Chapter 1106: Old Li and Little Li

It must be said, this Fengcheng First Machine Tool Factory is truly big, truly awesome.

Fengcheng is known as the "Hometown of Machine Tools in China" at this time; how about that? Is the reputation big enough?

However, in the machining industry, the name of Fengcheng First Machine Tool Factory is even louder!

In the country, whenever industrial mother machines are mentioned, who wouldn't know the Fengcheng First Machine Tool Factory?

Fengcheng First Machine Tool Factory is not just Fengcheng First Machine Tool Factory, it is also the "Central" First Machine Tool Factory.

The "People's Daily" praised it as "our country's first new working mother machine manufacturing factory."

During the "First Five-Year Plan" period, it was listed as one of the country's 156 key engineering projects and is a well-deserved industrial leading enterprise.

The research and development unit for the first jeep, a key backbone enterprise... an industrialization base...

According to the person in charge of the First Machine Tool Factory, they have received so many awards that their hands are soft.

When Li Huai De heard this, he was a bit focused and surprised; this train wasn't pushed, and the awesomeness wasn't blown; people had a foundation.

"I'm really not showing off anything to you all; of course, I also know the Red Star Factory's glory."

The person in charge looked proud, but his tone was very polite as he said, "This was exchanged for by the blood and sweat of our tens of thousands of workers at the First Machine Tool Factory."

This was indeed the truth; Li Huai De didn't care about his tone and attitude.

People had cast the first metal national emblem of the new China, and even the 1960 version of the 2-yuan banknote had their product drawn on it; this honor was solid.

Looking at the factory scale, as well as the workers and machinery in the production workshop, and listening to the person in charge introduce the annual production of 3,500 various lathes, Li Xuewu also nodded in conviction.

At the very least, the Beijing Second Machinery Factory couldn't reach this level, nor did it have this production capacity.

In 1935, this was the mining machinery repair and assembly plant under the jurisdiction of the Manchuria Machine Stock Company.

In 1945, when the little devils ran away, they took all the technical data and files with them.

After the Maozi brothers took over, they didn't continue operations, but transported away almost all the main machinery and equipment, with less than one in ten of the remaining equipment left.

After changing hands several times, the factory, which was a mess, was finally taken over by the Transportation Brigade's people.

Between 1946 and 1947, the factory was successively renamed "Fengcheng Fourth Machinery Factory of the Ministry of Economy" and "Fengcheng Machinery Factory of the Resources Commission Co., Ltd."

However, in that era, the people under the Transportation Brigade were corrupt and bastards; not only were they unable to carry out production, but they also sold off the factory's equipment.

Until the liberation of Fengcheng, this factory remained completely paralyzed.

With the founding of the new China, the factory was officially renamed the Fengcheng First Machine Tool Factory.

As the eldest son of the Republic's industry, the Fengcheng First Machine Tool Factory, once activated, invested over a hundred imported Soviet-made machine tools as industrial mother machines.

It also lived up to expectations by successfully developing China's first self-designed six-foot belt lathe, signaling that the new China's machinery industry had officially started.

During the period from 1950 to 1952, the Fengcheng First Machine Tool Factory developed and produced the 111A full-gear lathe, the 3736 650mm bullhead planer, and the C630 ordinary lathe.

This laid the foundation for the renovation and expansion during the "First Five-Year Plan" period and was also the most important link in the country's basic industrial system.

From 1953 to 1955, under the guidance of Maozi experts, the Fengcheng First Machine Tool Factory completed its overall transformation based on the Moscow Red Proletarian Machine Tool Manufacturing Factory.

Because they belonged to the same social camp, the "Old Big Brother" also provided the process documents for the 1A61 lathe, which had the highest precision at the time, as aid.

This made the Fengcheng First Machine Tool Factory one of the most advanced machine tool factories in the social camp at that time.

In the following two years, the variety of products at the Fengcheng First Machine Tool Factory increased to 14, with an annual production of over 3,400 units, excellently completing the various indicators in the "First Five-Year Plan."

In 1955, it independently produced the first ordinary lathe—the C620-1 horizontal lathe, and imitated the production of the 1A62 and 1D63A lathes from the Moscow Red Proletarian.

In 1958, it trial-produced China's first precision lead screw lathe.

In 1964, it independently developed and produced the CT8305 semi-automatic camshaft lathe, which was a machine tool of choice for the automobile and tractor manufacturing industry.

