The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 219 Why is the salary so high?
"Then I'll report this to Secretary Li."

Seeing that he couldn't get anything out of Deputy Director Sun, Deputy Director Hou got up, said goodbye, and left.

However, he didn't get angry. He smiled at Sun Yifei before leaving, but his expression turned calm after he walked out of the office.

On his way to Secretary Li's office, Deputy Factory Director Hou couldn't help but think to himself that Director Zhou had only been at the Second Machine Tool Factory for a little over two years, yet his prestige was indeed considerable.

The person is already gone, yet he still manages to keep a deputy factory director from going back on his previous decisions.

It would be really difficult for anyone else to achieve this.

After arriving at Secretary Li's office, Deputy Factory Director Hou knocked on the door and went in, then repeated to Secretary Li what he had just said in Deputy Factory Director Sun's office.

However, Secretary Li also expressed his opposition. His reason for opposing was not based on Zhou Zhiqiang's decision, but on the emotions of the front-line production workers.

At last year's factory-wide employee commendation meeting, nearly one-fifth of the workers received awards, which is why this year's production enthusiasm is so high.

The workers all treat the factory as their home, and sometimes they don't want to go back even when they are urged to, because they know that if they work hard, the factory will reward them fairly and impartially.

The workers are doing the most work now, but the cadres still get to share the benefits. What if the year-end awards are reduced and the production enthusiasm drops next year?
Secretary Li didn't mention any other reasons, but asked Deputy Factory Director Hou what to do if the workers developed a negative attitude next year.
For example, if the bulk of the rewards are taken by the cadres, would they still be willing to treat the factory like their own home and work so hard?

Since it concerns production tasks, no one dares to make any absolute statements on this matter, not even Zhou Zhiqiang.

Even if Zhou Zhiqiang were to speak, he would leave himself an absolute escape route and wouldn't go all out; otherwise, the variables would be too great, and if he didn't achieve his goal, it would be like talking big. File staff can't be boastful.

After leaving Secretary Li's place, Deputy Factory Director Hou's smile vanished completely.

His position as deputy factory director sounds powerful, but in reality, he has no real authority over anything.

Regarding production safety, Zhou Zhiqiang had already made detailed production safety regulations when he first came to the Second Machine Tool Plant as deputy director.

They insisted on patrolling the workshop every day for three or four months, only relaxing their patrols after ensuring that all workers complied with production safety regulations.

Political ideology and personnel matters were the responsibility of Deputy Factory Director Hou, who mainly oversaw the cadres; because the workers' job positions were basically fixed and they had no spare time at all due to their busy production schedules.

Even if cadres have enough time, it's unreasonable to do this every day; once a month is enough.

In a factory where the production schedule isn't very tight, Deputy Director Hou wields considerable power; he can at least use his political and ideological authority to manage many cadres.

However, with such a tight production schedule at the Second Machine Tool Plant, it would be difficult to achieve this.

The busiest departments in the factory are the technical department and logistics department, as well as the production scheduling and general affairs department. They are so busy that they are practically never on the go.

As he passed the finance department, Deputy Factory Director Hou suddenly saw an unfamiliar face take an envelope from the deputy head of the finance department; it seemed to contain wages or something else.

Furthermore, the deputy head of the finance department said, "Comrade Guo, this is all the salary you've received. Please check it. As for other items and subsidies, I will have Comrade Zhao, the driver, deliver them to you."

"Then I'll trouble you. I'm so sorry I forgot to come last month."

"It's okay, it's okay. The main thing is that you have to sign it yourself. Only after you sign it can the driver deliver it to you."

It's fine to come a few days later. There are indeed a lot of people on the day itself. You can come on the second or third day.

After speaking, the deputy head of the finance department smiled and stood up to see Guo Yuting out of the finance department.

If he didn't have work to do, he would have personally delivered it to the factory gate.

After seeing the factory director's wife off, the deputy head of the finance department went back to his work.

However, before he could process many of the documents, he felt someone approach his desk.

Looking up, the deputy head of the finance department immediately stood up and said, "Deputy Factory Director Hou, are you here to inspect the work of the finance department?"

"I'm just looking around, you don't need to be nervous."

Deputy Factory Director Hou waved his hand and laughed, then glanced in the direction of the door and asked, "Were you here to collect your wages? It's been so long, is there anyone who hasn't received theirs yet?"

"Oh, that's Director Zhou's wife. Director Zhou is away on a business trip right now, so his family is here to pick her up."

