The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 120 Deputy Leader Wu's Closeness [Please Subscribe]

"What about people?"

After soothing the child to sleep, Guo Yuting went out and found that Yu Zhongguo was no longer there, so she asked Zhou Zhiqiang.

“I told him to go back first. It was already quite late when he came out, and he seemed a bit agitated.”

Zhou Zhiqiang sat down in a chair and sighed, "Chen Li's father..."

This is really going to cause him trouble. He shouldn't have let Chen Li come to his house to pick up things in the first place, otherwise this wouldn't have happened.

However, Zhou Zhiqiang was quite happy that the Zhou family had brought two people to justice; he had initially thought that Zhou Yongliang had taken the original body, but it turned out that he had stolen it.

He robbed children and money, and although he didn't directly kill anyone, the original owner's mother died because of him.

For this crime, spending decades in a quarry is not an exaggeration at all. Otherwise, if the ambitious young man had arrived safely in Shaanxi and Yan'an in a few years, he might have been promoted to a civilian colonel.

Guo Yuting sat down next to Zhou Zhiqiang and asked, "Zhiqiang, what do you plan to do?"

"I do not know."

Zhou Zhiqiang shook his head and said, "I am quite satisfied with my current life. My father-in-law treats me very well, you are a very good wife, and the child is also very healthy and strong."

Our family has everything we need; our combined salaries are almost 150. And I'm a level 16 section chief.

Apart from being a bit busy with work, Zhou Zhiqiang has everything he needs now.

Moreover, entertainment was scarce in this era; being busy was the priority. The guiding principle was to enthusiastically build socialism, and the enthusiasm was even greater in the countryside, where infrastructure construction was taking place everywhere.

Zhou Zhiqiang doesn't feel busy or tired. Moreover, the sense of accomplishment he feels when he sees a project that never existed come to fruition is indescribable.

So you could say he was already living a good life, and now that a stranger has appeared and he's being asked to acknowledge a father, Zhou Zhiqiang is really a bit resistant.

However, Yu Zhongguo was also very perceptive. Every time Zhou Zhiqiang tried to say something like "keep the status quo" or "don't bother him," Yu Zhongguo would immediately notice.

Yu Zhongguo would use a flattering tone to talk to him about other things, and he would also say that his current wife was understanding and very much wanted to see Zhou Zhiqiang, as well as his younger brother and sister.
This performance left Zhou Zhiqiang speechless. He wasn't a heartless person, yet he spoke so harshly to a middle-aged or elderly person who had done nothing wrong and was even somewhat humble in front of him.

"Zhiqiang, don't you want to have contact with your biological father?"

"It's too unfamiliar. Never mind, we'll talk about it later."

Zhou Zhiqiang didn't want to explain what he was thinking; he knew it himself. Then he turned to Guo Yuting and asked, "He said he wanted us to spend the New Year at his house. What do you think?"

"I'll listen to you; you're the head of the household."

Guo Yuting replied without hesitation, knowing that she was not in charge of making decisions, and that Zhou Zhiqiang was the one who made most of the decisions and managed the household.

She can manage the family well as long as she listens to Zhou Zhiqiang, so she doesn't really want to make decisions on important matters.

"Let's go take a look. He probably wants to visit Bo Cai every day lately."

Zhou Zhiqiang sighed and said, "You should talk to Tian Dong's wife about it. If he comes, let him in. I can't come back at night; I usually don't get off work until after 10 pm."

The Lunar New Year holiday is quite long, probably five or six days this year. We'll go and stay for one day. If we don't feel well, we'll just go home and celebrate the New Year ourselves; anyway, my cooking skills aren't bad.”

Guo Yuting nodded and said, "Okay."

"By the way, my father-in-law probably won't be able to come back this year. We don't have enough vacation time for the round trip. We'll visit him when we have more vacation time in the future."

However, Zhou Zhiqiang himself couldn't continue the conversation as it progressed.

In terms of holidays, his holidays were even fewer than those of his father-in-law, Guo Linhua; it was basically decided that the two families would not see each other again until the 1970s.

We can basically only meet by writing letters and sending photos.

Talking about her father-in-law made Guo Yuting miss him and feel sad for a while; although Guo Linhua used to be quite strict with her, she still missed him a lot after not seeing him for almost two years.

The period before the Lunar New Year is usually the busiest time.

For a long time now, Zhou Zhiqiang hasn't been to Pigeon City. Firstly, he doesn't have time, and secondly, his family has enough supplies stored up.

If adults are frugal, there will definitely be enough food, and children will also have plenty of food.

Zhou Zhiqiang travels to various places. He was the one who proposed the electroslag welding process, and he personally inspects every step of the process to ensure its smooth completion.

