Chapter 221
The cold wind blew for most of the day, making Ye Manzhi's hands, feet and brain numb.
After following Deputy Director Zhang into the conference room, she calmed down silently for a long time, and finally felt it in her heart - they successfully got in!
After completing the registration and skipping the preliminary round, Shuguang Factory unexpectedly entered the finals directly!
After a brief greeting with the representatives of each factory, Deputy Director Zhang got straight to the point.
"This time, the country is importing color TV production lines from abroad to enhance our self-reliance and accelerate the development of the television industry. The company where the production line is ultimately located shoulders important political and economic tasks..."
Representatives from several factories were taking notes diligently, but everyone was obviously more concerned about the conditions for setting up the production line.
Director Guo from Factory 712 was the first to ask, "Director Zhang, what are the criteria for the ministry's selection of enterprises this time?"
Deputy Director Zhang said, "The final selection must be based on a comprehensive consideration of factors such as technical level, production conditions, experience in trial production of color TVs, and convenient transportation."
"The equipment we're importing this time is the most advanced in the world. In principle, we want to save as much foreign exchange as possible for the country. Equipment that can be independently developed and produced domestically will not be considered for import. Therefore, the company's own scientific research capabilities and independent innovation capabilities will be evaluated. Furthermore, this production line shoulders the important task of producing color TVs for the entire nation, so the ministry prefers locations along the coast and rivers with convenient transportation."
There were only about ten people in the conference room, and the overall atmosphere was relatively relaxed.
After listening to Deputy Director Zhang's words, the leaders of several military factories listed their own advantages in detail.
Director Guo said confidently, "Isn't this referring to our Factory 712? China's first screen was produced there. Two years ago, we successfully trial-produced a color TV. In the past two years of the color TV research and development campaign, our Tianjin Theater has made remarkable achievements. As for convenient transportation, we have rivers, seas, and railways."
"But you have a heavy workload producing military products, don't you?" Director Li of Factory 305 jokingly said. "Factory 712's technology is indeed advanced and worth learning from. However, the value of your military output has accounted for over 80% of your total output over the past two years. If the production line were really established here, how would you have the manpower and energy to produce civilian televisions?"
Ye Manzhi gave Director Li a thumbs up in her heart.
sharp!
If we only look at the experience and technology in producing televisions, no one can compare to Factory 712.
The title of China's No. 1 Screen was not given for nothing. After so many years, they have always been the big brother in the television industry.
Several local state-owned television factories that were established in recent years all learned from Factory 712.
However, in the daily production of military factories, military products must be given priority, and their military product production tasks are very heavy.
Factory 712 really has no advantage in this regard.
Ye Manzhi glanced at Deputy Director Zhang, who was writing a few words on his notebook.
It seems that the entry point found by Director Li of Factory 305 has also opened up new ideas for the leaders.
Representatives from several military factories spoke one after another. Pan Kunlun nudged Ye Manzhi under the table, hinting that she should introduce the situation of Shuguang Factory as soon as possible.
Compared with military factories, Shuguang Factory, a local state-owned factory, has no outstanding advantages except for its high output.
Ye Manzhi took note of other people's speeches one by one, and after thinking about it quickly in his mind, he made his speech at the end.
"Our Binjiang Shuguang Machinery Factory actually has quite a long history with all of you here. Our military code name used to be Factory 833. Later, due to the construction of the Small Third Front, we had to separate from Factory 833 and became the Shuguang Factory we are today."
"Although we have separated, we have continued the military factory's fine tradition of strict discipline. Both the production standards and management systems have remained largely unchanged over the years."
"Among our six enterprises, Factory 712 was the first to develop televisions, and our Shuguang Factory should be ranked second. As early as 1966, we successfully trial-produced two black-and-white televisions, which makes us one of the earliest enterprises to start."
Leaders of other companies: “…”
This female cadre at Shuguang Factory is really good at flattering herself.
Since the start was so early, why was there no Binjiang battlefield in the color TV research and development campaign?
Ye Manzhi seemed to see through everyone's thoughts and continued, "Of course, Shuguang Factory started early, but the television industry in our province started relatively late. So, as one of the thousands of units across the country, we supported the color TV research project in the Tianjin Theater."
Although these military factories are located in the four major war zones, the research and development work was not completed independently by them.
This is the result of the joint efforts of thousands of units across the country. We can't attribute the credit to just these few companies, right?
