Chapter 149

Of course, Li Jiandong's family also attended the meal. In Sha Zhu's heart, Li Jiandong's status was the same as Chen Xueru's, or even slightly higher.

"Okay, Master. I'll go back first."

After Sha Zhu finished speaking, he stood up and rode his bicycle away quickly. It would take several minutes to ride from Nanluoguxiang Street back to the second courtyard, and he couldn't even wait that little time.

When Li Jiandong saw him leave, he said to Xu Zhengyang, "Let's go."

Xu Zhengyang stepped on the accelerator and the jeep continued to move forward and soon arrived at the courtyard.

After getting off the car, Li Jiandong walked towards the courtyard.

As soon as I entered the compound, I heard Yan Bugui's scolding.

"You little brat, do you even know your last name? She's an engineer, and you're just an excavator driver. How dare you pursue her? And you even talk back to your uncle? Didn't you see what happened to Yi Zhonghai and the deaf old lady?"

"Why did I give birth to such a useless son like you? If you could have half the ability of your brother, I would have less worries. I will take you to apologize to Li Jiandong later. When the time comes, you must be nicer to me, otherwise you will forget about your job as an excavator operator."

Yan Jiefang was scolded severely.

He still muttered in dissatisfaction:
"Dad, why do you say that? Workers are the most glorious. What qualifications do engineers have to look down on me? Li Jiandong is wrong, and he doesn't even allow me to explain. This is a new era and he is not a local tyrant."

Snapped.

"Dad, you hit me?"

"I'm hitting you, you bastard. You think everyone else is wrong and you're the only one who's right, right? Where do you get the confidence to question Li Jiandong? Li Jiandong is the factory director, but you're a loser who relied on me to intercede for him to arrange a job for you. How dare you think you're more right than Li Jiandong?"

"Because workers are the most glorious, and because marriage is the most important thing, can't you say that such a simple truth is wrong?"

"you!"

Yan Bugui was so angry that he was dizzy. He pointed at the door and shouted, "Get out of here. I don't have a useless son like you."

"Go away if you want, humph."

Yan Jiefang pushed the door open angrily, and as soon as he came out, he saw Li Jiandong standing outside.

He was just stunned for a moment, then snorted and continued to walk out without looking back.

At this time, people in the yard also came out to watch the excitement, and when they saw Li Jiandong coming, they came over to say hello.

"Uncle, you are here?"

"What happened to Jiefang? Why did he quarrel with his father like this?"

Li Jiandong smiled slightly: "It's okay, the child has grown up and has his own ideas. You haven't eaten yet, go back and eat first."

Li Jiandong sent the man away and then went to Yan Bugui's house.

In the room, Yan Bugui was so angry that he held his chest and gasped for breath, while Aunt San beside him was comforting him.

Seeing Li Jiandong come in, Yan Bugui knew that he must be here because of Yan Jiefang, and he sighed again and again: "Old Li, I'm sorry to make you laugh."

"Old Yan, stop talking for now."

Li Jiandong patted Yan Bugui on the shoulder. Now that the person had run away, it was unrealistic to ask him to discipline his son.

I thought there was still hope if I started educating Yan Jiefang now, but now it seems that this child is completely doomed.

I just don’t know if Yan Bugui can think positively, otherwise there will be a lot of worries in the future.

"By the way, I have good news for you. Jie Cheng is now the captain of the transport team and a member of the leadership team of the steel mill. Don't worry about Jiefang's affairs. Wait for me to talk to Jie Cheng and ask him to seek education from Jiefang. If he won't listen to anyone, just let him be. A child is grown up and cannot be controlled by his mother."

Li Jiandong was also helpless.

Some people are just stupid. Others can't help them even if they want to. If Yan Bugui can't let go, he can only be sad himself.

Fortunately, after hearing the news, Yan Bugui felt better.

"Thank you, Lao Li. It is a blessing for Jie Cheng to have you as his master."

"You're still thanking me. It's good enough that you don't blame me for expelling him."

Li Jiandong had a faint smile on his face, and he was glad that Yan Bugui could understand him.

