The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 130 Six Months Later, the Big Boss is Coming! [Please Subscribe]

"Team Leader Shen, Deputy Team Leader Lin."

When Director Liu of Shanghai Heavy Industry Plant No. 1 heard that a final inspection was to be conducted, he immediately rushed over.

"How is it? Is there anything else you need?"

Shen Changlin waved his hand and said, "No need, Director Liu, everything that needs to be prepared has been prepared. Next, we just need to see the final test results."

"That's fine, that's fine."

Factory Director Liu remembered something and quickly added, "Team Leader Shen, I estimate you'll be staying here for quite a while, so I've already put the logistics team on standby."

"If you need it, then open fire immediately and prepare rations for the technicians and workers on the front lines at any time."

Shen Changlin smiled and said, "I understand, Director Liu."

After he finished speaking, Shen Changlin saw Zhou Zhiqiang walking towards them, so he immediately asked, "Comrade Zhiqiang, how is it?"

“Everything is ready. I, Engineer Zhuang, Professor Fei, Engineer Wang and I have thoroughly checked every step.”

"Alright, let's get started."

Shen Changlin then took out a loudspeaker, and a loud voice immediately announced from the loudspeaker: "The large hydraulic press will begin inspection immediately. Non-duty personnel must leave immediately and confirm with each other."

Following this order, everyone who wasn't in a designated position quickly moved away from the large hydraulic press.

After the final confirmation of the preload and pressure data of the column, hundreds of tons of steel ingots were also sent onto the workbench.

At this point, Zhou Zhiqiang couldn't help but feel a little nervous. The data results were exactly the same as the calculations, so there shouldn't have been any mistakes.

Originally planned as a four-month business trip, the sectional welding of the large columns was completed by mid-August, and after multiple rounds of testing, the performance and pressure-bearing capacity fully met the standards.

At this point, Zhou Zhiqiang planned to return to Beijing to report, but Shen Changlin came directly to Shanghai.

Zhou Zhiqiang was kept on the team, and he was told to stay longer. Other teams had also started experimenting recently.

If everything goes smoothly, they will proceed to final assembly and inspect the final product.

Team leader Shen Changlin was very determined; all projects were tested only once before immediately moving on to the final assembly and inspection phase.

Although the goal is to increase speed, the risks involved are considerable. If a failure occurs, the enormous losses would be unbearable.

Fortunately, Zhou Zhiqiang ensured the successful segmented welding of the large columns. If this failed, then even if the others failed in the final inspection, it would only be a minor setback, not a major problem.

buzz
An alarming buzzing sound came from inside the workshop, and the pointer of the control voltmeter was shaking violently, but fortunately everything was still within expectations.

Shen Changlin kept his eyes on the pressure gauge. As soon as the needle slowed down, he immediately picked up the megaphone and shouted, "Keep increasing the pressure! Don't stop!"

If the output is less than 10,000 tons, their research is considered a failure. Medium-sized hydraulic presses with a capacity of several thousand tons do exist, but large hydraulic presses with a capacity of 10,000 tons are irreplaceable.

Upon hearing Shen Changlin's order, all workers in their respective positions immediately carried out the tasks as instructed.

The pressure increased, and when all the pressure pumps were roaring, the pressure gauge finally broke through the 10,000 mark, reaching about 12,500.

Upon witnessing this scene, team leader Shen Changlin was so overjoyed that he almost threw away the loudspeaker he was holding.

"We did it! We did it! But don't get too excited yet. Listen to my command: stop the hydraulic press first."

Then Shen Changlin slowly ordered the workers in other positions to stop the hydraulic press, and everyone couldn't help but cheer.

"Success!"

"It's done! We've finally done it!"

Zhuang Guodong hugged Zhou Zhiqiang tightly and shouted excitedly, "We did it! Zhiqiang, we finally succeeded!!"

"Yes, it's finally built."

Zhou Zhiqiang couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. After more than a year, he had finally made up for all the hard work he had put in over the past year.

Throughout the year, Zhou Zhiqiang rarely went to bed before midnight, and working late into the night was a regular occurrence.

They only relaxed a little during the two days of the Lunar New Year, but then went back to production.

After arriving in Shanghai, he was so busy that he dared not close his eyes. Sleeping five hours a day was a luxury for him; any more than that and he was afraid he would fall behind schedule.

Even Professor Fei Yunzhi, an old professor, was so excited that he secretly wiped his glasses with his clothes.

Fortunately, the first test after the incident was successful.

After everyone had calmed down a bit, Shen Changlin finally spoke up: "Alright, comrades, let's finish up the remaining work, do a thorough check, and then compile the data from earlier."