Sometimes I also need to give guidance on machining, otherwise other engineers won't be able to figure it out.

One day.

While Zhou Zhiqiang was discussing production progress with Liang Kang in his office, another assistant, Lu Mancang, suddenly knocked on the door, then pushed it open and said to Zhou Zhiqiang...

"Team Leader Zhou, someone came to the ministry looking for you. It's the Party Secretary and Factory Director of Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory. They're asking if you have time."

If you have time, I would like to invite you to the Planning Department.

"Planning Department?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang quickly remembered that this was the place where Chen Li had delivered the blueprints last time. Why were the Party Secretary and the factory director here this time as well?

However, he had already said almost everything to Liang Kang, so he turned to Liang Kang and said, "Engineer Liang, that's enough, but we must be even faster."

"It needs to be done before the New Year. We have other tasks to arrange after the New Year, so please keep an eye on it for a while."

Upon hearing this, Liang Kang quickly replied, "Don't worry, Engineer Zhou. With the current production efficiency, we will definitely be able to deliver the project before the end of the year, and we might even have an extra day for inspection."

"That's fine then. I'll go to the Planning Department first."

"Okay, then you go ahead with your work, Mr. Zhou. I need to go to the factory to keep an eye on things too."

After parting ways with Engineer Liang, Zhou Zhiqiang followed Lu Mancang to the Planning Department.

When he arrived, he found Secretary Yan and Factory Director Zhao sitting in the office, as if they were waiting for someone.

However, upon seeing him arrive, both Secretary Yan and Factory Director Zhao stood up and walked towards him.

"Comrade Zhiqiang, how have you been lately? It's been a while since you've been back to the factory."

Secretary Yan came to Zhou Zhiqiang's side with a smile and asked, then reached out and patted Zhou Zhiqiang's shoulder, and continued, "You don't look like you've lost weight, but the food in the ministry may not be as good as our factory's."

When you get back, I'll have the logistics department arrange extra meals for you a few more times.

Factory Director Zhao laughed and said, "Comrade Zhiqiang, do you see? The Party Secretary is afraid that you will be poached by the Ministry, so he is trying every means to keep you here."

However, it's normal to want to retain talent. Research and development talents like Zhou Zhiqiang are highly sought after in any factory or ministry.

The research they developed sold for seventeen million US dollars in foreign exchange; there are very few people in the whole country with such talent.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang smiled and said, "I'll remember that. The secretary owes me a few meals; I'll definitely make it up to him when I get back." "But Secretary, Factory Director, what brings you to the Planning Department today? Is it still because of the blueprints you delivered last time?"

"No, we were also notified to come here for a meeting, but the leaders are still busy right now."

Factory Director Zhao shook his head, then said in a low voice, "Secretary Yan and I were initially reluctant to hand over the production blueprints for the seeder, since it's our factory's stuff."

But then you sent over the production drawings for the thresher, and given that the factory's production capacity was indeed lagging behind, we followed the instructions from above and had other factories produce the seeders.

Secretary Yan nodded in agreement.

Making this decision was a difficult choice for them at first, after all, they were the factory director and secretary of Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory, and they had to be responsible for everyone in the factory.

The condition of the factory workers and their benefits depend on the factory's retention rate.

If last year's production profits are high and a lot is retained, then more will be paid to the workers; therefore, a popular and well-selling agricultural machinery can save a factory.

It was only because Zhou Zhiqiang delivered the production drawings for the threshing machine that they were able to negotiate with their superiors for a while longer.

"We don't know why we were called here this time, but it must be related to the whole factory. We just happened to remember you're in the ministry, so we wanted to ask if you know anything about the situation."

"Besides, you're considered a cadre in the factory. We asked Director Qi, and they said it's okay to take you along."

Factory Director Zhao asked, "Normally, production matters are addressed to the factory director, and personnel matters to the party secretary. But to call both of them over, bypassing the Municipal Bureau of Industry, must mean something big."

Zhou Zhiqiang shook his head and said, "I'm not too sure. I've been at the First Machinery Factory lately and rarely go back to the project office assigned by the Ministry. I haven't seen Director Cai either. Otherwise, I could ask Director Cai."

"The First Machinery Plant?"

Just as Director Zhao was about to ask something, someone approached them and asked, "Secretary Yan, Director Zhao, and this comrade, the leaders have finished their work and would like to ask you to come over now."

"Okay, let's go right away."

After Secretary Yan finished speaking, he walked with Factory Director Zhao and Zhou Zhiqiang toward the leader's office.

However, they did not go to Director Qi's office, but continued walking forward and soon arrived at Deputy Leader Wu's office.

After pushing the door open, I saw that in addition to Deputy Leader Wu, Director Qi and several other people were also in the room.

