Chapter 175

"No, I want to be promoted to level 18. All I need to do is make the joint venture store on Qianmen Street bigger and stronger, add more department-level positions, and I will be promoted."

Li Zhiguo felt like he had suffered a critical blow. He had made all the preparations to come out of retirement, but what happened was that it was all in vain. He was tired and sleepy, so he might as well go home and lie down.

Director Fang also feels tired. Can you please not have so many promotion channels? It makes him unable to continue the discussion.

"Li Zhiguo, agriculture is the most important thing, industry and commerce can take a back seat!"

Director Fang suddenly realized what was happening and thought, you are a farmer, worker and businessman?

No, this guy is a cadre. He is a combination of scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans?

Okay, Director Fang finally understood. So you don’t go to work every day, but you still get caught with everything?

"Director Fang, I want to, too. I'm just sick. Well, your cigarettes are pretty good. When I leave later, please prepare a whole pack for me."

Li Zhiguo was heartbroken, so he decided to ask the third uncle and Dongxu to go fishing. Jiang Taigong fished until he was 72 years old, so there was still time for him to go fishing, so there was no rush.

"You kid, the big boss will be here soon, you should have a good talk with him."

Director Fang had no choice but to give the order directly, otherwise Bi Jianhua would intercept him directly. Both of them were level ten cadres, and neither of them could do anything to the other.

Not long after, the big boss arrived. The urban area of ​​Beijing is so small that it only takes three hours to go around it by bicycle, and this is the speed of an ordinary person.

"Comrade Xiao Li, I am glad to meet you at last."

The big boss shook hands warmly as soon as he arrived. He had never had the chance to meet this regular technical worker who was drawing a salary without doing any work and was receiving allowances.

"Hello, leader. I have admired you for a long time."

Li Zhiguo was talking nonsense. This was the highest-ranking person he had ever met, surpassing Director Bi of the Ministry of Metallurgy.

"That's great. Tell me about your million-dollar water pump."

The big boss did not come alone, but brought more than a dozen people with him to conduct on-site evaluation.

If feasible, we will push for it immediately, first separating the Tongyi Pump Factory and placing it under the Ministry of Agriculture.

Li Zhiguo nodded, took out a pen and paper, and said as he drew: "My idea is to design a small and exquisite water pump that can be placed in a vegetable basket and can operate in shallow water.

You see, there is a bamboo basket outside the water pump, which can isolate aquatic plants, fallen leaves and gravel. As long as the water depth exceeds 30 centimeters, the pump can be used.

Then the source of electricity goes directly through the overhead transmission lines. As long as there is a water source and overhead power lines nearby, pumping operations can be carried out.

The pumping speed of this small water pump is not very strong. It will take more than an hour to irrigate a field, but a farmer can finish the job in half a day.

It can be used in rotation. Even if there are ten more households, irrigation will not be affected. The cost is not high and it is very suitable for current rural use.

Moreover, water can be stored in the early spring, or even in the winter in the south. Although some water will be wasted along the way, a lot of water can be saved when it comes to actual irrigation..."

Everyone nodded frequently after listening to this. This has many advantages, but only one disadvantage: the water pump is small and irrigation is slow. But we have to consider that this is for agricultural use. It doesn't matter if you spend half an hour irrigating or more than an hour, but the financial cost is saved.

The leader nodded and said, "Comrade Xiao Li, do you have a design concept for the water pump?"

“I have the idea, but I need all the water pump drawings in the country, and I need to form a professional team and a dozen senior workers. I also need to provide some water pumps from other companies and Big Brother for me to disassemble.

Then I have the confidence that I can make a small water pump and put it into production within three months.

It will be ready for use in the early spring of next year. As for the production volume, it depends on the investment.”

Li Zhiguo did not say where his confidence came from, but it has been proven before that he does not fire blanks.

Geng's skill lies in combining other things together. With the ready-made water pumps and technology, it is not difficult to modify the design, but it also takes time and requires a lot of assistants.

At worst, he can go one day a week and study it after waking up. In three months, it won’t be a big problem.

