The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 260 I want to frame it
"Director."

After knocking and entering, Zhang Yaoguo went to his desk and excitedly told Zhou Zhiqiang, "The factory office just notified me that a deputy director from the General Office will be coming over soon."

After saying that, Zhang Yaoguo took out a newspaper and handed it to Zhou Zhiqiang.

He made a difference in the factory, whether it was leading all the workers to a better life, promoting mutual assistance between workers and farmers, or establishing welfare communities for workers' families.
Even disregarding the fact that Zhou Zhiqiang has achieved the top rankings in both foreign trade and annual output value nationwide, these achievements alone are enough to demonstrate that he is a good factory manager who truly cares about his workers.

Moreover, the instructor's impression of Zhou Zhiqiang was that he was a particularly young technical research and development expert who played a pivotal role in major national projects.

What reason is there not to praise a young factory director who has good ideas, high awareness, and has led the entire factory to achieve such great results?

The People's Daily is simply a second-rate newspaper. All it does is create potential conflicts to get people to read its paper. It's a disgrace to its name.

However, the Ministry of Machine Building originally intended to conceal Zhou Zhiqiang's identity. Despite numerous reports on the Jiuzhou Machine Tool Plant, few people mentioned Zhou Zhiqiang's real name in the newspapers; he was usually referred to as the factory director.

But this time it was brought up in the newspapers, and later the teacher also submitted an article to clear Zhou Zhiqiang's name, which will probably attract other newspapers to report on it as well.

After the news was published, the leaders of the First Ministry of Machine Building, Sheng and Wu, had already sent out the newspapers, so they could only make amends afterward.

Fortunately, there are fewer enemy agents now. In the 1950s, there was a great crackdown, and tens of thousands of enemy agents and saboteurs were captured. Beijing was a key area of ​​focus during the crackdown.

There are not many enemy agents left now, and there have been almost no acts of sabotage by enemy agents in the past year.

Zhou Zhiqiang's activity pattern was also very simple. He either went home or stayed in the factory. When he went out, the security department controlled where he went. He was either in the ministry or other factories.

This greatly reduced the difficulty for the security department in providing protection.

"It's true, he saw it all, that's great."

After reading the newspaper, Zhou Zhiqiang said with a happy expression, "I felt that something was wrong with the newspaper from the day before yesterday. What was that article about? Who hired the reporter that day?"

Now let's see if they still have doubts. He's certified it, so I don't believe anyone will say anything now. Yaoguo, go and post this newspaper on the bulletin board. It's a pity the factory is closing today.

The factory will close for the holidays next year, and this year is the last day. In fact, most workers went home for the Chinese New Year after collecting their supplies today.

Those who remain in the factory now are all employees doing some finishing work.

"Okay, leader."

After taking the newspaper, Zhang Yaoguo asked, "Sir, what about the people from the Zhonghai General Office later?"

"Let me know when the time comes, and I will personally greet them."

Zhou Zhiqiang spoke up, saying that although only the deputy director had come, his rank might not sound very high to outsiders.

However, this is the deputy director of the General Office of China Ocean Engineering Consulting Group, and his rank is the same as that of Zhou Zhiqiang, the factory director; both are senior cadres.

Even if a disciple of the emperor were sent out, he would be considered a high-ranking official in charge of a region; that's the level of the central government.

"By the way, factory manager, I've already collected the New Year's gifts from the factory for you. I just put them in the trunk of your car. Please remember to pick them up when the driver takes you home today."

"Okay, thank you, Yaoguo."

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, he opened the drawer and took out a packet of tea, which was his ration for the month, and he hadn't had time to finish it yet.

After taking out the tea bag, he handed it to Zhang Yaoguo and said, "Yaoguo, take this home and drink it during the New Year. I don't have many coupons this year, so this is all the tea I'm allotted."

Although it was only a small packet, this tea was specially allocated to senior cadres; he and Secretary Li were the only ones in the entire factory with a quota.

He can use the money to entertain guests during the Chinese New Year, which will make him look good; he didn't ask for any coupons from the factory this year, and distributed them all as employee benefits.

The department has already given him a lot of benefits and subsidies, and Zhou Zhiqiang felt that it would be unreasonable to accept the factory's vouchers as well, so he refused them all.

Zhang Yaoguo said somewhat embarrassedly, "Factory manager, this is too valuable."

"Alright, don't be so polite with me. I can't finish it all here anyway. Take it back and help me share the burden."

After hearing Zhou Zhiqiang's words, Zhang Yaoguo stopped refusing and took the tea with a smile, saying, "Thank you, Factory Director. This kind of good tea is indeed hard to find outside."

