Back to the 80s Machinery Factory

Chapter 577 I am the ancestor of the client
Qian Chengguo put the ledger on the table, tapped it three times with his fingers, and frowned more and more.

The steel in the warehouse is almost gone, and the furnace will have to be shut down after three more days.

The planned quotas will not be allocated until next month.

The hardware factory can't wait a month; they still need to beg for alms.

Thinking of this,
Without hesitation, Qian Chengguo grabbed two packs of cigarettes and two bottles of baijiu and strode toward the production department office of the hardware and mining tools factory.

The Hardware and Mining Tools Factory is a long-established state-owned factory in the city, with more than 20 years of history. It specializes in producing industrial hardware such as wrenches, hacksaws, pliers, and knives.

Qian Chengguo worked as an apprentice in this factory in his early years.

Unfortunately, the government strictly controlled the number of "formal employees" at that time.
He worked for more than a year, but because he didn't have enough seniority and someone in the factory took his place, he couldn't get a permanent position and had to pack his bags and leave.

But Qian Chengguo is quick-witted and has a sweet tongue.

Just before I left, the factory's finished goods warehouse was overflowing, with blade blanks and scrap saw blades piling up and blocking the aisles.

That was the time he made an idea.
Selling those scrap materials to scrap yards by the ton not only frees up inventory and balances the books, but can even get you some material quotas in return.

Because of this incident, Qian Chengguo retained a favor at the tool factory, a favor that allowed him to "put in a good word."
Even his visit to the hardware accessories factory was arranged by the leaders of the tool factory.

Now he makes imitation general-purpose parts, and steel is his lifeline.

Whenever he was short of money, he would come here to "beg for alms".

The head of the production department at the tool factory was surnamed Wang and was in his fifties.

He was the main person in charge of managing the finished goods warehouse when it was overwhelmed.

Because Qian Chengguo had helped him solve a warehouse overflow problem at the factory years ago, he was essentially saved.
In addition, the two had a good personal relationship, so as long as there were scraps or recycled materials in the warehouse, they would give him some.

Qian Chengguo placed two packs of cigarettes and two bottles of baijiu on the table and said with a smile:
"Brother Wang, it's been a while since I last visited you. I've brought you some nourishing food."

Section Chief Wang quickly stood up from his chair, waving his hands repeatedly:

"You're wasting money! You come to see me, but why did you bring anything?"

While Section Chief Wang was saying things like "wasting money" and "don't do this next time," he had already expertly put the cigarettes and alcohol into the cabinet and even locked the drawer behind him. The whole process was smooth and efficient, as if he was used to doing this.

Seeing that Section Chief Wang had accepted the gifts, Qian Chengguo's smile became even more genuine, and he quickly pressed his advantage:

"Brother Wang, the factory has been so busy these past few days, the furnace is practically sparking. Could you spare me a few bundles of raw and unfinished materials?"

Section Chief Wang readily agreed, "What are you saying! If others can't do it, why can't you?"

"I'll have the workers turn over the scrap pile later and pick out the good ones to load onto your truck."

Seeing that the other party agreed so readily, Qian Chengguo hadn't even had a chance to thank him when Section Chief Wang abruptly changed the subject:
"However, little Qian, I have to make this clear first."

Qian Chengguo was taken aback and subconsciously asked, "What's wrong?"

Section Chief Wang lowered his voice and turned slightly to the side, as if afraid someone in the corridor would hear him:
"The day before yesterday, our factory held a joint meeting, and someone from the Municipal Economic Commission came to deliver a message. The city is going to launch a pilot collaborative network, and is preparing to unify several OEMs, processing plants, and material plants into a 'supply chain' system."

"From now on, all steel quotas must be approved through the cooperative network. If they are not in the network, even the scrap warehouse cannot be touched casually."

"This matter hasn't been officially announced yet; it was just mentioned in a departmental meeting at a city-owned factory like ours. I estimate that it will be taken seriously soon."

He looked up at Qian Chengguo, his gaze meaningful:
"If you still want to make a living off these scraps of mine, I'm afraid that won't work."

"It's not that I don't want to help, it's just that even the door to my warehouse will have to be at the mercy of the collaboration network."

Qian Chengguo's smile froze instantly.

"A collaborative network? What's that?"

Section Chief Wang replied, "This is a new development spearheaded by the Municipal Economic Commission, called the 'Processing Trade System'."

"From now on, any enterprise that is even remotely involved in metal processing or machinery manufacturing will be included in the network for unified management."

"Whoever can join this collaborative network is essentially part of the city's system. They'll get steel rations, task quotas, and even priority access to technological upgrading funds."

"What if it can't be hung up?" Qian Chengguo asked subconsciously.

Section Chief Wang glanced at him and said, "If you can't get it listed, then it'll be classified as 'awaiting rectification'."