Ye Manzhi smiled. "Although our province's television industry started late, it's been very successful. In response to the central government's call to 'develop the electronics industry,' hundreds of new electronics factories have been established in our province in recent years. Before I left Binjiang, the leaders of our Provincial Industry Bureau said that as long as production lines were established in Binjiang, all state-owned factories under local management in the province would be allowed to produce color TVs and fully supply them with accessories!"
"In addition, relevant scientific research institutions and universities in our province can fully support the R&D and production of color TVs," Ye Manzhi said with great confidence. "Shuguang Factory has long-term cooperation with six scientific research institutions and universities in the province, and we have our own TV design studio. We have 42 engineers and technicians in related fields, including two associate doctoral students, 17 undergraduates, and 23 technical secondary school students."
"In addition, Shuguang Factory has opened a 721 Workers' University. Starting from April next year, 30 workers and college students majoring in electronics will be recruited every year to enrich our production and scientific research front lines."
"It is precisely because we have a very solid and professional technical team that the Shuguang Factory was able to reverse the long-term loss-making situation of black-and-white TVs in my country in just one year and completely turn losses into profits. The annual output is expected to reach 40,000 units!"
Deputy Director Zhang nodded with satisfaction.
Shuguang Factory's achievements are indeed outstanding.
In the field of black and white televisions, it has left other factories far behind.
Director Li from Factory 305 asked, "Shuguang Factory hasn't started developing color TVs yet, right?"
"We've already started," Pan Kunlun said confidently. "We already have successful experience with black-and-white TVs, so we're sure we'll be able to achieve results quickly with color TVs."
"Haha," the people at Factory 192 shook their heads. "Technically, color TVs are several times more complex than black and white TVs, especially the cathode ray tubes, which require higher precision and stricter quality standards. Shuguang Factory hasn't yet successfully trial-produced a color TV, so they're lagging behind in this regard."
Shuguang Factory has prominent advantages, but also obvious shortcomings.
However, which of the companies present here is not like this?
The final choice will depend on the decision of the superiors.
*
A meeting still needs to be held within the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building to discuss the matter. Deputy Director Zhang asked all the company leaders to go back first and not delay the work in the factory.
But everyone agreed on the surface, but in reality no one would leave Beijing at such a critical moment.
After returning to the guesthouse, Ye Manzhi and Pan Kunlun reviewed today's meeting.
Both of them felt that there was a glimmer of hope for their family, after all, the production of black and white televisions was there.
In terms of building a technical team, Shuguang Factory is relatively advanced.
However, both of them were feeling anxious and uneasy.
In the next few days, they didn't dare go anywhere and just stayed in the guesthouse waiting for a phone call from the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building.
Ye Manzhi felt that just waiting for news was not enough, so she sent Pan Kunlun to the guesthouse where Director Guo of Factory 712 was staying.
On the one hand, I can chat with Director Guo about technical topics about color TVs, and on the other hand, I can keep an eye on the other party's movements.
The "son" is much more informed than the Shuguang Factory. What if he can hear some news from the leaders of the department?
The two waited for a week, and every other day they went to the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building to inquire about the situation.
However, there has been no feedback from the department leaders.
Ye Manzhi thought, it won’t take several months to get results, right?
They can't wait that long, they have to go back to Binjiang in a few days!
Just when she was getting impatient and was about to go to the department store to relax, Pan Kunlun suddenly ran back to the guesthouse at noon that day.
"Director Ye, don't wait any longer, the results are out!"
Ye Manzhi stared at his expression, a bad feeling rising in her heart, but she tried to keep her voice steady and asked, "What was the result?"
Pan Kunlun said succinctly: "Factory 305."
“!!!”
“…”
"Where did you hear the result?"
"Director Guo from Factory 712 found out. I happened to be with him at the time."
"Is this the final result?" Ye Manzhi asked in disbelief, "How come it was decided so quickly?"
"After deciding on the candidates, the Ministry of Machine Building, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and other four units will have to consider the issue of introducing production lines. They may be in a hurry to advance the follow-up work."
Ye Manzhi: “…”
This was too sudden. She thought it would take at least a few rounds.
When the province allocated the black-and-white TV production line, there was a two or three-month wrangling process.
This time it’s a color TV production line, how can it be finalized so quickly!
She was caught off guard by this quick move and stood there at a loss for words for a long time.
