The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 145 Just Listen to Me! [Please Subscribe]

After obtaining the approval slip from Director Ren, Zhou Zhiqiang personally acted as a secretary running errands.

He took the note and went to find Deputy Leader Wu, who happened to be there that day.

I reported the plan to him again, and then Deputy Leader Wu signed the application.

At this point, the money has returned to the Second Machine Tool Factory; however, it was originally an investment for their factory, so it's normal for the money to be approved for them now.

Last year, there was too much ineffective investment. It seemed like production was expanding, but with such investment, the Second Machine Tool Plant will decline within ten years.

Once they've developed one or two achievements, they lose their drive and start relying on past successes for production. No wonder Deputy Leader Wu called for a halt to funding.

Zhou Zhiqiang also had lunch at the ministry. In the afternoon, after giving the approval slip to the director in charge of financial expenses, he asked his driver to take him back to the factory.

With the signatures of two direct supervisors, the money will be disbursed to their factory within two days.

Then Zhou Zhiqiang will be able to start research and production in a big way.

Back at the factory, Zhou Zhiqiang took out his notebook and prepared to try to find connections using the contact information he had written down.

Director Ren promised to help him contact research institutes in Henan Province and purchase optical line rulers from Russia.

The rest is up to Zhou Zhiqiang to make the contacts himself, but Director Ren did provide some information.

"Professor Fei? This is Zhou Zhiqiang. I'd like to ask you something. Have any professors at your school recently expressed interest in optical positioning?"

"Yes, I am now the deputy director of the Second Machine Tool Plant. We need to develop a new coordinate boring machine and require the help of professionals in this field."
I've already asked my superiors in Henan Province to help make contact, and we're waiting for news. What we need now is to achieve domestic production independence. Your university has done quite a bit of research in this area...

"Okay, thank you for your help, Professor Fei. Please contact me if you have any news."

"I will provide the site and funding. The factory currently has over two million yuan, and it plans to allocate another 1.1 million yuan to research and development of new machine tools. The funding will definitely be sufficient."

After making a few phone calls, Zhou Zhiqiang managed to pull some strings.

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Zhiqiang took a note and then started calling the next person.

Now we need to finalize all the R&D steps, and then confirm the collaborative R&D relationship and R&D goals.

The factory is responsible for solving most of the machine tool parts, including high-precision spindles and bearings, and Zhou Zhiqiang may have to handle some parts himself.

For the remaining technologies, such as optical positioning and some special steels, Zhou Zhiqiang would need to contact other capable large factories or research institutes for assistance in research and development.

No matter how capable the Second Machine Tool Plant was, it was impossible for them to solve all the steps in producing machine tools; they could only solve most of the parts and the final assembly work.

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished making the call, he asked Zhang Yaoguo to wait for another call while he went to the technical department to arrange some work.

Sun, the deputy factory director's office.

"Boss, that's the situation. Deputy Factory Director Zhou gave me the order directly, and I don't know what to do."

After Director Tian finished speaking, he tentatively asked, "Didn't Deputy Factory Director Zhou come to see you?"

"What does he want with me? Is he going to assign me a job? He's got all the power over production, and even some of his authority over the security department has been taken over."

Deputy Factory Director Sun said irritably, "Who would believe he's only a deputy factory director? Has Secretary Li ever managed anything since he became factory director?"

When he spoke, Deputy Factory Director Sun made no attempt to hide his anger.

It's bad enough that they've taken over the factory director's production control, but now they're even targeting the logistics department he's in charge of; in a few days, will they even take over the labor union, women's federation, and personnel files?

Deputy Factory Director Sun glanced at Tian Wenguo, then asked, "Have you done as Zhou Zhiqiang instructed?"

"Deputy Factory Director Zhou didn't give any specific instructions, just asked the purchasing department to add a little more to the existing purchasing standards."

Seeing that he couldn't hide it any longer, Director Tian quickly explained, "Sir, Deputy Factory Director Zhou's gaze was too sharp at the time. There was nothing I could do. I was afraid he would deal with me directly."

It's no exaggeration to say that Zhou Zhiqiang was the factory director. Dealing with him, who was also the deputy factory director, would probably take some effort; he would have to submit a report to the ministry.

But dealing with him, the logistics director, is quite simple. Just tell Secretary Li to transfer him to another position, and he'll be basically finished.

Even if he still receives a level 16 salary, his position is no longer as important. For example, if he is transferred to warehouse management, he will be a warehouse manager receiving a level 16 salary.