Yan Bugui smiled bitterly, sighed deeply, and then said:
"Old Li, although I, Yan Bugui, am stingy, I am not unreasonable. Jiefang was spoiled by his mother and me. He only cares about himself and no one else. This time he caused such a big incident. I don't blame you for expelling him. If you want to blame someone, you can only blame me and his mother for not educating him well."

Yan Bugui has obvious shortcomings, but he also has his strengths, which is that he is reasonable.

Unlike Jia Zhang, once something happens, she always thinks she is not at fault and is unreasonable and unruly.

Seeing that he understood, Li Jiandong didn't say anything else.

Soon He Daqing and Liu Haizhong came back from buying groceries. Xu Fugui and Yan Jiecheng also contributed money. Xu Fugui even bought a few bottles of good wine and sat at a table at He Daqing's house.

"Director Li, thank you so much this time. I never thought that I, Xu Fugui, would be a leader one day. I will definitely work hard and will never embarrass you."

Xu Fugui was really surprised this time. Like Liu Haizhong, he was promoted two levels at once, or even more than Liu Haizhong.

"Director Li, I have to toast you as well. I am the dumbest among the guys in Liu Hai and I can't speak, but I respect you more than anyone else. I will definitely follow your footsteps closely in the future and do whatever you ask me to do."

Liu Haizhong also raised his glass and said that he had wanted to become an official since he was very young, but he only took advantage of Li Jiandong's success.

Liu Haizhong was promoted to the team member by Li Jiandong this time. He could be said to be extremely grateful to Li Jiandong. Even if Li Jiandong asked him to kneel down and kowtow now, he would definitely kowtow in some different ways.

"Okay, you're too polite. I'm just doing my job. I think you are capable of doing your current job, so I promoted you. If your performance is not satisfactory, I will not be polite and will definitely replace you."

Li Jiandong said with a smile, and it was hard to tell whether he was serious or joking.

But everyone knew that they could not bring shame to Li Jiandong, otherwise it would be too unfair to Li Jiandong for promoting them.

After finishing the meal, when Li Jiandong was leaving, he called Yan Jiecheng over and briefly told him what happened to Yan Jiecheng today.

Although Yan Jiecheng and Yan Jiefang are brothers, their levels are completely different.

Because Yan Jiecheng is the eldest son in the family, Yan Bugui disciplines him more and is more responsible.

After hearing what Li Jiandong said, he knew that it was Yan Jiefang's problem, and it was a very serious problem.

"Master, don't worry. I'll talk to Jiefang when he gets there. He still listens to me. I'll find a chance to bring him to apologize to you."

Li Jiandong waved his hand: "No need to apologize, I don't care about this, I just think he is your brother, your parents' son, and his ignorance will make your parents worry."

"Oh, yes, Jiefang is a troublesome kid. He has been pestering my parents to ask you to help him get a permanent job. Obviously, this is not the problem of the steel mill. His lack of a job position is the problem of the street. But he just won't stop. It's really a headache."

Yan Jiecheng was also speechless when he mentioned his younger brother.

Only then did Li Jiandong realize how helpless Yan Bugui was when he asked him to help Yan Jiefang get a regular job. How could he not agree when his own son pestered him every day?

Li Jiandong also saw Yan Jiecheng pestering Yang Xue today. He was totally shameless.

"Okay, let's leave it at that. You are now the head of the transport team. Take the time to adapt and don't let down your guard."

Li Jiandong patted Yan Jiecheng's arm and walked out of the yard.

Yan Jiecheng followed him and said, "I know. Master, you think so highly of me. I will not dare to embarrass you."

When they arrived outside the alley, Li Jiandong got into the jeep, waved to Yan Jiecheng, and then the jeep started away.

Yan Jiecheng waited until the car drove away before returning to the courtyard to talk to Yan Bugui about liberation.

the next day.

I don’t know how it happened, but the news of Yan Jiefang’s dismissal had spread throughout the factory.

Everyone in the steel rolling mill was talking about Li Jiandong's dismissal of Yan Jiefang.

"Hey, have you heard? Yan Jiefang, the temporary excavator worker in the fleet, was fired. It was Director Li who fired him personally."