What she likes to see is the leader being indecisive, as hesitation means there is room for maneuver.
However, the leader made the decision without hesitation, leaving them no chance to lobby...
She sat in the chair in a daze.
What should I do?
How could she explain to Xia Zhujun that she failed to get the color TV production line?
Pan Kunlun was also very disappointed. He scratched his hair and turned around several times like a headless fly.
"The result is already like this. We have no chance of fighting for it," he suggested. "We should go to the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building to find out the details. At least we need to give the provincial government a reasonable explanation."
They really put their heart into this color TV production line.
The results were not satisfactory, and there was nothing they could do.
Ye Manzhi calmed down, nodded, and said, "I'll go to the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building myself, find out the details, and come back."
"Forget it, I can't stay in the house, let's go together!"
The leaders of the ministry were very polite to the companies that were not selected and patiently explained to them the reasons for making this choice.
One reason is that Factory 305 has a solid foundation in the electronics industry. They are a military factory that produces radars, and this year they also made breakthrough progress in the development of color TVs.
Secondly, Factory 305's military production orders were gradually decreasing. After the integration of military and civilian sectors, the company could prioritize civilian production and focus on the production of civilian televisions. The Fourth Ministry of Machine Building's move of color TV production lines to Factory 305 also helped them complete their transformation.
Deputy Director Zhang consoled the two men, saying, "Shuguang Factory's black-and-white TV business is developing very well. The department leaders have witnessed your achievements. Domestic production of both black-and-white and color TVs is low. When you return, you must continue to delve into black-and-white TVs and maximize the value of this production line..."
Announcing the results as soon as possible can reassure everyone and at the same time cut off other companies' desire to come to Beijing to build relationships.
The ministry can also continue to promote the introduction of color TV production lines.
*
Ye Manzhi went back and wrote down his plan several times before telling Xia Zhuyun the final result of the color TV production line.
Xia Zhuyun's work has not been going smoothly recently.
The prospects of several major projects that the province has considered are not optimistic, and currently only a fertilizer plant project is relatively promising.
After listening to Ye Manzhi's report, Xia Zhuyun accepted it calmly and asked her to put down her burdens and take a good stroll around Beijing.
There are so many provinces and cities in the country, and more than 20 major projects must be allocated in a coordinated manner. It will be considered a success if a province can win one or two.
Ye Manzhi completely gave up the color TV production line.
Having finally come to Beijing, she had to seize the time to spend time with relatives, friends, and colleagues with whom she had interacted at work.
On Sunday, she went to her sister-in-law's house and gave all the toys and clothes she brought to Wu Xiulan.
"I bought this pack for Linlin, my grandma asked me to bring this pack to you, and the other pack is for Youyan to give to Linlin. Please keep it for Linlin."
Wu Xiulan unpacked the largest bundle and asked in shock, "Why are there so many?"
"They are all Youyan's family property. She chose them specifically for Linlin."
There are no sisters who are close in age among the relatives on either side, so almost all of Youyan’s clothes from childhood to adulthood are newly made.
During the most difficult years, Wu Zhengrong and the old couple of the Wu family used all their cloth coupons to make clothes for her.
However, when Youyan grew up, few of her relatives and friends' children could inherit her things.
One is that there are fewer girls, and the other is that Youyan is quite picky.
She doesn't want anyone she doesn't like to wear her clothes.
Therefore, at present, only her younger aunt and two younger sisters from her fifth uncle's family can inherit her clothes and toys.
Wu Xiulan took out a pistol from a pile of clothes. After seeing the appearance clearly, he screamed "Ah" and almost threw the gun away.
"Why is there still a gun?"
"Hahaha," Ye Manzhi handed the pistol to Linlin who came running over, hugged the little girl and said, "This was an important weapon for Sister Youyan when she was on guard in the Children's Corps. Now I give it to you!"
Wu Yuzhuo was no longer old enough to play with toys. All she had left were two wooden guns made by her father and the first iron pistol her mother had made in the workshop.
The two toy guns I bought were given equally to the two little sisters.
Linlin had seen the little boy in the yard playing with a pistol. He picked it up and made two "biubiu" sounds, then said obediently, "Thank you, little uncle mother."
"Haha, my aunt isn't my uncle's mother." Ye Manzhi held the little girl in her arms for a long time before asking, "Didn't you say that your in-laws' aunt is here to help you take care of the children?"
