The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 101 He Definitely Wants to Join the Research Team [Please Subscribe]

"Section Chief, here's the money for yesterday's meal."

Early in the morning, Zhou Zhiqiang had just arrived at the office when Chen Li blocked the door and demanded repayment.

Zhou Zhiqiang quickly waved his hand and said, "Forget it, Deputy Section Chief Chen, I'm actually quite grateful that you brought Professor Fei over. It's just a meal, it's not good to be too calculating."

Besides, I had a very pleasant chat with Professor Fei yesterday, so it's perfectly normal for me to treat you to a meal. Let's not talk about money.

He's a level 16 section chief, earning a little over 100 yuan a month. If he can't even afford to treat someone to a meal, then he's really struggling to make ends meet.

"By the way, Deputy Section Chief Chen, have you finished looking at my notebook?"

"Not yet, do you want it, Section Chief?"

Distracted by this, Chen Li took the money back and then asked about the notebook.

Zhou Zhiqiang casually said, "I'm not in a hurry, but after talking with Professor Fei yesterday, I feel I need to reorganize things."
"You take a look first. I've been too busy lately to do this. The factory might have some new arrangements today, and our technical department is always the first to go."

The production schedule will be changed this week.

Last week, Secretary Yan and Factory Director Zhao went to the Municipal Bureau of Industry and managed to negotiate some support for them.

Five technicians will be scheduled to come over this Tuesday, which is tomorrow, and we will also try our best to provide support for production task adjustments.

If there were no parts processing plants in Beijing, the Municipal Bureau of Industry would report to the relevant ministries and commissions, asking the First Ministry of Machine Building to help coordinate production tasks.

There was no other way; the ministry had to take charge, even though this wasn't something their industrial bureau and Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory had agreed to.

When the Ministry of Foreign Trade readily agreed, did it consider the production issues?
They didn't agree to the timeframe either. If they don't resolve the issue of coordinating production tasks, then they should give the workers three heads and six arms, otherwise they really won't make it in time.

The technicians have solved the problem, and the production tasks have been coordinated. The rest is up to Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory.

However, if we're going to produce tubes with a lighter load, Dafeng Machinery Factory definitely won't have any problems.

Zhou Zhiqiang sat down at his desk and saw Chen Li follow him in. He then spoke to her about production: "Deputy Section Chief Chen, I spoke with the leaders last week and we'll start adjusting production tasks this week."

From now on, our factory will only do two things: produce the core diesel engines for small tractors, and assemble the finished products.

"The official announcement should be made at the meeting later. The skilled workers have basically completed their training, so we can put that on hold for now. The focus now is on training the new apprentices."

Before he could finish speaking, there was a knock on the door.

After Zhou Zhiqiang called him in, Zhao Jiabao walked in with a newspaper in hand, looking delighted, and said, "Section Chief, our factory is in the newspapers, and many of them are!"

Look, the People's Daily and the Sijiu City Daily both reported on our factory; seventeen million US dollars in foreign exchange! Our factory is amazing!

"It's been reported so quickly?"

Zhou Zhiqiang took the newspaper and read it carefully. Although he already knew the news, he still wanted to read it again from the newspaper.

The above details some of the achievements made at the Canton Fair, with a focus on Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory.

The entire autumn Canton Fair achieved a total export trade volume of US$90 million, but one factory alone achieved US$17.1 million.

It can be said that Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory accounted for nearly one-fifth of the Canton Fair's results.

The newspapers were lavish in their praise of Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory, and even Mr. Zhou's praise for the factory was reported by these newspapers.

"Let's wait for lunch today. It would be a shame if the factory manager didn't treat us to a good meal."

Zhou Zhiqiang smiled and handed the newspaper back to Zhao Jiabao, continuing, "Let the rest of our technical department take a look later; this is all thanks to everyone."

"Okay, Section Chief."

Zhao Jiabao happily took the newspaper and left Zhou Zhiqiang's office.

After everyone left, Chen Li couldn't help but say, "Section Chief, you actually deserve the most credit."

"What credit do I have? If it were just me, I might not even be able to make a machine tool. It's the collective effort that makes us achieve success."

Zhou Zhiqiang humbly said that even if that's what he thought, he couldn't say it out loud.

Moreover, the collective's contribution was indeed significant; he was at most a smuggler. If he had encountered a leader who didn't support him and only cared about stable production, Zhou Zhiqiang, no matter how amazing his skills were, would have been completely suppressed.

The news that the company had earned $17.1 million in foreign exchange quickly spread throughout the factory.

After all, it was clearly written in the newspaper, and the factory would subscribe to many newspapers and distribute them to various departments.

