Reborn in 1977

"The rain falls thick and fast during the Qingming Festival," this line of poetry perfectly captures the essence of Jiangnan.

It seems that in the Jiangnan region, it rarely doesn't rain during the Qingming Festival.

Qingshan Cemetery, a drizzle falls.

It's raining, but not heavily, not even enough to wet the paper money in the fire pot.

Chen Fan didn't bring an umbrella. He was wearing a shirt inside, and a medium-length gabardine trench coat outside. He bought it the first time he came to the prefectural committee, and it's perfect for wearing in the rain.

He followed the customs of his hometown, burning paper money, lighting incense, and kowtowing. After completing the entire process, the main sacrificial ritual was considered complete.

This area, like some parts of Hubei, Hunan, and Jiangxi, has the custom of "inserting greenery" during Qingming, also known as "floating the grave" or "hanging greenery," which involves using a bamboo pole to carry a string of paper flowers and inserting them on the grave. The old rule is "insert new graves early, insert old graves late."

Generally, graves of those who have passed away for no more than three years are considered new graves, and offerings and greenery should be inserted about a week before Qingming.

Chen Fan's parents had passed away for more than three years, belonging to the category of old graves, so today was the perfect day to make offerings.

He took the prepared paper flowers from Huang Li and steadily inserted them on the grave. After he stepped back, the others came forward one by one.

Before they returned from Beijing, they had already sent telegrams to the machinery factory and Lujiawan, so early this morning, Team Leader Yang from Team 6 arranged for Huang Li, Yang Mei, and Liu Lu to follow the cargo ship to clean up Chen Fan's old house.

Their older sisters and the Jiang family sisters had all gone to school, so they were the only ones who could handle these matters. Otherwise, Chen Fan would have to clean up himself, which would be pitiful.

Factory Director Yang grabbed a handful of paper money and threw it into the burning pottery basin, saying with emotion, "Old brother, sister-in-law, rest assured, your son is stronger than you. The Chen family has a successor."

Two engineers from the First Ministry of Machinery Industry and FAW also offered sacrifices and sprinkled a cup of wine together.

One of the engineers stepped forward and said solemnly, "Engineer Chen, your hard work will not be in vain. We will definitely make good use of the car design ideas you painstakingly researched to contribute to the national automobile industry. The names of you and your son will surely be engraved in the history of China's automobile industry."

Chen Fan's lips twitched slightly, not knowing what to say.

A few minutes later, Deputy Factory Director Li and others also completed their respective sacrifices, and everyone went down the mountain together.

At the foot of the mountain, Chen Fan opened the door and got into the car. The three girls sat in the back. Factory Director Yang didn't go with the people from the First Ministry of Machinery Industry, nor did he get into his own car, but got into Chen Fan's car.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Factory Director Yang looked around, "Your car is still a bit plain. How about we get you a new car? Anyway, you designed that car, so no one will say anything if we switch it."

Chen Fan started the car and drove forward, saying without hesitation, "Forget it. If you really want to talk about it, except for the engine, my car is no worse than those two new cars."

This car was made by him with more than a dozen senior workers. It still looks the same as before, but the internal structure is already very different. All aspects of the effect can be compared to off-road vehicles of later generations. Otherwise, he wouldn't dare to drive it to the provincial capital, and dare to run wild on the muddy and bumpy national highway.

It's just that the overall materials and engine are limited to this era. No one can do anything about that.

Materials are the foundation of industrial machinery development, and Chen Fan has always been in awe of basic sciences like materials science, which require deep roots in the laboratory. Let others take on the great responsibility of developing materials science!

He can only beat around the bush in the obvious mechanical design aspects and improve his life a little.

In fact, our automobile industry also had good cars at this time, such as the Hongqi CA72 sedan mentioned earlier. Although the test drive prototype was embarrassing, after improving the design and production, the first batch of 10 cars was sent to Zhongnanhai, and the first one was taken away by Chief Lin.

That day, the wind and rain were heavy, and Chief Lin was driving this car at a speed of 120 kilometers per hour on a bad road... as a result, the car overturned, no, the engine overturned, but the car was fine.

From the fact that he could reach a speed of 120 kilometers per hour, it can be seen that the technical content of this car is not low, but the production process is really indescribable, and it cannot be guaranteed that the quality of each car meets the standard.

