Siheyuan: Game of Red Dust

Chapter 48 New Machine Tools
On Monday, Li Weidong went to work as usual. When he arrived at the factory, he visited the workshop to check on the progress and the operation of the improved equipment. Then he returned to the laboratory.

In the lab, he thought for a moment and decided not to write his work plan. If his plan was approved, he would likely be transferred out of the steel mill. He had been there for so long, and Director Wang and Secretary Zhang had treated him well. Li Weidong planned to leave something for the mill before he left.

Li Weidong used the space to draw the new machine tool in his mind and handed it to Director Wang, Secretary Zhang and others when he left. He didn't care whether it would be used or not.

Then he drew a device for making electric fans, and thinking about the drought in a few years, he drew a device for pumping water.

By the time he finished painting, it was already noon. Li Weidong put the finished materials in a box and went to the cafeteria to eat.

As soon as Li Weidong entered the cafeteria, he saw a large number of workers queuing up. Li Weidong subconsciously stood at the back of the line.

At this time, the workers also noticed Li Weidong and made way for him.

"Director Li, you go first, you go first."

Many workers stepped aside, wanting Li Weidong to hit first.

Seeing this, Li Weidong immediately waved his hand and said to the many workers, "Thank you everyone! But no need, I'll just queue up. Everyone has been busy all morning and is hungry. Let's go in the order of the queue."

The workers didn't say anything.

Some workers nearby also talked to Li Weidong about the problems that occurred during the use of the improved equipment.

Whenever talking about a problem with a device, Li Weidong would immediately tell where the problem lies, what needs to be paid attention to, and how it should be used.

Li Weidong hadn't noticed. As he explained how to use the improved equipment, the workers gradually gathered around him. When Li Weidong finished, he realized the team hadn't moved. He looked around and saw that they were surrounded by workers.

"Director Li, tell us more. We're a little uncomfortable with the improved equipment. What else do we need to pay attention to?"

"Yes, the equipment has been improved. What problems are likely to occur during operation? Director Li, please tell us more!"

"Yes, tell me more!"

.........

Li Weidong said: "Comrades, let's eat first.

After dinner, I will go to your workshop and we will explain the equipment so that everyone can understand it at a glance.

Everyone is hungry now. Man is iron and rice is steel. We cannot live without food.

What if I get starving and don't have the energy to go home, and there's a family conflict, and you blame me for it? " He said this and made a little joke.

Many married male workers burst into laughter, while married female workers spat softly. Only some unmarried young people didn't understand what everyone was laughing at.

After hearing what Li Weidong said, everyone walked away. Those who were queuing continued to queue, and those who were eating went back to their lunch boxes to eat.

Li Weidong came soon. He used a special meal voucher and did not need to spend extra money. The voucher had a specific fixed quantity.

The one serving the food was He Yuzhu. Li Weidong handed him the meal ticket. He Yuzhu looked at the quota on it and said nothing.

According to the quota on the meal voucher, the food was prepared and handed to Li Weidong. Li Weidong thought he might have to shake the spoon for him, but after thinking about it, he felt that he was overthinking it.

He Yuzhu was shrewd enough to avoid involving Qin Huairu. He shook the spoon at Li Weidong, not to mention Li Weidong's status and influence. Given the situation just now, if he dared to shake the spoon, he'd be ready to leave with his head down! Li Weidong looked at the meal: chicken, pork, a vegetable, and four meat buns. The steel mill still treated engineers well, using these meal coupons. It didn't cost any extra money, so it was a small benefit. Technicians also had some, but they weren't as good.

Li Weidong found a seat and sat down.

The chicken and pork were obviously cooked in a big pot. Li Weidong ate a piece of each and the taste was just average.

I saw that there were only some vegetables in the lunch box of a worker next to me, and a steamed bun in his hand.

The worker didn't look old. He was probably an apprentice, only about 20 years old. However, he was very thin and looked like he probably weighed less than 80 kilograms.

Li Weidong picked up the plate, picked out some chicken and pork, and gave him a meat bun.

The worker was stunned at first, then wanted to return it.

Li Weidong didn't give him the chance and said, "Eat well and eat more. I'll talk about the use of the equipment later. Listen carefully and strive to get promoted as soon as possible. Life will be better."

The worker's eyes suddenly moistened. He looked at Li Weidong, nodded vigorously, and said with a choked voice, "Director Li, don't worry, I will."

Li Weidong looked around and suddenly felt a little heavy-hearted. At this moment, the workers in the cafeteria were basically eating steamed buns, and less than one-third of them were willing to eat chicken.

However, this is also the norm in this era. It is not easy to get enough to eat, and eating meat is a luxury for many people.

Li Weidong shared the food on his plate with the workers nearby, and he only ate two steamed buns...

He Yuzhu had been secretly watching Li Weidong. Seeing Li Weidong distributing his food to the workers, He Yuzhu wanted to think that Li Weidong was trying to win people's hearts, but after thinking about it, he felt that it was unnecessary.

The last two thousand yuan was distributed to the needy families in the factory, which made Li Weidong's reputation in the factory unprecedented. Now if you are in the factory, you may not be affected if you curse the factory director, but if you curse Li Weidong and others find out, you will definitely be beaten.

He Yuzhu thought: Why can't I be nicer to Sister Qin! The Jia family is the Jia family, and Sister Qin is Sister Qin! Although the Jia family is not a good family, Sister Qin is! Alas!
This was Li Weidong's first time working among the workers. He knew life was difficult in those days, but it was even more difficult than he had imagined.

Li Weidong has no ability to change anything for the time being. He can only hope to submit the drawings of machine tools, fans, and water pumps to see if he can earn some foreign exchange, make the factory rich, and change the lives of the workers.

Li Weidong was not full, so he planned to eat some food from the space when he returned to the laboratory.

After dinner, Li Weidong led the workers to the workshop. In the workshop, Li Weidong explained in detail how to use the improved equipment and the precautions. He also found two apprentices to give detailed explanations.

Many workers asked questions one after another, and Li Weidong did not show any impatience, but explained them one by one.

Soon it was time to go to work. Li Weidong said, "Everyone, let's get to work first. I'll be coming to the workshop every day at noon to explain. Let's not delay production and continue tomorrow."

"Thank you, Director Li. Everyone, please go home first. Didn't you hear what Director Li said? Come back tomorrow so as not to delay the production."

"Yes, yes, thank you Director Li!"

Many workers thanked Li Weidong and left.

After many workers left, Li Weidong discovered that there was a group of people who did not leave. Upon closer inspection, he found that it was Chief Wang from the Ministry of Industry and Chief Chen from the army. They were followed by a group of leaders, including Factory Director Wang and Secretary Zhang.

(End of this chapter)