In 1965, it developed and produced special machine tools for the Juqing Oilfield and the Steel City Steel Plant.

In 1966, it successively developed and produced the CW6163, CW6180, and CW series ordinary lathes.

Listening to the person in charge introduce this, Li Huai De was already envious enough of the First Machine Tool Factory's glory.

But Li Xuewu discovered some different situations during the visit and research.

Of course, people invited them to visit and research, not to work for the Red Star Factory's subordinate enterprises, so the face of course had to be kept.

Li Huai De was chatting with the person in charge, blowing commercial smoke, and praising each other.

But Li Huai De was not responsible for specific business; even if the person in charge on the other side hoped that the Red Star Factory could leave an order here, or even if there were interesting projects to cooperate on.

However, Old Li knew his level and ability very clearly and wouldn't easily make this decision.

Business matters had to be handled by specialists; this time he brought a team to Fengcheng, and the team didn't just consist of secretaries from the Management Office.

Technology, sales, production, finance, trade, and other departments all had people participating.

Without suggestions from these experts or business teams, even if the other party praised things to the skies, Li Huai De wouldn't fall for it.

Of course, he also praised the Fengcheng First Machine Tool Factory's honor and glory to the skies.

However, this was just surface glory.

Li Xuewu led the team to look at the introduction materials provided by the other party, as well as the comparison of various data, combined with the situation seen in the workshop.

He and the team reached the same conclusion: the Fengcheng First Machine Tool Factory was already empty.

It wasn't to say the workshop was empty, or the warehouse was empty, but that the overall strength was empty.

Li Xuewu didn't do more in-depth investigation and research on the reasons, but looking at historical reasons, it was nothing more than a few points.

One was that the Old Big Brother left too hastily in 1958, and the aid plan was too short.

Another was the current "Great Learning" activity; although Fengcheng was not the capital, the wind of learning in the capital had blown to Fengcheng, and it wasn't small.

People working in the organization knew that if the decision or policy set by the higher-ups was 1, then it would become 11 when it reached the province, and 111 when it reached the city, and then it would become...

It couldn't be arranged further down, because it couldn't be arranged clearly; the original decision 1 didn't know what it had become, it could be 7, or even B.

The longer Li Xuewu participated in project management, the deeper his eye for detail became; some things didn't need to be said, didn't need to be asked, he knew at a glance.

Look at the mental outlook of the factory workers when they worked, look at the rigor of the craftsmanship and processes, and even look at the work environment and hygiene management.

You might say, if hygiene is managed well, the quality of the product isn't necessarily produced well.

That's right, this statement is absolutely correct.

However, if even basic hygiene cannot be managed well, the quality of the product will definitely not be good.

What is a machine tool?

A machine tool is the most basic equipment for processing machinery, with strict processing standards and processes, and extremely strict requirements for precision and quality.

It can be said that precision directly determines quality.

But the production experts in the visiting and research team, after looking at the lathe products, concluded that there were many defects and they were unqualified.

How big were the defects?

They might only be as thin as a hair, but just this little defect meant that in terms of precision, it was unqualified, a machine tool that couldn't be used.

This is two different things from a furniture factory producing furniture; wood that is a fraction too much or too little can be repaired with paint or a plane, but how do you repair steel parts?

Li Huai De had already read the meaning from Li Xuewu's eyes, which was also the final conclusion of the research team, so his speech became increasingly polite.

The person in charge of the First Machine Tool Factory intended to coordinate with Deputy Director Yu Han to keep the guests, wanting to invite the Red Star Factory guests to dinner.

Yu Han asked for Li Xuewu's opinion through Hu Ke; Li Xuewu, after communicating with Li Huai De, politely declined, sincerely expressing his gratitude and apologies to the other party.

The reason was that the Red Star Factory's research team had to hold a meeting tonight to refine the several opinions just reached with Deputy Director Lu Qiming.

This polite refusal was of course very sufficient, but the person in charge of the First Machine Tool Factory also saw the Red Star Factory's meaning: they didn't look favorably on cooperation with the First Machine Tool Factory, or rather, they had seen something.

When sending the Red Star Factory party to the car, the person in charge of the First Machine Tool Factory secretly grabbed Hu Ke's arm and chatted quietly for two sentences.