The water pumps are made in preparation for 1959. We will be able to produce them at full capacity for a year next year, just to ensure that the quantity is not cut in half by then.

Otherwise, when everyone had less than 7 taels of food a day, how could he dare to eat white flour every day and feed his sons to be fat and plump? Isn't that nonsense?

Even if you eat secretly, it is easy to get into trouble, not to mention that your conscience will hurt sometimes.

The senior leader asked tentatively, "What about a million-level production? How much investment is needed?"

Li Zhiguo directly said: "Ten million as a base, ten thousand workers."

"Let's make a deal. How about reducing it by half? The prerequisite is that you have to produce the small water pump mentioned in three months."

The big boss thought that it was only 10 million, and he couldn't take all of it. If it was 5 million, they would have been arguing for a long time. As for the workers, the last thing they lacked was people.

As long as the water pump is really needed, not to mention 5,000, even 50,000 workers can be mobilized quickly.

"Leader, the factory is ten times larger than the original Tongyi, with a monthly output of 50,000 units and an annual output of 600,000 units. This is the limit."

Li Zhiguo has made precise calculations and there is no major problem.

"Very good, Comrade Xiao Li, once your small water pump is manufactured, you will be the director of the Beijing Water Pump Factory."

The big boss was very happy. Who said that the capital city could only rely on grain transfers for aid? With so many water pumps, the suburbs of the capital city could also increase grain production and reduce aid.

"Leader, everything else is fine, except this factory director."

Li Zhiguo refused. Isn't this nonsense? He is just a deputy section-level official, equivalent to the mayor of a town in later generations, or the deputy director of a local street office. They want him to leave retirement. That is too much of a disrespect for him.

"Why not, Comrade Xiao Li, don't feel pressured. The new pump factory is not of high quality, and you are fully capable of doing the job."

The senior boss thought that I was promoted too quickly, but this is not an obstacle. Ambition is not limited by age.

Li Zhiguo thought, it’s because of his low rank, but how could he say this?
Director Fang quickly stepped out to smooth things over, "Leader, Li Zhiguo's illness has not yet healed, so he can't work full-time. Also, the Ministry of Metallurgy may not be willing to let him go."

"Is that so? Then you will be the deputy factory director, in charge of technical research and development. Your rank and benefits will be raised. You will not receive a salary but an allowance. You don't have to work full-time. You can come to the factory to lead the technology when needed."

What the big boss wants is technology, and it’s enough to just box people in. Besides, this person has never attended a proper class.

"That's no problem. The deputy director is quite good."

Li Zhiguo had no way to refuse this. He could forget about other positions, but the deputy factory director was a key position that allowed him to attack or defend.

Not only is it not easy to be knocked down, but maybe by then he can transform himself and become a member of the committee, which will make him even more stable.

"Okay, if you have any other requests for the water pump development, you can ask now."

The senior leader then asked many detailed questions.

Li Zhiguo answered all the questions he could find out, and then asked two more questions: "Leader, the biggest obstacle to the popularization of water pumps is still electricity. It is easy in places with overhead wires, but many remote places do not have electricity, so water pumps become decorations.

This requires cooperation from the power grid, or training some pump operators to set up temporary cables for the operation.”

Water pumps are the general trend and also the policy from above. Next year, rural areas will enter the people's communes, which will enable us to concentrate on major tasks and realize industrialized planting.

We cannot stop research and development just because some places are not suitable for water pumps. Besides, water pumps are not just for agricultural use, they have many other uses.

"Comrade Xiao Li, your concern is very good. It will be discussed at a later time. Your task is to make the small water pump as soon as possible."

The big boss looked at the time. He still had things to do today. After that, he would have to review the report on the popularization of water pumps.

"Make sure to complete the mission."

Li Zhiguo expressed his determination, but once the senior leader left, he said, "Director Fang, well, you should prepare first, especially prepare all the information I need. I will come to get it next Monday. This won't delay us, right?"

"You don't have to wait until Monday. Come and get the information the day after tomorrow. I'll work overtime to get it all for you."

Director Fang will not let this kid get away. Three months is only a short time and it has passed in a flash.

