Scholars in the courtyard.

Chapter 3093 Electric Furnace Steelmaking is the Core of the Future
In the blink of an eye, it's March.

As the weather warms up and spring blossoms, the nine steel plants in Beijing are also thriving!
Thick smoke billowed from the towering blast furnaces, while steelworkers around them, sleeves rolled up, shouted and busied themselves, as if they had inexhaustible energy.

In the northwest corner of the steel plant, there is a new workshop that began construction before the Lunar New Year.

After more than half a year of construction, it is now completely completed and is undergoing final testing.

At the workshop entrance.

Guan Zhiyong squatted in a corner, a cigarette in one hand and an enamel mug in the other, his gaze fixed on the electric furnace in the new workshop with a solemn expression.

Not long ago, the office director, Lao Hong, called me personally to say that steel production would be increased and that we should be prepared.

At first, he thought it was just a normal increase.

After all, it has to be a little more each year than the last. This has been the rule of the Ninth Department since the time of the Red Star Machinery Factory.

If this year's output is not as good as last year's, doesn't that mean there's no progress?

Does this mean that the pace of revolutionary construction has stagnated?

This can easily raise doubts about one's work ability.

But after inquiring further, I learned that this wasn't just a small improvement; it was at least a 10% increase.

He calculated that, based on the current steel production, even a 10% increase would require an increase of over one million tons in production this year!
This is an extra bonus!

Given the current supply situation in converters and local areas, increasing it by 10% is not just a little difficult, it's extremely difficult.

First, the converter needs to be more efficient than before, and the workers' working hours need to be extended.

But given the current situation, can the workers work even longer hours?
When Yang Xiaotao came last time, he specifically mentioned that we should ensure the workers' rest time and pay attention to their physical health.

Over the years, Guan Zhiyong has grown up step by step following Yang Xiaotao. He may not know Yang Xiaotao's personality inside and out, but he has figured out what Yang Xiaotao should and shouldn't do.

Especially what Yang Xiaotao mentioned, it may just be an ordinary remark, but if you don't take it seriously, you'll be in for a lot of trouble if something really happens.

Therefore, worker safety, machine safety, and safety are of paramount importance.

Guan Zhiyong wouldn't dare take the risk.

Secondly, the raw material supply chain below is already saturated.

Even if another converter workshop is built, the supply chain cannot be immediately established.

Therefore, to significantly increase steel production, it is necessary to take care of all the links in the chain, which is not a simple matter of just saying a few words and making a decision.

Under these circumstances, the electric furnace in front of us may be the only way to complete the mission!
To be honest, he didn't have a deep impression of this electric arc furnace steelmaking.

However, An Zhongsheng had boasted to General Manager Yang that electric arc furnace steelmaking was the core of the future and a necessary experience for the future.

At the time, I didn't know what Mr. Yang was thinking, but he agreed in one go.

They also made this project a key project for the steel plant.

Looking back now, I'm so glad this project happened.

Otherwise, it's hard to say.

"Factory manager, is Director An's method really feasible?"

The workshop director was an old man who had worked in the steel industry his whole life and had never thought of using electricity to make steel.

The others around him nodded in agreement, though they looked on with skepticism.

Guan Zhiyong listened but did not respond. He just glanced at the workshop director who had spoken and said, "Old Li, I told you to read the newspaper and listen to the radio more often when you have nothing to do, but you don't listen."

"And you guys, I told you to read more books, study more, and improve, understand?"

The people next to them immediately shrank back, and when they were asked to work, they stopped complaining about being tired all day long.

But if you ask them to read or study, they'll fall asleep after only a few glances.

It feels like those words and phrases are incompatible.

"Factory manager, don't talk about us. You yourself were also scolded like a grandson by General Manager Yang!"

It was the same old Li who had spoken earlier, but this time he didn't treat Guan Zhiyong as some kind of factory director.

Guan Zhiyong took a deep breath, then deflated again.

He also gets a headache from reading.

But now steel mills are getting bigger and bigger, with more and more requirements and stricter quality control checks.

Continuing with the old, extensive management style will not keep up with the trend of development.

Old Guan still wants to work with General Manager Yang for many more years so he can see even greater things to come.

Therefore, learning is imperative.

Thinking about this, Guan Zhiyong felt it necessary to let these old guys in front of him know that his hard work had not been in vain.

"Hmph, that was before!"

Guan Zhiyong threw his cigarette butt on the ground, then stood up and looked at the group, saying seriously, "I used to be a roughneck, but I was a tough guy!"