Chen Li's morning work assignments failed to calm the excited technicians in the technical department.

It wasn't until Zhou Zhiqiang opened the office door and came out that they obediently listened to Chen Li's work arrangements.

Before Zhou Zhiqiang became deputy section chief, he was the undisputed leader in the technical department. After becoming deputy section chief and then section chief, his authority was already very strong.

It's just that Zhou Zhiqiang rarely loses his temper.

After assigning the production tasks, Zhou Zhiqiang and Chen Li headed towards the conference room.

Today's weekly factory debriefing meeting is especially important.

------

"get out of class dismissed. That concludes today's lesson. No more questions today. If you have any questions, please write them down."

You guys discuss it. If you still don't understand, then ask each other together tomorrow.

Fei Yunzhi had just finished teaching his class and made some quick arrangements before immediately returning to his office.

Fei Yunzhi felt more and more that the improvement directions and technical processes he discussed and recorded with Zhou Zhiqiang yesterday should be submitted as soon as possible.

After returning home last night, he went through the process again and wrote a report on the independent research and development of the hydraulic press.

So after returning to his office, he picked up the phone and dialed: "Hello, this is Tsinghua University. Connect me to the Technical Department of the First Ministry of Machine Building. I'm looking for Director Cai."

The Technology Department of the First Ministry of Machine Building was responsible for tackling cross-industry technical challenges. It had organized joint efforts among universities, factories, and research institutes on numerous occasions to overcome related technical difficulties.

Fei Yunzhi also met Director Cai Borui during the process organized by the Technology Department.

After the call was connected, Fei Yunzhi immediately said, "Director Cai, this is Fei Yunzhi from the Department of Mechanical Manufacturing. I have something I'd like to report to you."
"It's hard to explain over the phone. I'll come over around noon, it's no problem, it'll only take a short bike ride. I also have some things to take with me."

"Alright, then it'll be noon. I'm sorry to take up your lunch and rest time, Director Cai. I have classes this afternoon. I'm really sorry."

After finishing speaking, Fei Yunzhi organized the results of yesterday's discussion and put them into his briefcase before quickly leaving the office.

After getting on his bicycle, Fei Yunzhi headed towards the First Ministry of Machine Building.

Before long, we arrived at the Ministry of Machine Building. After registering at the entrance, we were quickly allowed to enter. The phone call I made earlier was to make an appointment in advance. As soon as I hung up, the Technical Department informed the security guard of the visitors' arrival.

Arriving at the door of the Director of the Technology Department, Fei Yunzhi knocked and, hearing a voice inside, pushed the door open and went in. "Professor Fei, you've arrived."

When Director Cai Borui saw that the visitor was Fei Yunzhi, he got up to pour water and make tea. Although he was the director of the Technology Department, Fei Yunzhi was also a fourth-level professor.

After bringing the tea to the sofa, Director Cai gestured for Fei Yunzhi to sit down and asked, "Professor Fei, what's the matter that you rushed over here so urgently?"

"Director Cai, take a look at this. This is the conclusion I reached yesterday with a junior colleague, along with the research and development direction and some theories and technologies."

Fei Yunzhi paused for a moment, then sighed and continued, "Although it's called a discussion, I feel more like I'm learning. Most of the ideas in this application report are from that young comrade."

"Oh? Then wait a moment, let me take a closer look."

After Director Cai finished speaking, he began to read it carefully.

Fei Yunzhi compiled the summary last night; otherwise, it would have been quite difficult for Director Cai to understand it.

From the impact of large machine tools on domestic shipbuilding, military and other industries, to the independent forging of large forgings, it finally leads to the necessity of developing large hydraulic presses.

This is a production line in China's heavy industry. The hydraulic press is the beginning of the line; if you pull it up, you can pull the entire line.

Fei Yunzhi also listed some technical principles and improved processes for manufacturing large machine tools, but he did not actually manufacture them; it was all just theoretical talk.

However, if we can manufacture them independently, then the foundation of China's heavy industry will be one layer thicker, no, it should be said that it will be three layers thicker.

After reading it, Director Cai pondered with a serious expression. After a while, he said, "Large hydraulic presses are indeed very necessary. More than one department has discussed this issue."

Large forgings are not available domestically, and they don't sell well abroad. Only a few are produced every few months, and various departments are scrambling to acquire them. This is a real blow to the development of our country's heavy industry.

Upon hearing this, Fei Yunzhi asked with a delighted expression, "Director Cai, does that mean you agree?"

"Of course I agree, but I agree that we can't make a decision yet. This project is too big, Professor Fei. It requires joint research and development by many departments."

Director Cai paused for a moment, then continued, "I will report to Deputy Leader Wu, but the final decision will probably rest with Leader Sheng."

