The train driver in the courtyard

"Does the Bama Commune also need to drill wells? Then it's a good opportunity to test them a few more times."

Li Aiguo originally planned to return to the Qianmen Locomotive Depot in the afternoon, but when the Bama Commune came to him, he agreed without hesitation.

During a break, the wild car expert looked at the excited commune members and whispered, "Patriotism, since we're using machines to drill wells, it's easy and fast. Why don't we take over this whole area and drill a hundred wells for the villagers?"

"This requires planning from above," Li Aiguo said, neither agreeing nor refusing.

Upon hearing this, the wild car experts immediately realized their oversight. Water conservancy construction was the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture, and their rash intervention was suspected of overstepping their bounds.

Because he was too concerned about his reputation and thus remained inactive, some uninformed car experts felt that Li Aiguo had become much like a seasoned bureaucrat.

Li Aiguo didn't offer much explanation; he simply sat inside the truck, seemingly writing something.

As evening approached, the agricultural technicians prepared to return to Beijing.

Li Aiguo handed over the documents: "These are some materials for the vehicle-mounted well drilling machine. We've just sown the seeds, and the villagers don't have any other work to do, so it's the perfect time to drill wells."

The agricultural technician, upon receiving the materials, nodded knowingly and said, "Comrade Aiguo, don't worry, I will report to the higher-ups immediately and arrange for large-scale well drilling as soon as possible."

Seeing this, the wild car expert looked a little embarrassed and handed the chicken leg to Li Aiguo: "I was reckless."

"We must pay attention to our methods when doing our work. Acting rashly may lead to less effective results." Li Aiguo didn't stand on ceremony and took a bite of the chicken leg.

The pheasant legs were marinated, making the meat firmer and more delicious.

The agricultural technicians returned to Beijing and reported on the status of the air-mounted well drilling rig that very evening.

"I heard that this patriotic comrade was going to manufacture motorcycles to compete with foreign countries, but I never expected that he would create a well-drilling machine."

This is great! It's more meaningful than motorcycles. One vehicle-mounted well-drilling machine can drill dozens of wells a day. If every commune drills wells, production will definitely increase next year.

The leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture nodded approvingly after seeing the information.

"I think we should drill wells on a large scale in the surrounding communes." The technician gave a detailed report on the situation in the communes.

"Was it Comrade Aiguo who suggested this?" The leader looked up at the technician.

The technician nodded: "That's right."

"He is a good comrade who loves his country, cares about agricultural production, and stands with the commune members." The leader picked up the materials and flipped through them for a while: "Now is indeed a good time. The airborne well drilling rig was developed by the Ministry of Railways. According to the organizational procedures, it needs the approval of the Ministry of Railways."

Subsequently, leaders from the Ministry of Agriculture contacted the railway authorities.

Request to deploy the vehicle-mounted drilling rig from the Qianmen Locomotive Depot to carry out well drilling operations in several communes in Beijing.

Since it concerned agricultural production tasks, the railway authorities naturally agreed without hesitation.

The Ministry of Agriculture leadership then organized personnel to plan overnight, allocate manpower and resources, and arrange well-drilling work.

Early the next morning, agricultural technicians arrived at Weizhuang Commune by car.

The Ministry of Agriculture contacted local agricultural bureaus and provided them with detailed well planning maps, dozens of barrels of diesel fuel for rotating workers, and even dry rations and insect repellent.

The Qianmen Locomotive Depot also received a notification from the Ministry and arranged for a group of mechanics to come over with repair tools and spare parts.

Zhou Ke also brought several red flags with the words "Qianmen Locomotive Depot Agricultural Support Team" written on them in large yellow characters.

Looking at the procession with its flags and the supply trucks, the wild car expert finally understood Li Aiguo's true intentions.

An army marches on its stomach; supplies must be prepared before it moves out. This is the guarantee of success.

This is not just a matter of following procedures; more importantly, it involves the logistical support needed for large-scale well drilling.

In those days, urban work units and factories still valued supporting the communes. Every harvest season, each work unit would send people to the countryside to help with the work.

