The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 267 It's This Difficult to Meet Factory Director Zhou

dong dong!

"Come in."

As soon as he blurted it out, Hou Yufeng regretted it. Who else could be coming to him at this time? Only Chang Zhiwei, who was about to be kicked out of Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory.

As soon as the office door opened, Deputy Factory Director Hou saw Chang Zhiwei walk in. His expression turned serious, and he said, "Comrade Zhiwei, you've arrived."

"Deputy Factory Director Hou, I'm not reconciled!"

After entering the room, Chang Zhiwei couldn't help but speak angrily, but then he let out a sigh of relief and couldn't even clench his fists.

Aside from being unwilling to accept it, he couldn't do anything else. Today, people from the Organization Department came to the factory to talk to him, asked him some questions, and then announced his upcoming job adjustment and appointment.

He returned to the Civil Affairs Bureau in Beijing and became its deputy director.

However, after he left, the Civil Affairs Bureau office had already promoted a deputy director, and he went back this time to assist that deputy director.

Moreover, the promotion he received earlier has also entered a new evaluation period. Chang Zhiwei asked at the time when the organization started having a evaluation period for promotions, especially since it had been so long since his promotion before he was evaluated.

However, the person from the Organization Department replied bluntly, "This is a special assessment for you. If you have any questions, you can protest to your superiors."

After saying that, the people from the Organization Department went to ask other people.

The Organization Department originally wanted to find Zhou Zhiqiang, but Zhou Zhiqiang was not at the main factory. Helpless, the Organization Department had to ask Secretary Li Younian.

“Comrade Zhiwei, I’m not willing to accept this, but there’s nothing I can do. As you can see, I’m completely alone in the factory. I have no say at all in the factory’s Party Committee meetings.”

When Deputy Director Hou said this, he couldn't help but feel sympathy for Chang Zhiwei; but what could he do? There were seven people in the factory's Party Committee, six of them against him.

He was interrupted every time he spoke, and he wasn't even allowed to be addressed as "comrade," but rather by his official title.

Fortunately, he was usually cautious and had completed all his responsibilities without leaving any trace in the factory. Otherwise, Deputy Factory Director Hou felt that Zhou Zhiqiang would have gotten rid of him as well.

"Go back to the Civil Affairs Bureau first. See what arrangements the leaders have when you get back. I'll also try to find out some connections for you."

At this point, Deputy Factory Director Hou could only comfort Chang Zhiwei, saying, "Don't be discouraged. I have acquaintances in the municipal government. I'll help you inquire and find connections."

Try to talk to the director of the Civil Affairs Bureau and ask him to take charge of the work as soon as possible. He certainly won't be idle like this.

"I understand. Thank you, Director Hou."

Chang Zhiwei had a lot more to say, but considering the time limit given to him by the security department and the factory office, he said, "Director Hou, I'll be leaving now. The security department told me to pack my things and leave as soon as possible; I can't stay at the factory any longer."

"What?! You bastards! The security department has gone too far!"

Upon hearing this, Deputy Factory Director Hou appeared furious, but inwardly he felt a slight sense of relief; if Chang Zhiwei had stayed in the factory any longer, he really wouldn't know what to do.

Seeing Deputy Factory Director Hou's expression, Chang Zhiwei comforted him, "Factory Director Hou, forget it. Apart from Zhou Zhiqiang, no one else in the Security Department listens to them. Don't cause trouble for the Security Department because of my matter."

Deputy Factory Director Hou feigned anger and said, "They've gone too far. I'll definitely call Director Kong later and ask their security department if they have to be so cold to our comrades!"

Seeing how angry Deputy Factory Director Hou was, Chang Zhiwei felt relieved. He then said a few words to Deputy Factory Director Hou before taking his leave.

He had packed everything that needed to be packed, so he could easily take it with him when he went downstairs.

Unexpectedly, he had to slink back home after less than six months at the factory.

On the other side, in the secretary's office of Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory.

Three members of the Organization Department sat opposite Li Younian. After introducing themselves, Deputy Director Liu took out a reply letter and asked Li Younian, "Secretary Li, this is your application to our department regarding Comrade Chang Zhiwei's job adjustment, right?"

"That's right, it was me who gave it to you. I only sent you a reply after consulting with the Party committees of other factories."

Secretary Li countered with a question: "Deputy Director Liu, haven't you already made arrangements for Comrade Chang Zhiwei? Why are you looking for me now?"

