Chapter 54: Steel Mill Hits a Wall
The first snow of 1964 came later than usual.
It is already early December, and there is only one month left until the winter vacation.
Since taking on the task from the First Ministry of Machine Building, Fang Xiang and his research team have devoted themselves wholeheartedly to the work.
Naturally, the previous secondment letter was of no use.
It’s time to go to class and to draw.
The secondary optimized Dongfanghong tractor engine was completed first.
The next thing to be adjusted and modified in the drawings was the engine of the Hongqi sedan.
Now we are back to the process of making a prototype.
The raw materials and parts come from the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill, while the processing and assembly are handed over to the Red Star Machinery Plant.
Because Fang Xiang’s home is very close to both factories.
So the task of docking naturally fell to Fang Xiang.
"crunch, crunch"
Early in the morning, Fang Xiang walked on the snow that was almost above his ankles.
I walked to the gate of Red Star Steel Mill with difficulty.
"Uncle, this is my letter of introduction to Director Yang."
Fang Xiang took off his gloves, took out the letter of introduction from his arms, and handed it to the security guard at the gate.
"Please wait."
The old man stamped his feet, stretched out his hand, took the letter of introduction, opened it and took a look.
He walked into the gatehouse with a suspicious look on his face and picked up the phone.
"That building with the factory director's office, the one on the second floor on the far east side."
Less than 2 minutes later, the security guard came out with a smile on his face.
"okay."
Fang Xiang took the letter of introduction and walked in the direction the security guard pointed.
"Xiao Fang, why are you here at the factory?"
Before I had walked far, I saw Qin Huairu walking towards me.
"I'm here to do something, what are you doing?"
Fang wanted to stop and say hello.
"It's snowing now, Banggeng was playing in the snow yesterday and got his clothes wet.
I had a high fever early this morning, so I came to the factory to ask for leave and take Banggeng to see a doctor."
Qin Huairu's face was full of anxiety.
"Okay, then you go ahead and do your work. I have something to do, too."
Fang Xiang smiled and nodded, not intending to continue the conversation.
"Xiao Fang..."
Qin Huairu's face suddenly turned red.
"what happened?"
Fang Xiang responded subconsciously, but immediately knew what was going on.
I'm afraid I'll have to borrow money again?
"Can you lend me a few dollars to take Banggeng to see a doctor?
The factory will start paying you next week, and I will pay you back immediately then."
Qin Huairu's eyes became redder and her voice became smaller and smaller.
"I left in a hurry today and didn't bring any money with me. I guess I can't help you."
Sure enough, he came to borrow money again.
During the last chicken stealing incident, Qin Huairu's mother-in-law, Jia Zhang, cursed her in front of so many people in the yard.
Fang Xiang's impression of the Jia family had already fallen to a negative level, and the family was put on the blacklist.
Occasionally when he came back from school and met Jia Zhang, he chose to ignore her.
Only Qin Huairu could barely nod and say hello.
You came to borrow money from me again today. Do we have such a good relationship?
After saying that, he turned around and walked away.
"Fang Xiang, Fang Xiang, I know my mother-in-law was not kind last time.
But what can I do? Dongxu is dead, and I am left to raise three children and such a large family by myself.
Life is miserable.
I know you have a kind heart, please help me, I beg you.
If you don't agree, I will kneel down and kowtow to you."
Unexpectedly, Qin Huairu grabbed Fang Xiang's clothes.
Tears immediately flowed down like falling beans.
Fang thought, how could this be possible?
It's as if I've made a big mistake by not lending you money.
"Don't do this when there are so many people watching."
There are many people in the factory, and people are constantly passing by.
Now, seeing Qin Huairu and Fang Xiang arguing with each other, he immediately wanted to watch the fun.
Some people have even started to gather around.
Fang Xiang suddenly felt overwhelmed.
"I beg you, please help me just this once.
I kowtow to you..."
Qin Huairu didn't know what was going on, but she felt like Fang Xiang was her lifeline.
His legs were about to bend and he was about to kneel down.
Fang Xiang had never seen such a thing before, and was so scared that he quickly reached out to help her up.
He took out a big unity from the space and pretended to take it out from his pocket.
He stuffed it directly into Qin Huairu's hands.