Therefore, Tian Wenguo was a little scared. After returning, he did not go to see Deputy Factory Director Sun immediately, but went directly to the purchasing department to tell him about it.

The head of the procurement department was initially full of resentment when the unplanned procurement tasks were increased.

But when he heard that the purchase price could be increased by 10%, and that previous purchase orders would be reimbursed, his resentment vanished immediately.

If you travel in groups to visit several communes and production brigades, or even hitch a ride on a transport vehicle if all else fails, you can always purchase some goods by going to more distant places.

Tian Wenguo only came to see Deputy Factory Director Sun after arranging things for the purchasing department. When Deputy Factory Director Sun found out, he was furious.

"You've already made all the arrangements, why are you coming to me?"

Deputy Factory Director Sun pondered for a while with a somber face before speaking, "Let's leave it at that for now. There's no other way but to listen to him."

However, by the end of the year, the factory's total output value hadn't increased, and there weren't enough profits left to pay workers' benefits. Even Secretary Li, let alone the factory director, couldn't withstand that.

"Okay, I understand. Boss, I'll head back now?"

Tian Wenguo asked cautiously, "I've reported everything that needs to be reported, and there's nothing else to report recently."

Factory logistics can be both complicated and simple.

The main tasks are managing the canteen, purchasing, and supplies.

"Let's go, let's go. If Zhou Zhiqiang has anything to say, I'll let you know. Remember to report back to me in time."

"Don't worry, boss."

After Tian Wenguo finished speaking, he left Deputy Factory Director Sun's office.

When I returned to the logistics section, I ran into the head of the purchasing department, who was holding a stack of slips of paper and I didn't know what he was going to do with them.

So Tian Wenguo stopped him and asked, "Youcai, where are you going?"

"Director Tian, ​​I need to go to the finance department."

Wu Youcai quickly said, "The finance department just sent someone to inform us to take the purchase receipts that haven't been settled yet to the finance department to settle them, saying that the factory has recently received a large sum of money."

The transport team drivers all applied for subsidies in advance. I went back to check the application forms, and I looked for you earlier, but you weren't there. Let's go together now, Director Tian.

"The finance department has money now?"

Tian Wenguo was somewhat surprised to hear this. He had known for a long time that the factory was in financial straits, and that they could only get money from the higher-ups when they paid wages each month.

Moreover, those funds were earmarked for specific purposes, and even Secretary Li wouldn't dare to misappropriate them.

I didn't expect the finance department to have extra money. "Let's go take a look."

After Tian Wenguo finished speaking, he and Wu Youcai, the head of the purchasing department, walked towards the finance department.

When I arrived at the finance department, it was crowded with people, all of whom were there to apply for funds.

Wu Youcai sidled up to Director Tian and said, "Director, we're a bit late. The trade union and the women's federation are ahead of us in line. Will there still be money left when it's our turn?"

These days, factories don't have much money. Usually, the factory only keeps one or two thousand yuan in the bank, and they only go to the bank to withdraw the money on payday.

I don't know how much was retrieved today, but if so many departments need the money, Tian Wenguo feels they probably won't get much.

So he said a few words to Wu Youcai, and the two of them immediately pushed their way forward while shouting, "Excuse me, excuse me, the purchasing department is about to have a task, let us get reimbursed first."

"The purchasing department needs to procure supplies for the entire factory. Could you please make way?"

The others immediately retorted, "What's the rush? Only your purchasing department is in a hurry? Our transportation team is in a hurry too."

"Exactly, whoever arrives first applies. Don't they know the rules?"

"Let us go first. We need to apply for subsidies for the families of four disabled workers. We can't afford to be late."

"We're about to go on a mission!"

The dozen or so people in the finance department quickly got into a heated argument, each offering their own opinion.

Last year, the factory planned to expand production significantly, but the expansion was halted halfway through, and only half the money was paid.

Later, the rapid increase in production also led to chaos in output value, and the factory's profits did not increase much.

The year-end benefits are not great, and some subsidies are even delayed. However, salaries are paid on time, which is within the regulations, and they dare not delay payment.

Now that they hear the factory has money, they all want to get their hands on it first, otherwise who knows how long the factory's money will last.

The finance department was making quite a commotion, and when the deputy head of the finance department saw that he couldn't control the situation, he sent someone to inform the head of the department and Deputy Factory Director Zhou.

Soon, when Zhou Zhiqiang learned the news and arrived at the finance department, he saw a constant arguing.

"What's the noise?"

Zhou Zhiqiang sternly reprimanded someone. The people in the finance department turned around after hearing the reprimand and saw Deputy Factory Director Zhou standing outside the door. They immediately fell silent.