"Deputy Director Hu, can you help us say something more? This opportunity is really too rare."

The person in charge said softly but with an urgent tone, "The Red Star Factory invested tens of millions in Steel City and Yingcheng to build new factories, and also has new light industrial industries landing in the capital; they absolutely need machine tools."

"Even if we could just take down the industrial machinery procurement order for Steel City, we would be satisfied."

"Director Liu, I've already put my blood and capital into this; I've brought the people to you, what can I do if you can't keep them?"

Hu Ke was so anxious he stomped his feet and said to the First Machine Tool Factory person in charge, "A brand-new rolling mill! They also have a big order with France that they are currently negotiating; the machine tool procurement order is more than ten million! Your performance today is not good."

He poked the person in charge's chest and said, "Stop thinking about fooling people; I already reminded you, the main target is not that Old Li, but that Little Li! That is the one in charge of business management."

"Put away your posture of bragging while lying on your merits; give me something practical."

Hu Ke gestured to the group of people in white shirts who were boarding the car and said, "There are at least seven experts and professors from Tsinghua University in there; who are you trying to fool?"

The person in charge was also dumbfounded; looking at the team boarding the car, as well as the Red Star Factory person in charge standing by the car chatting, he also felt sad in his heart.

The First Machine Tool Factory's current situation was covered in sores; not only were there frequent product quality problems and a massive loss of talent, but the factory was also spending more than it earned, almost reaching the point of imminent bankruptcy.

He didn't want to say the reason, and couldn't say it, but tens of thousands of workers were relying on the factory to eat and support their families; if he let the factory go yellow during his tenure, he would have the heart to jump into the river to apologize.

"I don't even want to say anything to you anymore."

Hu Ke was also a bit angry and said, "You compare past glory with the present; are people here to watch you brag, or to watch the products?"

"At the very least, you should let people see that your factory has the ability to cooperate in production and management; you're just bragging hard, what's the use?"

"Then what should we do?"

The person in charge said in a low voice, "Can you speak to the leaders again? Help us fight for it?"

"I can speak to the leaders on your behalf, but the opportunity must be grasped by yourself."

Hu Ke sighed deeply; he also didn't want to see the factory that was once the most glorious head toward decline.

"Tomorrow they are going to see the Workers' New Village because the Red Star Factory wants to build a more complex and comprehensive integrated living environment in the capital."

"In the morning, Deputy Director Lu will accompany the research; at that time, please ask the leader to find an opportunity to plead for you."

Hu Ke reached out and grabbed his arm and said, "But you have to take action tonight; consider it yourself, how exactly to cooperate."

"Hey—Deputy Director Hu."

Seeing that Hu Ke was about to leave after finishing his instructions, the person in charge hurriedly grabbed the other party and asked, "Can you give me a hint? How should this cooperation be discussed? We don't even have a bottom line."

"I'll say one thing, you think about it yourselves."

Hu Ke glanced at Li Xuewu, who was boarding the car, turned back to the person in charge, and said, "The Red Star Factory is cooperating with the Beijing Second Machinery Factory to engage in joint industry, producing and imitating imported machinery."

"Consider it yourselves; people are not gods of wealth, things aren't given away for free, and those tens of millions didn't come from a strong wind, so they won't just give them to you."

After saying this, he didn't say anything more to the person in charge and ran to board Li Huai De's car.

Watching the motorcade leave, Liu Zuodong, the person in charge of the First Machine Tool Factory, stood there feeling emotional and extremely uncomfortable.

When it was glorious before, the First Machine Tool Factory didn't need to be so humble; the cadres in charge of industry in the province revolved around them.

But look at it now; they have become like stinking dog shit, with everyone avoiding them.

The First Machine Tool Factory hadn't even reached the point of bankruptcy yet, so how did it become like this?

The fact that the Fengcheng First Machine Tool Factory couldn't keep the Red Star Factory people for dinner was known to Lu Qiming before the motorcade returned to the Liaodong Guesthouse.

As the largest and best machinery factory in Fengcheng, the pearl on the crown of industry, he, who was in charge of industrial work, naturally couldn't give up.

Therefore, when the motorcade stopped in front of the guesthouse and Li Huai De and the others got out of the car, walking toward the lobby while arranging work for the evening, they saw Lu Qiming waiting at the gate with his secretary.

