The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 149 Good News Arrives from the Ministry of Agriculture
Growing mushrooms was one of the ideas Zhou Zhiqiang came up with. He wasn't sure if there were any technical or environmental limitations, but he wanted to give it a try anyway.

It's only the first half of the year, and only the food allowances for mental workers have been reduced.

If the disaster situation does not improve in the second half of the year or next year, even the food supply for manual laborers may decrease.

Secretary Li Younian didn't seem like someone who could manage things, so the factory had no choice but to let Zhou Zhiqiang take on the responsibility.

Growing mushrooms is one method, and Zhou Zhiqiang also told Tian Wenguo about raising rabbits.

Similarly, he had only heard that rabbits reproduce quickly and don't compete with humans for food; it seemed they could survive by eating grain stalks and tender leaves.

When the disaster struck, some production brigades in the south were raising rabbits to alleviate the food shortage.

Zhou Zhiqiang wasn't a technician in this field, so he couldn't provide specific technical information. Therefore, he asked Tian Wenguo, the logistics director, to gather information.

However, Tian Wenguo said with a bitter face, "Deputy Factory Director Zhou, this involves growing mushrooms and raising rabbits. Our factory is a heavy machine tool manufacturing plant."

"These things are not for you to worry about. I'll take care of production. As long as production doesn't fall behind, the leaders will only praise our factory."

Moreover, without sufficient supplies, how can the front-line workshops operate smoothly?

Zhou Zhiqiang said decisively, "It's settled then, Director Tian. Your logistics department will handle this. If you need extra manpower to take care of it, then you can report to me."

"We can't just sit around and wait for the government to send more food. If we don't replenish the food shortage in the second half of the year, are we just going to starve?"

"Go and ask around. As the logistics director, you also need to take responsibility. Make a few more trips. If there's a shortage of people, Secretary Li, Deputy Factory Director Sun, and I will help you logistics staff get a few temporary worker positions."

Upon hearing Zhou Zhiqiang's words, Tian Wenguo knew he would have to make several more trips, so he could only helplessly say, "I understand, Deputy Factory Director Zhou, I'll go and inquire with the relevant experts and technicians right away."

It's not uncommon for factories to have side businesses; by next year, even the military might be getting involved in some side businesses.

Self-reliance and not causing trouble for the organization have been chanted slogans, and the organization is already doing its best to resolve the issue.

Their second machine tool factory simply started doing side businesses a little earlier.

These two factory buildings may not be available until the year after next; the current production facilities are sufficient.

Even after developing a new high-precision coordinate boring machine, it can still be produced in the existing production workshop.

Without new workers and production equipment, these empty factory buildings cannot be utilized at all.

After receiving the order, Tian Wenguo went back to prepare to find experts and technicians specializing in agriculture.

However, just as he was about to set off, Tian Wenguo finally remembered that he needed to talk to Deputy Factory Director Sun.

So he went to Deputy Director Sun's office and told him about Zhou Zhiqiang's plan to raise rabbits and grow mushrooms in the factory.

After listening, Deputy Factory Director Sun scoffed and said, "Ha, they only know to start growing mushrooms now that they're not distributing grain? Is it too late? When grain supplies resume next year, won't they just have to clear it out to make room for the new workshop?"
"Director Tian, ​​just listen to him. This young man only knows about technology; he wants to meddle in logistics too."

"Okay then."

After hearing what Deputy Factory Director Sun said, Tian Wenguo opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he didn't say anything.

His views are similar to Zhou Zhiqiang's; they both feel that grain supplies will not be available on time next year, and may even be reduced in the second half of the year.

However, Tian Wenguo felt that growing mushrooms and raising rabbits in the factory was too unreliable, since they were a heavy industrial factory, not a rural cooperative.

However, Tian Wenguo strongly supports stockpiling grain in advance.

Just by cutting the food rations for mental workers, he, as the logistics director, would be subjected to countless scoldings.

Although Deputy Factory Director Zhou said that anyone with grievances could go to him, most of the factory's white-collar workers were either cadres or technical staff, so how could they really go to Deputy Factory Director Zhou Zhiqiang?

In the end, they'll still scold him, the logistics director, and might even suspect him of stealing.
Logistics is tough!

Tian Wenguo dared not delay in fulfilling Zhou Zhiqiang's request. He did it, but not well. He only bore a small part of the responsibility; the majority of the responsibility should go to Zhou Zhiqiang, who came up with the idea.

But if nothing is done, then he, as the logistics director, will have to take responsibility.

