Chapter 399 Grassland Steel City, Let Us Create an Industrial Miracle!

On the western section of the Pingsui Railway, 30 kilometers away from Baotou, a transport train belonging to the Eighth Route Army is galloping forward.

This train departed from Yangquan Station, and went north through the Zhengtai Line and Tongpu Line, carrying the materials and large equipment urgently needed by the new base and finally entering the Suiyuan area.

In the front passenger compartment, a handsome man with outstanding appearance and outstanding temperament looked at the scenery outside the window and said helplessly:

"Huanghe, I heard from Lao Nie that you are not very busy recently, how can you have time to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony?"

"By the way, why do you have to drag me? You are the person in charge of the industrial system appointed by the border area. I, an outsider, don't need to join in the fun."

"Hey, I originally wanted to take a day off and take your eldest sister around Guisui. It seems that the plan is completely ruined now."

Hearing the eldest brother's complaints, Huanghe showed an embarrassed smile. After all, it is indeed a bit "unethical" to occupy the hard-earned vacation of the couple.

But!

Today is the day when the No. 1 steel furnace of Baotou Iron and Steel Plant officially starts operation. As a person who is deeply obsessed with details, Huang He does not want the classic group photo to be missing in the future guesthouse.

"Hehe, big brother, you still underestimate your charm. If the workers in the factory see you attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony, they will directly increase their enthusiasm and efficiency."

"Besides, my situation is special and it is not convenient to show my face for photos."

"The first steel plant built independently by our Eighth Route Army cannot be completed without a heavyweight boss. Who asked you to appear in Guisui? Come with me honestly."

In fact, it was really a coincidence that Brother Wu appeared on the train.

After all, in the original timeline, he should be handling official business in Shancheng now, and he couldn't spare time to go to Suiyuan area thousands of miles away, let alone participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

According to Huang He's previous plan, he was going to bring the army reorganization expert to join in the fun.

However, due to the mutual assistance agreement proposed by the north, my eldest brother was sent as a representative of the border area to sign the written documents, and was caught by Huang.

I can only say that some things are yours and you will never escape. There is a destiny in the dark.

"Sure enough, if we talk about who has the best eloquence in our Eighth Route Army, it really has to be you, Huang He. You kid, you can come up with a bunch of crooked ideas for everything you do."

"Since I'm here, I'll go and see."

"But if there is a chance in the next few days, you have to make up a meal of mutton for us."

"It's a small matter! No problem!"

As the two chatted, the train was getting closer and closer to the station in Baotou County.

Seeing that this trip was about to reach the destination, Huang He began to organize the documents scattered on the table in an orderly manner and prepare to get off the train in advance.

Looking at the hand-drawn map that looked like a ghost painting and the slightly haggard face of his younger brother, Brother Wu asked with some concern and curiosity:

"By the way, what have you been busy with recently? I heard from the comrades in the bureau that you have basically not stayed in the office for the past two weeks. You are either on the plane or on the train."

"I don't know much about industry, but you must pay attention to your health and don't exhaust yourself because of work."

"Also, why should our first steel plant and heavy industrial base be established in Baotou? Does this place have any special value and significance?"

Huang He was not surprised by his elder brother's question. The army reorganization experts and a group of staff officers had asked similar questions before.

Everything is different. The early planning work is not a trivial matter. After all, reality is not a skyline.

After a moment, he first looked at his watch, and after confirming that there was enough time, he began to explain.

"I have been tossing around in various counties, banners and regions recently, mainly to conduct field investigations and further improve the overall planning, and strive to complete the tasks assigned to me by the border area in one step."

"As for health issues, I naturally know what it is, big brother, you don't have to worry."

"The reason for choosing Baotou is very simple, because this place is simply an industrial zone that God feeds people. Just wait and see, it won't be long before everyone can see what a miracle is."

The name Baotou is a homonym of the Mongolian word Baoktu, which means a place with deer.

It was originally just a small mountain village at the foot of Daqing Mountain. Later, the Qing Dynasty built a small city in the population gathering area. It was not officially upgraded to the county level until the 17th year of the Republic of China.

After the Pingsui Railway was opened to traffic, merchants from all over the country came here to try their luck, bringing its peak population to 70,000.

It's a pity that the devils invaded Suiyuan soon after. The cavalry group of the Mongolian army set up its headquarters in the county town, and used it as a center to plunder fur, minerals, food and other resources.

The atrocities of the daily life caused a large number of people to flee, making the local population less than half of its peak period.

According to the above situation, Baotou at this stage cannot be said to be rich, but it is also poor and lifeless, which is why Brother Wu is full of doubts.

Of course, as a time traveler with a big picture of the future, the Yellow River is naturally impossible to choose a location at will.

The reason for setting the industrial zone in the Baotou area is very simple, because the area has a large amount of iron, coal and other resources.

