The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 264 Voting, Take it Immediately

"Secretary Li, Director Zhou, I'm leaving for Henan Province tomorrow."

Deputy Factory Director Liu reported, "If all goes well, we may not be back for another two weeks. During this time, Factory Director Zhou, we'll need you to keep an eye on production."

Liu Wenzhou looked around and realized that, apart from Zhou Zhiqiang, no one else could be assigned the factory's production tasks.

Deputy Factory Director Hou, forget it. In the past, the idea of ​​implementing a shift system seemed to be for the good of the workers, but it didn't solve any problems at all and might even delay production.

After that incident, Liu Wenzhou felt that this Deputy Factory Director Hou was an 'outsider'. In his eyes, the so-called outsider was not someone who knew nothing.

Instead, they are the kind of laymen who only recognize theoretical knowledge and have no understanding of actual production; they are the kind who just have a sudden flash of inspiration.

"Okay, half a month shouldn't be a problem. We must communicate well with the supporting factories and get them to start the plan to establish a branch factory as soon as possible, and then implement it."

Director Liu, regarding the land allocation for the supporting factory and branch plant, please communicate with the local government and obtain all the necessary permits within half a month.

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, Director Liu from the factory office stood up and said, "I understand, factory director. I will have someone talk to the district government when I get back."

Their factory is now a department-level unit, and has an equal relationship with the district government.

Moreover, the plan for the supporting branch factory has already been approved by the Planning Commission, and it is estimated that the municipal governments of Sijiu City have received it and distributed it to the district governments.

"It would be best if the supporting branch factory could be built by the end of March and put into production by the end of May; our factory estimates that we still have several hundred job openings this year, and we'll wait for the ministry to approve the specific number."

However, I recently checked the production targets, and with the current recruitment, our factory is already certain to meet this year's production goals. It's time to give the workers a break."

Zhou Zhiqiang said that he didn't dare to say this last year, nor did he implement a shift production system, because neither the main factory nor the branch factory had replaced their CNC machine tools.

This year, the main factory and branch factories replaced more than 100 CNC machine tools, which greatly improved production efficiency.

Zhou Zhiqiang calculated that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, they should be able to complete the production of the foreign trade orders by the end of October, so they wouldn't need to rush the work so much.

The workers are working so hard for the sake of industrial development and national construction. In the past, they had no choice but to complete production tasks, so Zhou Zhiqiang also called on the workers to strive and work hard.

But now their factory has also replaced 100 CNC machine tools, which has greatly improved production efficiency. The production efficiency of advanced CNC machine tools has replaced some of the production efficiency of workers' hard work.

Zhou Zhiqiang has already had the planning department calculate that, based on the current production efficiency, this year's production target can definitely be completed by the end of October.

Even after implementing a shift production system, it won't cause much delay, since two supporting factories will start production in Beijing at the end of May, and they will also recruit new people.

"Indeed, I agree with Director Zhou."

Deputy Factory Director Liu Wenzhou nodded and said, "We can't ignore the workers' hard work. Now that the factory's production equipment has been improved, their working hours and production tasks should also be adjusted."

"Director Zhou, Deputy Director Liu, I have a question."

Before Deputy Factory Director Liu could finish speaking, Deputy Factory Director Hou suddenly interrupted, "Didn't you disagree with the shift production system the year before last? Why are you suddenly bringing it up again this year?"

"Deputy Factory Director Hou, next time you should wait until Deputy Factory Director Liu has finished speaking before asking your questions. It's not good to interrupt our colleagues!"

Zhou Zhiqiang said this in an impolite tone, and his words also carried a reprimanding connotation.

After hearing Zhou Zhiqiang's words, Deputy Factory Director Hou took a deep breath in anger, but he suppressed it and forced himself to say, "I'm sorry, Comrade Wenzhou, I was too hasty."

"fine."

Although Liu Wenzhou was somewhat unhappy, he couldn't be bothered to argue with Hou Yufeng.

Liu Wenzhou then continued, "The situation is completely different between the year before last and this year. One hundred and twelve old machine tools have been phased out and replaced with the latest CNC machine tools in our factory."

I've also seen the planning department's calculations for monthly production efficiency this year, so I think what Director Zhou said is correct.

"Giving the workers a break, provided we complete the planned tasks, is perfectly fine. Deputy Factory Director Hou can also take a look at the planning department's documents."

The implication was that if Deputy Factory Director Hou hadn't seen it, he shouldn't say anything more, and that all he did was say things he shouldn't have.

Deputy Factory Director Liu Wenzhou was also transferred from another place, and at first he had thought that he would be ostracized by local cadres.

