Siheyuan: I am different He Yuzhu

After He Yuzhu returned to the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill from the First Industrial Machinery Department, he came to the maintenance workshop of the Transportation Department. He asked Fan Youxiang to gather the workers of the maintenance team together, and then said: "Workers, this morning I told everyone that we would set up a Dodge truck deep disassembly and maintenance support team. After I went back and reported to the leaders of the factory, the factory director has agreed that we can use our spare time to disassemble and study Dodge trucks, and allocate 100 yuan of research funds to us every month. At the same time, I have also applied to the superior department to allocate some scrapped Dodge trucks to our factory, so that we can disassemble and study them."

The workers in the maintenance class thought He Yuzhu was just saying it casually, but he didn't expect it to be true. He Yuzhu stopped the workers from talking and continued, "When the scrapped Dodge trucks allocated by the superiors arrive, I will take you to dismantle and study them. I will also borrow some professional books from the library. Of course, don't feel burdened. The factory does not require us to achieve results, so please don't have any mental burdens and go into battle lightly. However, we still hope that we can achieve results. Except for a few old masters who are a little older, everyone else in the maintenance class is very young. Young people can only make progress by learning more. Well, I have finished what I want to say. Does anyone have any comments or questions?"

A young man asked, "Deputy Director He, after we learn to repair trucks, we are still maintenance workers. What progress can we make?"

After hearing what the young man said, Fan Youxiang's face changed. He looked at He Yuzhu awkwardly, not knowing what to say. He Yuzhu smiled and said, "Young man, what's your name? How old are you this year? You don't look older than me, do you?"

"Deputy Director He, my name is Tian Jianghao, and I am 20 years old."

He Yuzhu continued, "Then I will call you Xiaotian. I am one year older than you. I am 21 years old this year. I am sure you are a little surprised to hear my age, but what I am going to say next has nothing to do with my age. The first area liberated in our Xia country was the Northeast. In the factories in the Northeast, they implemented the eight-level worker system. The so-called eight-level worker system is based on the workers' skill level and wage level. From level one to level eight, different levels correspond to different wages and social status. To put it bluntly, the higher the level, the higher the wage. By then, the difference between the wages of a first-level worker and an eighth-level worker is not a little bit. Now you still say that you have not made any progress after learning to repair trucks?"

The workers in the maintenance team started to discuss after hearing this, and another brave worker asked, "Deputy Director He, when can we start implementing the eight-level worker system?"

He Yuzhu smiled and said, "I don't know when the eight-level worker system will be implemented, but I think it should be soon. After all, the whole country has basically achieved public-private partnership now."

The brave worker then asked, "Deputy Director He, if we pass the exam to become a Level 8 maintenance worker, how much can we earn a month?"

He Yuzhu thought for a moment and said, "I really don't know how to answer your question. The salary standard is set by the top leaders of the country. The country has not announced the specific salary for each level of work, so I don't know, but I think it should be at least 80 or 90 yuan."

When the workers heard this, they said excitedly: "Then Deputy Director He, you must teach us when the time comes. We will learn from you and strive to pass the eighth-level worker exam."

"It's good to have this enthusiasm. Actually, I don't know how to repair a truck, but we can learn together. Isn't there a saying that there is strength in numbers? We can't study in isolation. We need to communicate more with each other so that we can improve our level quickly. I'll stop here for today. I have other things to do, so I'll leave first." He Yuzhu said and walked out of the maintenance workshop.

Fan Youxiang hurriedly followed He Yuzhu out of the maintenance workshop. After He Yuzhu left the maintenance workshop, he saw Fan Youxiang looking as if he wanted to say something but hesitated, so he asked, "Chief Fan, what's wrong with you? Just say whatever you want to say."

Fan Youxiang mustered up his courage and said, "Deputy Director He, I feel that it is difficult for the workers in our maintenance team to successfully copy the truck. Why don't we just forget it? After all, if we really invest a lot of money but don't produce any results, it will be embarrassing for you, Deputy Director He. In the end, it will be a waste of time."

After listening to Fan Youxiang's euphemistic words, He Yuzhu looked at the chimney emitting black smoke in the distance and said slowly: "Chief Fan, our country has lagged behind the most advanced countries in the world for many years. The gap is not terrible. As long as we work hard, we will definitely catch up with them. It may take two or three generations of efforts for decades, and you and I may not even see the day of catching up in our lifetime. But Chief Fan, no matter how high the mountain is, as long as we take the first step and keep going, we will reach the top of the mountain one day. This is how industrial development works."

"Take the engines used in trucks for example. It has been more than 80 years since the first engine was invented. Compared with the people who invented the engine, we are very lucky. At least we have ready-made things to learn from. Having things to learn from does not mean that we can go smoothly. There are still things we need to explore and research on our own. But no matter what, we have to do it. If you don't cross the river by feeling the stones, you won't know what the river looks like." After saying this, He Yuzhu patted Fan Youxiang on the shoulder and walked towards the office building.

Fan Youxiang stood there and watched He Yuzhu's back as he walked away. He was shocked by what He Yuzhu said. Yes, people can't be idle all their lives. They have to do something. Thinking of this, Fan Youxiang suddenly felt full of strength. Fan Youxiang turned back to the maintenance workshop and said loudly to the workers who were working: "When the scrapped trucks sent by the superiors arrive, everyone should cheer up and study them carefully. If anyone dares to fill in the gaps for me, don't blame me for being rude."

