The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 103 Let's invite Comrade Zhou Zhiqiang! [Please subscribe]

"Section Chief Zhou, this is the technician assigned by the bureau. I'm handing him over to your technical section."

"Personnel Section Chief Zhong Youqin said to Zhou Zhiqiang with a smile, with five young technicians behind her."

Judging by their age, they were all recent graduates. Fortunately, vocational school graduates of this era have practical experience in school and a solid theoretical foundation.

After arriving at the factory, they can quickly get into work mode after a little training.

Because five people came at once, and they were all vocational school graduates with cadre status, Section Chief Zhong Youqin personally came to see them off.

Zhou Zhiqiang quickly said, "Thank you for your help, Section Chief Zhong. Have you taken care of everything else for them? Like the meal tickets and work clothes?"

Zhong Youqin nodded and said, "Everything is arranged. The accommodation issue is still unclear. Section Chief Zhou, you can ask him later. If you want to stay in the factory's dormitory, you can ask Old Zhao in the factory office."

We've had quite a few applications lately, and the six-person rooms are almost full.

"Don't mention him. He avoids me whenever he sees me now."

Zhou Zhiqiang sighed and complained, "There are more people in our department now. I wanted to ask him for an office, but he wouldn't give me one. He just gave me five desks and chairs and told me to squeeze in."

There's barely any room to stand in the office anymore; there's a mountain of documents with nowhere to put them.

Zhong Youqin smiled but didn't say anything. Old Zhao had indeed been avoiding Zhou Zhiqiang recently, and she had teased him the last time they met.

However, this was none of their personnel department's business. Zhong Youqin then smiled and said, "Then, Section Chief Zhou, if there's nothing else, I'll head back now."

"Okay, thank you for your help, Section Chief Zhong."

After seeing Zhong Youqin off, Zhou Zhiqiang turned to the five young technicians who had just arrived and said to them with a smile, "Hello comrades, I am Zhou Zhiqiang, the head of the technical department of Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory."

Let's get to know each other first, so we can get to work quickly. Come on, Deputy Section Chief Chen, and everyone else, come and meet the new colleague.

Zhou Zhiqiang called over everyone still in the technical department and introduced them to the five newcomers.

There were three men and two women. Two of them graduated the year before last and have been working for more than a year. The remaining three had just graduated but also had work experience.

Previously, I worked in the technical department under the Ministry's Machine Tool Bureau, doing process testing-related work. Considering that it was a good fit for my job, and given that Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory was indeed very important, they were sent over.

They've been promoted one level; now, the highest-ranking among them receives the benefits of a level 14 technician.

After everyone had gotten to know each other, Zhou Zhiqiang said, "You've just arrived, and as the section chief, I certainly hope you can get into work mode as soon as possible."

But there are always some issues to resolve before starting work. Section Chief Zhong just mentioned that you've received your meal tickets and work uniforms; is there any problem with accommodation?

“Our factory still has some dormitories. If you have trouble finding accommodation, just tell me and I will apply for one for you. I will try my best to get you a six-person room.”

"Section Chief, I'd like to live in the dormitory."

"Me too, it's too far from my home. Even by bus it takes almost an hour."

As soon as Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, two new female colleagues raised their hands and spoke up, while the other three male colleagues remained silent, probably because they lived not far from the factory.

“Deputy Section Chief Chen, could you help them apply for accommodation? The three of you might be able to live together and look out for each other.”

Zhou Zhiqiang naturally assigned the task to Chen Li; having a deputy was a good thing.

Upon hearing this, Chen Li replied, "I understand, Section Chief."

After explaining these things, Zhou Zhiqiang began to arrange for the five people to familiarize themselves with the work processes of the technical department.

Two days were spent getting familiar with the work, and one day was spent getting familiar with the production process and technical guidance for small tractors.

Three days later, I will officially participate in the technical department's shift scheduling and will also have to work overtime together in the evenings.

With the addition of these five new people, everyone in the technical department can finally work overtime one day and rest the next.

For a while, whenever two people took leave, Zhou Zhiqiang had to fill in, working overtime at night and getting even more tired than during the day.

After a busy day, Zhou Zhiqiang rode his bicycle home after finishing his overtime work in the evening.

On the way, they happened to run into a patrol team. However, they were acquaintances of Zhou Zhiqiang, and after seeing Zhou Zhiqiang, they didn't even check his work ID, gave him a few words of advice, and continued their patrol.

Zhou Zhiqiang worked overtime for more than two months in a row. The patrol teams from several street offices along the route from the factory to Nanluoguxiang almost all checked Zhou Zhiqiang's documents.

