Chapter 21

On the morning of October 1st, the workers came early, cleaned the new factory, and cleared the surrounding land, moving the remaining materials to the back of the factory where they were less noticeable.

"Qiangsheng, what are you writing?" Chen Bing walked into the mold workshop and asked Lin Qiangsheng, who was sitting on a chair.

There were a few newspapers on the table. Lin Qiangsheng was reading the newspapers and writing something down.

While writing, he said, "I'm writing down some information about robotic arms. We will need them for the stamping parts in our factory in the future."

Chen Bing came to the table, looked at the newspapers with a puzzled expression, and asked, "What are robotic arms?"

Lin Qiangsheng said, "They are machines that automatically feed materials to prevent workers' fingers from being cut off by the stamping equipment."

Chen Bing said, "Oh, that's a real issue! In the past, when our factory repaired cars, some people accidentally had their fingers crushed or their feet injured by heavy objects!"

Lin Qiangsheng nodded. The leaders in the factory hadn't thought about this practical production issue yet. He had collected some industrial information and, recalling it, was thinking about when to suggest it to the higher-ups.

The original workers in the factory were all from the auto repair shop and had not received industrial production training. In actual production, even experienced workers in the factory could get injured, or even severely disabled, let alone these untrained people.

At around nine o'clock, the director of the Industrial Bureau, Qin Qidong, arrived in a car and made a round.

He praised the leaders and workers in the factory with high spirits and then held a brief meeting in the factory office.

Lin Xiangrong, Xu Ranxue, the chief engineer, and Lin Qiangsheng all attended. Lin Qiangsheng squeezed in as well.

Qin Qidong sat behind the desk, looked at everyone, and said with a smile, "The room is a bit small, so we'll have a short meeting. It won't take much time."

Director Zheng and Chang Yuanting, Lin Xiangrong, and Xu Ranxue all sat on the chairs on both sides. Lin Qiangsheng had to bring a stool and sit next to his father.

Qin Qidong said, "The provincial government has recognized your factory's achievements. The provincial industry and commerce bureau has applied to the central government, and they have officially issued you the business license and the car production directory."

"Great!" Factory Director Chang smiled, and Zheng Yongmin led the applause. Lin Xiangrong and Chief Engineer Xu were also very happy, with smiles on their faces.

Everyone clapped and was very happy after hearing Director Qin's words. Although they didn't understand what the car production directory was, they knew about the business license.

Lin Qiangsheng clapped his hands and saw Qin Qidong formally hand over several documents to Zheng Yongmin with both hands, making his applause even more enthusiastic.

"It's not easy! You have achieved great results under difficult conditions, and the provincial government is proud of you! The provincial government has decided to give you credit, and you all have the opportunity to be commended. Go back and prepare, and you might be asked to give reports and speeches in various places!" Qin Qidong continued.

"Hehe..." The few people present smiled awkwardly and looked at each other, surprised that such an opportunity had come to them!

Qin Qidong, seeing everyone's happy faces, pressed his hand down and then asked Zheng and Chang, "There's another matter. How many employees are currently on the payroll in the factory?"

Zheng Yongmin said, "Besides us, there are currently 57 workers in the factory, 23 retired or on sick leave, and 12 have passed away." Zheng Yongmin was very familiar with the factory's situation and spoke without hesitation.

Qin Qidong nodded and thought for a moment before saying, "The provincial government wants to allocate more personnel to your factory. How many workers do you think you will need after the car factory starts production? Calculate it and report the number to the provincial government. The Industrial Bureau also needs to consider it comprehensively."

Chang Yuanting looked at Zheng Yongmin and then cautiously asked Qin Qidong, "Director Qin, how many people does the Industrial Bureau plan to allocate to our factory?"

Lin Qiangsheng saw his father, Lin Xiangrong, staring at Qin Qidong without blinking, also very concerned about this issue.

Qin Qidong looked at everyone, paused, and said, "The provincial government's intention is to allocate 1,200 people to your factory."

