The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 39 Generous Rewards

The meeting covered a lot, mostly previewing several major events. The Second Steel Rolling Mill will definitely need to discuss these matters in detail with the Ministry.

Furthermore, expanding enrollment requires coordination with the district government and other relevant departments.

It's impossible to give all the spots to one place; at least the central city and the surrounding counties should be given equal opportunities.

Zhou Zhiqiang heard a lot, but most of it had nothing to do with him, a mere technician.

Moreover, the expansion of enrollment has already been confirmed. It is estimated that the Ministry of Metallurgy has already held a meeting, and this is to inform them.

Zhou Zhiqiang and Dafeng Machinery Factory were also assigned a task: to urge the expansion of the process production line with technical assistance and equipment production support.

At least I got to drink a bowl of meat soup.

However, they were already mentally prepared. This was a production line for alloy steel, and the biggest beneficiary would definitely be the Second Steel Rolling Mill. Their machinery factory was already doing well to get a share of the profits.

Now that we've received honors and a share of production tasks, what more could we ask for?

At noon, Zhou Zhiqiang also had a special meal at the No. 2 Steel Rolling Mill.

The meal was quite lavish, with chicken, duck, and fish. Zhou Zhiqiang also felt that the chef's skills had improved considerably, and he suspected that the chef had been hired from outside specifically to entertain Director Han.

After lunch, we held another meeting in the afternoon to discuss factory expansion, new steel production processes, and expectations for next year.

Zhou Zhiqiang added a few words in the meeting room, mainly talking about the steel production situation of the new technology and process, and other matters were not related to him.

After discussing the more important matters, Director Han and his entourage left the Second Steel Rolling Mill without much delay.

A leader of his rank has a lot to do every day. Today, the new alloy steel produced by the Second Steel Rolling Mill is very important, as it relates to the future layout of the heavy industry.

That's why Han Dingguo came to the Second Steel Rolling Mill and made many arrangements.

After Han Dingguo left, Zhao Guangzheng and Liu Fuhua also planned to return to Dafeng Machinery Factory. Liu Fuhua even asked Zhou Zhiqiang if he wanted to go back with them.

Zhou Zhiqiang originally planned to ride his bicycle back, but Liu Fuhua asked him to load the bicycle into the back of the truck and take it back with him, so Zhou Zhiqiang immediately agreed.

The production process for the new alloy steel has already been communicated to the project team, so Zhou Zhiqiang no longer needs to oversee it.

After the meeting, Professor Zhang Deli planned to return to the university. Zhou Zhiqiang said something to Bai Shaokang and then went back with Director Zhao and Deputy Director Liu.

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"Zhiqiang, you can finally rest for a while now. You must have been exhausted lately."

After returning to Dafeng Machinery Factory, Liu Fuhua did not send Zhou Zhiqiang back to the technical department, but instead called him directly to his office.

Furthermore, he personally brewed Zhou Zhiqiang a cup of tea, treating him as if he were facing a superior, which made Zhou Zhiqiang feel flattered.

After taking the teacup, Zhou Zhiqiang said, "Uncle Liu, you should just say what's on your mind. What you're doing is making me feel strange."

“What could possibly happen to me? Your performance today has made us proud, and you deserve the most credit for the large number of production tasks assigned to our factory.”

Liu Fuhua pointed at Zhou Zhiqiang and smiled, then took an envelope from the drawer, handed it to Zhou Zhiqiang, and continued...
"Take the reward the factory gave you for now. The Industry Bureau will definitely give you another commendation later, but I guess the main thing they want to do is promote you to a higher rank."

"You've made a significant contribution this time, and judging from what Director Han said, this project could be considered to have changed the layout of the domestic heavy industry. I estimate you'll be promoted two ranks directly."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang squeezed the envelope and asked, "Since the Industry Bureau is giving me a commendation, then what is this, Uncle Liu?"

"The bureau's reward is for the bureau; if our factory doesn't reciprocate, how can that be acceptable?"

Liu Fuhua waved his hand and said, "The factory director and the party secretary both know about this. It was squeezed out from the factory's quota. Just keep it."

"Can I take a look?" "Hahaha, go ahead, go ahead, you little rascal!"

Liu Fuhua pointed at Zhou Zhiqiang and said with a smile, "If you say you value fame and fortune, you won't even go to the Ministry of Metallurgy; if you say you don't value fame and fortune, you can't wait to see the award after receiving it."

"That's different, Uncle Liu. This was given to me by the factory. Wow, so much?"

When Zhou Zhiqiang opened it, he found about a dozen or twenty large black 10s, as well as a lot of tickets.

I didn't look closely, but there were quite a few tickets, including about ten industrial tickets alone.

"Take it. You deserve it. The reward from the Industry Bureau is probably not much, maybe not at all, but the factory can't be stingy."

Liu Fuhua said, "Our factory hasn't finished distributing the 'Three Transformations and One Sound' vouchers for this year. After discussing it with the Party Secretary, the factory director decided to give them to you."

"Since you've made the biggest contribution to our factory this year, it's only right that you receive the award; however, the 'Advanced Individual' award can't be given to you yet, as it's already been approved for someone else. But next year's 'Advanced Individual' award is definitely yours."

The list of outstanding individuals has been released and has probably been communicated to everyone. If someone's name is revoked and Zhou Zhiqiang's name is given in lieu, the workers who originally received the award will definitely cause a commotion.

"I'm still young and I've just started working, so there's no rush to wait a year."

Zhou Zhiqiang said with a smile, without taking out the tickets inside to look at them.

Taking a quick look is just right and shows a close relationship; if you were to actually count the money and tickets in person, that would be a bit too rigid.

"Uncle Liu, if there's nothing else, I'll head back to the technical department now?"

"Well, go back."

After greeting Liu Fuhua, Zhou Zhiqiang left his office with a smile.

The factory's rewards were really generous, but Zhou Zhiqiang could understand why the Industrial Bureau didn't offer any material rewards; they had to consider the impact on the atmosphere.

Nowadays, we value dedication and working together to build the country. Promoting you to a higher rank is a recognition of your abilities, but we can't give you too much material reward.

However, the factory can give it to him privately, and they certainly won't let Zhou Zhiqiang suffer a loss.

Back in the technical department, everyone greeted Zhou Zhiqiang when they saw him.

"Zhiqiang, you're back?"

"Zhiqiang, you're finally back. I haven't seen you for months."

"Zhiqiang, you haven't been back for three months, have you?"

"There's nothing I can do, I'm just busy. I won't be as busy in the future."

While greeting everyone, Zhou Zhiqiang explained, "I'll talk to you later. I'll go report to the section chief. I'll bring you some peanuts and melon seeds tomorrow so you can have some together."

"Goodness, Zhiqiang, it seems you've done something right! You're even willing to buy peanuts and melon seeds."

"What are you saying? Zhiqiang used to be very generous too!"

Upon hearing that there would be peanuts and melon seeds for dinner tomorrow, the workers in the technical department all lit up. This was considered a very precious side dish, only slightly inferior to milk candy.

When everyone heard that Zhou Zhiqiang was going to buy peanuts and melon seeds to distribute tomorrow, they applauded happily.

The commotion outside quickly attracted Section Chief Lü, who pushed open the door and said, "Why is there such a commotion? It's not time to leave work yet. Zhiqiang, you're back? Come in, come in and talk."

Section Chief Lü's expression changed from a blank reprimand to a beaming smile in just one second, prompting the other members of the technical department to secretly marvel at his performance.

(End of this chapter)