Back to the 80s Machinery Factory

Chapter 565 The Steel Was Hijacked
Although the application documents have not yet been approved.
However, Chen Luyang, along with Director Lu, Zhang Guoqiang, and others, gritted their teeth and worked together to clear out a tiny space in the repair shop to build the frame.

In the past few days, Zhang Diancai has been spending all his free time at the repair shop.

Although the repair shop had a sign that read "Off-campus Experimental Site of the Department of Mechanics," it was still ultimately a car repair shop.

There were neither proper experimental platforms nor complete laboratory facilities.

Normally, Lin Qiming, Zhang Nan, and a few other students take turns keeping watch, doing basic work such as recording data and organizing samples.

Zhang Diancai is practically never seen.

But this time it's different.

Although a simple framework was built, as long as the parameters were set properly, even with rudimentary conditions, a batch of initial key data could be obtained.

Therefore, he had to make a personal trip to oversee the construction and calibrate the key parameters on the blueprints bit by bit.

Suddenly, the already small repair shop seemed unusually crowded.

The narrow passageway was crammed together with people hauling materials, moving equipment, and repairing vehicles, creating a chaotic mix of noises that seemed to threaten to burst the entire yard.

Even so, the repair shop workers continued to work diligently and silently, without uttering a single complaint.

When someone shouts "Make way," everyone automatically steps aside to make way, and then goes back to doing their own thing in the blink of an eye.

It goes without saying that Chen Luyang felt sorry for her own workers.

Even Zhang Diancai felt a little guilty.

Just as Zhang Diancai finished setting the dimensions for the frame construction, he glanced back and saw Zhang Guoqiang and Zuo Zhuo busy working around a car.

The carburetor on this car is malfunctioning. The original plan was to use a special bracket to secure the engine compartment so that I could free my hands to adjust the fuel line.

However, in order to make room for setting up the frame, all the cranes and supports that were originally used to support the car in the repair shop were moved to a corner. They could only find a few iron bars and wooden wedges to support the front of the car at an angle.

The two of them bent over and reached into the carburetor to adjust it, while also having to reach out to hold it for support from time to time. Their arms ached from the twisting, and sweat dripped down their chins.

Zhang Diancai observed the support frame from the side for a while, first squatting down to carefully measure its height and angle, then taking out his pen and drawing a few lines on a piece of paper. He then went over to Zhang Guoqiang and said:

"Master, the support frame is misaligned, causing uneven stress, which is why the car body shakes violently with the slightest movement."

Zhang Diancai squatted down, looked up at the two people under the car and said, "You two come out first, I'll readjust the support points."

Zhang Guoqiang and Zuo Zhuo were stunned for a moment.

This teacher, Mr. Zhang, rarely interacts with the workers; at most, he comes over to look at the data and offer a few academic opinions.

But today he actually offered to help them adjust their support?

This surprised the two of them a bit.

However, trusting the Peking University professors, they quickly stopped and crawled out from under the front of the car.

Zhang Guoqiang casually wiped his trouser leg with a rag and said with a smile, "Teacher Zhang, then I'll trouble you."

"It should, it should."

Zhang Diancai replied politely, rolled up his sleeves, and squatted down by the front of the car.

He first moved the original iron bar to the side, found a new angle, and then called over two students to bring angle iron and thick steel plates.

The students worked quickly and soon carried the items back.

Zhang Diancai first carefully placed the thick steel plate under the stress point, and then had the students adjust the angle iron and insert it into the appropriate position.

Then he picked up the hammer and pounded it a few times to make it solid, and finally squatted down and shook the front of the car repeatedly.

"This should be safe now."

Zhang Diancai waved to Zhang Guoqiang and Zuo Zhuo and said with a smile, "Go in and try again, see if it's easy to exert force."

When Zhang Guoqiang and Zuo Zhuo returned, they took a look.

Sure enough, the car's front end, which had been wobbling, was now completely still, firmly gripping the ground.

The two tried crawling back under the front of the car to tighten the screws, and when they stretched out their arms, it was much easier.

Zhang Guoqiang said gratefully, "Thank you so much, Teacher Zhang. If it weren't for your help, we would have had to hold on here for half a day."

Zhang Diancai's tone revealed a hint of apology: "I should be thanking you. The repair shop is not spacious to begin with, and you had to make room to set up equipment, which delayed your work."

Zhang Guoqiang quickly waved his hand and interrupted with a smile: "Teacher, please don't say that. It's a good thing if it can help with the research project."

