The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 200 brings a new mission.

"If we're talking about the CNC machine tool project, boss, you're in for a rough time with your cigarettes and tea."

Director Ren smiled and reminded him, "Comrade Zhiqiang said that the first prototype machine can be manufactured in April or May after the New Year."

"April and May after the New Year... Good heavens!"

After thinking for a moment, Deputy Leader Wu said with surprise, "You've improved by two months? That's incredibly fast!"

Not only was it two months ahead of schedule, but Zhou Zhiqiang also reported that the time allotted for developing CNC machine tools was already very short.

Fifteen months. Other countries would probably think Zhou Zhiqiang was trying to scam research funding. How could it be possible to develop and manufacture a CNC machine tool so quickly?

That involves multiple fields such as semiconductors, photolithography, integrated circuits, and mechanical structures. Normally, three or four years, or even five or six years, wouldn't feel slow.

Zhou Zhiqiang directly shortened the time to one year and three months, and now he even told Deputy Leader Wu that it was possible to manufacture the CNC machine tool two months ahead of schedule, in just one year and one month.

"These cigarettes and tea are yours. The day I see the CNC machine tool, I'll have someone send them to you immediately."

Even with his extensive experience, Deputy Leader Wu couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.

He is no longer the political commissar who only knew political work and fighting in the army. After serving as the deputy leader of the First Ministry of Machine Building for so long, he has a considerable understanding of the development of domestic industry, as well as machine tool technology and processes.

Knowing the importance of CNC machine tools in China's industry, he didn't hesitate to make a bet with Zhou Zhiqiang, but unexpectedly lost.

Zhou Zhiqiang then said without any hesitation, "Then I'll accept it in advance, boss. To be honest, this kind of good tea is really tempting. The aroma lingers for so long after you finish drinking it; it's truly excellent tea."

"Alright, enough chit-chat."

After laughing, Leader Sheng's face turned serious as he said, "Comrade Zhiqiang, you know a lot about machine tools and have offered many suggestions, so I'd like to invite you to join the heavy machine tool project team."

Seeing that Zhou Zhiqiang seemed to have something to say, Leader Sheng continued, "Don't worry, I know the CNC machine tool project keeps you very busy."

But as you just saw, you were the only machine tool manufacturer who could so confidently answer that it could be manufactured.

"So you'll join first as a vice president, responsible for planning and guiding the technical processes."

Moreover, heavy machine tool projects cannot be built overnight; planning, resource allocation, and project approval can take at least four months to finalize.

By then, your CNC machine tool project will be almost finished, and you can join in.

After hearing what Leader Sheng said, Zhou Zhiqiang couldn't help but click his tongue. It did sound like he could seamlessly join the team, but he would be busy again.

He was thinking of spending some time with his family after being busy for a while, but recently his son has become distant again, since he hadn't been home for more than four months last time.

When he got back, his son watched him in the yard for a while before calling out "Dad!"

"lead."

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Zhiqiang asked, "If the heavy machine tool project is established, where might it be located?"

Director Ren said, "Comrade Zhiqiang, that's hard to say. Right now, the China Ocean Institute has only assigned us this task; they haven't even finalized the project details yet."
However, I can suggest a few alternative locations: Liaoyang, Tianjin, and Wuhan.

“The machine tool factories in these three places all plan to produce large machine tools and have done some preparatory work in the early stage, but they have not yet selected the most suitable location.”

Oh no, there's no Beijing.

The thought flashed through Zhou Zhiqiang's mind, which meant that he would be going on another business trip to work on a project.

Moreover, the research and development time is not short. If the demand for heavy machine tools is to be met in one go, two types of machine tools will probably be needed, one of which will have a CNC system to control the three-axis linkage.

"Comrade Zhiqiang."

Seeing that Zhou Zhiqiang was silent and lost in thought, and hadn't spoken for a while, Deputy Leader Wu assumed he was having some kind of difficulty, and said...

"Just tell me what's on your mind. The ministry will do its best to help you. If our ministry can't help you, then there's the China Ocean Research Institute above us."

"Boss, I'm absolutely not saying this to refuse the project."

The main problem is... I've been away from home for so long that my son almost doesn't recognize me as his father anymore.

Zhou Zhiqiang gave an awkward laugh and then continued, "Last time I was away from Factory 190 for four months. When I came home, my son almost called me 'Uncle,' he hardly recognized me."