"I heard that it was because Yan Jiefang went to the R&D workshop during working hours to disturb other people's research and development, so Director Li got angry and drove him away."

"Hehe, this is something you don't know, Yan Jiefang not only goes to the R&D workshop during working hours, he also goes there to look for a partner.

Yang Xue is Director Li's apprentice, and he actually has the nerve to pursue her. If not him, who else should be fired?"

"According to what you said, Yan Jiefang is Yan Jiecheng's biological brother, and they are from the same hospital as Director Li."

"Stop talking nonsense, Director Li is affected by Yan Jiefang's research and development, which is our factory's top priority this year."

"Some people said before that Director Li was a nepotist. Isn't this a slap in the face? If he was talking about nepotism, why did he fire Yan Jiefang? Wouldn't it be enough to just warn him for such a small matter?"

"Yes, even if we don't consider the face of the same courtyard, we have to consider the face of his disciple Yan Jiecheng."

"I've told you all, don't question Director Li's character. Do you think Director Li is you?"

Similar discussions were spreading in different workshops. Even Li Jiandong himself did not expect that firing Yan Jiefang would make his reputation even better.

Although Li Jiandong had made many achievements before, he was indeed criticized for his nepotism.

But the dismissal of Yan Jiefang this time dispelled the rumor about him.

If it is really nepotism, he should at least not be fired. There are so many ways to deal with it.

How could a person who favors his friends over his relatives choose to use the most severe kind?
Moreover, among the people promoted by Li Jiandong, except Xu Fugui and Liu Haizhong who are controversial, the others are convincing.

Jia Dongxu is the most talented fitter in the steel rolling mill. He passed the first job-level assessment and was promoted to level 7 worker. He was promoted six levels within a year and is also the youngest level fitter.

Yan Jiecheng is very professional at driving and repairing cars. He once worked with Li Jiandong to complete the repair of a scrapped truck. This achievement alone is far better than most people in the transport team, not to mention that he is young but full of energy. Who else should be promoted if not this kind of person?

He Daqing's cooking skills are beyond reproach. Many customers of the steel rolling mill signed contracts because of his reception meals.

It's a bit of a waste of talent for such a person to be the deputy director of logistics. Everyone in the kitchen says that he should be the full-time employee.

Only Xu Fugui and Liu Haizhong did not have any particularly outstanding achievements before, but one of them is the deputy director of the Propaganda Department and the other is the president of the trade union.

Neither of these two departments is taken seriously and neither has much power, so no one cares too much even if there are disputes.

Li Jiandong had no idea that people outside were talking about him. Instead, he took advantage of this incident to convene a meeting among the leadership to discuss strengthening the emphasis on R&D work. He also asked the security department to arrange a special person to guard the R&D workshop to ensure that the engineers were not disturbed.

Seeing Li Jiandong so serious, the people under him also took it seriously. In the following period of time, all departments would fully cooperate with anything related to research and development at the first opportunity.

With everyone working together, the research and development of CNC machine tools has made new breakthroughs one after another.

With every breakthrough, Li Jiandong would gain a vast amount of experience. In just two months, he broke through level 7 electronic engineer and level 6 electronic engineer successively and reached level 5 electronic engineer.

This strength has surpassed Professor Wang, and is considered to be quite capable even if you look at the world as a whole.

After all, the level calculation of the apprenticeship system is based on the electronic technology of several decades later. A level 5 electronic engineer at that time would not be a rare talent now, but at least he would be a rare academician.

After Li Jiandong was promoted to level 5, he also participated in the research and development of CNC equipment.

In less than half a month, the CNC machine tool was successfully developed with the participation of Li Jiandong.

After testing, Li Jiandong reported the results in writing to the leaders of Bi Da.

Unexpectedly, Bi Da received the letter in the morning, and in the afternoon he brought people from the newspaper to the steel mill.

"Jiandong, show me where the CNC machine tool you developed is?"

The leaders of Bi Da were very excited.

The CNC machine tools of this era only have three axes and can only engrave words. It is still a long way to go for actual production.

This is also the reason why leaders do not attach importance to CNC machine tools. After all, what’s the use of them if they can only engrave words?
But even if it can only be engraved, it is more than enough to be a gimmick in this period.

