Chapter 108 Standing Fans and Table Fans
Just then, the office door was gently pushed open, and Factory Director Zhou peeked in, his face filled with expectation mixed with some trepidation: "Comrade Xu? How are you? Are you exhausted? No rush, no rush. If you haven't finished drawing, tomorrow..."
"Director Zhou, I've finished." Xu Zhili stood up with a smile and handed over the blueprints.
"Hmm, it's done! What did you say? It's...done?"
Factory Director Zhou's eyes widened instantly, and he almost rushed forward, his hands trembling slightly as he took the blueprints.
Although he was not a professional designer, as the factory manager, he had an instinctive ability to judge the quality of mechanical structures and products.
The design on the blueprints made him gasp in shock!
The design of that standing fan (he later learned it was called a floor fan) completely overturned his understanding of "electric fans".
The slender metal bracket and frosted plastic column support the smooth, rounded fan head. The mesh cover is designed to be both safe and exquisite, and the shape of the fan blades also exudes a scientific aesthetic.
The table fan next to it is equally exquisite and cute. The drawings also clearly indicate the dimensions, materials, and manufacturing requirements of key components, and even the principles behind the improvements in several places.
"This...this..."
Factory Director Zhou was so excited he was almost incoherent, pointing at the blueprints with his finger, "Great! Excellent, Comrade Xu, your design... is simply brilliant. The structure, the thought process... so clean and practical! It looks high-end."
"Director Zhou, you flatter me. I think that if we could use different colored plastic shells, such as off-white, sky blue, and light green, it would look more beautiful in the room and be more attractive, especially when participating in exhibitions."
Xu Zhili added.
"Yes! Yes! An exhibition!"
Factory Director Zhou slapped his forehead, overjoyed. "Comrade Xu, your design is absolutely feasible! I'll immediately organize the best technical team to study and prototype it. This fan... it needs a good name!"
He stared intently at Xu Zhili. "Comrade Xu, what do you think about the 'Zhili' brand? Using your name?"
Xu Zhili smiled and shook her head: "Director Zhou, using a personal name isn't quite appropriate. I'm thinking... how about 'Lihua' brand?"
"The character 'pear' symbolizes perseverance and abundant harvest, while 'Hua' represents China. I hope that our domestically produced fans can also reach the world."
“Lihua…Lihua…” Factory Director Zhou pondered the name repeatedly, finding it increasingly meaningful. He slapped his thigh forcefully: “Good! Good name! It has profound meaning! Let’s call it the ‘Lihua’ brand!”
Factory Director Zhou carefully put away the blueprints, in high spirits, and called out to the door, "Li Mingyang!"
Li Mingyang entered in response: "Factory Manager?"
"Quick! Take Comrade Xu and her brother to the canteen's special kitchen and have Chef Wang cook them a few dishes. They must be starving after working all afternoon, so treat them well."
Factory Director Zhou instructed, then added, "You should stay with him too, and talk to Comrade Xu more. His brain and skills are something you can learn from for a while!"
This time, Li Mingyang didn't complain. His eyes were full of admiration and curiosity as he looked at Xu Zhili: "Yes, Factory Director! Comrade Xu Zhili, this way please."
Dinner was served in a small private room in the cafeteria.
Several simple home-style dishes, but stir-fried to perfection and delicious.
During the meeting, Li Mingyang couldn't help but ask Xu Zhili about some mechanical principles and details on the drawings. Xu Zhili's clear and concise explanations made him nod repeatedly, and he gained a lot from the experience.
Xu Zhian also obediently ate her meal.
After the meal, it was already dark.
Factory Director Zhou came over and said with concern, “Comrade Xu, look, it’s getting dark, and the road back to Xiangyang Brigade is difficult to travel. Here’s what we’re doing: there are still rooms available at the factory’s guesthouse. You two siblings can stay at the guesthouse tonight and get some rest. Tomorrow morning, I’ll have the factory arrange a car to take you back.”
"Arrange a car?" Xu Zhili was somewhat surprised and hesitant. "Director Zhou, is this... appropriate? The factory's cars..."
Factory Director Zhou waved his hand, understanding her concerns: "Don't worry, it's not a car. There's a Jiefang truck going to your commune to pick up materials tomorrow, and it can give you a ride there on the way. It's safe and convenient."
“Once we get to the commune, it won’t be far from your brigade. You can walk back or hitch a ride on an oxcart that’s going the same way. This arrangement is better than you walking in the dark, and it will save the brigade from worrying.”
Xu Zhili was relieved and said gratefully, "Thank you for being so thoughtful, Director Zhou. I'll have to trouble you then."
You have to understand that back in the 1960s and 70s, if a leader used his official car—one of those sedans—to take an educated youth back to the production team, it would be a serious violation of regulations.
If we do that, it will immediately cause a huge uproar, and it might even attract political scrutiny.
Thankfully, this time I hitched a ride on a truck going the same way, so I didn't break that taboo.
"Of course! You've been a huge help to our factory!" Factory Director Zhou said with a smile.
The next morning.
We had a simple breakfast at the factory's guesthouse.
Li Mingyang came over and accompanied Xu Zhili and her brother to the parking lot behind the factory.
Sure enough, a dark green Jiefang brand truck had already started up, with some factory materials loaded in the cargo bed.
"Master Zhang, this is a young educated youth from Xiangyang Brigade. He's going to the commune on the way, could you please look after him?" Li Mingyang said to the driver.
"Alright! Get in!" The driver was a straightforward person.
Li Mingyang helped Xu Zhili carry Xu Zhian into the carriage, where there were cushions for him to sit on, and smiled sincerely at Xu Zhili.
"Comrade Xu Zhili, thank you so much this time. Your design is fantastic. I hope... I hope the 'Lihua' fan can be made soon, and that it can really be exported and earn foreign exchange, just like you said!"
Xu Zhili stood beside the truck, the morning light shining on her face, her smile gentle and full of hope: "Comrade Li, you're too kind. I also hope it will succeed. We're leaving now, goodbye."
"Goodbye! Take care on your journey!" Li Mingyang waved goodbye.
Xu Zhili nimbly climbed onto the truck bed.
The truck slowly drove out of the factory gate, heading towards Xiangyang Commune in the direction of the rising sun.
Xu Zhili hugged her younger brother, looking back at the gradually receding factory buildings, her heart filled with anticipation for the future.
The feel of the pencil she used to draw still lingered in her hands.
A set of design drawings opened a new door for her.
Designing a floor fan was her first step toward scientific research.
There will definitely be more research projects waiting for her in the future.
She had a grand goal in mind: to let our country go out into the world and prove to other countries that China is no longer the China that could be bullied by others.
A Jiefang brand truck covered in mud stopped on the dirt road at the entrance of the village, kicking up a cloud of dust.
The carriage was filled with sacks and wooden crates.
Driver Zhang jumped out of the car and shouted to the back, "Comrade Xu, we've arrived at Xiangyang Brigade!"
Xu Zhili responded, first nimbly carrying her younger brother Xu Zhian out of the car, and then jumping down herself.
She dusted herself off and said gratefully to Mr. Zhang, "Thank you, Mr. Zhang, you've worked so hard!"
"Don't mention it! It's just on my way!" Mr. Zhang waved his hand cheerfully. "Hurry up and take your brother home!"
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