In the 90s, you could acquire max-level skills every 14 days.

Chapter 135 Long Guns and Short Cannons, the Industrial Company Sets Sail

"Do you remember Director Tao from the All-China Federation of Trade Unions? I have connections there."

Fang Qiming remained silent, pondering in his mind.

He is all too aware of the current policy environment. The Ministry of Education has been promoting the integration of industry, academia, and research for the past two years, but most of it remains just a slogan, with very few real implementation cases.

If Peking University can be the first to pilot this program, he'll get promoted and also make a fortune.

Are you confident that Director Tao will approve it?

"The series of books I wrote for the Ministry of Education had an initial print run of 10,000 copies, and the second print run is already in the approval process." Zhang Yong lowered his voice, his attitude very sincere. "Director Tao personally said that Zhang Wengong is one of their key support targets."

"No matter what, we have to give it a try."

Fang Qiming took a breath and slowly stood up.

"Good lad, so you've planned everything out. I'll go back today and report to the head of the Mechanical Engineering Department. You shouldn't just sit around either; go back and find Professor Zhao and have him contact the school's Youth League Committee through the Chinese Literature Department."

Fang Qiming patted Qian Zhiyuan on the shoulder.

"You're in charge of standardizing the procedures for boiler modification. Since we're taking on batch jobs, we can't do it one machine at a time; we need procedures and standards. Besides, we don't have enough people, so we'll definitely need to hire construction workers and external support."

Qian Zhiyuan straightened up.

"clear."

"Wang Guanghui." Fang Qiming then turned to the student from the Electrical Engineering Department.

"arrive."

"You'll take the lead on the electrical control part. If the temperature control systems of the twelve factories need to be upgraded, you'll come up with the solutions. I'll discuss it with your mentor and we'll work on it together."

Wang Guanghui opened his eyes wide and nodded vigorously.

The group got right to work, pulling out printing paper from the room and starting to discuss and divide the tasks on the table.

Meng Qingshan stood aside watching the group of young people, then walked over to Zhang Yong and spoke in a low voice.

"Zhang Yong, what you've done is no longer just about modifying a single furnace."

"I know," Zhang Yong said, looking at the bustling crowd. "That's why it needs to be formalized. A 'street-smart' approach might get you one or two jobs, but twelve will lead to trouble."

"Then—you modify the remaining three machines for me first. I need to expand production quickly so the other companies can't catch up. How about we calculate it at two thousand per machine?"

"You really don't need that many. You only replaced four nozzles and one hose, and it was all through a referral from an acquaintance—"

"Sigh, I do want to save money. Didn't you hear Section Chief Liu just reveal all my budget? If I'm still stingy, what kind of person would I be?" Meng Qingshan shook his head, thinking of his father Meng Dehou's dark face earlier.

"Anyway, the money can be earned back. Look at the look on my dad's face. When we get back, that Section Chief Liu will be sent to work as a boiler operator."

three days later.

In the Chinese Department's teaching and research office, Zhao Huaijin had two documents spread out on the table.

One document is an official approval from the school's Youth League Committee, stamped with the committee's seal: "Approval is granted to establish the 'Kyoto University Industrial Society Technical Service Center' under the Youth Industrial Literature Society as a pilot project for school-level industry-university-research social practice, to be implemented on a trial basis for one year."

The other document was a letter from the Department of Social Education of the Ministry of Education, stamped with Tao Weihe's personal seal and the department's official seal.

The letter was brief: Support the Beijing University Youth Industrial Literature Society in carrying out technical service practice activities, and include it in 1990.

Annual List of Pilot Projects for Industry-University-Research Collaboration in the Department of Social Education

Zhao Huaijin pushed the two documents in front of Zhang Yong.

"Director Tao's reply arrived yesterday afternoon. It's true that having connections in high places makes things easier for us. It was really fast."

He took off his reading glasses and slowly wiped them with a glasses cloth. "I've taught for twenty years, and this is the first time I've seen the Ministry of Education support a student society..."

The group sent a separate letter.

Zhang Yong picked up the letter, read it through, and smiled. He knew the weight of this letter.

"This is only because of you; you're the club's advisor."

Zhao Huaijin's lips curled up slightly before he withdrew them. This was not untrue; as a professor at Peking University, he still commanded respect within the academic circle.