"Besides, this is Director Chen's idea. If he says we need to squeeze in space, we'll squeeze in; if he says we need to change the location, we'll change it. We'll do whatever he arranges!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Diancai raised an eyebrow!
In his memory, the workers were mostly stubborn, skilled, and unyielding, and they wouldn't necessarily listen to anyone.

But right now, they are completely obedient to a young man in his early twenties, and even have a genuine sense of dependence on him. This is no easy feat!
Zhang Diancai couldn't help but exclaim, "You guys really trust Chen Luyang!"

Director Lu, who was standing next to him, chuckled and chimed in, "Of course."

"It's always been Director Chen who's leading us forward. Without his support, the repair shop wouldn't have gotten to where it is today..."

"Yes!" Tan Songren couldn't help but chime in from the side.
"The machine tools, workstations, and warehouses in this repair shop were all built up bit by bit by Director Chen. No matter how difficult the situation, he can always find a way to step up."

"With him around, we feel much more at ease..."

At this moment, Chen Luyang, who was being praised by the workers, was holed up backstage in the auditorium, helping to prepare for the "March 8th Women's Day" event.

Although they said they were helping out, Shen Fei, Ma Tieli, and Xiao Zhongwen actually did most of the work.

Chen Luyang played the role of "invisible knight" beautifully this time.

During the day, he would make a token appearance, and during the evening rehearsals, he would mingle behind the scenes, moving a stool, handing over a prop, and helping people pull electrical wires.

No need to use your brain, and no need to bear any pressure.

Most importantly, this International Women's Day, he finally didn't have to bite the bullet and go on stage to talk about family planning to a room full of women!
In short, it's beautiful!
It's so beautiful!!!

The most wonderful thing was the approval from the Municipal Economic Commission – finally!
Approved! Released!
The approval document was issued to the school, and then forwarded to Chen Luyang by the department.

Having just received the approval document, Chen Luyang, disregarding her upcoming class, hurriedly rushed to the reception room, grabbed the telephone, and shook it a few times.

As soon as the microphone was answered, Chen Luyang said urgently:

“My name is Chen Luyang. The approval from the Municipal Economic Commission has been granted! The document is with me.”

"Have Li He, Jiao Long, and Hong Jun hurry up and drive their small truck to Peking University to pick up the photocopies!"

"After that, go straight to the warehouse and bring back the batch of steel that's owed to us!"

"understand!"

The phone slammed down!
Before long, the small truck arrived at the gate of Peking University.

That's why having a car is so great!
Go wherever you want, do whatever you want!

Chen Luyang timed it perfectly and waited at the school gate early.

When he saw three small trucks lined up in a row at the school gate, he was stunned.

Did you copy and paste?
How did so many cars suddenly appear?
Li He jumped off the small truck.

"Uncle Lu was worried that one car wouldn't be enough, so he pleaded with the mechanics to let him borrow their car for a while, and promised to refill the gas tank when he ran out."

Chen Luyang chuckled, "Alright, alright, that's a lot of steel. One truckload is definitely not enough. Be careful on the road, and call me back once you've got the goods!"

"Don't worry, Brother Chen!"

Li He carefully selected the warehouse address, then stuffed the documents into his bag, stepped on the gas, and sped off...

The material collection point is the municipal material warehouse in the west of the city. This place is usually the central point for various factories and units to collect steel, coal, and electromechanical parts.

...The courtyard wasn't big, but it was very crowded.

Trucks and cars lined up at the gate, and the yard was piled high with steel ready to be shipped. Stacks of angle iron and steel plates stood like small mountains on the cement ground.

Li He and his team parked their small truck at the entrance, and after finally getting their permits checked and completing the registration, they shouted their way through the crowd.

After finally handing over the approval document, the warehouse clerk glanced down at it and frowned:
"Oh dear, you're late."

"What? We just got the documents and came right away, why are you late?"

Jiao Long's eyes widened on the spot.

"Your materials are on the books, but the actual goods... were already sent out this morning."

The warehouse clerk scratched his head, looking somewhat embarrassed.

“A factory came with a note saying they urgently needed the money, saying it was to ensure the success of a key project, so we had no choice but to issue it to them first.”

Upon hearing this, Sun Hongjun became anxious.

Why should it be given to others first?

"We have official approval from the Municipal Economic Commission! It's written in black and white that it's allocated to the repair shop. You just give it to someone else like that?!"

Seeing Sun Hongjun's fiery attitude, the warehouse manager's tone also hardened:

“Your permits are correct, but this warehouse only has so little stock! First come, first served. This factory is a key project that city leaders specifically requested to protect. Do you think I can stop them?!”