"The arrangements have been made. His rank will be frozen, he will be placed on probation, and he will be transferred back to the Civil Affairs Bureau office in Beijing. However, I came to see Secretary Li because I have something else to ask him."

Deputy Director Liu smiled, then placed the reply from Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory on the table, pointed to one of the lines, and asked:
"Secretary Li, you wrote in your reply that Comrade Chang Zhiwei's professional competence is seriously lacking. Could you please explain in what specific ways this is manifested?"

"They arbitrarily changed the decisions made by the factory's Party Committee, and then bypassed the deputy factory director in charge to make decisions directly, without even reporting to the factory director."

Furthermore, they were completely unfamiliar with the logistical aspects of foreign affairs reception. You see, our factory had handled two previous foreign affairs receptions; a simple question to anyone in the factory would have revealed the specific procedures.

"At the meeting, Comrade Chang Zhiwei asked Director Zhou twice whether his professional performance was up to standard."

After shaking his head, Secretary Li continued, "I don't understand. Your cadre allocation bureau has already made a decision, so why are you asking me what I mean now?"

"Secretary Li, please don't get agitated. We're just doing this for record-keeping purposes; after all, such cases are rare since the founding of the People's Republic of China. The clearer the record, the more helpful it will be in the future."

Deputy Director Liu said with a smile, and then asked Secretary Li a few more questions.

Li Younian answered truthfully, without even a hint of anger; as the saying goes, one who is without desire is invincible, and now that he has been promoted, the future of Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory can be entrusted to Zhou Zhiqiang.

Now, besides thinking about retirement, all he wants to do is stand firm at his post until the very end.

What else can we do with him?
After asking a few questions without getting much out of him, Deputy Director Liu asked again, "Secretary Li, I've asked you everything I wanted to ask. When will Director Zhou be back?"
Or if it's inconvenient for him, can I go to your factory's CNC branch to find him?

"I'm afraid that won't work. If you want to go to the CNC machining plant, you must apply in advance. If there are no relevant matters, the CNC machining plant will refuse entry to outsiders. After all, it's a factory that produces precision semiconductor electronics."

Secretary Li smiled and continued, "As for when Director Zhou will return, that's beyond my control as the secretary. As you know, Deputy Director Liu, there's a complicated relationship between the secretary and the director."

Unless Zhou Zhiqiang commits a serious violation of discipline or does something detrimental to the factory, why would he bother with Zhou Zhiqiang?

Before Deputy Director Liu could speak, the deputy director beside him said, "Secretary Li, is it really that difficult for our Director Liu to meet with Comrade Zhou Zhiqiang?"

"Ah"

Upon hearing the accusatory tone, Li Younian couldn't help but chuckle. He stood up from the sofa, returned to his desk, and sat down before speaking.

"That's right, it's that difficult. If it's serious business or official business, then follow the procedure and show an official letter, or call ahead to report. Instead of coming to our factory and seeing whoever you want."

At this point, even the kind-hearted Li Younian couldn't help but get a little angry and questioned, "What do you think we are? How many important things do you think Director Zhou has to do? If we delay even one of his important tasks..."

"Are you going to take this responsibility, or am I going to take it responsibility?!"

This is Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory, the number one foreign trade heavy-duty factory last year, the number one foreign trade heavy-duty factory this year, the number one heavy-duty factory in the country in terms of annual output value, and also a factory at the level of a provincial-level department.

In terms of rank, the same as the Cadre Allocation Bureau of the Organization Department, this office was only occupied by Deputy Director Liu, who was also of a high rank, and him, a factory party official.

Why should anyone else speak to him in a questioning tone? He's not retired yet!

"you"

"Secretary Li is right."

Deputy Director Liu interrupted the deputy director of the bureau beside him and continued, "We have been uncooperative this time. Let's end our conversation here today, Secretary Li."

After saying that, Deputy Director Liu got up to leave.

Upon seeing this, Secretary Li didn't offer to see him off. He simply sat there, said "Take care," and then lowered his head to process the factory's documents.

After leaving the factory office building, Deputy Director Wang continued, "Deputy Director Liu, Li Younian's attitude just now was far too impolite."

"At least call him Comrade Li Younian."

Deputy Director Liu turned his head to interrupt him and continued, "The leaders sent me here to investigate the situation, not to be aggressive. If you can't see the person, that's fine. Just report back truthfully when you get back."

However, Comrade Li Younian is also a senior cadre at level 13, so you should still show him the respect he deserves, Comrade Wang He.