In his written report, Li Jiandong told the leaders of Bi Da that he had developed a four-axis machine tool. Although it only has one extra axis, it can already process many parts. This is the difference from being able to show off to being able to be practical.

If the equipment can really run successfully this time, it will not only be another world-leading technology for my country, but will also make a substantial boost to industrial development.
The people in the newspaper office also raised their cameras, waiting to film Li Jiandong's next move.

Other leaders of the steel rolling mill also gathered around, wanting to see what was so magical about the CNC machine tool that Li Jiandong attached so much importance to.

Li Jiandong smiled slightly and said to everyone:

"Leader Bi, everyone, please follow me."

Li Jiandong said this and turned to walk to the side, bringing the leaders and people from the newspaper to the R&D workshop.

At this moment, Professor Wang, Yang Xue and others were already standing next to the CNC machine tool, with excitement that could not be concealed on their faces.

They had never thought that CNC machine tools could be really practical. They had only seen three-axis ones before, so they also developed them towards the three-axis direction. Unexpectedly, after Li Jiandong got involved, he directly changed it to a four-axis one.

In fact, Li Jiandong can now develop a five-axis machine tool, but the computers of this era are not powerful enough, so he can only achieve four axes for the time being.

But even so, it is already the only one that leads the world.

"Leader Bi, everyone, this is the latest four-axis CNC lathe developed by our factory. It is different from the three-axis CNC lathe we developed before. This CNC lathe can actually be used for production."

Li Jiandong said, walked to the lathe, and said to Yang Xue:
"Yang Xue, you come and operate the machine tool and show the leaders and everyone the effect of our four-axis CNC lathe."

Lathes are a type of machine tool, and their main function is to perform rotary cutting on parts. They can only make some small, less complicated parts, but now is the first CNC equipment, and even so, it is already very difficult.

"Okay Master."

Yang Xue agreed and started operating the machine.

Everyone, including the leaders of Bi University, stepped forward and stared closely at Yang Xue's operation, but everyone only saw her press a button, and then the machine started to run automatically.

Soon a small part was processed.

Bi Da's leaders and others were all shocked. It was as if they had seen a ghost. There was no need for manual operation at all. They only needed to press a few buttons and the parts would be made by themselves. Not only was the speed fast but the degree of completion was also very high.

Even if you are a senior worker at level six or seven, it is impossible to make a part like this so easily.

"Great, great, great! I didn't expect that CNC machine tools can really produce parts automatically without human control. If the entire steel rolling mill is equipped with such machine tools, one worker can control the equipment in the entire workshop."

The leaders of Bi Da were very excited.

As the leader of the Ministry of Industry, he certainly understood the significance that this CNC machine tool could bring to industrial development.

To be honest, when Li Jiandong talked to him about CNC machine tool technology, the leader of Bida was skeptical.

Although he trusted Li Jiandong very much, this kind of machine tool that could automatically produce parts was indeed too sci-fi for people of their time.

It is even no less shocking than when the first Apple phone came out.

Until this moment, he saw the operation of this CNC machine tool with his own eyes.

The leaders of Bi University realized that Li Jiandong was indeed a rare talent in the country's industrial field.

He even managed to make such sci-fi equipment. Is there anything he can't do?
"Don't take pictures yet. Jiandong, come here for a moment. I want to ask you, is this kind of equipment difficult to make? Can it be mass-produced?"

The leader of Bi Da pulled Li Jiandong over and asked.

Li Jiandong said seriously: "Leader Bi, the difficulty of making this equipment is not very great. The key is that we do not have the ability to produce computers, including the computer on this machine, which is imported from foreign countries. If we want to solve the problem of CNC machine tools, the key is this computer."

"So, my suggestion is that we should quickly send people out to learn computer knowledge. Try to build our own computer. Otherwise, if another Big Brother incident happens, our research and development work will come to a standstill again."

In fact, there are some differences between the computers of CNC machine tools and real computers.

But Li Jiandong did not explain it clearly. After all, after solving the CNC system, there are other systems. It would be better to directly learn computers and completely surpass foreign countries in computers.

