The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 205 Protecting Zhou Zhiqiang

"A bunch of demons and monsters, they didn't dare to say much during the meeting, and Comrade Jianhui shut them down with a few words."

Deputy Leader Wu comforted Zhou Zhiqiang, saying, "I didn't originally plan to tell you about this. After all, they just mentioned you, and Comrade Jianhui guessed what they wanted to do."

So, to be blunt, their plans can't be made public, and neither Jianhui nor I will allow these people to sabotage important national projects.

"And don't overthink it. Both the top leader and the deputy leader praised your contributions and only acknowledged your actions."

"Do what you think is right in the factory. Those who say you're abusing your power are laughable. Don't Jianhui and I know each other well? You even asked for a deputy to help you so you wouldn't have to worry about production targets."

Upon hearing the last sentence, Zhou Zhiqiang said somewhat embarrassedly, "Boss, I'm not lazy, I just don't have time."

"I know, it means the same thing."

"That's not what I mean."

Zhou Zhiqiang now understands that it was probably related to last year's conference, which marked a turning point in the development path. It was a catalyst for things to happen a few years later.

He performed too well, which attracted attention; but there's really no need to worry too much, as the leaders have already eliminated some of the evil spirits and treacherous individuals for him.

Deputy Leader Wu also spoke to Zhou Zhiqiang about some things, not about the meeting, but about the people who had mentioned him.

Zhou Zhiqiang found the other political parties' names troublesome, but he still made a note of them nonetheless.

He just wanted to make a contribution and help the country develop faster. However, there are many people with different ideas and thoughts, and some may not think that way. They may feel that another development path can also be faster, so they try to trip him up.

However, Deputy Leader Wu didn't say much and quickly shifted the topic to the heavy machine tool project.

The project has been approved, but due to Zhou Zhiqiang's time constraints, some preliminary preparations need to be done after the New Year.

This time, Zhou Zhiqiang also had an old acquaintance, Shen Changlin, the person in charge of the large hydraulic press project, who was the project leader of the heavy machine tool project team this time.

Zhou Zhiqiang, the deputy group leader, is in charge of technical planning. The two have a foundation for cooperation, and their collaboration on the large hydraulic press last time was also quite good.

Upon hearing that Shen Changlin had been appointed as the person in charge, Zhou Zhiqiang immediately gave a thumbs up.

Team Leader Shen is bold and willing to take risks. The last time a large hydraulic press was delivered, it was completed more than half a year ahead of schedule because he dared to take risks and trusted the researchers under his command.

It wasn't the kind of gambling a gambler would do, but rather he was willing to gamble on his own judgment; Shen Changlin felt he hadn't misjudged Zhou Zhiqiang last time, so he was willing to trust him this time.

After one experiment, the entire assembly and testing were immediately carried out, and the test passed perfectly, saving a lot of time and money.

The research team will make another trip after the New Year, and the research and development site should be finalized around March.

Zhou Zhiqiang should have already manufactured CNC machine tools by then, but they still need to undergo a long period of operation and testing before they can be considered truly successful.

Once the project is approved, the CNC machine tool will be successfully developed, and Zhou Zhiqiang will immediately head to the heavy machine tool project team.

This also served as a break for Zhou Zhiqiang. While the CNC machine tools were running for extended periods for testing and experimentation, Zhou Zhiqiang had nothing to do and could simply go to get off work and leave as usual.

However, Zhou Zhiqiang also needs to be involved in the preliminary preparations. As the deputy team leader in charge of technology and process research and development planning, he can't be unfamiliar with the project.

Once the research team returns, the department will send the materials to Zhou Zhiqiang so that he can review them in advance.

After finishing discussing matters at Vice Leader Wu's home, Zhou Zhiqiang prepared to take his leave.

As he was leaving, Deputy Leader Wu offered Zhou Zhiqiang special comfort, telling him not to worry about anything else and to focus on the major national projects.

The use of technology to open up diplomatic opportunities is a rule set by the leaders of the China Ocean University of Science and Technology, and it has already achieved initial results.

Those guys want to use Zhou Zhiqiang as a benchmark to bring him down. Not only would the Ministry of Machine Building disagree, but even the leaders of the China Ocean Research Institute would not agree.

Technology opens up diplomatic opportunities, but where does the technology come from?

There are only a few types of heavy industrial products that can be exported to earn foreign exchange in China, and the machinery and equipment developed by Zhou Zhiqiang account for the largest share of foreign trade earnings.

If you want to criticize Zhou Zhiqiang, does that mean his achievements don't exist?
Zhou Zhiqiang was an absolute treasure within the Ministry of Machine Building. Both Deputy Leader Wu and Leader Sheng were somewhat afraid that one day they would receive a transfer order that would send Zhou Zhiqiang to a major national defense project.