With these two documents, the "Kyoto University Industrial Technology Service Center" was no longer a makeshift organization, but a legitimate entity with the dual endorsement of the Ministry of Education and the university's Youth League Committee.

Signing contracts, receiving payments, and issuing technical service certificates—everything goes smoothly.

"Teacher Zhao, there's one more thing." Zhang Yong put the letter back on the table.

"Last week, editor Tan Xingguo mentioned to me that a reporter from the All-China Federation of Trade Unions wanted to interview Zhang Wengong. I haven't agreed yet."

Zhao Huaijin raised his head.

"But the situation is different now," Zhang Yong said. "Once the renovation projects of the twelve factories are rolled out and successful, there will be even more work to be done. Relying solely on Zhao Fucai's connections to attract clients is too slow, and he also takes a cut."

Zhao Huaijin stared at him for several seconds.

"You want to use public opinion to your advantage."

"right."

Zhao Huaijin pondered for a moment, then pulled a business card from the drawer.

"The reporter from the All-China Federation of Trade Unions isn't high-level enough." He handed over his business card. "This person is Wang Lixin, the editor-in-chief of the Education, Science, Culture and Health section of the Beijing Daily. I've been writing commissioned articles for them for a long time since last year, so we know each other."

Zhang Yong accepted the business card. (Wang Lixin, *Beijing Daily*)

Beijing Daily.

In 1990, the Beijing Daily had a daily circulation of 400,000 copies, covering government agencies, public institutions, and state-owned enterprises throughout Beijing. Its influence was unmatched by ordinary small publications.

"You sit down first, I'll make a call to him." Zhao Huaijin picked up the receiver.

It rang three times, then the call connected.

"Old Wang? This is Zhao Huaijin. Hmm—I have a topic I'm sure you'll be interested in. I have a young guy here, a continuing education graduate, who upgraded the boiler at the Tongxian Coal Mine, saving 800 tons of coal a year. Now twelve factories in Tongxian are lining up to have him upgrade their boilers."

The voice on the other end of the phone was a little louder.

"Wow, Professor Zhao, who's so amazing?"

"Zhang Wengong, haven't you read his popular science articles?"

"And it's Fang Qiming's team, so I guarantee you'll come here smiling and leave smiling. Want to do an interview? I'll arrange it for you."

"The sooner the better, tomorrow afternoon?"

Zhao Huaijin glanced at Zhang Yong. Zhang Yong nodded.

"Okay. Tomorrow at 2 PM, Kyoto University Engineering Building."

The next afternoon.

A space was temporarily cleared out in the underground laboratory of the engineering building.

Qian Zhiyuan moved all the parts and blueprints on the workbench to a corner, and several students mopped the floor twice.

The girl surnamed Lin brought a checkered cloth from her dormitory and tidied up the table in a neat and orderly manner, even placing a small vase on it, making it look like a dining table.

Qian Zhiyuan was a little nervous: "Wang Guanghui, do you think my appearance is acceptable?"

Wang Guanghui laughed: "You're better than me. You can talk about procurement, and I'll talk about electricity. We'll encourage each other."

Fang Qiming stood at the door, shaking his head repeatedly, and began to criticize Zhang Yong.

"Hey! We're taking pictures later. I have a new outfit. Hurry up and change into it!"

Zhang Yong looked down at his work clothes. They were covered in oil stains, rust, and black specks from welding spatter, making him look like a seasoned craftsman.

Before he could even refuse, Fang Qiming threw the white shirt at him, and he had no choice but to quickly change into it.

At exactly 2:00 PM, Zhao Huaijin led Wang Lixin and a young reporter carrying a Seagull camera into the room.

Wang Lixin, in his early forties, with a square face and black-rimmed glasses, looked at the lathe and boiler blueprints covering the walls with curiosity as soon as he entered the room.

"Professor Zhao, Professor Fang, this is my first time entering the basement of Peking University!"

"Your place is truly a treasure trove."

His gaze fell on Zhang Yong, who was wearing a white shirt, and Wang Lixin was taken aback.

"This is—Zhang Yong? He's too young."

Zhao Huaijin introduced with a smile: "Don't judge a book by its cover. This is my prized student, Zhang Yong, the author of 'The Ingenuity of a Great Nation', also known as Zhang Wengong, a special author for the Ministry of Education's popular science series."

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