"You're here, have a seat. Comrade Zhiqiang is here too? Sit down with us. Let's hear about what's going on at your factory."

When Deputy Leader Wu saw Zhou Zhiqiang, he smiled and spoke. This polite and friendly attitude made Zhou Zhiqiang feel a little strange.

He had met with Deputy Leader Wu before, but this wasn't the case in the past.
"Let's have a small meeting first, but I've already confirmed the agenda with Leader Sheng."

Let's get straight to the point. The ministry plans to bring Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory under its direct management, elevating its administrative level by one level.

Upon hearing Deputy Leader Wu's words, Secretary Yan and Factory Director Zhao both looked shocked, and Zhou Zhiqiang was also somewhat surprised.

If that's the case, then it must be a factory directly under a ministry, at the deputy department/bureau level?
With support from all sides, things will definitely improve, but Zhou Zhiqiang is concerned about the support for the assignment of technicians.

If the level is raised another level, then their factory will probably have a few more technicians assigned next year.

"Dafa Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory has developed rapidly in the past two years and has great potential. The production growth rate for the year after next has already been planned for you, and it should increase by at least 20%."

This is almost unique in the whole country, and of course, your achievements are also unique in the whole country, so this growth rate is not considered difficult for you.

20%.

Zhou Zhiqiang did the math in his head and realized that this was already 6% higher than the 14% target set last year, and the growth rate was basically the same as that of the Russians.

Russia is aiming to surpass the US in eleven years, so its annual economic growth rate is almost always above 20%.

If their factory can maintain this growth rate, it will put them under considerable pressure.

"How about it, do you have confidence?"

Deputy Leader Wu asked again, "Just now you said you would promote them to the direct subordinate of the ministry, and there's more good news about their promotion."

But then came another bombshell, leaving Secretary Yan and Factory Director Zhao in a state of turmoil, unable to give a proper answer.

If you agree but fail to deliver, the consequences will be severe; but if you answer that you lack confidence, will you lose such a great benefit?

While Director Zhao was struggling to answer, he turned to look at Zhou Zhiqiang and immediately regained some confidence, saying, "Leader, I'm confident. I guarantee I'll complete the task!"

Zhou Zhiqiang was immediately shocked. How could someone be so confident just by looking at him?!
He's just the head of the technical department, not a CNC machine tool, what's he doing, Director Zhao?
"Alright, since you're confident, I'll give you a chance to prove yourself. You know, the factories managed by the ministry are assessed every year, and quite a few have undergone further reforms."

Deputy Leader Wu tapped the door lightly and said, "That's not all."

The ministry doesn't have that much energy; only those with great potential, good development prospects, technology, and other factors can be placed directly under the ministry.

Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory not only earns foreign exchange, but also promotes mechanized agriculture with the Ministry of Agriculture by producing agricultural machinery equipment.
The current situation arose after considering various factors.

Then came the finalizing of some details regarding promotion and elevation to a ministry-level direct subordinate. Zhou Zhiqiang had no say in this matter and could simply enjoy the benefits and treatment.

If the entire factory is upgraded, then his rank as the head of the technical department will also be raised by one level.

It really feels like a windfall.

However, considering the growth rate requirements for the year after next, this windfall is not easy to swallow. Even if everyone in the factory works hard, it's hard to say whether they can meet the target.

The most crucial point is that their output value for next year is already very high, and adding another 20% growth rate makes Zhou Zhiqiang somewhat suspicious that Director Zhao agreed on a whim.

After discussing the matter in Vice Leader Wu's office until noon, they had almost finalized the reform, which involved making it directly subordinate to a department and upgrading its level.

However, it won't be easy to handle before the new year. This matter will be completely finalized and settled before March after the new year.

Secretary Yan and Factory Director Zhao, their faces flushed, were about to take their leave, but Deputy Leader Wu told them to eat in the ministry's canteen before leaving, and the two of them immediately agreed to stay for a meal.

"Comrade Zhiqiang, you're coming too. By the way, are you not busy over there?"

Deputy Leader Wu suddenly beckoned to Zhou Zhiqiang and said, "Come here, let's have a chat. Everyone else, go to the cafeteria first and save a seat for me and Comrade Zhiqiang."

"Okay, leader."

Upon hearing this, the others got up and left the office, leaving only him and Deputy Leader Wu in the room.

After everyone left, Deputy Leader Wu said with a smile, "Don't be nervous. A couple of days ago, Comrade Junfeng from the Light Industry called me and talked about a lot of things."

After he mentioned you, I initially thought he wanted me to pull some strings for you, but he kept beating around the bush and wouldn't say anything. Finally, when I got really frustrated, he finally brought up your matter.

　First update

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