With so many people gone, the yard suddenly became empty.

There were also several vacant rooms in the tavern dormitory building.

In the following months, more and more people left the North City and went to various parts of the country.

By the time the Chinese New Year was approaching, hundreds of thousands of people had already left the North City.

At the steel mill's year-end summary meeting, after Li Jiandong delivered his speech, he convened a final meeting of the team members.

This year, there are so many fewer temporary workers, and the work is a bit stretched

However, most of this year's tasks have been completed ahead of schedule, so I haven't felt too nervous during this period before the New Year.

However, it is hard to say what will happen after the beginning of next spring.

"Regarding next year's tasks, according to the standards of previous years, they must be raised a little bit. Our factory already has so many fewer temporary workers. If the tasks for next year are increased, it will definitely be difficult. Why don't you express your opinions and see how to solve the problem of next year's tasks?"

Li Jiandong asked the team members.

In fact, he already had his own plan in mind.

But no matter what, the team members are not just for show.

For something as important as a production task, it is better for everyone to discuss it together.

"Director Li, I think we should mobilize the workers more. After all, it was not our decision to lay off temporary workers. It was the leaders above who insisted on letting the temporary workers leave. Now that there are fewer people, the remaining people should take on other tasks."

One team member said this.
Soon the second man stood up.

"I also think what Director Wu said is right. The tasks assigned to our factory are the tasks of all workers. If some people are missing, their work should of course be done by the remaining people. It's already very good to be able to stay in Beicheng. What does it matter if we work a little harder?"

Members of several other classes had the same idea.

In their opinion, if the workers are not allowed to do these jobs, who will do them?

The population of North City will continue to decrease next year.

It will be difficult to find temporary workers at that time. We can't let these leaders do the heavy physical work of loading and unloading.

After hearing these words, Li Jiandong couldn't say that they were all wrong.

After all, for them, the easiest way is to exploit the workers as much as possible.

It may also be the only way for them.

What else can be done?

This is what they have always done, but Li Jiandong has other ideas.

There are fewer workers and more tasks.

Then we can fully realize automation.

Isn't this a good opportunity?

Many CNC machine tools have been developed by steel mills before, but due to production cost issues, there are not many CNC machine tools in each workshop, and most of them are still old-fashioned machine tools.

Now there are fewer workers, if we want to complete the task.

In addition to asking the workers to work harder.

Improving equipment is also a good idea.

"Okay, I understand. Let's end today's meeting here. The New Year is coming soon. I wish you all a happy new year in advance. We will come back and fight again next year."

After Li Jiandong finished speaking, the meeting ended.

The issue of comprehensively upgrading the steel rolling mill's modern equipment is not something that the members of their class can decide.

Li Jiandong held this meeting just to listen to everyone's opinions, but it seems that these team members are not at the same level as him when it comes to the future development plan of Zhan Steel Plant.

Therefore, Li Jiandong was unwilling to say more to them, and would just go directly to discuss it with the leader when the time comes.

This is probably the most boring New Year for Li Jiandong since he traveled through time.

Without so many young people in the courtyard, it suddenly became a little strange.

Of course, his disciples still came to pay him New Year's greetings during the Spring Festival, but many of the children who once called him grandpa have now gone to Jilin and Liaoyang.

After distributing the red envelopes, Li Jiandong got in the car and prepared to go find Leader Ye.

Although Ye Da is the director of the management committee of the department, he can also inquire about the actual production matters. After all, Bi Da has been suspended. His work is now in the charge of Ye Da.

Li Jiandong found the leader Ye.

After wishing him a happy new year.

We talked about our plan to build a steel plant next year.

"Big leader, this year so many people went to the countryside, and our factory suddenly reduced 2500 temporary workers. According to the previous forecasts for this year's tasks, it may be difficult for the remaining people to complete the tasks. So I want to strengthen the modern equipment in the factory and get more CNC machine tools. What do you think?"

Leader Ye thought for a moment and said.

“It is no problem to add modern equipment, but the key is whether our conditions allow us to add it?”

After all, Leader Ye is not good at production-related things.

But he believed in Li Jiandong and wanted to hear Li Jiandong's opinion.

Li Jiandong said without any fear.

