The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 281 Zhou Zhiqiang's inspiring speech, new plans
"Thank you for the organization's trust. I will definitely live up to the organization's expectations and fulfill my duties as a Party official and factory director."

To lead Jiuzhou Machine Tool Plant to make greater contributions to the organization and the country.

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, he took the appointment notice from Director Xue.

After receiving the appointment notice, Zhou Zhiqiang addressed the people in the meeting room, saying, "Comrades, I won't say anything else. I believe everyone understands the responsibilities of the factory director and the secretary."

Today I'll talk about the factory's construction. Before coming to this factory 1958, I was the head of the technical department at Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory.

"At that time, I made some contributions and had some ideas for the modification of machine tools. After the leaders found out, they appointed me to the Second Machine Tool Factory at that time."

At that time, the Second Machine Tool Plant was performing rather poorly. The older employees there all knew that before 1958, the Second Machine Tool Plant was neglected and even investment was halted.

"But we still managed to develop. The first thing I did when I came to the factory was to lead everyone in technological innovation and production."

At that time, I was also working overtime at the factory every day. At the workbench next to me was Yu Dade, a 49-year-old level 7 worker. He was almost 50, and he was still asking me for advice on processing techniques while busy with production tasks.

Zhou Zhiqiang began his story by recounting his arrival at the Second Machine Tool Plant, gradually describing the changes that occurred year by year until this year.

He spoke in a simple, conversational style, recounting the development of the Second Machine Tool Plant over the past five or six years, from its origins to its current status as the Jiuzhou Machine Tool General Plant.

Even Director Xue from the Organization Department listened intently. He could tell that Zhou Zhiqiang had truly poured his heart and soul into this machine tool factory; otherwise, such a significant change wouldn't have been possible.

When it comes to passion for production and enthusiasm for research and development, every factory in the country has it, and no factory can lose in this regard. But only the Second Machine Tool Plant managed to turn the tide and rise to the top.

"After I became a party official and concurrently the factory director, I had only one goal: to make Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory the world's number one machine tool factory."
Although we don't have specific data on Xiao Rizi machine tools, they are probably no match for us. In the Asian region, we can say that we are already the undisputed number one.

"In the next few years, I hope that the entire factory can develop Jiuzhou Machine Tool Plant into the world's number one machine tool factory. This is my goal for the next three years, and I hope that my colleagues in the factory will work with me to achieve it!"

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, Director Xue of the Organization Department was the first to raise his hand and applaud, and soon everyone followed suit.

After things calmed down, Director Xue said, "Secretary Zhou, I believe you can definitely do it. You spoke with great confidence just now."

This confidence feels like a powerful support, enabling you to fulfill everything you just said, so I believe in you.

Deputy Director Liu also praised, "That's right. Secretary Zhou's words make me feel as if I can already see Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory becoming the world's number one. I believe that your factory will be able to achieve that in a few years."

"Thank you for your trust, leaders. All of us in the factory will work hard towards this goal."

Zhou Zhiqiang said with a smile that he had just said everything he wanted to say; his future goal was very clear, which was to prioritize development.

Whether it's a Party official or a factory director, everyone is striving towards this goal.

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, Li Younian also stood up and said something. This visit was basically his last speech to the factory's cadres before his formal retirement.

Although Li Younian was somewhat reluctant, Zhou Zhiqiang's words had also stirred his emotions. Unfortunately, his physical condition did not support him to continue striving.

He also talked about some things that happened in the factory before, but Li Younian talked about things even earlier than Zhou Zhiqiang, starting from the time the Second Machine Tool Factory was restructured.

However, Li Younian didn't waste much time and quickly finished speaking. In the end, he only emphasized: "Comrades, after experiencing so much, I think you should all have a scale in your hearts."

Apart from Secretary Zhiqiang, it would be difficult for anyone else to develop Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory. Therefore, I hope you will all work together towards the same goal and not let other matters delay the factory's production and development.

Clap clap clap clap!
After Li Younian finished speaking, everyone in the conference room applauded.

The factory staff treated this former Party Secretary with utmost respect.

However, one person felt uneasy. While clapping, Deputy Factory Director Hou felt bitter inside, as if one or two people were subtly pointing fingers at him.

However, given how things have come to this point, Hou Yufeng felt that nothing he could do would make a difference. If he did anything more, he might end up like Chang Zhiwei, being kicked out of Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory and leaving in disgrace.

The meeting announcing Zhou Zhiqiang's appointment ended quickly, and the head of the publicity department hurried back to prepare to announce the news at the factory.

Director Xue didn't stay long and left after the meeting. However, before leaving, he shook hands with Zhou Zhiqiang and said, "Comrade Zhiqiang, may I call you that? What you said just now was really good. Your heartfelt words will make everyone believe in you from the bottom of their hearts."

