Rebirth in 1960, My Industrial Age

Chapter 117: Rewards from the Ministry of Light Industry (Subscription Request)
"Brother Gao, what do you want from me?"

Zhou Fengnian was drawing in the office today when Deputy Director Gao's assistant came to see him.

It must be something important, so Zhou Fengnian had no choice but to make the trip.

"It must be a good thing. It's a good year. You have another harvest. Haha."

Deputy Director Gao said with a smile, then took out a thank-you letter, handed it over and said, "Look, the Ministry of Light Industry is quite formal, sending you a thank-you letter specifically."

Some words of thanks were written on it, and the seals of the First Electrical Appliance Factory and the Ministry of Light Industry were also stamped on it.

"As for these few things, they were also sent to me privately, so I didn't let the broadcasting room announce it. You deserve a good compliment for your contribution."

Deputy Director Gao took out two more boxes, one large and one small, and an envelope.

"Forget about the praise. I've heard a lot about it. It's enough to know it privately. But the Ministry of Light Industry also gave a lot. What are these?"

Zhou Fengnian didn't act shy after he finished speaking. He probably guessed what he had heard when he saw the box.

When I opened it, I found it was indeed a portable recorder, but now it has been renamed a portable singing and listening machine; it means that you can record the songs you sing and listen to them at any time.

"It really is this. They gave two at once. The Ministry of Light Industry is really generous this time."

Deputy Director Gao also leaned over, took a look and asked, "Fengnian, is this your research at the Ministry of Light Industry?"

"Yes, a small tape recorder and player that can be worn on your waist. Oh, and this tape is a song I asked Deputy Director Bai to record. Brother Gao, come and listen."

Zhou Fengnian installed the tape battery as he spoke, and then handed the headphones to Gao Zhiyuan.

Bai Kang was quite thoughtful and gave him two sets of batteries. Basically, everything was ready.

"Okay, let me try."

Deputy Director Gao put on his headphones with a smile. After Zhou Fengnian pressed the play button, he immediately heard the song coming from the headphones.

"Hey, it's really clear, this is the East is Red"

Deputy Director Gao listened to the songs while shaking his head and clapping to the beat. After he finished listening to "The East is Red", he changed the songs to "My Motherland" and "By the Butterfly Spring", which were both very popular songs at the time.

After listening to three songs, Zhou Fengnian stopped.

At this time, Deputy Director Gao was still reluctant to part with it and said, "Yes, this thing is really good. I can listen to songs when I go out in the future."

"It's more than that. You can also use it for studying. You can record what is said in class and listen to it slowly when you go back home, or learn a foreign language. There are many things that can be done."

Zhou Fengnian saw the expression on Deputy Director Gao's face and immediately said with a smile: "Brother Gao, the Ministry of Light Industry gave me two, so I'll give you one. One is enough for me."

"Hey, this won't do."

Upon hearing this, Deputy Director Gao hurriedly said that although he was somewhat tempted, this was a reward from the Ministry of Light Industry to Zhou Fengnian, so how could he accept it?

"It's obviously one for your sister-in-law and one for you. What's the big deal if I want one?"

"Brother Gao, I'm not being polite to you. I really don't need two of them. I don't use them at all. I can just leave one for Zhou Yan. You can take this back to your sister-in-law."

Zhou Fengnian took out a four-piece set consisting of a portable music player, headphones, and cassette batteries, placed them on Gao Zhiyuan's desk, and then took away the other rewards.

"Take it, Brother Gao. It's boring to be polite any more."

"Well, that's fine. I'll take your advice. This thing is really good."

Gao Zhiyuan no longer refused and accepted it with a smile; if he took it back, his wife and son would definitely like it.

"If this thing is sold in the country, it will definitely not be cheap."

"Of course, but we won't sell them domestically for the time being. The first electrical appliance factory plans to export them at the Canton Fair to earn foreign exchange. Even if we keep some for domestic use, it probably won't be much."

While looking at the other rewards, Zhou Fengnian casually said, "The cost is only 160 yuan. If I sell it, it will probably cost 200 yuan plus the ticket."

What's more, the expensive thing is the battery. With the current domestic battery level, the maximum power of the portable player is about 40 minutes, which is just enough to finish listening to a cassette.

The battery cost is the biggest expense.

Unless battery technology is improved, few people in China can afford this thing.

After Zhou Fengnian finished speaking, he looked at the reward given to him by the Ministry of Light Industry. In addition to the portable music player, there was also a ladies' watch and a sewing machine certificate.

This voucher can be used to get a sewing machine directly without spending any money.

Deputy Director Gao saw it with sharp eyes and said: "Hey, why did they send you this? Don't you have a sewing machine?"

"I didn't use that last time, Brother Gao. Zhou Yan and I both bought ready-made clothes, and we don't know how to use a sewing machine."

