Rebirth in 1960, My Industrial Age

Chapter 450 Can't Just Leave

"Phew, I'm finally able to catch my breath. These past two days have been exhausting."

After the meeting, Zhou Fengnian returned to his office, lay down in his chair, and planned to rest.

At this moment, Qian Zhi made a cup of tea, placed it in front of Zhou Fengnian, and said, "Boss, there shouldn't be any more meetings to be held. Everything that needs to be said has been said. If anyone is busy, it should be the lower-level units holding meetings."

There was one major meeting and two smaller meetings in the institute over the past two days, and Zhou Fengnian also gave two reports. He is not good at these things, and the reports were written by Qian Zhi. He read them once and submitted them after he thought they were fine.

However, his report also caused some controversy because Zhou Fengnian had Qian Zhi write it in a somewhat 'archaeological' style, which was exactly the same as the ideas from more than 20 years ago.

But Zhou Fengnian didn't care about those things. Given the example of the Russians disbanding, his report was not excessive at all.

"We still can't rest. The research progress is almost precise down to the day and the hour. This three-day break means we have to make up for it if we want to finish before the deadline."

After Zhou Fengnian finished speaking, he picked up the teacup on the table, but found it was too hot to handle, so he put it back.

I switched to a report of documents I had accumulated over the past few days, and then I started reading it.

Many of them are progress reports on scientific research projects, and some of them also require his approval.

The nuclear power plant in Lushi has been operating for some time now; so far, no safety hazards have been found, and the inspections and tests have been done very well.

With this nuclear power plant, Lushi City and the surrounding towns and villages will hardly have to worry about electricity anymore.

Factories could be opened freely, and Lu City even used the slogan "maximum guarantee of industrial electricity" to start a large-scale investment promotion campaign. Even the surrounding rural areas were put on the agenda for electricity access.

Few cities dare to be so extravagant with electricity these days. Even Shanxi Province wouldn't be so generous as to provide electricity to all the surrounding rural areas. But Lu City, with its nuclear power plant, is the first to do so.

In villages like Hongjia Village, where Zhou's father lives, located on the outskirts of Changping County, getting electricity was a problem before.

In the end, Hongjia Village relied on its village finances to bring in electricity from the factory. Then, once the fertilizer plant made money, it used the money to ensure that every household in the village had access to electricity.

The cost was not small; it cost over ten thousand yuan to bring electricity to a village, and the electricity bill for each household was not cheap either, given the current focus on industrial electricity use.

They also benefited from the fertilizer plant's connections; otherwise, even with money, it would have been difficult to get power lines installed.

We are currently experiencing a nationwide power shortage, and industrial development requires squeezing out most of the electricity generation capacity. Therefore, most provinces and cities, upon learning of the achievements of the nuclear power plant in Shandong, have been submitting applications to the Nuclear Power Energy Committee with envy.

Zhou Fengnian also served as the director of the Nuclear Power Energy Committee in terms of technology and construction, which gave him a lot of influence. So all these applications were submitted to him after being compiled.

"What kind of investigation plan is this? Do I need to know about their culture, and why would they rush to build a nuclear power plant in a place like that?"

After seeing the application report, Zhou Fengnian picked up a pen and started writing and drawing on it. Now, the financial funds approved by the Nuclear Power Energy Committee can only be used to build one project at a time.

Taking too big a step can easily lead to disaster. Only after building two or three nuclear power plants will they have the experience and financial resources to build two or three nuclear power plants at the same time.

However, the principle of "build first, develop later" has led to various provinces and cities employing all sorts of tricks to compete for this one spot, fabricating all sorts of advantages and conditions.

If Zhou Fengnian hadn't known a thing or two, he could easily have been fooled by them.

However, after reading it, Zhou Fengnian was quite angry and picked up the phone to call Kang, the deputy director of the Nuclear Power Energy Committee.

As soon as the call connected, upon hearing Deputy Director Kang's voice on the other end, Zhou Fengnian immediately said rudely, "Deputy Director Kang, what kind of materials did you submit? Did you even verify them? A bunch of unreliable reasons and information, you submitted them to me without even verifying them?"

I'm telling you, I'm very dissatisfied right now. You come here personally and take my application materials back to me so I can redo it!

"Boss, I understand, I'll be right there."

After being reprimanded by Zhou Fengnian, Deputy Director Kang stood up straight when answering the phone. After Zhou Fengnian hung up, cold sweat broke out on his back.

At this point, there's no time to worry about who compiled the application. Once he's safely back, I'll definitely make sure he gets a good scolding.

After leaving the office, Director Kang drove himself to the Academy of Sciences.

