Great Power Reclamation

Chapter 2961 A Sweet Contradiction

Having weathered the sandstorm, the builders of "Project Qingquan" are even more united. They quickly cleared the sand-buried sections, repaired damaged facilities, and accelerated the project's progress once again.

A few months later, on a clear, sunny autumn day, the "Northern Frontier Clear Spring Project" ushered in a historic moment - the first phase of the project (main canals and key pumping stations, photovoltaic power stations) was officially completed and began to test-flow water to the first batch of planned areas along the route!

The main venue for the water supply ceremony was set up at the canal hub next to the "Qingquan No. 1" photovoltaic-storage combined power station.

Colorful flags fluttered in the breeze, and crowds thronged the area. Almost everyone who had poured their heart and soul into this project, including the main leaders of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Ma Jianguo, Chen Shanhe, Ye Yuze, Yang Geyong, Liu Neng, Zeng Rou, Xiao Zhao, and Uncle Aishan, was present.

Ye Feng and Wang Lina, who are far away in New York, also participated in this grand event via high-definition video link.

At 10:00 a.m., with Ma Jianguo's loud command "Open the sluice gate and release the water!", the huge sluice gate slowly rose under the drive of the motor.

In an instant, the snowmelt from the Tianshan Mountains, seemingly accumulating power over a thousand years, carrying a fresh scent and vibrant life force, surged and sang as it flowed into that wide blue channel, forged with sweat and wisdom.

The water shimmered in the sunlight, like a giant dragon coming to life, bravely moving towards the once parched land.

Along the canals, at each branch point, people of various ethnic groups who had been waiting for a long time erupted in deafening cheers.

People cupped their hands in the clear spring water and excitedly splashed it into the air, exchanging water blessings and singing and dancing. Children played in the water, and tears of happiness streamed down the faces of the elderly.

Uncle Aishan cupped a handful of water in his trembling hands, took a deep sip, and found it sweet and refreshing. He looked up to the sky and sighed deeply.

"Our ancestors have been waiting for this for so many years... This water is so sweet! The 'Clear Spring Project' is great!"

On the other end of the video call, Ye Feng looked at the exciting scene on the screen and the heartfelt smiles on the faces of his fellow villagers, and his eyes couldn't help but well up with tears.

All the running around, all the pressure, all the controversies, at this moment, all transformed into unparalleled satisfaction and pride.

He knew that his efforts, along with those of countless others, were truly changing the fate of that land thousands of miles away.

Wang Lina stood beside him, holding his hand tightly, and whispered:
"Look, this is the meaning of our struggle."

The successful water diversion marks a decisive victory for the "Clear Spring Project".

This blue artery, winding across the northern border of Xinjiang, has finally begun its mission of nourishing all things and driving development.

The continuous flow of clean water not only flows into the parched fields and newly built factories, but also into the hearts of the people of all ethnic groups in northern Xinjiang, ushering in a more prosperous, stable, and hopeful future.

Ye Feng and his global partners continue to safeguard the continued operation and future development of this "lifeline" on the world stage, gathering even more strength.

The story is far from over... The future of northern Xinjiang will surely be even more brilliant because of this "clear spring".

The joyous burst of a spring at its first gushing forth is like festive fireworks—brilliant yet fleeting.

When the flowing snowmelt officially becomes part of the lifeblood of the northern Xinjiang region, the more complex, trivial, yet crucial work of operation, management, allocation, and maintenance becomes like the reefs exposed after the tide recedes, solid and unavoidable, standing in front of us.

The "lifeline" has begun to pulsate, but maintaining its healthy, efficient, and equitable cycle is a battle that will last far longer than its construction.

The first issue that comes to mind is the ancient and sensitive one: "water rights."

The towns, farms, emerging agricultural cooperatives, and industrial enterprises like Junken Pharmaceutical along the Qingquan Canal are all eagerly watching this "blue artery."

In the initial stage of water supply, the water volume was relatively abundant, and the problems were not yet obvious.