"Deputy Director Lu? This... is too polite," Li Huai De said with a smile as he shook hands with the other party. "Deputy Director Yu's reception and arrangements were already very good; you have made me feel flattered."

"Hahaha—it's only right!"

Lu Qiming smiled and invited Li Huai De to walk inside, explaining, "It's after work, there's nothing to do in the evening, and I thought we didn't drink to our heart's content at noon."

He touched Li Huai De's arm lightly and whispered a joke, "You've come from afar, I must accompany you well; otherwise, next time I go to the pass, how can I find you, Director Li, to drink?"

"Hahaha—"

Li Huai De laughed loudly and said, "This really makes me feel ashamed; when you go to the capital, it must be me entertaining you!"

He already knew in his heart why this Deputy Director Lu had come to drink with him again in the evening; it absolutely wasn't because it was after work and there was nothing to do—whoever believed that was a big idiot.

For cadres of Lu Qiming's level, when do they ever go home on time after work? This isn't a joke.

On one hand, it was to arrange for the Red Star Factory to visit and research the Fengcheng First Machine Tool Factory, but it didn't receive the ideal effect and didn't satisfy the Red Star Factory, so he felt apologetic.

On the other hand, the Red Star Factory was invited to come, holding a large order in its hands; he couldn't just watch this piece of fat meat fly away from under his nose so openly.

Therefore, without the First Machine Tool Factory saying anything, he also knew what to do and how to make up for this matter.

Although he was cursing the First Machine Tool Factory in his heart for being useless and not doing the work well.

But in reality, this was his basic base; he was the one in charge, and he had to make a final effort for the other party.

He spoke, and Li Huai De of the Red Star Factory would definitely give some face, but whether this face was thin or thick depended on his actual actions.

This money was in the Red Star Factory's pocket; he couldn't reach out to take it or grab it.

The size of a factory's machinery order is different; even if Li Huai De gave face, if the First Machine Tool Factory couldn't handle it, this face was asked for in vain.

Besides, Li Huai De gave him face, so the Red Star Factory would have to have his support and help in Liaodong in the future.

When away from home, whether face is worth money still depends on one's ability and level.

It could be seen that for the sake of the Red Star Factory, Lu Qiming had put his heart into this dinner tonight.

Northeast cuisine itself has very large portions, plus the reception specifications and standards, which were deliberately prepared for the Red Star Factory; this table of dishes was enough to look at.

According to Li Xuewu's psychological preparation, this dinner tonight should have been eaten at the First Machine Tool Factory; the level of the other party's reception wouldn't be lower than here, but the reception standard absolutely couldn't reach Lu Qiming's accompaniment.

And in response to another situation, the reception guesthouse would also prepare dinner, which also wouldn't be this sumptuous, and the accompaniment should be Yu Han.

This kind of temporary addition wasn't rare; at least Li Huai De had psychological preparation.

Therefore, when facing Lu Qiming, he was very calm, very relaxed, and casual.

Both sides went back and forth at the wine table, without the restraint and constraints of noon; they dared to toast more and offer more drinks after work hours.

Lu Qiming of course had preparations; besides Yu Han and Hu Ke, he also called Wang Lu, the person in charge of Steel City industry, and Ge Ping, the person in charge of Yingcheng industry, who were waiting for the Red Star Factory today, to join.

On the Red Star Factory side, it was mainly Li Huai De and Li Xuewu, fighting against the opposite side, fighting a positional war, and fighting a defensive counterattack.

Li Xuewu counterattacked alone, and Li Huai De led the others to defend.

But seeing Li Xuewu toast frequently, with every cup bottoming out, they knew a wine immortal had arrived.

The firepower on the opposite side was concentrated on Li Xuewu, and because he was young, promising, eloquent, and the person in charge of coordinating industry and business for the Red Star Factory, drinking with him was no problem.

At this dinner, when they started drinking, work wasn't mentioned, and the research and visit in the afternoon weren't mentioned; they just chatted about customs.

Actually, chatting about anything was useless; Li Xuewu's mouth and brain, the more he drank, the faster they turned.

With the convenience of being the leader of the team, the drinks he toasted were also drunk with great face, but the opposite side felt something was wrong as they drank.

Is this a wine barrel or a wine vat?

The dishes hadn't even been fully served yet, and the two-tael cups had already gone back and forth several times.