On the other side, Zhou Fengnian hung up the phone and then got busy with other things.

He's encountered this kind of thing too many times. Even if Zhou Fengnian gets angry quickly, he calms down just as quickly. He won't hold a grudge against these people. If they do it a second time, he'll just submit a report and have the people in charge transferred.

He dared to be careless with projects involving billions or even tens of billions of yuan. It's already a sign of Zhou Fengnian's kindness that he wasn't convicted of a crime.

He received both bad and good news: the biopharmaceutical research group in Shanghai had identified a new project and begun research.

Antibiotics are now in production, reducing reliance on imports, which is good news for the whole country. Moreover, the research team members haven't had much time to rest before starting new research projects.

Zhou Fengnian needs to take some time to go there and provide some assistance with the research. This is also the hope of the deputy team leader and most of the other team members. Deputy Team Leader Song is well aware that without Zhou Fengnian, they could not have completed a drug project so quickly.

Other pharmaceutical companies take seven or eight years, or even longer, to develop a new drug. How come they are so fast? It's because Zhou Fengnian made all the key decisions and led the way.

Unfortunately, Zhou Fengnian was too busy, and they spent too little time with him.

If you could follow such a brilliant expert, how much merit could you accumulate? How many honors could you gain?

Ring ring ring!
Zhou Fengnian's personal cell phone suddenly rang. He opened it and found it was his nephew calling, so he answered and asked, "He Tai, what's wrong?"

"What? Okay, I understand. Tell them to continue the experiment. I'll try to go check on them on Sunday when I have some free time. You get ready; if all goes well, we'll be going abroad."

After giving some instructions, Zhou Fengnian hung up the phone, but a smile couldn't help but appear on his face afterward.

The project at Jishi Biopharmaceutical is also progressing smoothly, and the next step is to apply for clinical trials.

Moreover, the special drug for diabetes developed by Jishi Biopharmaceutical Company is for the overseas market, which is a disease of affluence, and there are still very few people with the disease in China.

Once the overseas approvals are approved smoothly, we'll have a 'cash cow,' and Zhou Fengnian can then start researching some truly beneficial medicines.

It will take another six or seven years, and the normal research time is about five years. However, the approval process will take another two or three years. Adding the two years that were already spent, it will take nearly ten years to research this special drug.

However, if they can make money for the next twenty years, they can probably build a Fortune 500 pharmaceutical company.

Boom boom boom!
After busying himself for a while, Zhou Fengnian heard someone knocking on the door and casually called out, "Come in."

"lead."

After Qian Zhi pushed open the door and came in, he went to Zhou Fengnian's desk and reported, "Vice Director Kang of the Nuclear Power Energy Committee is here. He said you were the one who came to see him, and he just asked me how you were feeling."

Dean Wu is getting old and can serve one more term at most. The person who will succeed him as dean will most likely be Zhou Fengnian, and Qian Zhi will be the secretary to the top leader of the Chinese Academy of Sciences at that time.

Therefore, many people want to get in touch with him, after all, Zhou Fengnian has too many positions, holding several director and deputy director positions concurrently, and he is also a member of the ZY Committee.

By cultivating a good relationship with Qian Zhi, one could gradually build a relationship with Zhou Fengnian. Many officials of higher rank than him spoke to Qian Zhi with great respect. However, Qian Zhi didn't dare to get carried away; he always reported any inquiries about Zhou Fengnian to his superiors.

Zhou Fengnian casually said, "How could I be in a good mood? Let him in."

"I see."

Qian Zhi quickly led Deputy Director Kang inside. After Kang entered the room, Qian Zhi poured a glass of water and left without making tea.

If you want to upset your boss, a glass of plain water is all you need.

After Qian Zhi left, Zhou Fengnian ignored Deputy Director Kang and continued to handle the research project report at hand, leaving Deputy Director Kang standing there.

About ten minutes later, Zhou Fengnian finished processing the document in his hand and looked up to say, "Are you tired?"

"Not tired, boss."

"I can see that you're trying to fool me with this garbage. If you don't want to work here anymore, just submit your resignation and I'll let you go."

Zhou Fengnian scolded her harshly, then took out the application documents submitted by the Nuclear Power Energy Committee, threw them over, and continued speaking.

"Have you seen it yourself? Compared to the last one, it's utter garbage. A project worth tens of billions, do you think it's worth hundreds of dollars?!"

Deputy Director Kang picked it up and quickly noticed Zhou Fengnian's annotations.

This sight made his head spin; they even listed tourist attractions, making it impossible to distinguish the important points. Why hadn't he checked it carefully beforehand!
Deputy Director Kang was now filled with regret. After reading it, he quickly admitted his mistake, saying, "Sir, this was my oversight. I didn't think of that."

