The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 268 Retirement Date Set

After having lunch at the CNC branch factory in the afternoon, Zhou Zhiqiang took a car back to Jiuzhou Machine Tool General Factory.

However, he had barely returned and sat down on the silk chair for two minutes when Ding Zhixue from the technical department came knocking on his door.

"Factory Manager."

Upon entering the room, Ding Zhixue's section chief felt very apologetic. The factory had assigned them the research and development task, but they had stalled at a crucial moment and made no progress for more than a month.

In the end, the factory manager had to come back to clean up the mess.

Now, Ding Zhixue felt extremely guilty standing in front of Zhou Zhiqiang, but he couldn't avoid the matter; he had to resolve it.

"The dynamic balancing test of the core electric spindle for composite machining is still unsuccessful. We have repeatedly adjusted the spindle structure and dynamic balancing algorithm according to your suggestions."

Ding Zhixue reported all his recent changes and calculation results to Zhou Zhiqiang, and also handed him their recent experimental records from the technical department, before continuing...

"However, the vibration amplitude under high-speed rotation always exceeded 20%, which will definitely have a significant impact on the final precision of the machined parts."

"That's a huge difference? You sounded so confident on the phone, I thought it was a minor issue. Section Chief Ding, are you going to keep things from me now?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang frowned immediately. While talking to Ding Zhixue about other things, he looked at the icons and parameters left by the mechanical transmission experiment in the technical department.

"I've already invited professors from two universities, majoring in mechanical and mechatronics, to help me. You know that, right?"

It's this afternoon, they'll probably arrive in a little while. The team will be led by Chen Guodong, head of the Mechanical Engineering Department at Beijing Institute of Technology, and Professor Yu Hongye from Tsinghua University. At that time, our three institutions will establish a long-term collaborative research and development mechanism.”

This project isn't going to end after just one phase. If they have projects in the future, they can bring in professors and technical experts from these two universities to help.

These two universities also allow students to gain valuable practical experience, and the expenses are covered by Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory.

In the end, it's a win-win situation for all three parties; otherwise, Zhou Zhiqiang would have to run back and forth between the two places, which would be too time-consuming.

He also planned to complete the CNC machine tool for composite machining by mid-September, but the R&D progress of both the main factory and the branch factory was somewhat bumpy.

Zhou Zhiqiang can only take care of one side, so he can't take care of the other side. He always has to find a way to solve one of them.

China has made considerable progress in mechanical and electromechanical engineering, but it still lags behind in semiconductors. Therefore, Zhou Zhiqiang contacted two universities and asked them to send professors and other technical personnel to join in and help with research and development experiments.

Zhou Zhiqiang focused on tackling the lithography process project, since after that project was completed, the integrated circuits would need to be redesigned, which would take even more time.

Moreover, Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory is now a department-level unit, fully qualified to establish a long-term cooperation mechanism with the two universities.

Many students might want to come to their machine tool factory. Putting aside other factors, the current benefits at Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory are probably better than those in the ministry.

Moreover, this is the front line of research and development and production. Apart from the promotion level, it is better than the department in every other aspect.

Zhou Zhiqiang suddenly looked up and asked, "Has Deputy Factory Director Liu returned?"

"Not yet, Factory Director. It's only been a week, and it seems like Deputy Factory Director Liu hasn't even called back yet."

"Never mind then, let's tell him when he gets back. Call Zhang Yaoguo in."

Upon hearing this, Ding Zhixue immediately turned around and went out to call Zhang Yaoguo.

After Zhang Yaoguo came in, Zhou Zhiqiang said, "Yaoguo, two university directors and professors will be coming to our factory later. I need to use the conference room. Have the factory office prepare it now."

Then I called Director Liu from the factory office and Deputy Director Wu from logistics over; the matter I wanted to discuss concerned them.

"Okay, Director. I'll do it right away."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yaoguo turned and left to carry out the tasks Zhou Zhiqiang had instructed him to do.

"Section Chief Ding, you should also go back and have the technical department compile all the recent R&D progress, technical problems and difficulties encountered, experimental data, etc., into a clear report."

We need it this afternoon, and they'll probably be here around 2 PM. Can they get it ready in an hour?

Upon hearing this, Ding Zhixue quickly replied, "There shouldn't be any problem, Factory Director. We've been keeping records all along; we just need to summarize and organize them now."

"Okay, let's do it this way."

Zhou Zhiqiang said, "The projects at the branch factory are even more urgent, and we can't find any external support to provide, so I will probably focus more on the branch factory in the future."

