American branch. Shouldn't this be the job of the director?"

He Qingsheng spread his hands, "There's no official one. The External Relations Department only has two deputy directors, you and Lao Duan. And this suggestion was put forward by you, so who else should write it if not you?"

Chen Fan hesitated for two seconds, then stood up, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, and said, "Farewell."

"return."

He Qingsheng rubbed his temples, looking troubled. "Here's what you're going to do: tell me your ideas, and I'll arrange for someone to write the proposal."

Chen Fan sat back down in his chair and said seriously, "When summer vacation started, I told Bian Huifang that the University of Iowa in the United States has an 'International Writing Program', but she couldn't find any relevant information. You have many connections, so you can try to find it."

In addition, the international students at Jiangnan University are a good resource. Those who are sent here to study at this time all have official backgrounds, but they are all self-employed. There is a lot of room for manipulation here.

Asking them to pass on a message won't raise any official concerns. If it works, they're the bridge, and the higher-ups take credit. If it doesn't, it's the bridge's fault for not being built properly. We and the people behind them will be fine. We can still laugh and joke around when we meet again, and it won't hurt our feelings.

Let's start with spontaneous exchanges among the community. Let the students from the Jiangnan University Literary Society hold a few exchange meetings with the international student community.

Then, in the name of the Jiangnan Provincial Writers Association, we will cooperate with a local writers association behind them. During the exchanges, we will act as pioneers.

If the results are satisfactory, we can then relay messages between each other, gradually increasing the scale and level of communication.

Finally, the national writers' associations of both countries stepped in to renew their cooperation.

After he finished speaking, he took a cigarette from the cigarette pack on the table and lit it. "That's all my thoughts. Um, let me make it clear in advance that I'm a giant in thought but a dwarf in action. I'm good at proposing solutions, but please don't come to me with the execution. It's too much work."

He Qingsheng stared blankly at him. "These international students are mostly from socialist countries and countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. How do you plan to expand your branch in Europe and America?"

Chen Fan blinked. "Didn't I just say it was the University of Iowa's 'International Writing Program'? Just look in that direction."

He Qingsheng smiled without saying a word, staring intently at him.

After pausing for two seconds, Chen Fan sighed softly, "Uncle He, the way you are makes it easy for people to doubt the integrity of a professional writer."

He Qingsheng's face darkened. "I just wanted you to help me find out some information, what's wrong with that?"

Chen Fan said, "Okay, I'll send a telegram to my uncle later to tell him that the approval has been granted, and then ask him to help me find the contact information for the International Writing Program."

He Qingsheng clapped his hands and laughed heartily, "See, see, I knew it had to be you!"

Chen Fan cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, a forced smile on his face, and said, "Chairman He's leadership is truly effective; we're all cut from the same cloth."

Before He Qingsheng could find something useful, he grabbed the cigarettes on the table and quickly slipped out.

He first went to his own office to show he had been there, and then left.

As he left the gate, he tossed the cigarettes he had swiped to Grandpa Xiang and said, "I'm going back to Yunhu this afternoon. I remember you have a comrade-in-arms there. Do you want me to bring him something?"

Grandpa Xiang pulled out a cigarette and put it in his mouth. "Forget it. That old man hasn't sent me any Yunhu Daqu liquor. He expects me to send him something? Hmm... well, it's not impossible."

After thinking for a moment, he added, "Then could you pass on a message to him and ask when he's going to return the cigarettes he stole from me last time?"

Chen Fan's face darkened. "Fine, you'd better write the letter yourself. I'm afraid of getting beaten up."

Before he finished speaking, he slammed on the gas pedal, and the car shot off in the blink of an eye.

(End of this chapter)