The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 266 The Boss Calls

Early in the morning, Tian Wenguo from the CNC branch received a phone call and immediately got up, saying a few words in a very respectful manner.

After hanging up the phone, Tian Wenguo wiped non-existent sweat from his face: "Damn it, it's like gods are fighting, I guess I'll just have to suffer, I don't care!"

After thinking it over, Tian Wenguo still felt he should listen to Zhou Zhiqiang, since the leader who had just called wasn't directly under their Ministry of Machinery.

Besides, so what if Secretary Zhou is at their branch factory? Secretary Zhou is busy with research and development experiments right now. If he rashly goes over and interrupts, he'll be the one who suffers in the end.

After hanging up the phone, Tian Wenguo continued to handle the recruitment of staff and production tasks at the branch factory.

Although the CNC division was allocated a factory size of 2,000 people, they did not fill the quota before the Lunar New Year, only recruiting a little over 1,000 people.

The number of people will be gradually increased, and all positions must be filled by May.

With the new factory newly established, apart from research and development, everything else, especially production, was the responsibility of the factory manager, Tian Wenguo.

This was Tian Wenguo's first time in charge of production, and he was initially a bit flustered. When he encountered something he didn't understand, he would take the initiative to ask Secretary Zhou for advice.

Moreover, Secretary Zhou also taught him what to do. Tian Wenguo felt that Zhou Zhiqiang was not the type to get angry and kick someone out just because they were unfamiliar with the business.

He also knew about what was happening at the main factory. Wu Youcai had been his subordinate for seven or eight years, so how could he not tell him that he had been promoted to deputy director of logistics and was temporarily acting as the director of logistics?

It was precisely because Tian Wenguo knew this that he felt Chang Zhiwei deserved it.

If he genuinely didn't understand, then if he asked for advice privately, given Secretary Zhou's easygoing nature, he certainly wouldn't even bother to argue.

For Secretary Zhou to fly into a rage and break off relations at a cadre meeting, it must be someone who was feigning ignorance and deliberately hindering the process.

"Sigh, people are never smart."

After sighing, Tian Wenguo casually remarked that Chang Zhiwei's behavior reminded him of himself back then, when he followed Deputy Factory Director Sun, thinking he could give Secretary Zhou a hard time.

But Secretary Zhou ignored them completely and assigned tasks in a straightforward manner. Tian Wenguo sensed something was wrong and obediently carried out the tasks.

He then performed all the tasks assigned to him well and became increasingly successful, which led to his appointment as the branch factory manager.

Ring ring ring!
The office phone suddenly rang. Tian Wenguo paused for a moment after hearing the ring, but still picked up the phone and said, "Hello, this is Tian Wenguo from the CNC branch of Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory."
"The leader? Yes, Secretary Zhou is in the CNC branch factory, but he seems to be busy with the composite machining CNC machine tool project in the experimental workshop, which is only open to researchers."

Before Tian Wenguo could finish speaking, he was interrupted by the person on the other end of the phone: "Don't make excuses, just say I'm looking for him. Beijing is only so big, where can he hide?"

Have Comrade Zhiqiang call me back immediately and notify me as soon as possible.

Upon hearing this, Tian Wenguo immediately stood at attention and replied, "I understand, leader. I will go and tell Secretary Zhou right away."

After hanging up the phone, Tian Wenguo put down his work and rushed to the R&D team's office.

The deputy leader directly under the Telephone Machinery Department was the one in charge of them, and Tian Wenguo dared not ignore what he said.

A short while later, Tian Wenguo jogged to the R&D team's office.

Inside, the only sounds were the rustling of blueprints scraping against the walls and the clicking of slide rules.

When they heard someone push the door open and come in, only the person closest to the door looked up, while the others didn't react at all.

"Director Tian? Is there something you need?"

"I'm near the door," asked Engineer Lin.

After looking around, Tian Wenguo asked, "I need to speak with Secretary Zhou. Isn't he here?"

Upon hearing this, Engineer Lin said, "Factory Director Zhou went to the experimental workshop half an hour ago. If you're looking for Factory Director Zhou, Factory Director Tian, ​​go there and take a look."

