1968: Started from breeding

After leaving the fields, the convoy smoothly arrived at the newly completed Special Economic Zone Reception Center.

A building that blends modern practicality with a simple and dignified style.

Upon entering, a warm yet not sweltering atmosphere greets you, a stark contrast to the chilly spring air outside.

The interior is simply and elegantly furnished, with thoughtful details—a newly surveyed map of the Huang-Huai-Hai region and a comparison chart of the progress of saline-alkali land reclamation are displayed on the wall, all telling the story of the changes in this land.

Since the president's entourage had just moved in, there was still some time before the luncheon.

Therefore, at the suggestion of the US side, we visited the comprehensive saline-alkali land management demonstration area prepared by Su Wenchen in advance.

Clearly, the president wanted to see how what the other party was showing differed from what he had seen in the fields earlier.

Su Wenchen did not refuse this request.

Because it was part of the itinerary.

The demonstration area is not far away; like the research station, it was located near the reception hall.

This is part of Su Wenchen's plan.

In the future, the area will be developed into an exhibition and reception area, centered around the reception hall formed by the intersection of the two rivers.

After all, the reception hall has been built, and it can't just be left empty in the future!
In Su Wenchen's view, this area could even be developed into a tourist zone centered around the banks of the Da Sha River and the abandoned Yellow River, once the economy develops after the reform and opening up.

Given its history of hosting presidents, curious people will come to visit.

Under Su Wenchen's guidance.

The core members of the delegation slowly walked into the saline-alkali land management exhibition area not far from the guild hall.

This area has no elaborate decorations or furnishings, only a separately planned saline-alkali land.

In front of each plot of land stood a data board filled with information in both Chinese and English.

So Su Wenchen immediately spoke up as well.

"Mr. President, and distinguished guests."

"Next, I will give you a detailed introduction to the basic data of our alkali treatment fertilizer and the closed-loop industrial chain circulation model."

After Su Wenchen finished speaking, the technician, seeing this, also began to translate in relatively fluent English, pointing to the first unmodified plot of land behind him, as arranged by Su Wenchen.

After hearing the translator's words, the others also curiously gathered around.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is what our special economic zone looked like in the beginning."

“Severe salinization; at that time, many lands were highly alkaline with a pH value as high as 9.8, making it virtually impossible for crops to survive.”

As Su Wenchen's words were translated, various reporters slowly turned their cameras toward the plot of land behind him.

This soil sample was taken directly from the core of that untreated saline-alkali land near the airport in the special economic zone—grayish-white, hardened, cracked, and covered with an unpleasant alkaline frost.

The few weeds growing there were sparse and withered, with curled and wilted leaf edges, and the roots and stems even showed signs of being scorched and burned by salt and alkali.

They drooped listlessly, as if using their last bit of life force to tell of the barrenness and despair of this land.

This is in stark contrast to the improved soil that the president picked up by hand in the field, which still retained a grayish-white hue but was already vibrant.

The eyes of several agricultural advisors and U.S. Department of Agriculture officials in the delegation also sharpened, almost indistinguishable from the nightmarish appearance of their country's millions of hectares of saline-alkali pastures.

They even seem to be slightly stronger!
Several agricultural consultants couldn't resist grabbing a handful of soil samples.

They frowned and discussed the severely compacted clod of soil in their hands.

"It is indeed a highly alkaline soil sample, even more so than the soil in our area."

"Before I came here, I looked up their history to verify its authenticity. It is said that during the war, the Yellow River dikes were deliberately destroyed by people in order to win the war."

"This caused the Yellow River to breach its banks, flooding the area and creating the Yellow River flood zone. It is said that the surrounding provinces suffered extremely heavy casualties at the time."

"I can't believe it hasn't been repaired after all these years!"

"Oh my God! This is terrible."

"Such horrific acts committed for personal selfish desires should be immediately brought to justice!"

"Hmph, naive. They're still under our country's protection!"

Seeing that the press corps had started focusing on the Yellow River breach, the accompanying official coughed lightly a few times upon hearing this.

"Ahem! Cruz, your press corps needs to film issues related to the land and microbiome; other issues are none of your concern!"

These media outlets really know how to give people something to do.