It was probably two jin of wine already down the stomach, but looking at Li Xuewu's complexion, it was only slightly red, and there wasn't a hint of drunkenness.

Damn! This game today is really difficult!

Why? Because they met someone unreasonable!

It's just like this at the wine table; sometimes there's really no way. You clearly watch him pour wine into his mouth, but you watch him drink without his face turning red or his heart jumping.

Several white wine bottles on the serving table were already empty, and the opposite side was still pouring wine.

Damn, who's going?! Take him down!

It must be the end of his strength, absolutely!

There are those who don't change their face when drinking, no matter how they drink, they are just like that, at most three jin, the kind that collapses as soon as they reach their limit.

Therefore, determined that Li Xuewu was about to collapse, these people began to attack in turns.

Li Xuewu bottomed out every cup.

Some people had more heart and thought Li Xuewu was playing tricks, drinking wine outside his stomach.

Taking the opportunity to toast, they leaned in to look.

What was the result?

Good fellow, he was really pouring it into his mouth!

Lu Qiming, who was talking to Li Huai De, was also dumbfounded watching this; we are the hosts.

"Actually, Deputy Director Li's capacity isn't much; maybe he's back in his hometown and is in a good mood."

Li Huai De was still saying sarcastic things here; did he not know what Li Xuewu's capacity was?

How many units that cooperated with the Red Star Factory hadn't been ruined by this combination of him and Li Xuewu? How many persons in charge had been drunk and vomited?

To put it this way, as long as they wanted to, as long as the opposite side dared to drink, not a single factory person in charge could walk out of the Red Star Factory's guesthouse standing.

That was truly, you just drink, one drink and not a sound.

Northeast people drink more fiercely than in the capital, more fiercely than in the south; rarely do they see small cups, and at the wine table, the smallest are two taels; this is called a polite cup.

Small cups are for old men and old ladies, sitting on the kang at home, saying they can't bear to drink, pondering the taste one or two taels at a time.

Here at the wine table, two taels are tasted first, and as they drink, they have to change to rice bowls.

Gulp, gulp, gulp, the rice bowl the size of a person's palm is filled, and at least there's half a jin.

There are even more ruthless ones, big bowls, the kind used for vegetables, filled up, almost a jin of wine.

There was an even more ruthless one, a large bowl, the kind used for serving vegetables, filled to the brim; it was nearly a jin of liquor.

After this bowl of wine goes down, if a person doesn't collapse, they are famous at the wine tables of ten miles and eight villages, and no one dares to call you out to drink anymore.

But this kind of scene cannot be on the wine table of Li Huai De and the others now; after all, it is an organizational relationship, and you can't drink like this even if you make friends.

Therefore, with two-tael cups, Li Xuewu truly left the other side speechless and dumbfounded.

Wang Lu, the person in charge of Steel City industry, was a female comrade, but she was also a veteran tested by alcohol, and her drinking was not inferior to ordinary male comrades.

But after clinking glasses with Li Xuewu a few times, she very wisely retreated, knowing that Lu Qiming had met a tough guy today.

Watching Li Xuewu beat up a group of people on his side while still being able to attack her, Lu Qiming was also a bit panicked; is this damn thing trying to take me down?

He also took Li Huai De's words to ask about the reason for returning to his hometown; he hadn't heard that Li Xuewu was a Northeast person.

However, he felt one thing: Li Xuewu spoke with a Northeast accent, but not completely.

Northeast people are very sensitive to foreign accents, especially those who went out from the Northeast and came back after a circle in the south.

You don't even need a long time; just half a year, and the change in accent is absolutely audible.

But at this time, cross-regional appointments were very rare, especially given Li Xuewu's youth.

Hearing Li Xuewu's introduction that his grandmother was a Northeast person, Lu Qiming took advantage of the old lady's affairs at that time to talk about the past events in the Northeast, and then extended it to industry.

"It's really difficult; what's difficult isn't the technology; if it were technology, I wouldn't regret it."

After the meal, Lu Qiming invited Li Huai De and Li Xuewu to the reception room to drink tea.

He grinned and said with great regret, "The First Machine Tool Factory has technology; the machine tools designed for several large enterprises have received praise and acclaim; this is a visible achievement."

"However, we must admit that technology has developed over these years, but management has entered a dead end, especially the ability to resist risks."

