The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 107 Encountering Robbery, Killing Three [Please Subscribe]

"Establish a technical training team?"

It was rare for Director Zhao to see Zhou Zhiqiang at the factory, but today, upon meeting him, he gave him some good advice.

The factory's veteran craftsmen, relying on their superior skills, were unwilling to pass on their knowledge fully. If it were when capitalists were in charge of the factory, then Director Zhao could understand.

Today you teach your apprentice, but tomorrow a capitalist might hire the apprentice for a lower wage and abandon the master.

But now it's an era where workers are in charge. The state provides medical care and pensions, and jobs can be passed down from generation to generation. What are you doing holding onto that little bit of skill?
If you squeeze it and he squeezes it too, the new apprentices won't learn it in a few months, and the factory won't be able to develop in the future.

Factory Director Zhao quickly made a decision, nodding to Zhou Zhiqiang and saying, "I agree with the technical training group, but do you have someone to teach the apprentices, Section Chief Zhou?"

Zhou Zhiqiang said, "Comrade Mao Yongfeng from Workshop 7 should agree. He doesn't hold back on his apprentices at all. Although he is a level 6 worker, he has already trained level 5 workers and several level 4 workers as apprentices."

Upon hearing this, Director Zhao nodded and said, "If a sixth-level worker can train so many talents, Comrade Mao Yongfeng is capable. Are there any others?"

"Chen Guodong from Workshop 4 and Zhao Fengtian from Workshop 6 are also good candidates. They are both level 7 workers and have also trained level 5 workers."

Zhou Zhiqiang said, "If I have time, I will teach them myself. If I don't have time, I will have the three of them teach the apprentices."

The technical training group is affiliated with the technical department. The more successful the training, the more rewards the factory can offer at the end of the year, such as various certificates or awards, or recognition for outstanding individuals.

Factory Director Zhao glanced at Zhou Zhiqiang and said, "The vouchers don't matter; our factory has a considerable share."

However, regarding the advanced individual award, I discussed it with the Party Secretary, and we're going to give it to you.

Zhou Zhiqiang said, "I'll pass. I've already received enough rewards this year. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to get another advanced individual award."

He was promoted to section chief, received praise, and was officially registered in the government. This year, he has achieved great success in everything, and his achievements have completely overshadowed his age.

Factory Director Zhao interrupted, "What are you talking about? There's no rule that says a person can only receive the Advanced Individual award once. You performed well last year, so it's only right that you received it."

Even though you performed well this year, this award for outstanding individual achievement should still be yours, not given to someone else.

According to your logic, merit can be relinquished, and so can achievements. You gave it up this time, but what if someone else wants it next time?

"Comrade Zhiqiang, your kind of thinking is unacceptable!"

Director Zhao's reprimand left Zhou Zhiqiang speechless; moreover, since it involved official documents, Zhou Zhiqiang was even more unable to utter a single word.

"Factory manager, I misunderstood."

Zhou Zhiqiang quickly said that he should admit his mistakes. There were only the factory director and himself here, so it was not shameful to admit his mistakes.

"Well, it's good that you realize your mistake. Glory isn't something you can just give up. If someone performs better than you, the factory's advanced individual award won't be given to you either."

Factory Director Zhao then continued, "Section Chief Zhou, you can decide on the training team members. If any workshop director disagrees, then you can have him come to me."

As long as it's for the factory's benefit, he, as the factory manager, will support it.

"Okay, then, factory manager, I'll be going now if there's nothing else."

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, seeing that Director Zhao had nothing to say, he left the director's office.

He was just passing by the factory today, so he took the opportunity to talk to Director Zhao about this matter and then go to the technical department to finalize things.

Zhou Zhiqiang is basically not at the factory during the day now, but he is only on temporary assignment and his personnel file is still at the factory, so he is still the head of the technical department.

However, all the technical matters were left to Chen Li to handle.

Team leader Shen from the large hydraulic press R&D team asked him and Professor Fei to go to Tsinghua University to pick up some materials. Zhou Zhiqiang wanted to go back to the factory on the way, so he parted ways with Professor Fei.

Professor Fei understood; there wasn't much material, just over three hundred drawings, which he managed to carry with him on his bicycle using two backpacks.

However, Zhou Zhiqiang did not let Professor Fei push himself. He told him to organize the materials and wait for him at the Tsinghua University gate, and then Zhou Zhiqiang would rush back.

After telling Chen Li about the matter in the technical department and asking her to take care of it as soon as possible, Zhou Zhiqiang rode his bicycle to Tsinghua University.

When Zhou Zhiqiang arrived at the gate of Tsinghua University, he happened to see Fei Yunzhi pushing a cart at the gate.

"Professor Fei? Why are you carrying two extra backpacks?"