Sure enough, the president standing next to him immediately looked displeased upon hearing this.

At this moment, Su Wenchen noticed that the atmosphere was a bit awkward, and he heard the translator whispering the contents of what had just happened.

I have to say, these American journalists sometimes really do have a sense of justice!
These words from the other party, once transmitted back to the US via satellite, will definitely reduce their approval rating among the American public.

However, Su Wenchen also knew that there wouldn't be many people with this sense of justice, mainly because the other party couldn't make the decision either.

So he continued to the next plot of land and introduced it.

“These are also saline-alkali soil samples from the same region, but the difference is that they have undergone only three months of alkali-remediating fertilizer treatment.”

This plot of land, in contrast to the previous ones, creates a strong visual impact and a sense of hope.

The original deathly gray color disappeared without a trace, replaced by a deep, fertile, healthy dark brown.

The soil structure has become noticeably looser and more breathable, with the particles seemingly teeming with life.

What's even more striking is the life growing on it—lush, salt-tolerant pastures spread out like a verdant carpet, their leaves thick, glossy, and resilient.

Several tall wheat seedlings nearby have already sprouted tender green leaves, standing proudly upwards, indicating the possibility of a bountiful harvest.

This vibrant "little world" silently and powerfully proclaims the reversibility of saline-alkali land.

A series of suppressed gasps echoed intermittently in the air—"Oh, God..."

"Incredible...they're so efficient!"

The president's gaze lingered on this spot the longest, his index finger unconsciously tapping the edge of the display stand.

Several accompanying agricultural consultants also went over and squatted down from time to time to grab a handful of soil samples to check and confirm whether they were soil samples from saline-alkali land.

Su Wenchen did not stop and continued to lead the crowd forward.

Move on to the next exhibition area.

This area is no longer just a simple display of soil samples.

Located at the center is a miniature model of the ingeniously designed "rabbit-bacteria cycle".

It is no longer a static display, but a direct and vivid interpretation of the obscure and abstract concept of "closed-loop industrial chain" in language.

A dozen or so snow-white, glossy rabbits with robust and plump bodies hopped and ate nimbly in an area covered with loose mushroom residue bedding.

Su Wenchen also pointed to these alkali-treated rabbits and said.

"This is the core of our approach to managing saline-alkali land: controlling saline-alkali rabbits!"

"Their excrement contains a mysterious group of beneficial bacteria, which our laboratory has named 'Salt-Alkali Buster'!"

"The land behind it has already undergone two rounds of application of alkali-reducing fertilizers, and the pH value of its soil has dropped from 9.8 to 7.5."

"It's already very close to the safe threshold for normal crop growth."

After saying that, Su Wenchen pointed to the two exhibition areas in front of him.

"Furthermore, according to our current experimental data, after the application of alkali fertilizer, the organic matter content of the soil has increased from <0.5% initially to >2.0% here."

"Data doesn't lie. If you're interested in our sample testing process and data, you can request a special zone report from our exhibition area later."

"There are more detailed data reports above."

"In addition, we have already begun to optimize and cultivate new special complex microbial communities, which can effectively degrade saline ions while increasing their ability to improve soil structure and enhance fertility." "Ladies and gentlemen, the land is the home on which all mankind depends for survival, and it is also the stable food source that we humans need to maintain our survival."

"Cost, environmental protection, food production—every issue requires us to make choices."

“In the past, we were helpless even though we knew that the land was degrading little by little every year, just to survive.”

After speaking, Su Wenchen pointed behind him.

"Now, don't we have a better solution?"

"Moreover, I believe that this biological treatment of saline-alkali land is not just about treating saline-alkali land, but also a set of environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions to land environmental problems."

As soon as the translator finished speaking...

"Click! Click! Click!"

Like a barrage of gunfire, the flashes of light were almost constant.

The reporters, like sharks smelling blood, excitedly focused their cameras intently on Su Wenchen.

Some people who understand Chinese have already started asking Su Wenchen questions.

hushed whispers in English could be heard from time to time during the discussion.

Various terms such as environmental protection, sustainability, turning waste into treasure, and nemesis of saline-alkali land are frequently mentioned.