There weren't many people in the reception room; on the Red Star Factory side were Li Huai De and Li Xuewu, as well as their secretaries Li Haiyang and Peng Xiaoli.

On the Liaodong side were Lu Qiming, Yu Han, Hu Ke, and Steel City industrial person in charge Wang Lu.

A secretary was doing service work, and there was no one else present, so he spoke openly.

"Regarding this point, it is the place where I am most dissatisfied with the First Machine Tool Factory."

Lu Qiming frowned and pointed outside the door, saying seriously, "Ignoring the head and ignoring the tail, in the end, product quality has declined seriously, and technical personnel have flowed away, making a mess."

Just when they were eating dinner, Liu Zuodong, the person in charge of the First Machine Tool Factory, chased after them.

His original intention was to find the Red Star Factory to communicate privately again and fight for some opportunities.

He didn't expect Deputy Director Lu Qiming to be on this side; he had already arrived, and he didn't dare to leave, only hoping to meet with the Red Star Factory.

On the way to the reception room just now, Lu Qiming didn't even pay attention to him, and at the door, he didn't even say he could come in to participate in the meeting.

Therefore, Liu Zuodong was standing in the corridor as punishment; Lu Qiming's words were also said for him to hear, just to shame him.

"Why invite the Red Star Factory to Liaodong, and why did I arrange for you to visit and research the Fengcheng First Machine Tool Factory?"

Lu Qiming wasn't drunk, but his face was very red; his speech was still clear, but there was more emotional tone.

"I feel sorry for the foundation of Northeast industry; I can't bear to see a meritorious factory rot under my eyelids; I feel sorry."

He said sincerely, "I have carefully understood the Red Star Factory; Comrade Hu Ke told me that there is a Red Star Rolling Mill in the capital that has already started preparing for promotion, saying it wants great development and to run forward."

"I said, what is this? Not to mention the Northeast, just in Liaodong, how many promotions come out every year, how many backbone enterprises come out every year?"

"However, Comrade Hu Ke told me that the comparison of industrial indicators of the rolling mill before and after the Great Learning activity increased several times."

"He also told me that the Red Star Factory's foreign trade mouth opened so wide that the First Ministry of Machine Building and the Ministry of Foreign Trade were arguing, and also said that the total investment of 80 million in five years—good fellow, I was dumbfounded all of a sudden."

"80 million, not to mention Fengcheng, even in Liaodong, in the Northeast, there is no enterprise that dares to say it will invest 80 million in five years to do business."

Lu Qiming said with emotion, "I hung a job at the 17th Factory, I know very well the core goals and keys of enterprise investment; as soon as this 80 million data came out, I knew I had been set up by him."

"Hahaha—"

Everyone was amused by his words; Hu Ke interjected lightly to explain, "Director Lu was also at the scene at the time, and he also asked."

"Who could believe it—!"

Lu Qiming himself was also smiling, patted the sofa armrest, and said, "I almost scolded Hu Ke for reporting false military intelligence at the time; later he brought me investigation materials and newspapers to look at."

"From the hardware industry feeding back the metallurgical industry, the metallurgical industry driving the automobile industry, the automobile industry connecting the shipbuilding industry... after combing through this series of industrial development, I knew the Red Star Factory."

"Hahaha, you are too kind; actually, we are also crossing the river by feeling the stones."

Li Huai De couldn't suppress the corners of his mouth; it didn't matter if others praised him, this was the Deputy Director in charge of industry in Liaodong.

"When we were doing the three-year plan and five-year plan, we were also trembling with fear, very afraid of not completing the task indicators and blowing the cow too big."

"Hey—I don't think so."

Lu Qiming waved his hand and said, "Once an expert makes a move, you know if there is one."

He said, "I don't look at others, and I can't look at them all; I only look at your factory's transformation and development context, and it hit me all of a sudden!"

"From the beginning of 1966 to now, it has only been a year and a half; this change is not something that can be done by crossing the river by feeling the stones."

Lu Qiming pointed to Yu Han and Wang Lu sitting on his side and said, "I'll give them a year and a half, you ask them if they dare to talk about group formation?"

"I don't dare, so I'm here to learn from the scriptures," Wang Lu, the person in charge of Steel City industry, said with a smile, "I have talked with Director Dong of the Red Star Steel City Steelmaking Plant, and I am also a witness to the Red Star Factory's layout in Steel City and the construction of light-heavy industrial mixed industry."

