Chapter 24: Computer-Generated Blueprint

“Huh?” Niu Dameng squinted at the blueprint. As the Factory Director, he naturally recognized what it was at a glance. There was nothing exceptionally outstanding about the design itself, but the quality of the paper used for the blueprint and the printing method caught his attention.

“This is…” Niu Dameng’s eyes widened, and he quickly picked up the blueprint. “A blueprint from the Electric Power Management Bureau?”

“Haha, it’s really not. Our factory made this ourselves.” Niu Xiaozhuang took a drag from his cigarette and said proudly. “From drawing to printing, it was all done purely by computer.”

Niu Dameng looked at the design in his hand with surprise. Indeed, if it were drawn by hand, there would be obvious traces. This level of perfection and feel was definitely computer-generated, a capability only the Ministry and the Electric Power Management Bureau had.

Amid his surprise, Niu Dameng also felt a flicker of delight. His expensive computer purchase was finally proving useful.

“Who did you find to do this?” The words were barely out of his mouth when Niu Dameng himself paused, immediately answering his own question. “Could it be… Zhang Yifu?”

“Right, it could only be him.” Niu Xiaozhuang remarked with feeling. “Yifu and I worked on it all last night before we managed to produce this blueprint. But the computer is really easy to use. You can’t tell with a small drawing, but for future large blueprints, using a computer will definitely be more convenient than manual drawing, especially when making revisions. Just type on the keyboard, and it’s done.”

“It really is Yifu…” After the initial astonishment, Niu Dameng’s eyes were now filled with pleasant surprise. “Even someone from the Ministry would need extensive training to learn computer-aided design. Yifu figured it out in one night?”

“Dad, I’m telling you,” Niu Xiaozhuang said seriously. “Zhang Yifu is truly a genius… I watched him figure it out step by step, studying the foreign language manual. I’m sure he had never touched this software before.”

Niu Dameng felt like he had found a treasure again. He eagerly said, “Quick, quick, call him over here first.”

Niu Dameng always criticized his son for being impatient, but he wasn’t much better himself. This time, it was Niu Xiaozhuang who stopped him.

For the next while, Niu Xiaozhuang recounted everything from beginning to end, including inspecting the problem in the Workshop, thinking of solutions, and tinkering with the computer-aided design. He held nothing back in front of his dad, stating that all the ideas were Zhang Yifu’s, the design was his work, and he himself had merely assisted.

Finally, when Niu Dameng heard about Zhang Yifu’s decision to give the credit for the blueprint to Niu Xiaozhuang, he nodded his head in great appreciation.

Capable but not boastful.

Successful but not credit-seeking.

He understood interpersonal dynamics clearly.

This level of composure was something a recent graduate shouldn’t normally possess.

Beyond that, in Niu Dameng’s eyes, Zhang Yifu’s actions carried an even deeper meaning.

As the saying goes, blood is thicker than water. No subordinate, no matter how close, is closer than one’s own son. Zhang Yifu had successfully recognized this and gave the major credit to Niu Xiaozhuang. This was immensely pleasing to Niu Dameng. His son had worked in the factory for several years and was at a stage where he could be promoted, but he had lacked any significant achievements. This pipeline renovation happened to be perfectly timed and very opportune.

The Niu father and son were not ungrateful people and naturally appreciated this gesture. And what Zhang Yifu wanted was precisely this favor. Opportunities for credit were many, but chances to earn favor were rare.

On the other hand, Niu Dameng also gained a complete understanding of the relationship between Zhang Yifu and Qiu Ling from his son’s account. His thought was that it wasn’t the right time to make any stance yet. He should wait a bit longer. After all, Qiu Ling had worked diligently for many years. Even though he didn’t particularly like him, as a Leader, showing favoritism toward the new college graduate would look bad. A Leader’s perspective needed to be broader, taking in the overall situation.

That was the public stance, but privately might be different. Niu Xiaozhuang had become a strong link between Zhang Yifu and Niu Dameng.

“Alright then…” Having thought it through, Niu Dameng instructed, “During the regular meeting later, you bring this blueprint to participate. Briefly explain the situation. Don’t specifically point the responsibility at Qiu Ling; that would make others think it was my instruction. At the meeting, just say you designed this blueprint. For technical aspects, you consulted Zhang Yifu. After all, if you claimed you alone produced the computer blueprint, probably no one would believe it.”

“Understood.” Niu Xiaozhuang was slightly puzzled. “Dad, I think the oil pipeline issue really is Qiu Ling’s fault. He’s been slacking off and delaying for so long. Shouldn’t he be held accountable?”

“It’s not the time yet. He handles too many matters. If he becomes stubborn, it could cause trouble and delay us from Meeting Standards, which wouldn’t be good.”

“Hmph, I think Zhang Yifu is better than him in every way. If Qiu Ling causes problems, just let Zhang Yifu handle it.”

Niu Dameng looked at his indignant son and sighed, patiently explaining, “Xiaozhuang, managing a factory isn’t as simple as you think. If everything was directly handled by the most capable person, society wouldn’t be the way it is now. For an enterprise, while production technology is important, the most crucial thing is people’s minds. Especially in our Power System, which is different from ordinary businesses. How much electricity we generate, when to expand—these are all controlled by higher authorities or the government. What we can strive for is safe production; there won’t be any outstanding hard achievements. Therefore, maintaining stability and ensuring safety are our primary tasks. Right now, some people are already dissatisfied with how much I value the college graduates. In the short term, I can’t show excessive favor openly. Yifu must have seen this point too, which is why he chose to let you do this. You’ve been at the factory for so many years, considered diligent and well-liked. Achieving some success, people won’t have much to say. As for Yifu, he still needs time to build momentum.”

Actually, this reasoning wasn’t particularly profound; it was just talk based on experience, something anyone who had spent years in the circle would understand. But Niu Xiaozhuang couldn’t fully grasp it all at once. After all, many things required personal realization and time.

Niu Xiaozhuang shook his head, deciding not to overthink it, and instead asked, “Then… alright. Do I need to write a report?”

“No need. I will have you take the lead on this matter. Later, we’ll modify the pipelines for several units, do it together with the oil pan issue. Once completed, it will be recorded in the work report. It will be a great benefit for your annual evaluation and future professional title assessment.” Niu Dameng stood up and gently patted his son’s shoulder. “Xiaozhuang, from now on, learn more from Yifu. Not just technically, but in terms of conduct, he understands more than you.”

“Is that any way to put down your own son?” Niu Xiaozhuang grinned foolishly.

“You brat, not striving for success and you blame me for putting you down?”

For a moment, father and son playfully bickered, the scene quite warm.

At exactly 10 o’clock, the never-ending weekly regular meeting arrived. All cadres from the entire office building had to participate, and several workshop supervisors also had to attend. The Leaders naturally sat around the long table, while the staff members had to carry their own chairs and find places to sit at the edges of the meeting room.

Zhang Yifu and his three companions from the Technical Department sat together by the window, ready to doze off.