After taking the tea leaves, Zhang Yaoguo went out to get busy.

However, not long after he left, he returned to inform Zhou Zhiqiang that the people from the Zhonghai office had arrived.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang immediately got up and walked downstairs. When he arrived at the factory office building, the car from the China Overseas Office was parked in front of the building.

The visitor was Deputy Director Sun, who was in charge of leadership services in the Secretariat. Upon seeing Zhou Zhiqiang, he smiled and stepped forward to shake hands, saying, "Director Zhou, I've long admired your name. I've heard of you, this talented young man, before, but this is the first time we've met."

Zhou Zhiqiang smiled and said, "Deputy Director Sun, you're too kind. I'm just an ordinary person. Calling me a 'young talent' is too much of a compliment; it makes me a little embarrassed."

"This isn't what I said, it's what our instructor said."

Deputy Director Sun said with a smile, then took out a document from his briefcase, pulled out two sheets of paper from inside the document, handed them to Zhou Zhiqiang, and continued speaking.
"Look, this is his evaluation of your factory and you personally. Now who would dare to disagree with your factory?"

One document was a directive for Jiuzhou Machine Tool Plant, acknowledging its status as the nation's leading heavy machinery manufacturer; the other was addressed to Zhou Zhiqiang personally, containing words of encouragement for him to maintain his current level of performance and continue his efforts.
Upon seeing his handwriting, Zhou Zhiqiang couldn't suppress his smile; his grin stretched almost to his ears.

"Oh, that's too much praise, too much praise. Actually, I'm not doing well enough right now. In the future, I'll make Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory number one in the world, then his words won't count."

Zhou Zhiqiang chuckled and said, then carefully folded and put it away before asking, "Deputy Director Sun, our factory would like to use some of his calligraphy as a signboard. Is that alright?"

"This shouldn't be a problem, after all, this is the lettering for your factory."

Deputy Director Sun quickly realized what he was saying halfway through his sentence and said, "Director Zhou, you mean the words 'Number One Factory in the Country,' right?"

Hmm. It shouldn't be a big problem, but just to be on the safe side, should I go back and ask first?

Although it's for Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory, if it's made into a signboard and hung up, or even next to the factory's name, then Deputy Director Sun really might have a hard time saying anything.

Zhou Zhiqiang nodded and smiled, "Okay, then our factory will wait for your call, Deputy Director Sun."

"Alright, now that the matter is settled, Director Zhou, I'll head back now."

Deputy Director Sun said with a smile, "There are still many things to do in the General Office, so I can't stay outside for too long."

"I understand. Then, Deputy Director Sun, I won't take up any more of your time today. If you have time in the future, we must have a long talk."

"Hehe, there will definitely be opportunities in the future."

Deputy Director Sun smiled and said this to Zhou Zhiqiang, then swiftly got into his car and left.

They hadn't even stayed for ten minutes in total. They got out of the car, exchanged a few pleasantries, delivered his commendatory comments, and then drove back. Their efficiency was remarkable, which was related to the instructor's consistent adherence to proper work practices; he never caused trouble for the local authorities.

After everyone left, Zhou Zhiqiang took out the personal comments given to him and looked at them again, becoming more and more satisfied with them.

Zhang Yaoguo, standing to the side, said with great envy, "Factory Director, this is his evaluation of you! You're amazing!"

"Yaoguo, work hard, and you'll have your own opportunities in the future."

Zhou Zhiqiang patted Zhang Yaoguo on the shoulder with a smile. He understood the envy on Zhang Yaoguo's face. Now, who in the whole country didn't admire him?

Although he had repeatedly warned against the creation of a personality cult, this cult was heartfelt and uncontrollable.

Deputy Leader Wu also mentioned that next year, they would apply for a representative position for Zhou Zhiqiang, so that he could attend the congress at the end of the year.

I'll be seeing him quite a few times then.

"Yaoguo, do me a favor and run an errand for me. Buy a frame of about the same size. I want to preserve this properly."

Zhou Zhiqiang patted his pockets and found he didn't have any money on him, so he continued, "Can you lend me some? I'll pay you back when I start working next year."

Today is his last day at the factory. He can't very well chase after Zhang Yao's family to return the money tomorrow, so he can only wait until after the New Year.

"Factory manager, this little bit of money is nothing, I'll go buy it for you right away."

Zhang Yaoguo glanced at the size of the commendation note and then immediately went out to find a frame.

------

Today is the last day. After finishing his work, Zhou Zhiqiang saw that it was getting dark outside, so he got up to pack his things and prepare to go home.