Section Chief Ding, once our factory establishes R&D collaborations with the two universities, you need to take a more proactive role and don't stand on ceremony with them.”

Upon hearing this, Ding Zhixue immediately replied, "I understand, Factory Director."

There was nothing else to instruct him on, so Zhou Zhiqiang told Ding Zhixue to go back and prepare.

After everyone left, Zhou Zhiqiang also picked up the documents on the table and started looking through them.

These are all matters recently reported by the factory, and ultimately, they all require his approval as the factory director.

However, if Zhou Zhiqiang is busy outside for more than three days and does not return for three consecutive days, Zhang Yaoguo will send all these documents to Secretary Li.

There weren't many important matters. Zhou Zhiqiang glanced at them and found that most were related to production within the factory, and there were also two disciplinary issues.

Wu Youcai's appointment document has just been submitted, but we have to wait for the official appointment, which will probably take some time. Their factory just offended the Organization Department, and they don't know if the other party will hold them back in this matter.

But even if it gets stuck, it won't last long.

The Organization Department must always respect the opinions of the factory's Party Committee. Last time, they failed to submit the recommended list on time, which allowed Chang Zhiwei to take advantage of the situation.

They submitted the recommended appointment list immediately. If the Organization Department ignores the attitude of the Party Committee of Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory, then they are breaking the rules.

A short while later, Zhang Yaoguo returned and reported to Zhou Zhiqiang: "Factory Director, everything has been arranged. Director Liu and Deputy Director Wu will also be there on time."

Before Zhang Yaoguo could finish speaking, Zhou Zhiqiang nodded and said, "Okay, but you'll have to make another trip. I forgot about Secretary Li earlier. Secretary Li should also participate in this kind of matter."

"Sir, what a coincidence! I just ran into Secretary Li's assistant, and he said that Secretary Li knows you're back and wants to speak with you now."

"Is that so? Then I'll go over there."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang also stood up, pointed to the stack of documents on the table that had been processed, and said, "I have approved all of these. Send them back to them."

"Good job, boss." ——————

dong dong!

After knocking, Zhou Zhiqiang pushed the door open and walked in, asking, "Secretary, you wanted to see me?"

"Zhiqiang is here, come and sit down."

Upon seeing Zhou Zhiqiang, Secretary Li greeted him with a smile, saying, "I figured you'd come right away after you heard the news, so I just made some tea."

"Secretary, you're too kind."

Despite saying that, Zhou Zhiqiang still took the tea and drank it.

In those days, beverages were scarce, and if he could, he preferred to drink iced carbonated drinks. At home, Zhou Zhiqiang would often fight with his son and nephew for juice.

However, when he's out, he usually only drinks tea, which is much better than boiled purified water.

"By the way, Secretary, I also have something to discuss with you. I'm planning to establish a long-term R&D cooperation mechanism between our factory and Beijing Institute of Technology and Tsinghua University, allowing them to participate in our factory's project R&D."

Zhou Zhiqiang explained the mechanism for collaborative research and development with universities to Secretary Li, then paused before continuing to Li Younian, "Secretary, the heads of the relevant departments from the two universities will be arriving with their teams later. Why don't you also make an appearance?"

"Okay, that's a good thing."

Li Younian thought for a moment and then quickly said, "I will definitely go then, but let me make it clear first, I will just make an appearance and act as a mascot."

This kind of technological research and development cooperation still needs your involvement as the factory manager; I won't concern myself with anything else.

“Secretary, don’t say that. You are the pillar of our factory. It’s because I know you are keeping an eye on things that I dare to go to the branch factory to preside over the R&D work often.”

Zhou Zhiqiang said with a smile, "Otherwise, how could I be away from the factory for two or three days? It's all because you're here."

This isn't Zhou Zhiqiang boasting or praising Li Younian; rather, Li Younian's recent performance and attitude have truly changed Zhou Zhiqiang's opinion of him.

Li Younian took on all the responsibilities that Zhou Zhiqiang was supposed to shoulder without hesitation, and even things that weren't originally his responsibility, he helped Zhou Zhiqiang take over as well.

If Zhou Zhiqiang asked Secretary Li about factory matters, he would take care of them if he could, which made Zhou Zhiqiang feel much more relaxed. As a result, his evaluation of Secretary Li Younian has recently taken a sharp turn for the better.

From being a secretary who used to stamp documents, he has now become a good partner.