"Wow..." Chang Yuanting drew a breath and said in surprise, "1,200 people! That's too many! Our factory originally only had 57 workers!"

Qin Qidong smiled and said reassuringly, "The SH car factory has over 2,000 people, and the First and Second Auto Works have tens of thousands. We are also a car manufacturing factory. Is 1,200 people too many? You need to cooperate with the provincial government's work! The provincial government is also under a lot of pressure! Just in our provincial capital, so many educated youth have been transferred back to the city, causing a lot of pressure for the provincial government! You need to help the provincial government solve these problems!"

Chang Yuanting asked anxiously, "If the provincial capital solves the problem by transferring people to us, isn't that creating a problem for us? How do we manage 1,200 people? Should we start paying wages immediately? Director Qin, we have almost used up our 5 million yuan loan!"

Zheng Yongmin had been sitting silently on the chair. Chang Yuanting's words were also what he wanted to ask. As the director, he couldn't directly express his concerns.

Qin Qidong smiled and said in a seemingly reassuring manner, "Don't worry, the Industrial Bureau will send people to help you manage the new employees!"

Director Qin's smile was on his face, but the people present felt a chill!

Zheng Yongmin raised his head, stared directly at Qin Qidong, Chang Yuanting's mouth was wide open in surprise, Chief Engineer Xu Ranxue subtly smiled, and Lin Xiangrong's hand quietly clenched.

Lin Qiangsheng bit his tongue, feeling the pain, and confirmed that he was not dreaming but in reality.

Qin Qidong had so boldly announced that they were going to take control! Was this the Industrial Bureau's intention or the provincial government's?

Lin Qiangsheng looked at Zheng Yongmin and Chang Yuanting and sighed in his heart.

After all, they were small leaders from a small auto repair shop, and in this society, there is a hierarchy. How could such small officials suddenly climb to a high position? Someone would always think of ways to kick them down.

Now, the foot had come!

"Damn!" Lin Qiangsheng silently made a "damn" gesture with his tongue.

Zheng Yongmin slowly said, "We will follow the provincial government's opinion. 1,200 people, so be it! But can the provincial government help us solve the funding issue? Or do you have any suggestions on how to handle the wages for these people?"

Chang Yuanting looked at his old partner in surprise, saw him nod, and thus implicitly accepted the provincial government's arrangement but still wanted to clarify the requirements.

Qin Qidong smiled and said, "That's right! The provincial government also knows that it's difficult for your factory to suddenly accommodate so many people. They have specially allocated some materials to support your factory. As for the funding, the provincial government can't solve it temporarily, so you need to work together to find a solution!"

"This! How do we work together to find a solution?!" Chang Yuanting continued to ask, puzzled.

Qin Qidong showed a hint of impatience on his face and was about to stand up, leaning on the table with both hands.

At this moment, Lin Qiangsheng raised his hand.

"Comrade Qiangsheng, what do you want to say?" Qin Qidong had a good impression of Lin Qiangsheng and asked him to speak.

Lin Qiangsheng stood up and said, "Director Qin, the sudden arrival of 1,200 new employees will definitely cause some chaos in the factory! These people haven't been trained. I suggest that we provide them with a period of equipment operation training before they start working and then pay their wages."

Chang Yuanting clapped his hands and said with a smile, "That's right! Qiangsheng's idea is good. Workers are less likely to cause problems after training!"

Qin Qidong thought for a moment, nodded, and said with a smile, "That's true. The bureau will study it and give you an answer."

Lin Qiangsheng nodded and handed over what he had written to Qin Qidong, saying, "Director Qin, our factory's production equipment, such as the stamping equipment, needs some technical improvements to prevent workers from accidentally getting their fingers cut off by the stamping machine. Therefore, we need to add some electrical auxiliary facilities. I heard that Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) has robot research, SH Auto Parts Factory has developed a car lamp shell stamping robot, and TJ Forging Machinery Factory has developed a forging material handling robot. Our factory needs these devices. Can you help us contact them?"

