The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 118 The biological father finds the Zhou family [Please subscribe]

"Section Chief."

Upon seeing Zhou Zhiqiang, Chen Li felt relieved, as if she had suddenly found someone to back her up. She quickly stepped forward and said, "The factory manager asked us to deliver the design and manufacturing drawings for the small seeder to the Planning Department."

But when we arrived at the back gate, the guards said they didn't have our registration notice and wouldn't let us in.

Zhou Zhiqiang nodded after hearing this and said, "There might be a communication problem. I'll ask around for you."

After saying that, Zhou Zhiqiang walked towards the gate, then pointed to Chen Li and the other person and explained the situation, and asked to borrow the phone.

If he were to bring people in directly, the gatekeeper would not dare to do so, but as long as he answered the phone, there would be no problem, and the gatekeeper readily agreed.

Zhou Zhiqiang has been here for several months, and sometimes he is picked up and dropped off by car. All the guards on duty at the gate know Zhou Zhiqiang.

After the call reached the Planning Department, the person on the other end, reminded by Zhou Zhiqiang, remembered the incident and quickly apologized over the phone, saying that they would come out to pick up the person immediately.

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Zhiqiang said to Chen Li and Zhao Jiabao, "I've already told them that they were negligent this morning, and the person will be out soon."

Upon seeing this, Zhao Jiabao said with envy, "Section Chief, you're really something. You even know people in the ministry. Are you working in the ministry now?"

"I'm just on temporary assignment; I'll be going back to the factory in a while."

Zhou Zhiqiang said with a smile, then asked Chen Li, "How's the lathe and pliers technical training manual? Can the apprentices understand it?"

Chen Li nodded and said, "Section Chief, your summary is very detailed. After Master Mao and Master Zhao finished reading it, they both said that their manual was not as detailed as yours."

If we study according to the technical manual you summarized, our factory will have many full-time employees next year, and we will basically be able to complete our foreign exchange earnings target.

"That's fine."

Zhou Zhiqiang sighed, "This task of generating foreign exchange is like a mountain weighing on my chest. There are no small matters when it comes to foreign affairs. It would be good if we could complete it as soon as possible."

"really."

Chen Li nodded in agreement, saying that their factory had indeed made a great splash by securing a foreign trade order worth over 17 million US dollars.

But beneath the surface of glory lies pressure. The technical department staff work overtime in shifts, with each person working at least half a month of overtime.

Many workers also worked overtime at night to produce one more small tractor.

They are now like a tightly wound string, not daring to relax even for a moment.

“But you’re still the busiest, Section Chief.” Chen Li looked into Zhou Zhiqiang’s eyes and said, “Not only were you seconded to the ministry, but you only get one day off a month, and you also have to work on factory matters at night. You’re much more hardworking than us.”

Zhou Zhiqiang chuckled and said, "Who told you all this?"

"Comrade Yuting told me."

"."

Zhou Zhiqiang was taken aback for a moment, then said, "That's different, you can't compare to me."

His physical fitness has been enhanced; if a normal person were to endure such strain, they would probably be in the hospital by now.

I go to bed at midnight or 1 a.m. every day and wake up a little after 6 a.m. I also have to be responsible for a lot of research, calculation and teaching tasks every day.

Zhou Zhiqiang is only able to endure this because he is in good health; otherwise, he wouldn't dare to stay up this long.

"By the way, Section Chief."

Chen Li suddenly remembered something, and then said to Zhou Zhiqiang with a hint of apology on her face, "My father went a bit too far last time. He's usually a bit stubborn, but he can still listen to his daughter. It's just that there was a special reason that day."

"After that, he might go to find Uncle Yu. He always felt that you were his lost Uncle Yu, so he might come looking for you again soon."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang's expression became somewhat indescribable, before he sighed and said, "Deputy Section Chief Chen, my life is quite good now. Go back and persuade your father."

Even if you want to help your comrades, don't bother me.

With enough to eat and wear, a wife and son, and witnessing the rise of the country step by step, Zhou Zhiqiang has nothing to be dissatisfied with.

Adding a biological father or other relative to him at this point would disrupt his plans.

"I understand. I'll talk to him when I get back."

Chen Li also felt very apologetic, saying that she should have been more assertive last time and refused to let her father go with her, then there wouldn't have been so much trouble.

Just as Chen Li was about to say something, Zhao Jiabao called out to them from the gate, saying that the people from the Planning Department who were there to pick them up had arrived.

"The people have arrived. You can go deliver the things first. I should get back to work."

Zhou Zhiqiang said, and then walked towards the door with Chen Li.

