78: Bringing his wife and children to Harbin Institute of Technology

Chapter 166 Expanding into a Workshop

The next day, just as dawn was breaking.

Ye Bingwen then went to find Chen An.

"Chen An, you are in charge of expanding the workshop."

"Director Ye, a piece of land, about 50 square meters, has been fenced off from the wasteland behind us."

"The new machine body will take up 20 square meters of space, and space needs to be reserved for the operating table and maintenance access."

Chen An wrote it down in his notebook.

"What about the foundation?"

"The foundation was laid by someone hired by Master Li, who has connections within the construction team."

"OK."

"We need to hire a few bricklayers to build the factory. It has to be finished within three days, otherwise there won't be anywhere to store the machines when they arrive next week, and then we'll be in trouble."

"I'll do it."

Chen Anquan took the notebook away.

Ye Bingwen, on the other hand, smoked in his office.

There was an account book on Ye Bingwen's desk. He opened the account book and looked at it.

I only receive half of my salary each month, and the other half is paid off the following week after the loan is paid off.

Material costs are not a problem.

The electricity bill has already been paid, and we can still use some electricity next quarter.

I must repay the five thousand yuan that Principal Zhao gave me, and the four thousand five hundred yuan that Professor Cai gave me is an advance payment, which can be offset by using wood as a material.

There hasn't been time to make arrangements regarding the board; Chen An needs to take immediate action.

Thinking of this, Ye Bingwen stood up and went to find Master Li.

"Master Li, when will the ten wooden planks Professor Cai gave me be finished?"

"I've already made eight pieces, and they can be delivered tomorrow."

"Okay, I'll send the things over tomorrow."

"Xiao Ye, how do you plan to use the new machine?"

"Expand the workshop first, then lay the foundation and hire people to debug it."

Who is responsible for the debugging process?

"I'd like to ask Professor Cai at Harbin Institute of Technology if he knows anyone there who doesn't understand German equipment?"

Master Li agreed.

That's the right idea. Someone at Harbin Institute of Technology should know. "If you can't find Harbin Institute of Technology, you can go to the Provincial Machinery Department. There's a department there that specializes in importing equipment."

After Ye Bingwen finished speaking, he turned around and left.

Master Li packed up his things.

"Xiao Ye, wait a minute."

"I have an old friend who worked at the Hongxing Factory. His name is Wang Deli. He retired in 1979 and lives in Daowai District. He came here to debug West German equipment back then."

Ye Bingwen's eyes immediately lit up.

"We've been friends for over thirty years, and we were together just two days ago."

"Then please have Mr. Li call Mr. Wang right away."

"I'll visit him at his house this afternoon."

"grateful."

Master Li waved his hand.

"If there's anything I can help you with, please let me know."

In the afternoon, Mr. Li rode his bicycle to Daowai District.

Take Chen Anquan to Harbin Institute of Technology to get the layout.

When Professor Cai was conducting an experiment in the laboratory, he noticed that Ye Bingwen had entered and stopped what he was doing.

"Xiao Ye, is the board finished yet?"

"You're still two dollars short of the eight dollars. Bring it over tomorrow."

Chen Anxin placed the wooden board flat on the lab table, and then Professor Cai picked it up and looked at it.

"This wooden board is very well made; the surface is very smooth, and the thickness is uniform. Professor Cai, what do you think?"

"Yes, it's better than last time."

The other two will be delivered tomorrow. "Okay."

After hesitating for a moment, Ye Bingwen finally spoke.

"Professor Cai, I have another question I'd like to ask for your help with."

"explain."

"I bought a press made in West Germany from the provincial capital, and all the instruction manuals on it were written in German."

"No one in our factory understands the German language of the equipment, so we hope you can find someone who knows how to do the adjustments."

Professor Cai thought about it after listening.

"There is an elderly professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering who is over sixty years old and his name is Zhou Mingyuan. He went to Germany to study more than thirty years ago."

"He knew about the hydraulic presses in West Germany."

"Then we can ask him for help."

"Professor Zhou has retired and is now growing flowers at home. You'll have to go and ask him to come yourself."

"I'll go and invite him."

"Here, let me write you a note."

Professor Cai took out paper and pen from the drawer and showed them to Ye Bingwen, and wrote a few words on them.

Professor Zhou lives on the 4th floor of Building 3, No. 2, in the staff quarters of Beijing University of Technology.

"Go find Professor Zhou."

"Professor Cai, thank you very much."

"Don't mention it, you're all working for the country."

Ye Bingwen, Chen An, and the others went to the family quarters without stopping.

Ye Bingwen and the others went to Unit 3 of Building 2, went up to the fourth floor, and knocked on the door.

An elderly woman with a full head of white hair opened the door.

Upon seeing this, Ye Bingwen said, "Hello, I'm here to see Professor Zhou Mingyuan."

The old woman looked at Ye Bingwen and asked, "May I ask who you are?"

"My name is Ye Bingwen, from Hongqi Machinery Factory. Professor Cai asked me to come and see Professor Zhou."

Ye Bingwen handed the note to the other party.

After reading the note, the old lady turned and went inside.

"Old Zhou, Cai Chunsheng wants to see you."

An old man's voice came from inside the house.

"Let him in."

Ye Bingwen and Chen An entered the room and saw Teacher Zhou Mingyuan sitting on the sofa looking at Ye Bingwen. He then said, "Sit down."

Ye Bingwen and Chen Anxin sat down on the sofa, their hearts filled with anticipation.

"Xiao Ye, Cai Chunsheng's note says you're here to consult about some issues."

"Professor Zhou, our factory has recently purchased a hydraulic press made in West Germany. It's a joint venture brand, but no one in our factory speaks German. Therefore, we hope Professor Zhou can help us."

Professor Zhou's eyes lit up with excitement after hearing this.

"What year was that machine from?"

"1989"

"What model?"

The model number is H-3000.

"I know this machine. It's a product of the West German company Heinrich. I've seen the prototype in their factory."

Chen An, standing nearby, asked excitedly, "Professor Zhou, you've seen the prototype?"

"Yes, I was studying in West Germany in 1958. At that time, Heinrich Company was still very small. Later, in the 1980s, it had become one of the world's leading press manufacturers."

"Professor Zhou, could you help us with the debugging?"

After Professor Zhou put the materials down, he looked at Ye Bingwen and said, "Xiao Ye, the commissioning cannot be completed overnight; it will take at least two weeks."

"It's okay, we can wait, it won't take long."

"I've been retired for many years and haven't touched these devices in a long time, so I might be a little unfamiliar with the technology."

"Teacher Zhou, you'll definitely be fine."

Teacher Zhou smiled.

"Xiao Ye, you have such a sweet tongue."

"Professor Zhou, I'm telling the truth."

"So, how much will you pay me?"

Ye Bingwen was taken aback; in fact, he hadn't thought about this question.

"Professor Zhou, you can name any amount you want."

Professor Zhou waved his hand.

"I don't want money."