"Okay, I'll come the day after tomorrow afternoon."

Li Zhiguo suddenly thought of something and quickly drew it, but no one else could understand the drawing.

"What are you drawing?"

Director Fang looked confused, as he has a high level of education.

"It's just a little gadget. I'll need it later. I'm leaving now. Don't forget to prepare a pack of cigarettes for me. I'll come get it the day after tomorrow."

Li Zhiguo left quickly. It was time for dinner and he couldn't stay here and eat in the canteen. He had been in the countryside for two days and he had to have a good meal.

……

"Hey, Li Zhiguo, you're finally back." Yan Bugui was enjoying the cool air in the yard. It was such a long vacation and he needed to take a break.

"What's wrong? There's something going on in the hospital."

Li Zhiguo looked a little dusty as he was carrying a bag and pushing a bicycle. There was nothing he could do as the roads in the capital were too dusty and the weather was hot, making him sweat.

In some well-off homes, a small whip specially used to beat away dust is hung at the door.

"Nothing much. Didn't you say you wanted to go fishing? I've been waiting for you. Also, you said you wanted me to be Guan Xiang's tutor?"

Yan Bugui was also idle and felt that he had suffered a loss, so he wanted to find something to do that would not make him lose out.

"That's right. I'll go back first and discuss it later."

He just came back and wanted to rest first.

When I arrived at the backyard, I happened to hear the crying sound of a child coming from Lao Xu's house. There was nothing to worry about, because little Red Star had enough people to take care of him.

"Mom, I'm back."

"Son-in-law, have you eaten yet?"

Qin's mother came out of the house. She had just coaxed little Chaoyang to sleep.

"We've eaten, why aren't Jingru and Guanxiang here?"

Li Zhiguo was a little surprised. Nothing happened at this time.

Mother Qin replied, "In the rain room."

"Okay, I'll take a break first."

Li Zhiguo didn't say much. He washed up and lay down on a chair in the main room to cool down.

I don't know how long it took, but I vaguely heard Sha Zhu's voice. When I opened my eyes, I saw an old face in front of me, "Oh my god, it's really you."

"Li Zhiguo, you slept too deeply. It took me a while to wake you up. I've been looking for you for two days."

Sha Zhu quickly added, "Huizhi and I had agreed to be a couple, but she's been back in the countryside for two days, and there's still no news. Do you think I should bring something and visit her on Sunday?"

"What are you looking for? If you really look for it, you will be too passive.

As for women, don’t take it too seriously. If this one doesn’t work out, find another one.

Take your father for example. He only succeeded after finding the fifth widow! You are only the second one, so don’t be in a hurry.”

Li Zhiguo was also unsure about Xu Huizhi's attitude, because He Yongqiang was stubborn, and Sha Zhu was always lacking in luck when looking for a wife, so his failure rate was too high.

"Hearing you say that, I feel relieved. Yes, if one fails, I can keep looking for another one."

Shazhu said so, but he still wanted to find a wife as soon as possible.

"Wait, what time did you get back?"

Li Zhiguo looked at his watch and it was just past four o'clock. Look at the occupations of these people in the institute: chefs, projectionists, teachers, and him. Are they all freelancers?
A negative example of a hardworking worker? They are all put together.

"Hey, you're out buying seasonings. I buy everything I use for cooking myself. This is a secret family recipe that can't be shared with others."

Shazhu is quite cunning in this respect. He teaches his apprentice to starve himself to death, so he has to keep some tricks up his sleeve.

"That's fine! If we're allowed to do business someday, please come over and cook for me."

Li Zhiguo was joking. He even dealt with Lao He. Sha Zhu was not important anymore, but they could still be brothers.

"No problem, I just like cooking."

Shazhu thought it was a joke. If there were no merchants, how could he do business?
As the two were talking, they suddenly heard shouting from outside.

"Brother Li, are you home?"

"It was Chen Bihua who came. She can't live without you."

What Shazhu said was not stupid at all.

Li Zhiguo didn't take it seriously. Was he afraid of what people would say? A person of integrity has nothing to fear. When he saw someone approaching the door, he shouted, "Bihua, what's the matter?"