If there was no apprentice system, even if Li Jiandong reminded the top leaders and the country paid enough attention, this matter might not be completed smoothly.

However, Li Jiandong has a 100-fold return from the apprenticeship system, so it is easy for him to solve difficult computer problems.

"Master, big boss, why don't you let me go? I have long wanted to learn computer knowledge, but unfortunately there is no such major in our country."

Yang Xue volunteered to come forward.

Li Jiandong originally planned to let Chang Hanqing go abroad, after all, Chang Hanqing had such an experience.

Although his major is not suitable for him, he has a strong learning ability and should be able to make a breakthrough soon.

Unexpectedly, Yang Xue volunteered.

If she could go abroad, that would be the best, of course. Her major in electronics and computer science have a lot in common, and she can improve her major in electronics while learning computer science. Now Yang Xue has not finished her apprenticeship, so Li Jiandong cannot accept new apprentices.

So apart from her and Chang Hanqing, there is really no other candidate.

"Okay, Jiandong, since it's your suggestion, I will definitely fully support it. From now on, you can call me directly if you need anything. As long as it is within my power, I will give you the green light. Even if it is beyond my control, I will try my best to apply to my superiors on your behalf."

The leaders of Bi Da now have complete and unconditional trust in Li Jiandong.

Even more than trusting yourself, you trust him.

Although he is a senior leader, he has to admit that his vision and ability in industry are far inferior to Li Jiandong.

Of course, as a senior leader, his ability to make exceptions and make decisions is not a problem.

"Then I would like to thank you, boss. Next, we will continue to develop new CNC lathes and strive to make samples of various types of lathes such as lathes, milling machines, etc."

There are many types of lathes, and Li Jiandong is only making the simplest one now.

However, the hardest thing about anything is to create something from scratch. Once you get started, the rest becomes much easier.

The great leader nodded solemnly:
"Okay, just go ahead and do it. If you can really develop all kinds of machine tools, I will apply to my superiors to upgrade your steel mill."

Hearing this, not only Li Jiandong was surprised, but the leaders of other steel rolling mills around were also excited.

The steel rolling mill is now a deputy-department-level enterprise. If it is mentioned again, it will be a full-department-level enterprise.

By then, the factory director Li Jiandong will surely be promoted from deputy director to director, and the same will naturally be true for their deputy factory directors and department heads.

Although the position remains unchanged, the salary and other benefits have been increased by one level, for example, the company can be provided with several more cars.

Moreover, the level has changed, and any future transfers will be to higher-level positions.

All in all, this is a great thing for all the steel mill cadres.

After the interview, the leader left with his people.

The heads of various departments excitedly surrounded Li Jiandong.

"Director Li, our factory is about to be upgraded, this is incredible."

"That's why everyone says Director Li is so capable. The steel mill has only been under your leadership for less than half a year, and you've already won the recognition of the top leaders. We are all benefiting from your leadership."

"I have always said that we must closely surround Director Li. Only Director Li can lead us to achieve great results."

"By the way, Director Li, do you think our next research and development will be difficult? How long will it take to develop other lathes?"

"Yes, as long as we are needed, our production department will absolutely obey with all our strength."

The big boss's promise was like a shot of adrenaline to everyone.

Not only the cadres were going crazy, but even the workers were very excited.

The steel rolling mill has been upgraded, and although they are still workers, their higher levels will naturally give them more opportunities for promotion. Moreover, high-level factories are more likely to achieve results, and they will definitely have more New Year's goods every year than ordinary small factories.

The most important thing is that it sounds awesome when you say it out loud.

Big factories are big factories, small factories cannot compare at all.

Yang Xue cared more about going abroad, so she specifically went to Li Jiandong to discuss this matter.

Li Jiandong had no objection to her going abroad.

Since she is his apprentice, Li Jiandong still has to be responsible for her. Although she is the one who wants to go abroad, he must also listen to her family's opinions.

It would be best if they can support it, but if they don’t, Li Jiandong will try his best to persuade them.

In short, you can't send someone's daughter abroad secretly. If something happens, I, as her teacher, cannot take the responsibility.