"They actually went."

Upon hearing this, Tian Wenguo thought to himself, "I just made up an excuse, but I didn't expect him to be right."

After thanking him, Tian Wenguo headed to the experimental workshop.

Although it is called an experimental workshop, it only has the environment for optical experiments, and many instruments and equipment are still lacking.

However, China lacks these high-end instruments and equipment. Zhou Zhiqiang even considered having the country import some from France, since France had shown goodwill. However, he only mentioned it briefly and didn't know if it would work.

These are all national-level issues; he could only mention the current needs.

Zhou Zhiqiang is currently leading a project team and technical personnel to conduct illuminance uniformity tests under different uniform light testing schemes.

However, progress has been minimal, and the fluctuations in optical power are still too large, failing to meet the expected targets.

After several tests, the best fluctuation was only over 8%, which was completely unacceptable.

"After recording the data, compare the parameters and phenomena to see if the problem is uneven light distribution, incorrect spacing, or instability of the light source itself."

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Zhiqiang continued, "Theoretically, with this level of machining precision, we could achieve an even better layer, but the current problem must be due to a problem somewhere in the process."

"Let's proceed step by step, starting with retesting the consistency of the lens units."

After putting down the experimental results, Zhou Zhiqiang quickly arranged new work.

There's only so much time in a year. If we get stuck in one experimental phase for too long, it will make the rest of the research and development difficult.

Composite machining CNC machine tools were Zhou Zhiqiang's first research and development task in the first half of the year, and even in 1963. He plans to complete both projects together this year.

Although the research and development time is somewhat tight, the country's industrial development needs even more time.

"Factory Director Zhou"

A technician suddenly rushed over and whispered to Zhou Zhiqiang, "Director Tian wants to see you. It seems to be something quite important."

"Okay, I see."

After finishing his explanation, Zhou Zhiqiang turned around and continued to arrange the remaining experimental tasks and steps before walking towards the workshop door. After tidying up, Zhou Zhiqiang left the experimental workshop.

After coming out, Zhou Zhiqiang saw Tian Wenguo pacing back and forth at the workshop entrance, so he went up to him and asked, "Director Tian, ​​is something urgent? Why are you in such a hurry to see me?"

"Secretary, you've finally come out."

Tian Wenguo quickly stepped forward and said, "The leader called me and said you should call him back immediately."

"Didn't I say I was busy with everyone except for Secretary Li's calls?"

"It was Deputy Leader Wu from our First Ministry of Machine Building who called."

"."

Zhou Zhiqiang paused for a moment, then said, "Okay, I'll go back to my office and make a call."

He couldn't avoid the call from a higher-ups anymore. He guessed that Secretary Li had already exposed him, which was why Deputy Leader Wu called the branch factory.

Zhou Zhiqiang and Tian Wenguo quickly returned to the factory office building. When they reached the door of his secretary's office, Zhou Zhiqiang told Tian Wenguo to go back and attend to his own business.

He might get scolded later. What's Tian Wenguo doing coming in here? To watch him get scolded.

After entering and closing the door, Zhou Zhiqiang picked up the phone and dialed. Upon hearing the voice of Deputy Leader Wu on the other end, Zhou Zhiqiang immediately reported with a smile: "Good news, leader! Our CNC branch has made significant breakthroughs in the research and development of photolithography technology."

We may soon develop new photolithography processes, which will further advance our country's semiconductor manufacturing. At that time, the computer and other electronics industries will have to thank our factory for its development!

"Moreover, there is also a glimmer of hope in the research and development of composite machining CNC machine tools. They may be able to make it to the Canton Fair in October this year. However, the new CNC machine tools are already among the world's best in CNC machining."

I suggest keeping it for domestic use, or not selling it so easily, because it has great value.”

On the other end of the phone, Deputy Leader Wu was somewhat dizzy from Zhou Zhiqiang's barrage of reports.

After digesting the information for a moment, Deputy Leader Wu asked, "Have there been any results yet?"

"Not yet. We've just had a small breakthrough, but we still need to wait a while."

"Has this breakthrough been achieved?"

