The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 132 Trying to Salvage the Slightly [Please Subscribe]

After resting for a night, Guo Yuting didn't even have time to get up the next day.

Zhou Zhiqiang got up early and went outside to buy breakfast.

He originally intended to cook at home, but suddenly realized that he didn't even have a pot at home. Only then did he remember that it was time for the Great Leap Forward to produce steel.

Guo Yuting is probably an employee of the neighborhood office, and there are strict quotas within the office, so she donated her own pot.

However, Zhou Zhiqiang then went to check the cellar. Fortunately, the pot he had bought in advance had not been donated by his wife, so it seems his wife is not stupid.

They knew they could donate a little and keep some for themselves; they might appear to be cooking in earthenware pots, but in reality, they were still keeping an iron pot.

From now on, the couple can only use this iron pot secretly. The safest thing to do is to put it back in the cellar after use, otherwise, if some unsuspecting person sees it, they might report it to the neighborhood committee.
It wouldn't be good to label them as backward thinkers.

However, when Zhou Zhiqiang came out to buy breakfast, none of the breakfast shops he knew before were open.

I found out that many organizations are now running communal canteens; although there were canteens before, they only provided two meals at most, and sometimes only one meal.

The current collective canteens provide three meals a day, which is much better than before.

Zhou Zhiqiang wandered around for a long time before finally finding a breakfast stall.

After buying some fried dough sticks and soy milk, Zhou Zhiqiang rode his bicycle back home.

When they returned, Guo Yuting had already woken up and was changing her son's diaper.

After changing, Zhou Zhiqiang invited Guo Yuting to have dinner together.

"Zhiqiang, you're going to be busy lately."

After Guo Yuting sat down, she sighed and said, "Fortunately, my dad used his connections to get me transferred to the subdistrict office, and the director takes good care of me, so I don't have too much work. It's just that sometimes I have to keep an eye on the blast furnace for steelmaking."

She had worked in the hospital's pharmacy department for a long time, so she wasn't exactly a newcomer when she went to the neighborhood office; she was immediately promoted to a level seven clerk.

Other newly hired employees were only level twelve clerks, and even after becoming regular employees, they were only level ten, much lower than Guo Yuting.

This also aroused jealousy in some people, after all, Guo Yuting didn't look much older than them.

"The neighborhood committee is also making steel? Do they have the fuel?"

Zhou Zhiqiang was taken aback when he heard this. There were no conditions, and it was in the city. How could he train by force?
"Yes, each subdistrict office has its own quotas. Although we have met them, the director wants to do even better."

The neighborhood committee is constantly giving us a hard time. Oh, and Pingping is pregnant. I don't know who will take care of Bocai after she gets pregnant.

“The neighborhood office is so chaotic now, I don’t dare take Bo Cai there anymore.”

Zhou Zhiqiang remained silent after hearing this, pondering some things.

Most steelmaking nowadays is done through impulsive, rudimentary methods, often based on hearsay. They build blast furnaces and start smelting steel.

Zhou Zhiqiang doesn't oppose passionate production; he himself is quite passionate. In any case, having worked with so many people, he hasn't seen anyone whose energy can match his.

But at least you need a passion that is scientific and guided by methodology; just don't waste it.

He knew a bit about traditional steelmaking methods, and those methods for refining scrap steel were widely known. Zhou Zhiqiang suddenly wanted to develop a scientifically feasible traditional steelmaking method.

Even if we only waste a little less and recover one-tenth of the losses, that's still hundreds of thousands of tons of steel.

"Yuting, hasn't Tian Dong's wife been coming lately?"

"No, she wants to keep doing it, but I'm worried it's too dangerous for her, having one baby and another to take care of. But she said she'll ask her mother to come over when her belly gets bigger."

Guo Yuting said enviously, "That's so nice, the whole family lives so close together, they can look after each other."

Zhou Zhiqiang sensed something was implied, so he asked directly, "What are you trying to say? Do we, as husband and wife, need to beat around the bush when we're talking?"

"Aunt Fang said that if I'm busy, I can leave my child with her to take care of, since she doesn't work anyway."

As Guo Yuting said this, she was still staring at Zhou Zhiqiang, as if afraid that he would be unhappy or say something else.

"You decide. As long as the child is okay, I'm fine with anything."

Zhou Zhiqiang said, "I've been away from home for a long time, and when I get back I'm busy with other things. It's really asking too much of you to take care of the children."

The reason Guo Yuting was transferred to the subdistrict office was because it would be easier for her to bring her child to work and take care of the child.

But now steelmaking has started near the neighborhood office, and it's so humid that even indoors it's choking every day, so naturally I can't take the kids there anymore.

“Zhiqiang, what are you saying? He’s my child too. It’s not right for him to be tired. Besides, you’re working hard for this family outside.”