When Zhou Zhiqiang got closer, he noticed that Fei Yunzhi's two backpacks were bulging, and he was also carrying two more backpacks on his back.

Fei Yunzhi said, "I misremembered. I originally thought there was only one set of data and blueprints for an 800-ton high-pressure pump, but I didn't expect there to be another set of data for a 1,200-ton high-pressure pump."

I called and asked, and Team Leader Shen told me to take it back with me.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang nodded and said, "Then give these to me, I'm stronger."

After saying that, he stepped forward and took the three backpacks, putting two in the bicycle basket and carrying one on his back.

After packing up, the two rode their bikes back to the Ministry of Machine Building. Along the way, Professor Fei was a little embarrassed and apologized to Zhou Zhiqiang, saying that Team Leader Shen had asked if they wanted a car to pick them up, but Professor Fei refused.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang laughed and said, "Is there any need to apologize for this?" However, he still took the opportunity to order a bowl of fried liver, asking Professor Fei to treat him to it later.

Professor Fei chuckled and said he would treat him to two bowls of rice and ten large meat buns in the future.

Both of them have high salaries, and Professor Fei receives even more subsidies. Currently, scientific researchers and artists are basically the two groups with the best subsidies in the country.

If Zhou Zhiqiang were to return to a technical position and pass the Level 6 or 7 engineer exam, his subsidies might be higher than they are now.

As Zhou Zhiqiang passed the entrance of an alley, he became somewhat distracted while riding his bicycle, as he was thinking about the technology of large hydraulic presses.

I was just thinking about what changes would happen in China if this project could be completed within a year and a half.

Suddenly, several people darted out from the alley entrance, rushed to Zhou Zhiqiang and Fei Yunzhi, and then rammed into them.

Hey, aren't you watching where you're going?

Zhou Zhiqiang reacted quickly, jumping off the car and causing the person who hit him to miss.

But Professor Fei was in trouble; he didn't have time to react before he was hit.

Just as Zhou Zhiqiang was about to ask Professor Fei about the situation, he saw two people run out of the alley and snatch his bag as soon as they got close.

Three more people surrounded him, seemingly trying to snatch the backpack from his body and the one in his bicycle basket.

One of them approached and reached for Zhou Zhiqiang's bag, yelling menacingly, "Let go of me, or else..."

Boom!
Before the bag snatcher could finish speaking, Zhou Zhiqiang delivered a powerful punch to his temple, knocking him flat on his back and leaving him motionless on the ground.

"You bastard, you dare to steal anything! Someone's robbing us, call the police!"

The next sentence was shouted out loud by Zhou Zhiqiang. When someone at the intersection heard it, they immediately turned around and ran, seemingly to find the police station.

After shouting, Zhou Zhiqiang didn't stop. He rushed towards another person, throwing punches wildly.

He didn't know any fighting techniques, but thanks to his enhanced physical abilities, anyone hit by his powerful swinging punch would at least wince in pain. One of them was even knocked to the ground by a direct hit to the temple. Facing robbers from the 1950s and 60s, Zhou Zhiqiang showed no mercy. If he had a knife, he would have stabbed six times in a second; even without a knife, he would still punch his opponents in the temples.

By the time Zhou Zhiqiang had dealt with the three men who had tried to steal his backpack, the other two men had already snatched the bag from Professor Fei and even kicked him.

"You bastard, stop right now!"

Zhou Zhiqiang immediately rushed over and kicked the other person in the side ribs.

His mid-air kick sent the robber who had attacked Professor Fei sprawling to the ground, howling in pain, too exhausted to even get up.

Zhou Zhiqiang quickly went to help Professor Fei up and asked, "Professor Fei, are you alright?"

"Wait, don't worry about me, take the bag back, there are documents inside."

"Lie down for a while!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang immediately rushed towards the fleeing man. These petty thugs seemed to be unarmed during the robbery, so in terms of physical strength alone, he was not afraid of anyone.

Having received several simulation rewards, Zhou Zhiqiang can now lift one or two hundred kilograms with one hand without feeling tired, making it easy for him to beat up these unarmed robbers.

Moreover, this man couldn't run as fast as Zhou Zhiqiang. After catching up with him, Zhou Zhiqiang kicked him down and punched him in the temple several times, knocking the robber unconscious.

Only after all the robbers were subdued did Zhou Zhiqiang breathe a sigh of relief, feeling the adrenaline rush in his body gradually subside.
Before he could catch his breath, Zhou Zhiqiang rushed to Professor Fei's side to check on him: "Professor Fei, the things aren't lost, are you alright? Are you injured?"

"It's alright, it's alright."

After letting out a sigh of relief, Fei Yunzhi also felt the pain in his body. He held his leg and said, "My leg hurts a bit, and I feel like I can't stand up."