In the future, the proven iron ore reserves here alone will be an exaggerated 1.4 billion tons. The coal situation is even more amazing, with 9 billion tons available for you to dig.

If it is not enough, there are two large coal mines in the west and south, and the railway can be directly connected to the steel plant.

In addition, the limestone, dolomite and fluorite needed for steelmaking are also available around Baotou. It is not an exaggeration to say that there is one city and one system.

As Huang He patiently explained, Brother Wu's eyes widened. He never expected that such a mystery could be hidden in a small county town.

The performance of his eldest brother perfectly satisfied Huang's "vanity".

When the train arrived, he put away all the documents on the table, stood up and continued to add:

"I haven't finished talking just now. Baotou is located on a plain with a gentle terrain, which is very suitable for building large factories. In addition, this place is close to the Hetao Plain, so the border area does not have to worry about food problems at all."

"The water resources needed for steelmaking can be fully provided by the mother river."

"To be honest, such a perfect geographical location is really no different from the Ruhr Industrial Zone after reasonable development. It can definitely be called the industrial heart of North China."

Brother Wu naturally knows Ruhr.

When he thought that the border area would soon have a self-contained heavy industrial zone located in the rear, he was extremely excited.

As for whether Huang He's words just now were empty promises?

Sorry, he really hadn't thought about this question. Based on past experience, his younger brother has always been a man of his words, and he always does what he says on any major matter.

······

Five minutes later, the two walked into the station under the escort of the guard platoon. The director of the steel plant and the county's management staff had been waiting for a long time, and when they saw the real owner appear, they immediately greeted him.

"On behalf of all the comrades in the county and the factory, I welcome the leaders to Baotou to inspect the work!"

"The car is ready and is waiting outside the station. I wonder if you two want to go to the guesthouse to rest first, or go directly to the factory to host the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the No. 1 furnace."

Hearing this, Huang He looked at his eldest brother.

Considering that the other party had something to do in a few days and did not have much time, he thought for a while and said:

"Let's go directly to the factory, the comrades are still waiting. What's more, we have rested a lot on the train just now, so there is no rush for the guesthouse and eating."

After receiving the instructions, the soldiers of the security department and the guard platoon immediately opened the way and took the two to the parking lot.

Baotou at this stage is completely different from what Huang He remembered. Everything in the county town looks like it is in ruins, and there are fewer Soviet-style buildings.

Looking at the houses flashing by on both sides of the road, Huang told the county magistrate and the factory director:

"While the population is small now, we have to re-plan the structural distribution of the urban area. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, I will show you the plan I made."

"By the way, the main roads in the county must be widened ten times on the original basis, and a dedicated tank lane must be left."

"I only have one request, that is, it should be used for civilian use during leisure time, and it should be able to take off and land fighter jets during wartime, and all standards should be in accordance with the permanent airfield of the Air Force."

"All the resources needed will be sent to Guisui for my signature after being summarized."

As soon as these words came out, the three people in the car all took a breath of cold air, and the factory director in charge of driving almost didn't hold the steering wheel steady.

Such a big move, how could they not be surprised.

However, the county magistrate did not ask much, the tasks assigned by the superiors must have deep meanings, and they just need to be carried out honestly.

What's more, the director Huang in front of him is famous for his foresight and straight play in the border area, and he will definitely guide his team to carry out their work afterwards.

Twenty minutes later, Huang He arrived at the destination of this trip: the steel plant.

As it turned out, his guess was not wrong. After learning the identity of his companion, the comrades in the whole factory were completely excited and gave the warmest applause.

There was no way, his eldest brother was everyone's idol at any time.

With the support of everyone, Huang He stepped into the factory area that had begun to take shape. Whether in this life or in the previous life, it was the first time for him to visit Baosteel, one of the Three Sovereigns, Five Emperors and Eighteen Arhats, up close.

Before entering the workshop, he had imagined ten thousand spectacular scenes in his mind, but those were empty fantasies.

Although it had not started yet and it was still a cold winter, Huang He felt a heat wave coming towards him, and even vaguely heard the sound of mechanical roar.

This is the power of industry and the enthusiasm of comrades, a pure and surging sense of prosperity.

"Director Huang, let me introduce you. Since the large equipment required by the First Machinery Plant has not yet been put in place, our steel plant is currently only equipped with a rail beam workshop."

"After these machines in front of you start working, they will shape the molten steel into the shape of train tracks."

"Whether it is the track change work of the Zhengtai Line or the North-South Tongpu Line, the rails produced by the factory will be used. According to your plan, comrades will work hard in the next few years."

Hearing this, Huang He nodded with satisfaction.

Compared with the original timeline, the progress of the border area at this time can be said to be far ahead. What else can he be dissatisfied with?

"Well, everyone has worked hard."