It's not time to leave work yet, but it's the last day, so there's no need to worry about a specific closing time.

Apart from the security department, there are only about a dozen people left in the factory who haven't left yet.

After packing his things, Zhou Zhiqiang left the office and said to Zhang Yaoguo, who was still working outside, "Yaoguo, don't work too late today, go home early."

"Okay, boss, I'll finish up and then head back."

Zhang Yaoguo stood up and said that he planned to clean Zhou Zhiqiang's office again before going home.

"Then be careful and don't go back too late. I'm going back now."

After giving his instructions, Zhou Zhiqiang went downstairs.

He also planned to go to the supply and marketing cooperative today. Tomorrow he was going to take his nephew and son back to Hongqi Village to play. Although he gave 100 yuan to Hongqi Village to add a dish, Zhou Zhiqiang still wanted to prepare some candy to give to the younger ones.

After going downstairs, I got into the car, and soon we drove from the Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory to his doorstep.

The driver who was supposed to be driving Zhou Zhiqiang got out of the car early, opened the trunk, and said, "Factory manager, let me help you carry these things in; they're quite heavy."

A pork leg, cut up, weighing about ten pounds, and a bag of flour, weighing about twenty pounds.

This year is a bumper year. Urban residents' quotas have been restored, and their factory's supply of materials has also increased.

The Party Secretary, Li Younian, was treated the same way as Zhou Zhiqiang, while the other deputy factory directors received less. Even the ordinary workers received three jin of meat and five jin of refined grain this year.

It's much better than a few years ago; enough meat dumplings for the whole family to have a hearty meal.

"Thank you, Comrade Yongliang, please wait for me."

After the driver took the New Year's gifts the factory had given him into the storage room in the front yard, Zhou Zhiqiang tried to persuade him to stay, then went back to the back yard and took out two packs of cigarettes.

"Here, take these back and smoke them. I don't smoke, so these cigarettes are useless to me."

The two packs of cigarettes were Zhonghua brand, which couldn't be bought without a coupon. If you included the coupon, a pack of Zhonghua would cost at least two yuan.

Seeing that Zhao Yongliang was still trying to refuse, Zhou Zhiqiang stuffed it into his hand and said, "Take it, it's almost the New Year, don't be polite with me."

"Thank you, factory manager."

After receiving the cigarettes, Zhao Yongliang smiled and said, "Well, factory manager, if there's nothing else, I'll be going now."

Taking out this cigarette is a status symbol. Usually, even the county magistrate can't get to smoke this kind of cigarette because he doesn't get any cigarette coupons.

"Okay, Happy New Year in advance. Go back now."

"Thank you, and I wish you a happy new year, Factory Manager."

After saying that, Driver Zhao left.

At this moment, Guo Yuting also finished washing her hands and came to the front yard, asking, "Zhiqiang, how much welfare did your factory give out this year? If it's not enough, we might need to buy some more."

"That should be enough, even if you include Dad and my brother-in-law."

Zhou Zhiqiang did a quick mental calculation and realized that his family had prepared nearly thirty jin of cured meats and frozen meat.

They used up all the tickets the ministry gave their family, and as usual, Aunt Fang Mengjie would also bring back some New Year's goods.

Last year, Yu Zhongguo returned from abroad for the Chinese New Year, but Zhou Zhiqiang couldn't make it back because of his project. However, he did speak with Yu Zhongguo.

The latter, the original owner's biological father, also expressed his understanding, saying that everything is now for the sake of the country, and he himself has been unable to return for several years due to foreign affairs arrangements.

Moreover, after Yu Zhongguo returned, he also went to Zhou Zhiqiang's house to celebrate the New Year, and the two families celebrated together, making it a lively occasion.

Yu Zhongguo mainly wanted to see his grandson and granddaughter, and he also told Fang Mengjie that if he was away on business trips and couldn't come back, Fang Mengjie should come to Zhou Zhiqiang's house for the New Year.

Zhou Zhiqiang said, "Yuting, give me some money and sugar coupons. I said yesterday that I would take my son and Chenghua to the supply and marketing cooperative. I also want to distribute some sugar when I go back to Hongqi Village tomorrow."

"Can you handle both of them by yourself? I'll go with you."

After Guo Yuting finished speaking, she immediately ran back to the backyard, saying, "I'm going to get dressed and then I'll go to the supply and marketing cooperative with you. Wait for me."

"Wealth and honor should not be returned to one's hometown, for it is like wearing fine clothes at night." Although Hongqi Village is not Zhou Zhiqiang's real hometown, to outsiders, he is the one who came from Hongqi Village in Sanhe Township.

(End of this chapter)