Rebirth in 1960, My Industrial Age

Chapter 333: The Resurrection of the Car Factory

After being exposed, Zhou Xianyang smiled awkwardly, scratched his head and said nothing.

If he were to take over on his own, he would really not have the confidence, after all, there were more than 2,000 workers in the Electrical Appliance Factory, and he would be responsible not only for the workers' wages but also for handing over the profits.

It can be said that if you go without the ability, you will lose money. The leaders of the Sijiucheng Industrial Bureau and the Ministry of Light Industry are still thinking about the past glory of the No. 1 Electrical Appliance Factory and are unwilling to let go.

"Dad, I have an idea. What do you think about me producing hard drives and digital cameras after I take over?"

Zhou Xianyang had thought a lot before coming here, and combined with his previous experience, he told Zhou Fengnian
“Before coming here, I went to Shenzhou Computer Factory to ask Uncle Pan. Although computer factories now also produce hard disks, they are all bundled with computers and are not involved in independent businesses.

There are other computers in foreign countries. As computers develop faster and faster, the requirements for hard disks will definitely be higher. Our Shenzhou computers are no different from televisions. If we had a unified hard disk, we would have no problem using it.

Zhou Xianyang said a lot excitedly, and everything he said made sense. The development of hard disks is indeed good now. Whether at home or abroad, the demand for storage hard disks is bound to increase.

After listening to this, Zhou Fengnian didn't say anything else, but just nodded and said to his son: "The idea is good, and the vision is good. If you are sure, go for it. If you don't have money, your family can support you.

Regardless of other things, I can still take out hundreds of thousands. If it’s not enough, I’ll go back to the village and ask your grandfather for hundreds of thousands.”

There is an 80% chance of failure, but failure is nothing. Their Zhou family is becoming more and more wealthy, so they can accept failure once.

"Ok?"

Zhou Xianyang was stunned, then asked uncertainly: "Dad, is this all right? You don't want to say anything?"

"What can I say? You've planned everything out. There's nothing much to say except support. But your grandfather doesn't have much money, so you have to plan carefully."

After listening to Zhou Fengnian's words, Zhou Xianyang, who was originally full of confidence, suddenly lost his confidence. He really wanted to listen to his father scolding him, and then he would find out the shortcomings in the scolding. Why did his father support him so readily?
Zhou Xianyang didn't understand the situation for a moment, and couldn't help but pinch Bai Qing'an under the table, signaling his wife to say something good about him.

This was something the couple had discussed before coming here. Bai Qing'an used to call Uncle Zhou "Uncle Zhou", and now they have a closer relationship and call him "Dad". If she asks, her father will most likely not refuse.

Bai Qingan felt a pain in her leg, and she couldn't bite the goose leg in her mouth. But she also remembered what Zhou Xianyang had said to her before, so she didn't even wipe her greasy mouth, and hurriedly said to Zhou Fengnian with a smile:
"Dad, please help Xianyang. He hasn't slept well recently."

"You two young people are singing in unison."

Zhou Fengnian said with a smile, he had seen all kinds of people, and now two juniors were playing this trick in front of him.
Zhou Yan also said, "It's rare for your son to ask you for help, so don't keep him in suspense and help him."

Zhou Fengnian said: "All the money in the family was given to him, so he helped me a lot."

But after he finished speaking, seeing Zhou Yan glaring, he said, "Okay, there's nothing that's hard to help. Xianyang, the Electric Appliance Factory is still selling portable music players, right? Do you know how many portable music players have been sold?"

Zhou Xianyang was startled, then scratched his head and said, "I think they have sold quite a lot. After all, it has been more than ten years."

"You don't want to be a good cook, but you have to change your career to be a driver. Even if you can guarantee that you can make money in the future, you can't avoid the time when your apprentice salary is not enough to spend."

Zhou Fengnian paused for a moment and continued, "Although I haven't paid much attention to the First Electrical Appliance Factory, I know that they have been exporting before, and the domestic supply was very tight before. The export earnings have only stopped in recent years.
How many portable music players have been sold in China? In which cities can you cooperate with those big manufacturers and ask them to help you sell portable music players when they sell their products? "

"Besides, the technical foundation of the portable music player you made before is not bad. If you find some technical personnel to try to make some new products, they will be much better than hard drives."

For example, in the case of MP3, domestic hardware technology can meet the standards for manufacturing MP3. Both microprocessors and digital technologies are available, but the only thing missing is creativity.

If it can be manufactured, not only will it be possible to maintain the current profits of the Electrical Appliance Factory, it will be no problem to increase it by dozens of times.