However, as the irrigation season progresses, especially during the relatively dry summer in northern Xinjiang, the demand for water increases dramatically.

How to allocate this hard-won water resource fairly and efficiently has become the top priority for the command center, especially Chen Shanhe, who is specifically responsible for water resource allocation.

Uncle Aishan from Awati Township is now the head of the township's medicinal herb planting cooperative.

He hoped that there would be enough water to irrigate his thriving licorice and astragalus plants in a timely manner, as this was related to the year-end bonus for the entire township.

Meanwhile, dozens of kilometers downstream, another farm's newly built 10,000-mu high-yield cotton field is also longing for water.

The person in charge of the cotton field was Ma Jianguo's old subordinate, and he called Ye Qianqian directly, his tone anxious:
"General Manager Ye, if the water doesn't come soon, the cotton bolls will fall off! This is a major issue concerning the agricultural production targets of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps this year!"

Even within the same region, there are conflicts.

There are often minor frictions between traditional flood irrigation farmers and modern farmers who have adopted drip irrigation technology due to differences in water efficiency and concepts.

One afternoon, two groups of people arrived at the command post.

One group consisted of representatives from the Awati Township Cooperative, led by Uncle Aishan, while the other group comprised leaders from the downstream Hongxing Regiment.

The two sides argued heatedly in Chen Shanhe's office over the opening time and flow rate of a key water diversion gate.

"Chief Engineer Chen! Our medicinal herbs are very delicate! If we miss this crucial water, the efficacy will be compromised! General Manager Zeng has already signed a contract!" Uncle Aishan argued forcefully.

“Old Ai, you can’t say that! Our tens of thousands of acres of cotton are related to the livelihoods of many people and national tasks. Can your little bit of medicinal herbs compare?” The farm leader retorted.

Chen Shanhe listened to the argument between the two sides with a furrowed brow.

He understood the urgency of both sides, but also knew that acting on emotions would not solve the problem.

He unfolded the large screen displaying the "Smart Spring" system, filled with sensor data and water delivery lines, and patiently explained:

“Brother Aishan, Director Wang, don’t worry. Take a look at this—our system will calculate the optimal water allocation plan based on crop water requirements, soil moisture, and weather forecasts.”

"From this afternoon to early tomorrow morning, the wind will be light and the evaporation rate will be low, which is the window of opportunity to supply water to Awati Township."

"Tomorrow during the day, the system will automatically adjust to increase the flow rate at the downstream Hongxing Farm. What we're pursuing isn't simple egalitarianism, but precision—to ensure that every drop of water is used to its maximum benefit!"

He pointed to the fluctuating data curves on the screen:

"You see, according to the model, as long as you strictly follow this intelligent scheduling, your crops' water needs can be met, it's just that the timing will be staggered from the peak."

"We must trust science and trust this system that we have worked so hard to build."

After Chen Shanhe's clear and concise explanation and presentation of scientific data, Uncle Aishan and the farm leaders gradually calmed down.

Although they were skeptical, they decided to trust the chief engineer, whose hair was gray and who was devoted to the project.

This minor conflict made Ma Jianguo and Chen Shanhe realize that after the hardware construction was completed, the upgrading of the software—namely, water usage concepts, management systems, and coordination mechanisms—was equally urgent.

They quickly organized their efforts, formulated the "Interim Measures for the Dispatch and Management of Water Resources in the Beijiang Qingquan Canal," and established a "Water Users Association" with the participation of representatives from various places along the canal. They introduced a democratic consultation and scientific decision-making mechanism to ensure that water allocation is conducted transparently.

The "Smart Spring" system, the "brain" and "nerves" that Chen Shanhe had high hopes for, also encountered growing pains during its actual operation.

The initial operation of the system was not without its challenges. One late night, the command center's alarms blared—

A remote pressure sensor in the heart of the Gobi Desert experienced an abnormal spike in data. The system automatically diagnosed it as a pipe rupture and issued an emergency command to shut off the upstream gates. This caused a section of the water-carrying channel to stop flowing, affecting several farms that were irrigating at night.

