The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 256 The Overbearing Factory Manager Zhou
"This is out of consideration for cost-saving measures in the factory's overall finances."

"Who told you to consider this?"

Before Chang Zhiwei could finish speaking, Zhou Zhiqiang interrupted him in an unfriendly tone: "You're the logistics director, so you're also handling the finance department's affairs? Or did the head of the finance department complain to you about the factory's financial problems?"

"But."

"But what?"

Zhou Zhiqiang interrupted Chang Zhiwei by banging on the table again, showing no respect for the logistics director who had only recently arrived at the factory, in front of all the factory's key cadres.

"The award standards for the factory's commendation meeting were proposed by me the year before last and approved by the factory's Party Committee. How can you, a logistics director, arbitrarily change the Party Committee's decision, all under the guise of protecting the factory's financial health?"

"Head of Finance Department, is the factory's finances very tight? Is it very unhealthy?"

Seeing that the fire was threatening to engulf him, and that even Director Zhou, who rarely got angry, was using such a tone, the head of the finance department quickly stood up and said...

"Factory Director, Party Secretary, the factory's finances are perfectly fine; even if the funds allocated for building the family welfare housing complex are used, the factory's remaining funds can still last until the end of next year, while also dealing with any unforeseen circumstances that may arise."

Even if only 5% of the total annual profit is retained based on the number of CNC machine tools produced by Kyushu Machine Tool Plant this year, it would still be a huge sum of money.

Moreover, the factory's investments and expansions were all funded by higher-level authorities, and there were almost no expenses on a regular basis.

The head of the finance department felt that if he were to say that the finances were tight, he would be subject to an investigation by the internal disciplinary committee.

After listening to the head of the finance department's words, Zhou Zhiqiang continued to look at Chang Zhiwei with a blank expression and said, "Did you hear that? The head of the finance department said that the factory's finances are not tight, so Director Chang, who exactly told you to do this?"
I just heard from Deputy Factory Director Sun that he didn't agree either. Why did you unilaterally decide to reduce the number of awards and prizes to be given out at this year's factory-wide employee commendation meeting?

Chang Zhiwei, the logistics director, was sweating profusely as Zhou Zhiqiang, the factory director, relentlessly questioned him in an unfriendly tone.

At this moment, the deputy factory director spoke up: "Factory Director Zhou, don't be in such a hurry."

However, Zhou Zhiqiang did not give Hou Yufeng, the deputy factory director, a chance to speak. He waved his hand to interrupt him, saying, "Deputy Factory Director Hou, you can say what you want to say later. Let me finish talking to this Director Chang who has taken it upon himself."

"Director Zhou, you..."

dong dong!

Zhou Zhiqiang tapped the table twice, then glanced at Deputy Factory Director Hou with a cold and calm gaze, immediately making Deputy Factory Director Hou swallow back the rest of his words, who was about to argue.

"I don't want to hear your lies anymore. There are still about three weeks until the factory's employee commendation meeting."

Zhou Zhiqiang was too lazy to waste any more time on other comrades.

"I'll give you two weeks to restore the awards and prizes from this year's factory-wide employee commendation meeting to last year's standards. Then you'll receive a major demerit within the factory and have to submit a self-criticism to the factory's Party Committee."

Upon hearing Zhou Zhiqiang's words, Chang Zhiwei's face turned bright red, filled with both anger and fear. He had only been at the factory for a short time and had already received a major demerit. What would become of him in the future?
With a disciplinary record, there's basically no chance of promotion for three to five years, and transferring is out of the question.

After seeing the disciplinary records on the personnel file, other units would be even less likely to agree to transfer this person back. What would someone with disciplinary records do with their unit? Would they think their unit is a junkyard?

Workers who receive three major demerits are basically dismissed, while cadres are even more severely punished. After three major demerits, they are not only dismissed, but if they are staff members, they will also be removed from their positions.

These days, the requirements for file clerks are much higher and much stricter.

Other cadres couldn't help but secretly marvel at Zhou Zhiqiang's decision.

Most of the cadres were thinking: This guy is really unlucky to have run into Director Zhou. The cadres who ran into Zhou Zhiqiang before basically didn't have a good ending.

The Housing Management Section, the Publicity Section, and even Captain Niu from the Transportation Team—nobody knows where they've all been transferred to.