"Well, my mother-in-law usually comes over to help take care of Linlin. We can take care of her ourselves on weekends, so we let her go back and rest for a few days."
Ye Manzhi thought that Wu Zhengrong's introduction to her was not bad. Apart from being a little busy, all other qualities were good.
At that time, Wu Xiulan had a hard time finding a partner to marry and had attracted many bad romantic partners.
Wu Zhengrong originally didn't want to interfere with his sister's love life, but when he came to Beijing on a business trip, he met a nice young man.
The young man is a researcher at a military research institute. His parents are a military doctor and a nurse, and his hometown is also Binjiang.
They are barely a good match for the old Wu family. The key is that Wu Xiulan herself is engaged in academic research, so there shouldn't be too many barriers when marrying into such a family.
He left his contact number with both parties and left without even organizing a dinner.
However, the two young people got along very well, and when Wu Zhengrong came to Beijing on a business trip next time, they had already started talking about marriage!
Ye Manzhi chatted with Wu Xiulan for the whole morning and had lunch together.
After Gu Tao came back from overtime, Wu Xiulan handed the child to him and took her sister-in-law to the department store.
She wanted to bring something for her grandparents and Youyan.
Seeing her heading straight for the textile counter and specifically asking for Dacron, Ye Manzhi quickly stopped her and said, "Don't buy Dacron, it's too expensive. Just give the elderly and children cotton clothes."
"It's okay. Dacron is very popular in Beijing recently and it's always out of stock."
Ye Manzhi pulled her aside and said, "It's out of stock because production is low. With current technology, we can't mass-produce it. But the country plans to import chemical fiber equipment from abroad. In a year at most, we'll be able to increase Dacron production, and by then the price will definitely drop. Don't buy Dacron just yet!"
Wu Xiulan was surprised and asked, "Sister-in-law, how come you even know this?"
"Our province wants to apply to introduce this equipment," Ye Manzhi assured him, patting his chest. "You're right to listen to me!"
As he finished speaking, a male voice interrupted and asked, "Director Ye, can the price of this Dacron really be reduced?"
"Well, as long as we can mass produce and keep it, the price will be reduced!" Ye Manzhi saw the person behind him and asked in surprise, "Director Guo, why haven't you returned to Tianjin yet?"
"Go back quickly and bring something for your family before you leave."
Ye Manzhi joked, "You've been in Beijing for so long and you're still not going back. Are you still unwilling to give up on that production line?"
"Hey, this is the most advanced production line in the world, who can give up so easily?"
Both companies were eliminated. If Ye Manzhi’s loss value is 1, then Director Guo’s loss value can reach 10!
Factory 712 has always been the leader in the television industry, and he thought the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building would definitely hand over the production line to them.
I didn't expect that it would end up in the pocket of Factory 305...
"I'm going back to Tianjin tomorrow. There's no point in staying here and trying to get it done," Director Guo said languidly. "The Fourth Ministry of Machine Building and the Ministry of Foreign Trade are organizing an inspection team to go to Japan to discuss production lines. Old Li from Factory 305 is the team leader, and he's already recruiting people."
In this case, there is no point in him insisting on staying in Beijing.
Just hearing this news makes me feel suffocated!
Ye Manzhi: “…”
Although she already knew the result and had prepared herself mentally, she still felt suffocated when she suddenly heard such specific details!
If the production line could fall into the hands of Shuguang Factory, then it would be their Shuguang Factory team that would be gathering people to go to Japan for inspection!
well.
Jealousy makes people unrecognizable!
After returning to the guesthouse, Ye Manzhi conveyed this psychologically unbalanced news to Pan Kunlun.
Hearing this, Pan Kunlun felt several times more uncomfortable than her.
Ye Manzhi was only a cadre in charge of business management and had not conducted in-depth research on scientific and technological issues.
However, Pan Kunlun has long aspired to reach international advanced levels.
Domestic technical information was limited, and he could only get a glimpse of it from the pictures and texts in magazines. He had no chance of understanding the details.
Previously, in order to develop domestic color TV standards, the country organized an inspection team to Europe.
Pan Kunlun was not a scientific researcher in the main war zone, so he had no part in that investigation.
This time, the color TV production line was handed over to Factory 305, and he was not even included in the inspection trip to Japan!
Pan Kunlun also sighed with envy.
Ye Manzhi encouraged herself, "Let's go back and develop black and white TVs well. If we make good use of this production line, we'll get the chance to go abroad for inspection sooner or later!"