"Master, I am old enough now, I can make my own decisions."

Yang Xue didn't want Li Jiandong to meet her parents, otherwise she was afraid that she would give her a backdoor in the future.

In fact, even if there was no Director Yang, as Li Jiandong's apprentice, Li Jiandong would definitely give her some conveniences. She was just trying to cover up her mistake.

"No."

Li Jiandong said firmly: "You are not married yet. You must let your family know about such a big thing as going abroad. Whether you listen to them or not is one thing, but if you don't tell them, then that's your problem."

"Oh, I will definitely tell my parents, so don't worry about it, Master."

"If I say no, then no, or I'll find someone else to go."

"Ah? Forget it, I'll take you back to meet my parents, okay?"

Yang Xue sighed, it seems that she can't avoid it.

Li Jiandong was also very puzzled. Why was meeting one's parents like going on a blind date? What was there to be embarrassed about?

Until Yang Xue brought him to her home.

When Li Jiandong saw her standing with Director Yang, he finally remembered why she looked so familiar to him.

"Yang Xue, Yang Xue, so you are Director Yang's daughter. No wonder you looked familiar to me the first time I saw you. Why didn't you tell me about this relationship?"

Li Jiandong was speechless. This Yang Xue hid the secret too well.

During these few months of getting along, she never mentioned Director Yang's name at all. If I hadn't insisted on meeting her parents this time, she might have continued to hide it.

"Hehe, Master, you can't blame me. If I tell you the truth, I'm afraid you will treat me specially. Although I am my father's daughter, I want to be myself more."

Yang Xue smiled mischievously.

Director Yang also had no idea what to do with his little girl: "Jiandong, if Xiaoxue makes any mistakes, don't bother us, just educate her. Her mother and I are busy with work and have no time to take care of her. It would be a good thing if you could help us discipline her."

"Dad, what are you talking about? I'm not ignorant."

Yang Xue wrinkled her nose and snorted.

At this time, Yang Xue's mother suddenly began to wipe away her tears. She and Director Yang had only one child. Due to his busy work, Director Yang did not have any more children after having Yang Xue. They usually treated this daughter as a treasure. Now their only precious daughter is going abroad, and they may not see her for several years.

How can they not be sad?

Director Yang was also a little sad, but he was a man after all, so he quickly smiled and covered it up:
"Nana, look at why you are crying. Studying abroad is a good thing. Bringing back advanced things to serve the country, we should be happy to have such a daughter."

Yang Xue's eyes also turned red.

"Yes, Mom, it's not like I won't come back. I will study hard this time and try to come back and reunite with you guys as soon as possible."

"Good boy, Mom will wait for you."

Yang Xue’s mother hugged her daughter.

As the saying goes, people of the same family are similar. Director Yang's family all know how to make sacrifices. Although Yang Xue's mother loves her daughter, she has no intention of interfering with her daughter's decision.

Li Jiandong admires them very much. If he were to go abroad for a few years to study, he would definitely not be willing to leave his wife and children behind.

It would be better if I could take them abroad with me.

The top leaders acted quickly, and Yang Xue's application to go abroad was issued within a few days.

Before leaving, Li Jiandong and Director Yang saw Yang Xue off to the plane. Director Yang told his daughter that when she was away from home, she should not forget that the country and her parents were waiting for her.

Yang Xue smiled and said that she would definitely not forget it, and Li Jiandong also believed in her. The education she received since childhood destined her not to be corrupted by the sugar-coated bullets from the outside world.

In the next few months, Yang Xue successfully entered the Yishou Yingjiang School and began to learn computer.

Li Jiandong also created a new computer profession in the apprenticeship system, and began to gain experience in an orderly manner.

In the past three months or so, Li Jiandong's computer level has risen to level 10 (out of 13). This level of computer ability is only average, but it is more than enough to make a CNC system.

With Li Jiandong's ability as an electronic engineer, Li Jiandong spent two months and finally developed a complete set of independent CNC system.

With this thing, the subsequent research and development of CNC machine tools will be much simpler.

In order to develop CNC machine tools and upgrade the steel rolling mill, all the workers and cadres in the factory worked together in the next two years and always put the development of CNC machine tools first.