"I think the conditions are in place. After all, the mine in Jilin has already started mining, and this year's output has nearly doubled compared to last year. I personally think there is no problem in using a portion of it to make equipment."

"And we can also make some equipment that is convenient for mining. When the mining volume increases, won't the steel for making equipment also return? Sharpening the knife does not delay the chopping of wood."

When Leader Ye heard what Li Jiandong said, he burst into laughter.

"Not bad, not bad, Li Jiandong, you are right. Sharpening the knife does not delay the chopping of wood. But have you studied these mining equipment thoroughly?"

Li Jiandong shook his head and said.

"I haven't studied it yet, but I already have a general idea in my mind. As long as I give you some time next year, it shouldn't be a difficult task."

This is Li Jiandong's humble statement.

In fact, for some mechanical equipment, the principles are universal.

It’s just that some key details will take a little time to overcome.

For Li Jiandong now, developing some large-scale engineering equipment is no big deal for him at all.

After all, the mechanical knowledge given to him by the apprenticeship system all comes from around 2023. Any technology from that time would be a dimensionality reduction attack if applied to today.

"Good good."

A leader said "good" three times in a row, and said excitedly:

"Li Jiandong, since you are sure, I will definitely support you. After the project starts next year, please write me a detailed report and I will apply to the superiors. If necessary, I can merge a machinery factory with you so that you can conduct research and manufacture at the same time. At that time, your steel rolling mill will have a greater responsibility."

Although Leader Ye is not good at production matters.

But he and the leader of Bi Da had one thing in common, which was that he completely trusted Li Jiandong.

Let Li Jiandong handle the professional matters, and they are only responsible for supporting behind the scenes.

After leaving Leader Ye.

Li Jiandong went directly to Qin's house.

Qin Huairu's father Qin Dashan and mother Wang Shiyan were both very enthusiastic when they met Li Jiandong.

"Jiandong, you're here, come in and sit down."

Wang Shiyan warmly invited Li Jiandong.

Although the daughter took her grandson to Hong Kong, the son-in-law did not ignore them.

On the contrary, he comes back more frequently.

Except for Chinese New Year, I will come back to pay New Year’s greetings.

Sometimes during other festivals, Li Jiandong would also bring back gifts. "Dad, Mom, how are you doing recently? How is life in the village?"
Li Jiandong sat on the kang and started chatting about family matters with Qin Dashan and Wang Shiyan.

The countryside is the countryside. Even with Li Jiandong as his son-in-law, Qin Dashan's family's living conditions are much better than those of other people in the village, but they are still just enough to make ends meet.

Apart from having enough food and clothing, there is not even any entertainment.

But even so, the villagers are already very envious.

"Jiandong, we live very well in the village. We have no worries about food or clothing. The only thing is that sometimes I miss Huairu."

Qin Huairu's mother, Wang Shiyan, said with some sadness.

This was the first time they hadn’t seen their daughter during the Chinese New Year.

Ran as far as Hong Kong in an instant.

I'm afraid I won't see him for many years to come.

Although Li Jiandong came back to see them on behalf of his daughter, a son-in-law is still a son-in-law, and is still different from a daughter.

Qin Dashan also sighed beside him.

Although I miss my daughter and grandson.

But they also knew that all this was for the good of their daughter and grandson, just as everyone in their village wanted to move to the city, the same was true for going from Beicheng to Xiangxiang.

The villagers want to move to the city simply because there are quotas and jobs in the city, and once in the city they will no longer have to worry about food and clothing.

From North City to Hong Kong, you don't have to worry about food and clothing.

There may be other pursuits as well.

After having Li Jiandong as a son-in-law.

Qin Dashan and Wang Shiyan's horizons have also broadened a lot.

They know that foreigners have wonderful lives.

That's what they think of as living, while mine is just survival.

Some people can't even survive.

Not being able to eat three meals a day shows the huge difference between people.

Li Jiandong noticed that Qin Huairu's parents were not in a good mental state, so he asked tentatively.

"Dad, Mom, if you miss Huairu, why don't I make some arrangements so you can go to Xiangjiang together?"

Hearing this, Qin Huairu's mother's eyes suddenly lit up.

