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

Chapter 167 Support from All Directions

Professor Zhou continued.

"What I want is knowledge, not money."

"I mean, I need to understand this machine and train a few apprentices."

"It would be so boring to stay home and grow flowers after retirement. Having this opportunity is better than giving me money."

"Professor Zhou, thank you so much."

"Don't thank me yet, I have a request."

"you say."

"Your factory should have a few apprentices to learn from. I not only need to debug the machines, but also guide my apprentices to pass on this technology."

Ye Bingwen nodded.

Our factory has Chen An, a graduate of Harbin Institute of Technology, who can read German materials; Liu Xiao, a graduate of a technical school, who is very skillful; and Master Li, who has been a milling machine operator for thirty years and is very experienced.

"These four people, including myself, are all learning from you."

Professor Zhou nodded after listening.

"Okay, it's settled then. When will the machine arrive?"

"next week."

"I'll go there as soon as the machine arrives."

Ye Bingwen stood up, extremely excited.

Professor Zhou, you are our factory's savior, our "lifesaver." That's what I wanted to say too, Xiao Ye. Cai Chunsheng told me that your factory makes military products for the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense. Professor Zhou pondered for a moment.

"So the first thing to do after bringing this machine back is to serve the country."

"Yes, the third batch of 300 pieces is under negotiation. Production will begin as soon as the machines are debugged."

Professor Zhou nodded.

"Okay, go back and prepare. I'm ready to leave at any time."

It was already quite late when Ye Bingwen and Chen An left Professor Zhou's house.

Chen An kept sighing with emotion the whole way.

"Director Ye, things went really smoothly today, I didn't expect it."

"It's all thanks to Principal Zhao and Professor Cai that things went so smoothly for us."

"Although Professor Zhou doesn't charge, we can't let him work for free. After the machine is debugged, we'll treat Professor Zhou to a meal and buy him some nutritional supplements."

When Ye Bingwen arrived at the factory, Master Li was already waiting for him in the office.

"Xiao Ye, we've made contact with Wang Deli."

"What did he say?"

"As soon as he heard it was for the country, he agreed without hesitation."

"How much will it cost?"

He said he didn't want money.

Ye Bingwen smiled, also surprised, and then said, "Master Li, these veteran workers are very proactive in national affairs; they are truly admirable."

"Once that machine arrives, we'll invite Master Wang over, along with Professor Zhou. They'll definitely be able to solve this problem."

"Professor Zhou?"

"Yes, it's Professor Zhou Mingyuan."

Upon hearing this, Master Li said in disbelief, "I know this person. He's very famous at Harbin Institute of Technology. Xiao Ye, you've hired a master!"

Ye Bingwen arrived at the factory early the next morning.

Ye Bingwen saw that Chen An had already made all the arrangements.

Everyone was busy, and it looked quite lively.

Ye Bingwen didn't stay idle; he went to the construction site to take a look.

"Master Li, how deep should the foundation be dug?"

"It needs to be at least 80 centimeters."

"So how much cement do you need?"

"It would take at least 40 bags of cement and 20 steel bars."

Ye Bingwen turned to Chen An and said, "Chen An, go and buy it."

"Director Ye, each bag of cement costs 31 yuan, and each steel bar costs 12 yuan, which adds up to more than 1400 yuan."

"Just go buy it, money is not a problem."

Chen An went to the building materials market.

Chen An returned in the afternoon, having bought cement and steel bars.

Only then did Master Li let the workers start working.

Digging holes, tying steel bars, and pouring cement—these tasks take three days to complete.

On the morning of the fourth day, Ye Bingwen stood beside the newly laid foundation, watching Master Li inspect the quality of the work. He then asked, "Master Li, how is it?"

"It has solidified very well; it can be used after drying for two days."

"When will the factory be completed?"

"Starting today, it can be completed within five days."

"it is good."

At that moment, Chen An ran out of the office.

"Director Ye, Director Li Jianguo from the Municipal Economic Commission is calling."