"But later on, we did whatever General Manager Yang said!"

"If Mr. Yang tells us to read books, then we absolutely have to read them!"

"You know what, reading really does come in handy!"

Guan Zhiyong gave a thumbs-up gesture, then pointed to the workshop inside and asked, "Do you know what an electric furnace is?"

Several people were stunned.

Do you know the principle behind it?

The group immediately shook their heads.

"Do you know why we were able to finish it so quickly?"

Old Li immediately spoke up, "Because General Manager Yang approved it, Director An is capable!"

Guan Zhiyong raised an eyebrow. "So, you're useless, huh?"

After glancing at Old Li, Guan Zhiyong felt he should be magnanimous. As the book says, a prime minister's belly can hold a boat, and one shouldn't take these old fogies too seriously.

"That's right, this is all thanks to General Manager Yang's instructions and Director An's efforts..."

"Of course, the most important reason is that we already have this technology in China!"

After Guan Zhiyong finished speaking, the crowd was still somewhat skeptical. Old Li exclaimed in surprise, "What? There were even earlier than us?"

"Why didn't I know?"

Guan Zhiyong rolled his eyes. "What would someone like you, who never leaves the house, know?"

"I told you to read more newspapers and books, but forget it, it's pointless!"

Guan Zhiyong, too lazy to lecture, went straight to the point, "This kind of electric arc furnace steelmaking existed back in Northeast China. Back then, the Alliance's big brother helped build it, but..."

At this point, everyone understood what was going on.

Old Li sighed, "Back then, our two families had a really good relationship."

"I just don't understand, if these two brothers team up, who would dare to bully us?"

"The sky, the earth, the rivers, lakes, and seas can all be dyed red!"

"How did it end up like this?"

The elderly people around Lao Li had all lived through that era, that pure and selfless alliance, and were grateful from the bottom of their hearts.

Guan Zhiyong has also been through similar experiences, but now he has a broader perspective and can see through the essence of some things.

In addition, spending time with people like Yang Xiaotao and Yang Youning on a regular basis has broadened his horizons.

All I can say is that the league's leader managed things well, but after he left, a good-for-nothing second-generation scoundrel came in and started causing trouble.

They clearly lack the courage and ability, yet they want to do this and manage that, and even dream of becoming the world's leader.

In the end, not only was the family fortune squandered, but the once happy family was also torn apart.

It just goes to show that the problem isn't that the second generation lacks ability, but that they want to show off.

To this day, the Alliance's strength has not only failed to improve, but has instead been gradually outpaced by the United States.

The moon landing is the best proof.

By the way, Mr. Yang gave that good-for-nothing second-generation rich kid a nickname: Corn Second Generation.

It means that besides growing corn, he's good for nothing else! But we also owe him a lot, otherwise Yangcun No. 1 wouldn't have sold for such a good price.

They won't make their first fortune either!

Guan Zhiyong, his mind returning to its previous state, ignored Old Li's感慨 and continued, "Later, our comrades overcame difficulties and successfully developed electric arc furnace steelmaking!"

"Great!"

"Pretty!"

"There's no steel that we steelworkers can't forge!"

A murmur of admiration immediately arose from the crowd, followed by Guan Zhiyong's cold laugh, "What's there to be happy about!"

Everyone was taken aback, and then Guan Zhiyong continued, "If this thing is so good, wouldn't you all know about it?"

The question made the group of people uneasy.

Should I know or not?
Just as everyone was at a loss, Guan Zhiyong sighed and then said, "Electric furnace steelmaking is good, but its only drawback is that it consumes a lot of electricity!"

"There are many factories in that remote part of Northeast China, and the electricity supply is already insufficient!"

"In the end, we discovered that electric arc furnace steelmaking was not as good as open-hearth furnace steelmaking, so we put it on hold!"

Everyone understands.

Electricity is a big problem.

"That explains why I've never heard of it."

Old Li patted his arm and said, "There's not enough electricity to begin with, who would use electricity to smelt steel!"

"That's right! It was only after May Day last year that we stopped having power shortages here. Otherwise, we would still be walking in the dark at night!"

"Go away, what's the difference between you and not going out in the dark? You're all in black, you can't be seen even with the lights on!"

"Hey, Old Li, you son of a bitch, you didn't even last a stick of incense with the light on."

"You son of a bitch, Old Wang, you're incredibly lucky to have found a wife..."