This will lead to another logistics director.

Some cadres were still looking at Chang Zhiwei with anticipation, wondering if he would lose his temper and confront Director Zhou head-on.

They knew that Director Zhou had a tough temper, but they didn't know what Director Chang's temper was like.

“It is not excessive to give a major demerit for arbitrarily changing the decisions of the factory’s Party Committee.”

Secretary Li's words broke the silence in the meeting room, and essentially informed all the other cadres that the punishment was settled.

"Director Chang, after you've submitted your self-criticism to the factory's Party Committee, reflect on it carefully; although you meant well, you must report to your superiors before doing anything." With these words, Li Younian effectively sealed the fate of Chang Zhiwei's punishment; he was certain he would receive a major demerit.

Although the factory's Party Committee has seven members, Zhou Zhiqiang and Li Younian can make decisions on behalf of the other five.

"But."

Chang Zhiwei said with a somewhat aggrieved tone, "Secretary, it might be too late to buy all the rewards now."

"Then resign from my position, and I will report the truth to my superiors."

Zhou Zhiqiang said impatiently, "I've already said it, Director Chang Zhiwei, I don't want to hear any more of your fabricated stories."

"If you can do it, then do it. If you can't, then resign from my position as factory manager. Or you can take the meeting minutes and appeal to your superiors—any superior you like."

"Director Liu, please have the meeting recorder from the factory office give today's meeting minutes to Director Chang. He might need them when he makes a report."

Upon hearing this, Liu Aihua from the factory office immediately replied, "I understand, factory director."

Should I complain to the boss?
Those high-ranking cadres in the factory who were well-informed knew what kind of position Zhou Zhiqiang held among the leaders of the First Ministry of Machine Building.

It was practically a treasure, just like a jade artifact; I was afraid of bumping into it if I put it on the table.

Even before he became a senior official, he helped him apply for a full-time driver and assistant; he also tried his best to meet any of Zhou Zhiqiang's needs and even applied for additional subsidies for him.

Going to the leaders to complain about Director Zhou might just result in another major demerit for me.

"Let me reiterate, my position is to develop the Jiuzhou Machine Tool Plant while simultaneously contributing to socialist construction."

Zhou Zhiqiang waved his hand and said, "Next, who's next?"

"Factory manager, our housing management department has already contacted a construction team and construction has begun in the staff welfare housing area. The foundation work should be basically completed before the end of the year."

With reports from the Housing Management Department and others, Chang Zhiwei, the logistics director, was treated like a pitiful wretch, and no one even glanced at him.

A few seconds later, Chang Zhiwei slowly sat down, and only Deputy Factory Director Hou gave him a comforting look.

However, I was also very angry.

Was Zhou Zhiqiang domineering in the past?

Bullshit! They only saw what a domineering factory manager looks like today.

One person made the decision to punish the logistics director, and Secretary Li Younian did not object at all, but directly agreed.

Deputy Factory Director Hou was also cursing Li Younian in his heart. This Party Secretary was like a yes-man, without any independent thought of his own.

After the year-end summary meeting, Zhou Zhiqiang said, "The punishments and matters mentioned earlier should be implemented as soon as possible," and then got up and walked outside.

Just as Zhou Zhiqiang stepped out of the office, Secretary Li called out from behind, "Director Zhou, wait a minute."

Zhou Zhiqiang turned around and, after Secretary Li walked up, asked, "Secretary, is there something you need?"

"I have something to discuss at the factory. Why don't we talk in my office?"

"Okay, let's go then."

Just as Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking and was about to go to Secretary Li's office, Deputy Factory Director Sun hurried over and asked, "Secretary, Factory Director, I also have something to tell you. Can I come along too?"

Secretary Li said, "Of course, Deputy Factory Director Sun, let's go together."

The three then walked together toward the secretary's office.

Once inside the office, Secretary Li asked his assistant to make two cups of tea.

After accepting the tea and waiting for Secretary Li's assistant to leave, Deputy Factory Director Sun couldn't help but speak first: "Secretary, Factory Director, let me speak first. I know nothing about the logistics matter."
I told Director Chang to report to the factory manager first and then see how to decide; but who knew he would take it upon himself to make the decision directly.

(End of this chapter)