sbdcsierra Chapter 15 Commendation Conference
Chapter 15 Commendation Conference
You just finished the coating, what are you doing now?
Sun Zhiguo took the blueprints with a puzzled look, and when he opened the first page, his face still showed a hint of disapproval.
Even if Chen Weiguo's coating skills are indeed impressive, he can't come up with something new every day, can he?
Then, his eyes narrowed sharply.
wrong.
This isn't right.
Sun Zhiguo turned to the second page, and his breathing gradually changed.
By the time I turned to the third page, my fingertips were turning white.
It took him a full ten minutes to finish reading the thin drawing.
Sun Zhiguo wiped his glasses, put them back on, and asked, "Master Chen, may I ask which source you referenced?"
Chen Weiguo shook his head: "There's no single source. It's a combination of a lot of information, plus my own calculations."
Sun Zhiguo turned to Zhao Dehai and said with emotion, "Factory Director, I can't comment on this design for the time being."
Zhao Dehai frowned: "What do you mean by 'can't comment'?"
"Because it exceeds what I've learned." Sun Zhiguo pushed up his glasses. "I can say with certainty that the technical content of this set of blueprints is no less than the results of any research institute in China."
He graduated from Harbin Institute of Technology and was the deputy head of the technical department. He always looked down on workers who did technical work.
He now says the blueprints are beyond what he has learned, which shows how shocked he is.
Zhao Dehai's expression turned serious: "From now on, this matter is classified as a top-level technical secret in the factory. Apart from those present, no one else is allowed to know the details. Anyone who violates this confidentiality rule will be dealt with according to regulations; I will show no leniency."
Then he called Chen Weiguo to his office.
After closing the door, Zhao Dehai poured Chen Weiguo a cup of tea.
Instead of starting with technical questions, he asked, "Xiao Chen, how old are you this year?"
"Twenty-three."
"Twenty-three. When I was twenty-three, I was still shooting on the battlefield. When a bullet flew past my ear, my first reaction was to drop to the ground, and only then did I think of firing back. You, on the other hand, are already inventing things at twenty-three. This coating, this wave-shaped blade, one after another. You're really young and promising."
Chen Weiguo smiled modestly.
Zhao Dehai got down to business: "I called you here today to talk to you about two things. First, I'm going to submit your coating process application on behalf of the factory for the Ministry's Technological Innovation Award. Don't worry, this is your achievement, so the credit is yours. I know it, and the factory knows it too."
"Secondly, I think we shouldn't report this wave-shaped blade drawing yet. The coating process is an improvement on existing domestic blades, so there's no problem reporting it. The ministry likes these kinds of things the most—they're practical and easy to promote. But the wave-shaped blade is different; it's an original design and involves a core aspect of military manufacturing. Releasing it too early might attract unnecessary attention."
He paused for a moment: "What I mean by 'unnecessary attention' includes some external forces that don't want our industrial technology to advance."
Chen Weiguo understood: "So, what do you mean, factory director?"
"I plan to take the drawings to a reliable senior expert in the ministry first. This senior expert is tight-lipped and has worked in this field for most of his life. He has seen more than I have. I'll let him take a look. If he thinks they are as good as Sun Zhiguo said, then we'll consider the next step."
Zhao Dehai looked at Chen Weiguo: "Would you be willing for me to give that drawing to that old expert?"
Chen Weiguo nodded: "Of course I'm willing. I never intended to hide it. As long as it can be used, anyone can see it."
Zhao Dehai said with satisfaction, "Good, Xiao Chen, do a good job. As long as I, Zhao Dehai, am in this factory, you don't need to worry about anything."
Chen Weiguo stood up and saluted him: "Thank you, Factory Director."
Zhao Dehai returned the greeting and said with a smile, "Go ahead."
……
Not long after, the ministry's approval was issued.
The new coating process for cutting tools won the second prize of the ministerial-level technological innovation award.
Once the notification was issued to the factory, Zhao Dehai immediately arranged for it to be publicized throughout the factory.
A large group of workers gathered in front of the notice board.
The document states: Comrade Chen Weiguo of the military workshop of Yanjing Machinery Factory, under the difficult conditions of restricted import of cutting tools, independently developed a new coating process for cutting tools, filling a domestic gap and increasing the tool life by four times, making an important contribution to military production...
The workers' chatter rose and fell.
Some expressed envy, some admiration, and some感慨 (feelings of emotion).
"Chen Weiguo? That's the veteran who just arrived a few days ago?"
"Yes, yes, that's him! A level six fitter, the deputy leader of the military industry group!"
"My God, he's only been working at the factory for a short time and he's already won a departmental award? Is this guy a freak?"
"Pah! You're the weirdo! This is what a real talent looks like, much better than someone who just brags."
……
In the afternoon, the factory held an awards ceremony in the auditorium.
The audience was packed with workers.
Chen Weiguo was invited to the stage, where Zhao Dehai personally presented him with a certificate and a bonus.
The prize money is 120 yuan.
Add one more bicycle ticket.
What does 120 yuan mean these days?
The wages of an ordinary worker for two or three months.
Bicycle tickets are something that so many people have to queue up and beg for if they want to buy a bicycle.
There are no tickets; you can't buy one even if you have the money.
Zhao Dehai spoke on the stage: "Some people say that we workers can only do manual labor. Today, Comrade Chen Weiguo has shown everyone through his actions that workers can not only contribute physical strength, but also wisdom and creativity! As long as we dare to act and think, what foreigners can do, Chinese people can do too!"
The audience erupted in applause.
Old Liu clapped until his hands were red, and exclaimed, "This young man is really amazing!"
People around him teased him, "Didn't you look down on her before, saying she was messing around? Now, think about it, weren't you just blind?"
In the corner, Wang Chang'an's face was extremely ugly.
When Chen Weiguo was assessed upon entering the factory, it was at the behest of Director Qian that he tried to lower Chen's level from six to four.
The result was not only that they failed to control the situation, but they also made a fool of themselves.
Now, Chen Weiguo standing on the stage receiving the award from the ministry feels like a resounding slap across the face.
I'm too ashamed to stay in the workshop.
Someone in the crowd remarked, "That Liu San who tried to take down Chen Weiguo back then is still cleaning toilets now."
A person nearby scoffed, "Serves him right. Stealing chickens and framing others, cleaning toilets is the least of his worries. If you ask me, it would be best to fire him directly, so he doesn't make our factory a mess."
"Let me tell you, later when Liu San went to his uncle for help, Deputy Factory Director Liu wouldn't even let him in the door and told him to get out."
"That ruthless?"
"Deputy Factory Director Liu isn't stupid. At a time like this, who would want to get themselves involved?"
……
night.
As soon as Chen Weihong returned, she rushed to Chen Weiguo: "Brother! I heard from Aunt Wang that you won an award!"
Chen Weiguo was cooking when he laughed and said, "You're quite well-informed."
Chen Weihong's eyes lit up: "What award? I heard it's a ministry award? Where's the certificate? Let me see it!"
Chen Weiguo pointed to the table.