Chapter 215 Teacher Ke was once young
With the support of Professor Zhang, Li Ye's suggestion of "open debate" was eventually adopted by the Department of Economics to a limited extent.
Then, the students of Kyoto University were exposed to the new thing called "debate competition" three years in advance.
And Li Ye's name finally began to spread in Peking University.
"There is a widely circulated proverb in the West: there is no free lunch in the world, so I want to remind the opposing side that blindly introducing and developing low-end manufacturing for Western needs will inevitably increase the risk of mainland industries being manipulated."
"I disagree with the affirmative side's opinion. The introduction and development of any industry is not blind. The country has been selectively introducing the required industrial capital, especially advanced industrial technology. This is a positive behavior with more benefits than disadvantages."
"The opposing viewpoint is not valid. Capital is not a philanthropist. They will only give you what they need, not what we need. They always protect their own interests. Many of the technologies we have introduced are from ten years ago or even longer. This is evidence."
"We have the world's largest untapped consumer market and a complete light and heavy industrial base. We already have bargaining chips. Everything depends on human efforts."
On Saturday afternoon, in a large classroom at Kyoto University, the "Kyoto University's First Economic Debate Competition", which was very simple in every aspect, was in full swing.
As a member of the "opposing" side, Li Ye, together with several senior students from the classes of 1980 and 1981, engaged in a heated debate with four students from the "affirmative" side.
There were hundreds of students watching nearby. Even the aisles were packed with students from other schools who had heard the news and rushed over.
Everyone felt very curious about this unprecedented debate format.
Debate competitions actually originated in Great Britain and later flourished in the Chinese-speaking world.
If it weren't for Li Ye, Kyoto University's first experience with a debate competition would have been in 1986.
That year, the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation, located at the throat of the Strait of Malacca, hosted the first Asian College Debate Conference, and then extended invitations to the mainland in the form of an institution inviting universities.
At that time, it was the Kyoto University team that traveled thousands of miles and won the final championship despite having never been exposed to this kind of debate mode.
Then, without prior notice, TV One broadcast the program twice nationwide, which caused a huge sensation across the country, especially in colleges and universities.
Ruled debate is one of the hallmarks of modern society.
The reform and opening up in the mainland has just begun, and everyone is exploring. In addition to economic exploration, other areas are also being explored. Young people should explore, but how should they explore?
Arguing is the most common way. Often, many students who have a good relationship with each other will become estranged because of an argument.
This drawback can be solved by using debates as a form of tool for the exchange of ideas among students.
This interactive, equal, and open discussion and debate format that emphasizes mutual respect and convincing people with reason will maximize the embodiment of "being objective, not subjective".
The debate was intense, but after it, everyone was still friendly.
Moreover, in such a more formal occasion, with so many people watching and so many people helping you record, you can't just put labels on others, right?
Just like Song Ziyuan, if he said the word "damn" to Li Ye again like he did last time, everyone would remember it and it would become a black history that he could never erase.
At the end of the debate, Li Ye stood up and said: "Once upon a time, our silk, porcelain, and cotton cloth were sold all over the world, and everyone knew about this powerful, civilized, and rich land in the East.
So why can't our generation achieve the same glory? You know, it's been less than two hundred years since our land lost its position as the world's number one economy."
The classroom was completely silent. Li Ye looked at everyone and said firmly, "I believe that as long as we work hard enough, we can build a strong manufacturing country.
We can make this land the center of the world again, just as our ancestors did.”
“.”
“Pah pah pah pah~”
The classroom was silent for a few seconds before warm applause broke out.
Maybe many people do not agree with Li Ye’s point of view, but looking around, which student does not have a heart that hopes for the motherland to become strong?
But in the 1980s, no one thought about what flower-growing countries would be like forty years later, so who dared to shout the slogan of "Center of the World"?
This is not the same as the satellite launch in previous years.
But Li Ye shouted it out, and he shouted it confidently and firmly.
This aroused strong resonance among all the young people present. This generation of college students consciously shoulders the responsibility of revitalizing flower planting, so wouldn’t it be good to set a goal of becoming a “world center” in their hearts?
"Student Li Ye, although your remarks are not practical, I don't want to object because I am willing to accept this dream."
Yang Chen was a debater on the affirmative side, and he had some "feuds" with Li Ye, but now he came over and shook hands with Li Ye again.