Professor Wang also persuaded students from the Department of Electronic Engineering who had previously switched to other industries to come back in a hurry to witness the development and rise of domestic CNC machine tools.

Two years later

In the winter of 65, after two years of research and development and manufacturing, all workshops in the steel rolling mill have now achieved CNC operation.

Each workshop has at least one or two CNC machine tools. The rest are not because they don't have the capacity to manufacture them, but because old equipment also costs money, and it would be a waste to replace them before they break down.

Li Jiandong found the senior leader and reported his achievements in the past two years.

"Boss, just yesterday, our factory has realized CNC in all workshops. Each workshop has at least one 4-axis CNC machine tool. In addition, our factory has also established CNC R&D and CNC machine tool workshops. If necessary, we can always build more machine tools."

"Now the workers and cadres are very excited, and the scale of our factory has also expanded greatly compared to two years ago. The total number of workers has now reached more than 3000, which is five times the when the factory was first established."

When Li Jiandong said the steel mill had just been established, he was referring to the time when Lou Bancheng had just handed the steel mill over to the state.

At that time, the steel rolling mill had only more than 3000 employees. It took several years of rapid expansion to become a large factory with tens of thousands of employees.

In recent years, the steel rolling mill has added a CNC machine tool research and development and manufacturing workshop and hired a lot of people, now reaching a huge number of 15,000 people.

The reason why Li Jiandong mentioned this is to remind the senior leaders that the current steel rolling mill no longer has 3000 workers.

Such a large factory cannot continue to operate at the same level as before.

Of course the senior leader understood what Li Jiandong meant. When he proposed to help the steel mill upgrade two years ago, he already thought that the deputy-department level of the steel mill was a bit low.

At that time, this condition was stated in advance in order to encourage the steel mill's CNC technology research and development work. It was also to shut up the leaders above so that they had no reason to refuse to upgrade the steel mill.

At this moment, Li Jiandong has really led his people to achieve results, so the big leader certainly cannot be stingy.

"Okay, okay, Li Jiandong, you guys have done a great job. To tell you the truth, I have actually been paying attention to you guys.

Before you came here, I had already reported to the higher-ups, hoping to upgrade the steel mill to a higher level before the Chinese New Year, so that you, the hard-working comrades in research and development, can be happy.”

The big leader said with a smile.

He manages quite a few factories, including many directly-managed units at the bureau and ministry levels.

However, what he cared about most was Li Jiandong's steel rolling mill, because only this mill could often bring him surprises.

Hearing the leader's words, Li Jiandong also laughed.

"Then on behalf of all the colleagues in the steel rolling mill, I would like to thank the leader."

The big leader waved his hand and said, "No, you shouldn't thank me. I should thank you, especially Li Jiandong. It is because of smart and capable workers and cadres like you that our country's industry has developed rapidly."

"Our new country has only been established for 16 years. In such a short period of time, we have gone from being poor and unable to even make matches to now being the world leader in many fields. Li Jiandong has made an indelible contribution to this."

The big leader said with great emotion.

He has been in his current position for the past sixteen years and can be said to have witnessed with his own eyes how Li Jiandong single-handedly brought domestic industry to a new height.

Previously, domestic industries were despised by the world.

Even a tiny country can look down on us.

But now...

Excavators, trams, steel rolling equipment, CNC machine tools, and the bulldozers and forklifts that Li Jiandong has developed in his spare time over the past two years are all absolutely the best in the world.

Such outstanding results made the leaders of Bi University smile in their dreams, and naturally they cherish Li Jiandong very much.

A few days after leaving the big boss, I received an official notice.

The steel rolling mill was upgraded to a full-time director, and Li Jiandong’s cadre rank was also upgraded at the same time. The ranks of all cadres in the factory were automatically raised by half a level.

For a moment, the entire steel mill was excited.

Both cadres and workers cheered loudly.

Li Jiandong found He Daqing.

As soon as he entered the door, He Daqing said with a smile on his face: "Old Li, we have finally been upgraded. It's been two years. We have waited for two years and finally upgraded."

