The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 190 Deputy Director Liu of the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building

“Zhou, their vision is worse than that of a prostitute; they can’t see your future at all.”

I probably won't come back this time after I go back. It's a pity I couldn't chat with you more.

Petrov left in anger, and before leaving he specifically said these words to Zhou Zhiqiang, and then left as if he had given up.

When you're traveling, the worst thing is when the people around you aren't on your side, and that's exactly the situation Petrov encountered.

The people who came to the Second Machine Tool Plant with him were idiots; amidst the constant flattery and commemorative pronouncements, they had no idea what their purpose was.

Whenever Petrov tried to inquire about CNC machine tools, these Chinese people would redirect the conversation to his comrades in a way that made him very uncomfortable.

And it will naturally steer the conversation away from the topic of CNC machine tools.

Otherwise, he would keep apologizing and denying the facts, while his companion actually spoke up for the Chinese, which made Petrov feel furious.

I walked around the factory twice, for five or six hours straight, but I didn't get a single piece of information about CNC machine tools.

But as Petrov strolled through the factory, he could sense that the spirit and even the faith of all the workers were much like that of their political commissar.

Almost everyone is producing with the goal of building the nation. This spirit of construction, combined with research and development capabilities, is terrifying.

Petrov knew that CNC machine tools were also being developed in China, and he had even participated in CNC machine tool development when he returned to China for rest a few years ago.

Both countries started developing CNC machine tools around the same time and have similar national characteristics. Now, with a tendency towards antagonism, they must be wary of any emerging trends that could spur development.

It's only natural to inquire about China's CNC technology. A few years ago, China's industrial system was built with their assistance, but a few years later, they were able to develop CNC machine tools on their own. Unfortunately, Petrov felt that the idiots around him hadn't noticed at all.

Or perhaps they don't understand the significant impact CNC machine tools have on industrial development.

After listening to Petrov's words, Zhou Zhiqiang shook his head and said, "Comrade, I don't know what you're talking about. We'll talk again when we have the chance."

“I might not come back after I go back this time, Zhou, and no one heard our conversation, so you don’t need to be wary.”

After a sigh, Petrov said, "I envy you guys for having the power to make decisions for those in charge of technology. But it's still uncertain who will be able to develop CNC machine tools first."

However, the machine tools produced by your factory are indeed very good; by modifying the mechanical structure, you can achieve the effect of increasing functionality and improving precision.

The old Russian seemed to want to say everything he had to say before leaving, and he also mixed in his dissatisfaction with the idiots around him, thinking that they had overlooked something important.

After listening for a while, Zhou Zhiqiang shook his head and said, "Let's talk about the machine tool issue another time, Comrade Petrov. I didn't quite understand the rest."

It was a matter of stance, nothing else. Zhou Zhiqiang simply thought Petrov was very technically skilled, and he didn't believe a single word of what Petrov said.

His ability to foresee future conflict between the two countries shows he is a smart man, but not a smart man like the Chinese.

Zhou Zhiqiang has nothing to talk about with the Russians.

Anyway, the answer is no. They have closed the precision workshop and do not allow any visits. This trip can also be seen as sowing discord between Petrov and those around him.

This is also related to Petrov's poor relationship with those around him. If his relationship with those around him is lukewarm, naturally others won't help him.

After seeing the man off, Zhou Zhiqiang breathed a slight sigh of relief. He didn't know if Petrov would come again tomorrow.

However, he didn't want to do this kind of reception work anymore. It was tiring and troublesome, involving scheming against the Russians. He preferred to go back and push forward the research and development experiment.

Back in the Tsinghua University group's office, Zhou Zhiqiang said to Professor Yu, "Professor Yu, the Russians probably won't be coming tomorrow, but let's wait for their notification this morning."

If it's confirmed you can't come, I'll have Yaoguo tell you.

Judging from Petrov's expression, he is probably disappointed and won't be coming back; moreover, the Russian technical experts are about to withdraw completely.

Professor Yu nodded and said, "Okay, no rush, keeping it a secret is the most important thing."

After discussing the matter with Professor Yu, Zhou Zhiqiang returned to his office.

His boss might call him in a little while, so he should go back and wait.

Ring ring ring!
The phone rang.

Zhou Zhiqiang immediately picked up the phone and said, "Second Machine Tool Factory, this is Zhou Zhiqiang."

"Zhiqiang, did you already guess I would call you?"

Upon hearing Director Ren's voice on the other end of the phone, Zhou Zhiqiang said with a smile, "I was busy in the office when I received your call, boss."

Is it about today's events? The Russian guy probably won't be coming to our factory tomorrow, right?

Director Ren on the other end of the phone laughed and said, "They're not coming. They didn't tell us. Although they're somewhat interested in the universal grinder, it's uncertain whether they'll actually buy it."

However, we have already told them that we will be showcasing the universal machine tool at the Autumn Canton Fair in five months. The Russians are also familiar with our foreign trade fairs, and they said they will think about it carefully when they get back.”

"That's good. If they had come for two more days, they would have caused so much trouble. Director, next time we should really send the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for this kind of thing."

After a brief complaint, Zhou Zhiqiang continued, "As for purchasing the universal grinder, I guess it depends on how determined they are."

He felt the chances were slim, because the Russians would soon completely break off relations with them.

However, it's not entirely hopeless. If they want to repay the debt, they'll definitely have to ask the Russians if they want it. If the Russians don't want it, then they'll use other things to repay the debt.

If the Russians find it troublesome to conduct their own research and development and production, they might purchase some as well.

