Courtyard House: Starting in a Ceramics Factory

Chapter 272 Director Zheng's Recruitment and His Grand Plans
When Li Feng entered Director Zheng's office, he realized that the layout of the office had changed drastically since Director Wei's time.

But that's normal.

After all, Director Wei has been retired for some time now, so it's normal for his office to change.

Moreover, the person sitting in the factory director's office now is no longer Director Wei, but Director Zheng.

However, Li Feng was not familiar with Director Zheng. In fact, Li Feng had only met Director Zheng at the farewell party and when Director Zheng went to the grassroots level to offer condolences. He had basically never met Director Zheng at other times.

of course!

Factory Director Wei was the same.

After all, he was the factory manager, while I was just a worker.

However, Li Feng had no idea why Factory Director Zheng wanted to see him.

Although at first Li Feng thought it was about him asking for leave, he felt that Director Zheng shouldn't be so free as to talk to him about taking leave.

At this moment, Li Feng walked into Director Zheng's office, where Director Zheng was dealing with factory affairs.

At this moment, Director Zheng was wearing a cadre uniform and writing something with a pen in his hand.

Li Feng watched as Director Zheng reviewed the documents.

However, he still greeted Director Zheng.

"Director Zheng".

Upon hearing Li Feng's voice, Director Zheng stopped writing and looked up at Li Feng.

When Director Zheng saw Li Feng arrive, he nodded to him.

Then he asked Li Feng.

"Li Feng!"

"I'd like to ask you a few questions about your leave request."

When Li Feng heard what Director Zheng said, he didn't expect that Director Zheng had called him over because of his request to take leave for the college entrance examination.

So Li Feng couldn't help but ask Director Zheng a question.

"Is there a problem?"

"Did I take too many days off?"

At this point, Li Feng could only think of this much. Apart from the fact that he had taken too much leave, he really couldn't think of any other reason why Director Zheng would contact him.

When Director Zheng heard Li Feng's words, he simply smiled and shook his head at Li Feng.

"Of course not!"

"I just wanted to ask you, if you get into university, what are your plans for the Asahi Shimata Group?"

"After all, you are the leader of the light color painting group, and there are few people in our factory who know more about this than you."

Only then did Li Feng realize that the reason Director Zheng had come to him was because of this issue.

So he immediately began to explain to Director Zheng.

"That's how it is!"

“As for this matter, Deputy Factory Director Zhu has already come up with a plan. He plans to let me manage the Shallow Color Group while I go to school.”

"If it is a major project, the factory can help me take leave to complete the major project."

When Director Zheng heard Li Feng's answer, he realized that Deputy Director Zhu had already planned this matter.

However, this also made Director Zheng feel that Deputy Director Zhu was very efficient in handling matters.

After all, what Director Zheng needs is capable people.

Moreover, Director Zheng knew that if he wanted to achieve something in this position, he needed more motivated people to help him.

At this moment, Director Zheng nodded to Li Feng and said...

"Alright!"

"I know about this. You can go back now."

"I've approved your leave. If you pass the exam, remember not to neglect your work."

At this moment, Director Zheng suddenly remembered something, so he couldn't help but ask Li Feng.

"That's right!"

"What major are you planning to study?"

At this moment, Director Zheng was curious about what major Li Feng would choose.

Li Feng, who was standing opposite Director Zheng, was clearly stunned. He did not expect Director Zheng to ask him this question.

However, Li Feng still answered Director Zheng.

"If I get into university, I might choose mechanical engineering or chemistry."

After Li Feng finished speaking, Director Zheng was also stunned for a moment.

He never expected that Li Feng would choose these two majors.

Because the two majors Li Feng chose were completely unrelated to his actual job.

After all, chemistry, mechanics, and ceramic painting are almost completely unrelated, so at this moment, Director Zheng couldn't help but ask Li Feng out of curiosity.

Why did you choose these two majors?

Li Feng immediately explained to Director Zheng.

"I believe that our factory is currently using traditional techniques to make ceramics, and ceramics made by hand are considered handicrafts. However, I think our country also has certain potential for everyday ceramics."

"Therefore, I hope to learn mechanical knowledge to design automated daily-use porcelain equipment for our factory."