The people from the Planning Department quickly apologized to Chen Li and Zhao Jiabao, saying it was their mistake; they had sent someone to deliver something but forgot to notify them.

However, seeing that the person's apology was very sincere, Chen Li and Zhao Jiabao did not blame him too much and followed him toward the Planning Department.

Zhou Zhiqiang also apologized to Dong Zhengyu, because he was helping a friend and had taken up a little time.

Dong Zhengyu quickly waved his hand, saying that this short time was just a rest, and besides, he had learned a lot from Zhou Zhiqiang during this period.

He could teach me almost anything I asked him. Although there was no formal master-disciple relationship between us, only a master and disciple would teach each other such things.

------

Outside Sanhe Township, near Hongqi Village.

The jeep slowly came to a stop. The mountain road was rugged, and it would be difficult to drive any further, so the group decided to get out and hurry on.

The investigation is almost complete, but the most crucial information still needs to be obtained from the Zhou family, who were the ones who experienced it firsthand.

"Old Yu, you must stay calm later, or I'll have someone restrain you, understand?"

With a solemn expression, Chen's father instructed, "If you act impulsively, I will have Xiao Zhao restrain you immediately, and then we will come back right away. I will not get involved in this matter anymore."

"You're on leave now. If you cause any trouble while you're on leave, you won't be able to be a military attaché stationed abroad in the future."

Yu Zhongguo, his face calm and suppressing his anger, said, "Fine, I won't act impulsively, but you have to let me get to the bottom of this."

After a while, several more bicycles followed, and the mayor of Sanhe Township and the head of the local police station arrived with several police officers.

After all, they were two high-ranking leaders. At first, the county wanted to send the Party Secretary, the County Head, and the Police Chief to accompany them, but Chen's father sternly refused.

They were here on private business. What would it look like if all the local officials fawned over them, especially since this was near Beijing?

After being repeatedly warned not to follow along or face public criticism, the secretary and county head of Changping finally gave up the idea of ​​leading the way for their superiors.

However, they still instructed the officials of Sanhe Township to make sure that nothing happened to the two leaders, otherwise, they knew the consequences themselves.

Two top leaders got into trouble within their own responsibilities, and that essentially ended their careers as cadres.

"Boss, let me lead the way. I'm quite familiar with Hongqi Village; I've been here several times before."

After stopping his bicycle, Mayor Lin quickly pushed it to Chen's father and Yu Zhongguo and said...

Upon hearing this, Mr. Chen smiled and said, "Alright, then thank you for your trouble, Mayor Lin. We came to Hongqi Village to find a family and ask them a few questions." "No problem. Although I can't say I know every single person in Sanhe Township, I do know most of the families in Hongqi Village."

Mayor Lin assured him that if he weren't pushing his bicycle, he would have patted his chest and guaranteed it.

Then Chen's father signaled that they could continue their journey, and the group immediately headed towards Hongqi Village.

As they walked, Chen's father casually inquired about the living conditions in the countryside, but after hearing only positive things, he stopped asking.

Before long, the group arrived at Hongqi Village.

The old village chief had also heard the news early on and was waiting at the crossroads with some respected people from the village.

Upon seeing the township head and his entourage, the old village head stepped forward and said, "Leaders, welcome to our village."

The old village chief forgot the word "莅临" (lìlín), hesitated for a few seconds, and finally blurted it out.

Yu Zhongguo knew that the village chief had been a great help to his son, so after he finished speaking, he nodded and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Comrade Zhao."

"It's not hard work, it's not hard work, it's all what I should do."

The old village chief quickly said, "Sir, why don't we go take a look at our fields? This year's harvest is quite good."

"Then let's go take a look."

Before Chen's father could finish speaking, Yu Zhongguo interrupted, saying, "Let's go to the Zhou family first, Old Chen."

".OK."

Upon hearing this, Chen's father sighed inwardly, then turned to Mayor Lin and the old village chief and said, "Comrade Lin, Comrade Zhao, please take us to Zhou Yongliang's family in the village first."

"By the way, don't bring too many people. Just the two of you and this comrade. We're actually here in Hongqi Village on private business, so let's not make a big fuss."

"Okay, okay, we'll do it right away."

Upon hearing this, Mayor Lin quickly turned around and dispersed the people around him, telling them to go home or do what they were doing and not to linger nearby.

After the onlookers were persuaded to leave, the old village chief led the way.

Soon they arrived at the front of a house, and Yu Zhongguo felt something was off about the brick house.

Along their journey, all the other houses were made of mud, but this one was made of brick and tile.