"Wait a moment, Professor Fei, I'll go get someone right away."

Just as Zhou Zhiqiang was about to call someone to call a car, he saw several policemen running towards him.

Upon approaching, they saw several people lying on the ground, with Zhou Zhiqiang being the only one standing. Several policemen immediately raised their batons, and one of them drew a pistol, asking Zhou Zhiqiang, "Don't move. Who are you? Let us verify your identity."

"Comrade, don't be nervous. I am Zhou Zhiqiang, the head of the technical department of Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory. This old man is Professor Fei Yunzhi from Tsinghua University. We have been robbed by these people."

As Zhou Zhiqiang explained, he took out his work ID from his person, threw it to the policeman, and continued, "This is my work ID. Professor Fei's work ID is with him."

However, please find a trolley as soon as possible. Professor Fei is injured and needs to be taken to the hospital. I will go back with you to handle the situation.

After seeing Zhou Zhiqiang's work ID, the police squad leader who arrived at the scene believed him to be 90% true.

The Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory was featured in the newspapers twice in Beijing, and the police officers had heard about the factory's achievements.

Moreover, the head of the technical section was of the same rank as their director; not to mention that a professor from Tsinghua University was also lying there. The police squad leader immediately made a decision:

"Xiao Li, go find a trolley and go with Xiao Wang to take that old man on the ground to the hospital. Xiao Liu, go back to the station and call for backup."

"Yes, Captain."

Soon, the stroller was found, and the two police officers worked together to take Professor Fei to the hospital.

With Zhou Zhiqiang there, and with him saying he would contact Team Leader Shen as soon as possible, Fei Yunzhi was no longer worried about the documents and was taken to the hospital by the police with peace of mind.

A short while later, another team of police officers arrived and began to handle the scene.

------

Inside the police station, Zhou Zhiqiang had just finished giving his statement when he saw Team Leader Shen and Director Cai walk in together.

Behind them was the head of the local police station.

Upon seeing Zhou Zhiqiang, Team Leader Shen quickly asked, "Comrade Zhiqiang, are you alright?"

"I'm not injured, Team Leader Shen, and the data is intact."

Zhou Zhiqiang sighed and said, "It seems Professor Fei is injured."

Director Cai said, "I have already sent my assistant to visit Professor Fei. If anything happens, Hanwen will let me know."

Zhou Zhiqiang nodded and said, "That's good. We might have run into some daring thugs this time. They saw that Professor Fei and I had bulging backpacks and dared to rob us in broad daylight."

An elderly man and a young man, each carrying several large bags, were riding bicycles and wearing Lenin suits and Zhongshan suits, respectively, clearly indicating that they were well-off.

Zhou Zhiqiang just didn't expect that someone would dare to commit robbery in broad daylight, especially in the city center.

"Outrageous, absolutely outrageous!"

Director Cai, his face dark, turned to the police station chief and said, "Comrade Lin, our people are being subjected to this in broad daylight, right here in the heart of Beijing. Is there no law left?"

"Can we still go out with peace of mind after this? Do you know how important Professor Fei and Comrade Zhiqiang are to us?"

After a thorough reprimand, Director Lin was so embarrassed he almost buried his head in the ground, constantly agreeing with "Yes, yes, yes," not daring to utter a single word of rebuttal.

The difference in rank is too great. Director Cai is at level seven, the same level as the leaders in their municipal bureau.

Even if they weren't from the same department, Director Lin would still stand at attention and obey orders upon seeing them.

"I will report this matter to my superiors, and you need to give me an explanation on how to handle it."

After Director Cai vented his anger, he turned to Zhou Zhiqiang and said, "Comrade Zhiqiang, let's go back first. Deputy Leader Wu is still waiting for your news."

Zhou Zhiqiang said, "Okay, thank you for your trouble, Director Cai."

"This has nothing to do with you. The trouble is caused by those criminals."

Director Cai glared at Director Lin. He had originally intended to add, "And what about those comrades who are not doing their jobs?"

But after thinking about it, I forgot about it.

Afterwards, Director Cai and Team Leader Shen took Zhou Zhiqiang away from the institute.

After they left, Director Lin wiped the cold sweat from his brow.

He had just heard about a Deputy Leader Wu? The hierarchy was getting higher and higher; Director Lin felt his legs go weak when he heard this leader's name.

At this moment, a police officer approached and whispered, "Chief, there's a situation."

Director Lin immediately shouted, "What's going on?! Those people should be interrogated, and after the interrogation, they should be sent directly to the court for sentencing. Send them to the quarry within a week."

"We can't deliver them now, there are only two left."

The police officer said anxiously, "Of the five people sent to the hospital, three died on the spot, and the remaining two are in critical condition."

　Served at midnight!

　　Asking for a monthly ticket!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)