If the Russians wanted to build their own factories for research and development, then China's universal machine tools certainly wouldn't be able to cover their debts; the Russians' heavy industry development capabilities are quite formidable.

We've just entered the 1960s, and in the next decade, the Russians will develop heavy industry, especially the military industry, to its peak, putting immense pressure on the US.

Although they will gradually decline afterward, they will develop more and more aggressively in the next ten years. A king who specializes in one subject is still a king.

However, the bulk of the debt repayment will likely come from precious metals; if industrial products can offset three or four hundred million in debt, that would be quite good.

This can help alleviate a lot of the burden and pressure on the country, at least preventing the frantic use of high-quality agricultural products to pay off debts, and might even help the year of disasters pass sooner. If it weren't for tightening their belts to pay off debts, most farmers in China wouldn't be living such a hard life.

"There's one more thing. You mentioned yesterday that you planned to train some semiconductor technicians, remember?"

After a pause on the phone, Director Ren continued to Zhou Zhiqiang: "Deputy Director Liu Weiqiang of the Technical Department of the Fourth Ministry of Machinery Industry wants to talk to you tomorrow."

Are you in a machine tool factory or somewhere else?

"Are you coming to see me? Or should I go see Deputy Director Liu?"

"No need, he insists on coming to see you. If you were to go to see him, he would feel ashamed."

Director Ren said with a smile, "The problem they haven't been able to solve has now been brought up by you."

Furthermore, as the director of the Second Machine Tool Plant, you are also obligated to unconditionally train the technical personnel of Factory 190. How could you possibly come to him for that?

"Why care so much? If the old Russian doesn't come to the factory tomorrow, I plan to go directly to Factory 190. Or I can ask Deputy Director Liu to come there."

"Okay, I'll tell him right away and have him come to Factory 190 to see you tomorrow."

After chatting with Director Ren for a while, Zhou Zhiqiang finally hung up the phone.

He then picked up the research and development reports from each group and began to read them.

The research and development progress is very satisfactory. The design of the bed casting is also well completed, and the servo motor has begun calculation and testing. However, the most important thing is the CNC system.

Fortunately, Factory 190 had a large number of technical personnel and engineers; otherwise, even with a mature process solution, it would have taken a considerable amount of time to implement it.

"If we're going to conduct talent training next, time will be even tighter. I'd better go home today."

Zhou Zhiqiang felt he definitely needed to talk to Guo Yuting about this. He might be away for a month or two, and if he taught too late, he would just stay at Factory 190.

Although I can't tell Guo Yuting what I've been doing for so long, I should at least tell her that I've been busy and haven't been home for a long time.

Otherwise, if he disappeared without a word, Guo Yuting would definitely be worried.

After making up his mind, Zhou Zhiqiang called his driver to wait for him downstairs, and then began to pack his things.

After packing his things, Zhou Zhiqiang told Zhang Yaoguo and then went downstairs to take a car home.

------

I got home just after seven o'clock.

When Zhou Zhiqiang opened the door and went back to the backyard, his wife and mother-in-law were eating with their two children. They were eating mixed flour pancakes, and it seemed they had just started eating.

"Zhiqiang, you're back so early again today."

When Guo Yuting saw her husband return, her eyes crinkled into crescent moons with joy. She quickly stood up and said, "There are still a few pancakes in the pot. I'll get them for you."

"You're back at just the right time. I've been making extra pancakes every night to eat the next morning lately."

Now my two children have started eating whole grains, but for now they're still eating mixed flour. We'll start giving them whole grains next year.

Although Guo Yuting felt sorry for the children, she knew that she couldn't keep her son and nephew from eating coarse grains forever, so it was better to let them get used to it sooner rather than later.

"There's nothing much going on at the factory, so I came back first. Dinner was quite a feast."

After putting down his briefcase, Zhou Zhiqiang washed his hands and then sat down at the dining table.

"Hello, uncle."

"dad."

After greeting Zhou Zhiqiang, Guo Chenghua and Zhou Bocai began to eat their mixed flour pancakes again.

Zhou Bocai was having a bit of a hard time eating it. This mixed flour pancake contained only about one-third refined grains. Zhou Bocai is only three years old this year, so eating the pancake was like a battle for him.

However, it's already quite good that they didn't cry and beg for refined grains and meat.

Guo Yuting quickly took the pancakes and handed them to Zhou Zhiqiang, then said with a smile, "Zhiqiang, I have some good news to tell you later."

"What good news? You're getting a promotion at the neighborhood office?"

Zhou Zhiqiang asked casually, knowing that his wife had been in the newspaper recently and that the director of the neighborhood office was going to promote her to a staff member.

"You've been promoted to a street office clerk?"

Guo Yuting shook her head and said, "No, guess again?"

"That is"

Before Zhou Zhiqiang could finish speaking, Zhou Bocai, who was struggling with the two-layer flatbread, suddenly said, "Mom said I'm going to have a little brother!"

"what?"

After hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang immediately looked at Guo Yuting and asked, "Yuting, are you pregnant?"

"Yeah, I wasn't feeling well last week, and my period was late, so I went to get checked out. It's been a month already."

Guo Yuting said with a smile, then reached out and gently tapped her son: "Next time, let Dad guess, don't rush to answer."

"Haha, that's really a good thing."

Zhou Zhiqiang said with a happy smile, but then he had a headache. He had also mentioned that he might not be home for several months.

Unexpectedly, the news of his wife's pregnancy left him speechless.

(End of this chapter)