The repair team rushed to the scene, only to find that the pipeline was intact.

After careful investigation, it was discovered that a nocturnal sand fox had accidentally bitten through the sensor's signal wire, causing data corruption and misjudgment.

Similar problems occasionally occur: dust covers solar panels, causing insufficient power supply and data interruptions at remote sites.

A minor vulnerability exists in a certain program module, which, under specific conditions, will calculate a water distribution plan that is biased.

On one occasion, due to a coding error, the system almost mistakenly switched the valve of the purification plant supplying drinking water to the industrial water channel instead.

Although these problems did not cause significant losses, they have caused considerable trouble and concern to farmers and organizations that rely on the system for production planning.

Some conservative grassroots water pipe workers began to complain: "Spending so much money on this thing is not as reliable as us old water conservancy workers relying on our experience!"

Faced with doubts, Chen Shanhe and his technical team did not lose heart.

They knew that the maturation of any complex system required a process.

They increased the frequency of line inspections and maintenance, improved sensor protection measures, iterated and upgraded the software countless times, and organized multiple training sessions to help grassroots managers understand and learn how to work with this "intelligent partner".

Ye Feng was also closely monitoring the system's operation from New York.

He instructed the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory of the Warrior Group to draw on elite forces to remotely assist the Northern Frontier Command in optimizing the "Smart Spring" system's algorithms using machine learning technology.

This allows the system to better identify and handle various anomalies, making it increasingly "intelligent" and reliable.

The harshness of the natural environment is a constant challenge. Despite the presence of "clear springs," the Gobi Desert's sandstorms have never ceased their covetousness of this blue artery.

Xiao Zhao's biological sand-fixing belt is the first line of defense against wind and sand. With sufficient funds, his team has expanded and his equipment has been upgraded.

They adopted a combination of methods, including straw checkerboard sand barriers, clay sand pressing, and plant sand fixation, advancing step by step into the desert.

However, plants need time to grow, and a strong wind can still cause some of the previous efforts to be wasted before the young forest has fully closed off into a dense canopy.

After a strong wind, Xiao Zhao led his team on a patrol and found that nearly one-third of a newly planted saxaul forest had been buried by shifting sand.

The young team members were somewhat disheartened as they watched the saplings they had worked so hard to plant being destroyed.

Xiao Zhao, however, was not discouraged. He squatted down, brushed aside the surface sand, pointed to the roots of the still-living saxaul seedlings, and said to everyone:
"See? The roots are still alive! As long as the roots are there, there is hope! Our efforts to stabilize the sand are like fighting a war; there are offensives and defenses, victories and setbacks. But as long as we don't stop, the green front will continue to expand!"

He led his team to immediately begin replanting and, based on their experience, set up denser and stronger mechanical sand barriers along the main wind axis, giving the plants more valuable time to grow.

Xiao Zhao's resilience and optimism inspire everyone around him. His story, through follow-up reports on a brother news channel, has also reached the world, allowing more people to see the dedication and commitment of China's desertification control workers.

In New York, Ye Feng and Michael Chen were not complacent despite the success of the first bond issuance.

They understand that capital is profit-driven and forgetful. Maintaining the long-term funding needs and market confidence of the "Clear Spring Plan" requires sustained efforts and more sophisticated planning.

The success of the first bond issuance proves that the "story + sound financial solution" model is feasible.

Ye Feng and Michael began planning subsequent financing tools. They considered launching derivative industries related to the "Clear Spring Project"—

For example, Liu Neng is developing "Beijiang Yuanwei" high-end agricultural products and Junken Pharmaceutical's deep-processed medicinal materials products—revenue-linked "industrial development bonds," or "science and technology special bonds" for the upgrade and expansion of the "Smart Qingquan" system.

At the same time, they also face new challenges. The international financial market is volatile, and interest rate environment and exchange rate fluctuations may affect financing costs and the willingness of some international investors.