I believe you can do what you say. I had some doubts about this appointment before. What I objected to was that having the factory director and party secretary hold both positions would lead to excessive concentration of power, but if it's concentrated in your hands, it gives people peace of mind.”

This is also why Director Xue didn't address Secretary Zhou as "Comrade Zhiqiang." People with common goals are comrades, and he felt that the others in the department wouldn't be so worried.

After saying this, Director Xue didn't linger and went straight back to the Organization Department by car. He was also a member of the Party Committee of the Organization Department, and he had a lot to do every day.

Back in his office, Zhou Zhiqiang personally took out some tea leaves, brewed several cups of tea, and served them to Secretary Li, Deputy Factory Director Sun, and the others.

Deputy Factory Director Hou accepted the tea offered by Zhou Zhiqiang with an awkward smile. After the meeting, he had intended to go back to his office to calm down, but Zhou Zhiqiang had unexpectedly called him back.

Then they followed him all the way to Zhou Zhiqiang's office.

Deputy Factory Director Hou still doesn't know what Zhou Zhiqiang is up to, but he feels uneasy. Simply put, he's a little afraid of Zhou Zhiqiang's position.

As both the Party Secretary and the factory director, almost no one in the machine tool factory could refute his words.

Li Younian asked with a smile, "Zhiqiang, aren't you going to change offices?"

"No, I have so many books and documents in my office, it would be too much trouble to move. Secretary Li, you can keep your office."

Zhou Zhiqiang also took a teacup, sat down, took a sip, and then continued, "The factory has now entered the next stage of development. In the second half of this year, our factory can be said to have two tasks."

"Fulfill the export orders secured last year, and on top of achieving those export order targets, produce an additional number of composite CNC machine tools."

"If conditions permit in the future, domestic factories will still mainly focus on composite factories."

After saying this, Zhou Zhiqiang looked at the expressions on the others' faces and explained, "I called you all here just to chat about things in the factory for the second half of the year. The research and development of composite CNC machine tools has temporarily come to a halt."
I had another research and development idea before, but after thinking about it, I still haven't made up my mind, so I'd like to hear about your work first.

Apart from Li Younian, the other three are deputy factory directors in charge of production and logistics, which can be considered as a small meeting of the factory director.

Deputy Factory Director Sun said with a smile, "I do have something I'd like to discuss with you, Factory Director. Shouldn't we be calling you Secretary now?" Zhou Zhiqiang replied with a smile, "Call me whatever you want. You can call me Comrade Zhiqiang too. A name is just a title. Do whatever you're used to."

"Alright, factory manager, I actually wanted to ask you if we should start preparing for the second phase of the factory's employee housing complex?"

Deputy Factory Director Sun said, "The decision was made a little late last year, so they didn't move in until April this year."

If this plan is still in place this year, it would be best to start in August so that the workers can move in before the end of the year.

“You’re right about the welfare community. It’s already July, it’s time to get started.”

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Zhiqiang said, "Our factory currently has a little over five million in its accounts. If we save up to nine million by the end of the year, we can expect to have saved up over nine million."
"Go ahead and build, sticking with the number of tenement buildings from Phase One. But what about the kindergarten and primary school we mentioned last time?"

Deputy Factory Director Sun said, "It's settled. Construction will begin next month, and it will be completed before November. The only problem is recruiting teachers. We've only recruited enough for five classes so far, with a maximum of 150 teachers for the primary school."
I've already urged the district education bureau, but their attitude... factory director, it's a bit hard to say. I think they're still keeping an eye on our dormitory building.

"Why is it always this kind of person!"

Deputy Factory Director Liu couldn't help but say, "What do they take their power for? Do they see it as something they can exchange for benefits at will?"

Liu Wenzhou originally didn't care about this kind of thing, but now that he heard about it, he couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable.

After hearing what Zhou Zhiqiang said in the meeting room today, he felt inspired to dedicate himself to development. Now, hearing about these people's behavior makes him angry.

Deputy Factory Director Sun shook his head and said, "Deputy Factory Director Liu, there's nothing we can do. There are probably no more than five units in the entire city of Beijing that are still building dormitory buildings. Some of them were plans from several years ago that have been delayed until the last two years. Our factory is probably the one that is building the largest scale."

With the central government concentrating its finances, the fact that so much money can still be allocated to build residential communities is so vast that it wouldn't take more than a third finger to count all of Beijing.

“Ignore them, Comrade Yifei. You can even give them a reply: Jiuzhou Machine Tool Factory does not do business with any speculators.”