"Director Su, I agree with your statement that the land is the home on which all of humanity depends for survival. I believe that your technology will make a huge contribution to the continuation of all humankind."

"Will you open this technology to other countries?"

Upon hearing the reporter's words, the officials from the Protocol Department and the Special Administrative Region who had come along all felt a chill for Su Wenchen.

After all, they felt that no response would be appropriate.

A direct, verbal refusal could negatively impact subsequent negotiations.

But if you directly say that the technology can be opened up, then the problem becomes even bigger. If you're making all the decisions yourself, then what about progress?

Su Wenchen raised an eyebrow and paused for a moment before slowly responding to this forced interview and trap.

"You shouldn't be asking us that."

"Our leader has already said that."

"Our country has always been willing to share various technologies and experiences for improving people's livelihoods with the world."

"But all of this is predicated on the premise that technological exchanges must be based on equality, mutual benefit, and the benefit of ordinary people, isn't that right?"

On the other side, the elder who had originally intended to step in to help, saw that Su Wenchen had actually quoted his earlier words directly, and he also showed a rather surprised smile.

The original plan to go and save the day turned into a desire to see just how much potential the other party actually had.

The reporter was clearly dissatisfied with Su Wenchen's ambiguous attitude.

"Director Su, what you just said is completely inconsistent with what you said before."

"I believe this technology should be open to all countries in the world so that all of humanity can benefit from it."

"What do you think!"

Su Wenchen nodded.

"My friend, you're absolutely right. I completely agree with your idea."

"All technologies should serve all humankind. I think your country could take the lead in establishing an international technology sharing organization."

"If your country opens up its technology and takes the lead in establishing relevant international organizations, I believe that most countries in the world will eagerly join in."

"We are no exception."

They inexplicably want to take the lead in establishing some kind of international technology sharing organization to provide technology for free.

The reporter was stunned.

Isn't doing this just giving away their country's advanced technology for free?

They must be crazy to do that!
So he quickly shook his head.

"No, no, no, you misunderstood me."

"What I mean is that your technology is very important for the continuation of all mankind. We should put aside national prejudices and release the technology for free."

"This is the most beneficial choice for all of humanity, don't you agree?"

Upon hearing this, Su Wenchen immediately showed a surprised expression.

"Do you journalists really agree that technologies that have a lasting impact on all of humanity should be made publicly available for free?"

Upon hearing Su Wenchen's question, the other party hesitated for a moment before replying.

"Shouldn't it be?"

Su Wenchen nodded in agreement.

"That's absolutely right! When will your country share your satellite and space technology?"

"I believe that your country's space technology is the most important factor for the continuation of humanity."

"Think about it, we have only solved the problem of land degradation, but you have solved the problem of the living environment for countless future generations of humanity."

"If your country shares your advanced space technology, I believe that people all over the world will unite to develop space technology."

"In just a few years, we'll be able to land on the moon, and the next step will be to colonize Mars and conquer the entire solar system!"

"Just think about it, you will be the pioneers of all mankind!"

"I must say, you guys are truly amazing!"

After Su Wenchen finished speaking, the reporter was completely at a loss for words.

No, what do you mean we're going to release our space technology for free?

Meanwhile, the accompanying officials who were waiting to watch the show from behind couldn't hold back any longer.

Why should our own country publish its advanced technologies?

They only want other people's advanced technology.

They have no desire for this kind of greatness.

Even if they do manage to land, they only want their own country to land on the moon and Mars first, so they can seize the best territories in advance.

Pioneers of all mankind? Only a fool would believe such nonsense!
However, at this point they also realized that with the reporter's level of expertise, they couldn't do anything to him.

So Ronald's side immediately stepped in to smooth things over.

"Su, I'm sorry, journalists in our country tend to speak rather casually, please forgive me!"

"I think we can talk about technology sharing later, after the banquet!"

Su Wenchen smiled and shook his head.

"No, no, no, Ronald, I think your country's journalist friends are all great."

"I think you should really consider this journalist friend's suggestion to establish an international technology sharing organization and share some of your technology."

"After all, it's for the sake of all humanity!"

Ronald smirked when he heard this.

"Uh, we'll consider it later!"

"It's getting late, I think we should probably head back." (End of Chapter)