"At best, production will be limited or stopped; at worst, it will be directly merged into another company. At that point, with a single word from them, it's uncertain whether your factory can still be called a factory."

Qian Chengguo's throat moved, and he almost couldn't catch his breath:

"So... can a small factory like ours even get approved?"

Section Chief Wang shook his head.

“Your hardware factory is a street-level enterprise, which is essentially a collectively owned enterprise. It has neither national quotas nor planning numbers. If you apply for approval with just your own signboard, it simply won’t be approved.”

"The only way is to be affiliated with a state-owned factory and let them bring you into the network."

"Once you're on board, you'll be a second-level unit in the collaborative network. Steel, quotas, and tasks will all be distributed from the steel plant."

"In return, you have to follow their orders, and the accounts and production output have to be reported to them."

Section Chief Wang's gaze fell on his face.

“Xiao Qian, we’ve been brothers for so many years, and as your older brother, I’ve always wanted the best for you. Let me say a few words from the bottom of my heart.”

"The winds are blowing fast now. If you still want to cling to those scraps to survive, you won't even be able to get through this door in the future."

"If you really want to continue... you might as well find a way out for yourself sooner rather than later, and see which factory you can work for."

Qian Chengguo then asked, "Brother Wang... do you think our factory has any connections if I want to affiliate with them?"

Section Chief Wang said, "This kind of affiliation isn't something I can just approve with a nod in the department. The factory's Party Committee has to hold a meeting to decide on the candidates, then report to the Municipal Economic Commission, and finally get approval from the city."

"If you're really thinking about this, you know better than I who to turn to."

Qian Chengguo leaned forward.

"Director?"

Section Chief Wang nodded: "The factory director is one hurdle, and the Party Secretary is another."

“Your hardware factory may be small, but if you really join us, they will have to take responsibility for you, support your staff, and report your targets.”

He paused, then suddenly changed the subject:
"Besides, you're not the only one who wants to be affiliated with us."

"In the past two days, all the small factories in the city have heard the news and are trying to squeeze into the state-owned factories. Who doesn't want to get on the good side of the government?"

"If you arrive any later, someone else will snatch the spot, and even if you try to get it to me, I won't be able to pass it on."

After hearing this, Qian Chengguo's heart skipped a beat.

This is a tremendous opportunity, and the last window of opportunity.

If you hesitate for another day, or even half a day, you might lose everything.

After leaving the production department office,

Qian Chengguo first turned around and went to the warehouse, where he checked the list of all the materials, including the front and back loads, that Section Chief Wang had just asked him to put on the truck. He counted the weight, issued a receipt on the spot, loaded the truck, and drove it back to the hardware factory.

Then, he turned and went to the third floor of the factory building, knocking on the factory manager's office...

……

at the same time,

On the Peking University campus, Chen Luyang, full of vigor and high spirits, accompanied the university leaders as they saw Liang Zhongwei off to his car. Ever since Liang Zhongwei mentioned to him that "the city is going to establish a collaborative network," he had been secretly following the news.
Now, the dust has finally settled!
Early in the morning, the department notified Chen Luyang to attend an emergency meeting at the Graduate School, specifically requesting his attendance!
As the first university-run entity project to be included in the collaborative network, the university attaches great importance to this matter.

Not only did the Party branch secretaries of the Department of Economics, Department of Philosophy, and Department of Mechanics participate as representatives of their respective departments;
Du Huaiyuan, Director of the Scientific Research Department, and Li Changhe, Director of the University Office, attended the meeting.
The vice president of Peking University in charge of scientific research and university-run enterprises personally oversaw the process!
Liang Zhongwei from the Municipal Economic Commission also attended in person!

In short, both parties in the meeting room knew each other!

At first, Liang Zhongwei meticulously read the materials and announced that Chen Luyang's "Generalized Automotive Parts Project" had been included in the first batch of core pilot units of the Pian'ercheng Processing Trade Network.

But after only two paragraphs were read, the conversation became more and more familiar and the conversation became more and more enthusiastic.

In the end, the meeting was transformed from "reading out documents and conveying the spirit" into a gathering of alumni and students to "get to know their teachers and chat like old friends"!
Liang Zhongwei is a graduate of Peking University. Those present are either his former teachers or familiar faces from the same or previous years.

After a few words, they started reminiscing about the past, chatting more enthusiastically than anyone else.

Chen Luyang had no say on the field, so he just listened happily.

What should have been a half-hour meeting dragged on for ages!
After reminiscing about their past, Liang Zhongwei turned to Chen Luyang and said:

"Xiao Chen, this time the collaborative network includes thirteen units. Apart from your repair shop, the rest are all state-owned enterprises."