"After all, everyday porcelain doesn't require such high artistic standards."

Factory Director Zheng never expected that what Li Feng was thinking would coincide with the other way he had found for the factory.

Previously, during a meeting, Director Zheng suggested that the factory should not continue to focus on traditional ceramics and should look for other markets.

However, the suggestions given to them by the factory's middle and senior management were to expand overseas sales channels or raise standards and take a high-end approach.

At the time, Director Zheng didn't have a good idea either, so he put it on hold for the time being.

A few days ago, Director Zheng thought of something that could be used nationwide.

For example, everyday porcelain.

Now that Director Zheng had heard about daily-use porcelain from Li Feng, he couldn't help but become interested.

So he asked Li Feng directly.

"Do you have any good ideas?"

Li Feng was surprised that Director Zheng would be interested, so he nodded in response.

"Director Zheng!"

"As far as I know, there are only a few places where we produce daily-use porcelain."

"It's still quite difficult to supply the whole country at the moment."

"Moreover, most people in our country currently do not use porcelain in their homes; most of their products are pottery."

"Many of them are just coated with a layer of glaze."

"The workmanship is very poor and the product is shoddy."

"Moreover, the craftsmanship is incomparable to that of tableware made of porcelain."

"Furthermore, the cost of pottery is currently not lower than that of porcelain."

"Therefore, I think this is a market with great potential. If we design exquisite porcelain, and the price is similar to that of these pottery pieces, I believe most people will still choose to buy tableware from our factory."

"In this way, our factory will have another category of porcelain, and it won't conflict with our original craft porcelain."

When Li Feng finished explaining his ideas, Director Zheng couldn't stop nodding.

Factory Director Zheng was surprised that Li Feng had considered so much. Li Feng's ideas were far more mature than he had thought before.

This made Director Zheng look at Li Feng with new respect.

Factory Director Zheng now feels that although handcrafted ceramics are very profitable, the rate of making money is still very slow.

At this point, Factory Director Zheng felt that if they had good quality daily-use porcelain, their export prospects wouldn't be bad either.

As long as the quality is good.

When Director Zheng took office, Minister Jiang instructed him that the factory needed to increase its foreign exchange earnings.

At this moment, Factory Director Zheng thought of many things.

About a minute later.

Factory Director Zheng looked at Li Feng and then asked him a question.

"Um!".

"You're absolutely right!"

"But besides mechanics, why do you want to study chemistry?" This was because Director Zheng was, after all, a chemistry major.

Li Feng already had a clear idea of ​​why he wanted to study chemistry.

So Li Feng began to answer Director Zheng.

"I studied chemistry so that I could find color matching solutions for the pigments used in our factory."

"There are also some improvements to the ceramic formula."

"For example, silicates in chemistry, that's the area I want to study."

Factory Director Zheng never expected that Li Feng wanted to study chemistry because he wanted to work on ceramic pigments and ceramic material formulations.

This was something he hadn't expected.

However, Director Zheng could tell that Li Feng wanted to study inorganic non-aerobic chemistry.

After listening to Li Feng's explanation, Director Zheng nodded to Li Feng and said...

"If you want to study chemistry, I hope you can get into Tsinghua University."

"If you get into Tsinghua University, then we'll be alumni."

When Li Feng heard what Director Zheng said, he couldn't help but ask Director Zheng in surprise.

"Director Zheng, you graduated from Tsinghua University?"

Factory Director Zheng nodded to Li Feng.

"That's right!"

"I graduated from Tsinghua University."

"And he's from Tsinghua University, majoring in chemical engineering."

"I used to work in the chemical industry."

At this moment, Li Feng couldn't help but ask Director Zheng out of curiosity.

"Then how did you come to be here?"

Upon hearing this, Director Zheng shook his head and then sighed.

"It's a long story!"

"There are many things you don't understand."

"However, the light industry system can also contribute to the country."

"You are already so outstanding in painting, and you have also participated in the construction of the famille rose group. Now you want to devote yourself to the development of the ceramic industry. Your awareness is very high."

"I think it's a bit of a waste for you to keep painting porcelain."

Upon hearing this, Li Feng couldn't help but wonder what Director Zheng really meant.

Li Feng believed that Director Zheng would not have said these things without a reason.

