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

Director Liu looked up.

"A school-run factory?"

"Yes. My current factory is too small, and the foundation is not good enough. I have my eye on that vacant lot next to the playground, and I want to build a new factory there."

"It's built now. I'm working with the school. The school provides the land, and I'll provide the equipment and management."

"Students can come to the factory for practical training and learn technical skills. When the factory makes a profit, it will share the profits with the school."

Director Liu leaned back in his chair.

"Go on."

"Director Liu, the country is now advocating vocational education, and students cannot just study without practicing."

"My factory does machining, and it's fully equipped. Students who come here can learn real skills."

Ye Bingzhi paused for a moment.

"Moreover, the school is currently facing a tight budget, and the school-run factory can generate revenue. I don't need the school to invest a single penny; I only need the school to provide the land."

"I build my own factory, supply my own equipment, and handle all the orders myself."

"If there's a profit, it will be distributed to the school proportionally."

Director Liu remained silent for a while.

"Your idea is good, but it needs the school board's approval. My decision alone isn't enough."

"I know. That's why I'm discussing this with you first. If you think it's okay, then please report it to the school committee for me."

Director Liu walked to the window and looked at the open space next to the playground.

"That piece of land is about three acres, enough to build a factory."

"Three mu is more than enough. My current factory is only half a mu, and it's already too cramped to put two machine tools in it."

How big are you planning to build?

"Build 800 square meters first. Leave room for expansion."

Director Liu turned around.

"Xiao Ye, tell me the truth, how much output value do you have per month right now?"

"Last month it was over 60,000, this month it should reach 80,000. Once the new factory is built and production capacity increases, 150,000 a month should be no problem."

Director Liu's eyes lit up.

"150,000?"

"Yes. And I've already secured an order from the provincial military district. Military products have higher profit margins, more than 30% higher than civilian products."

Director Liu thought about it.

"Here's what we'll do, you go back first. I'll report this to the school board for you, and if they're interested, I'll let you know."

"Okay. Thank you for your help, Director Liu."

"It's no trouble at all. If you can really get the school-run factory up and running, it will be a good thing for the school as well."

After Ye Bingwen left, Director Liu sat in his office for a long time, thinking.

He dialed the principal's number.

"Principal, there's something I'd like to report to you..."

Ye Bingwen returned to the factory, where Master Li greeted him.

"How is it?"

"Director Liu said he would report to the school committee and we'll wait for news."

"Will it work?"

"I'm about 50% sure."

Ye Bingwen lit a cigarette.

"But whether it works out or not, the factory issue must be resolved as soon as possible. Today's methods are only treating the symptoms, not the root cause. If the foundation isn't properly prepared, the new machine tools will inevitably break down sooner or later."

"What if the school doesn't agree?"

"Then let's find somewhere else. We have to move before next spring anyway."

Ye Bingwen stubbed out his cigarette.

Liu Xiaojun is working on the new machine tool.

He went over to take a look and said, "Well done, the dimensions are all accurate."

"Well done. Starting today, the new machine tool is yours. If you're unsure about anything, feel free to ask Master Li."

Liu Xiaojun nodded vigorously.

During the lunch break, Ye Bingwen found a piece of wood.

It hangs on the most conspicuous wall in the workshop.

Then, use chalk to divide the columns: date, output, pass rate, and responsible person.

He filled in the data from the morning:

Finishing: 12 pieces

Pass rate: 100%

Responsible persons: Mr. Li, Liu Xiaojun

The workers gathered around to look.

"Before, it didn't matter how much you did or how little you did; now it's clear at a glance, and good performance is written all over your face!"

"I'll have to be more careful from now on, and not embarrass myself on the bulletin board!"

Ye Bingwen understood the situation by observing the enthusiasm of the crowd.

Workers of this era value face and recognition above all else.

A small signboard is more effective than any amount of grand principles.

After finishing get off work in the evening, Ye Bingwen rode his old-fashioned bicycle home.

Inside the basket was a freshly stamped motor housing, shiny and smooth.

As soon as I entered the residential compound, I saw An'an playing with several other children downstairs.

Upon seeing him, the little girl immediately ran over.

"Daddy! Daddy's home!"

Ye Bingwen quickly got out of the car, bent down and picked up his daughter.

An'an wrapped her little arms tightly around his neck and pressed her little face against his.

"Dad, did you make anything today?"

An'an tilted her little face up and asked with bright, sparkling eyes.

"I did it."

Ye Bingwen smiled and took the outer shell out of the bicycle basket.

"Look, this is the motor housing that Dad made."

An An curiously reached out and touched it.

"So bright! Like a mirror!"

Do you like it?

"like!"

An'an nodded vigorously.

"Dad is the best!"

Carrying her daughter upstairs, Zheng Shuyun had already set the table with the food.

"You came home right on time today."

Zheng Shuyun took the coat from his hand.

"How did the land negotiations go?"

"Director Liu submitted the application for me, so there shouldn't be any major problems."

Ye Bingwen placed An'an on the chair.

"Once the school committee approves it, construction can begin in the spring."

Zheng Shuyun's eyes lit up.

"Really? Then the factory will be bigger, and we won't have to worry about an unstable foundation anymore."

"Um."

Ye Bingwen picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and put it into his daughter's bowl.

"In the future, not only will the factory be large, but it can also serve as a practical training base for the Mechanical Engineering Department, which can be considered as making a contribution to the school."

Zheng Shuyun looked at him with gentle eyes.

"I knew it. What you want to do, you can do."

An'an held her small bowl and ate her food in small bites.

Looking at his wife and daughter, Ye Bingwen felt a warm glow in his heart.

Reborn into this world, what he wanted was never some earth-shattering wealth and status.

Three days later, Director Liu arrived at the factory on his bicycle.

Ye Bingwen was watching Liu Xiaojun work next to the new machine tool.

Hearing Old Liu shout, he wiped his hands and went outside.

"Director Liu? Why did you come in person?"

"The school board is having a meeting tomorrow morning at nine o'clock to specifically discuss your matter."

Director Liu took a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to him.

"This is the meeting notice. Please prepare yourself; you will be speaking later."

Ye Bingwen took the note and looked at it. It contained the time, place, and topic.

"Director Liu, what's the principal's attitude?"

"The principal neither said yes nor no, he just said he would listen to your proposal first."

Director Liu lowered his voice.

"However, there's something I need to tell you beforehand. Professor Zhao from the Mechanical Engineering Department is against this."

He believed that students should focus on their studies, and that working in factories was a waste of time.

"You need to be prepared for tomorrow; Professor Zhao will definitely raise objections."

"I understand. Thank you, Director Liu."

"Don't thank me. If you can convince Professor Zhao, the deal will be 70-80% done."

After saying that, Director Liu got on his bicycle and left.

Ye Bingwen called Master Li over.

"I'm going to a meeting at the school tomorrow morning. Keep an eye on things at the factory."

"A meeting? What kind of meeting?"

"The school board is discussing the new factory."

Mr. Li was stunned for a moment.

"Did the school really hold a special meeting to discuss this?"

"Yes. Director Liu just came to inform us."

"Then you'd better prepare well."

Ye Bingwen smiled.

"I know."