"This is the last time. This won't happen again."
After saying that, without waiting for Qin Huairu to speak, he turned around and left.
Only Qin Huairu was left there alone.
Soon, Fang Xiang arrived at the door of the factory director's office.
"Enter."
After knocking on the door, a voice came from inside.
Fang wanted to open the door and saw Director Yang looking at documents inside.
"Hello, Director Yang, I am Fang Xiang, a student at Shuimu University.
Here is my student ID and letter of introduction.”
Fang Xiang walked to the desk and handed over his ID and letter of introduction.
"sit."
Director Yang looks like a very serious person.
There was no enthusiastic response to Fang Xiang's smile.
He just nodded slightly and took the certificate and letter of introduction.
“We have cooperation with the First Ministry of Machine Building and are currently developing an engine.
We need some materials and parts. Here is the list. Please take a look."
Fang Xiang took out the list he had prepared in his pocket and handed it over.
“Deputy Director Yin said earlier that he would approve the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill.
I think you have received it. This time, we need to customize these parts."
Fang wanted to see that Director Yang remained silent.
With your ID, letter of introduction and list.
He kept looking back and forth between the documents and Fang Xiang's face.
I simply put on the standard smile I had practiced for two and a half days.
"When do you want it?"
Director Yang finally spoke, but his tone seemed unfriendly.
"Of course, the sooner the better. The projects of the First Ministry of Machine Building are urgent."
Fang Xiang gave a brief explanation.
“You don’t want much, just bits and pieces, and the standard is not low.
Our factory is very busy right now and we don't have the time to produce these accessories specifically for you.
Let’s wait until after the New Year.”
Director Yang pushed back the documents, letter of introduction and list.
"Director Yang, how about you give Deputy Director Yin a call?
I told him, and if he agreed, I had no objection and left immediately."
Fang Xiang's face suddenly turned dark. He had originally thought that this would be an easy and enjoyable thing.
I didn't expect that I would hit a wall before I could even start talking.
"It's no use looking for anyone. I won't make a phone call. Just go away."
After Director Yang finished speaking, he stopped paying attention to Fang Xiang and continued to read the documents.
Fang Xiang saw that there was absolutely no room for maneuver.
Just pack up your things and leave.
Unexpectedly, I ran into Xu Damao as soon as I went downstairs.
"Hey, Mr. Fang, why are you here?"
When Xu Damao saw Fang Xiang, his expression looked a little strange, but he still took the initiative to say hello.
"Come to do something."
Fang Xiang originally wanted to ask Xu Damao about the production tasks in the factory.
But on second thought, Xu Damao was just a projectionist, what could he know.
Asking him is like looking for fish in a tree.
It would be better to ask the first or second uncle.
"What do you want to do? Talk to my brother and see if I can help you."
Xu Damao was not polite and started talking.
I don’t know what he can do as a projectionist.
"Let's talk later. I have something else to do. See you later."
Fang Xiang didn't have a good impression of Xu Damao, so he was too lazy to bother with him and just left.
When we were halfway there, we saw Qin Huairu carrying a stick on his back from afar.
Following Qin Huairu was a girl he had never seen before.
It seems that she looks quite similar to Qin Huairu.
But he is much younger now.
Fang Xiang didn't intend to meddle in other people's business, so he simply took a detour.
As I was walking, I suddenly felt that Director Yang of the steel rolling mill would not target me.
We have never met, and there can be no question of offense. It must be something else.
So he turned again and walked on the snow towards the Jiaodaokou Police Station.
After arriving at the police station, I asked Wei Shengli to help me find a phone.
I called Director Yin directly and told him what had just happened.
"Okay, I understand. Wait for my news."
Director Yin didn't seem surprised on the phone and his tone was very calm.
Fang Xiang was a little surprised.
But I immediately realized that I seemed to be involved in some struggle.
But what does this have to do with me? I'm just a technician.
This kind of thing is not within my consideration.
Fang Xiang quickly put down his burden. Since he was asked to wait, he would just wait for the news.
"Last time you asked me to help you find a yard. Now that there's news, would you like to go take a look?"
After Fang Xiang hung up the phone, Wei Shengli told him a piece of news that Fang Xiang had been waiting for for a long time.