"Money, my family's money is lost again, this time more than 30 yuan is lost."

Chen Bihua cried. Although she felt sad when she lost a little money in the past, it would not cost her life. But this time was different. When she thought of this, she almost couldn't breathe and felt a little dizzy and was about to fall down.

"Don't worry, maybe you can still find it back."

Li Zhiguo hurried forward to support the woman, saying that she was pregnant and hoped nothing would happen to her.

"Silly Zhu, don't just stand there, come over and give me a hand."

"Okay, neighbor!"

Sha Zhu came over reluctantly to help. He first helped the man to sit down in the house, then let go of his hand and stood aside.

Li Zhiguo fanned Chen Bihua with a fan, "Bihua, don't worry, the money was lost in your house. There are so many people watching in the yard, we will definitely be able to find it back. By the way, is Dongxu at home?"

"Dongxu went out this morning, saying he had taken on a big job, and he didn't come back at noon."

Chen Bihua calmed down and felt much better, but this money was something she had saved for a long time. Could she really get it back?
Li Zhiguo's first reaction was that it was stolen by Bang Geng, otherwise no one else would be able to match it.

"Bihua, where is Banggeng? Where is he?"

As soon as Li Zhiguo said this, before Chen Bihua could reply, Sha Zhu started yelling first.

"Hey, Li Zhiguo, do you suspect that it was Bang Geng who stole it?"

"Shazhu, you have a pretty good brain. I think you can change your name to Congzhu in the future."

Li Zhiguo joked that this silly Zhu was actually quite clever.

"You are the smart one. But then again, is it really a joke? How old is he? How dare he steal money at the age of four? He must be punished."

Shazhu has never liked Banggen, for no reason, because he just can't stand Jia Dongxu.

Chen Bihua also hurriedly said, "Brother Li, it can't be Bang Geng, how dare Bang Geng."

"You'll know if you ask me. You haven't told me where the stick is yet?"

Li Zhiguo felt that he should let Banggeng know in advance how deep the water in the Siheyuan was and who was in charge.

"Bang Geng went out to play with some kids from the yard next door."

Chen Bihua was pregnant and couldn't look after Bang Geng every day. Besides, all children are like this, they are all raised in the wild.

That is to say, only Xiao Guanxiang went to kindergarten, and his grandmother took care of him every day.

"Let's go to the middle courtyard."

Li Zhiguo thought that the Siheyuan people up to his generation had a little bad habit of stealing things, but the next generation had to learn the lesson.

Because by the end of 1968, that is, eleven years later, the educated youth had to be forced to go to the countryside. It is a bit of an exaggeration to say that it was forced. The higher-ups simply did not issue food coupons, and with the addition of mobilization from the neighborhood committees, schools, and youth affairs offices, it was unbearable.

Each family can only keep one child in the city. After the other children move to the countryside, the remaining one will be arranged a job.

For example, in the TV series "The World", the three children of the Zhou family were in this situation. The eldest, Zhou Bingyi, and the second, Zhou Rong, went to the countryside, and only the third, Zhou Bingkun, was arranged to work in a sawmill.

Li Zhiguo now thought of Banggeng and Xiaoguanxiang. Eleven years later, they had all graduated from junior high school and had caught up with a good time.

Therefore, if he wanted to keep Guan Xiang by his side, he had only one way, which was to drop out of school before graduating from junior high school and work in a factory as a worker.

But I’m worried that my son might have a brain spasm. But it’s good to go to the countryside for training. After experiencing hardships, he will know who to please.

"Chen Bihua's money is lost, everyone come and take a look."

When Sha Zhu shouted loudly, all the residents in the yard came to watch the fun. Not only the people in the middle yard, but also the people in the front yard and the back yard came.

Li Zhiguo brought Chen Bihua to Jia's house and asked, "Where did you hide the money and why did you lose it?"

"It was inside the pillow. I was at home every day and spent most of my time sitting in front of the sewing machine. I thought it would be more reassuring to put the money inside the pillow, but it was still lost."

(End of this chapter)