Siheyuan: Starting from a Truck Driver

The security guard also stood up and prepared to check the workers' credentials.

Li Xiaodong followed them out of the ear chamber.

Just as I went out, I heard a voice behind me: "Wei Zi, I came to look for you this morning. I knocked on the door for a long time but there was no response. So you were hiding here."

Sha Zhu waved to him from a distance.

"I have to report today, so I came early." Li Xiaodong explained.

"Stop talking. Let's eat together at noon. Remember to go to the second cafeteria. I'll help you get more food then."

Sha Zhu wanted to talk a few more words, but when he saw Qin Huairu waving at him not far away, he quickly ran over and followed her.

"Sister Qin, what's the matter?"

"Thank you so much for yesterday's Coal Ball. Bang Geng praised your silly uncle for doing a great thing all night long!"

"Haha, it's a small matter."

...

I don’t know whether Sha Zhu bought coal briquettes for He Yushui.

The little girl is already as thin as a bamboo shoot. If she loses weight due to illness, won’t she be blown away in the strong winter wind?

Li Xiaodong retracted his gaze, distributed some more cigarettes, and said goodbye to Section Chief Zhang and others who were busy.

"Xiaodong, wait a moment."

Section Chief Zhang looked at Sha Zhu walking away, returned the certificate to the worker, walked closer and asked in a low voice: "Do you know that stupid chef just now?"

"He and I live in the same yard and we have a good relationship." Li Xiaodong nodded in response.

Section Chief Zhang said in a low voice, "You can tell him that he can bring some leftovers, but if he dares to smuggle the kitchen's supplies, even if he is a distant relative of the factory director, I will never let him off easily if I find out."

After thinking for a while, he glanced at the busy security guards and whispered, "Tell that stupid boy that if he wants to be a chef for the rest of his life, just take the leftovers!"

Obviously, Sha Zhu's behavior of carrying the basket every day has attracted the attention of the security department.

Moreover, from what Section Chief Zhang said, it can be inferred that Sha Zhu's failure to be promoted to team leader for many years is also directly related to his behavior of taking leftovers.

After all, in an era of material scarcity, the food in the cafeteria was not greasy and it was difficult to fill the stomach.

In the steel mill, the workers work very hard and there is no leftover food at all.

The only source of leftovers is the leftover dishes when leaders entertain guests.

Sha Zhu would show off these dishes in the factory every time, as if publicly humiliating the factory leaders. "The workers eat coarse food, but the leaders eat lavish meals?" He seemed to have forgotten who the real owner of the factory was!

Logically speaking, Sha Zhu had been recognized by the top management and Director Yang, and later cooked for Deputy Director Li, so he should have been a model for promotion. If it were someone else, they would have been promoted long ago.

However, Sha Zhu was never promoted to team leader because he ignored the influence of the masses and did not understand the ways of the world.

Who would trust and employ an employee who takes even a little bit of leftovers home? If something goes wrong, it will only bring trouble to oneself.

Li Xiaodong nodded and assured: "Please rest assured, I will strictly supervise him and resolutely resist such behavior that erodes the interests of the factory."

"..."

"Uncle Zhang, goodbye."

"...Goodbye, come visit me often when you have time."

Section Chief Zhang watched the tall figure leave and whispered to himself, "What a good kid, but every time I see his back, I always feel that he looks familiar."

The convoy was located in the southeast corner of the steel mill, occupying a separate compound.

In the yard, more than a dozen trucks were parked on the bumpy concrete ground.

At this moment, the light golden sunlight shines down, covering the truck with a golden coat.

With majestic truck heads, powerful wheels and spacious cabins, they are like beasts on land!

By the way, there are also those two bright headlights that make people want to touch them.

Smooth and delicate.

To a driver, a truck is like life, a partner and a wife. Li Xiaodong walked closer to take a closer look.

After just one look, he couldn't help but hold his forehead.

Is this still a truck?

Surprisingly, not a single one of the dozen or so cars was intact.

Most of the cars had bullet holes on their front ends, their front windshields were badly cracked, the bottoms of their doors were covered in rust, the wooden carriages were dilapidated, and some of the railings were even broken, barely connected with wire.

There were even a few trucks whose fronts were a few centimeters narrower than their bodies, and they were clearly made from two vehicles joined together.

