Chapter 64 Daring and Resolute

The municipal party leader said warmly, "Comrade Cheng Shi, feel free to share any thoughts you might have. In any case, whether we adopt them or not depends entirely on us. You won't have to shoulder any responsibility."

This remark gave Cheng Shi complete peace of mind, while simultaneously keeping those with ulterior motives in the room in check: I told Cheng Shi to speak. From now on, no one is allowed to use this matter to attack him; otherwise, you are picking a fight with me.

Liu Jianshe and Zhang Guohua both secretly gritted their teeth: You little slippery fox, Cheng Shi.

Cheng Shi asked, "May I ask if the two boilers involved in the accidents are products of the same model and manufacturer, with similar periods of use?"

The head of the safety department replied, "Yes."

Cheng Shi said, "I suggest inspecting the safety valves, pressure gauges, and water circulation systems of boilers from the same manufacturer and batch."

Liu Jianshe let out a cold sneer, "Is Comrade Cheng Shi still trying to say that everything from this manufacturer is no good?"

This not only offended the enterprises currently using these boilers, but also alienated a vast network of upstream and downstream boiler manufacturing businesses.

Cheng Shi looked at Liu Jianshe with a half-smile. "I have only spoken a single sentence. Director Liu, there is no need to be in such a rush. Otherwise, it might make Director Liu look rather unprofessional."

Liu Jianshe choked, feeling as though he had been slapped across the face, his cheeks burning hot.

The municipal leader also frowned, "Let Comrade Cheng Shi finish. Other comrades should not interrupt."

Liu Jianshe grew even more embarrassed, shifting in his seat as if it were covered in nails, making it impossible for him to sit still.

The municipal leader raised his chin toward Cheng Shi. "Go on."

Cheng Shi laughed inwardly and calmly continued, "The safety valve, in particular. If the sealing surface of the safety valve is not made sufficiently smooth and even, proper sealing cannot be guaranteed. Under the normal working pressure of the boiler equipment, leakage will occur at the sealing surfaces of the valve disc and valve seat. This not only causes media loss, but also damages the hard sealing materials. If the safety valve fails, the boiler pressure will exceed the designed pressure, leading to an explosion in severe cases. Perhaps there were no problems with the sealing material when it originally left the factory, but over time, scale, fine sand, and various impurities have ruined the flatness of the sealing surface."

"The same goes for the pressure gauges and water circulation systems. After long periods of use, they can no longer perform their originally designed functions. Therefore, this is not necessarily a product quality issue from the original manufacturer."

In reality, this statement was practically equivalent to saying the equipment was long overdue for maintenance and repairs.

While the production safety department required all factories and mining enterprises to carry out mandatory inspections of production boilers, living and utility boilers in enterprises and institutions had no such mandatory regulations. The management departments merely issued safety operation procedures, conducted regular safety training, and required enterprises to carry out self-inspections.

Factory directors with good safety awareness would honestly follow the procedures.

Some factory directors, however, would cut corners in order to save money.

The leader understood the implication and asked, "Are you saying that if problems are found during inspection, the entire boiler system should be replaced?"

Everyone grew a bit nervous and stared fixedly at Cheng Shi.

Liu Jianshe, Zhang Guohua, and the others were inwardly delighted: We were just waiting for you to say that. We won't even need to make a move; they'll tear you to shreds.

Cheng Shi shook his head. "It should be decided based on actual circumstances and the economic condition of each enterprise. In the future, some small enterprises might gradually phase out facilities like cafeterias and bathhouses. If they are forced to buy new boilers now, those boilers will likely become obsolete and scrapped within a few years, which isn't worth the cost."

The municipal leader was secretly startled: *Hiss*, wait, how does this kid know about this matter?

In fact, many state-owned enterprises had been submitting reports upward, requesting to eliminate welfare facilities like hospitals, schools, and cafeterias within enterprises to reduce their financial burdens.

Previously, because society lacked similar supporting facilities and supplies were scarce, enterprises had no choice but to equip themselves with these to solve the daily living problems of their workers.

Things were different now. Supplies across society were becoming increasingly abundant, and various supporting infrastructure was maturing.

Many households already had water heaters, and gas stoves were gradually becoming common.

Facilities like bathhouses and cafeterias could indeed be phased out first.

The leader also suddenly realized that the reason these factory directors had remained silent earlier was because they wanted to use this opportunity to get rid of the boilers altogether.

It wasn't that they didn't understand, but rather that they dared not—and could not—say it out loud directly.

Cheng Shi continued, "If only a few minor accessories are broken, just replace the accessories. There is no need to replace the boiler. Of course, if an enterprise is performing well and insists on replacing it, that is their own affair. After all, everyone will be responsible for their own profits and losses from now on."

The leader nodded and asked, "However, if an enterprise chooses to continue using them, how can future safety be guaranteed? Even if some accessories and gauges are replaced, there is no guarantee that other parts won't run into problems."

Cheng Shi suggested, "Therefore, I suggest that the city establish a third-party, professional special equipment safety testing company. Let them be responsible for the regular safety inspections of pressure vessels in all factories, including boilers, heat exchangers, liquid chlorine steel cylinders, and liquefied petroleum gas spherical tanks. During the initial operational phase, various professional tests can be sent to existing institutions to issue testing reports. The safety testing company will only be responsible for auditing and quality control. If the workload is heavy in the future and more advanced equipment is needed, we can discuss it then."

If an enterprise did not invite the safety testing company to conduct inspections, they would bear full responsibility if anything went wrong.

As for who would take charge of this safety testing company, that was no longer something he needed to worry about.

Furthermore, with this safety testing company in place, someone else would take responsibility for all safety issues.

The municipal leader turned to look at the others. "What does everyone think?"

Director Hu was the first to state his position. "I think Comrade Cheng Shi's suggestions are very good. They are comprehensive and consider every angle."

The other factory directors were also extremely satisfied that Cheng Shi had helped them articulate what they had previously dared not voice, and they chimed in one after another: "We agree with Comrade Cheng Shi's words."

"Comrade Cheng Shi is truly a young expert with a nimble mind."

"Good. Let's do it this way. Everyone can go back and compile the rectification opinions for the boilers. Scrap the ones that need to be scrapped, buy new ones for those who want them, and test or repair the ones that need maintenance." The municipal leader nodded, then turned to look at the head of the safety department. "As for the establishment of this safety testing company, we will discuss it further next. The meeting is adjourned."

The municipal party leader walked over and extended a hand toward Cheng Shi.

Cheng Shi hurriedly stood up and shook it.

The leader remarked, "Comrade Cheng Shi is truly young and promising. You've been a huge help this time."

Cheng Shi replied, "The leader flatters me. Actual work still relies on the leadership of you and the other leaders to direct and carry out; I merely wagged my tongue a bit. Besides, this solution was something I discussed together with Comrade Zhang Ziqiang on the way here."

The secretary couldn't help glancing at him: This Cheng Shi is certainly interesting.

In reality, he and Zhang Ziqiang hadn't exchanged a single word on the road. The leader smiled, nodded, and patted the back of Cheng Shi's hand. "There is a long road ahead of us."

He then shook hands with Zhang Ziqiang as well. "Young man, you have a boundless future."

This remark was tantamount to promising Cheng Shi an opportunity.

That was precisely what Cheng Shi wanted, so he hurriedly said, "Thank you, leader."

The leader instructed his secretary to dispatch a car to send Cheng Shi and the others back, before hurrying off.