Hearing Chen Fan's words, Factory Director Yang immediately decided, "Then we'll make a new engine for you to replace it."

Chen Fan blinked, feeling a little tempted, wondering if he should make a V12 engine.

Then he decisively gave up.

Just casually making a 90s ordinary engine has attracted so many big shots, what would happen if he made a V12?

Well, mainly he doesn't understand it either. That thing is too complicated in structure, and he didn't study this line of work. He hasn't even seen the leaked design drawings.

Let's just use the 2.0 four-cylinder engine installed on the new sedan. It's actually not bad. Later, the Santana was still 1.6 and 1.8.

He smiled at Factory Director Yang, "Okay."

Chatting all the way, they arrived at the machinery factory in more than ten minutes.

Chen Fan handed over several notebooks, and the technical department of the machinery factory, led by engineers from the First Ministry of Machinery Industry and FAW, copied and duplicated them.

This work is estimated to take two or three days to complete.

Chen Fan naturally wouldn't wait here. He picked an engine from the workshop to replace it, and then he was about to leave.

His family, Gun Gun and the others, were still waiting for him.

Then he was grabbed by Factory Director Yang and dragged to the small cafeteria for dinner, and even Huang Li and the others were properly arranged.

In addition to Factory Director Yang, there were also Deputy Factory Director Li, Chairman Zhao of the Trade Union, and Secretary Zhang of the Communist Youth League. The Women's Director went to the children's table.

The leadership team of the machinery factory was all present.

Chen Fan, "Uncle Yang, I've explained everything that needs to be explained. The follow-up matters have nothing to do with me, right?"

Deputy Factory Director Li waved his hand, "Xiao Nan, serve the dishes."

Then he picked up the wine bottle and poured wine for him, "This time, the Yunhu Automobile Factory was able to be approved so smoothly, you have made the greatest contribution. You must participate in this celebration banquet today."

Chen Fan twitched the corner of his mouth, "Uncle Li, let's not be pretentious among ourselves. You can hold the celebration banquet with the leaders, or with the workers of the whole factory, but count me out.

By the way, there should be prizes for such a big happy event, right? Are they in my car?"

Saying that, he raised his glass, "In this way, I'll finish this cup, see you later."

Chairman Zhao grinned and laughed non-stop, "Lao Li, I told you a long time ago, Xiao Chen doesn't eat your tricks."

Deputy Factory Director Li glanced at him askance, when did you say that? Did you say it after drinking, or did you say it in your sleep?

Chairman Zhao didn't look at him, turning his gaze to Chen Fan, and said with a smile, "Let's not talk about the celebration banquet. You just said that we shouldn't be pretentious among ourselves. We're all our own people, so everything is easy to talk about, right?"

Chen Fan quickly interrupted, "Uncle Zhao, please tell me what's going on first, then we'll see if it's easy to talk about."

Secretary Zhang of the Communist Youth League leaned back in his chair and laughed non-stop, just not speaking.

At this time, several people came up with trays carrying dishes, four dishes and one soup, not exceeding the standard, but the plates were a bit big.

Factory Director Yang then spoke, "These are all the spoils of war that Xiao Chen brought back from the Northeast. There's tiger meat, venison, yellow sheep meat, autumn sand duck, and also grouse. It's just that the road is long and far, and many things can't be brought back, otherwise there would be more good things."

Deputy Factory Director Li and the others all picked up their chopsticks and took a bite each, nodding repeatedly, "Mmm, delicious, good taste."

Chen Fan looked around, chuckled and shook his head, also picked up a piece and tasted it, put down his chopsticks and said, "Not bad, it's the same style as the chef at the Gongnong Restaurant, but the heat is slightly worse."

Secretary Zhang gave a thumbs up, "I guessed it right, Master Nan learned his skills at Wangjiang Tower in his early years, and is the closed disciple of Master Cai of Wangjiang Tower."

After a pause, he added, "Oh, it's Gongnong Restaurant now."

As soon as he finished speaking, Deputy Factory Director Li pulled his chair closer to Chen Fan, and said with a smile, "I heard from Lao Yang that you killed a big tiger?"