MP3 can be regarded as the beginning of the popularity of digital music, and it will definitely be more popular than portable music players.

Moreover, the sales of portable music players in China do not have the potential they should have. The explosive growth of portable music players will come in the next ten years when annual income increases.

After listening to this, Zhou Xianyang suddenly felt as if a flash of inspiration had occurred in his mind, and everything became clear to him.

Yes, there must be many places in the country where it is not sold. Why didn’t he think of it? Moreover, there is no requirement to earn foreign exchange after taking over. Can’t he earn RMB?

Previously, the No. 1 Electrical Appliance Factory had always aimed to earn foreign exchange because they were clinging to their past glory and were unwilling to give up, but Zhou Xianyang obviously did not have this burden.

"Dad, you mean we can also use the wireless communication factory? I heard that this factory is very popular in selling pagers everywhere, and it has bases in more than a dozen cities."

Zhou Xianyang seemed to have all his mind opened up, and he quickly thought of many things.

"If I give them a discount of 10 or 15 yuan per unit, they should help sell it, right? It's just a way to distribute the goods, and if I make money in China, I can continue to develop new electrical products."

If you can make money by doing something easy, I think no one will refuse it. In addition, many coupons have been cancelled recently, including many home appliance coupons.

As domestic supplies gradually become more abundant, it’s time to phase out tickets.

Without tickets, people’s desire to consume will be greatly stimulated.

Zhou Fengnian interrupted and said, "You can consider these yourself, but you can't interfere in business matters, otherwise don't blame me for dealing with you."

"Huh? Why?"

"Your mother and I are both cadres. The wives and children of cadres cannot engage in business. If you want to do it, then find someone else to put their name on it. In short, you cannot have any relationship with them."

Zhou Fengnian's tone was very stern. There was no room for negotiation on this matter. If you don't want to be named, then don't touch it.

"Who can I ask to be named in this matter? Both of my cousins ​​have their own careers."

Zhou Xianyang scratched his head and said that he knew a lot of people, but he had to carefully select those he could trust.

Zhou Fengnian said: "This is your own business. Don't expect me to arrange everything for you."

After saying that, Zhou Fengnian started talking about other things. He didn't want to talk about work when he was relaxing, and he had already talked a lot about it with his son.

After lunch, Zhou Fengnian took his family to continue wandering around the local area.

After shopping for an afternoon, in the evening, Zhou Fengnian took his family to have a meal of local specialties, which he had already inquired about in advance.

Then he went back to the guesthouse to rest. Today Zhou Fengnian did not go back to the villa arranged for him by the province, but stayed in the guesthouse with his wife.

It’s a rare few days of time together, so of course you should spend time with your family.

He wanted to return to Beijing and stay there for at least a full year to see the results of the industrial reforms.

The effect was good, and the special working group also summarized feasible experiences and methods for reform. Zhou Fengnian and his team can be said to have accomplished a complete success.

After a few days of sightseeing, Zhou Yan's leave was about to end, so they prepared to go back.

This time, Zhou Fengnian used his connections to buy them soft sleeper tickets so they could have a comfortable sleep on the way back.

When sending him to the train station, Zhou Yan habitually straightened Zhou Fengnian's collar and gave him instructions for a long time.

Things like don't stay up late, eat on time, don't drink strong tea all the time, etc. These are all small problems that Zhou Fengnian ignores when he is busy.

When he was at home, Zhou Yan helped to supervise and instruct him, and at the department, Wang Mingjie helped to serve meals; after coming here, Zhou Fengnian became much more "indulgent" for a while.

However, Zhou Fengnian really enjoys being taken care of. No matter how respectful and nice the people here are to him, it is not as good as at home.

After getting on the bus, the group greeted and said goodbye to Zhou Fengnian through the car window. Among them, Zhou Xianyang was allowed to call him in the evening if he encountered any difficult problems.

If he can help, Zhou Fengnian will try his best to say hello.

Zhou Xianyang planned to return to Hongjia Village and bring an honest man out to do business, let him be the mascot factory manager, and Zhou Xianyang would handle other matters.

There is one advantage of looking for people from Hongjia Village. We know that the Zhou family is powerful and will not have any bad intentions.

If he really has any bad thoughts, he can be killed in time.

Moreover, he was just borrowing an identity. Zhou Xianyang was planning to give the 'Mascot Factory Manager' more benefits in the future, so there was no risk.