"When I return to Guisui, I will personally send a telegram to Director Liu of the headquarters hospital, asking him to select a group of experienced doctors to support Baotou, especially those with experience in burns and scalds."

As soon as these words came out, the director of the steel plant excitedly shook Huang He's hand.

The current comrades in the factory include those who came to North China from the state-controlled areas to make a living, those who were rescued from the former Japanese-occupied areas, and a very small number of those who were trained by the border areas themselves.

However, these workers from all over the world have one common feature, that is, they have more or less burns on their bodies.

There is no way, the environment they were in before was too bad. Working in a steel plant, they will always be burned by molten steel due to various circumstances.

This is also the reason why the hospitals directly under major steel plants in later generations are very authoritative in the field of burns.

There is no other reason, only practice makes perfect.

While Huang He was chatting with the factory director, his eldest brother had been sent to the podium by enthusiastic workers. Looking at the pairs of burning eyes, he suppressed his excitement and said:

"Comrades! This is a large blast furnace that is worthy of being ranked among the best in the world! It appears in our country for the first time, you must manage it well!"

"You are all proud people who have gathered from all over the world. I believe that you can work together to create an industrial miracle from scratch!"

After speaking, warm applause broke out throughout the factory.

Everyone was clapping excitedly, unwilling to stop even when their hands were red.

This is the worker comrade of the current era, each of whom has pure and noble character.

"Come on! Next, please let our Director Huang say a few words!"

Listening to the cheers of the crowd, Huang He trotted to the podium. Compared with his big brother, he, a "vulgar man", is more direct.

"Comrades, today I make a promise to you. In the days to come, hospitals, schools and other infrastructure will be completed in the factory area one after another."

"Although we are a heavy industrial area, light industry cannot be left behind! In the first half of this year, I will give priority to planning a wool spinning factory!"

"Also! When all large equipment is in place, I will ask the bicycle factory in Taiyuan to send a batch of finished products and equip every household with a bicycle!"

Hearing Huang He's promise, the workers were stunned for a second, and then burst into cheers like a tsunami.

This is the power of the combination of spirit and material. Although it is more or less unruly, these comrades who took the initiative to leave their hometowns are definitely worthy of such treatment.

After the mobilization meeting, the ribbon-cutting ceremony officially began.

At someone's strong request, his eldest brother picked up the scissors handed by the factory director and cut the red cloth with a big red flower.

In the final photo session, Huang He also participated a little. He stood with his back to the upper left corner of the camera, leaving only a tall back to the people in the future.

······

After lunch in the canteen of the steel plant, the two came to the First Machinery Factory in the other corner of the county before being escorted by the security department and the guard platoon soldiers.

In Baotou, the local specialty, except for Lu Bu, must be tanks.

Riding a horse to school and work is an inexplicable stereotype. People obviously have a 59 in their hands.

In fact, when Huang He was a child before he crossed over, he envied the local children very much.

In the park in his city, although there is a J-5 and an unknown anti-aircraft gun on display, it is still far worse than the northern weapons city.

This 4A-level scenic spot is filled with retired equipment from the navy, army and air force. All of them are real and processed. You can enter and even operate them.

Other children go to the park to play amusement facilities on weekends, but children in Baotou go to play tanks and naval guns as soon as they have a holiday. Their childhood is really hardcore and unimaginable.

Unlike the situation in the steel plant, the First Machinery Plant is still in the preparation stage at this time, and many large equipment are still being debugged and assembled.

As soon as the two entered the factory, they saw the workers installing the die forging hammer. The total weight of this thing is as much as 16 tons, which is a key machine for producing tank armor.

"Director Huang, our factory is expected to take another month to start work. But everyone is experienced, and the monthly output is only higher than that in Taiyuan."

"If we can borrow some people from brother units, the preparation period can be shortened to three weeks."

The report of the factory director sounded quite standard to Brother Wu, and he even felt that one month was a bit long.

After all, each batch of aid sent to the north must provide nearly 100 Cicada tanks. If it cannot be produced in time, some inventory will have to be transferred.

But in Huang He's ears, starting work in one month is simply a superhuman act in North China.

When the comrades just got the production line of the Cicada tank, it took four months to assemble it, and the system provided all the equipment including sleepers.

Now it only takes one month, which must require working day and night. He can imagine how hard the workers are working.

"Everyone has worked hard. You should know what I promised at the steel plant. I will definitely treat everyone equally for our First Machinery Plant."

"But there is really no need to rush the construction period. Safety production is the top priority."

"As for manpower, I will go to Zhang Wanhe and try to transfer a group of comrades with foundation from Shanxi Province."

I originally wanted to write 3,000, but it became 5,000 as I wrote. Maybe there will be 2,000 before 12 o'clock, and there will be a chance to make up 10,000 a day.