After leaving the Second Machine Tool Factory, Tian Wenguo went to the Ministry of Agriculture. He explained his situation at the gate and registered his identity information. Only after the security guard at the gate made a phone call to the inside could Tian Wenguo enter.

This was only possible because of Zhou Zhiqiang's reputation; otherwise, Tian Wenguo wouldn't have been able to get in so easily, since he didn't have much business and would have just come knocking on their door without even asking if their staff were available.

That is, they mentioned Zhou Zhiqiang's name, saying that their deputy factory director was the one who previously worked at Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory and developed the combine harvester.

Only after hearing this did the Ministry of Agriculture allow Tian Wenguo to enter.

After all, Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory is frequently featured in newspapers and has even been praised by top leaders. Recently, it has also received the accolade of "contributing to national research and development".

After Tian Wenguo went inside, he soon met Cai Wenrui, the deputy director of the Grain Production Department.

Upon seeing the person, Tian Wenguo quickly stood up and shook hands, saying, "Director Cai, I'm so sorry to bother you today. There's something I wanted to ask you about."

Although they were at the same level, Cai Wenrui was from the Ministry of Agriculture and could completely ignore him, so Tian Wenguo's attitude was very good.

"Director Tian, ​​you can just say it directly."

Cai Wenrui said with a smile, "Although we're not in the same department, we're both contributing to development. Is there anything we can help you with?"

"It's like this, recently our factory's grain supply has decreased a bit, and our deputy factory director Zhou is worried that the supply will decrease further in the second half of the year and next year, so he gave me some direction."

"He plans to grow mushrooms in the empty workshops and factories, and engage in some agricultural and sideline production within the factory, so that he can provide the factory workers with a couple more dishes."

When Deputy Director Cai first heard Tian Wenguo say that he was worried about a reduction in the grain supply, his heart skipped a beat.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture's expectations, there will indeed be another adjustment in the second half of the year.

Moreover, if there are no changes next year, adjustments may have to be made again; however, since half of this year has already passed, it is almost certain that the food supply will continue to be adjusted next year.

Deputy Director Cai was still thinking about what to say to persuade Tian Wenguo to leave, but then he heard Tian Wenguo's plan: to grow mushrooms and raise rabbits in the factory. This immediately relieved Deputy Director Cai.

It's good that they're not here to cause trouble or demand food. Lately, quite a few people have been trying to pull strings, and the adjustment of food supply is a confidential matter that cannot be leaked.

Deputy Director Cai had just been thinking about how to shut someone up after hearing that someone from the Second Machine Tool Plant had guessed about the grain supply adjustment.

"Deputy Director Cai?"

"Oh, I'm listening. The factory wants to raise rabbits and grow mushrooms, right?"

Deputy Director Cai quickly said, "Director Tian, ​​this is not a strange thing. Many factories have started to develop their own side businesses."

"Let alone factories, as far as I know, even the military is involved in side businesses. And I'm not sure about raising rabbits, but growing mushrooms might actually work." "There are several villages in the Sujiang area, and almost the entire village grows mushrooms. Our people even went there to collect experience data."

But raising rabbits is the responsibility of the Animal Husbandry Bureau; you'll have to ask them about it later.

Deputy Director Cai paused for a moment, thought for a while, and then continued, "How about this, I'll register you first, and once we find a suitable technician, I'll have them bring the information to your factory for a look."

"Director Tian, ​​you should also register at the Animal Husbandry Bureau. We've all been very busy lately; most of our staff have been dispatched and may not be in the ministry."

"Okay, I understand. Thank you, Director Cai."

Tian Wenguo quickly expressed his gratitude, then registered there before heading to the Animal Husbandry Bureau as instructed by Deputy Director Cai.

------

One day.

While Zhou Zhiqiang was busy in his office, the phone on his desk suddenly rang.

After picking up the phone, Zhou Zhiqiang said to the person on the other end, "Second Machine Tool Factory, this is Zhou Zhiqiang."

"Success? Just as expected. Good, bring it back quickly, the new machine tool is only missing this part."

"Buy the tickets today, be careful on the way, and don't bump into anything or fall."

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Zhiqiang finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He had never felt this anxious before, but when the responsibility of the entire factory rested on his shoulders, Zhou Zhiqiang couldn't help but feel anxious.

Several times I started collecting knowledge and information related to optics, hoping to gather data to deduce technical results, and then go to Henan Province to personally carry out the work.

In recent months, his office bookshelves have been crammed full of books and materials from various disciplines, both Chinese and foreign.

However, the most common topics are related to mechanics and mechanical engineering.

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Zhiqiang got up and went to the manufacturing workshop of the new coordinate boring machine to arrange the final assembly work.