"I don't want to hear your explanation. I don't have that much time. I want nothing but the result!"

As Zhou Fengnian spoke, he tore off a piece of paper and wrote down his proposed solution on it.

"You've received a major demerit. The relevant personnel will be investigated and punished accordingly, or transferred if necessary. This is my proposed course of action. Take it back and give it to the Party Secretary in person, and then attend a meeting to admit your mistake!"

Deputy Director Kang's face turned purple after taking the note, and he quickly pleaded, "Sir, I know I was wrong."

"Don't waste your time with me. You have one more chance. If this happens again, I'll send you to guard the reservoir!"

Zhou Fengnian concluded sternly, not to intimidate, but because as the main leader of the Nuclear Power Energy Committee, it was too easy for him to punish someone.

He doesn't even need to go in person; a simple note will suffice. Even if Deputy Director Kang is a deputy director-level cadre, it won't matter.

Deputy Director Kang realized that begging for mercy was useless, so he had no choice but to accept the punishment. He quickly promised, "Yes, leader. I will go back and apologize to the secretary. I will never make a similar mistake again!"

"Let's go, don't waste your time here."

"Yes!"

Deputy Director Kang left in a hurry, and was still so angry that his teeth itched as he walked out of Zhou Fengnian's office.

He didn't dare to be angry with Zhou Fengnian; he was angry with the people who had punished him.

The Lushi nuclear power plant has just been completed, and we should be celebrating our achievements and continuing our efforts.

As a result, he was scolded and had to give a major demerit and make a public apology. This matter cannot be left like this. After Deputy Director Kang goes back, he will punish all the relevant personnel!

------

The office of the deputy district head of Dongcheng District Government.

After hearing Zhou Yan's request, Principal Li asked with some surprise, "District Chief Zhou, is it really possible to send a child who is not even four years old yet to attend the third grade?"

He wasn't referring to any age restrictions; Principal Li was worried that the children might be too young and cause accidents at the elementary school he managed.

If students fall behind in their studies or get bullied, then it's the principal who has to take the blame.

However, since Zhou Yan was the deputy district head in charge of education, Principal Li didn't have the confidence to refuse. He could only try to persuade her indirectly: "District Head, how about starting with first grade? The child can gradually learn to read."

"My child has already learned at home, including common characters and basic arithmetic such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, so there's no need to worry about their studies."

Zhou Yan said with a smile, "Old Li, I came to you because I heard that you manage the school well and that there has never been a case of students bullying each other during your tenure."

Moreover, it was his grandfather's idea to send the child to school.

"I understand, District Chief."

Principal Li was slightly surprised upon hearing this, but quickly agreed.

I heard from a friend that Deputy District Chief Zhou's wife is incredibly powerful; even the Party Secretary treats Deputy District Chief Zhou with utmost politeness and respect, never daring to say a harsh word to him.
Now that Deputy District Head Zhou has brought up her husband, what does that make him, a mere school principal?

So Principal Li took Zhou Zeqian's file to complete the enrollment procedures. After the procedures were completed, he gave some special instructions to the relevant teachers.

Normal teaching should continue; don't let children be bullied.

After taking care of her grandson's affairs, Zhou Yan also started dealing with other matters. Before long, someone knocked on the door to report.

Zhou Yan's responsibilities are not many; education, health, and women's federation are similar to those of a street office director, all of which are areas she excels at.

Moreover, I'm not very busy. Education is the most important thing, followed by health and the Women's Federation. And now the Women's Federation is doing less and less work.

Some time ago, after Luo Jianye got married, Zhou Yan even transferred Luo Jianye's wife to her side. After a period of training, she could be placed as a deputy director or something similar in the Education Bureau.

It can also be considered as taking care of a younger person he knows.

Just before she was about to leave work, someone knocked on her office door. After Zhou Yan called out to come in, she saw Zhao Xue push open the door and peek her head in.

"Aunt Zhou, is it too early to disturb you?"

"That's all, come in."

After the others came in, Zhou Yan asked again, "What's wrong, Zhaoxue? Is it about you and Jianye?"

"I guess so, Aunt Zhou. Jianye hasn't come back for four days, and I don't dare go to his workplace, so I wanted to ask you about it."

Liu Zhaoxue lowered her head somewhat embarrassedly and said that although she used to work overtime, at least she could go home. Now that she hasn't been home for several days, she suddenly became worried.

Zhou Yan, seeing that Zhou Fengnian hadn't said anything, comforted him, saying, "It should be fine, but if you're worried, I'll ask around when I get back and get back to you by tomorrow at the latest."

(End of this chapter)