Professor Fei, you need to give me a tentative plan and the necessary support. Then I'll have the technology department refine it, and finally submit it to the leadership.

A report to a leader cannot be so perfunctory; it must clearly state all aspects of the matter so that the reader can understand the content at a glance.

"Okay, I'll go back and refine it further, and I'll also discuss it with Comrade Zhiqiang."

Director Cai nodded, then asked curiously, "Professor Fei, who is this young comrade you just mentioned? Is he from your school?"

"No, actually I'm still from your First Ministry of Machine Building, but I'm just the head of the technical department of a factory below."

Fei Yunzhi said, "He is Zhou Zhiqiang, the head of the technical department of Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory. I took the initiative to visit him and discuss it with him after I saw his ideas for modifying machine tools."

"Oh, it's Comrade Zhou Zhiqiang."

Director Cai immediately thought of Zhou Zhiqiang, mainly because he was quite famous in the First Ministry of Machine Building.

The first time was because of the praise from the Ministry of Metallurgy. Then the Ministry of Metallurgy wanted Zhou Zhiqiang to go there, but the First Ministry of Machine Building did not agree.

The second time was when Minister Sheng visited Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory, which was then Dafeng Machinery Factory, to see the first domestically developed small tractor.

It was the small tractor that achieved great success at the Canton Fair that made the First Ministry of Machine Building proud.

"This Comrade Zhou Zhiqiang was specifically praised by Leader Sheng, and within just one year of joining the workforce, he was promoted twice, ahead of schedule, to his current position as head of the technical department."

Director Cai sighed for a moment, then smiled and said, "Professor Fei, from what you're saying, it seems that Comrade Zhou Zhiqiang provided you with a lot of help during your discussion?"

"It didn't just provide me with help; it was more like I summarized his research and development and modification ideas."

After emphasizing this point, Fei Yunzhi continued, "If we are to establish a research and development team, I strongly suggest that Comrade Zhou Zhiqiang be involved."

Director Cai nodded and said, "Okay, I will definitely convey Professor Fei's suggestion to the leadership."

It's almost noon, Professor Fei, why don't you have lunch with us?

Fei Yunzhi did not refuse. Going back to school now would definitely mean missing a hot lunch, and besides, he still had things to discuss with Director Cai.

Director Cai then got up and asked his assistant to prepare new tableware, and then they went to the ministry's canteen together.

Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory.

As noon approached, Zhou Zhiqiang was the first to leave the meeting room as soon as the door opened.

Following behind him was Chen Li, the head and deputy of their technical department, who were both heading back to the same department.

As Zhou Zhiqiang walked, he turned his head and said, "Deputy Section Chief Chen, we'd better hurry up, or we'll be last in line today."

"As soon as they announced it over the loudspeaker this morning, the cafeteria will be packed with people at lunchtime."

Today, the radio station told everyone in the factory about their achievements at the Canton Fair, and also announced that they would add two meat dishes for lunch and slaughter a pig.

The factory has achieved great glory, so naturally everyone will be rewarded. There will definitely be a big meat dish at noon, but I don't know if it will be braised pork or lion's head meatballs.

Chen Li said nonchalantly, "Section Chief, we'll definitely get food anyway, there's no use in being anxious."

"Different dishes are always different. If you go early, you might get fatty meat, but if you go late, you can only get lean meat."

Zhou Zhiqiang now enjoys eating fatty meat. He didn't like it when resources were plentiful, but now that he eats coarse grains and pickled vegetables, a meal of fatty meat would be a real treat.

Although his family was stockpiling supplies, most of the supplies were for his wife and child; now that they have a child, Zhou Zhiqiang can feel a sense of responsibility driving him.

The two returned to the technical department to get their lunchboxes, just as the end-of-work bell rang.

When Zhou Zhiqiang rushed downstairs to the cafeteria, there was already a long queue, so he had no choice but to wait in line.

After waiting for a while, it was finally his turn. Seeing the dishes today, Zhou Zhiqiang handed over the lunchbox and meal ticket while smiling and saying, "The food is really good today. Give me braised pork, minced meat with vermicelli, and cabbage."

"okay."

After getting his food, Zhou Zhiqiang took his lunchbox and found a place to enjoy his meal.

However, not long after he sat down, Chen Li followed him and sat opposite him.

The two of them came together, and they got their food one after the other.

Zhou Zhiqiang was surprised that Chen Li sat directly opposite him. Although they had been working together very well recently, they used to sit far apart when they had lunch together.

"Section Chief, there's too much fatty meat here. I can't eat it. Could you help me out?"

　Asking for a monthly ticket!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)