Seeing that the group was starting to argue, Guan Zhiyong quickly stopped them, saying, "You're all directors now, can't you set a good example?"

The group immediately shut up.

Guan Zhiyong was also feeling exhausted; these rough men were hard to manage.

However, she continued, "Of course, there's another reason!"

"Factory manager, what's the reason?"

Guan Zhiyong glanced at the electric furnace beside him and said softly, "Scrap steel!"

After he finished speaking, everyone fell silent!
Those were the years when the steel industry was being vigorously developed, and primitive steelmaking methods were all the rage.

The steel produced is the result of the workers' hard work.

Who dares to say it's bad?
Even if it's not good, it can still be useful.

As the saying goes, there are no nails that can't be used; if there are, it's just that the right spot hasn't been found.

Moreover, these are all achievements that local departments have included in their plans.

If they were suddenly told that the steel they produced was all scrap steel and couldn't be considered part of the mission.

They have to fight desperately, don't they?

Even now, some places still rely on rudimentary steelmaking methods to support industrial development.

"Hey, factory manager, now that we have electricity, what are we going to do with the scrap steel?"

Guan Zhiyong glanced at Lao Li, "What are you afraid of?"

"Since General Manager Yang has agreed, does anyone have any objections?"

"He really has a problem? Fine, let him come to our steel plant, and we'll have a good showdown!"

Guan Zhiyong stood tall and proud, looking fearless.

As soon as these words were spoken, someone jumped up and said, "Factory manager, you don't need to do anything, our workshop number one will take care of everything!"

"Go away, you're everywhere. This matter should be handled by our Workshop No. 3. We were the first converter workshop. What do you have to compare with us?"

"Old Li, you just need a beating..."

"Come on, who's afraid of whom?"

"Alright, stop making a scene!"

When Guan Zhiyong saw An Zhongsheng come out of the workshop, he quickly scolded him and then picked up the prepared jar and strode forward.

"Lao An!"

Guan Zhiyong handed the enamel mug to An Zhongsheng while shouting.

An Zhongsheng took the jar and drank the warm water inside in one gulp.

"How's it going?"

Guan Zhiyong asked eagerly, and a group of people behind him also gathered around to wait for news.

"No problem."

An Zhongsheng smiled and gave a precise answer.

"Really?"

Guan Zhiyong was still somewhat incredulous, but An Zhongsheng nodded again, "Don't worry, this time we are very grateful for the support from our comrades in the Northeast. They have thoroughly researched and mastered electric arc furnace steelmaking. As long as we follow the formula, we will be fine."

"I just showed the comrades around, and everything is normal. We're just waiting to turn on the power and get it running!"

"good good good good!"

Guan Zhiyong continued speaking, then clapped his hands vigorously.

The crowd behind him also applauded.

This made An Zhongsheng feel a little embarrassed, after all, it was someone else's research result, and he was just using it.

"Old An, this time you've really saved us from a dire situation!"

Guan Zhiyong pulled An Zhongsheng toward the office, saying as they walked, "You don't know, General Manager Yang has given us more tasks."

"This time, annual steel production must increase by at least 10%."

"If it weren't for this electric furnace, I reckon we wouldn't have been able to finish it at all."

"Old An, your older brother is counting on you this time!"

An Zhongsheng was overwhelmed by Guan Zhiyong's enthusiasm, but he also understood the other party's difficulties.

In the past two years, the development of the Ninth Department has been getting better and better, and the demand for steel has been increasing and becoming more stringent.

Some substandard steel will not be used at all.

The demand for those special steels has increased dramatically.

This places increasingly higher demands on steel mills.

"Don't worry, if this electric furnace project is completed, we'll have as much special steel as we need!"

An Zhongsheng said confidently, and Guan Zhiyong immediately laughed, "Of course! It's made with electricity, so it will definitely be better. Otherwise, the investment would be too huge!"

Upon hearing this, An Zhongsheng smiled and offered no further explanation.

After all, to laymen, using electricity to smelt steel seems a bit extravagant.

However, to those in the know, calculations show that electricity consumption is far less than that of coal or coke.

Moreover, it uses electricity from a nuclear power plant, which is cheaper than thermal power.

Later on, the molten steel from the electric furnace can even be transferred to the converter, saving time, conserving resources, and improving efficiency.

He thought that each workshop could be equipped with a small electric furnace, specifically for smelting steel, and then supplying oxygen to the top-blown converter.

However, all of this needs to be done step by step.

Moreover, all of this requires Mr. Yang's support!

There's no need to explain to the other party now.