Zhou Fengnian smiled embarrassedly and said that although Zhou Yan knew how to sew, she had never learned how to use a sewing machine; and since their living conditions had improved after they got married, there was no need for it.

However, he plans to keep the sewing machine so that his elder and younger sisters-in-law can learn how to use it, and his second sister-in-law can stay at home to take care of the children and have more free time.

"Brother Gao, if there's nothing else, I'll go back first."

"Okay, that's all I need to call you here. If you don't want to broadcast, then it's fine."

Deputy Director Gao said, and then Zhou Fengnian took the things and left.

It is enough to just give the praise, there is no need to make it known to the whole factory. Anyway, he has received the honor and reward.

However, the Ministry of Light Industry was quite quick. Zhou Fengnian thought that he would only be rewarded after the Canton Fair and when the portable music player won a large order.

Unexpectedly, they were delivered to him in less than a week, and they were two portable music players, which was really generous.

All these add up to about 700 to 800 yuan.

Zhou Fengnian was in a good mood and originally wanted to give his watch to Zhou Yan on the way, but then he remembered that it was working hours, so he suppressed the idea and decided to give it to her after returning home.

After returning, Zhou Fengnian got down to work, but after a while he received a phone call.

"Hey, has the Second Machinery Plant's Technical Department finished it? Okay, okay, then you can send it over tomorrow."

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Fengnian smiled and thought, "Double happiness, the motor is also ready, and the next thing is a small part of the automatic CNC production line parts and control system."

The Sixth Institute of Control Systems is still manufacturing it, and it seems that they are about to develop the second generation of computers.

According to what Deputy Director Li revealed, it seems that it can be completely manufactured in these two months.

This would be a really great thing. In 1963, the city of 1949 alone achieved two notable successes.

An automated CNC machining production line and a second generation computer.

------

When it was time to get off work, the workers in the factory stopped the machine tools, packed up their tools, and then walked out of the factory in a large crowd.

After work, I have to go home and have a good rest. I am exhausted after a busy day.

Zhou Yan was also waiting for Zhou Fengnian at the corner where she often waited. After a few minutes, when Zhou Fengnian appeared, Zhou Yan waved.

"Fengnian, why are you carrying a cloth bag? You didn't bring anything this morning."

"This is a thank you letter from the Ministry of Light Industry. It contains a thank you letter and a reward. Please hold it for me and don't touch it."

After Zhou Fengnian handed the cloth bag to Zhou Yan, he pushed the bicycle away.

"Go home and read it. There's a gift for you inside."

After hearing this, Zhou Yan asked curiously, "What about mine? Isn't this a reward for you?" "Husband and wife are one, so what's mine is yours, and there's a reward inside that is indeed for you."

Zhou Fengnian got on the bike, motioned for Zhou Yan to sit on, then he pedaled away.

Now Zhou Yan's belly has also become swollen, and it has been four months now.

They returned home soon. Zhou Fengnian parked the car, let Zhou Yan get out, and then went back to the back room with her.

After entering the house, Zhou Yan couldn't help but ask: "Fengnian, what's in there?"

"You'll see if you open it. One of them is a product I developed when I went to the Electric Appliance Factory. Now it's ready."

While Zhou Fengnian was making a fire to boil water, he said that he had originally wanted to use a quick-heat heater, but the circuit breaker tripped after he used it once, so he never used it since then.

It can be used in factories, but it is really useless in residential areas.

While Zhou Fengnian was making a fire, Zhou Yan had already taken out all the things inside.

I don’t know how to use the portable player for now, but Zhou Yan knows the vouchers for the women’s watch and sewing machine, and these two items are not cheap.

"Feng Nian, where did this come from?"

"It's a reward from the Ministry of Light Industry. There's also a thank-you letter inside. Didn't you read it?"

After hearing Zhou Fengnian's reminder, Zhou Yan took out the thank-you letter and read it. Then she came to Zhou Fengnian with a smile, hugged him and said:

"My man is really awesome. He has done something great again."

"That's right, but I'll hug you later. Let me light the fire first."

After a while of struggling, Zhou Fengnian finally managed to light the coal stove. After boiling water, he turned to Zhou Yan and said,
"Yan Yan, you can take the watch. I'll go to the supply and marketing cooperative to get the sewing machine today. It doesn't cost anything anyway."

Zhou Yan nodded and said, "That's fine, but I don't know how to use a sewing machine. I guess I'll have to learn it later."

"It seems that we don't have any clothes to mend, just the sheets and quilt covers every year. It's up to you whether you learn or not."

Zhou Fengnian thought for a moment and said, "After buying it, I can let my eldest and second sisters-in-law use it."

Sewing tickets are easy to sell, but vouchers are hard to sell.

Especially since it was issued by the Ministry of Light Industry, Zhou Fengnian had no choice but to replace the sewing machine first, even though his family rarely used it.

Zhou Yan said, "That's fine. Let's buy it and put it in the front yard. It will also be convenient for the eldest and second sisters-in-law to use it."

