The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 137 You'll Be the Deputy Factory Director [Please Subscribe]

"Secretary and Factory Director, you're here too. What can I do for you two?"

After Zhou Zhiqiang knocked on the door and came in, he sat down in the chair next to Factory Director Zhao with a smile. It was obvious that this chair was prepared for him.

Factory Director Zhao shook his head and said, "I'm fine. It was Secretary Yan who wanted to talk to you. We've already finished discussing what we needed to discuss."

After saying that, Director Zhao looked at Secretary Yan and said, "Secretary, that matter is settled. Now you and Comrade Zhiqiang can talk."

I suspect the leader is looking for you guys because of his job transfer; our factory can't keep Comrade Zhiqiang anymore."

"Hmm? A job transfer?"

Secretary Yan was also taken aback when he heard this. This was the first time he had heard of such a thing, and it came from Director Zhao.

"What happened? Comrade Guangzheng, how did you know about this before I did?"

Upon hearing this, Director Zhao pointed to Zhou Zhiqiang and said, "Comrade Zhiqiang told me."

After noticing Secretary Yan's gaze, Zhou Zhiqiang quickly said, "I'm not sure either. This is what Deputy Leader Wu told me before I went to Shanghai."

After that, Deputy Leader Wu didn't return for several months, and I don't even know if he still remembers this incident.

Upon hearing that it was Deputy Leader Wu who spoke, Secretary Yan sighed and said, "Ah, you're a key figure in our factory. Without you, it feels like a car without a steering wheel."

Director Zhao, who was standing nearby, did not feel offended at all when he heard this.

Zhou Zhiqiang has indeed made great contributions to the development of Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory to this point. Whether it is developing new agricultural machinery equipment or proposing to participate in the Canton Fair, Zhou Zhiqiang has played a major role.

As the factory manager, he oversees production to ensure it runs smoothly.

Zhou Zhiqiang is like the steering wheel, controlling the direction of progress, while he, as the factory director, is like the engine.

Although the engine can still run even without a steering wheel, it is very likely to go in the wrong direction.

"Never mind, we'll find out when we get to the ministry. Let's go, Zhiqiang, I've already told the driver to wait for us downstairs."

As Secretary Yan stood up, he said, "However, I feel it's pretty much true. It just so happens that Deputy Leader Wu came to see us today, so it seems you're about to be promoted again."

"Secretary, please stop talking about promotions. I feel a little guilty whenever I hear the word 'promotion' now. There have been too many promotions lately."

Zhou Zhiqiang followed up and said, "Next time you promote me, I'll definitely push it back and give you a few days off instead."

I probably haven't even had half a month of rest this year; I'm practically turning into an old workhorse.

"What do you mean by 'old ox'?"

Secretary Yan said with a smile, then greeted Director Zhao and took Zhou Zhiqiang downstairs to get in the car.

The jeep then drove toward the Ministry of Machinery Industry.

After arriving at the Ministry of Machine Building, Secretary Yan and Zhou Zhiqiang walked towards Vice Leader Wu's office.

They had come several times before, and this time it was at the department's behest.

After going upstairs, they found Vice Leader Wu's assistant, told him, and then led Zhou Zhiqiang and the other man towards Vice Leader Wu's office.

After knocking, a voice inside called "Come in," and then the assistant pushed the door open and went in: "Boss, Secretary Yan and Section Chief Zhou from Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory have arrived."

"Okay, go get two glasses of water."

Deputy Leader Wu pointed to the chair opposite the desk and said, "Sit down, let's talk."

After the assistant brought the water and left the office, Deputy Leader Wu spoke up, "Comrade Juncheng, Comrade Zhiqiang, I called you here today to discuss personnel changes. Oh? It seems you already know, Comrade Juncheng? Did Comrade Zhiqiang tell you?"

Yan Juncheng sighed and said, "Yes, leader, our factory has finally produced a talented person. Why don't you have some mercy and let Comrade Zhiqiang stay with us?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? Don't just think about your own Dafa factory."

Deputy Leader Wu tapped the table and said, "Your factory is doing well. Trade orders are coming one after another, and the factory's profits are increasing."

But what about the other factories? Can you really stand by and watch them lose money year after year? Those are state-owned factories.

Upon hearing this, Secretary Yan outwardly agreed, but inwardly thought, "Who told them to lack talent? What kind of nonsense is it to send people from their factory to put out the fire?"

"The ministry has also assessed and considered the situation of your factory. In the next two or even three years, production will basically be saturated, right?"
Such research and development tasks will be further compressed. What use will Comrade Zhiqiang be to you then? Will he continue to conduct training?

Seeing that Secretary Yan appeared to be convinced but was not, Deputy Leader Wu couldn't help but reprimand him.

Then, seeing Zhou Zhiqiang drinking water from a teacup, he called out to him, "Zhiqiang, you tell me, is this the case?"

"Well, boss, I shouldn't say. Dafeng Factory is like my 'home' in a way, so please don't ask me."

Zhou Zhiqiang quickly declined, but then remembered something and said, "Our technical department isn't without research and development. We're planning to develop a combine harvester with higher kinetic energy to address the harvesting and threshing problems faced by large farms abroad."
It is mainly suitable for large farms on plains, and there are also many places in China where it is applicable, but it is more commonly used abroad, such as the large farms in Russia.

Secretary Yan immediately said to Deputy Leader Wu, "Leader, take a look. This is our Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory's 'general'."

Comrade Zhiqiang is a perfect fit for our Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory. If we can research and produce this, it might even generate more foreign exchange in the future.”