"Well," Pan Kunlun murmured, "our country is lagging far behind in this area. The Shuguang Factory's current annual output is only 26,000 units. Even 40,000 units is still quite low. Japan's annual output of color and black-and-white TVs is as high as 13.3 million units. We can't even produce a fraction of that. This learning opportunity at Factory 305 is truly rare!"
Ye Manzhi had nothing to say. She patted him on the shoulder and went back to her room to lie down and look at the sky.
It can be said that their trip to Beijing this time was a wasted trip and they gained nothing.
Even if you have been prepared for failure, you will still inevitably feel lost and frustrated.
Especially when she thought that Factory 305 could not only get a production line but also go abroad to broaden her horizons, she became even more jealous and angry!
Ye Manzhi tossed and turned in bed, trying several different positions but to no avail.
Finally, she sat up from the bed and thought for a long time alone. Then she ran to Xia Zhuyun's room to exchange ideas.
…
Early the next morning, she asked someone for the location of Factory 305 and set off with Pan Kunlun.
Director Li from Factory 305 was having breakfast at the guesthouse when he saw the two men suddenly appear. He asked in surprise, "Director Ye, Director Pan, why are you here?"
Ye Manzhi said cheerfully, "Can you come over and have some of Director Li's breakfast?"
"Haha, what's wrong with that?"
Despite being full of doubts, Director Li still generously invited the two to sit down.
Ye Manzhi paid for the food coupons and breakfast herself, and said with a smile, "Director Li, I haven't congratulated you yet. Factory 305 is the one that everyone wants this time!"
"Thank you very much," Director Li said modestly, putting away the sharp edge he had in the meeting. "We were lucky this time!"
"This is the ministry leadership's recognition of Factory 305's strength!" Ye Manzhi asked. "I heard the ministry is organizing an inspection team to Japan to inspect the color TV production line?"
"Yes, the information in China is still relatively closed. We haven't yet decided which production line to purchase and which company to cooperate with. We need to send people from China to Japan to negotiate."
Ye Manzhi asked curiously, "Director Li, how much does the central government plan to pay for a production line?"
"The investment amount has not yet been determined. It depends on the specific quotation of the production line. However, the smaller the better, the more foreign exchange can be saved."
"Factory 305 is a military factory," Ye Manzhi said firmly. "Director Li, you've never dealt with international friends before, right?"
"Indeed, no. This is the first time. However, the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building will send comrades from the Foreign Affairs Department to go with us."
Ye Manzhi said with great experience: "You need to be alert when dealing with foreign businessmen, especially those large companies. They have a very mature set of negotiation skills. If you don't have experience, you can easily suffer losses in this regard."
"When Shuguang Factory separated from Factory 833 and went to Guangzhou for the Canton Fair for the first time, we were completely clueless. We had no idea how to socialize with foreign businessmen, and we had no negotiation skills at all," Ye Manzhi asked. "Director Li, do you know what Shuguang Factory is like now?"
Director Li was puzzled by her question, but he still politely cooperated and asked, "What's it like?"
"Since 1966, our Shuguang Factory has participated in the Canton Fair twice a year, for over a dozen times now. Our export earnings now rank first among the province's light industries, and we've maintained this position for three consecutive years!"
Director Li sighed, "Then you are really amazing."
Ye Manzhi was not modest. "I personally go to the Canton Fair almost every year and have extensive experience in negotiating with foreign businessmen, including Japanese clients. To be frank, the comrades in the Foreign Affairs Department of the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building may not have as much practical experience as I do. Director Li, I heard you are selecting members for the inspection team. You might consider Director Pan and me."
"You want to join our inspection team?" Director Li asked in surprise.
Shuguang Factory has already lost the election, but they are still willing to help Factory 305 to negotiate?
"Yes, this time the introduction of a color TV production line from abroad is a major event that affects the development of the entire industry. Although the production line will not ultimately be acquired by Shuguang Factory, we are willing to participate in the negotiations and do our best to help the country save as much foreign exchange as possible. As long as the big river rises, the small rivers will be filled. As long as the industry develops, our Shuguang Factory will also prosper."
Ye Manzhi didn't ask for anything else, he just wanted to go out and take a look.
Anyway, the inspection team's expenses are reimbursed by the ministries, so they can just take the opportunity to go out, just in case they can seize other opportunities!
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