Just as Li Feng was thinking about these things, Director Zheng suddenly asked Li Feng a question.

"Would you be willing to work under me?"

"I just heard your plans for the ceramics industry. It would be a shame if you just kept painting ceramics."

“I also know that you have made great achievements in ceramic painting.”

"But I hope you can join the industry as a whole."

“In that case, you will be able to make better use of your strengths. I think if you come to help me, you will definitely achieve more in the future than you did with your ceramics painting.”

The reason Director Zheng said this was because he observed Li Feng's words and actions, his project planning, and his understanding of the industry, all of which were qualities that most people in the factory could not match.

Factory Director Zheng urgently needs talent like Li Feng.

Although there are many talented people in the factory, few are suitable for my career plan.

At this point, Director Zheng believed that Li Feng was suitable to carry out his plan.

People who understand your thinking are better able to help you carry out your work; at least that's what Director Zheng thinks.

When Li Feng heard what Director Zheng said, he was very surprised. He never expected that Director Zheng would want him to work under him.

However, I am still an employee of the ceramics factory, and in principle, I work under Director Zheng.

Does Director Zheng mean he wants me to be transferred to another position?
When Li Feng thought of this, he immediately shook his head at Director Zheng.

"Factory Manager!"

"Thank you for your trust, but I don't think I'm suitable for this position, especially if I go to university."

“I not only have to go to school, but I also have to take care of the Asagi-sai group.”

"So I don't have the time."

Actually, Li Feng didn't want to be this busy.

If you've already graduated from university, then it's not a big deal, but if you're still in school, then you'll have a lot to do.

Then you'll have to take care of several things.

That shouldn't be exhausting.

Therefore, Li Feng decisively rejected Director Zheng's proposal.

After listening to Li Feng's explanation, Director Zheng smiled and said to Li Feng.

"The problem you just mentioned isn't actually that difficult."

"I've seen the reports about the Shallow Colors Group. The workload isn't that big yet, so you can definitely train a deputy."

"That way, you'll have some free time."

"And I also graduated from university."

“I am well aware that university classes are not held every day, and that universities also have summer and winter breaks.”

“If you have something to do, I’ll have the factory help you ask for leave.”

"Just like you and Deputy Factory Director Zhu agreed before."

"The factory will take care of this."

"You don't need to worry about not being able to get time off."

"And even if you graduate from university, you still have to go back to the factory."

“The factory’s policy is that employees should take unpaid leave when they go to university, but I’ve made a special exception for you so you can still receive your salary.”

"What do you think?"

Li Feng hadn't expected Director Zheng to be so thoughtful, which left him speechless.

After all, Director Zheng had gone to such lengths, which meant he wanted me to work for him.

Moreover, Director Zheng's offer is already so generous; if I were to refuse, I would be ungrateful.

After all, Director Zheng was his direct superior.

Moreover, Director Zheng is still so young. It's normal for him to work at the factory for a few years. If Director Zheng gets promoted in the future, it will be somewhat beneficial for me.

However, Li Feng currently has no idea what Director Zheng wants him to do.

After all, anything is possible under Director Zheng.

When Li Feng thought of this, he began to ask Director Zheng a question.

"What do you need me to do?"

Seeing that Li Feng had tacitly agreed, Director Zheng nodded directly to Li Feng.

"Just like you said at the beginning."

"I also plan to expand the production line for daily-use porcelain in the factory."

When Li Feng heard this, he realized it.

So that's why Director Zheng wanted me to work for him.

Because his ideas were the same as those of Director Zheng.

Just as Li Feng was thinking about these things, Director Zheng continued speaking to him.

"Regarding the ceramics in the factory, I plan to industrialize daily-use ceramics to a certain scale."

"As for art porcelain, we will continue at the current level and with the current procedures."

"But for everyday porcelain, industrial methods must be used to automate its production."

"Moreover, the daily-use porcelain produced in our factory must be produced quickly, of excellent quality, and with a wide variety of designs."

"You just said that there is great potential in China, but I think there is also a large market abroad."

"So I need the cooperation of the factory and the department to do this."

"This matter may not be completed in a short time, but no matter how long it takes, I am determined to finish it."

(End of this chapter)