Deputy Director Wang's face froze for a moment before he finally spoke, "I understand, Deputy Director Liu."

Deputy Director Liu shook his head, said nothing more, got into his car, and left.

------

The experimental workshop of the CNC branch factory.

Zhou Zhiqiang has been here for the past few days, working with Zhao Chenghui and other technicians to tackle issues related to uniform light testing.

Solving these problems would signify the great success of his proposed photolithography process, enabling future manufacturing using this new process and allowing them to make further progress in the semiconductor field.

After redesign, the performance of integrated circuits can be significantly improved, and the composite machining functions of CNC machine tools can also be realized.
"Wait a moment."

Zhou Zhiqiang suddenly spoke up, pointing to a peak point on the oscilloscope and saying, "There's a problem with this. Record this position and the incident angle, and then retest the coating uniformity."
I suspect the problem lies here; it's very likely that there are uneven spots in the coating, causing fluctuations throughout the optical path.

After carefully reading through the document, Zhao Chenghui pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's possible. Let's do as you say first, and if a problem is detected, we'll repeat the experiment."

"Comrade Chenghui, it's almost noon, let's stop here for now; I'll leave the experimental workshop to you for the next few days, I need to go back to the main factory."

After glancing at his watch, Zhou Zhiqiang said to Zhao Chenghui, "There's been a problem with the technical department too. I need to go back and take a look, and I also have other things to take care of."

"Okay, then go ahead. I'll keep detailed records of the experiments here so you can know the progress when you come back."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chenghui nodded and said that he knew Zhou Zhiqiang held multiple positions and was definitely busier than him, the deputy factory director who was specifically in charge of technology.

The proximity lithography project has been going on for almost three months now, with a month before the Lunar New Year and another month after.

They have now overcome the key experimental stage, and if this process goes smoothly, they will be able to use the new photolithography process to produce semiconductor components before June.

After tidying up, everyone in the experimental workshop left and headed towards the canteen.

On the way, Zhao Chenghui saw the scale of the CNC branch factory and couldn't help but say to Zhou Zhiqiang, "Zhiqiang, the scale of your branch factory is almost comparable to Factory 190."

Moreover, I see that your factory has a lot of empty land. It gives me the feeling that you plan to invest in expanding this branch factory in the future.”

"Expansion is definitely necessary. The experimental workshop is a bit rudimentary, and the integration workshop is also insufficient. Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory plans to become the world's number one machine tool factory in the future. Just think about how many numerical control systems we will need."

After a pause, Zhou Zhiqiang continued with a smile, "Comrade Chenghui, why don't you come work for our factory from now on?"

"I don't think it will work."

Just as Zhao Chenghui finished speaking, Engineer Wang, who was standing to the side, said, "Deputy Factory Director Zhao, you hesitated just now. Were you thinking about coming to the CNC branch?"

"Hey, don't talk nonsense. I'm just saying that it's impossible. Transferring people isn't that easy."

Zhao Chenghui quickly said, "Don't say it when we get back to the factory, otherwise Comrade Ruiguang will come and 'do my ideological work' again."

It was supposed to be ideological work, but it was really just constant nagging in his ear. Zhao Chenghui felt that Liu Ruiguang, the factory director, was a rein sent by his superiors to put on him.

However, Director Liu Ruiguang handled things very well at the factory; he never had to worry about anything.

"Who can say what the future holds? It's all for the sake of national development, so it doesn't matter where we work."

Zhou Zhiqiang said it casually, but he was thinking about things a few years from now.

Zhao Chenghui's problems are not serious, and strictly speaking, there are no problems at all; if no one causes him trouble, he will at most be temporarily out of his work.

Zhou Zhiqiang will protect him again, and then he will be transferred to the CNC branch as a technician as a temporary position. After that, when things are settled, he can become the deputy factory director in charge of technology.

Four years from now, it will be a test of who has the greater courage. Zhou Zhiqiang felt that he was quite courageous. If he had a stronger control over the factory, he could definitely shut down the doors and slowly start production, keeping the outside world out.

After having lunch at the CNC branch factory, Zhou Zhiqiang asked the driver to take him back to the main factory.

The research and development capabilities of the technology department are still relatively weak. Zhou Zhiqiang has already prepared to establish a long-term cooperative research and development mechanism with Beijing Institute of Technology and Tsinghua University. He will go back this afternoon to hold a meeting to finalize this matter.

(End of this chapter)