"What's all the fuss about?" Deputy Leader Wu's words immediately silenced Secretary Yan, who then looked at Zhou Zhiqiang and asked, "What stage is the progress of the combine harvester project at?"

"We are currently considering replacing the power structure with common parts, and we are still studying the design. If all goes well, we will apply for trial production next March."

After listening to Zhou Zhiqiang's words, Deputy Leader Wu took out a document, handed it to Zhou Zhiqiang, and said, "The timing is about right. Take a look at this. Don't say anything yet. The ministry has made arrangements."

Secretary Yan, who was standing to the side, wanted to say something, but Deputy Leader Wu's words silenced him.

"The Second Machine Tool Plant?"

The documents Zhou Zhiqiang was holding were from the Second Machine Tool Plant.

The data on the factory's current output value, the number of employees, and related personnel is all that the Second Machine Tool Plant has.

Last year, the factory had an annual output value of 15.7 million yuan and more than 1,100 employees. The factory mainly produces planers and a small number of other machine tools.

There was an expansion at the beginning of the year, but this was in response to the Second Five-Year Plan, and almost all factories directly under ministries have been expanded.

"Although the Second Machine Tool Plant is under the Machine Tool Industry Bureau of the Ministry, its research and development has always been mediocre, and its production has been sluggish recently."

Moreover, their main product, planers, has seen very weak sales this year; despite expansion, their output value hasn't increased much.

Deputy Leader Wu explained to Zhou Zhiqiang: "At the beginning of the year, we planned to transfer the Second Machine Tool Plant to the Industrial Bureau, but at that time I was considering sending you, so we kept delaying the transfer."

Now, after discussing it with Comrade Jianhui, we've decided to send you to the Second Machine Tool Plant as deputy director. We hope you can take charge of this factory.

"Deputy Factory Director"

Deputy Director Wu nodded and said, "Yes, although you are the deputy factory director, you are responsible for technological innovation and production management."

Secretary Yan, who was standing nearby, suddenly interjected, "Leader, isn't production management the factory director's position?"

Upon hearing this, Deputy Leader Wu frowned, then looked at Yan Juncheng and said, "Comrade Juncheng, why don't you go out and get some water? I'll call you back when we're going to discuss personnel matters later."

"Ah this."

Yan Juncheng immediately shut his mouth, then took his water glass and walked out of the office.

After everyone left, Zhou Zhiqiang finally spoke up: "Leader, what Secretary Yan said earlier makes sense. If I'm in charge of production, then what is the factory director in charge of?"
Even if he doesn't care for a short time, what if he suddenly wants to get involved in production? Wouldn't that lead to a clash of ideas between us?

“I’ve thought about that too. To be honest, if you weren’t so young, and if the Second Machine Tool Plant wasn’t a factory directly under the ministry, I would have directly appointed you as the factory director.”

Deputy Leader Wu said with a smile, "The factory director is concurrently the secretary of the former No. 2 Machine Tool Factory. Although it is a concurrent position, he usually focuses on the work of the secretary."

Therefore, you, as the deputy factory director, are in charge of technological innovation and production management in the factory; the other deputy factory director has his own tasks.

"Now tell me, are you confident that you can develop the second machine tool plant and prevent it from becoming sluggish?"

Zhou Zhiqiang said, "I'm confident. I won't say it's number one in the country, but if I were to be the deputy factory director, it would definitely be in the top three in the country."

During his time as head of the technical department, he also came into contact with a lot of production-related matters.

As for technological innovation, we are even more confident.

If Zhou Zhiqiang is given power, he'll dare to give it a try.

"Okay, since you put it that way, I'll believe you this once."

Deputy Leader Wu pointed to the information of the Second Machine Tool Factory and continued, "The factory planned to invest 4.5 million yuan at the beginning of the year, but I stopped it after investing more than 2 million yuan."

We still have 2.3 million. Next year, after you go to the Second Machine Tool Plant, whatever modifications or purchases you need, submit a report, and Comrade Licheng of the Machine Tool Bureau will approve it.

"So when should I go over?"

Now that Zhou Zhiqiang had agreed to take over, he stopped hesitating and dawdling.

"Sir, the development of the combine harvester has completed the key parts. The remaining problems are not very difficult. It would be a pity to give up halfway."

After hearing this, Deputy Leader Wu thought for a moment and said, "March is indeed a bit late. We'll start work right after the New Year. The factory can't be idle for such a long time."
Around mid-February, I'd like to ask you to work overtime at Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory to finish the project as soon as possible. The Second Machine Tool Factory also needs your help.

"They're treating me like a workhorse again," Zhou Zhiqiang thought to himself, feeling like he'd only relaxed for a few days.

As a result, we'll have to go back to the previous state of rushing to finish work and working overtime.
"By the way, Zhiqiang, after you go to the Second Machine Tool Plant after the New Year, I will ask the ministry to upgrade your engineer level to level five. At that time, you will receive a salary as a level five engineer at the Second Machine Tool Plant."

Zhou Zhiqiang asked with some surprise, "Sir, isn't Level 5 supposed to be subject to a public assessment?"

Deputy Leader Wu waved his hand, answering the question with some disdain.

However, he concluded by saying, "Your experience in engineering and the development of mechanical equipment is the best test."
"Take care of the personnel matters beforehand, then go find Comrade Licheng. You'll be working directly with him from now on."

His engineer evaluation was conducted by the ministry. How could a deputy leader of the Ministry of Machinery not handle such a matter?

Besides, who would object?

　Third update, please vote for me!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)