After Guo Yuting finished speaking, she tentatively asked, "If you don't object, then I'll talk to Aunt Fang about it tomorrow?"

"Sure, I'll send something over later."

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, he remembered something else and said, "I'll stay home and take care of Bocai today, because I need to tidy up some things."

"Okay, I'll go to work in a bit. Pingping can come and make lunch."

Although Guo Yuting wanted Mao Pingping to rest, since she was pregnant, Mao Pingping refused.

During Zhou Zhiqiang's business trip, Wu Xiaojun also got married, and Teacher Wu even came to the wedding.

Mr. Wu was a little disappointed that he didn't see Zhou Zhiqiang; he especially wanted to thank Zhou Zhiqiang properly for bringing such a big change to his son and his family.

He had only provided Zhou Zhiqiang with meals and financial assistance for a period of time.

After Guo Yuting went to work, Zhou Zhiqiang took the child to the study.

Just as I was about to read books and organize smelting data while taking care of the child, Mao Pingping came over.

When Mao Pingping came over, Zhou Zhiqiang told her that he was back. He had originally planned to watch the child for a while so that Mao Pingping wouldn't be too tired.

However, he couldn't persuade Mao Pingping otherwise and left the child in her care.

Zhou Zhiqiang, meanwhile, was engrossed in reading and collecting information in his study, preparing to devise the most scientific "traditional" method of steelmaking.

As for materials and professional books, Zhou Zhiqiang had bought quite a lot before; he used to think that "I may not need them now, but I will need them in the future," so he would buy any books that were highly specialized.

Books are cheap now and don't require coupons. Zhou Zhiqiang's salary is also high, so buying dozens of books a month doesn't affect his family's income.

This resulted in Zhou Zhiqiang having to build two new bookshelves, but they weren't enough. Now, the last bookshelf is almost full.

After sitting down in the study, Zhou Zhiqiang began collecting information while having his 'assistant' deduce the results.

"Four hours isn't too long."

After saying that, Zhou Zhiqiang focused on reading books related to his major.

The more difficult something is, the longer it takes. For something like 'primitive' steelmaking, several hours is indeed normal. Moreover, Zhou Zhiqiang felt that he could figure it out himself, although some details certainly couldn't be as perfect as those of the simulation assistant.

If you're going to do it, you have to do it perfectly, without any flaws.

As the sun began to set, it quickly became afternoon.

Zhou Zhiqiang had just received the best method for making steel using rudimentary techniques, and he even conveniently claimed the small reward of strengthening his spirit.

I'm currently organizing it on paper with great enthusiasm, preparing to take advantage of my day off to send it to the relevant departments.

"Although the method is a bit troublesome, if a commune is willing to listen, it can save the commune's steel."
Even if it doesn't reach military-grade standards, it's enough to manufacture and supply some simple industrial products domestically, so it won't be thrown away.

As Zhou Zhiqiang organized the materials, he pondered the matter. Incidentally, he happened to know Director Han and Director Liu of the Iron and Steel Bureau of the Ministry of Metallurgy.

Even if I don't get to see Director Han, I'm sure I'll get to see Director Liu.

Not long after, Zhou Zhiqiang finished organizing his things and put the "Scientific Homemade Steelmaking Method" into his briefcase with satisfaction before leaving the study.

His son was taken away by Mao Pingping to be looked after, so Zhou Zhiqiang rode his bicycle out, locked the door, and headed to the Ministry of Metallurgy.

Not long after, Zhou Zhiqiang rode his bicycle to the Ministry of Metallurgy, then stopped and pushed his bicycle toward the Ministry's post.

Seeing Zhou Zhiqiang approaching, and noticing that he was a stranger, the gatekeeper asked, "Stop for a moment, comrade, what brings you here?"

"I am Zhou Zhiqiang, the head of the technical department of Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory. I need to speak with Director Liu Hanpeng of the Iron and Steel Bureau. Comrade, could you please make a call to inform him for me?"

Zhou Zhiqiang handed over his work ID directly; it was his most legitimate form of identification.

Other groups, like the large hydraulic press research team, didn't have any certifications; only the head of the technical department had one.

After verifying the work permit, the security guard said somewhat awkwardly, "I'm looking for Director Liu, but the office didn't mention him."

"Here's what you'll do, comrade. Just call and ask. Just say my name. If that doesn't work, then forget it."

Zhou Zhiqiang began to speak.

After hearing this, the gatekeeper felt that making a phone call was no big deal, and Zhou Zhiqiang was indeed a section chief, so he said, "Wait a moment, I'll go make a call and ask."

After returning to his post, he picked up the phone and called the Steel Bureau office to inquire.