“If people don’t have dreams, what’s the difference between them and salted fish?” Li Ye said with a smile while shaking hands, “What we need to do is to turn dreams into reality.”
Yang Chen shook his hand vigorously: "Let's encourage each other."
Li Ye nodded: "For the great rejuvenation, let's encourage each other."
“Revival of flower planting!”
The people around were infected and started discussing the topic of "reviving flower cultivation".
Li Huaisheng and Yang Yumin, who had been waiting nearby, came over, took Li Ye's arm and left.
"Come on, come on, we must not leave until we are drunk today. What you just said is more exciting than Shan Tianfang's storytelling. You have to tell everyone enough tonight."
"I'm not a storyteller, what are you saying?"
Li Ye was about to say something funny to Li Huaisheng when Wen Leyu came over from the front row of seats in the classroom and winked at Li Ye with a smile.
Li Ye said to Li Huaisheng: "I have something to do first, we'll talk later."
Li Huaisheng immediately said, "Go ahead, go ahead. Business is more important."
After Li Ye followed Wen Leyu out, Li Huaisheng said to Yang Yumin: "No matter how great a hero he is, he can't resist the smile of a beautiful woman. Alas, our little brother dotes on that girl."
Yang Yumin twisted his mouth and said faintly: "Don't say sour words, as if you are not envious."
"Hehe, it's the same for both of us. Let's not say anything bad about each other."
. . . . . .
Wen Leyu called Li Ye out, actually wanting him to go home with him for dinner.
Li Ye asked, "Is it just a meal? Or is there something else? You have to tell me everything so I can be prepared."
Wen Leyu glanced at Li Ye with his eyes slanted, and said with a smile: "What preparations are needed for this? Could it be that my parents are going to eat you?"
"That's not necessarily true!" Li Ye leaned close to Wen Leyu's ear and said, "What if they are looking for a son-in-law? Do you think I should be more reserved? Take a closer look at their daughter to see if she is ugly or pretty?"
“.”
Wen Leyu originally saw Li Ye coming over and even put her little head close to Li Ye's mouth to cater to him, but she didn't expect to hear such words.
She was stunned for a second, her face slightly red, but she was not shy. Instead, she turned her head and put her face in front of Li Ye.
"Come on, take a closer look. Are you satisfied?"
“.”
Wen Leyu's bold reaction made Li Ye helpless.
These days, his relationship with Wen Leyu has continued to heat up. The layer of window paper has become semi-transparent after being rubbed against it, and Wen Leyu has always been the reserved and passive one.
Who would have thought that Wen Leyu, who was always cool and gentle, would suddenly turn into a bold general today?
"Actually, whether I am satisfied or not, you know best, Xiaoyu,"
Li Ye held Wen Leyu's hand and said softly, "The most satisfying thing in my life is that I met you, the girl who suits my heart the most, who is willing to hold my hand and walk through spring, summer, autumn and winter with me."
Wen Leyu, who had been squinting his eyes and had a tense face, couldn't hold it back anymore.
She and Li Ye had been in contact for a long time, and they knew each other's feelings. She would have sensed any dissatisfaction.
"If you keep talking so smoothly, I'll tell my mom."
"Yeah, yeah, keep it a secret for me~"
"Hmph, hurry up, we have to go home and cook! I want to eat pickled fish."
"Ah? Are you calling me to eat or to cook?"
"I'll do it! I didn't ask you to do it. My mom asked me to learn how to cook from now on!"
“.”
The two of them walked away pulling each other, but they didn't notice that there were several pairs of eyes staring at their backs.
. . . . . .
Wen Leyu’s pickled fish was not very successful, but everyone at the table was very considerate and scrambled to eat it all up, saying it was delicious.
This made Wen Leyu very happy. She knew her cooking skills and knew that she was not quite done.
But I worked so hard and even killed a big live fish, so I should at least give myself some praise, right?
If anyone dares to look down on me, I won’t do it next time.
"Squeak~"
Wen Qingsheng opened a bottle of drink and placed it in front of Li Ye.
"You know this thing, right?"
Li Ye nodded and said, "Coca-Cola, the world's best-selling carbonated beverage, is three times more expensive than Arctic Ocean. I have done research in Hong Kong Island and its market share is over 80 percent."