Upon hearing this, the deputy head of the finance department said directly, "Factory Director Zhou's wife didn't come to collect her salary last month, so she collected two months' salary from Factory Director Zhou in one lump sum this month."

"Let me see my payslip."

"Wait a minute, let me check. I just put it away."

The deputy head of the finance department quickly found the payroll sheets that had just been laid out. The first one was Secretary Li, and the second one was Zhou Zhiqiang.

Salaries are generally very transparent now; just ask about your level and you'll quickly find out how much you earn.

The only difference is in subsidies and allowances.

When Deputy Factory Director Hou took a look, he was immediately surprised by Zhou Zhiqiang's salary and subsidies. He then asked, "How come Director Zhou's salary is so high, and it even exceeds Secretary Li's? Who decided this?"

My basic salary is 207 yuan, and with subsidies and other allowances added up, it's almost 230 yuan.

In addition to wages, there are also subsidies for meat, refined grains, and a can of malted milk powder, etc.

Even Deputy Factory Director Hou was somewhat envious after seeing it, let alone the others.

The deputy head of the finance department explained, "Oh, that's because Director Zhou receives the salary and benefits of a level four engineer, and his subsidies and allowances are also based on his technical skills."

Moreover, some subsidies are approved by the ministry, and our factory only subsidizes half of them; some subsidies are not even available to our factory, so we have to rely on the ministry for them.

After developing the CNC machine tool, Zhou Zhiqiang's salary was increased by one level, and he was also provided with a car and a dedicated assistant, because he was engaged in scientific research and factory management, and an assistant was still very necessary.

Moreover, Zhou Zhiqiang was able to receive so many subsidies because he earned them through high-intensity work and achievements.

Even the subsidies weren't something he asked for; Zhou Zhiqiang could have bought the tea and other things himself, but...
"Which ones are subsidized by the ministry?"

"Malted milk powder, eggs, and tea, you'll have to ask Director Tian of the logistics department. Although the general affairs department is in charge, it's usually Director Tian who prepares them."

The deputy head of the finance department casually remarked that he was from the finance department, not the logistics department.

“The factory’s logistics are already very heavy, how can we subsidize so much? Besides, Director Zhou’s high salary doesn’t need it.” Deputy Director Hou said as he walked out with his hands behind his back, adding, “Wouldn’t it be better to save the subsidies for the workers?”

Getting things started is really not easy, but fortunately it's not entirely impossible, Deputy Factory Director Hou thought to himself.

The deputy head of the finance department opened his mouth, but some things remained unsaid.

After the deputy factory director left, he sat back down in his original seat, thinking to himself: "What does this have to do with me? I'm just a lowly deputy section chief."
------

Liaoyang No.1 Heavy Machinery Plant.

Inside the office, a group of technicians were busy with abacuses, drawing diagrams, and quietly checking calculations, trying not to disturb others.

When they're really tired, they go out for a smoke to perk themselves up, or they drink a strong cup of tea.

They made rapid progress in their design work in just over a month.

It was mainly Zhou Zhiqiang who finalized the design plan, including the bed mechanism, mechanical template device, and transmission system.

Now, by simply continuously calculating and drawing, and then comparing with tolerance standards, the overall design scheme of the heavy machine tool can be finalized in a shorter time than expected.

"Comrade Zhiqiang."

At this moment, Engineer Lin walked over with some drawings and said, "According to the previously agreed plan, the static stiffness calculation of this spindle box is probably still a bit risky."

The reference data left by the Russians was somewhat conservative. If we simply copied it, the post-grinding machining accuracy might not meet the standards required by the Eleventh Research Institute. This part needs to be redesigned.

"Yes, I've been thinking about this lately too, but thankfully I've recalculated it today."

Zhou Zhiqiang took out all the parameter drawings from the past few days and then pointed to the calculation formulas on the drawings, saying to Engineer Lin...
"Engineer Lin, look at this. This is my recalculation of the material mechanics parameters and structural stress model. If we change the stiffening plate layout inside the box to a cross structure..."

"Furthermore, by using the high-strength cast iron that the Liaoyang Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering is expected to develop, combined with localized prestressing treatment, the overall stiffness can be increased by 15%."

"However, I only calculated this result once. I will recalculate it several times later to make sure that the result is the same each time."

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, he looked up and around, and when he didn't see Shen Changlin, he asked, "Engineer Lin, where is Team Leader Shen?"