"You don't know, the whole place is going crazy right now. Lao Xu just came to me and asked if you wanted to celebrate."

Li Jiandong smiled and said:
"What are we celebrating? It's almost the end of the year. Let's have a dinner and celebrate together then."

After that, he continued:

"I asked you to come here this time because of the banquet. This year our factory has upgraded its specifications, so we will have a banquet to reflect the quality of the banquet. In addition, our superiors will have the meat processing plant send a few truckloads of pork to reward us for our hard work over the past two years."

"The goods will probably arrive next week. You can contact the meat processing factory and draw up a distribution table. Make sure to allocate more to the R&D workshop, and also give a copy to the engineers who come to help us from outside."

Li Jiandong is definitely the biggest contributor to the upgrade of the steel rolling mill.

But he was the factory director and had been promoted to a higher level, so Li Jiandong didn't care much about the remaining small reward.

Apart from Li Jiandong, these engineers are the hardest working.

"Okay, I'll go to the meat processing plant later."

He Daqing left after saying this.

Because when he was a cook, He Daqing had prepared banquets for the leaders of the meat processing plant, and he had a good relationship with the leaders of the meat processing plant, so he got things done quickly when he got there.

As the end of the year approached, trucks from the meat processing plant came to the steel rolling mill with meat.

Chefs from 11 canteens arrived at the scene at the same time to cut the meat and distributed it to the workers on the same day.

Each person gets five pounds of meat, plus some pork offal. This treatment makes the workers in other factories around envy them. You know, it's already very good for them to get two pounds of meat during the Chinese New Year. It's nothing compared to the steel mill.

The year-end dinner was also better than other units. The dishes ordered included 6 meat and 6 vegetarian dishes. Not to mention the meat dishes, even the vegetarian dishes were full of meat.

Such a luxurious year-end dinner is rare in the entire North City. It is more luxurious than many people's New Year's Eve dinner. I am so envious.
The workers at the steel mill had never received so many gifts during the Chinese New Year this year. They were so proud to carry five kilograms of meat home.

"Mr. Li, your son is amazing. During the Chinese New Year, his company gave him five kilograms of meat."

"The treatment at the steel mill is really good. It's unique in Nanluoguxiang."

"Not only in Nanluoguxiang, even in the entire northern city, there are few companies as honest as the steel rolling mill. The factory manager started out as a worker and knows how to care for people the most."

"You are talking about that Li Jiandong, right? He used to be the boss in the factory, and the whole factory relied on him for support. Now he has become the head of the steel mill, and all the workers in the factory rely on him for support."

"Ah, you think we can't meet such a good leader?"

"Isn't it? Our factory only distributed five kilograms of flour during the Chinese New Year. Compared with other people's meat, isn't it tacky?"

The residents on the street were all talking about it. It was really frustrating to compare yourself with others.

The workers at the steel rolling mill were delighted, happy to have a factory director like Li Jiandong who was considerate of the workers. This was a full five kilograms of meat, and some pork offal. In previous years, they would not have been able to afford to buy so much meat even if they had spent their own money.

This year they distributed so much New Year's goods alone. They have never had such a prosperous New Year.

"Old Li, come spend the New Year in our hospital this year. If we don't have you in our hospital, we'll always feel like something is missing. Anyway, you're not far away, so you should come and have a meal when the time comes."

After distributing the New Year’s goods, the workers and cadres have all gone home for the holidays.

He Daqing and Liu Haizhong and a few others came to find Li Jiandong, wanting to make an appointment with him to celebrate the New Year together this year.

Although Li Jiandong seldom goes back to the Siheyuan now, he will be notified as soon as possible if there are any activities in the courtyard, especially if someone is getting married or having a baby, Li Jiandong must be invited.

After all, most people living in the courtyard are ordinary people. There are only a few leaders as important as Li Jiandong, not only in Courtyard No. 40, but also in the entire Nanluoguxiang.

Besides, Li Jiandong’s disciples have grown up and become important figures in the hospital.

In addition, He Daqing, Liu Haizhong, Xu Fugui and others are still working under Li Jiandong, so no matter what, the hospital does not want to separate from Li Jiandong.

(End of this chapter)