But soon he said it with some disappointment.

"Jiandong, forget it. Your father and I are old men now. We have hardly even been to the North City. We won't know anything about Hong Kong if we go there."

Qin Dashan also spoke from the side.

"Yes, we don't know anything. What if we get into trouble in Hong Kong? After all, we heard that there are only foreigners there, and we can't understand what they say."

Qin Dashan and Wang Shiyan are not timid people.

But when faced with the opportunity to leave the village, both of them backed out.

This is also the main reason that restricts the progress of many people, that is, they are not prepared to move forward, and they have already started to retreat before they see where the difficulties are.

Li Jiandong originally wanted to explain to them that going to Hong Kong was not that difficult.

However, Qin Dashan and Wang Shiyan backed down.

Li Jiandong felt that there was no need to say so much to them.

After all, they are so old.

It’s not a bad thing to be able to spend the rest of my life peacefully in the village.

After leaving Qin Huairu's house, Li Jiandong took Ding Qiunan to Ding Qiunan's house.

In front of outsiders, Li Jiandong and Ding Qiunan have always hidden their relationship. Even Ding Qiunan's parents don't know about their relationship, and Li Jiandong has never explained it.

But he would come to visit the two old people every year and send Ding Qiunan back home to stay for a few days.

After the New Year, bring her back to the city.

Ding Qiunan was away these days.

Li Jiandong lives alone in the second courtyard.

Sha Zhu and Chen Xueru often came to see her, so she didn't feel so lonely.
In a blink of an eye, it was the day to start work.

After Li Huaiming finished the mobilization meeting for the new year, he returned to the office and started writing an application letter to Mr. Ye.

If we want to complete the task this year, it mainly depends on the improvement of equipment.

If automation or semi-automation can be achieved, this year's task will be no problem.

Is it actually automated?
It is not the only way to complete the task. As other team members said, if we add some pressure on the workers, this year's task may not be impossible to complete.

The reason why Li Jiandong wanted to promote modern equipment was mainly to accelerate the development of the national industry and transform the country from a major agricultural country into an industrial power.

Catch up with some Western countries in the shortest time possible.

Avoid being sanctioned by them in the future.

This was also the main reason why he chose to stay in North City instead of going to Hong Kong with Qin Huairu and the children.

Li Jiandong now has more money than he can spend.

The pursuit of profit means nothing to him.

As for fame, Li Jiandong is a very low-key person and never thinks there is anything good about being famous.

Therefore, what he is doing now is just to have a clear conscience and not to waste his life.

After submitting the application, I received a receipt from my leader within a few days.

Allow steel mills to develop new equipment and add modern equipment to their production lines.

With the support of his leaders, Li Jiandong started to work hard, organizing a large number of mechanical engineers to begin researching large-scale mining equipment and large-scale lifting equipment.

At the same time, Leader Ye also gave the nearby Red Star Machinery Factory to the steel rolling mill.

After the two factories merged, the steel rolling mill had the ability to manufacture large equipment on its own.

Li Jiandong opened two production lines in the Red Star Machinery Factory.

One production line is dedicated to the production of CNC equipment.

Another production line is responsible for manufacturing forklifts.

After all, a large proportion of the temporary workers who left before were loaders.

Although Li Jiandong has repeatedly emphasized that if possible, try to retain these loaders.

But the number of temporary workers laid off this time is too large.

Therefore, the main reason why Li Jiandong wanted to make a forklift was to facilitate loading and unloading. He would use forklifts to load and unload everything that could be loaded and unloaded, and ordinary workers would do the rest.
Since the merger with the Red Star Machinery Factory, Li Jiandong's research and development speed has increased a lot.

From forklifts to blasting rigs, cranes, mixer trucks, and other equipment...

A new device is developed almost every two or three months.

And the manufacturing speed of machinery factories is getting faster and faster.

The machinery factory originally had a staff of only a thousand people, but after several expansions it now has 5 workers.

Every month, countless pieces of heavy equipment are manufactured and shipped across the country.

It is no exaggeration to say that Li Jiandong, with his own efforts, greatly increased the production capacity of the steel mill and greatly accelerated the pace of national industrial development. (End of this chapter)