Siheyuan: Heavy Industry Revitalizes the Country

January 1966, 1, light snow in Beijing.

Fang Xiang stood at the gate of the First Ministry of Machine Building.

His jeep was still in Luoyi and he no longer had a pass.

So this time, he had to honestly take out his letter of introduction.

Fortunately, I had already called Director Yin before coming here.

"Mr. Fang, please come in. Director Yin is already waiting in the office."

After a while, Secretary Huang trotted to the gate.

Fang Xiang nodded and followed Secretary Huang upstairs.

"Why did you come back so soon? Did something big happen to you?"

I haven't seen Director Yin for a while. I don't know whether he didn't get enough rest recently or he is sick.

His eye sockets looked a little sunken and his complexion didn't look very good.

"Well, there are a few things that need to be communicated."

Fang Xiang nodded and sat opposite Director Yin.

Secretary Huang placed the brewed tea next to him.

"Tell me, what's the matter?!"

Director Yin took out a cigarette box, lit one for himself, and looked at Fang Xiang.

"The weather this year was somewhat abnormal, causing the Yellow River to dry up and the water pressure bed in Sanmenxia to be unable to operate normally.

You know about this, right?"

Fang Xiang took a sip of tea and it still had the familiar scented tea flavor.

“I know. The department has discussed this matter several times in meetings.

But objective factors cannot be changed, and urging is useless.

Because of this major issue, the ministry has repeatedly revised the production plan for Luoqi this year.

The plan has been adjusted several times, and it seems that there is no way to have a clear output after the new year.

I'll bear the pressure for you.

Otherwise, guess why I didn't call you?"

Director Yin's smile was a bit forced. He kept smoking the cigarette in his mouth and smoked it very quickly.

"So... is there a range for the expected production volume?"

Fang Xiang was a little stunned. He didn't expect that the department was well aware of this matter.

Moreover, I didn’t receive any message at all.

"There must be more than 500, right?"

Director Yin tapped his fingers on the table for a long time before he finally uttered a number.

“For 500 units, it’s not a big problem.

As long as the materials and accessories can keep up. ”

Fang Xiang calculated the number of equipment and workers, nodded, and approved the plan.

“If the annual plan does not exceed 800 units, the factory’s output will still be somewhat surplus.

I have already produced a batch of 213 jeeps. So far, they are pretty good.

Then can you approve some planned production for me?"

Before Fang wanted to leave Luoyi and return to Beijing, the batch of engines from Hangzhou had not yet arrived.

Naturally it's not that bad.

But Fang Xiang must be picking up good news to tell.

“I can’t make the decision on this matter.

You might as well ask Minister Zhang through Professor Xu.

He has the ability to coordinate.”

Director Yin took out another cigarette, put the almost finished cigarette butt against the other and lit it.

"Okay, then do you think the probability of success is high?"

Fang Xiang blinked, not feeling unhappy about Director Yin turning down the matter.

Director Yin is just a deputy director, and there are many things he cannot control.

Don't force it too much.

“It’s not a big problem, it’s just a matter of how many plans we approve for you.

If there is less, you will not be happy. If there is more, the factory will not be able to complete it.

You said you didn't have other ideas?"

Director Yin pointed out Fang Xiang's little thoughts with a smile.

"Otherwise it has to be you!

The factory has only 800 staff positions, which is definitely more than enough to manufacture heavy trucks.

But the planned quantity is just this small. If I make more, it won’t be easy to sell.

Might as well do some side job.

One is to help sister units reduce some planning pressure.

One is to help the factory generate some revenue.

If that doesn’t work, I can still hand over part of the profits.”

Fang Xiang smiled and nodded in acknowledgement.

Moreover, bait was even thrown for the 213 jeep.

"What do you think of the First Machinery Department?

BAIC and Luoyang Auto are both children of the First Ministry of Machine Building.

One palm and the other back of the hand.

If you want to build a 213, just build it, just don't make it too big.

What? You still want to divide the country into north and south? ! "

Director Yin knocked on the table and put Fang Xiang's little thoughts directly on the table.

“Oh, isn’t this preparation for Second Automobile?

If we train more skilled workers now, Second Automobile Works will be able to draw fewer workers from other places in the future.

It can also promote some employment in Luoyi.