Upon arrival, Zhou Zhiqiang found Section Chief Ding verifying the sealing components one by one.

"Comrade Zhixue, get ready. The people from Henan Province will arrive no later than tomorrow, possibly at noon or in the evening."

"If it arrives tonight, then save the reading system equipment first. There's no need to rush to work overtime to assemble this kind of precision work."

Zhou Zhiqiang assigned some tasks to Section Chief Ding of the Technical Section, who was overjoyed to hear that the Henan Provincial Research Institute had released its results.

Ding Zhixue quickly said, "Factory Director, don't worry, I'll definitely arrange this properly. Factory Director, I'd like to apply for a car to pick them up from the station."

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Zhiqiang said, "You've made a good decision. I'll have Yaoguo make the arrangements later. Tomorrow, you and Driver Ma will go pick them up together."

Ding Zhixue quickly replied, "Yes, Factory Director."

After arranging this matter, Zhou Zhiqiang also took a walk around the workshop to make sure there were no problems before leaving the workshop and planning to return to his office.

All the steps were as he had planned, so this high-precision coordinate boring machine would definitely not have any problems.

Zhou Zhiqiang has now begun developing a universal grinding machine. Once these two types of machine tools are developed, the manufacturing capabilities of the military and defense industries will be greatly enhanced.

The next step should be to start developing CNC machine tools, but this will definitely require cooperation with electronics factories and universities, as a single factory cannot solve the problem.

After leaving the new machine tool production workshop, Zhou Zhiqiang was walking towards the factory office building when he ran into Tian Wenguo leading a group of people from outside.

Upon seeing Zhou Zhiqiang, Tian Wenguo immediately waved and called out, "Factory Director."

After Zhou Zhiqiang stopped, Tian Wenguo called the others over and then said to Zhou Zhiqiang, "Deputy Factory Director Zhou, these are Technician He and Technician Jin from the Grain Production Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, and Professor Liu from Beijing Agricultural University."

These three are our factory's Deputy Factory Director, Zhou. The idea of ​​growing mushrooms and raising rabbits in the factory was his."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang quickly stepped forward to shake hands and said, "Welcome to the three of you for your help and guidance. Director Tian, ​​please have the cafeteria arrange lunch for Professor Liu, Technician He, and Technician Jin."

"Deputy Factory Director Zhou, don't rush to eat. Let's go take a look at the empty factory buildings first."

Professor Liu quickly said, "We didn't come here just for a meal, and we won't feel at ease eating this meal if we don't solve your factory's problem."

"Alright, then I'll take you guys to check out the empty factory first."

Zhou Zhiqiang was just happy to learn that the Henan Provincial Research Institute had solved the problem of the reading system components.

Since there wasn't much to do, he offered to take a few people to see the empty factory.

While leading the way, he also introduced the empty factory to the group. Their factory was quite large, with enough space to accommodate many machine tool workbenches, so the area was not small.

The area of ​​the factory building is definitely more than one acre. When we originally planned to expand the factory, we expanded it according to the requirement of more than 100 workers in one workshop.

After arriving here, Professor Liu glanced around and then nodded, saying, "The environment is alright. It's quite close to the boiler room, which provides a suitable environment for mushroom production."
What's missing can be modified later, but raising them will require careful attention, and special training will be needed.

Growing mushrooms is not difficult, but large-scale mushroom cultivation requires more caution.

Professor Liu surveyed the surrounding environment and, finding it suitable for production, drew his conclusion.

"Deputy Factory Director Zhou, what a coincidence! The Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences has just made a breakthrough in mushroom cultivation technology, and you've already applied to grow mushrooms."

Two months ago, I really wouldn't have dared to draw this conclusion, but now we can give it a try. Actually, the first place we tried was in Northeast China.

According to Professor Liu, they have already started trying to plant it in Northeast China. If it is successful this year, they will start large-scale promotion next year.

However, their households are mostly small, and converting cellars or warehouses presents challenges for both promotion and training.

But the factory buildings are more suitable; they are spacious, concentrated, and not too difficult to maintain.

Moreover, training one group of people is enough to take care of the mushrooms; there is no need to conduct multiple batches of training for each household.

"Deputy Factory Director Zhou, we'll take a look around here for the next few days to study the renovation plan and planting techniques. We'll let you know as soon as we have any results."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang nodded and said, "Then I'll really trouble you. Director Tian, ​​please take good care of Professor Liu, Technician He, and Technician Jin these next few days. Don't neglect them."

Tian Wenguo quickly said, "Deputy Factory Director Zhou, don't worry."

　I had an upset stomach last night and didn't have time to update. I'm so sorry.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)