"You think I'm having an easy time and want to give me something to do, right, Director Tian? I just saw you shouting too. Tell me, what were you shouting about in the finance department!"

Tian Wenguo had originally intended to hide behind Section Chief Wu, but Zhou Zhiqiang still saw him and called him out. So he had no choice but to step forward and awkwardly explain, "Factory Manager, we weren't arguing, it's just that the purchasing department is in a hurry to complete their purchasing tasks."

"Alright, I'm too lazy to listen to your excuses. You, a senior manager, don't you know any of the factory's rules?"

Before Zhou Zhiqiang arrived, he had heard about the finance department from the clerk.

A group of people were worried that the factory's pay would be meager, so they all took their money first, otherwise they might not get any or only half of it if they waited too long.
So everyone rushed to receive it, fearing there wouldn't be enough money.

Zhou Zhiqiang and the head of the finance department walked to the desk and looked at the notes that each department had placed on the desk.

There are applications for subsidies for the families of injured workers, maternity subsidies for female workers, and repair costs for truck drivers. The latest one was submitted last July.

Zhou Zhiqiang turned to the head of the finance department and asked, "Is our factory's finances really that bad? Are they even delaying workers' compensation payments?"

"It's not a delay. It's a national regulation, and not a penny less. This is a subsidy that our factory promised because these three families are impoverished households, so the union is giving them special treatment."

The head of the finance department quickly explained, "We applied for the subsidies stipulated by the state, and we didn't keep a single penny for ourselves; we distributed them all out."

These funds were indeed due last year, but the factory was in a hurry to expand its facilities, and the then-factory manager said the money would be distributed later, so they temporarily diverted the funds that were originally intended for distribution.

The union and women's federation also helped explain, and that was indeed the case.

"Then he really should be transferred."

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, he handed the note to the head of the finance department and said, "Take care of this matter first, and then we can discuss the R&D funding."

"The same goes for everyone else. The money the ministry promised last year has already been disbursed. Don't worry, the factory won't delay paying you. This is the finance department, what are you all arguing about?"

"If there's a next time, those few who shouted the loudest just now will be dealt with the same way. They'll be moved to the back of the line."

Upon hearing this, no one dared to argue with Zhou Zhiqiang and obediently lined up.

Zhou Zhiqiang only returned to his office after the money was distributed normally.

After a while, the head of the finance department, having finished dealing with the distribution of funds, also came to knock on the door to continue discussing the special funds for machine tool research and development.

The name of the Ministry of Machine Building was still very prestigious. After contacting the research institute in Henan Province, Zhou Zhiqiang told them about the research and development project he wanted to undertake.

Knowing that the Second Machine Tool Plant was tasked with fulfilling the mission of the First Ministry of Machine Building and that the research and development funding was also provided by the plant, the research institute in Henan Province immediately agreed.

The research institute over there will first produce a plan report, make arrangements, and then send the report to Zhou Zhiqiang.

Afterwards, Zhou Zhiqiang arranged for researchers from Tsinghua University to go to the Henan Provincial Research Institute together, and the research funds were transferred in three batches.

It will cost around 120,000, but this requires continuous experimentation. 120,000 is the ideal figure.

In addition to these, there are other expenses that need to be clearly arranged one by one. Zhou Zhiqiang and the head of the finance department were discussing the plan when they were interrupted by a group of people making a fuss.

If it weren't for the fact that he had only been at the factory for a few days and had angered him so much, all of these people would have been dealt with.

"Let's make these arrangements for now. You should handle them as soon as possible and then wait to coordinate with Henan Province."

After reviewing the general expenditure plan, Zhou Zhiqiang said to the head of the finance department, "From now on, all major expenditures in the factory will require my signature. Without my signature, no one can withdraw money from the account."

If they take the money without my signature, I'll go talk to you, the section chief, about it. It's only three hundred yuan; anything over three hundred yuan must have its purpose clearly stated and I must stamp and sign it.

"Yes, I understand, Deputy Factory Director Zhou."

After the finance department head finished speaking, he remembered Li Younian and hesitated for a moment before asking, "Deputy Factory Director Zhou, what if Secretary Li wants to withdraw funds?"

"Anyone!"

Zhou Zhiqiang reiterated, "You only need to recognize three things: my stamp, my signature, and myself. That's enough."

If anyone contacts you, tell them to come to me; follow my instructions, and I'll help you resolve any problems that arise. But if you don't follow my instructions and something goes wrong, then you'll have to deal with it the way it should be."

　Second update!

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(End of this chapter)