Isn't this good for you, me, and everyone else? "

Fang Xiang has now developed a thick skin and learned to lie with open eyes.

“It’s no use talking to me about this.

I'm just a deputy director and I can't be the head of this family.

As I said just now, if Minister Zhang agreed, I agreed too.

But my agreement does not mean that Zhang Bu and the First Ministry of Machine Building agree.

You have to understand this.”

Director Yin shook his head, and was already laughing at Fang Xiang's anger.

"Okay, let's put it this way. I'll go to Professor Xu to lobby for him later."

Fang Xiang grinned.

In fact, he said these words in front of Director Yin just to find out his attitude.

Judging from the information currently provided by Director Yin.

The resistance here won't be too great.

Even would be happy to see it happen.

“In addition, there are heavy machinery factories and internal combustion engine factories.

Their craftsmanship and precision are not good enough.

After I tried to make a small batch of the finished product, I found that there were many problems.

Judging from the current level of mass production they have demonstrated.

I'm afraid it's still some distance away from the design standards.

Can the First Ministry of Machine Building give me some help?"

After discussing the 213 Jeep, Fang Xiang turned to the second goal of this trip.

“I know what you’re thinking.

The best equipment now is all in the Northeast.

You know that there are many projects in the Northeast and they are very important.

It’s not that we don’t want to equip you, it’s that we don’t have the equipment to equip you.

Foreign countries have imposed a blockade on us, making it even more impossible to update and purchase new equipment.

Just make do with it.”

Director Yin made a bitter face and shook his head.

After hearing this, Fang Xiang fell silent.

He was also aware of the domestic situation, and this time he came to see if the First Ministry of Machine Building had any good things hidden.

but now. . . . . .

"Then can I buy the engine from the Hangzhou Engine Factory?

Can the First Machine Industry Ministry coordinate some plans and quotas?"

Fang wanted to know and hoped to add some new equipment to the Luoyi Diesel Internal Combustion Engine Factory.

The idea that they could produce gasoline engines that met standards was basically declared bankrupt.

In that case, the only option is to have a spare tire.

“This is not a big problem, as the Hangzhou Engine Factory happens to be a supplier to Shanghai Auto.

After the SH760 of Shanghai Auto was finalized, it attracted a lot of attention from various places.

They all sent me documents and wanted to purchase a batch.

The Hangzhou Engine Plant has started small-scale discussions within the ministry on its plan to expand production after the new year.

In this way, when you go back, you can also write a document and submit your needs to the department.

I will open a back door for you and approve part of it for you when the time comes."

Director Yin was very generous at this time and helped Fang to solve the problem.

“Another problem is the tires.

There are currently no tire factories in Henan Province.

The tires needed for heavy trucks are special tires that cannot be produced by ordinary tire factories.

I didn’t see a tire factory among the supporting brother units we provided before.

Is there a leak here, or is there a leak?"

After the engine is taken care of, the next thing to do is the tires.

This is also a big deal. Not only heavy trucks but also jeeps need it.

Having a stable supplier is very important.

“I understand what you are talking about.

The only three cities in China that can produce special tires are Beijing, Guizhou and Guangxi.

However, they are all far away from you. Not only is the cost of transporting them there high, but their current production cannot keep up.

It just so happens that the Third Front construction has already started for a year.

In Yin City, Ning Province, a special tire factory was built just last year.

We just started production at the end of December. We are in urgent need of orders.

Although it may not be close to you, it is the only tire factory in the country that can meet your needs.

However, they currently do not have standards for heavy truck tires.

Originally they were making special-purpose aviation tires, but I think they should be able to make heavy truck tires as well.

You send them the data and let them try it out.

If that doesn’t work, come back to me and I’ll help you contact other factories.”

Director Yin stood up, rummaged through the cabinet for a long time, and pulled out a file bag.

After opening the file and taking a look, he gave a definite answer.

"Yin City, Ning Province? That's quite far away, probably thousands of kilometers away?"

Fang Xiang was stunned. Why did they find a factory so far away?

“There is no other way, there are only a few factories that can produce special tires.

There is no one close to you.

So, you have to find some connections at the Ministry of Railways."

Director Yin put out his cigarette and exhaled the last puff of smoke.

Said leisurely.