However, Zhou Zhiqiang would love for more patrol teams, so that his way home would be much safer.

After returning home, Zhou Zhiqiang washed up and went back to the main house.

Just as he lay down on the bed, Guo Yuting patted Zhou Zhiqiang on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Zhiqiang, I just took maternity leave today. I won't have to go to work starting next week."

"Yeah, that's good."

Zhou Zhiqiang turned over and said, "I'm worried about you going to work with such a big belly. The roads are so chaotic. If something happens, I won't have time to take care of you."

Taking maternity leave is fine; you can rest well at home. But don't lie in bed all day; walking around a bit every day is good for your health.

Guo Yuting said, "Of course I know. By the way, Dad replied today, saying that buying a house is a waste of our time. Our house is big enough to accommodate everyone. You can decide for yourself."

After saying that, Guo Yuting took an envelope from the bedside table and handed it to Zhou Zhiqiang.

Zhou Zhiqiang took the envelope, opened it, and said, "Dad replied so quickly?"

"Yes, and Dad also said that buying the house was my idea, and scolded me for making decisions on my own and for listening to him more often."

Guo Yuting's tone was full of grievance when she said this. She was truly wronged this time. She had long since stopped making decisions about money at home.

Moreover, after she became pregnant, she spent all her money on clothes for the baby.

"Haha, then I'll explain it to Dad."

Zhou Zhiqiang said with a smile, and then quickly finished reading the letter sent by Guo Linhua.

Most of the conversation was with his son-in-law, who expressed his genuine happiness for Zhou Zhiqiang after learning of his achievements.

However, the matter of the house was also addressed, assuring Zhou Zhiqiang and Guo Yuting that they could live there without worry. They might even settle down in the Northwest in the future, and even if they came back, they wouldn't kick their son-in-law and daughter out; the Guo family wouldn't do that.

But Guo Linhua's father-in-law couldn't say for sure what the future held, while Zhou Zhiqiang certainly did.

It's impossible for him to stay in the Northwest forever. His brother-in-law's Production and Construction Corps will definitely be disbanded and merged in ten or twenty years.

At that time, he would either have to accept the arrangement to transfer to another post, or he would be transferred back to a political position. Zhou Zhiqiang felt that the latter was better. The work in the Production and Construction Corps was indeed stable and secure, but the treatment of family members was so-so.

If it's for the sake of future generations, moving back would be the best option.

Moreover, Guo Linhua will most likely be transferred back in the future, and by then, housing shortages will be an objective reality. A large family living together in cramped conditions will be uncomfortable, and they will definitely need to buy a new house. Buying now is almost the same as buying before the mid-1980s. Only after the mid-1980s, when the real estate market gradually takes off, will housing prices see significant changes.

Zhou Zhiqiang thought he should buy it as soon as possible, so that it wouldn't be difficult to buy later when the number of residents in Beijing increased.

“We should still buy a house, especially since it’s only money we’ve saved up for three or four years. I’ll write a letter to Dad this weekend and explain it to him.”

Zhou Zhiqiang smiled and said to Guo Yuting that the couple's combined monthly salary was almost 150 yuan. If they saved 100 yuan each month, that would be 1200 yuan a year.

In Beijing, a single-story house costs around 200 yuan on average, while a two-courtyard house would cost at most 3,000 yuan.

At that time, there were no apartments for sale; all apartments were public housing, which could only be allocated for living, not owned. People could only find private bungalows.

"By the way, ask Mao Pingping tomorrow if she'd be willing to come over and help during the day starting next week."

You have colleagues to look after you at the hospital, but if you go home, there's no one to take care of you. Isn't Mao Pingping alone at home right now? Ask her what she wants.”

Zhou Zhiqiang thought for a moment and then said to Guo Yuting, "If she's willing, we can add some money, ten yuan a month."

The temporary workers in the factory earn twelve yuan a month, and they do a lot of work; Zhou Zhiqiang is willing to give ten yuan, which is already a lot.

Guo Yuting nodded and said, "Then I'll ask her tomorrow. She'll definitely be willing. She told me before that the neighborhood committee didn't assign her any odd jobs, saying that her family isn't considered a poor household and that she'd have to wait in line for odd jobs."

This left Pingping with nothing to do during the day except clean.

Zhou Zhiqiang said, "It's good that you can come. Our family doesn't lack money, but we do lack your health."

Guo Yuting felt incredibly sweet after hearing this. She immediately took her husband's arm and asked with a smile, "Why are you saying such nice things today?"

"If you want to hear me talk about it, I can do it every day. It's no problem for me."