When Li Xiaodong saw Russian words on the front of the train, discovered Japanese characters on the rear frame, and saw Chinese characters on the crossbeam of the chassis, he felt that he had underestimated the wisdom of the workers of this era and was filled with guilt.

It's basically three cars put together.

"Hello, are you Comrade Li? How's the truck? Is it in good condition?"

A crisp sound was heard behind him, and Li Xiaodong pushed hard and slid out from under the car flexibly.

The first thing that caught my eye was two slender arms, followed by tight skin, and finally a pretty face peeking out from between the two humps.

Oops, this posture seems a little wrong.

Realizing this, the girl quickly took two steps back, her cheeks flushed.

Li Xiaodong stood up and realized that the girl was about eighteen or nineteen years old.

The black oil stains on the collar of her blue work clothes actually set off her tender skin.

Thinking back to what happened just now, Li Xiaodong was secretly panicked.

If the girl screamed loudly, the security officers might rush over immediately.

Seeing Li Xiaodong silent, the girl mistakenly thought he was angry and quickly said with a smile: "I was rude just now. I saw you checking the truck and standing so close to me."

The girl straightened her back and held out her hand: "Comrade Li, I'm the team's driver, Niu Meng."

The two of them held each other gently, hmm, it was quite soft.

However, there is a female driver in the fleet?

Li Xiaodong looked at Niu Meng carefully.

She has a pretty face and a tall figure, which would be very suitable for her to work in an office.

Driving a truck? With her skinny frame and arms as thin as shovel handles, could she turn a steering wheel?

It was not easy for him to question other people's professional skills when they met for the first time.

Li Xiaodong smiled and said, "I'm new here, my last name is Li..."

"I know your last name is Li. Go to the lounge quickly. The drivers are waiting for you."

Niu Meng didn't wait for him to finish and walked straight to a small building next to him.

This girl is decisive.

Li Xiaodong tidied up the oilcloth that had been spread under the car and put it back into the car.

Then he straightened his collar and strode towards the team lounge.

Niu Meng helped him lift the cotton door curtain, supporting it with one hand and making an inviting gesture.

This action made Li Xiaodong feel warm in his heart.

The team is truly a caring group that takes great care of new members.

The lounge was packed with drivers, there were not enough benches, and some even sat on the windowsills.

As soon as Li Xiaodong entered the door, the drivers who were chatting suddenly became quiet and looked at him in unison.

This made Li Xiaodong feel a little embarrassed.

He just came to report for duty, but now he has become the center of attention, which makes him feel uncomfortable.

He originally planned to find an empty seat and sit down.

However, just as he was about to step back, Niu Meng behind him asked in confusion:

"Comrade Li, aren't we going to class? Why are you thinking of sitting still?"

"Class? I want to go to class?" Li Xiaodong looked surprised.

"No one is giving the lecture, could it be you?" Niu Meng's little face also showed surprise.

Do new drivers joining the fleet need to explain their understanding of trucks?

When did the team have such regulations?

How come my father never mentioned this?

Indeed, my father is a taciturn man. He is always silent when he comes home and never mentions the trivial matters at work.

...

Li Xiaodong thought this was the team's routine, so he had to bite the bullet and walk towards the crowd.

Facing twenty or thirty pairs of expectant eyes, he thought for a moment and then spoke slowly.

"My understanding of trucks is relatively superficial, so if there are any mistakes, I hope you will forgive me."

"Clap clap clap!"

As soon as he finished speaking, warm applause broke out. Several veteran drivers even took the time to put down their cigarettes and free their hands to applaud.

Niu Meng’s little hands turned red from clapping.

This warm atmosphere made Li Xiaodong wonder whether his good luck concealed other characteristics.

Damn, is this the aura of a king?

He complained secretly in his mind.

...

Li Xiaodong thought about it and found the knowledge points he wanted to share.

A few days ago, he read a book in the library called "The Development History of the ZIL Series Trucks" written by an engineer from the Likhachev Automobile Plant.

Most of the trucks in the fleet are Soviet-made ZIL 150 models.

This is a good opportunity to show off.

"We are all experienced drivers, so I will not go into details about the minor problems encountered in daily driving. Next, I will explain some problems with the GILL 150 heavy truck. First..."