After hearing what Fan Youxiang said, the workers in the maintenance team looked at each other in confusion. Seeing that the workers were busy, Fan Youxiang continued, "What are you looking at? Have you never seen it before? Hurry up and get to work." The workers hurriedly lowered their heads and began to get busy.

He Yuzhu returned to the logistics office and said to Wei Zixing after thinking for a moment: "Xiao Wei, please go to the library and buy me some books."

Wei Zixing hurried to He Yuzhu and asked, "Deputy Director He, what book do you want to buy?"

He Yuzhu thought for a moment and said, "Go to the library and buy me some books about the working principles of internal combustion engines and clutches. If there are books on truck maintenance, buy those as well. Use this money to buy books. If it's not enough, you can pay for it first and I'll give it to you when I get back." After saying that, He Yuzhu took out 20 yuan and handed it to Wei Zixing.

"By the way, I remember you don't seem to have a bicycle. Do you know how to ride a bicycle? If you can, take my bicycle."

Wei Zixing took the money He Yuzhu handed over and said, "Yes, Deputy Director He."

Seeing this, He Yuzhu took out the bicycle key from his pocket and handed it to Wei Zixing, saying, "You know where my bicycle is, so ride slowly and be careful."

"I know. I know your car. I'll go right away." After saying that, Wei Zixing took He Yuzhu's car keys and walked out.

After Wei Zixing left, He Yuzhu sat on a chair and began to recall the principles of internal combustion engines that he had learned in high school in his previous life. Alas, if he had known that he would travel through time, he would have studied hard and entered a science and engineering university. He would not be like this. He clearly knew the principles of many things, but he did not know how to make them specifically. He only had a superficial understanding. Fortunately, He Yuzhu recalled the scene when he was a child in his previous life, when he saw others repairing and disassembling diesel engines in his hometown. He Yuzhu relied on his memory to draw the internal structure of the diesel engine he saw in his previous life with a pencil.

Looking at the rough diesel engine structure diagram on the paper, He Yuzhu touched his chin and thought. It was impossible to produce the classic single-cylinder roaring diesel engine of later generations relying solely on the drawings in front of him. The drawings he drew showed the most important cylinder structure of the single-cylinder diesel engine, but the structure of the lubricating oil at the bottom of the engine was not shown, and the dimensions of the various parts inside the cylinder were also unclear. Without specific dimensions and specifications, the craftsmen could not process it. It would be better to wait for the scrapped truck to be delivered and then disassemble an engine himself.

Just as He Yuzhu was pondering over the internal structure of the diesel engine, Director Liu came to the large office of the Logistics Department and said, "Deputy Director He, please come to my office. I have something to tell you."

He Yuzhu said quickly: "Okay, Director Liu, I'll go with you right away."

He Yuzhu and Director Liu came to his office. Director Liu smiled and said, "Xiao He, please sit down first."

He Yuzhu sat down in the chair opposite Director Liu's desk as instructed. Director Liu took out his own early retirement application from the drawer and handed it to He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu took the application handed over by Director Liu and looked at it. He couldn't help but said in surprise: "Director Liu, what do you mean by this?"

Director Liu smiled and said, "Xiao He, don't get excited. Listen to me. I have only written this report and have not submitted it yet. Under normal circumstances, I can retire by the end of next year, but after listening to your ideas today, I feel that for you, if you are given a bigger stage, you can achieve greater results. However, considering that you have only been the deputy director for a few months, if I submit this report now, a new director of logistics may be sent from above. I show you this application to show that I will persist until the end of the year. As long as you can make achievements in replicating trucks, I will submit the report at that time. By then, the position of director of logistics department should be yours for sure. Or you can find some connections. As long as there are leaders above to speak for you, it's okay even if I retire now."

He Yuzhu was moved after hearing what Director Liu said, and said sincerely: "Director Liu, you don't have to be like this. I'm still young, and with a steady leader like you in control, I'll be able to move forward more steadily."

Director Liu took a puff of cigarette and looked out the window and said, "Xiao He, do you know? It has been more than 1937 years since I joined the revolution in 30, and many of my comrades have sacrificed their lives on the road of revolution. Although the new Xia country has been established, the foundation of our country is too poor. Building the country requires young people like you who dare to think and fight. Only with young people like you can the country be built faster. I am already old, and there are some things that young people like you dare not think of."

He Yuzhu looked at Director Liu, who looked very old, and said, "Director Liu, your life experience is the most valuable wealth in life."

Director Liu interrupted He Yuzhu and said seriously: "Xiao He, work hard. Our nation has fallen far behind the world. It is up to young people like you to catch up with Western countries. Maybe you will not be able to catch up with Western countries in your lifetime, but you must work hard to narrow the gap and not let it get bigger."

He Yuzhu said excitedly: "Okay, Director Liu, as a member of the Workers and Peasants Party, I promise you that I will work hard to narrow the gap between us and Western countries."

After listening to this, Director Liu nodded with satisfaction and said, "Xiao He, I have finished what I want to say. You should go back to work first, and don't tell anyone about this."

He Yuzhu nodded vigorously, then turned and walked out of Director Liu's office.