They both believed Zhou Zhiqiang had the ability, but the development of the First Ministry of Machine Building also needed Zhou Zhiqiang.

Two years is enough to transform a factory. If Zhou Zhiqiang were given a few more years, he might be able to increase the annual output value of the Second Machine Tool Plant to over 100 million yuan.

We're very close now, but it's hard to say whether we can reach 100 million in three or four years. Keep in mind that the national GDP is only around 140 billion yuan. If the Second Machine Tool Plant can reach 100 million, that would be close to one-thousandth of that.

If a factory can achieve such great success, that is truly remarkable.

At that time, Deputy Leader Wu and Leader Sheng were considering whether to raise the level of the Second Machine Tool Plant by one level, so that it could reach the standard of a full-fledged department-level unit.

There are only four factories of this caliber nationwide, including several important military factories.

But that's all for the future. Right now, their priority is to protect Comrade Zhou Zhiqiang.

After seeing Zhou Zhiqiang off, Deputy Leader Wu turned around and went back into the house.

Wu Jiamou, who was standing nearby, was about to ask something when Deputy Leader Wu waved his hand, telling his son not to bother him, as he was going to call Comrade Sheng Jianhui.

------

"Here you go, one for each of you, no fighting over them."

On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, Zhou Zhiqiang got up and took out the red envelopes he had prepared in advance, and then handed them to Zhou Bocai and Guo Chenghua.

There wasn't much money inside, just 50 cents. I could use it to buy some candy and stationery when I went to school, since those didn't require coupons.

"Big brother, I want one too! I want one too!"

"Big brother, I want one too."

Zhou Zhiqiang teased, "New Year's money is for the younger generation. You and I are of the same generation, so why give us New Year's money? You should give them money."

After saying that, he reached out to take the money from the two men and then gave it to Zhou Bocai and Guo Chenghua, who were the youngest in the family.

When Yu Jingyu and Yu Xunnan heard that they not only had no money, but also had to give Zhou Bocai and Guo Chenghua New Year's money, they immediately became anxious. Yu Xunnan even pouted, looking so anxious that his eyes almost popped out.

Why are you teasing them?

Guo Yuting patted Zhou Zhiqiang on the shoulder, then took out two yuan from her pocket and handed it to him, saying, "Here, one yuan each, but don't spend it recklessly; if you do, you won't get any more."

"Thank you, sister-in-law."

After receiving the money, the brother and sister quickly went from crying to laughing and left happily with the money.

Both of them were in school and knew that money could buy many good things, but their families were very strict and they usually didn't have much money. They could only secretly ask Zhou Zhiqiang for things when they saw him.

"It's New Year's Day, Zhiqiang, you have to give me lucky money too."

Guo Yuting suddenly reached out her hand to Zhou Zhiqiang and said with a smile.

However, Zhou Zhiqiang casually patted the cabinet and said, "Go ahead and take it, it's full of New Year's money for you."

Their savings and spare money are all in the cabinet. Since Zhou Zhiqiang got busy, he hasn't managed the money much for more than two years. Guo Yuting has taken over managing the money, and she can use it however she wants.

However, Guo Yuting has never spent money recklessly. She usually just buys groceries and such. She hasn't bought herself any new clothes or leather shoes in three years, and she rarely wears them.

"By the way, Yuting, do you like fur from Northeast China? I remember they sell wild fur there, which can be used to make gloves or scarves or something."

Zhou Zhiqiang asked cryptically, "There's no wildlife protection law now. If you catch one, you hunt it and then keep it in your stomach or on your body."

Upon hearing this, Guo Yuting shook her head and said, "Fur? I don't want it. It's too flashy. I'd rather wear a cotton coat."

Zhou Zhiqiang continued, "What about cotton spinning? I remember Wuhan's cotton spinning industry was very famous. Their cotton spinning products even had particularly beautiful patterns, and they were exported and earned foreign exchange."
If you like it, I'll buy you one another day.

"Cotton textiles. They must be hard to buy. I don't think I've seen them in the supply and marketing cooperatives."

Guo Yuting said casually, but she quickly realized something was wrong, so she immediately turned around and questioned, "Zhiqiang, what did you mean by asking just now? Why are you talking about furs from Northeast China and cotton textiles from Wuhan?"

Is there something you haven't told me?

"What could be wrong with me? You're just overthinking things."

Zhou Zhiqiang casually said, "I'm going on a business trip soon, and I might go to these two places. If you like, I can bring you some local specialties."

(End of this chapter)