The Qianmen Locomotive Depot's assistance in drilling the well is a significant contribution.

Red flags hung on the front of the machine-mounted drilling rig as it sped along the rugged road toward each drilling site, instantly enlivening the atmosphere.

The drilling operation covered a large area around Beijing, with a total of more than 500 wells drilled.

Thanks to thorough preparation, the drilling rig can operate 24/7, requiring only personnel changes without changing the machine. Although it's physically demanding, the process is very fast.

"It seems we should give Patriotic comrades another good commendation this time." After receiving the good news from the Ministry of Agriculture, Teng, the leader of the Ministry of Railways, nodded excitedly.

"Sir, the Ministry of Agriculture is preparing to purchase a large number of airborne well drilling rigs for use in water conservancy construction projects across the country," the assistant relayed the Ministry of Agriculture's idea.

Upon hearing this, Leader Teng smiled wryly and said, "Comrade Aiguo has created another hot commodity."

"What? Besides the Ministry of Agriculture, are other departments under our machinery depot also eyeing drilling rigs?" a leader asked in surprise.

Leader Teng took a sip of tea: "I was just having a meeting in Haizi when Old Wang from the Northwest heard about the drilling rigs and asked to purchase several hundred and send them over as soon as possible."

"Boss, should we allow the Qianmen Locomotive Depot to start large-scale production?" the assistant suggested.

"This is the only way. We still need to plan which department to prioritize supplying." Leader Teng was both happy and worried.

Both the Ministry of Agriculture and the Northwest region are in a hurry to get it, especially since Old Wang has a bad temper and might slam his fist on the table and glare at you.

Now, the whole country is making overall plans, which is a unified whole.

With a shortage of vehicle-mounted drilling rigs, the Qianmen Locomotive Depot decided to focus all its efforts on manufacturing drilling equipment. Several of its subordinate third-line factories also suspended their current work and devoted manpower and equipment to the project.

BAIC's factory produced a batch of customized trucks specifically for drilling rigs, which are better than the old GAZ trucks.

After returning to the Qianmen Locomotive Depot, Li Aiguo drilled a well in the rescue team's yard, installed a water pump, and was able to directly supply water to the fire trucks.

The rescue team now has three fire trucks as standard equipment and often helps put out fires in the area. The young men all gathered around to help.

"Sigh, what a mess this is. They're urging us again from the Northwest!" Section Chief Xing arrived at the rescue team, his brow furrowed with worry.

Li Aiguo was also powerless. Production of twin-cylinder motorcycles had been suspended, and all resources were being devoted to producing well drilling machines. More than 2,000 workers were involved in production, making it a medium-sized factory.

It is impossible for the Qianmen Locomotive Depot to increase manpower in the short term.

"Have all the third-line factories in the section been mobilized?" Li Aiguo offered a cigarette to Section Chief Xing.

"Most of the factories under our Qianmen Locomotive Depot are popsicle factories or similar businesses, and they lack the necessary equipment. The bureau would like to get Datong Locomotive Factory to cooperate, but they also have export orders for steam engines."

What about the Changxindian Locomotive Factory?

"Their main task is to produce wagons for steam engines, and there is still a batch of orders from Xiao Yijia that have not been shipped over."

"The production staff here for the tunnel boring machines can't move, and the instant noodle factory and the umbrella factory can't stop production either. It's estimated that it will be difficult to complete the task in a short time with just our manpower. Not to mention anything else, just look at the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps in the Northwest. They ordered two hundred machines this time. We've been working for several months, and it's still not enough for the Northwest to pick up the goods in one go."

"The local factories are quite relaxed, and the parts from the steel rolling mill are always delivered on time."

Hearing this, Li Aiguo smoked a cigarette, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "How about we find someone to do it for us?"

"OEM?" Section Chief Xing had never heard this term before. He looked at Li Aiguo and asked, "What does OEM mean?"

"We send out all the parts drawings and ask local factories to help with the manufacturing."