"Look, Comrade Wang Lu also said so, she sees it more clearly than I do, she is down below."

Lu Qiming pointed at her with a smile and said to Li Huai De and Li Xuewu, "The other day I also criticized her, saying she doesn't know how to do things at all."

"A Red Star Factory has invested in hardware industry, electronic industry, automobile industry, joint industry, etc. in Steel City one after another, and even revolutionized the metallurgical industry; such important investments were not seen, so how is work being done?"

He also said in a half-joking, half-serious tone, "If it were me, I would have bought a train ticket to the capital long ago; I would definitely have to visit the Red Star Factory, thank them for their trust and support, and thank them for landing the enterprise in Steel City."

"Yes, this is a mistake in my work, and my service and understanding of industry are not in place; I will seriously make a self-criticism, and next I will communicate and get closer to Director Li and Deputy Director Li."

Wang Lu also took this opportunity to make a self-criticism to Lu Qiming in a half-joking and relaxed tone, and at the same time apologized to the Red Star Factory.

Li Huai De waved his hand with a smile and said, "There is really no need to be so polite; we don't look at these relationships when investing and building enterprises."

His words answered the polite attitude of Lu Qiming and Wang Lu, and then he said, "The industrial investment environment in Steel City is good; you don't need Deputy Director Wang to find me, I can see it."

"We have a big layout in Steel City, and we want to build a whole set of integrated industrial systems, not to engage in industrial isolation and union."

Li Huai De explained, "We have taken a fancy to Steel City's heavy industrial foundation, and taken a fancy to Liaodong's heavy industrial foundation, so we want to do integrated industry and build supporting industries."

"That is, the supply chain system mentioned by our Deputy Director Li at the meeting this morning."

He looked at Lu Qiming and asked, "Deputy Director Lu, I'll tell you a piece of data and you'll understand why we want to engage in a supply chain system."

"What is the purchase price of the 212 jeep currently being produced by the Beijing First Automobile Factory, with all categories of parts independently produced and assembled?"

This question really stumped Lu Qiming; he really hadn't paid attention to this matter.

However, Yu Han knew, and he took the initiative to answer softly, "In Liaodong, the purchase price of the 212 jeep is 31,000 yuan."

"31,000, do you think this price is expensive or cheap?"

After Li Huai De finished asking, he didn't wait for him to answer and continued to introduce, "The Red Star Factory also made a jeep, the Red Star Hongxing Lingyang Jeep."

"In terms of performance, it's no worse than the 212 jeep, but the production model is completely different; except for core parts and advantageous parts that we produce ourselves or in joint industry, everything else relies on the supply chain system."

He looked at Lu Qiming and asked, "Do you know how much our Red Star Hongxing Lingyang sells for?"

"The Red Star Hongxing Lingyang city basic version sells for 7,980 yuan, and the full high-spec version for 9,980 yuan."

"The lowest price in the Red Star series is the engineering version, only 7,180 yuan."

The price Li Huai De said directly stunned Lu Qiming and the others; they thought they had drunk too much and heard wrong.

"Performance is similar, but the price is three times different."

He said very seriously, "This is the supply chain system we are engaging in."

"Except for core parts, everything else is entrusted for production and procurement?"

Lu Qiming frowned and asked, "But besides having to deal with policy risks, how can process risks be guaranteed? You can't be sure that the production of all parts is qualified, right?"

"Yes, this is also an advantage of the supply chain, because our procurement is not directed at a unit."

Li Huai De introduced, "For a screw, we have to entrust at least a dozen factories to deliver it; whoever can guarantee their own process is qualified, then they pass the assessment and can provide this screw to the supply chain."

"We don't just want one; among a dozen entrustments, we might want three, five, or all of them, but we will distinguish the marks and track the assessment."

"If the entrusted workpiece process is unqualified, then we have to deduct the final payment to offset this part of the loss, and also remind the supply chain enterprise to be cautious about product quality problems."

Li Huai De spread his hands and said, "Compared to the price advantage, when we compare other risks, we believe that as long as we have a reasonable system, we can constrain this kind of risk."

"Hmm, it is indeed worth thinking about, supply chain system," Lu Qiming frowned and made a record in his notebook, then nodded and said, "It seems that the Red Star Factory's success has its reasons."

"You are too kind; it's all for organizational work; we have also experienced wind and rain."