After a while, the gatekeeper came out and his tone was much better. He said to Zhou Zhiqiang, "Comrade, please wait a moment. Someone will come out to pick you up soon."

"Okay, thank you, comrade."

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, he handed the guard a cigarette. The guard took it but didn't smoke it; he put it in his pocket.

Not long after, someone jogged out of the Ministry of Metallurgy and walked directly to Zhou Zhiqiang at the gate, extending his hand and smiling, "Hello, Section Chief Zhou, I am Hu Xuan. Director Liu asked me to pick you up."

"sorry to bother you."

After exchanging greetings, Zhou Zhiqiang and Hu Xuan walked inside.

Upon arriving at the Iron and Steel Bureau office, Liu Hanpeng was already waiting for Zhou Zhiqiang. Seeing him arrive, he quickly stepped forward to shake hands.

"Section Chief Zhou, why did you come here so suddenly today? I wasn't prepared at all."

Liu Hanpeng had also heard about the Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory, which is now directly under the Ministry of Machinery Industry.

In this way, Zhou Zhiqiang would also be considered a level 15 cadre, which is four levels lower than him.

Moreover, Zhou Zhiqiang had been specifically mentioned by a high-ranking leader of the Ministry of Metallurgy, and for this reason alone, it was not unreasonable for Liu Hanpeng to personally entertain him.

Zhou Zhiqiang quickly said, "I've been busy with a project outside recently and only got back yesterday. After I got back, I heard about something that I felt might be a little problematic, so I came to see Director Liu."

I'm really sorry to have disturbed your work.

Liu Hanpeng laughed and said, "This is nothing. I will definitely treat you well since you're here. The special steel smelting process you developed last time has been a great help to our Iron and Steel Bureau."
"Come on, let's talk in my office."

After saying that, Liu Hanpeng took Zhou Zhiqiang to his office.

After the tea was served, Liu Hanpeng sat down and asked, "Section Chief Zhou, what brings you here today? Please let me know if you need any help."

"It's not really help. When I came back yesterday, my wife told me that their neighborhood committee was also building a blast furnace for steelmaking, and that most rural areas are probably like that."
The high level of public enthusiasm is definitely a good thing, but the blast furnace built by the neighborhood committee is somewhat flawed; it can't produce good steel, or even usable steel.

Zhou Zhiqiang first praised, and then pointed out the problems; this is the most appropriate way to put it.

"Director Liu, this is what I think: steelmaking is not like cooking. Besides, you can cook a dish that is inedible. The same goes for steelmaking."

Many communal steelmaking organizations may lack proper guidance and certain necessary conditions, but relying solely on enthusiasm to produce steel will ultimately only lead to waste.

"I've summarized a 'traditional' steelmaking method that's best suited to the resources and environment of rural areas. If we use this method, we can at least produce ordinary steel."

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, he took out the "traditional" steelmaking method he had summarized and handed it to Director Liu Hanpeng.

"Director Liu, this is definitely not suitable for the city or factories, because it can only produce the most ordinary steel, but it should be the most suitable for the rural communes."

Liu Hanpeng took the book and read it. Then, remembering what Zhou Zhiqiang had just said, he nodded and said, "Section Chief Zhou, what you said makes sense. However, we need to investigate this matter first."

"Of course, we won't conduct a nationwide investigation. After I report to Director Han, we can start by investigating the area around Beijing."

If the situation you described becomes widespread around Beijing, then we really need to promote this rudimentary steelmaking method.

Zhou Zhiqiang nodded and said, "Of course, Director Liu. Maybe I'm just worrying unnecessarily, but I know that the steel produced by that subdistrict office is indeed not very usable. But I can't say much about it because I can't control it."

"I understand, I understand you."

Liu Hanpeng nodded and said, "Then I'll go talk to Director Han now. Section Chief Zhou, would you like to come with me?"

"No need for that. I just felt something was off and wanted to offer a small suggestion. I'm happy to hear it from you, Director Liu."

Zhou Zhiqiang quickly waved his hand and said, "If I get involved, I'm afraid it will take me a lot of time. I have a meeting at the Ministry of Machine Building tomorrow, and I also need to organize documents later."

Liu Hanpeng nodded and said, "I understand. Then I won't take up any more of your time, Section Chief Zhou."

"Alright, then I'll take my leave now, Director Liu."

After telling Liu Hanpeng about this, Zhou Zhiqiang took his leave and left the Ministry of Metallurgy.

He came to the Ministry of Metallurgy to provide the method of rudimentary steelmaking, not for any reward.

I just feel that so much should not be wasted. Even if we could refine ordinary carbon steel, it could be used in many industrial products in China.

Bicycles, sewing machines, and the like.

If Zhou Zhiqiang can recover even one-fifth or one-tenth of the losses, then his trip will not have been in vain.

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(End of this chapter)