Before he had finished speaking, the veteran drivers began to look impatient.

"It doesn't matter what the problem is, as long as the truck can run."

"Yes, this is an expert from FAW. Is this the level?"

"It's a pity for Captain Niu's two cans of highland barley wine. He bought them from herders using national food coupons. Even Deputy Factory Director Li wanted to give them to him several times, but the captain refused to give them to him."

...

No one seems to care about the problem of Gill 150.

It's not that I don't care, it's just that I can't do anything.

After all, the production of our own Jiefang brand trucks is low and has not yet met the needs of the troops, not to mention the steel rolling mills.

Facing facts that cannot be changed, no matter how much you say, will it be of any use?

Therefore, the old drivers were disappointed.

Even Niu Meng's pair of black and bright eyes lost their luster.

This young man is a well-known figure in the capital and a so-called expert. How could he be so out of touch with reality?

It's really all show and no substance.

We hired an expert who is only good at empty talk. Now I, your brother, have a headache and I am afraid I will be criticized.

...

However, Li Xiaodong soon continued:

“The biggest problem with the Gill 150 is that the radiator tends to boil over.

This is not a design flaw.

Because it was developed for the Soviet Union, where the climate is cold and the temperatures are lower.

The temperature in most parts of our country is relatively high.

When trucks come here, they will naturally encounter problems with the local climate and environment.

To solve this problem, we can open six vents in the radiator shroud.

The same can be done for the left and right bonnets;

At the same time, the water jacket water distribution pipe needs to be replaced and a drainage hole needs to be opened in the cylinder head.

In addition, you can consider replacing the three-blade fan of the GIL 150 with a six-blade one.

In the hands of our steel mill's master fitters and welders, this type of modification is easy.

After these improvements were made, the tank no longer had any issues with boiling water.”

...

When Li Xiaodong proposed his water tank improvement plan, the expressions of the old drivers began to change.

Hey, this expert seems to have some real skills.

The GILL 150 truck is popular among veteran drivers for its large carrying capacity.

However, its disadvantage is that the water tank is prone to overheating.

In the hot summer, after driving for several kilometers with a heavy load, white mist will come out from the front of the car. The driver has to stop the car and sit on the side of the road, waiting helplessly for the water temperature to drop.

Although the delay was small, the factory leaders did not blame the driver for being late.

If you neglect this, the consequences will be serious, ranging from damage to the water tank to engine stalling.

At that time, they will inevitably be severely punished and may even be fired for deliberately destroying public property.

At this moment, Niu Meng also took out a notebook with a black cover from the canvas bag and recorded everything in beautiful handwriting.

The old drivers' attitude towards Li Xiaodong changed completely, and their expressions became extremely focused.

There was a short, dark-skinned man whose cigarette had burned out between his fingers. He was unaware of it until his hand was burned by the cigarette butt. He then came to his senses and just took a soundless breath.

...

At this moment, outside the team lounge.

A young man, also wearing a gray Zhongshan suit and carrying a canvas bag, hurried over.

He had a handsome face, frost on his short hair, and a pair of glasses as thick as the bottom of a beer bottle perched on his nose.

Despite his anxiety, he still had a confident smile on his face.

Arriving outside the lounge, Li Zheng stopped and took a breath.

When he opened the cotton curtain and found someone teaching in the room, he was stunned for a moment.

"Did I go to the wrong place?"

Li Zheng stepped out and looked at the nameplate on the wall to confirm:

"This is the lounge of the steel mill team. It's exactly the place Captain Niu agreed to meet at."

He frowned, and a thought suddenly flashed through his mind:

"Did Captain Niu invite experts from other car factories to give lectures? Never mind, let's go in and listen to what unique insights this expert has to offer."

In this era, there are very few car designers. It is not easy to meet one, so Li Zheng naturally does not want to miss the opportunity to learn.

When he entered the lounge, he found that there were no empty seats. He didn't want to hang out with the smokers, so he had to stand at the door and listen.

After hearing just a few words, Li Zheng's eyes sparkled.

This young man is quite capable. He even knows the information that I had to ask my friends in the Soviet Union to find out.

"He looks unfamiliar. Could he be an engineer from the Jiefang Factory?"