Chen Fan nodded, then looked regretful, "The tiger skin was taken away by my master. That thing has only been simply processed and has not been tanned yet, so let them do it themselves. Most of the tiger bones were taken away by FAW, and I only kept some for myself. I also soaked a few jars of wine for my master in Beijing, and there's not much left."

Deputy Factory Director Li didn't change his expression, "What about the tiger penis?"

Chen Fan looked at him strangely, then looked at Chairman Zhao, Secretary Zhang, Factory Director Yang next to him...

Factory Director Yang was eating, and when he saw his eyes, he quickly waved his hand and said, "Don't look at me, I don't want that thing."

Deputy Factory Director Li coughed, and said righteously, "I don't need it either."

Then he changed the subject, "It's mainly that I have a friend who needs this thing more."

Chairman Zhao and Secretary Zhang nodded together and pointed at him, "Yes, yes, yes, his friend wants it."

Chen Fan blinked, looked at the three of them, and said with regret, "I thought you wanted it yourselves. Then I could spare some medicinal wine, but if it's for a friend, then forget it. I still want to keep it for myself."

The three of them stared at him in stunned silence.

After two seconds, Factory Director Yang asked with a strange expression, "You want it yourself?"

Chen Fan nodded confidently, "Yes, I'm a little weak."

The four of them looked at each other, speechless.

Factory Director Yang coughed, put down his chopsticks, looked at Chen Fan and said seriously, "No more joking. The main reason for keeping you here today is to hear your opinion. The automobile factory is about to open and start production. According to the intentions of the Prefectural Committee's Industry Department, the Provincial Industry Department, and the First Ministry of Machinery Industry, FAW, Second Automobile Works, and the provincial Jiangnan Automobile Factory will assist us with some production equipment.

And we have to hand over the car design drawings for sharing to automobile factories across the country for production. You already know this. In addition to equipment assistance, the First Ministry of Machinery Industry will assign us a certain production task. It won't be too much in the early stage, probably about a hundred vehicles. If we perform well in the later stage, the task volume can be increased."

Chen Fan frowned slightly as he listened.

Handing over the design drawings, and then giving some semi-new and not-so-old second-hand equipment, as well as a small initial task order. The higher-ups will no longer care about how things go in the future. Whether the Yunhu Automobile Factory lives or dies depends on how well Factory Director Yang and the others do?

How should I put it, this treatment is really not very good.

Taking Second Automobile Works and Jiangnan Automobile Factory as examples, Second Automobile Works belongs to the sequence of beloved sons. All production equipment and models were assisted by FAW. FAW undertook the task of building 11 professional factories and two systems of heat treatment and electroplating for Second Automobile Works. A total of 1,539 technical and business backbones were supported by Second Automobile Works, and then a large number of technicians were transferred, totaling 4,200 people.

Even the factory of Second Automobile Works was originally designed by the factory design department of FAW.

Looking at Jiangnan Automobile Factory again, let alone a beloved son, it can't even be considered an adopted son, at most it's a disciple.

The First Ministry of Machinery Industry only gives policies and equipment approval documents, and other things have to be pieced together by the Jiangnan Provincial Industry Department. Even the Yunhu Machinery Factory was drained in those years.

Pure, unadulterated third-class treatment.

If it weren't for the fact that car design blueprints could be applied for from the First Ministry of Machinery Industry at this time, I'm afraid this car factory, which only produces one or two hundred trucks a year, would directly transform into producing tractors.

And Yunhu Automobile Factory is in between the two.

However, this treatment was exchanged for Chen Fan's two sets of blueprints.

If Factory Director Yang and the others are ambitious, that's fine, but otherwise, it might end up making wedding clothes for several automobile giants, and they themselves will be reduced to the likes of Jiangnan Automobile Factory, only able to shout a few times locally, and when the wave of bankruptcies arrives, they will directly disband and be done.

But to say that the First Ministry of Machinery Industry and the Provincial Department did something wrong is also inappropriate.

After all, they still provided resources, so it can't be considered freeloading.

Factory Director Yang saw the change in Chen Fan's face and knew that he understood his meaning, so he couldn't help but smile bitterly, "Although we have received aid resources, it will take at least half a year before the factory is built and put into production, and during this time we can only do small-scale operations, just like the Hongqi Automobile production workshop, relying on manual piecing together.