Qin Qidong smiled and asked, "Oh? You also know about robots and robotic arms?"

Lin Qiangsheng smiled and nodded, saying, "I know a little."

Everyone in the room, except Chief Engineer Xu Ranxue, was puzzled. They didn't know what robots and robotic arms were.

Qin Qidong said, "Indeed, HIT has a robot research project, and the Industrial Bureau supports their research. There's no need to contact SH and TJ factories. This year, at the robot conference in Jiaxing, HIT representatives also attended and exchanged blueprints. They even shared their welding robot."

Qin Qidong smiled and looked at the puzzled people, saying, "The automotive manufacturing industry needs robots, and I see this as a big trend in the future! Old Chang, Old Zheng, you should also keep up with the latest technological developments. We can't fall behind from the start! Comrade Qiangsheng's suggestion is good! I will contact HIT to send researchers to your factory to help you with the robot equipment!"

Qin Qidong stood up, walked to Lin Qiangsheng, patted his shoulder, and said with a smile, "Good idea! In the future, you should offer more good suggestions for the factory!"

A group of people accompanied Qin Qidong out of the factory office, watched him get into his car, and leave the factory gate.

After a long while, Chief Engineer Xu Ranxue said goodbye and rode his bicycle back to the college.

Zheng Yongmin and the other two silently returned to the office, and Lin Qiangsheng followed them in.

Lin Xiangrong asked, "What are you doing here again?"

Zheng Yongmin waved his hand and said, "Ah, Xiangrong, let Qiangsheng come in. I want to ask him about those robots."

Lin Qiangsheng smiled and explained to the group about his newspaper clippings and the involvement of robots in car manufacturing production.

"Oh! So that's how it is, convenient! These robots can automatically paint cars!" Zheng Yongmin nodded.

Chang Yuanting smiled and said, "Qiangsheng, you should have brought up the robots and robotic arms earlier. It would have been a good way to counter the provincial government's demand for more workers!"

"Ha ha..." Chang Yuanting laughed heartily.

Lin Xiangrong asked his son with a scolding tone, "There are so many people available. Why use robots to replace human labor? Isn't that redundant?"

Lin Qiangsheng rolled his eyes and ignored his father.

"Xiangrong, Qiangsheng is right! Many of the old painters in the factory are now sick, and the factory still pays their medical expenses. Some have had their fingers crushed and became disabled, and some are no longer able to work after being injured!" Zheng Yongmin said.

"Yes! It's good to have some protection. Since these are available, why not use them? Xiangrong, you need to learn more about this!" Chang Yuanting indirectly criticized Lin Xiangrong.

Lin Xiangrong, seeing that the two old leaders supported his son, smiled and nodded, saying, "I'm just afraid he will give bad advice and cause problems!"

Lin Qiangsheng gave his father a look of disdain, thinking he was just saving face by using his son as an excuse.

After the father and son left the office, Chang Yuanting whispered to Zheng Yongmin, "It seems the provincial government is trying to take our positions!"

Zheng Yongmin shook his head, thought for a moment, and said to Chang Yuanting, "I think the provincial government just wants to allocate workers, but Director Qin wants to bring people in!"

Chang Yuanting was surprised and asked, "Are they Director Qin's people?"

Zheng Yongmin sighed and said, "Whoever they are, as long as the factory can develop. I'm almost retired and won't be able to see the factory for many more years. Eventually, outsiders will have to come in."

Chang Yuanting sighed and shook his head as he walked out.

Lin Xiangrong, while walking, said to Lin Qiangsheng, "What suggestion did you give to Director Qin? We can't even manage 1,200 workers, and you're talking about robots!"

Lin Qiangsheng looked at his father, stopped, and said seriously, "Father, I'm not saying this to criticize you, but you really need to learn more about industrial modernization! If you keep being stubborn, you will be left behind by the times!" With that, Lin Qiangsheng turned and walked away.

Lin Xiangrong looked at his son in surprise, paused, and said, "Hey? This kid! He's lecturing me!"

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