"How so?"

"The loan has been deposited into your account. You will need to go to the Agricultural Bank this afternoon to complete the necessary procedures."

When Ye Bingwen heard that the money would be in his account soon, a huge weight was finally lifted from his heart.

"Chen An, take the account book with you, we're going this afternoon."

"OK."

At 2 p.m., Ye Bingwen and Chen An arrived at the Agricultural Bank.

Li Jianguo was already there waiting for him.

"Xiao Ye, congratulations, your loan has been approved."

"Director Li, thank you."

"Don't thank me, you earned this through your own hard work."

Li Jianguo smiled and said.

"What I'm doing is nothing. Vice Mayor Liu has asked many times. Do you think they dare not to hurry up? Hahaha."

"I express my gratitude to Vice Mayor Liu; I must pay him a visit when I return."

"No, your kind intentions are enough. Vice Mayor Liu doesn't like receiving gifts."

"Then I'll go to the city government to thank him in person."

Li Jianguo nodded in agreement.

"That's fine too. Vice Mayor Liu is a man of honor. You can go and tell him in person; it will make him feel better."

After the formalities were completed, 100,000 yuan was deposited into the Hongqi Factory's account.

After leaving the Agricultural Bank, Ye Bingwen and Chen An rode their bicycles to the municipal government.

Vice Mayor Liu was in a meeting, and his secretary, Xiao Zhang, told them to wait outside the meeting room.

It took about an hour for Vice Mayor Liu to come out.

"Xiao Ye, what brings you here?"

"Mayor Liu, I've come to thank you. The loan has arrived."

"Yes, I heard. Have you finished the paperwork?"

"It's all done."

Vice Mayor Liu called Ye Bingwen into his office.

"Xiao Ye, sit down."

Ye Bingwen sat down, and Vice Mayor Liu personally poured him a cup of tea.

"Mayor Liu, how dare you?"

"Go ahead and drink, it's alright, don't be shy."

Ye Bingwen then picked up the cup and took a sip.

Vice Mayor Liu sat down opposite him.

"Xiao Ye, that's the end of the loan issue, but you still have a long road ahead of you."

"I know."

I want to tell you some things from my heart.

"Many small and medium-sized enterprises have emerged in Harbin in the past two years, but very few have been able to make a name for themselves."

"I've seen your factory. Although the foundation is weak, the direction is right."

"The military industry is the path that the country attaches the most importance to."

"I see."

"Another aspect is technology. You cannot abandon your carbon fiber technology; you must continue to develop it."

"Our factory's head of technology research and development is Chen An, who graduated from Harbin Institute of Technology."

"You should make good use of the resources of Harbin Institute of Technology. President Zhao Zhiyuan has been a great supporter of your factory."

"Yes"

"Another factor is talent."

"Your small factory has done a great job to get to where it is today, but to grow and expand, you need more outstanding talents to join us."

"Our factory doesn't offer very good benefits, so it's hard to attract top talent."

Vice Mayor Liu smiled and said, "Xiao Ye, sometimes it's not just about having money to attract talent."

"Look at Chen An. A graduate of Harbin Institute of Technology, logically speaking, he could earn three times more in the south than in Harbin. So why did he stay here?"

Ye Bingwen thought for a moment and said.

He said he could use his knowledge in our factory.

"That's right, that's the problem."

"Talented people need a stage to showcase their skills."

Ye Bingwen nodded.

"Xiao Ye, now that the loan has been approved, it's time to start thinking about long-term development."

7

Ye Bingwen immediately replied, "I want to make the best carbon fiber."

"This is the right path, but we can't just make this one kind of product."

"So you mean to say...."

"Carbon fiber is a basic material that can be used in many places, such as military, aerospace, automobiles, and sporting goods. You need to have a long-term vision."

7

"Mayor Liu, I really appreciate what you've said."

3

"That's good. Okay, I have something to do this afternoon, you can go back now."

Ye Bingwen quickly stood up and said: