The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 105 Becoming a Master to a Group of People [Please Subscribe]

"Secretary, you wanted to see me?"

After arriving at Secretary Yan's office, Zhou Zhiqiang asked some questions before sitting down.

He had just returned to the technical department from Workshop 5 and hadn't even had a chance to sit down when he was summoned over. He wondered which senior worker from Workshop 5 had come to Secretary Yan to complain, which was why the secretary had called him over.

"Section Chief Zhou, I heard you like to drink tea. I had my assistant brew this for you. Just pour it for yourself."

Secretary Yan smiled and pointed to the teapot and teacups, then continued, "How's work lately? Everything going smoothly?"

He had only made a casual, polite remark, intending to immediately comfort Zhou Zhiqiang, telling him not to be too anxious and to take care of his health or something similar.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Zhiqiang shook his head and said, "It's not going well. The production tasks are very heavy, but many of the master workers still have bad habits. They insist that the apprentices give them cigarettes and alcohol before they are willing to teach them the skills."
In that case, I'll have to personally train the apprentices in Workshop 5. I'll use Workshop 5 as a scapegoat to make an example of the other workshops, so they won't refuse to train the apprentices.

"It's a really bad habit. The factory has already given appropriate rewards, but some people are still short-sighted."

After hearing this, Secretary Yan snorted angrily and said that delaying the factory's production tasks was delaying his own.

Moreover, in the past, masters would expect their apprentices to be filial and would withhold some of their skills from them in order to ensure the apprentices would be able to support them in their old age.

But now that the country's policies are better, workers have stood up, and the state will cover their medical care and old age. Why are you still suppressing your apprentices' skills?
The five-yuan reward wasn't enough; they wanted to get even more!

"Section Chief Zhou, don't worry, I'll have the publicity department broadcast your behavior over the loudspeaker later, and also warn those who cling to outdated customs."

Secretary Yan waved his hand and said that since it concerned production tasks, he didn't want this kind of thing to continue to happen.

After listening, Zhou Zhiqiang nodded, then asked, "Secretary Yan, why did you call me here?"

Secretary Yan said, "It wasn't me, it was Director Cai from the Ministry's Technology Department who wanted to see you and asked you to come over at eight o'clock tomorrow morning. I'm just relaying the message."

After saying that, Secretary Yan paused for a moment, then added, "It should be that you've been selected to participate in some project. Don't worry, it's a good thing."

"But Section Chief Zhou, our Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory is practically your home. Whatever you need, Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory will always help you."

"Oh, Secretary Yan, don't worry. It's probably just a favor. I'll be back after I'm done. Besides, I still have tasks to complete at our factory."

After speaking, Zhou Zhiqiang frowned slightly, thinking, "I just agreed to teach my apprentices tonight, but I don't know if I'll be able to get back in time."

"No problem, I'll arrange for one of the drivers to pick you up in a jeep."

Secretary Yan said, "You're doing this for the factory; having the driver pick you up and drop you off doesn't count as misusing a company vehicle."

"Thank you, Secretary Yan."

Zhou Zhiqiang did not refuse; having a jeep to pick him up was indeed much better than riding his bicycle home from get off work.

Besides, he was working overtime at the factory to teach an entire workshop of apprentices, and he wasn't getting paid a single penny.

He wasn't guilty at all for using the factory's vehicle under these circumstances.

After chatting with Secretary Yan for a while, Zhou Zhiqiang got up and returned to the technical department.

Not long after he returned, just as Zhou Zhiqiang was explaining the technology to the five new technicians in the department, the factory's loudspeaker blared.

"Fellow workers and comrades, we are now broadcasting an announcement: In order to improve the factory's production efficiency and successfully complete next year's production tasks."

Comrade Zhou Zhiqiang from the Technical Department has decided to conduct training sessions on turning techniques and machine tool operation skills for apprentices in Workshop 5 from 6:40 PM to 9:00 PM.

The announcement was broadcast three times before it stopped.

Now everyone in the factory knows that Zhou Zhiqiang is going to teach the apprentices in Workshop 5 lathe operation skills, and no one doubts whether Zhou Zhiqiang can teach them.

Although Zhou Zhiqiang was not assessed in the factory, in the eyes of others, he already had the skills of an eighth-level worker, and was also an eighth-level lathe operator and fitter.

The parts he made were so good that even the eighth-grade workers at the Second Machinery Plant thought they were inferior; moreover, his fitter skills while processing the parts impressed even the senior workers watching.

Many of the factory's workers witnessed the incident, and some even encountered Zhou Zhiqiang inspecting the workshop processes afterward and took the opportunity to ask him questions. Therefore, no one doubted Zhou Zhiqiang's skills.

Many workers were simply curious: what was Workshop Five up to this time? Why was Section Chief Zhou working overtime at night to teach his apprentices?

With heavy production tasks, the factory has applied to higher authorities for overtime work in the evenings, so the machine tools will continue to run until night without rest.

The factory will provide subsidies for such large-scale overtime work, but the overtime pay will not be too high. If it is too high, the factory's finances will not be able to afford it, so few people are willing to work overtime.

Section Chief Zhou volunteered and even taught an entire workshop of apprentices at once; there must be some inside story.

When it was lunchtime, the workers in the canteen were huddled together, and after asking each other, they quickly found out what had happened.

The intermediate and senior workers in Workshop 5 were too concerned about the unspoken rules and the small amount of money the apprentices offered them, so they didn't teach them much, resulting in none of the apprentices in Workshop 5 making any progress in their technical assessments.

Then Section Chief Zhou got furious and directly rooted out the middle and senior workers in Workshop 5.

He taught him personally, and from then on, there was only one master craftsman in Workshop 5, and that was Zhou Zhiqiang.

Mao Yongfeng overheard this while getting his food and felt a pang of emotion, wondering what those people who kept it a secret were really thinking.

He never held back when teaching his apprentices; he would teach them anything they asked, and he would also point out any mistakes they made. As a result, he trained several level-four workers and even one level-five worker in just a few years.

He currently mentors two apprentices. One of them, Zhao Tiandong, is his son-in-law. He has already reached the level of a second-grade worker and is quick-witted and learns fast.

The other Wu Xiaojun, although he doesn't have Zhao Tiandong's agility, is diligent and hardworking. The scrap rate of the secondary parts is a bit high now, but it's not impossible to process them.

Moreover, Wu Xiaojun and Zhao Tiandong had the opportunity to learn from Zhou Zhiqiang, which is why their skills improved so quickly.

For the first three levels of workpieces, it's basically all about proficiency. The more you practice reading drawings, the better you'll improve.

During the meal, Mao Yongfeng instructed his two apprentices: "You two, when it comes time to take on apprentices in the future, teach them if you can, and don't delay the apprentices' work."

If their character is really bad, then we shouldn't bother with them.

"I understand, master."

"Dad, don't worry, I will definitely learn from you in the future."

Wu Xiaojun and Zhao Tiandong agreed at the same time. They felt that Master Mao's place was the best, and that fellow apprentices should help each other whenever possible, so they didn't hesitate to help each other.

"Xiaojun, you're older than Tian Dong, it's time for you to start thinking about your own personal life."

While eating, Mao Yongfeng said that he was also middle-aged and now he liked to give advice to younger people about marriage.

"Next year, our factory should have an assessment opportunity. Normally, you don't have enough years of service, so you definitely can't go because of the time limit for apprentices. But next year will be different. Our factory has an important task, so we will relax the years of service requirement for apprentices. You can all give it a try then."

Mao Yongfeng looked at his two apprentices and said, "From now on, I will teach you with all my heart. Don't slack off when you go back at night. Study the blueprints and machine tool operation manuals more often."

Also, you seem to have a good relationship with Section Chief Zhou. Ask if you can come to Workshop Five tonight to study together.

"That way, you might all be able to pass the Level 3 worker exam next year, and even Level 4 isn't out of the question."

Removing the seniority limit means you can apply for any level you want, but each person only has two chances. If you fail both times, you lose this precious opportunity.

Some people are cautious and don't do things they're not sure they can do; but others like to take on challenges, and after successfully making a few high-end parts, they think they have the corresponding level of skill.

Upon hearing this, Wu Xiaojun and Zhao Tiandong agreed and planned to go to the technical department to inquire after their meal.

------

When it was time to leave work in the afternoon, Zhou Zhiqiang went to the canteen for dinner. With nothing else to do, he headed towards Workshop 5.

There's nothing to do now, and going back to the technical department would just mean taking a break anyway, so I might as well go check out the workshop first.

However, when Zhou Zhiqiang arrived at Workshop 5, he was surprised to find that quite a few people had already arrived.

"Section Chief Zhou."

"Section Chief Zhou, you've arrived."

Zhou Zhiqiang waved back in greeting, then looked around and found that there were about thirty-four people present, basically everyone was there.

So Zhou Zhiqiang asked, "Alright, since none of you have left, it means you're all willing to learn the skills. If you don't plan to rest for a while, shall we start now?"

Upon hearing this, the apprentices gathered around almost unanimously said, "Let's begin, Section Chief Zhou. We want to learn from you."

"Okay, let's begin. If you can't hear, move closer."

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, he went to a machine tool and said loudly to the apprentices surrounding him: "Let's talk about lathe operators first. A lathe operator is a skilled worker who processes raw materials using machine tools and other equipment."