Some early investors, after receiving satisfactory returns, began to consider exiting the market.

How to smoothly complete the funding relay and introduce new long-term strategic investors is something Ye Feng needs to carefully plan.

During a meeting with representatives of a large European pension fund, the fund's representative bluntly stated:

“Mr. Ye, we admire the vision and effectiveness of the ‘Clear Spring Project.’ But as fund managers, we need to be responsible to the beneficiaries.”

"What we are concerned about is where the long-term, stable cash flow of this project lies. Besides its social and ecological benefits, how strong is its endogenous economic driving force?"

This question hits the nail on the head. Ye Feng knew that he couldn't rely on "storytelling" and external "blood transfusions" forever. The "Qingquan Plan" and the industries it drives must quickly develop strong self-sustaining capabilities.

He then threw the question back to the northern frontier.

Liu Neng felt unprecedented pressure, but this pressure also transformed into powerful motivation.

The "Northern Xinjiang Flavor" brand strategy must be implemented quickly and produce tangible market results.

With the full support of Ye Yuze and Yang Geyong, Liu Neng launched a series of intensive operations:
1. Standards Establishment and Certification: He collaborated with agricultural research institutes and quality supervision departments to develop a product quality standard system for "Beijiang Yuanwei" that far exceeds national standards.

It covers the entire process from seed, planting, processing to packaging. It also actively applies for organic certifications from the EU, Japan, and other countries, as well as international food safety system certifications, to clear obstacles for entering high-end international markets.

2. Leading enterprises drive development and base linkage: Several well-managed and technologically advanced leading agricultural enterprises have been given priority support. Through them, the surrounding cooperatives and farmers are encouraged to carry out production in accordance with unified standards.

In Awati Township, nourished by the "clear spring," the 10,000-mu wolfberry garden has entered its peak production period. The bright red fruits are like agate, and they are planted, harvested, and dried in strict accordance with organic standards.

3. Breakthrough in deep processing: Warrior Group invested funds to introduce an internationally advanced goji berry deep processing production line, and developed high value-added products such as goji berry juice, goji berry polysaccharides, and freeze-dried goji berries.

Similarly, high-quality wheat is processed into premium snowflake flour and specialty baking powder; processed tomatoes are transformed into high-quality tomato sauce and lycopene capsules.

4. Channel Development and Marketing Offensive: Relying on the logistics network of the Warrior Group, the "Northern Xinjiang Flavor" series of products began to enter high-end supermarkets and e-commerce platforms in first-tier cities across China.

Meanwhile, Liu Neng personally led a team to participate in international food expos held in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and even Paris, France. At that Paris expo, "Beijiang Yuanwei's" booth was unique.

Large photos of northern Xinjiang scenery, clips from the "Clear Spring Project" documentary played on a loop, staff in ethnic costumes brewing goji berry juice on site, and cooking pastries made with northern Xinjiang snowflake powder...

The unique brand story and superior product quality have attracted the attention of numerous professional buyers and media. A sample of top-grade astragalus from Uncle Aishan's cooperative was even spotted on the spot by a Swiss health supplement company, which signed a purchase agreement.

A resounding initial success! "Beijiang Yuanwei" is beginning to make its mark in the international market. Although its sales figures cannot yet compare with those of international food giants, its unique positioning and excellent quality have earned it a good reputation and a group of loyal early adopters.

At the same time, the raw material crisis of Junken Pharmaceutical was greatly alleviated due to the successive commissioning of medicinal herb bases.

Despite his advanced age, Ye Wancheng led his research and development team to successfully develop an upgraded version of "Huoxue Tongmai Capsules" and a new product line targeting cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health by utilizing a stable supply of authentic medicinal herbs.

Although he is no longer involved in specific affairs, he is prepared to continue research and development until the day he can no longer get up.

The successful development of the new drug brought a smile of satisfaction to his face. The company's performance steadily improved, making it another major taxpayer and employment pillar in northern Xinjiang.

The three old men even wanted to try for the Nobel Prize again.

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