Zhou Zhiqiang said firmly, then paused and said to Deputy Factory Director Sun, "We can start by asking the workers' families. If there are suitable candidates among the workers' families, then we can recruit them."

For teaching elementary school, a high school diploma should be sufficient, but it's crucial to select qualified individuals. Don't let anyone fill the position; we're only teaching the children of our factory workers.

“If the recruits have no teaching experience, let them go to other primary schools to learn from the teachers for a period of time. This is just one method. Comrade Yifei, think of some more. There are always more solutions than problems.”

Upon hearing this, Sun Yifei quickly replied, "I understand, Factory Director."

"And regarding the housing allocation, you should communicate with the labor union to ensure that the situation from last year doesn't happen again."

Zhou Zhiqiang suddenly thought, "I have an idea for you. You can invite Secretary Li. He has a lot of prestige. If Secretary Li were to participate in the housing allocation selection, I doubt anyone would have any doubts."

Upon hearing this, Li Younian pointed at Zhou Zhiqiang and laughed, "You little rascal, Zhiqiang, you can't stand seeing me idle, can you?"

Zhou Zhiqiang laughed and said, "If you really have too much free time, you'll definitely feel uncomfortable. Consider this a way to help you exercise; it won't take much time each day."

"Hehe, alright then, I'll do my part for the factory a little longer."

Li Younian said with a smile that he would really be unwilling to sit at home and recuperate every day.

I just want to contribute my remaining energy to the factory, as long as it's not too busy or tiring.

After Secretary Li finished speaking, Deputy Factory Director Liu also spoke up: "Factory Director, my work here is the same as in the first half of the year: to coordinate the production of the several branch factories with the main factory."

Nothing else is particularly noteworthy.

His work was busy and tedious, but there were no major changes. The production tasks were all planned at the beginning of the year with Zhou Zhiqiang and the section chiefs of several production-related departments.

"Okay, just keep things stable on your end. Keep a close eye on the two supporting branch factories; I'm not entirely comfortable with them."

Zhou Zhiqiang instructed, "Just maintain stable production. Judging from the current production targets, this year will be another year that meets expectations."
Deputy Factory Director Hou is also doing a good job. The factory's publicity on production safety is very effective. You can hear about production accidents in other factories to varying degrees, but we haven't had a single one.

When Hou Yufeng heard that he was involved, and that it seemed to be a compliment, he immediately felt something was different.

"That's right, at the beginning of the year, I originally had two R&D plans for this year; "

I initially expected to complete the R&D and manufacturing of the composite CNC machine tool around the middle of the year, and so far this year, there are still about six months left.

Zhou Zhiqiang paused for a moment, then continued, "However, there's something a little hard to say about my previous research and development plan; it was snatched away by the Computer Research Institute."
For small and medium-sized computers, I estimate they've already started the project; we'll have to look for other solutions.

"There are two options now. One is to focus on the main factory's mechanical production capacity. We could consider building a welfare workshop, for example, to manufacture cars..."

"car?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Wenzhou said with some surprise, "Factory Director, isn't this a bit of a leap? Our factory's manufacturing direction is completely different from that of automobiles. Is this going to work?"

"There are no problems with the manufacturing of mechanical parts. We can basically produce more than half of them in-house. Investing in a production workshop can solve part of the problem, and the rest can be sourced from other modification plants."

Zhou Zhiqiang continued, "Don't worry about the technical aspects; I can handle the relevant technical issues."
"We don't have to manufacture cars; we can invest in a CNC machining plant. With the CNC plant's technological reserves, we can produce some semiconductor radios or televisions. We previously planned to develop a mid-range computer, but Director Guo of the Computer Research Institute has already decided to approve the project."

“If we don’t prepare some R&D ‘side businesses,’ our factory can save 20 million yuan in the accounts this year and next. How should we use it? It’s not appropriate to give it all to the workers. The higher-ups will definitely stop us, and they might even confiscate it.”

If all workers received their share, each worker could receive several hundred yuan, and the central government certainly wouldn't sit idly by and allow such a 'whimsical' thing to happen.

Providing workers with benefits is fine, but not in this way; it's a bit disruptive.

"So our factory needs to invest in building something, nothing too difficult, something that can be done in half a year, and it won't delay next year's R&D projects. Besides, there probably won't be any new R&D projects next year."

Zhou Zhiqiang's last sentence was true; there have been too many R&D projects lately, and production efficiency has been a bit slow to keep up.

CNC machine tools and composite CNC machine tools are in demand all over the country, and their factory's production capacity is already at full capacity.

Zhou Zhiqiang doesn't need to worry too much about factory investment next year; the Planning and Development Commission will definitely have a clear investment plan.

(End of this chapter)