The first three levels of lathe operation are not very difficult to learn. You just need to learn the machine tool models, specifications, maintenance methods, common tools, and metal blank processing techniques step by step.”

After Zhou Zhiqiang began his lecture, the apprentices around him listened very attentively.

The other intermediate and senior skilled workers in the workshop wouldn't teach them; they would only be taught if they received "tribute," and the apprentices couldn't afford to pay such a large sum.

Now that there's a tech expert who teaches them skills without asking for anything in return, what more could they ask for?
Moreover, Zhou Zhiqiang taught very clearly, telling them step by step what the first three levels of lathe operators needed to master, learn, or practice.

It's like giving these apprentices a progress chart, so they can complete this today, learn that tomorrow, and learn that the day after tomorrow while reviewing what they learned in the previous three days.

Furthermore, the knowledge was explained very clearly, and some of the technical methods used in the processing were even demonstrated by turning on the machine and operating it in practice.

Wu Xiaojun and Zhao Tiandong, who were learning from Mao Yongfeng, a sixth-level worker, studied very diligently and had already learned a lot.

But now, listening to Zhou Zhiqiang's lecture, the two of them immediately realized that there were some things they had overlooked and hadn't learned before.

This is normal, though. Nowadays, many level 5, 6, and 7 master craftsmen rely on their own experience when teaching apprentices.

He teaches you the same way he learned it, which is considered good.

If you encounter a bad one, he can teach you a bit of what he learned back then, cutting it out.

Zhou Zhiqiang systematically listed all the machining techniques into a triangular pyramid, allowing apprentices to know what knowledge they needed to learn and master at each level.

It can be heard clearly and can summarize all the techniques of lathe operation.

If someone were to take out paper and pen and write down all of Zhou Zhiqiang's lectures, they could make copies and distribute them, turning them into a basic lathe operator's manual that all apprentices across the country could learn from.

After explaining and demonstrating twice, Zhou Zhiqiang had each of the apprentices practice on the machine, but he had limited energy and could only supervise a maximum of five people at a time.

If any of these five people make a mistake, Zhou Zhiqiang can quickly spot and stop it. But if there are more people, it's hard to concentrate, and Zhou Zhiqiang also has to consider safety issues.

The learning atmosphere was very enthusiastic. Zhou Zhiqiang was willing to teach and taught very well; the other apprentices were also willing to learn and studied very seriously.

Two or three hours passed quickly, and it was almost nine o'clock.

Zhou Zhiqiang clapped his hands to stop everyone and said to them, "Alright, that's enough for today. You're all in a good mood, but remember to rest."

After all, you all have to work tomorrow. From now on, you'll study until nine o'clock every day. If you have family matters to attend to, you don't need to ask for leave. If you don't have anything to do and are willing to learn, just come directly.

"Yes, thank you, Section Chief Zhou!"

"Thank you, Master!"

"Yes, yes, thank you, Master."

The apprentices thanked him one after another. At first, they called him Section Chief Zhou, but after one of them changed his address to Master, the others followed suit.

He taught them skills, and taught them so well—what else could he be but a master?
"Call me Master. Fine, call me whatever you want."

Zhou Zhiqiang smiled and then waved for them to clean up the workshop.

Calling them "Master" is fine; it'll get them excited. If all of them learn from him and become Level 3 craftsmen, then he'll be worthy of being called "Master."

Anyway, there was no kowtowing or offering of tea; it was just a momentary surge of gratitude.

As soon as Zhou Zhiqiang stepped out of the workshop, he saw a man walking towards him. The man approached him and said, "Section Chief Zhou, I am Yan Yong from the driver team. Secretary Yan asked me to pick you up and drop you off recently. That's right, I will also come to take you to the Ministry of Machine Building tomorrow morning."

Zhou Zhiqiang said with a smile, "Comrade Yan Yong, thank you for your trouble. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting with me until this time."

He shares the same surname as the Party Secretary, could he be a relative of Party Secretary Yan?
Yan Yong said, "No trouble at all. Section Chief Zhou is doing this for the factory, and Secretary Yan instructed me to serve you."

"It's all for the factory. I'll go get my bicycle. Thank you for your help, Comrade Yan Yong."

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, he went to get his bicycle and pushed it to the factory gate.

He parked the car behind the jeep before getting in and having Yan Yong take him home.

When they arrived at Zhou Zhiqiang's house, Yan Yong knew where Zhou's house was, so they agreed to pick him up at 7:30 the next morning and then go directly to the ministry.

　Asking for a monthly ticket!

　　I'll be updating three to four times today, and I hope you readers will support me.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)