[Interview] From "Fulfilling Her Father's Wish to Join the Army" to "Carrying Forward the Legacy"—The Story of Zhang Jing from Class 12, Capital Program, Wuhan University

　　Hubei Huangpi, the hometown of Mulan. Hua Mulan, the heroic figure who "took her father's place in the army." Every mountain and every stream in Huangpi holds the touching legends of General Mulan, while every plant and tree carries forward the noble spirit of loyalty, filial piety, courage, and bravery embodied by Mulan.

　　Father splits wood, son carries it: a Chinese idiom meaning that when the father chops wood, the son carries it—symbolizing descendants inheriting their ancestors' unfinished endeavors.

　　"Chi chi, again and again—Mulan sits by the door, weaving at her loom. Yet no sound of shuttle or loom breaks the air; only the girl's gentle sighs echo softly..." Meanwhile, at Wuhan Xiaorui Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd. in Luohan Park of the Xincheng Industrial Zone, not far away, the roar of machinery fills the air as students from a primary school in Huangpi recite this classic poem, "The Ballad of Mulan," in their Chinese class. Perhaps General Manager Zhang Jing is quietly making her rounds through the factory halls—or perhaps she's busy in her office, discussing business matters with clients.

　　Wuhan Xiaorui boasts a history of thirty years. Over these three decades, the company has remained dedicated to one single mission—starting with Zhang Jing's father, Zhang Shaoqi.

　　Born in 1950, Zhang Shaoqi experienced a life marked by adversity. Due to his family's background as landlords, young Zhang Shaoqi was immediately marginalized. His parents lived cautiously, enduring the hardest agricultural labor while earning the lowest possible work credits. Throughout his childhood, Zhang Shaoqi was constantly subjected to discrimination. Yet, he firmly believed in one principle: no matter one's origins, acquiring knowledge and culture would always prove invaluable. Unfortunately, his family was desperately poor, struggling even to afford basic necessities. Worn-out clothes were all they had, leaving them barely able to make ends meet. As a result, they couldn't even afford the few cents required to purchase a single copy of the magazine *Middle School Student*.

　　Faced with no other option, he could only turn to self-study. Zhang Shaoqi would pick up books discarded by others and read them diligently. Through his dedication to reading and writing, Zhang Shaoqi gradually began to stand out. As various activities unfolded one after another—ranging from sports events to creating slogans, promotional flyers, and even designing blackboard posters—Zhang Shaoqi's talent caught the attention of those around him. One year, when Zhang Shaoqi joined the commune militia in working on railway construction outside their mountain community, the local leaders who had initially looked down upon these rural workers were deeply impressed by his exquisite penmanship. As a result, they assigned him to serve as a clerk.

　　At the age of sixteen, Zhang Shaoqi approached the village chief, expressing his desire to learn carpentry. In rural areas, carpentry was considered a skilled trade—though the pay wasn’t high, it was significantly better than that of an average commune member. Watching the master carpenter skillfully plane and saw wood filled Zhang Shaoqi with admiration. He thought to himself, "Even in lean years, artisans never starve." The village chief readily agreed to his request. Eagerly following the master, Zhang Shaoqi devoted himself wholeheartedly to learning the craft. He recalled an idiom: "Qiao Duo Tian Gong," which aptly describes artisans who possess extraordinary skills and craftsmanship.

　　After three years of apprenticeship under his master, Zhang Shaoqi has officially graduated and is now ready to venture into the world with his specialized skills! Zhang Shaoqi approaches his work with exceptional dedication. When crafting pieces, he carefully selects and utilizes different materials—such as tree bark, roots, and heartwood—and skillfully applies them in specific ways to achieve unique and remarkable results. Reflecting on his journey, Zhang Shaoqi realizes that a carpenter, after all, is an artist who knows how to recognize talent and wisely employ the qualities of wood to create something truly extraordinary!

　　With one exceptional skill, you can conquer the world. As the first gentle breeze of reform and opening-up swept across China in 1978, Zhang Shaoqi led a team of carpenters to craft furniture across the country. From Heihe in the far north to Ruili in the southernmost reaches, his journey took him through the rugged landscapes of Black Mountains and White Waters, as well as the vibrant beauty of Southern Yunnan—leaving behind his indelible mark wherever he went.

　　Work while you read—especially books on mechanical engineering. "When you think there's no path ahead, reading becomes your only way out." This is Zhang Shaoqi's lifelong motto.

　　After years of working as a migrant laborer, enduring countless hardships and upheavals, and dedicating many years to hands-on craftsmanship while also engaging in extensive reading and reflection, Zhang Shaoqi identified a promising industry: the research and development and manufacturing of brick and tile equipment.

　　Many years ago, bricks and tiles were all produced in rural areas: the process involved shaping the clay, loading it into kilns, arranging the bricks on kiln shelves, and finally firing them. Rows of red bricks were neatly stacked along field ridges, while kilns continuously emitted thick plumes of smoke throughout the day. The primary raw materials for producing these red bricks—soil and sand—led to the degradation of farmland. Moreover, small brick kilns operated on a limited scale and were largely devoid of environmental protection measures. As a result, large volumes of waste gases were directly released into the atmosphere, causing significant environmental pollution during the firing process.

　　Zhang Shaoqi boasts a forward-thinking and sharp vision: Using clay to produce red bricks will undoubtedly be banned. In the future, brick and tile production will exclusively rely on raw materials such as slag, shale, and construction waste, processed through high-quality, high-efficiency, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly modern machinery and equipment—creating products that are both eco-friendly and technologically advanced. With years of meticulous craftsmanship, Zhang Shaoqi's innovative equipment has consistently led the way in achieving efficiency, energy conservation, environmental protection, waste utilization, and cutting-edge manufacturing.