Li Huai De said modestly, "The problems and difficulties currently being faced by the First Machine Tool Factory are actually what we once encountered; we feel the same."

"At the beginning, accidents occurred frequently, and workers' production enthusiasm was not high; it was Deputy Director Li who supervised safety production, which led to today's achievements."

When Li Xuewu spoke, he praised Li Huai De; now when Li Huai De spoke about problems, he mostly spoke with Li Xuewu.

The tacit understanding and cooperation between the two were also the reasons why Liaodong industrial personnel respected and admired them.

Lu Qiming nodded knowingly, understanding the meaning in Li Huai De's words, but still fought for the First Machine Tool Factory: "I heard you also have joint industry projects."

He gestured outside the door and said, "The First Machine Tool Factory's technology and foundation are still there; I don't know if there is a possibility of cooperation in this regard?"

"Deputy Director Lu, actually we understand your good intentions," Li Xuewu took over the conversation and said sincerely, "To speak frankly, I have taken a fancy to the First Machine Tool Factory's production environment and foundation."

"However, after comprehensive consideration, we all feel it's not very appropriate; I'll explain to you."

Li Xuewu looked at Lu Qiming and said, "You also mentioned that the First Machine Tool Factory has technology, but lacks capital, lacks management, and lacks ideas; however, our factory has introduced advanced technology from abroad and is cooperating with the Beijing Second Machinery Factory."

"In terms of technology, we don't lack core key production equipment; in terms of joint industry, our factory is instead a technology output party; we provide technology and key equipment, and similarly need mature capital and management to cooperate."

He paused here and spread his hands, saying, "I am very sorry for the First Machine Tool Factory's technology, especially the production capacity of all categories of machine tools."

"However, the First Machine Tool Factory, which is good at technology and hopes to carry out cooperation with technology, really has no fit or cooperation advantage with us."

"Hmm, I understand."

Lu Qiming understood his meaning and nodded, "It's my misunderstanding."

"I'm very sorry, Deputy Director Lu."

Li Xuewu of course couldn't let Li Huai De say the words of refusal; that was too inappropriate.

Therefore, he could only be the villain: "If there is an opportunity, we will definitely choose the First Machine Tool Factory to cooperate first..."

Knock knock—

Before Li Xuewu finished speaking, the knock on the door sounded, and the door was pushed open.

Liu Zuodong, the person in charge of the First Machine Tool Factory, walked in. He first nodded apologetically to Lu Qiming, then looked resolutely at Li Huai De and Li Xuewu of the Red Star Factory and said, "I know the Red Star Factory is disappointed with us, but please give us a chance."

Before Lu Qiming, who was frowning, could speak, he said quickly, "The First Machine Tool Factory is willing to take out core processes and technology to cooperate with the Red Star Factory, form a new joint industry, we can not want management rights, and provide the best workers and equipment."

He said seriously, "We only want orders; professional orders can be handed over to joint industry, and general orders can be handed over to the First Machine Tool Factory."

Seeing the "Little Li" who was responsible for specific business at the Red Star Factory frowning slightly, Liu Zuodong knew his words had already attracted the other party.

He continued, "The share setting can be completely negotiated and agreed upon; we won't make excessive demands; we only hope to have an opportunity for transformation, just like the Red Star Factory."

"We can provide a full range of mechanical equipment solutions for all factories under construction by the Red Star Factory, checking every machine one by one."

Liu Zuodong said sincerely, "We are willing to delegate cadres to the Red Star Factory for exchange and learning, and also ask the Red Star Factory to delegate cadres to guide us to complete the transformation of the industrial management system."

"How about it? Director Li, Deputy Director Li."

Lu Qiming saw that Liu Zuodong had finished speaking, didn't blame his rashness, but looked at the Red Star Factory side and said, "I can guarantee for the First Machine Tool Factory; joint industry, including shares and management, everything is decided by the Red Star Factory, as long as you help the First Machine Tool Factory transform, that's the only requirement." ===== CHAPTER 1107 =====

Seeing that Liu Zuodong had finished speaking, Lu Qiming did not blame him for his recklessness. Instead, he looked toward the Red Star Factory side and said, "I can provide a guarantee for the First Machinery Factory. The joint industry, including shares and management, will be decided entirely by the Red Star Factory. As long as you help the First Machinery Factory transform, that is my only requirement."