"I'll let them know later and invite them over for dinner in the evening."

Zhou Fengnian said: "I will go to the supply and marketing cooperative first and exchange the sewing machine back."

Coincidentally, just as Zhou Fengnian arrived at the front yard, he saw his fourth sister Zhou Chunhua coming back pushing a bicycle, like a little girl.

"Chunhua, you just happened to be back, run another errand; tell your elder and second brothers to come over with their sister-in-law and children for dinner, and buy some vegetables at the farmer's market."

After saying that, Zhou Fengnian handed over some bills.

Zhou Chunhua didn't answer and said with a smile: "Brother, I have money, let me pay this time."

"You should save that little money of yours as a dowry. Can I still use your money? Take it!"

Zhou Fengnian forcefully stuffed it into Zhou Chunhua's hand and told her, "Buy some cooked food. Just half a pound. Take whatever you want."

After saying that, he rode his bike to the supply and marketing cooperative.

When I arrived, I went straight to the salesperson and asked for the receipt for the sewing machine that had an accident.

When the salesperson at the supply and marketing cooperative saw the sewing machine certificate issued by the Ministry of Light Industry, he knew that Zhou Fengnian must be someone of considerable background, so he enthusiastically took Zhou Fengnian to choose a sewing machine.

Zhou Fengnian picked one at random, asked for the receipt, and then spent 80 cents to call two people to help deliver the sewing machine on their bikes.

He came back almost at the same time as the man who was delivering the sewing machine on a tricycle. When they arrived at the gate of the courtyard, Zhou Fengnian pushed the tricycle in first.

Zhou Weitian was just in the front yard playing with his son, training him to walk. When he saw Zhou Fengnian coming back, he immediately smiled and said, "Third brother, you're back."

"Brother, please help me. The sewing machine has arrived. Come and give me a hand."

Zhou Fengnian pointed outside the door and then went to open an empty house in the front yard.

After the sewing machine was brought in, Zhou Weitian smoked two more cigarettes and sent the person away.

"Third brother, buy a sewing machine."

"My wife doesn't know how to use it either, but my eldest and second sisters-in-law have used it. You can come to my place anytime and practice now."

After Zhou Fengnian finished speaking, he asked, "Where are my second brother and second sister-in-law?"

Zhou Weitian said, "In the inner room, Lao Er and Chun Hua went to buy vegetables."

After Zhou Chunhua and Zhou Jiaan came back, Zhou Fengnian also instructed his eldest brother to cook.

There are nine people in the family, including two children, and it is a considerable workload for the eldest child to cook.

But his skills gradually improved.

Apart from anything else, when it comes to learning cooking, Zhou Weitian insists on being obedient and does whatever Zhou Fengnian says.

He said the dish was overcooked, so Zhou Weitian would take it out of the pot earlier next time. He said it was a little salty this time, so he would put less salt next time.

In addition to constantly practicing his cooking skills in the factory canteen, after returning home, he had Zhou Fengnian, the senior cook, to give him word-for-word guidance and even teach him exclusive recipes.

Zhou Weitian’s cooking skills are good enough for him to take the exam to become a level nine cook.

Others who learn to cook are not so lucky. They have to be apprentices for three years, chopping wood for three years, and so on. If you don't work for the master for seven or eight years, it is impossible for him to pass on his cooking skills to you.

By the time the meal was ready, it was already dark. Fortunately, we all lived nearby and it was only a 100 or 200 meters walk to the next yard.

"Come on, have a try. The boss prepared all the food tonight."

After Zhou Fengnian brought up the last pot of soup, he asked everyone to try it.

After tasting it, the second brother Zhou Jiaan nodded and said, "Don't mention it, the eldest brother's cooking is quite interesting. It tastes better than mom's."

Zhou Weitian immediately laughed proudly and said, "Hey, I think so too. Dad is not so lucky as he can't eat the food cooked by his eldest son."

"Hey, big brother, I can only say that it's not unfair that dad beats you every time."

Zhou Fengnian smiled and said that when his father got old, he would sew up the eldest son's mouth, otherwise the old man would be so angry that he would get hurt.

Afterwards, Zhou Fengnian said to his two sisters-in-law, "Sister-in-law and sister-in-law, I bought a sewing machine today. If you need to mend something in the future, just come and get it.

It’s okay if you don’t know how to use it. You’ll learn it after two attempts. Sewing machines are very simple.”

The second sister-in-law said a little embarrassedly: "Third brother, this is too much of a bother."

"Hey, family members don't say those polite words. Second sister-in-law, you spend the most time at home. I'll give you a key later. If you want to come, just open the door yourself."

Zhou Fengnian said that this was something he and Zhou Yan had discussed.

Apart from anything else, his family's character is absolutely guaranteed. This is the experience of the original body's memory for decades, so it's okay to give him a spare key.

(End of this chapter)