But it was later discovered that this was not the case at all; the people being ostracized were only those cadres who did not work or were of little use to production.

As long as the cadres who work hard and develop the business complete the factory's tasks, Director Zhou Zhiqiang will continue to promote them. He doesn't care whether they are local or not. There is no such thing as factions in Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory.

Only those who get things done!
Zhou Zhiqiang said, "The planning and scheduling departments should come up with a plan for the shift production system. Considering that the production tasks of each workshop are different, you shouldn't change everything at once."

Upon hearing this, the two section chiefs immediately agreed, stating that they would come up with a concrete plan within two days.

After saying these two things, Zhou Zhiqiang glanced at the contents of his notebook and said, "There's another important thing. We mentioned that after the New Year, some foreign affairs personnel from France will be visiting our factory."

Previously, it was said to be March, but now the date has been moved up to mid-February. The French diplomatic delegation will be visiting our factory in about two weeks.

"This was instructed from above, so don't complain. Get it done immediately afterward. The security department should also pay attention to the security arrangements for the day and be in high spirits."

After the factory's administrative level was upgraded, the security section was also officially upgraded to the security department, and Chen Weiguo has now become the deputy director of the security department.

This promotion is much faster than when he was in the police station; if he's lucky, he could rise to the top in no time.

If he were transferred back to the public security system now, he could become the deputy director of a district branch.

Chen Weiguo and Zhao Wenshan, who were attending the meeting, quickly replied that Director Kong was not there because he had been hospitalized at the beginning of the year and had taken a long leave of absence.

Director Kong has been neglecting his duties for a long time, and his health has been poor. It is estimated that he will soon be applying for medical retirement.

Chang Zhiwei suddenly asked, "Director Zhou, what should we prepare for logistics?"

Zhou Zhiqiang turned around and asked bluntly, "Director Chang, do I have to teach the logistics department what to do?" He wanted his subordinates to provide him with plans, not for him to instruct them to follow his plans.

Doing everything personally is like Zhuge Liang; it would exhaust people.

However, Chang Zhiwei seemed oblivious to Zhou Zhiqiang's expression and continued, "Director Zhou, I've just taken over logistics and am not familiar with the previous procedures."

After listening, Zhou Zhiqiang slowly exhaled and then turned to look at Secretary Li.

Meanwhile, Secretary Li was also secretly cursing Chang Zhiwei in his heart, worried that Zhou Zhiqiang would be angry, and just then he turned to look at Zhou Zhiqiang.

Upon seeing this, Li Younian immediately understood what Zhou Zhiqiang meant: 'Secretary Li, I've already given him a chance.'

Although Zhou Zhiqiang didn't say it aloud, Secretary Li was certain that Zhou Zhiqiang was thinking exactly that.

"I'd like to make a suggestion. Coincidentally, all the members of the factory's Party Committee are here. Is Comrade Wu Youcai from the Purchasing Department here?"

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, Wu Youcai, the head of the procurement department, stood up from behind and raised his hand.

There are quite a few section-level cadres in the factory, and there aren't enough tables in the meeting room, so some of them take chairs and sit in rows at the back.

"It's good that you're here. Now I propose that Comrade Wu Youcai, the head of the procurement department, be appointed as the deputy director of logistics, temporarily in charge of all logistics affairs."

After the factory's Party Committee votes to decide, and then reports are submitted to the relevant ministries and the Organization Department for a final decision, the comrades of the factory's Party Committee may begin voting.

After hearing Zhou Zhiqiang's words, the cadres in the conference room were all shocked and their eyes widened, especially Wu Youcai and Chang Zhiwei.

The former is a pleasant surprise, the latter is a terrifying experience.

Chang Zhiwei never expected that just by asking a small question, he would be reassigned to a different job. He even got a new deputy director of logistics, and this deputy director of logistics would be in charge of all logistics affairs!

What kind of behavior does he have as the logistics director?!
"I disagree!"

Chang Zhiwei's face flushed with anger. He slammed his fist on the table and stood up, saying, "Why are you making these unauthorized adjustments to the logistics division of labor? This is suppression! You're running the factory like a one-man show!"

Bang!
Zhou Zhiqiang slammed his hand on the table, the loud noise immediately making Chang Zhiwei swallow his next words, and half of his anger vanished.

"You disagree? Who are you? I am making this proposal to the factory's Party Committee as the factory director. Which member of the Party Committee are you? What right do you have to agree or disagree with matters of the factory's Party Committee?"
This is a verbal warning. If you continue to shout during meetings, we will immediately discuss disciplinary action against you.

