Rebirth in 1960, My Industrial Age

Chapter 23 News about the new factory
Spicy stir-fried pork offal, dry-pot pork intestines, and some stir-fried cabbage.

Fortunately, Zhou Chunhua helped, otherwise it would have taken a lot of time just to clean the pig offal.

Bai Kang tasted the three dishes served and couldn't help but exclaimed in surprise: "Brother Zhou's cooking skills are pretty good, almost better than my wife's."

He originally thought that Zhou Fengnian's craftsmanship was just average, and planned to praise him no matter how well he did.

But I didn't expect it to be so good. Although not as good as those famous chefs from Hongbinlou and Fengzeyuan, he is definitely of acceptable level.

"I usually like to eat, and I study it for a while when I have nothing to do. If I hadn't gone to technical secondary school, I would probably learn to be a chef, haha."

Zhou Fengnian brought a basket of white flour buns and continued with a smile: "Let's eat, Brother Bai. These two dishes are best eaten while they are hot."

In this era, pig offal is not as precious as fat, and it is difficult to handle and cook, but Zhou Fengnian likes to eat it.

When the offal is cooked, the taste is no worse than meat, and spicy stir-frying is the best way to cook offal.

The three of them were sweating during the meal. It was perfect to eat spicy pork offal when the weather was cold.

"Wow, this meal is more comfortable than the one at Hongbinlou. It's a pity that I have a mission to complete and can't drink."

Bai Kang took a sip of tea after finishing his meal and said with a bit of regret that after he was done with this busy period, he would have to eat spicy pork offal more often to make up for what he had not eaten during this period.

Zhou Fengnian smiled and said, "There will be plenty of opportunities in the future, Brother Bai."

"By the way, Brother Zhou, you've been writing and drawing these days, and it doesn't look like you have a heating pad or an electric blanket. Is it something new?"

Bai Kang asked curiously. He had seen Zhou Fengnian drawing blueprints in the workshop more than once, and it seemed to be something new.

Based on the two examples of the hot pot and electric blanket, Bai Kang looked at the drawings Zhou Fengnian had recently drawn, which seemed to be a new product, a bit like a pot and a stove.

"Yes, but I haven't decided yet. It's an induction cooker."

Zhou Fengnian didn't hide it and explained to Bai Kang directly: "It's a stove, but it's heated by electricity, just like a hot pot, it uses electricity to convert into heat to cook, it's small and convenient."

There are many advantages, such as no open flame and smoke, no space occupied, etc. The disadvantage is that it consumes a lot of electricity.

It is still similar to an electric blanket. It is probably not used much in China because most of the electricity is supplied to factories, mainly abroad.

However, there is no need for Zhou Fengnian to remind us. With the precedents of hot-air heaters and electric blankets, if the Ministry of First Machine Industry encounters a product that is not suitable for domestic use but is particularly easy to use, it is estimated that the Ministry will take the initiative to promote it overseas.

Especially those that are suitable for the Russians, anything that can be used to pay off debts will be tried to be sold.

"induction cooker?"

Bai Kang's eyes moved. Just by hearing the name, he knew it was related to cooking with a stove. Now after hearing it, he felt that this new product seemed to have great potential.

So Bai Kang asked excitedly: "Brother Zhou, can our workshop produce this?"

"Don't worry, Brother Bai. It's good enough if we can complete the task before March. I just did it in my free time."

Zhou Fengnian shook his head and said, "Our new workshop is so small and we don't have many people. We'll be lucky to produce some quick-heating machines and electric blankets. By the way, Brother Bai, you can help me keep an eye on it for a day next week. I have to go to the First Ministry of Machinery Industry."

"Oh? Bro, what are you doing?"

"The factory gave me a certificate recommending me to take the exam last time, but I haven't gone yet. I have to find time to upgrade my technician level. After all, my salary still depends on my technician level."

To put it nicely, Zhou Fengnian is now the deputy director of the workshop, but he has not been transferred to a cadre position at all, so his salary is still paid according to his technician level rather than his administrative level.

At most, the subsidy was increased by ten yuan, and now it is 58.5 yuan per month.

If he passes the exam and becomes a level 65 technician, he can receive yuan, which is not a small amount.

Zhou Fengnian had already wasted a month because of the busy new workshop, so he didn't plan to delay any longer. Bai Kang patted his chest and said, "So it's this matter. Don't worry, brother Zhou, I will keep a close eye on it in the workshop. Is it the induction cooker?"

"Brother Bai, our words don't count. Induction cookers are no different from electric blankets. They require more machines and manpower, but the new workshop still has tasks to do."

Zhou Fengnian shook his head. The more people he managed, the greater his power would be. If he could achieve results, he would be promoted in the future.

But he has no say in this matter. He just has to do whatever his superiors say.

When Bai Kang saw Zhou Chunhua go out to wash the dishes, he leaned in and whispered, "Brother Zhou, I heard that the higher-ups are planning to build a new factory!"

"Ok?"

Zhou Fengnian was surprised when he heard this: "Brother Bai, you can find out this kind of news?"

Bai Kang waved his hand and said, "My family told me all this, and it's just an indication, but it's almost accurate."

"It's almost certain that this thing will be popular. We can build a factory out of it. And if you can come up with something similar to an electric blanket, Brother Zhou..."

Bai Kang didn't say what came next, but Zhou Fengnian guessed it.

It is indeed not a good idea to make things in a small workshop. The new workshop was a semi-abandoned warehouse, which was temporarily converted into a workshop.

The environment, machinery and manpower were not up to standard, so the production volume was increased only by alternating between three shifts and two shifts.

"Brother Zhou, do you have any ideas?"

Zhou Fengnian shook his head and said, "Brother, I don't have any ideas. My goal now is to upgrade my level, save money to buy a cross-yard, and then get married and have children.
If you have any ideas, I can show you the design tomorrow, but that's all I can do."

"Brother, this is fine. Thank you, brother!"

Bai Kang smiled, although he was a little unwilling, but he didn't try to persuade him any further.

After all, they had only known each other for less than two months, so it was already good enough that he could see the drawings in advance.

After Zhou Chunhua finished washing the dishes and went back to rest, Zhou Fengnian also went to the workshop to keep an eye on it. He had to watch until twelve o'clock, and then Bai Kang would come to take over from him.

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The output of the new workshop is very gratifying. Bai Kang is responsible for personnel deployment, and Zhou Fengnian is responsible for technical guidance and machine maintenance.

With the cooperation of the two and the hard work of the workshop workers, the output was finally increased to a level that could complete the task.

If we continue like this, we can definitely complete the 20,000 units by the end of the year.

As the weekend approaches, Zhou Fengnian can go to the First Ministry of Machine Building to take the grade promotion examination.

But before that, he had to send his fourth sister Zhou Chunhua away.

Zhou Chunhua happens to have a night shift next week, so if she goes back today, she will be back before next Monday night.

Early in the morning, Zhou Fengnian took Zhou Chunhua to buy some things, and reminded her: "Remember to be careful on the road, don't believe anyone, and don't take the side roads."

After listening to this, Zhou Chunhua nodded and said, "I understand, Third Brother. I will take a bus to the commune first, and then go back with the villagers."

"That's fine. You can help me take the money to my parents. When you come back, take some time to learn how to ride a bicycle. Then you can ride my bike back next time."

Zhou Fengnian gave a few more instructions, and after sending Zhou Chunhua to the car, he rushed to the First Ministry of Machine Building.

(End of this chapter)