　　In 1986, Zhang Shaoqi founded Xiaorui Kiln Furnace Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd. in Chongqing. The company is dedicated to the research and development and manufacturing of brick and tile machinery equipment, particularly pioneering domestically innovative products such as the newly developed hydraulic positioning shuttle car, hydraulic pusher machine, export drawing machine, reversing traction machine, and robotic palletizing stepping machine. In 2015, the company introduced advanced intelligent equipment, including the automated loading/unloading and sorting system, robotic palletizers, and packaging machines, providing customers with rational designs and comprehensive solutions aimed at achieving high-end manufacturing, energy conservation, environmental protection, and sustainable utilization of solid waste. All products manufactured by the company undergo rigorous material inspection and testing procedures. Our production processes—including wheel casting, chemical analysis, and heat treatment/quenching—adhere to a comprehensive management system supported by cutting-edge processing equipment, ensuring consistent quality and exceptional durability. The "Xiaorui Brand Series Products" currently hold over 95% market share in Chongqing, firmly establishing themselves among the top-selling brands in China. Renowned throughout the industry, they are widely recognized as the "Kiln Car King."

　　In 2012, Zhang Shaoqi established Wuhan Xiao Rui Machinery Co. Ltd. in the Luohan Industrial Park of Huangpi New City Industrial Zone. Wuhan Xiao Rui integrates development, research, and manufacturing into a single entity, forming an integrated and mutually reinforcing partnership with Chongqing Xiao Rui. This collaboration leverages complementary strengths and fosters shared market and technological advancements, enabling Xiao Rui Machinery to swiftly emerge as a leading enterprise within China's brick and tile industry. Notably, Xiao Rui's primary equipment is sourced from Germany—a nation renowned for its unparalleled craftsmanship and dedication to precision engineering.

　　As Zhang Shaoqi's dream of "building an advanced factory with first-class equipment" gradually comes to fruition, he himself is entering old age—and it's time for a successor to take the reins: his beloved daughter, Zhang Jing, makes her grand entrance!

　　Zhang Shaoqi has six children, each one a top student. His eldest daughter graduated from Harbin Institute of Shipbuilding Engineering, while his third daughter is a university professor. The second daughter, Zhang Jing, majored in nursing and, after graduation, joined Tongji Hospital's Obstetrics and Gynecology Department as a midwife. Every day, she joyfully welcomes new lives entering the world, filled with boundless happiness—yet her father unexpectedly declared: "Come back, take over the family business!"

　　At the very beginning of her new role, Zhang Jing found herself transitioning from the cozy and nurturing environment of the maternity ward to the bustling, chaotic atmosphere of a construction site. For quite some time, she struggled to adjust: dealing with unruly thugs disrupting operations, navigating potential risks caused by management oversights, managing stubborn foremen, and even overseeing workers' daily living conditions—all while keeping an eye on everything that needed attention. As the factory gradually took shape and began exploring market opportunities for its products, Zhang Jing found herself juggling multiple roles simultaneously—acting as both a manager, sales representative, logistics coordinator, and quality control specialist. Her elegant demeanor occasionally gave way to moments of frustration or even outbursts of anger. Encouraged by her father's advice, Zhang Jing first enrolled in the 40th class of the President Program at Wuhan University, followed by the Capital Management program. Her father’s wise counsel had always emphasized that education broadens one’s perspective, equips individuals with essential management skills, fosters genuine friendships, and ultimately helps build a robust foundation for professional success. Indeed, throughout her studies, Zhang Jing gained invaluable insights: running a business requires not only relentless dedication but also the ability to look ahead and anticipate challenges. For a manufacturing enterprise like hers, surviving for three decades has been no easy feat. Amidst the temptations and ambitions that often accompany growth, it is crucial to stay true to one’s original vision and remain steadfast in the face of adversity.

　　As a child, Zhang Jing had the opportunity to watch a performance of the Han Opera play *Mulan Embarks on War*. On stage, Mulan showcased extraordinary skills and unmatched martial prowess. Time and again, enemy soldiers hurled flying knives and javelins toward her. Yet with effortless grace and mastery of legwork techniques, Mulan deftly executed dazzling gun-flourish moves, expertly kicking the projectiles back into the enemy ranks with pinpoint accuracy! In the end, Mulan triumphantly routed the entire enemy force, thus fulfilling the legendary tale of "replacing her father in the army" and cementing her status as a heroic figure!

　　What a remarkable performance! Zhang Jing, watching from the audience, thought to herself: "I could never become Mulan in my lifetime"—but little did she expect that, in the realm of mechanical manufacturing, Zhang Jing, with her father's legacy and her own talents, has become another kind of Mulan in a truly unexpected sense!

　　Taking over her father's management of the enterprise, Zhang Jing embarked on a life intertwined with mechanical equipment. Relying on her keen insight, she actively participated in the production of large-scale machinery and spearheaded the development of innovative new products. Standing amidst the workshop that roared like spring thunder, Zhang Jing reflected: If architecture is likened to a silent symphony, then bricks and tiles are the solidified musical notes etched onto the score—SXR Machinery, precisely the company dedicated to crafting the very equipment that brings these notes to life. Beautiful musical notes find their place in towering skyscrapers and bustling construction sites, while even more exquisite brick-based "notes" inspire artistic creations: from intricately crafted ceramic vessels and brick carvings to vibrant painted murals, dazzling glazed sculptures of mythical creatures, and lifelike depictions of birds and beasts... Each note carries profound significance!

　　Zhang Shaoqi and Zhang Jing: Two generations, more than half a century of youthful dedication. While carrying forward the family legacy, they have advanced hand in hand with the development of the Republic, witnessing the revival, prosperity, and brilliance of China's manufacturing industry!