"Oh, he just happened to go to the Liaoyang Materials Research Institute. If you need to find him, just give him a call. I'll take a look at your structural design first."

As Lin examined the design, he said, "Your design is indeed ingenious. I'll have someone verify it first. If the calculations are correct, then we can try it out."
However, it still depends on the research institute. If their high-strength cast iron doesn't meet the standards, then we'll have to redesign it.

"If they can't develop it, then I'll go."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang smiled and said that he was able to come up with this structural plan thanks to the data collection and deduction assistant in his mind.

The optimal solution was derived after reviewing a vast number of structural mechanics schemes and conducting continuous analysis.

Zhou Zhiqiang said, "However, even if the plan and materials are solved, the processing difficulty is still a test. It depends on the casting workshop of the First Heavy Machinery Plant."

Let's have Team Leader Shen urge the Materials and Processing Institute so we can quickly assign key technical personnel from the Heavy Machinery Plant to tackle the process issues.

Lin continued, "Team Leader Shen was also upset. He dumped his work on me first thing in the morning and then left in a hurry."

"By the way, Comrade Zhiqiang, didn't you come home to sleep yesterday? Were you working on calculations with the people who were doing overtime last night?"

Lin suddenly remembered this and asked about it. He had wanted to ask it when he arrived in the morning, but he had forgotten because he was busy.

He is currently sharing a room with Zhou Zhiqiang. Yesterday, Zhou Zhiqiang said he had some things to take care of, so he went back to the guesthouse to rest.

As a result, Zhou Zhiqiang was not seen before he fell asleep, and when he woke up the next morning, there was no trace of Zhou Zhiqiang having rested on his bed.

It's obvious they've been working overtime at the factory all night.

"They were short-staffed due to the calculations and verifications, so I stayed to help."

Zhou Zhiqiang casually said, "I can't sleep even if I go back to bed. I've been feeling particularly energetic lately, so I might as well stay here and help out."

Engineer Lin advised, "You still need to rest. They take turns resting for six or seven hours during the day. You're busy all day and then work overtime at night. You won't be able to take it sooner or later."
Besides, our project team has plenty of free time, and the three-month plan is progressing so smoothly. Nobody's rushing you, so you're not homesick, are you?

"Haha, don't worry, Engineer Lin, I'll definitely rest when I'm tired. Actually, I take the best care of my health, and I'm even thinking about living a long life."

However, yesterday was an exception, because after Zhou Zhiqiang received a result of a deduction, he strengthened his body, which made him have a lot of energy.

Moreover, these researchers are considered treasures. When they go out, the security department has to accompany them. If they get tired, they can ask Team Leader Shen for a day off to go sightseeing or something.

Anyway, the research and development progress is encouraging. Team Leader Shen's anxiety is directed at the Materials Research Institute, but he is quite satisfied with the team's progress. If someone is tired and asks for leave, he is likely to grant it.

However, no one would ask for leave, and it's too uncomfortable for someone to go out alone without the security guards following them.

Even if I take sick leave, I'll at most stay in the research institute until I recover.

Someone as energetic as Zhou Zhiqiang can only push forward research and development work within the factory.

The project team was busy until lunchtime. Half an hour later, Zhou Zhiqiang and Engineer Lin finally started urging everyone to go eat.

If we arrive late, it will cause trouble for the workers in the kitchen of the First Heavy Machinery Plant, as they also need to clean up and tidy up the kitchen.

After finishing their meal, they didn't get much rest. The afternoon's work had barely begun when Team Leader Shen Changlin returned.

After entering the house, Shen Changlin went straight to Zhou Zhiqiang and said, "Zhiqiang, Engineer Lin, you two come out for a moment, I have something to say to you."

After calling the two out, Shen Changlin said, "I'm going to Heilongjiang Province for two days. This Liaoyang Materials Research Institute is really infuriating. I'll probably be back in three days."

"During this period, you'll be in charge. Lin, you'll be responsible for discipline and preventing any accidents from happening to the team members. Zhiqiang, you'll be in charge of technical planning. It should take at least three days, at most five."

"Okay, but Team Leader Shen, if they still haven't woken up in Heilongjiang Province, remember to give me a call."

Zhou Zhiqiang said, "I also have some research on materials, so maybe I can find out where the difficulties in making progress lie."

This isn't just boasting; he almost got recruited by the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry in the first place. If he had gone to the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry, there might have been several major steel exporters.

(End of this chapter)