“You are the only school-run entity project and the only student in charge, which is unprecedented in the filing with the Municipal Economic Commission.”

His tone shifted, becoming half-serious and half-reflective:

"So you should remember this honor and be even more grateful to the school."

“If the school doesn’t provide a platform for you and open up the system, even if your project is done very well, it may not be able to be registered as a ‘school-run enterprise’.”

Chen Luyang said respectfully, "I understand! I am where I am today because of the opportunities the school has given me. The school trusts me, nurtures me, and pushes me forward. I will definitely do my best and never let the school down."

At this moment, Zhang Guozhen, the head of the economics department who was standing aside and eager to protect his students, couldn't help but speak up:

"Little Liang, Little Chen is your own junior brother!"

"From now on, if there are any new trends or new statements from the collaborative network, let Xiao Chen know as soon as possible!"

"Whatever the steel or funding, prioritize Xiao Chen!"

“Those large state-owned factories have a solid foundation and don’t need to worry about a truck or two. Our Xiao Chen’s side is just starting out, so you have to be more proactive.”

"Definitely!" Liang Zhongwei said with a smile.

"Xiao Chen's generalization project is a banner raised by Peking University and a brand for our entire city."

"As the senior brother, how could I not protect my own people?!"

"In the future, any tasks and targets of the collaborative network that I can speak on will definitely be prioritized for the school."

"Thank you, senior brother!"

Chen Luyang listened with a smug look on her face, shouting very loudly.

nice~

Damn, it's so good to have teachers!

The things I wanted to say but was too embarrassed to say, the teacher said them all.

so nice~
……

After receiving Liang Zhongwei's formal notification, the remaining step is to enter the stage of substantive coordination and full-scale implementation.

As long as Chen Luyang completes the project filing according to the procedures, he can obtain the temporary steel quota from the collaborative network.

Once the quarterly allocation meeting of the collaborative network is held and the official quotas are in place, the repair shop's production line can be fully operational.

That's it!

Chen Luyang's standardized parts project will no longer be "exploring on its own," but will officially enter the national industrial chain.

It's safe to say that...

Our Xiao Chen has officially stepped into the starting point of the national industrial landscape!
Awesome!
I'm awesome!!!
……

They say that people are in high spirits when they have a happy occasion!

These past few days, Chen Luyang has found me particularly pleasing to the eye.

Even before washing her face, she has to admire her handsome and beautiful face in front of the basin!
However, although Chen Luyang was extremely satisfied with himself,

But for some unfortunate kids who are drawing and building models,

He became the very source of the nightmare.

Since the last time the idea of ​​"using a foot-operated jack and being able to fit in the trunk" was proposed,
It was as if Chen Luyang had unlocked some evil mechanism, and he completely transformed into the ultimate boss.

He is no longer human.

He is the client.

I suggested to Zhang Nan today that the support surface needs to be reduced by another three centimeters, ideally so that it can fit into the chassis groove of any car model, regardless of the vehicle!

Tomorrow I'll propose an idea: this thing should be able to lock automatically. That way, when the driver steps on it, it'll click and lock itself, just like a bicycle rack!
They even came up with a brilliant idea at the end:
If the car slips on ice and snow, can the jack also help prevent slipping?
For example, could you add a few small claws at the bottom so it can pierce into the ice?

Poor Zhang Nan, an innocent student, had never suffered such torment.

At first, he patiently followed Chen Luyang's requirements to revise the drawings again and again, and deduced the structure time and time again.

When Chen Luyang proposed seemingly "impossible" ideas, he tried his best to find feasible points within them.

However, Chen Luyang's demands became increasingly excessive and outlandish.

Zhang Nan gradually couldn't take it anymore.

Especially when Chen Luyang mentioned getting anti-slip claws,
Zhang Nan, enraged, slammed his pen down and roared:

"Comrade Chen Luyang! I have two things to tell you seriously."

"First of all, I am a student in the Department of Mechanics at Peking University, not an artist in the Department of Magic at Peking University. I cannot conjure up those novel and bizarre structures that you are thinking of."

"Secondly, a jack is essentially used to lift a vehicle!"

"Now you've made it so that it can extend and retract, climb ice and snow, and even automatically locate itself! I think you might as well add two more tracks and just tow it back to the factory!"

"Besides, the ice will melt!!!"

"There's soil under the ice!!!!"

"How do you pull your little paws out after they've stuck in there?"

How is force transmitted?

"Should the stress be recalculated?"

"If you don't know how to do it, then don't mess around with it, okay?!"

When she got really angry, Zhang Nan's neck swelled up with rage, and her voice rose several decibels higher than usual.

Good guy...

Chen Luyang's brow twitched.

He had known Zhang Nan for so long, and this was the first time he had ever seen him get so angry and lose his temper.

(End of this chapter)