Jiao Long was so angry he was about to curse.

"Why couldn't you stop it? Do you think these approvals are a joke?!"

The warehouse clerk's face immediately darkened, and he threw the approval document back, his eyes flashing with a fierce look:
"Stop yelling!"

"I'm in charge of this warehouse. If the goods are gone, they're gone."

"If you're really capable, take the approval document and sue the Economic Commission. Don't waste your breath here!"

What the fuck...

Sun Hongjun got angry and was about to roll up his sleeves and start a fight when Li He grabbed him.

Although Li He's face was flushed red and he was also angry, he suppressed his voice, put on a smiling face, and said carefully:
"Brother, we came here under orders. We drove three cars on this trip, and it would be difficult to go back empty-handed."

"Could you spare us some scraps or offcuts? At least we can go back and give the factory something to show for it."

The warehouse clerk, who had been stern-faced, softened his expression when he saw how low the price was.

"We do have some scraps. If you want to take some, go to the corner of the warehouse over there and pick them yourself."

The warehouse manager pointed, his tone still icy.

"Hurry up, don't delay the other units that need to pick up materials later."

As soon as he finished speaking, he waved his hand dismissively, as if shooing them away, and ignored them completely.

Li He, Jiao Long, and Sun Hongjun exchanged glances, feeling a tightness in their chests.

But even with the approval document in hand, there was absolutely nothing they could do.

"Let's go."

Li He gritted his teeth and led the way towards Kujiao.

There were several bundles of crooked steel lying haphazardly at the corner of the warehouse.

Some were rusty, and some had uneven cuts; they were clearly leftover scraps.

When Li He saw this, his heart skipped a beat.

He originally thought that even if he couldn't get all the materials approved, he could still get a few decent pieces to tide him over. Who would have thought that he would actually be driven to this pile of waste.

Jiao Long's face was ashen, his teeth were clenched so tightly they were grinding, and his eyes were filled with resentment.

"This thing... it's better not to poop at all!"

He muttered a curse under his breath, but still reached out his hand.

Even if it's scrap, with a little effort you can still find two usable ones.

As the group of people bent down to lift the materials onto the truck, they watched as bundles of good steel were being hoisted onto another warehouse by a truck belonging to another company.

The scene left several people feeling as if a stone was lodged in their hearts.

Sun Hongjun spat fiercely and cursed in a low voice:
"Damn it, isn't this blatant robbery?!"

Li He's face turned red as he struggled to lift a barely usable piece of steel onto the truck, his voice muffled:
"Bear with it, we'll talk about it when we get back."

……

After exhausting themselves sorting through the scraps, Li He and his two companions, barely containing their anger, drove out of the warehouse.
Before the car even got back to the repair shop,

Passing by the post office at the street corner, Li He jumped out of the car and ran inside to register with the female telephone operator on duty:
"Comrade, could you please answer the phone at Peking University for me?"

After the operator dialed rapidly, connecting to the Peking University switchboard and then transferring to the Department of Economics, the call finally reached Chen Luyang.

"Brother Chen, the steel has been intercepted."

"What?"

Chen Luyang's voice sounded a little dazed through the microphone.

Li He quickly recounted the events.

Upon hearing this, Chen Luyang felt a surge of anger.

The license was in my hands, with the repair shop's name clearly written on it, but it just disappeared without a trace.
Isn't this just making a fool of people?

Despite the controversy, Chen Luyang was also aware of the situation.

For major factories, key projects are considered "iron missions."

The Economic Commission made a last-minute call for names, and even if Liang Zhongwei himself stepped forward, he had to make way for them.

Forcing it won't work.

"so,"

Chen Luyang took a deep breath, suppressing her anger and steadying her voice.
"Take the materials back first, use whatever you can. Brothers, you've worked hard, this isn't your fault."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone before Li He responded in a muffled voice:

"clear."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Luyang put down the receiver, his face frighteningly gloomy.

The mailroom manager glanced at him, and he simply waved his hand as a greeting.

The next morning, Chen Luyang rushed to the Municipal Economic Commission.

The once quiet and orderly corridor is now filled with noise.

Before even reaching the office door, Chen Luyang could hear a constant commotion inside.

"Director Liang! Our factory is responsible for supplying military products. If we lose this batch of steel, production will have to stop completely. What are we supposed to do then?!"

"You all call it a military factory, but does that mean our civilian product factory doesn't need to survive? You can't just ignore the tasks assigned by our superiors?!"

(End of this chapter)