After Zhou Zhiqiang sternly reprimanded him, he continued to point at Chang Zhiwei and said, "A logistics director who doesn't know anything about the tasks assigned to him, doesn't know the procedures, and just waits for me to teach him."
"I've already taught you everything, so what use are you? What role have you played? What can you even do? Comrade Wu Youcai, can you handle the arrangements for receiving foreign visitors?"

Wu Youcai immediately stood up and loudly assured him, "Yes, Factory Director, the mission to send foreign personnel will absolutely not go wrong."

Zhou Zhiqiang said decisively, "Alright, now let's vote among the factory's Party Committee members. If you agree with my proposal, please raise your hand."

Deputy Factory Director Hou then realized what was happening and quickly said, "Wait, Comrade Zhiqiang, Factory Director Zhou, isn't this too hasty? We can't just stop a logistics director from working without a reason."

"Without any reason? You can't even handle the most basic tasks, yet you keep questioning me, the factory director and deputy factory director, and you call this without any reason?"

"Comrade Zhiqiang, perhaps Director Chang is..."

"During work hours, address me by my job title!"

Zhou Zhiqiang interrupted, raising his voice slightly, and then continued, "Let's vote first, Deputy Factory Director Hou. If you don't vote, it will be considered an abstention. I agree with my previous suggestion."

After Zhou Zhiqiang forcefully interrupted Hou Yufeng, he raised his hand and cast his own vote. Some of the cadres in the meeting room were so nervous that they didn't even dare to breathe.

Then, Secretary Li sighed inwardly and raised his hand, saying, "Director Chang, your professional skills need improvement. Take a break for a while."

After Secretary Li, Deputy Factory Director Sun was the third to raise his hand; he didn't want to provoke the angry Factory Director Zhou at this moment.

"I agree, Director Chang. Never mind, I won't offer any more opinions, sigh."

Upon hearing Sun Yifei's sigh, Chang Zhiwei couldn't help but curse inwardly: 'What are you sighing for, you lackey? Just putting on an act!'

After Sun Yifei, Deputy Factory Director Liu hesitated for a second or two before raising his hand; followed by the union director and then the women's federation director.
Subsequently, of the seven members of the factory's Party Committee, only Deputy Factory Director Hou Yufeng did not raise his hand.

Zhou Zhiqiang didn't even look at Deputy Factory Director Hou, nor did he turn his head. He directly said, "Six to one, let's record it like this. Deputy Director Wu Youcai, from now on you will take on the responsibility of logistics. Once the higher authorities approve it, your appointment will be officially approved."

"Yes, Director Zhou, Secretary Li, I will absolutely not allow the factory to make any mistakes in logistics."

Wu Youcai excitedly made his promise, and after loudly swearing his oath, he sat down. However, his breathing was still quite rapid after sitting down, and his excitement had not subsided.

He felt quite upset about losing his position as the head of logistics. Although he could go to the branch factory to be the head of logistics, Wu Youcai was not keen on going. He was familiar with the main factory, and he would have to rebuild everything from scratch if he went to the branch factory.

He never expected, he really never expected, that he, the person in charge, would be so stupid last time. He kept asking questions about the task he was given in the meeting. Did you really not understand or were you just deliberately trying to cause trouble?
Not understanding is stupid, finding fault is bad; it's not either stupid or bad!

If you don't take them down, who will you take down?
Zhou Zhiqiang saw Chang Zhiwei still sitting there clenching his fists, but he wasn't afraid that Chang Zhiwei would actually fight. He almost forgot what happened to the person who had fought him last time.
"If there's nothing else, go out and find somewhere to learn how to be a logistics manager in a factory. Come back to the factory after you've learned it. Now, let's continue the meeting."

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, seeing that Chang Zhiwei seemed not to have heard him, he continued, "Deputy Director Chen, Deputy Director Zhao, fulfill the responsibilities of the security department and ask those who are not involved in the meeting to leave."

Upon hearing this, Chen Weiguo and Zhao Wenshan stood up and walked towards Chang Zhiwei. However, before they could make any move, Chang Zhiwei stood up, glared at Zhou Zhiqiang resentfully, and then walked out.

"Let's continue the meeting. The research and development of the composite machining CNC machine tool project is also a top priority. The technical department should take the initiative and actively seek external assistance."

After everyone left, Zhou Zhiqiang continued the meeting and assigned the next tasks.

The others in the meeting room paid even closer attention to Zhou Zhiqiang's various arrangements, seeing how easily he had won over a mid-to-high-level cadre in the factory, and how almost the entire factory's Party Committee supported Director Zhou.

This really made them not dare to have any intention of deceiving anyone. They wouldn't have dared to do it before, but they never expected that Director Chang Zhiwei would be so bold.

(End of this chapter)