Mr. Chen also noticed and pointed to the house, asking, "Comrade Zhao, this family looks very hardworking; they've even built a brick house."

"This is the Zhou family you're looking for, boss."

The old village chief quickly said, "The Zhou family is hardworking?"

Hard work my ass! Only one person goes to work in the fields. The younger ones don't want to go to the fields, and neither do the older ones.

When Zhou Zhiqiang was on leave from school, there were people to help him. Now that Zhou Zhiqiang is not here, Zhou Yongliang has to work in the fields all by himself.

The result was mutual blame, as no one wanted to work in the fields.

"Okay, knock on the door."

After Chen's father finished speaking, he gestured to the guard, who immediately stepped forward and knocked on the door, knocking several times in a row.

"Who is it, wailing like they're mourning? Are they in such a hurry to get yelled at?"

Tian Daniu walked out of the house cursing and opened the door. She was so frightened that she screamed "Mommy!"

He then hurriedly asked, "Village chief, township head, what are you doing? What's wrong with my family lately?"

The old village chief said, "Alright, stop shouting. This is a high-ranking leader from above. He has something to discuss with your family. Tell Yongliang to come out."

"Then, you guys come in first. Yongliang is still sleeping. I'll go call him."

After Tian Danu finished speaking, she hurriedly ran to the inner room to call for help.

Chen's father and Yu Zhongguo's group also entered the courtyard and closed the gate after entering.

Yu Zhongguo looked around. The brick house was nice, but the yard was messy and clearly hadn't been cleaned for a long time.

Soon, Zhou Yongliang and his son Zhou Liumu were both called out. When they came out, they saw the village chief and the township head were there, along with two imposing officials. Zhou Yongliang felt uncomfortable being stared at by them.

Comrade Zhou

"Zhou Yongliang, you'd better think carefully before you answer my questions. What's the story with Comrade Zhou Zhiqiang? Where did you pick him up from?"

Mr. Chen originally wanted to proceed gradually, but Yu Zhongguo didn't have that temper and directly glared at him and asked.

If it weren't for their identities, their clothes, and the large number of people around them, Yu Zhongguo would have gone up and dealt with this family.

He learned from the guards who were gathering information that Zhou Zhiqiang was not being properly taken care of in this family.

Seeing the shock and fear on the family's faces, Yu Zhongguo became even more certain. He stepped forward and roared, "Tell me the truth! I've already investigated everything. If you're still trying to lie, don't blame me!"

"Hey, Lao Yu, what are you doing!"

When Chen's father saw Yu Zhongguo trying to draw his gun, he immediately reached out and pulled him back, holding his hand tightly to prevent him from taking out the pistol.

"Xiao Zhao, Mayor Lin, and Comrade Zhao, please invite them inside. We have some questions to ask them."

Upon hearing this, the township head and the old village head nodded in agreement. Then, together with Chen's father's bodyguard and the police station chief, they persuaded Zhou Yongliang and Zhou Liumu to go back inside.

The old village chief roughly guessed why the two high-ranking officials had come, and after entering the house, he advised, "Yongliang, if you two have any sense, then you should speak frankly about Zhiqiang's matter and not hide anything."

"Village chief, what do you mean by that? Zhou Zhiqiang is my son. What have I been hiding?"

Although Zhou Yongliang said this, everyone could see the guilty conscience beneath his fierce exterior.

"Ask everyone in the village, who believes Zhou Zhiqiang is your biological son? Even Zhiqiang himself doesn't believe it. Now that people are coming to your door, and you're still hiding him, don't blame me for not warning you!"

The old village chief leaned closer and whispered, "That's a high-ranking leader with a gun. You'd better be sensible and stop being stubborn."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yongliang felt a surge of fear welling up inside him.

They had a feeling from the beginning that Zhou Zhiqiang and his mother were not ordinary people, so after bringing them back, they were afraid that they would be confronted.

Since they didn't have a son at that time and had received a lot of money, they initially took good care of Zhou Zhiqiang for several years.

That way, if the mother and child's family comes knocking on their door, they'll have an explanation and a pretext.

Later, they had a son, Zhou Wangzu, and for several years, neither the mother nor the son's family could find them.

Zhou Yongliang and Tian Daniu's patience with Zhou Zhiqiang was dwindling. They didn't want him to go to school and wanted him to be their family's hardworking ox.

As a result, Zhou Zhiqiang performed so well that both families supported his education. They also thought that if Zhou Zhiqiang were to succeed in the future, all his achievements would be attributed to their Zhou Wangzu, so they continued to send him to school.
I never expected that even after more than 20 years, someone would still come knocking on my door.

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(End of this chapter)