Zhou Zhiqiang chuckled and said that he didn't have much else, but he knew a lot of corny pick-up lines; but for him, these corny pick-up lines were a bold expression of love at this moment.

It has a tremendous impact on young women who have a slight inclination towards literature but lack real knowledge.

After chatting for a while, the couple went to sleep and rest.

------

The First Ministry of Machine Building, Deputy Leader's Office.

"Yes, I feel that this is imperative, and recently it has become increasingly difficult to import large forgings, which has seriously restricted the development of our industry."

"Alright, then I'll report to Mr. Zhou first. If Mr. Zhou has any arrangements, I'll let you know immediately, Comrade Jianhui."

"Okay, that's settled then. I'll set off immediately."

After hanging up the phone, Deputy Leader Wu immediately notified his assistant to tell the driver to prepare the car.

Director Cai's report on the independent research and development of large hydraulic presses was very detailed, clearly explaining the necessity of independent research and development.

He has no reason to disagree.

However, it requires a lot of manpower, material resources and other resources. Just manufacturing a large hydraulic press is a troublesome matter, not to mention the research and development.

Upon arriving at the China Ocean Institute, Deputy Leader Wu quickly met with Mr. Zhou and reported the matter to him.

After listening to the report and reading the documents.

Mr. Zhou nodded and said, "Your thinking makes a lot of sense. We do need a large hydraulic press of our own."

Even diplomatic relations are difficult now, as many people are hostile towards us; the channels for purchasing large forgings are blocked, so we have no choice but to develop them ourselves.

Upon hearing this, Deputy Leader Wu nodded and said, "You're right. Only what we develop is truly our own. Otherwise, if we keep 'borrowing' from others, we'll be at their mercy."

"That's right, I've approved it."

After signing the document, Mr. Zhou looked up at Deputy Leader Wu and said, "Go back and prepare. Within certain limits of authority, I support all your actions."

Whether our country can take this crucial step in industrial development depends on whether the path of independent research and development can succeed.

Deputy Leader Wu immediately straightened his chest and said, "Please rest assured, we will immediately assemble a research team after Comrade Jianhui returns."

We must use every means possible to develop and manufacture a large-scale hydraulic press!

Soon after, Deputy Leader Wu left the China Ocean Institute.

Back in his office, Deputy Leader Wu first called Comrade Sheng Jianhui to tell him about Mr. Zhou's decision and instructions.

After discussing a simple solution with his partner, Deputy Leader Wu hung up the phone and called Director Cai Borui over.

After everyone arrived, Deputy Leader Wu smiled and said to Cai Borui, "Comrade Borui, I have received Mr. Zhou's approval and have also spoken with Comrade Jianhui."

The large hydraulic press project has officially started. China Ocean Engineering Consulting Group will issue the relevant documents tomorrow, so you can start today. It's too late today, no rush.

"You need to come up with a precise plan as soon as possible, including the R&D team, production and testing facilities, and the collaborating units involved. Please provide me with a feasible plan as soon as possible."

"I understand, boss."

Upon hearing this, Director Cai immediately agreed, saying, "At the latest by tomorrow night, the Technology Department will come up with a concrete and feasible plan and a list of R&D teams."

"Okay, hehe, judging from your confident look, you probably already have the list of personnel ready, right?"

"I did think about it beforehand."

Director Cai said with a smile, "Vice Dean Shen from the Mechanical Science Research Institute, Chief Engineer Lin, and Professor Fei from Tsinghua University are all suitable candidates."

"By the way, Professor Fei has been strongly recommending Comrade Zhou Zhiqiang from Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory, but he's a bit young, and Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory has a very heavy production schedule lately."

“Youth is not a reason to test him. For this project, we’ll see if he has the ability.”

After speaking, Deputy Leader Wu pondered for a moment before continuing, "I've also heard of Comrade Zhou Zhiqiang. His abilities are undeniable; even the Ministry of Metallurgy has praised him. He's achieved such great success in a small factory."
We invited him to join the R&D team. The large hydraulic press project needs to be developed as soon as possible. We need capability, not anything else.”

Speaking of which, this large hydraulic press project owes a lot to Comrade Zhou Zhiqiang. Deputy Leader Wu clearly remembers that if it weren't for Zhou Zhiqiang, Professor Fei might not have even thought of it.

Director Cai quickly replied, "Yes, I understand. I will add Comrade Zhou Zhiqiang to the list as soon as I get back."

"Alright, then I'll leave this matter to you, Comrade Bo Rui."

　Seventh update! Requesting monthly votes!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)