Chapter 106 Designing Electric Fans for a Machinery Factory
Just then, Director Zhang caught a glimpse of the watch on his wrist, the very one that Xu Zhili had repaired, and suddenly slapped his forehead.
"Oh dear! I've been so busy talking that it's past lunchtime. The steamed buns at the state-run restaurant are probably all cold. Old Zhou, I need to hurry up and grab a bite; my stomach is rumbling."
"By the way, this young educated youth Xu... you must take good care of him." After saying that, he rushed out the door without waiting for Director Zhou's reply.
Factory Director Zhou watched his retreating figure, shaking his head with a mixture of amusement and exasperation: "Old Zhang, he still has such a short temper."
He turned to Xu Zhili with a warm smile, "Little Xu, don't mind. Come on, while we still have some time, I'll show you and your brother around our factory so you can get familiar with the place and it will be easier for you to come back in the future."
"Okay, thank you, Director Zhou," Xu Zhili said gratefully.
"Sister, aren't we going back?" Xu Zhian asked, looking up at her.
Xu Zhili patted his head: "Sister will take you to see a big factory. There are many amazing machines inside. Do you want to see them?"
"I want to see it!" Xu Zhian nodded vigorously.
Factory Director Zhou then led the siblings on a tour of the factory area.
When we arrived at the workshop entrance with the sign that read "Scientific Research Project Department," the atmosphere inside was noticeably somber.
Engineers and technicians surrounded a bulky prototype, their brows furrowed and sighing.
Factory Director Zhou pointed inside and whispered to Xu Zhili, "Look, that's the electric fan project team that's giving us a headache."
"After struggling for a long time, the thing we made is clumsy and heavy, and it makes the same noise as a tractor when it's spinning. Lightweighting and noise reduction... that's where we're stuck."
He shook his head helplessly, clearly not wanting to see this unpleasant scene any longer. "Let's go, let's go look somewhere else."
Xu Zhili did not take a step immediately.
Her sharp gaze swept over the prototype's casing, motor location, and fan blade structure, and she quickly observed the data and drawing fragments recorded by the engineers.
Several key design issues instantly became clear in her mind.
"Director Zhou, please wait a moment." Xu Zhili called out to Director Zhou.
Factory Director Zhou turned around: "What's wrong, young educated youth Xu?"
Xu Zhili pointed in the direction of the project team, her tone calm but with a strong sense of confidence: "Regarding the electric fan problem you just mentioned, I might be able to design a solution to reduce its weight and noise."
Factory Director Zhou abruptly stopped, his eyes widening in disbelief as he stared at her: "What? Comrade Xiao Xu, you... you say you can design an electric fan? Solve these two major problems? This isn't watch repair!"
Xu Zhili met his gaze and nodded solemnly: "It's true. It's more real than pearls. I took a look, and the main problem is that the motor's heat dissipation structure is unreasonable, which makes it difficult to reduce its size and weight. Also, the fluid dynamics design of the fan blades is flawed, which generates excessive turbulence noise."
"I have some ideas that should be able to effectively improve the situation."
Factory Director Zhou's voice trembled with excitement: "Quick! Quick! Xiao Liu! Get the drawing tools right now and come to my office!"
He immediately called over a technician next to him, then, as if remembering something, lowered his voice and said to Xu Zhili, "Go to my office to draw it. It's safe there. This technique has to be kept secret."
Xu Zhili looked troubled: "Director Zhou, thank you for your trust. But I asked for leave today as an educated youth, and the brigade has regulations that require me to return on time. It's already getting late."
"Oh dear! Look at my brain." Director Zhou slapped his forehead. "I forgot about you. Your status as an educated youth is special now, so you really can't stay here at will."
He hesitated for a moment, then quickly made a decision and raised his voice, calling out, "Li Mingyang! Little Li!"
Secretary Li Mingyang immediately jogged over from nearby: "Director Zhou, you wanted to see me?"
Director Zhou quickly ordered, "Xiao Li, go to Xiangyang Brigade later on your bicycle, find the brigade secretary and the brigade leader, and explain the situation to them."
"Our county machinery factory has encountered a major technical challenge. Go and draft a document urgently requesting the temporary transfer of Comrade Xu Zhili for one month. The factory will immediately send someone to complete all the formalities. Tell them that this is an important task for the county and will be handled as a special case! Go and come back quickly!"
"Yes, Director Zhou! I'll go right away." Li Mingyang accepted the order and immediately turned and ran off.
Factory Director Zhou finally breathed a sigh of relief, then turned to Xu Zhili with a confident smile: "Comrade Xu, are you relieved now? Stay here for a few days and get your ideas for the electric fan sorted out! As for your brother..."
He glanced at Xu Zhian, then beckoned to a female worker beside him, "Xiao Zhao, could you please take this child to the canteen for a bite to eat and a rest, and take good care of him?"
"Okay, factory manager! Little one, come with me, I have some candy." The female technician smiled and took Xu Zhian's hand.
Looking at Director Zhou's decisive and meticulous actions, Xu Zhili felt a surge of warmth and fighting spirit.
She nodded vigorously: "Thank you, Director Zhou, I will do my best!"
Inside the machinery factory office, Li Mingyang returned with the approved secondment documents.
Li Mingyang strode into the office and handed the documents to Director Zhou: "Director, all the formalities have been completed. This is the secondment agreement signed by Secretary Xie of Xiangyang Brigade, for a period of one month."
Factory Director Zhou took the document, looked at it carefully, and nodded in satisfaction: "Good, very efficient. Xiao Li, I'll have to trouble you to make another trip to Xiangyang Brigade to explain the situation to Captain Xie and the Party Secretary in person and deliver this official notice to them, so that our factory can show that we value it."
Upon hearing this, Li Mingyang's face showed a hint of helplessness, and he muttered under his breath, "Factory manager... I still have a pile of data analysis for the new equipment to do. Running around to the commune like this..."
Factory Director Zhou glared at him, deliberately putting on a stern face: "What? I, the dignified factory director, can't even command a technician like you? I'm sending you because you understand the technology and can clearly explain the importance of Comrade Xu to the brigade cadres. That's called knowing people and assigning them to suitable positions. Go now."
Looking at Director Zhou's "I've got you figured out" expression, Li Mingyang was both annoyed and amused. He sighed resignedly, "Fine, fine, you're the director, you decide. I'll go right now."
"Wait, Comrade Li." Xu Zhili thought for a moment and then called out to him.
Li Mingyang stopped and looked at Xu Zhili with a puzzled expression, wondering why she had called him.
Xu Zhili turned to Factory Director Zhou, her tone serious and confident: "Factory Director Zhou, a month's secondment is too long. I actually already have a preliminary idea for the design of the electric fan."
"I can draw up the detailed design drafts in just one day. Could you please ask the Xiangyang Brigade to grant me a day off?"
"One day?" Factory Director Zhou exclaimed in surprise.
Even Li Mingyang stared wide-eyed at Xu Zhili in disbelief.
"Comrade Xiao Xu!"
Factory Director Zhou frowned, his tone filled with strong doubt and worry.
Comrade Xiao Xu actually designed an electric fan in just one day?
How is that possible!
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