Zhou Fengnian didn't care about these things. At most, he gave some advice on technology and development, and he didn't want to get involved in business matters at all.

He didn't want to get involved in taking over the factory. He was already in his twenties and had to go through the process of growing up. If Zhou Yan hadn't asked him to do so, Zhou Fengnian would definitely not have wanted to mention it.

After the vacation, Zhou Fengnian became busy again.

FAW now has an energy-saving and fuel-efficient car, and is developing and manufacturing another energy-saving heavy truck.
In the next 20 years, FAW can become a world-class automaker with these two types of cars. In fact, the energy crisis has already begun, and cars in various countries have begun to develop in the direction of energy saving and fuel saving, but they don’t have people like Zhou Fengnian who can control the innovation and replacement of technology so quickly.
"Before I leave this time, I will make sure that FAW has the words 'Technology First' cast into a bronze statue and put it at the gate."

Zhou Fengnian suddenly thought of this matter. He helped many factories develop, but more than ten years later, many of them declined again.

Not everyone can realize the importance of science and technology. The surge in revenue made the factory manager at the time think in the wrong way.

In addition, due to various reasons, factories are constantly burdened with other things such as hospitals and schools, which drags down the development funds of the factories for technological investment.

How can the old things last forever? Shenzhou Computer has developed four generations in the past ten years and is now fully committed to the research and development of the fifth generation, preparing to hold a world dealer conference at the beginning of next year.

"Not only FAW's car factory, but also computer factories and machine tool factories cannot neglect technological innovation and must set up a brand!"

------

Time passed, and finally it was the day that FAW Automobile Factory had been preparing for for a long time.

They prepared for this day for several months and spent every last penny on this auto show.

Although it was just a small auto show, there were only three types of vehicles on display, two cars and one heavy truck.

But all three types of vehicles use very advanced technology. Heavy-duty trucks are not only energy-efficient and fuel-efficient, but also have much stronger power.

The most important thing is that the car model was designed by Zhou Fengnian himself, and the technological sense of its styling is not found in other cars.

However, the main reason why so many people came together, in addition to the invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Trade, was the publicity from FAW Automobile Factory.

The most fuel-efficient car in the world!
So this simple auto show initiated by a factory attracted people from many countries; in addition to the endorsement of the Ministry of Foreign Trade, this slogan was also one of the reasons that attracted them.

"Welcome, Mr. Peake, our car show is just ahead"

"Mr. Nishino, please come in."

The Ministry of Foreign Trade also sent some people to help with the reception. It was only thanks to Zhou Fengnian that he persuaded the Ministry of Foreign Trade to help.

Otherwise, even if the provincial leaders came forward, the Ministry of Foreign Trade would not be so supportive that they not only helped to endorse it, but also sent people to help guide the reception work.

Even Zheng Weifeng attended the FAW auto show and announced that he would do everything possible to support the city's auto manufacturing industry reform.

With such a huge momentum, whether FAW Auto Plant and hundreds of supporting factories can revive depends on this time.

However, Zhou Fengnian did not participate in such a grand occasion.

He led the technical and production teams to produce a diesel heavy truck with a new generation of power system before the auto show, and then took a vacation to rest.

Zhou Fengnian never gets involved in sales. If he is asked to go, he will have only one attitude: If you want, take it. If you don’t want, get out!

He was very confident in the new car he developed, and the people he asked the Foreign Trade Department to select were all those who were engaged in foreign trade business.

Zhou Fengnian was 100% sure that he could revive FAW Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd., so he had no interest in attending any auto shows, especially since there were so many people there.

While the auto show was being held, Zhou Fengnian was giving lessons to Luo Jianye in the rest area, teaching him some knowledge about mechanical movement.

As they were talking, Zhou Fengnian noticed that Luo Jianye was in a bad mood, so he asked, "What's wrong, Jianye? Are you curious about the car factory?"

"A little bit. Uncle Zhou, aren't you worried at all?"

Luo Jianye scratched his head and said that although he was a student, he had been here with Zhou Fengnian for several months and knew how important the FAW Automobile Factory was.

It can be said that one quarter of the city's factories depend on FAW for their livelihood. As long as FAW can develop, everyone can basically have enough food to eat.

But Zhou Fengnian seemed not to care at all. Although he was very attentive when developing the new car, he didn't want to worry about it at all once the new car was successfully developed.

In addition to asking about the progress of the working group every day, I also gave him lectures and researched things.

"There's nothing to worry about, Jianye. You just need to experience more. Didn't the previous CNC machine tools and Shenzhou Computer all go through this?"

