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

"If all goes well, two months."

"Two months?"

Master Li did the math.

"Can we move in before the Lunar New Year?"

"Pretty much. After the foundation is poured, it needs to be cured for a month, and then the steel structure will be installed. We hope to finish the roof before the Spring Festival."

Ye Bingwen patted the dirt off his hands.

He turned and went back to his office to start writing a letter.

The letter was addressed to Professor Cai of the Materials Department at Harbin Military Engineering Institute.

This person is not the kind of academic who only publishes papers.

More importantly, Professor Cai happened to have a research project on composite materials, but he was struggling to find a practical application scenario.

The military-grade outer shells of the Hongqi Machinery Factory served as a ready-made testing ground.

This isn't asking for favors; it's cooperation.

Take what you need.

Ye Bingwen wrote very slowly.

Every word was carefully considered for a long time.

He was negotiating a deal with Professor Cai—you give me technical guidance, and I'll provide you with practical application scenarios and verification data.

Professor Cai didn't lose out on this deal.

The letter was written, folded, and put into an envelope.

I had just put down my pen when the office door was pushed open.

Wang Guoqiang held a stack of papers in his hand, his expression not looking good.

"Director Ye, something's happened."

"What is it?"

"I just called a few suppliers to confirm next month's steel orders."

"Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill said their equipment is under maintenance and they can't deliver next month's goods. Jianhua Steel gave the same answer."

"And there's SunMetal—"

"Is it also equipment maintenance?"

Ye Bingwen took over the conversation.

Wang Guoqiang nodded.

"Do you think it's possible for three companies to be undergoing maintenance at the same time?"

Wang Guoqiang's face turned pale.

"Does Director Ye mean that someone put in a good word for you?"

"It's not 'people,' it's 'horsepower.'"

Ye Bingwen leaned back in his chair.

"He worked at the provincial machinery department for more than ten years and dealt with steel suppliers throughout the province."

"The easiest way to strangle us is through our supply chain."

"What should we do then?"

Wang Guoqiang became anxious.

"Next month's orders are already booked; without steel, we can't do anything."

"Furthermore, we need to import a batch of steel for structural components at the new factory—"

Ye Bingwen raised his hand to interrupt him.

"How long will the current inventory last?"

"At most, half a month."

"Half a month is enough."

Ye Bingwen walked to the window.

"Section Chief Wang, go to Harbin Military Engineering Institute first thing tomorrow morning. Find Professor Cai in the Materials Science Department and give him this letter."

"Let me tell you, Ye Bingwen, asked him a question—what happens when there is a shortage of steel supply."

"Are there any alternative materials that can be used for processing the outer shell of military equipment?"

"Tell him that I am willing to collaborate with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering on joint development in the form of technical cooperation."

Wang Guoqiang put it into his briefcase.

"besides."

Ye Bingwen turned around.

Before you go, compile a report on the situation of our factory.

"Make sure you write down the production capacity, orders, product types, and technical requirements clearly. It would be bad if you couldn't answer Professor Cai's questions."

"I'll work overtime tonight to write it."

Wang Guoqiang went out.

Ye Bingwen opened his notebook.

New factory construction progress: Foundation excavation is underway, concrete pouring is expected next week, and completion is expected within two months.

Steel inventory: half a month.

Composite material solution: Awaiting Professor Cai's reply.

Ma Li wanted to cripple him by cutting off his supply chain.

This move was indeed ruthless, but it also exposed a problem—Ma Li was too hasty.

If he had a more effective strategy, he wouldn't have resorted to a method that requires coordinating three suppliers to be effective.

Rushing makes it easy to make mistakes.

He closed his notebook and went to the workshop.

Liu Xiaojun is still repairing the press machine.

Master Li squatted down beside him, handing him tools and giving him instructions.

"When you're making the sealing surface, leave a little slack. When you're installing it, use fine sandpaper to smooth it out for a tighter fit."

"Understood, Master Li."

Liu Xiaojun held calipers and carefully measured the newly machined sealing ring blank.

Ye Bingwen squatted down and looked at it for a while.

Liu Xiaojun's hands are very steady, and the parts he produces have smooth surfaces and accurate dimensions.

After following along for more than half a year, I have indeed mastered the craft.

"Xiao Jun, don't rush to install the car after it's finished. Let me take a look at it."

"Okay, Uncle Ye."

Ye Bingwen walked to the old milling machine that was running, pondering his next move.

After the new factory is built, the equipment needs to be moved there, the production lines need to be rearranged, and the personnel need to be reassigned.

After the New Year, Liu Xiaojun will be able to serve as half a master. At that time, he can take on one or two new apprentices to relieve Master Li's burden.

The trial production of composite materials needs to be done in the new factory, and the press needs to be moved to the stamping area of ​​the new factory.

Plan every step in advance; don't wait until the move to be scrambling to make things happen.

My pager vibrated; it was a notification from the school.

The deadline for final exam registration is next Friday. Students from each class should go to the department office to confirm their exam subjects.

He glanced at the calendar; there were still thirty-one days left.

Ye Bingwen put the pager back in his pocket and rode his bicycle home.

When we arrived at the entrance of the family compound, An'an was squatting on the ground drawing.

Upon seeing him, An'an stood up, her little face covered in chalk dust.

"Dad! Look at my drawing!"

Ye Bingwen looked down and saw a crooked rectangle drawn on the ground with several vertical lines inside.

"What is this?"

"It's Dad's new factory!"

Ye Bingwen looked at it carefully.

"An'an, you drew so well. When the new factory is finished, Dad will take you to visit it."

"real?"

"real."

An'an happily jumped into Ye Bingwen's arms.

The next morning, Ye Bingwen rode his bicycle directly to Harbin Military Engineering Institute.

Wang Guoqiang delivered the letter yesterday, and Professor Cai replied, asking him to come for a meeting this morning.

He had already met Professor Cai once at that meeting of the Provincial Defense Industry Office, so they were acquainted.

But at that time, it was just an expert group reviewing the quality inspection report, so there was no opportunity for in-depth discussion.

Today is the formal cooperation negotiation, and we're going to talk about real money.

The campus of Harbin Military Engineering Institute is much larger than that of Harbin Institute of Technology.

Ye Bingwen asked two students before he finally found the teaching building for the Materials Science Department.

Professor Cai's office was on the third floor, and the door was half open.

Ye Bingwen knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Professor Cai was dressed the same as the other day.

Seeing Ye Bingwen come in, he took off his reading glasses.

"Xiao Ye is here? Please have a seat."

Ye Bingwen sat down opposite him.

Professor Cai didn't stand on ceremony and spoke directly.

"I read your letter. It was well-written, getting straight to the point without beating around the bush."

"I felt at the meeting that day that you were a person who spoke clearly and concisely, without beating around the bush."

"Thank you, Professor Cai."

"Don't thank me, let's get down to business."

Professor Cai picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"I saw your motor demonstration at the meeting that day; you have a solid technical foundation."

"But composite materials and your motor casing are two different things. I have a few questions for you, so answer them honestly."

"Please ask."

How many military items can your factory produce per month?

"Last month there were 120 orders, and this month there are 150 orders."

Professor Cai nodded.

"What materials are currently used for the motor housing?"

"A3 steel, surface treated after stamping."

"What about the cost?"

"The material cost is 3.8 yuan per piece, plus processing and management fees, the ex-factory price is 7.2 yuan."