"And my wife is due to give birth soon, around February or March next year."

As a husband and father, I feel I owe them so much for not being able to be by their side during this time.

Upon hearing this, Leader Sheng, Deputy Leader Wu, and Director Ren exchanged glances, surprised that it was about this matter.

However, considering that Zhou Zhiqiang is only in his twenties and still four or five years away from thirty, it's a good time to think.

She's so young, and she hadn't been home for a long time, so it's perfectly understandable that she's a bit homesick.

Director Ren said to Leader Sheng, "Leader, we have overlooked this point. Comrade Zhiqiang is now not only handling the CNC machine tool project as well."

Furthermore, in order to improve the production efficiency of CNC machine tools in the future, semiconductor technology production personnel are trained every night at Factory 190. More than 100 apprentices have already been trained and are already working in production positions.

"Comrade Liu Ming from the Technology Department of the Fourth Ministry of Machinery Industry called to thank Comrade Zhiqiang some time ago, saying that Comrade Zhiqiang had helped them train a lot of semiconductor technology production personnel."

They also compiled and organized a considerable amount of semiconductor training materials, enabling them to train more technical personnel.

When Director Ren Licheng learned about this, he made a special trip to Factory 190 to see Zhou Zhiqiang and found that Zhou Zhiqiang did not look particularly tired.

After reviewing Zhou Zhiqiang's medical examination report, I felt somewhat relieved.

Normal people can't endure as much as he can, but Zhou Zhiqiang performed well in every aspect, and the reason for the training was also very legitimate, so Ren Licheng couldn't even bring himself to dissuade him.

In the end, they let Zhou Zhiqiang decide. However, before returning, Director Ren reminded Zhou Zhiqiang several times to take care of himself and get some rest.

One person trained more than 160 technicians in six months and more than 200 technicians in ten months.

This more than doubled the production efficiency of Factory 190, which now operates on a two-shift system, with machines running non-stop even when people are resting. As a result, the supply of semiconductor components to the Computer Research Institute has increased significantly, much to the delight of the Fourth Ministry of Machinery Industry.

The tone of their phone calls to express their gratitude was very sincere. If the then-director had said, "How about we kowtow to express our gratitude?" the other party might have been so moved that they would have kowtowed.

"Is that so? You must have had a tough year, Comrade Zhiqiang."

After hearing this, Leader Sheng was at a loss for words. It would be inhumane to issue a forced order, but in the short term, there really wasn't anyone in China more suitable than Zhou Zhiqiang.

There is only one person who has a deep understanding of machine tools and a lot of successful R&D experience: Zhou Zhiqiang.

They independently developed and improved two high-precision machine tools, and led the research and development of CNC machine tools. Moreover, after reviewing the requirements, they succinctly pointed out the problems that needed to be solved and considered for heavy-duty machine tools.
"Boss, I've accepted the task of developing heavy-duty machine tools, but could you wait until I've arranged the production tasks for CNC machine tools?"

Zhou Zhiqiang, not wanting to put Sheng Jianhui and Wu Jianhong, the two leaders of the First Ministry of Machine Building, in a difficult position, took the initiative to speak.

"I accepted the task of developing heavy machine tools. Serving the country is my duty."

"How about we change this arrangement, boss? Let's move on to the heavy machine tool project after the CNC machine tool project is successfully completed and the subsequent production tasks are properly arranged."

After saying this, Zhou Zhiqiang paused for a moment, then continued:

"If this heavy machine tool is ultimately confirmed to be for submarine propulsion, then a heavy precision grinding machine equipped with a CNC system will be an almost indispensable option."

Otherwise, relying solely on manual grinding by experienced workers will make it difficult to guarantee consistency and reliability in quality and precision, leading to a significant problem with the yield rate.

With no outsiders in the meeting room, Zhou Zhiqiang directly stated his speculation about the purpose of the requirement document—the stringent requirements seemed to have no other use than a submarine's propeller.

After the CNC machine tool is successfully developed, it will need to undergo a long period of testing before production can be scheduled. It may not be until the end of May or June.

During this time, Zhou Zhiqiang also spent a considerable amount of time with his family, so he wasn't neglecting his family.

Upon hearing Zhou Zhiqiang's words, Leader Sheng immediately smiled and said, "Of course, I agree to this. CNC machine tools are also very important."

"We'll talk about it after you're done with your work. I'll also mention it to the leaders at the China Ocean Design Institute."

Deputy Leader Wu chimed in, "Yes, but you should also participate in the preliminary work, such as data collection and planning discussions. As the deputy general manager in charge, you should also get involved."

I'll have Comrade Nianjun contact you later. For now, it's decided that he and you will be in charge. Perhaps others will join later to share the workload.

It's impossible to entrust everything to Ren Licheng, the director of the Machine Tool Administration Bureau; he also has a lot to do.

The reason why Ren Licheng was mainly in charge of the CNC machine tool project was because his coordination work was mostly concentrated among the internal committees of the city.

The heavy machine tool project will most likely be located in another region, involving a lot of business trips and coordination with local authorities, which is exactly the area of ​​expertise of Deputy Director Liu Nianjun.

Moreover, for such a significant national-level project, the level of the person in charge must be commensurate with its importance.

"Okay, I understand."

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, he also started to plan ahead.

He had already begun to plan how to make better use of his time, ensuring the successful completion of the CNC machine tool project while laying the groundwork for the heavy machine tool project with the necessary knowledge and technical expertise.

However, we need to wait until the technical data is compiled before Zhou Zhiqiang can take a careful look at it.

"By the way, Comrade Zhiqiang, do you have any suggestions on how to arrange the CNC machine tools?"

After taking a sip of tea, Deputy Leader Wu asked, "Now that the CNC machine tool is almost ready, we should start thinking about its future use."

As for whether there will be any problems with the CNC machine tool after the sample is manufactured?
Deputy Leader Wu and Director Ren wouldn't have such concerns. They may not know others, but surely they know Zhou Zhiqiang?

He's easygoing and cheerful in other situations, but when it comes to research and development projects and matters involving the group, he's unusually cautious for a young person; you could say he leaves no stone unturned.

Zhou Zhiqiang's opinion is almost a standard reference suggestion, and it would be fine to submit it directly to the China Ocean Design Institute.

"It's not easy to answer this question suddenly, so I'll just mention a few applicable directions."

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Zhiqiang continued, "The machining accuracy and stability of the machine tool have not yet been finalized, but according to the initial plan, the accuracy is no less than that of Amer's CNC machine tool."
It can be used in high-precision electronic molds and precision machining, and has applications in defense and automotive industries.

"It would be fine if it were used for export earnings. There are very few CNC machine tools being exported now. Xiao Rizi may have this idea, but they haven't put it into action yet. Aramco is similar; their export volume is not large."
However, the domestic demand for CNC machine tools is also very large. If the annual output is less than two thousand, it may not even be able to meet domestic demand.

Mass production of CNC machine tools must prioritize meeting domestic demand. Only after domestic industrial production efficiency improves will we consider foreign markets.

Moreover, in terms of export earnings, it's not just about exporting CNC machine tools, but also about exporting bearing parts.

However, CNC machine tools are products that will definitely be accepted by other countries and regions.

Leader Sheng asked, "How much can the Second Machine Tool Plant produce in a month?"

"It doesn't depend on our factory, it depends on Factory 190. No, it depends on how many integrated circuit CNC systems the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building can supply to our factory."

Zhou Zhiqiang shook his head and said, "If they supply without limit, then the Second Machine Tool Factory has no other production tasks, and it is possible to produce 320 units a month."

Even without expansion investment quotas, the Second Machine Tool Plant still has more than 200 job openings every year.

Moreover, production is now well-established, and future production efficiency will only increase.

"Production efficiency isn't slow either, so it depends on the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building. I'll talk to them after the New Year."

Deputy Leader Wu said, "The autumn Canton Fair was quite successful. With our country's advanced industrial R&D capabilities, we can also open up new diplomatic opportunities."

If the CNC machine tool is successfully developed, we might try it again; once diplomatic relations are established, our country will benefit even more.”

Foreign trade alone can bring many benefits to the country, as well as international support and breaking the isolation. In the short term, the benefits may not be visible, but in the long run, the benefits are enormous.

The vision of the current leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is beyond question; it is no exaggeration to say that their diplomatic abilities and insightful methods are the best in the world.

Zhou Zhiqiang wouldn't question it; he just needed to obediently carry out the mission orders.

(End of this chapter)