Factory Director Liu, who was standing to the side, had originally asked about the celebration, but seeing that Shen Changlin was going to wrap things up first, he didn't say anything.

It wasn't until after 9 p.m. that all the inspections and data were finally compiled and organized.

Deputy Team Leader Lin Tian was still somewhat excited, the euphoria from the successful test hadn't subsided, and he said to Shen Changlin, "It was an unexpected success, Team Leader Shen. There were no problems at all; everything was exactly as calculated and tested."

It seems we can report this to our superiors and let them know about it as soon as possible.

Shen Changlin nodded and said, "Yes, it's a pity that it didn't make it in time for the National Day gift."

Lin Tian said, "There's nothing we can do about it. We've been working very fast. And Team Leader Shen, you have to understand that our initial expectation was three to four years, but only a year and a half has passed."

Cutting the time in half is already an absolute improvement.

The decision to proceed to final assembly and inspection immediately after the first test saved the country a tremendous amount of resources. Moreover, the research and development time was halved. If they were to report the successful results, they would definitely receive praise.

Fei Yunzhi also said, "That's right, Team Leader Shen, we pushed ourselves too hard before. To be honest, I almost couldn't keep going at that point."

Of all of us, including the installation workers, only Xiao Zhou managed to persevere, and he was quite energetic too.

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone looked at Zhou Zhiqiang.

They completely agreed with Fei Yunzhi's words; Zhou Zhiqiang was truly incredibly resilient.

I get up at 5 a.m., have a quick meal, and then go off to give instructions, not returning to rest until after 1 a.m.

Moreover, Zhou Zhiqiang knows a little about almost everything, and he can complete any task assigned to him very well.

"Professor Fei is right."

Team Leader Shen nodded in agreement, and then said almost definitively, "In our main research group, if you ask who deserves the second most credit, I can't say for sure, because everyone is very important and has worked very hard."
But if we're talking about who deserves the most credit, then I think almost no one would object to giving it to Comrade Zhou Zhiqiang, right?

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang quickly waved his hand and said, "No, no, team leader, we are all part of the collective. If you ask me, everyone is the same."

Lin Tian said with a smile, "Hey, Comrade Zhiqiang, we can't say that. Nowadays in the countryside, you get work points for doing work. Some get ten points, some get eight. If you ask me, you'd get full work points here, and everyone would be convinced."

"Yes, Zhiqiang did the most."

"Hey, you can't argue with Zhiqiang. I'm working while he's working, and I'm resting while he's still working. Where do you get all that energy from?"

Engineers Zhuang Guodong and Wang Jinhua also chimed in.

They weren't just boasting or being polite; they genuinely believed it. Sometimes, when they saw Zhou Zhiqiang working, they felt embarrassed to take a break, but not resting was too tiring.
Zhou Zhiqiang waved his hand and said, "No, no, no, seniors, please stop flattering me. If you keep doing that, I'll really get arrogant."

At this moment, Director Liu of the No. 1 Heavy Industry Factory had already arranged for the workers to go to dinner. He came over to Shen Changlin and said, "Team Leader Shen, Deputy Team Leader Lin, it's already past nine o'clock. You haven't had dinner yet. Why don't you go to the canteen together and have something to eat?"

"It's time to eat indeed."

Shen Changlin looked around at everyone and, seeing that they had no objections, said, "Then let's go together. Thank you, Director Liu."

"Oh, no trouble at all. Our factory will benefit. What's a few meals?"

Factory Director Liu said with a smile, and then led the way.

The large hydraulic presses are basically located in the No. 1 Heavy Industry Plant. They have a small hydraulic press that was previously used to produce small and medium-sized forgings.

Now their factory has acquired a large hydraulic press with a capacity of over 10,000 tons, which will basically make them a leading forging manufacturer in China.

With the factory receiving such a great benefit, Director Liu will definitely take the lead in making proper arrangements for these elite researchers from all over the country.

Especially their relentless dedication to research and development; even Director Liu felt ashamed of himself when he heard about it.

Upon arriving at the canteen, Director Liu led them directly to a small canteen for a special meal.

It's mainly Huaiyang cuisine, and it's really not easy to get this kind of food so late at night. Director Liu even opened a bottle of good wine.

Everyone else had a little to drink. After working so hard for so long, a little bit of alcohol was enough to relax them. They certainly wouldn't get drunk.

Zhou Zhiqiang was the only one who didn't drink a drop. He doesn't touch cigarettes or alcohol, but he often carries a pack of good cigarettes to give to others.

With the large hydraulic press forging completed, everyone felt a huge weight lifted off their shoulders, and they began chatting about other things at the dinner table.