"No, I have the idea, but I need to experiment with it."

Deputy Leader Wu on the other end of the phone gradually realized what was happening, chuckled, and said, "Well done, Comrade Zhiqiang, you're even using military tactics now. Do you think you can just let this matter drop by talking about it?"

"You and Li Younian, you've caused such a big mess right after work resumed after the New Year, slapping the Organization Department in the face."

"You think you can fool me with research and development results now? You underestimate me too much, Comrade Zhiqiang, Factory Director Zhou."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang knew that Deputy Leader Wu was not angry. Moreover, he secretly chuckled to himself, thinking, "Didn't I just fall into their trap and ask them for so long?"

However, Zhou Zhiqiang then got down to business: "Boss, this time it wasn't my impulsiveness, but in a thriving factory, there's really no room for someone to hold us back."

This year I plan to launch two R&D projects, and the other factory managers also have their own plans. If we keep someone like Chang Zhiwei in the factory, and he happens to cause trouble for me someday, then in the end I, as the factory manager, will have to bear the responsibility. The key point is that it would be too unfair for me to bear that responsibility.”

"For such an important matter as a foreign visit to the factory, he, a logistics director, openly pretended to be stupid at a cadre meeting."
"Boss, I really can't control people like this in the team."

"Ugh"

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, Deputy Leader Wu on the other end of the phone sighed and said, "Don't worry, Comrade Zhiqiang, Comrade Li Younian has already returned from explaining the situation at the Organization Department."

You have a point in this matter, but directly asking the Organization Department to reassign Chang Zhiwei is a bit impulsive.

"However, news of what happened at your factory has also spread. The factory director can't tolerate him, and the factory's party officials have even asked the organization department to replace him. This responsibility will definitely fall on Chang Zhiwei's shoulders."

"but."

Before Zhou Zhiqiang could say anything, Deputy Leader Wu on the other end of the phone interrupted him with a simple "however," and then continued...

"You've put the Organization Department in a difficult position this time. This kind of thing has never happened before. Let it go. Anyway, it has nothing to do with you on the surface. You should thank Comrade Li Younian properly this time."

If Zhou Zhiqiang were to take the lead, then Deputy Leader Wu would find it rather difficult to handle. Some people might seize upon his weaknesses and use them, along with past issues, to launch a barrage of criticism and attacks.
According to Wu Jianhong's understanding, some people are indeed capable of doing such things.

But now that Li Younian is in charge, the problems have been reduced by half.

Although Chang Zhiwei had a severe argument with Zhou Zhiqiang at the beginning of the year’s cadre meeting, it was the factory’s party officials who took the lead in proposing the solution afterward. This shows that neither of the two top leaders in the large factory could tolerate Chang Zhiwei.

Moreover, judging from the vote of the factory's Party Committee, it seems that Comrade Chang Zhiwei did not have a good relationship with other cadres in the factory.

"Secretary Li said he wanted to apply for retirement in two years, or even sooner, because his health isn't very good."

Zhou Zhiqiang said, "I really have to thank Secretary Li this time, otherwise I would definitely have taken the lead in applying to the Organization Department to get rid of Chang Zhiwei."

By the way, boss, how did Chang Zhiwei handle it?

"What else can we do? He's already been transferred from your factory, and he'll probably be sent back to his original unit."

Deputy Leader Wu instructed, "That Hou Yufeng will probably behave himself for a long time, so don't do anything to him anymore. If things get out of hand, the higher-ups will definitely send someone else to the Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory."

“I know that although Deputy Factory Director Hou has ulterior motives, he is not stupid. At least he can complete the production tasks I assign to him properly.”

Zhou Zhiqiang said that people like Hou Yufeng can at least be of some use, unlike people like Chang Zhiwei who can't even do anything.

However, we still need to be wary, as Hou Yufeng may be capable, but he doesn't have any good intentions.

Afterwards, Zhou Zhiqiang and Deputy Leader Wu talked about the situation in the Organization Department. He knew much more than Zhou Zhiqiang and told Zhou Zhiqiang some information.

We chatted for quite a while before hanging up.

(End of this chapter)