The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 30 Group Leader's Speech
"Our project team's experimental plan this time is to manufacture high-precision steel alloys that can support the use of cutting-edge defense projects."

The steel industry is the foundation of heavy industry. Our goal this time is to completely catch up with Western countries and our big brother in alloy technology, to show them that our land is not just a place to ask them for things.

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, everyone applauded, even a few technicians who were not entirely convinced by him joined in.

You can't not clap. If you don't clap, does that mean you don't agree that they will surpass the Americans and the Russians?
What do you mean? Hmm! ?

After the applause ended, since there was still plenty of time today, and Bai Shaokang had brought the blueprints over, they decided to take advantage of the fact that they had plenty of time and that Bai Shaokang had brought them over as well.

"Everyone, since we still have time today, I plan to explain to you the principles of the new process and the equipment improvements."

We're not exactly penniless now, but we're pretty much at it; many of the equipment needed for the new alloy manufacturing process needs to be developed and manufactured by ourselves, no one can help us, so do you understand that this is crucial to the success of our project.”

Zhou Zhiqiang then planned to explain the principles of the new alloy process to the project team.

Before Zhou Zhiqiang could speak, Bai Shaokang said, "I've already called Professor Zhang. They're calling people from the school and they'll be here in a bit."

I also plan to familiarize them with the factory today, but I'll handle those things. When they arrive, I'll have them come to the test workshop first.

"Thank you for your help, Deputy Team Leader Bai."

Zhou Zhiqiang also started using a formal title, finding it quite convenient to have someone like that help him handle other matters.

If we let him come, it would take up a lot of time.

Subsequently, Zhou Zhiqiang held a meeting with the technical staff in the project team and explained to them the use of vacuum pump sets to stabilize the vacuum level in the melting furnace within a certain range.

There was a lot of equipment to be manufactured, and Zhou Zhiqiang knew exactly what equipment was needed, but he wasn't sure if he could manufacture some of it.

If all of them can be manufactured, then a perfect new furnace can be built for steelmaking.

If the quality is inferior and a substitute is unavoidable, then the entire process must be adjusted.

Manufacturing it according to the process he presented should definitely not be a problem. Theoretically, after calculation by the [Collection and Deduction Assistant], the result is absolutely perfect.

Realistically speaking, although the Second Steel Rolling Mill is a very powerful steelmaking plant in China, its industrial base cannot compare with that of the two strongest countries, the United States and Russia.

The technical seminar lasted all day.

Zhou Zhiqiang ate lunch directly at the Second Steel Rolling Mill. Today he was lucky enough to have a meal of fried cabbage with pork cracklings, potato slices with lard, and two steamed buns made from a mixture of wheat and pork.

In terms of food, it was a step above that of Dafeng Machinery Factory. It can only be said that even though they were both heavy industrial factories, there are differences between large factories.

After lunch, Professor Zhang Deli also brought several students over in the afternoon to join the project team and discuss the feasibility of the technology.

Zhou Zhiqiang can guarantee that the theoretical deductions are absolutely correct, but in terms of technical implementation, it will require the efforts of all parties.

So Zhou Zhiqiang, Professor Zhang, and some technicians from the Second Steel Rolling Mill spent the entire afternoon working on this matter.

Once the smelting furnace is in place, improvements will be implemented immediately. Who will be responsible for which part and what goals need to be achieved will all be decided during the discussions.

Zhou Zhiqiang is in charge of manufacturing the two most important pieces of equipment. He plans to go back to Dafeng Machinery Factory first to see if it has the capability.

Then you can only ask at the factories directly under the First Ministry of Machine Building, where there are more senior technicians.

However, the Industrial Bureau will definitely need to act as a go-between, otherwise Dafeng Machinery Factory won't be able to get in touch with them.

After a busy afternoon explaining the principles of the process technology, dividing the work into groups, and assigning responsibilities, we barely finished by the time we were done. "That's enough for today. Starting tomorrow, each group you just divided up needs to remember their responsibilities and report their progress to me every other day."

If you're unsure about anything, contact me immediately. If you can't find me, contact Deputy Team Leader Bai. Never insist on continuing if you're unsure. If the project is hindered due to personal reasons, I will have to report it to my superiors.

Before leaving work, Zhou Zhiqiang gave everyone a heads-up.

If he weren't the project team leader, he certainly wouldn't care so much; but now that he is the team leader, Zhou Zhiqiang deserves the most credit if the project succeeds, and bears the greatest responsibility if it fails.

Therefore, no one is allowed to act recklessly or haphazardly; if anyone is found to be doing so, they will be dealt with immediately.

If Zhou Zhiqiang can't handle it, then he should report it to his superiors. He can't be supported in leading the project team on one hand, and then sit idly by while someone is causing trouble for him on the other.

Moreover, if it weren't for the thought that reporting every day was too tedious, Zhou Zhiqiang would have wanted everyone in the group to keep a daily report so that he could keep track of the progress at any time.

After giving their instructions, the members of their project team gradually finished work and left.

Zhou Zhiqiang walked with Bai Shaokang and Zhang Deli for a while before speaking, "Director Bai, Professor Zhang, did I do anything wrong just now?"

"Haha, Brother Zhou, you're joking. Your behavior just now was exactly like my boss's; there was absolutely nothing wrong with it."

Bai Shaokang laughed heartily upon hearing this, then his expression turned slightly serious as he said, "That's good. The project is the most important thing."

Today, all the ministerial directors are here for a meeting, and high-ranking officials from various ministries are also paying attention to this matter. So, Brother Zhou, I fully support everything you said today.”

Moreover, Zhou Zhiqiang did not take on too much responsibility. Apart from technical matters, he hardly cared about anything else, leaving everything to be coordinated by Zhou Zhiqiang, the deputy team leader.

Bai Shaokang knew perfectly well that he wasn't good at technical work, but he was best at managing workers, and the responsibilities assigned to him were just right.

One person is in charge of technology, and the other is in charge of daily management, which is in line with the leader's original intention in choosing him as the deputy team leader.

Zhang Deli also said with a smile, "Zhiqiang, there are no small matters when it comes to technology. You should be more cautious."

Now that you're the team leader, you have a lot of responsibility, so naturally you need to pay more attention to other progress updates; if any of the students I've brought have problems, don't hesitate to come to me.”

"Then I'll have to ask you to take good care of me from now on. This is my first time being a team leader, Director Bai, Professor Zhang."

After exchanging pleasantries with a smile, Zhou Zhiqiang bid them farewell at the gate of the Second Steel Rolling Mill and went straight home.

Before going home, Zhou Zhiqiang took a detour to the vegetable market and bought some chili peppers and other vegetables.

Now, Guo Yuting has been trained by him to gradually develop a liking for spicy food, and not just chili sauce.

She likes to eat everything, from stir-fried pork with chili peppers to stir-fried eggs with chili peppers.

Fortunately, chili peppers are not currently rationed, so the couple can eat them as much as they want with their salaries. Otherwise, if rations were required, given how often they eat chili peppers, there would definitely not be enough rations.

Not long after Zhou Zhiqiang arrived home, Guo Yuting rode her bicycle back, and the couple arrived home almost one after the other.

"Yuting, you're back. You don't look well. Did someone upset you?"

After Zhou Zhiqiang walked out of the kitchen and greeted everyone, he noticed that Guo Yuting looked angry and upset, clearly having been holding back her frustration.

(End of this chapter)