"Hey, Comrade Zhiqiang, you haven't taken the engineer certification exam yet, have you?"

Shen Changlin suddenly remembered this and casually asked, "I remember you were only at cadre level 15, but your technical level was always 13?"

After swallowing a mouthful of meat, Zhou Zhiqiang said, "Yes, after I became a full-time employee, I went to the technical department as the deputy head. My personnel file is still with Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory."

"Then after you go back to Beijing, you should take the exam. Even a technical cadre position is still a cadre position, and besides, you're originally a technical person."

Shen Changlin then asked, "Comrade Zhiqiang, what are you best at?"

Zhou Zhiqiang thought for a moment and said, "What aspect of mechanical structure?"

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Guodong exclaimed in surprise, "Mechanical structures, Zhiqiang? I thought your greatest strength was in electromechanical engineering."

Wang Jinhua said, "Zhiqiang knows a lot. He even knows about materials smelting. Moreover, he is an eighth-level fitter and an eighth-level lathe operator. We can't limit him to one field."

In fact, all of them are like this, and they also know a little about other fields.

But that's just a little bit of knowledge; there really isn't anyone like Zhou Zhiqiang who has reached the level of an eighth-grade worker or even a fourth or fifth-grade engineer.

"Just take the exam when you get back. No need to take it. It's difficult for anyone to proctor you anyway. I'll talk to Director Cai and ask him to just give you one."

After thinking for a moment, Shen Changlin said, "Director Cai can directly process your application for Level 6 Engineer. Once it's done, he'll tell you, and you can be transferred directly to a technical cadre position."

Zhou Zhiqiang paused for a moment, then asked, "Team Leader Shen, is this okay?"

Lin Tian, ​​who was standing to the side, said with a smile, "Don't ask if it's suitable or not. Our team leader, Shen, is in charge of the assessment of mechanical engineers."

Shen Changlin added, "I can only be responsible for the assessment of engineers at levels seven, eight, and nine. For anything higher, you need to contact Director Cai."

Zhiqiang, no one doubts your abilities. To be honest, I feel that a Level 6 engineer certificate is a bit of an understatement for you; Level 4 or 5 is what you should be aiming for.

"However, Director Cai can only give you Level 6. To go higher, you'll need to go through an assessment process, and Level 3 engineers also need experience leading projects."

A Level 1 engineer is basically equivalent to the level of Deputy Leader Wu. The experience requirements for Level 3 engineers are also very important. Shen Changlin is a Level 3 engineer, but he is now also a cadre.

The highest three levels of engineers are no longer tested on knowledge and technical skills. The first level is called chief engineer, who must have experience in leading the research and development of major national engineering projects.

Zhou Zhiqiang said, "Level six is ​​already very good. I'm only twenty-four, there's no rush to level up that fast."

If he becomes a Level 6 engineer, he will still be the head of the technical department at Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory, but he will receive the salary and benefits of a Level 6 engineer.

A level 6 engineer can earn 154 yuan, which is 30 yuan more than his current level 15 cadre salary, so it's not bad.

Moreover, Zhou Zhiqiang is only twenty-four years old, he should be twenty-five this year, but strictly speaking, he is still twenty-four.

He became a Level 6 engineer just over two years after graduating from university, which would make others extremely envious.

Shen Changlin sighed, "Yes, if I hadn't told you, who would have known you're only twenty-four years old?"

The future of our country's industry will depend on Comrade Zhiqiang's generation.

Shen Changlin is not young anymore, he is nearly fifty years old, and his body may really not be able to hold up in twenty years.

Twenty years later, Zhou Zhiqiang was in his prime, an absolute leading figure in scientific research.

Director Liu, who was standing to the side, also raised his glass and said, "Comrade Zhou is truly young and promising. You are welcome to visit our No. 1 Heavy Industry Plant in the future."

"You flatter me, you flatter me."

Zhou Zhiqiang picked up his teacup and clinked it against his, which made the atmosphere at the table even better.

After a satisfying meal, everyone went back to rest.

The next morning, Shen Changlin notified everyone to come to a meeting.

Zhou Zhiqiang didn't drink alcohol, and he slept poorly the night before, so he got up early the next morning and read for a while before coming over.

After everyone arrived at the conference room, Shen Changlin excitedly announced something: "Comrades, a high-ranking leader is coming to visit our research and development achievements in two days!"
"We need to give the big boss a proper introduction then. Nobody's allowed to mess things up, understand?"

"A big boss is coming? Really?"

"That's great! We're so honored! We never expected the big leader to actually come."

"Team Leader Shen, just give us your orders. What do we need to do?"

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(End of this chapter)