Wen Qingsheng was a little surprised by Li Ye's answer, but he still said solemnly: "Then do you know how difficult it is for it to enter our mainland?"
Li Ye knew this because Coca-Cola was the first foreign-invested enterprise to enter the mainland after 1978.
It took three years of twists and turns for Coca-Cola from the time it decided to return to the mainland in 1978 until it started production in cooperation with COFCO in 1981.
Seeing that Li Ye remained silent, Wen Qingsheng thought that he didn't know, so he explained: "At the beginning, Coca-Cola wanted to enter the mainland and talked with us for three years. At first, they wanted to set up a factory in Shanghai, and later chose us, COFCO.
Coca-Cola has been sold in Beijing since the year before last, but the effect is not ideal. They even have to promote it by giving away a balloon with every bottle bought. Until now, they are not allowed to advertise on TV No. 1.
Li Ye listened quietly. He knew that Wen Qingsheng was telling him that foreign investment was very cautious. Even a large company like Coca-Cola would have to negotiate for several years.
Then I wonder how outrageous the idea of "accepting industrial transfer" revealed by Li Ye in that article is.
The mainland does not reject advanced overseas technology. In 1978 alone, it introduced 22 large-scale advanced technology projects, but the control is extremely strict.
The real relaxation of foreign investment entry conditions had to wait until the release of the "Regulations on Encouraging Foreign Investment" in 1986, which encouraged export-oriented and advanced technology companies to invest in the mainland.
More than a decade later, almost every city had one or more joint venture clothing companies, and Shenzhen was flooded with countless foreign-funded enterprises.
Those large and small companies engaged in foreign trade in Hong Kong also rely on the mainland to make a living and indulge in extravagant life.
It can be said that the road of "trading shirts for planes" has fattened countless vampires, and ultimately led to a successful counterattack, and countless sweat, blood and tears were shed during the process.
So much so that when flower growers no longer need these middlemen, they are still complaining about why "their money" was taken away.
More than 70 percent of Hong Kong's trading companies later went bankrupt, but they still felt they were innocent.
Being alive is already a "gift", but they take wealth and honor for granted.
But it is still 1983. Let alone the grand occasion in a few decades, Wen Qingsheng cannot even foresee the situation in three years.
He could only tell Li Ye that some roads were not only difficult and dangerous, but might even be a dead end, which was very unrealistic.
Li Ye pondered for a moment and said, "In fact, the article I published was just some personal opinions and feelings, which I put out for everyone to study and discuss. I didn't expect some subsequent impacts."
Wen Qingsheng looked at Li Ye in surprise and asked, "Didn't Zhang Qiyan instruct or influence you on that article?"
Zhang Qiyan is Professor Zhang. Obviously, Teacher Ke already knows that Professor Zhang "admires" Li Ye.
Li Ye said decisively: "No, I wrote the article after I came back from Hong Kong Island and gave it to Professor Zhang to read, but he didn't change a single word."
Wen Qingsheng looked at Teacher Ke, who calmly said, "It's great that you can learn from Zhang Qiyan, but in the future, please discuss issues within the school and don't publish articles too casually."
Li Ye nodded in agreement. Mr. Ke's conservatism and caution were also a form of protection for him.
Wen Leyu chimed in, "Li Ye originally wanted to discuss this within the school. He even suggested that the school hold an internal debate competition, which is really interesting."
Teacher Ke: “Debate?”
"Look, mom, you don't know either, right?" Wen Leyu explained in detail: "It means everyone openly debates a certain point of view, with both sides being the pros and cons."
Wen Leyu said a lot of things in one breath, especially emphasizing Li Ye’s last remarks about “the center of the world”.
Then, Li Ye saw a look of surprise in the eyes of Wen Qingsheng and Teacher Ke.
A moment later, Wen Qingsheng started drinking with Li Ye, and then Wen Guohua joined in, and the old two-on-one drama began.
When Li Ye left, Teacher Ke sent him to the door and said softly, "Just do whatever you want to do! It's not a bad thing for young people to have passion and dreams. Who can do anything to you?"
Li Ye looked at Teacher Ke in surprise. This was not her style.
But after looking at Teacher Ke for a few seconds, Li Ye suddenly realized that everyone has a youthful and passionate life. When Teacher Ke was young, he might have been braver than Li Ye!
(End of this chapter)
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