"Can the quality be guaranteed?" Section Chief Xing was amazed by Li Aiguo's thought process, but also somewhat worried.

Local factories are notoriously inconsistent in their quality, resulting in a polarization in product quality.

Products from reputable factories can be passed down for generations, while some poorly managed factories have very low pass rates.

Especially in those days when the state purchased and distributed goods were in short supply, even if inferior parts were received, people had no choice but to accept it.

“We can train a group of quality inspectors to go to the contract factory and oversee the process, and then establish a complete quality inspection process. In fact, compared with manufacturing parts, contract manufacturing only adds the assembly step.”

The technical level required for drilling rigs is not high.

These experienced motorcycle mechanics are wasting their talent by assembling drill rods instead of building motorcycles.

"That's something we can try." Section Chief Xing had never heard of this kind of operation before, and he didn't dare to make any guarantees.

"I'll report to the ministry!"

After Section Chief Xing left, the wells here were also completed.

Li Aiguo returned to the workshop, where the first batch of ten vehicle-mounted drilling rigs would be completed in a few days.

"Master, should we notify the other party to come and pick up the goods?" Chen Baiya had just returned from the production workshop, her body covered in machine oil stains.

Li Aiguo pulled a list out of his drawer and contacted the 22nd Army Corps.

They are stationed at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains, where they have just built Shihezi, the first city built by the military reclamation team, and are currently carrying out large-scale land reclamation.

Staff Officer Chen of the 22nd Army Corps was particularly pleased to learn that the vehicle-mounted well drilling machine had been completed and said he would come immediately to complete the handover procedures.

At this time, Section Chief Xing had already reported Li Aiguo's idea of ​​subcontracting to the department.

"Comrade Patriot has some good ideas."

“I think it’s a good idea. It can meet production needs, provide some work for local factories, and also build closer relationships. It’s a win-win-win situation.”

"But the choice of this contract manufacturer must be made with caution."

Leader Teng made the final decision: "Contact the Ministry of Machine Building and select one from the heavy machinery factories in Beijing."

The Ministry of Railways contacted the Ministry of Machine Building, which was very proactive, given that the railway authorities, as the leading authority, were generous.

Soon, major heavy machinery factories in Beijing learned of the contract manufacturing plan.

Those factory leaders are quick-witted.

The steel rolling mill only helped the Qianmen locomotive depot manufacture some small parts, and the workers in the factory were able to eat white flour steamed buns.

If I really get the acting worker qualification this time, wouldn't I be able to eat meat to my heart's content?

Immediately, all the factory leaders came to the ministry and submitted their applications.

Deputy Director Li of the steel rolling mill was the most proactive, as they had a good relationship with the Qianmen Locomotive Depot and were therefore in a favorable position.

However, Deputy Factory Director Li also knew that the final decision rested with the Qianmen Locomotive Depot.

"Comrade Liu Haizhong, I heard that Comrade Li Aiguo of the Qianmen Locomotive Depot has upgraded the drilling rig to a vehicle-mounted drilling rig?" During working hours, Deputy Factory Director Li called Liu Haizhong into his office.

"I've heard about it. They say they can drill more than a dozen wells a day." Liu Haizhong didn't understand Deputy Factory Director Li's intention.

"Ahem, what are the requirements for assembling a truck-mounted drilling rig? Do the workers need training? What equipment is needed? As the deputy team leader, you can't just bury yourself in your work; you should learn more and understand more."

Upon hearing this, Liu Haizhong understood what Deputy Factory Director Li meant and nodded repeatedly: "After I go back, I will definitely learn from Comrade Li Aiguo, find out the specific situation, and report to you."

"Your performance is becoming more and more proactive, and the factory has noticed this. Go and get back to work." Deputy Factory Director Li stood up to see Liu Haizhong out and offered him a cigarette.

As Liu Haizhong stepped out of the office, he clenched his fist excitedly: "If I get the temporary worker qualification, I might actually be able to work as a temporary worker and become the deputy director of the workshop by the end of the year."

(End of this chapter)