And large factories like FAW, Second Auto Works, and BAIC have complete parts supply units, and can prepare to produce new cars as soon as they get the blueprints, which will definitely be far ahead of us.

In this way, we are at a disadvantage from the start.

So the main reason I kept you here is for two issues. First, do you have any good suggestions for dealing with this situation? Second, you also made suggestions at FAW. Now that you're back in our own unit, is there anything suitable for us?"

He took out a cigarette for himself, then threw the whole pack to Chen Fan, "I can't fight for other benefits, but when Yunhu Automobile Factory is established, I'll give you the title of technical consultant, the same as the Machinery Factory, a monthly allowance of 100 yuan, just a token of appreciation."

Chen Fan picked up the cigarette and looked at it. Hmm, Zhonghua with a filter tip. He took one out and put it in his mouth, then took out a lighter and lit it.

The Deputy Factory Director Li next to him twitched his eyes straight, and could only take out his own Yongguang with a filter tip and distribute one to Chairman Zhao and Secretary Zhang.

Chen Fan took a puff of cigarette, shook his head gently and said, "Forget about the allowance. Although there are no clear regulations, it's better not to have too much of this kind of thing. I didn't receive an allowance as a consultant in the Provincial Health Department, and neither did I at the Machinery Factory and Cotton Mill. I won't take them in the future either."

Deputy Factory Director Li was stunned when he heard this, and frowned and said, "How can this be? You have been a consultant in the factory and have done practical things. How can you not want anything? Besides, the consultant allowance is reasonable, and some old leaders also receive allowances from higher authorities. What does it matter if you take it?"

But Chen Fan firmly waved his hand, "If you want to give me a prize, I will accept it, but forget about the allowance, I don't want it in the future, and I don't want the ones I haven't received yet."

The allowance is actually a bit like a panacea. As long as you can think of a suitable reason and have the conditions, it can be issued as a supplement to the salary.

In fact, before the wage reform in 1955, revolutionary workers basically had no wages, but received income in the form of "supply," which included food, clothing, allowances (pocket money), and supply for children accompanying the army (childcare fees, nanny fees), etc.

Later, after the full implementation of the wage system, these various "supplies" were converted into wages and became part of the wages. (There is a book called "Jianmin's Account Book," which records the family income and expenditure from 1952 to 1993, almost covering China's wage reform from beginning to end, which is very interesting)

So for a long time, all employees and cadres across the country only received wages, including seniority, overtime, high temperature, and hazardous special allowances, which were all converted into wages. There was no other form of income besides wages.

Naturally, there were no allowances.

But, things are done by people.

I don't know when, in addition to wages, there were "allowances" again.

For example, if a senior technician is transferred from Unit A to Unit B, Unit B will secretly give some benefits such as meal allowances, accommodation allowances, and night shift allowances in order to make people work harder and solve problems.

Some are physical objects, and some are given directly in cash or tickets.

Of course, only capable experts have this kind of fortune, ordinary technicians don't have such good luck.

Later, it seemed that no one cared, and gradually this kind of allowance appeared openly, and even got the recognition of some local governments, so there was such a thing as one person receiving money in several units.

It's just that the number of people is relatively small, and there was no Weibo publicity at that time, so not many people knew about it.

For example, Chen Fan used to receive several allowances at the same time, but the ordinary employees of the Machinery Factory and Cotton Mill did not know about it, thinking that he only received a little welfare.

It's almost "well-known within the circle, unknown outside the circle", otherwise someone would have written a report letter long ago.

Although it's not a big mistake, it's inevitable that it's embarrassing.

Now that the royalties have been restored, the writing income alone is more than 2,000 a month, and there is also a work point from Lujiawan, so there is no need to take risks for this little money, so he directly refused and will no longer receive it in the future.

Factory Director Yang and Deputy Factory Director Li looked at each other, and seeing that he was so firm, they could only nod and agree.

Deputy Factory Director Li thought for a while and said to him, "After all, you are still a consultant in the factory. You can't have no benefits at all. The car and related fuel and maintenance will continue to be kept. In addition, the factory will give you some in-kind subsidies, which do not involve money. Don't refuse."

Chen Fan did not refuse this, but smiled and said, "Don't throw all kinds of messy things to me, I don't want it if it's not good."

Deputy Factory Director Li immediately laughed loudly, "Don't worry, your Uncle Li won't use ordinary goods to fool you."