"Alright, Director Zhou, stop flattering me. I know my own situation best."

After smiling, Secretary Li continued, "In the past few years, I didn't manage things at the factory. Seeing the factory gradually improve made me quite happy. Later, as the factory director, you did an even better job, which led to the factory's administrative level being raised by one level."
I'm truly grateful to Comrade Zhiqiang for letting me, a factory party official, take this step as well.

"Now that I've been promoted, I originally planned to contribute to the factory for a while, but after the medical examination, I found that my body couldn't keep up."

I had just started thinking about it when the doctor advised me to rest more, otherwise I would definitely have to be hospitalized. I don't know how to say it, so I can only apologize to Comrade Zhiqiang.

Li Younian's words of remark made Zhou Zhiqiang a little embarrassed, and he waved his hand and said, "Secretary, there's no need to bring up the past."

"I should mention that I actually went to the ministry yesterday and had a chat with Vice Leader Wu."

Secretary Li suddenly said this, then paused for a moment before continuing, "I went there with my medical examination report and the doctor's comments, and I also told Deputy Leader Wu about my health condition."

Finally, I talked with the leader for a while, and he approved my application for retirement after two years. So, Comrade Zhiqiang, I will probably retire in two years.

Retire in two years?

Zhou Zhiqiang was genuinely surprised when he heard the news. According to Li Younian's age, he should have worked for at least six more years before reaching retirement age.

However, he also realized that this was Secretary Li's own idea, and that it was probably Deputy Leader Wu who forced him to stay for two years, otherwise Secretary Li might have wanted to retire this year.

Zhou Zhiqiang sighed and said, "Secretary, well, actually I really hope you stay at the factory. I'd be truly at ease if you stayed."

"Haha, I can still work for another two years, I'm not retiring immediately; in two years, under your leadership, Comrade Zhiqiang, Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory might really become the world's number one machine tool factory."

Li Younian said with a smile, "When the time comes, I will be able to retire in such an honorable position, which will be a perfect ending to my life."

"It's not that there's no hope two years from now. We can actually be considered number one in Asia now. It's just that the machine tool companies in other countries haven't released their data. Even if they did, they still wouldn't be able to catch up with us. They haven't even started exporting on a large scale yet."

Zhou Zhiqiang paused for a moment before continuing, "As for becoming number one internationally, we'll have to look at the data from Aramco's machine tool companies. Their data is easy to collect, and there's hope of surpassing them."

Currently, Aramco's machine tools account for nearly half of the global market share; the other half is held by Russia, the UK, West Germany, and China.

Huaxia only accounts for less than three percent of the total. Although Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory secured more than 140 million US dollars in orders last year, the global machine tool market is only about 5 billion US dollars.

Moreover, the Jiuzhou Machine Tool Plant could not produce all of the 4,100 units ordered for export, so a quarter of them were transferred to the First Machine Tool Plant.

"Comrade Zhiqiang, actually I called you here because there is something important I want to tell you."

When Secretary Li got to this point, he continued in a slightly more solemn tone: "I will probably be leaving office and retiring in two years. Only you, me, and Deputy Leader Wu know about this."

Regarding the successor to the factory's Party officials, I recommend Comrade Zhiqiang to take over. Furthermore, I don't recommend you relinquish your position as factory director, as it would be inappropriate for you to manage the factory's production and technological research and development.

"Therefore, I suggest that Comrade Zhiqiang take both the positions of factory director and party secretary; otherwise, if other party officials are appointed, they won't get along with you, and what will become of the Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory?"

"This"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang gasped in surprise. He hadn't expected that Secretary Li had even considered his future.

"You must be a little tired. Those three years were a special period, and there were some factory directors and party secretaries who held the same positions, but haven't they been gradually abolished in recent years?"

The management of factories in China has gradually become more standardized. The fact that the factory director and the party secretary are the same person allows their power to grow infinitely, making it no exaggeration to call them factory emperors.

Therefore, the situation in China where some party secretaries and factory directors held the same positions is gradually improving. If they apply for the position now, aren't they going against the trend?

"Cancel it over there, submit it here." Zhou Zhiqiang immediately felt that this was unlikely.

Li Younian said with a smile, "It's unlikely for others, but you, Zhou Zhiqiang, are an exception. The leaders all know you and are aware of the situation in the factory."

Moreover, the importance of our factory goes without saying. If such a good momentum of development were to come to a standstill because of the discord between the factory director and the new party secretary, that would be a mistake that should not be made.”

(End of this chapter)