Zhou Fengnian smiled and said, "Our products are good enough, will they not want them? You have to know that these people are capitalists. They only care about money. Whoever can make them money is their father."
In the absence of explicit legal prohibitions, if they see a good thing, will they not buy it and sell it? Impossible."

"Last year, some Ameican congressmen suggested restricting the import of Shenzhou computers, but they were also refuted by their own people. We did not participate in any of their internal disputes."

In recent years, Computerworld has put pressure on local computer companies in Ameca, and even made them unable to bear it and use their power to stop the import of Computerworld.

But without exception, all failed.

Shenzhou computers are just like other electronic products, they are in short supply and will definitely be sold out within a year after you buy them.

Besides, the Russians are still around, so it is impossible for America to break off relations with China. Besides, the American people also like Shenzhou Computer.

Even Shenzhou Computer cannot be banned, let alone the three new models. Why not do profitable trade?
Capitalists don’t need to be patriotic. Whoever prevents them from making money is their enemy. Obviously, FAW is not their enemy, it’s their father!
"Don't worry about that. Worrying too much will distract you. Sometimes I just want to stay in the institute."

Zhou Fengnian shook his head and said, "If you weren't worried that they would go astray, who would want to take so much responsibility for themselves?"

He is very sensitive to technology, knows what is needed and what is not needed, and knows in which direction to develop, so he must control some directions.

If I didn't have to shoulder some responsibilities, this busy life would be worse than being in research institute, where only thinking about technology would be much easier.

After Zhou Fengnian finished speaking, he continued to teach Luo Jianye.

In the next ten years, we have to train some students who can stand on their own feet. Luo Jianye is one of them. There are a few others who need to be trained intensively, and Zhou Fengnian has also selected them.

They are all students who usually perform very well and have good "wisdom". After following him for seven or eight years and participating in several projects, they can become independent when they are in their thirties or forties.

During the days when Zhou Fengnian concentrated on teaching students, the ten-day auto show slowly came to an end.

Although the import agreement has not yet been signed, the factory and foreign capital do not have the power to directly connect at this time, and all exports must go through the Ministry of Foreign Trade.

But now, there are 46 orders that have confirmed the purchase intention. FAW Shenzhou Type 1 cars should be able to export 60,000 units, and FAW Shenzhou Type 2 cars should be able to export 76,000 units.

FAW has only nine letters of intent for heavy-duty trucks, but the total number of units exported should be 36,000.

At just one auto show, 172,000 letters of intent were signed for vehicles.

In order to occupy enough market share, Yang Tianbing convened a meeting before the auto show, and Zhou Fengnian, people from the Industrial Bureau and the Ministry of Foreign Trade participated.

In terms of export prices, a lot of profits are given to foreigners, which definitely makes them tempted.

For this reason, the final statistics of foreign exchange earnings did not exceed US$1 billion, but only more than US$750 million if all these letters of intent could be signed.

However, it was not a big problem. After learning about FAW's cars, all the foreigners who signed the letters of intent were very sincere. Many of them did not return to their home countries, but went directly to Beijing to find the Ministry of Foreign Trade to finalize the import agreement.

After seeing the new cars made by FAW, car companies from several countries such as Aramco, Japan and Germany were extremely jealous.

How come China took off again without us noticing?
It happened just in the few years after the energy crisis, and it saves fuel so much.

Their most fuel-efficient cars have an mileage of 8.6 per 6 kilometers. Does China simply reduce it to below by burning air?

Originally, many people in car companies suspected that it was fake, but FAW Car Factory also set up a testing process, so there is no doubt about its fuel efficiency.

These days, Yang Tianbing's face was as rosy as if he had taken drugs, and he was so excited that he couldn't sleep all night.

According to Zhou Fengnian's advice, this is only the first wave of sales, and there will be a second and third wave to come.

We haven't made arrangements to export cars to some economically backward countries in the second world and the third world yet, and we haven't started selling cars domestically yet, but the cars are already selling so well.
It would be fine if the second wave of sales could be tens of thousands of vehicles, and FAW's production capacity in China has been fully utilized, so we will have to work overtime throughout the entire next year to produce.

After the auto show, the special working group, FAW Car Factory, the Industrial Bureau and some government officials organized a meeting.

Zhou Fengnian was delayed on the way, and when he arrived, everyone else was already sitting in the conference room.

Seeing Zhou Fengnian push the door and come in, Zheng Weifeng waved to him and gestured to him to take the main seat and said, "Comrade Fengnian, this is it."

(End of this chapter)