Chen Fan smiled, turned to look at Factory Director Yang, and said seriously, "Uncle Yang, you went to FAW and saw the suggestions I wrote to them. What do you think is the biggest problem in their production?"

Factory Director Yang pondered for two seconds, raised his head and said, "Quality!"

Chen Fan nodded lightly, "Actually, strictly speaking, neither the Hongqi car nor the Jiefang truck has fatal flaws in their design. It can only be said that they lack competitiveness compared to imported cars. Their most fundamental problem is that they do not have enough quality control in the production process and are prone to defective products.

The main reasons for this result are two. The first is the lack of management system and the lax supervision of incoming materials and parts, allowing defective materials to flow into the production line. If this can be changed through strict management, then the second is the real killer."

Factory Director Yang stared at him intently, "What is it?"

Chen Fan suddenly sighed, turned to look at Deputy Factory Director Li, Chairman Zhao, and Secretary Zhang, then turned back and said seriously, "Actually, this problem also exists in our Machinery Factory, that is 'thrift'."

"Thrift?"

Factory Director Yang was stunned and looked at the three people next to him, who were also full of confusion.

Deputy Factory Director Li frowned and asked, "How can thrift be a problem?"

Chen Fan looked at him and said softly, "Then let me ask a question. Now we want to produce a minivan. After the car is assembled, we find that there is a problem with the car door. Not only does it take a lot of effort to pull it shut, but the door gap is also relatively large, but it does not affect the use. Then, will you use this door or not?"

Deputy Factory Director Li laughed and said, "What's wrong with using it..."

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly reacted and stared blankly at Chen Fan, "You mean, this door cannot be used?"

Chen Fan smiled, turned to look at Factory Director Yang, "Uncle Yang, do you still remember the new car you saw in the FAW factory? Their problem products are made like this!"

Factory Director Yang also understood what he meant, and was immediately stunned there. After a long while, he raised his hands and made gestures, "But if it is not used, then wouldn't this door be wasted?"

Chen Fan shrugged and was about to speak when Deputy Factory Director Li sighed and said, "That's why he said that 'thrift' is a big problem."

Factory Director Yang licked his lips and opened his mouth, unable to say a word.

Chairman Zhao and Secretary Zhang also looked at each other, speechless.

Before today, if anyone told them that a door that couldn't be closed tightly should be replaced, they would definitely slap them in the face.

It's not like it can't be used, why not use it?!

Chen Fan leaned back in his chair, took a puff of cigarette, and said with a smile, "Use it, this car is a defective car with problems. Don't use it, although a door is wasted, you can get a qualified new car that doesn't leak wind and is easy to push and pull. Is this choice difficult with one door for one car?"

Factory Director Yang finally came back to his senses and sighed with a face full of disappointment, "It's not difficult, but no one wants to choose this way."

Secretary Zhang suddenly said, "Actually, this phenomenon cannot be blamed on one person. If a door is wasted for no reason, workers will not be able to stand it and will report it to the higher authorities."

Chen Fan said without concealment, "Then tell all the workers that allowing defective products to enter the production process is irresponsible for the product. They saved a door, but they ruined a good car!"

He turned to look at Factory Director Yang, "As long as you strictly control the quality and ensure that every car that leaves the automobile factory meets the design standards, then whether it is FAW, Second Auto Works, or BAIC and SAIC, it is impossible to block the development path of 'Yunqi'."

Factory Director Yang pondered for two seconds, stopped talking about this topic, but asked, "What about the cost? The lowest cost of a Hongqi car is 80,000, but it only sells for 40,000. How can we control the cost?"

Chen Fan spread his hands, "It's still the same sentence, improving efficiency and reducing defective products can reduce costs and increase efficiency.

Moreover, the pricing of Hongqi is set by the higher authorities. They have policy subsidies, and the products are also designated for sale to relevant units, so they are not afraid of losing money. If you switch to Yunhu Automobile Factory, do you have policy subsidies?"

Factory Director Yang shook his head, "Not yet discussed."

Chen Fan smiled, "Then go talk about it. Either give subsidies or increase the price. Now many units can't buy cars. I think as long as there are quotas, even if you spend tens of thousands more, there should be many units willing to spend this money, right?"