Video Editor

Yu Zhenglai, the director of the Chengde Forestry Bureau, is a veteran revolutionary in his fifties. He is not tall, but he is very energetic.

He used to be the director of Weichang Forestry Bureau. Later, he was promoted to Chengde Forestry Bureau, and Qu He succeeded him as the director of Weichang Forestry Bureau.

Yu Zheng met with Su Ning and shook his hand firmly: "Comrade Su Ning, thank you for your hard work. These college students are the country's treasures, and we must take good care of them."

"Don't worry, Director Yu, I will do my best," Su Ning said.

"Okay, let's go up to the dam now and take the students to see their new home."

"Director Yu, how about Director Qu and I go instead?"

"No! Let's go together! We also want to see Feng Cheng. It's not easy for him to stay in Bashang alone for three years."

"Director Yu is right! So we should all respect him."

At this moment, Qu He, who was standing to the side, said somewhat dismissively, "Director Su, I don't think it's necessary! After all, Feng Cheng went to the dam to avoid punishment."

“Director Qu, you’re wrong! Do you really think you can stay in Saihanba alone for three years?” Su Ning immediately looked at Qu He and asked him bluntly.

"This……"

"Don't forget! Comrade Feng Cheng is a teacher at Beijing Forestry University. He was able to give up a comfortable and convenient life in Beijing and return to his hometown, where his parents sacrificed their lives, to contribute to its development. What gives you the right to insult him like this?"

"But he hasn't managed to plant a single tree in three years, which is a waste of resources."

"Nonsense! Director Qu, I never thought you were this kind of person! Has the Weichang Forestry Bureau managed to grow any trees that survived in Saihanba all these years? If we're talking about responsibility, shouldn't you, as the director, and I, as the deputy director, bear more responsibility? Director Yu was also the director of the Weichang Forestry Bureau before, shouldn't he also bear some responsibility?"

"I……"

Finally, Yu Zhenglai couldn't stand it anymore and said, "Alright! Stop arguing! Director Su is right! We can't push all the responsibility onto the people who did the work."

"..." At this moment, Qu He's face turned all sorts of colors.

The eight students looked at each other, completely bewildered, realizing that this Deputy Director Su was not someone to be trifled with.

……

Of the eight students, six are university students and two are vocational school students.

The boys are Wu Yansheng, Sui Zhichao, Na Da Kui, and Yan Xiangli; the girls are Qin Xuemei, Meng Yue, Ji Xiurong, and Shen Mengyin.

Na Da Kui and Ji Xiu Rong were vocational school students in Chengde, while the other six were university students from various universities.

Then Yu Zhenglai, Su Ning, and Qu He led them onto an old-fashioned Jiefang truck and headed towards Saihanba.

The road was difficult to travel, and the ride was extremely bumpy.

After driving for more than two hours, we finally arrived at Bashang.

Zhao Tianshan, the captain of the advance team, was already waiting with his men.

This was a man in his thirties, with dark skin and rough hands, clearly someone who worked the land year-round.

"Director Yu, Director Qu, Deputy Director Su, the camp is ready." Zhao Tianshan spoke decisively, "As per your requirements, four dugout dormitories, one canteen, and a high-standard horse stable."

"You've worked hard, Comrade Tianshan." Yu Zheng patted him on the shoulder.

"It's not hard work! It's about serving the people."

The group entered the camp.

It was called a camp, but it was really just a few dugouts with wooden planks and thatched roofs and no windows. The conditions were really rudimentary.

As soon as Wu Yansheng got out of the car, he frowned and muttered under his breath, "This...this is where we'll be living from now on? The conditions are terrible!"

Qin Xuemei, who was standing nearby, heard this and tugged at his sleeve: "Don't talk nonsense! Under such difficult conditions, it's already quite good that you've accomplished this much."

Wu Yansheng immediately changed his tone and said loudly, "Oh! Xuemei is right! This environment is really great! Much better than I imagined! The comrades of the advance team have worked hard to build a camp in such a harsh place!"

That sounds a bit fake, but at least the attitude is good.

Yu Zheng smiled and said, "Students, the conditions are indeed tough, but we're here to plant trees, not to enjoy ourselves. This will be your home from now on, and you'll get used to it gradually."

"Yes! Director Yu is right."

Then everyone went to see the dormitory.

There are four dugouts in total, each about ten square meters, with a kang (heated brick bed), two beds, a small table, and a kerosene lamp.

It was dusty and not clean at all.

"Boys will be paired up in one room, and girls will be paired up in another room," Su Ning arranged. "Wu Yansheng and Sui Zhichao will be paired up, Na Da Kui and Yan Xiangli will be paired up, Qin Xuemei and Meng Yue will be paired up, and Ji Xiurong and Shen Mengyin will be paired up. Everyone, please take a look and let me know if there's anything you need to add."

The students went into the dormitory to take a look.

The room where Qin Xuemei and Meng Yue lived had a south-facing window, so the light was better.

Qin Xuemei touched the earthen bed, looked at the window, and nodded: "It's fine, people can live in it."

Meng Yue asked with some concern, "Xue Mei, won't it be cold tonight?"

"It's definitely cold, but we have blankets, so we can cover ourselves with more blankets." Qin Xuemei was optimistic. "Besides, it's already quite an achievement that the advance team was able to build the camp in such a short time. We're here to work, not to complain."

The situation was different in the next room.

Shen Mengyin burst into tears as soon as she entered the door.

She was a girl from Shanghai, pampered since childhood, and had never seen such conditions before.
The earthen bed was hard as a rock, the windows leaked air, and the floor was still dirt; there wasn't even a cement floor.

"I don't want to live here! I want to go home!" Shen Mengyin cried as she walked out. "What kind of place is this? It's not even as good as our woodshed!"

Ji Xiurong quickly pulled her back: "Mengyin, don't cry, you'll get used to it."

"Get used to what?" Shen Mengyin wiped away her tears. "How can anyone live here? Won't there be rats at night? Won't there be bugs? I...I'm scared!"

"No, Captain Zhao said they've taken measures to prevent rodents," Ji Xiurong reassured her. Then, after thinking for a moment, she changed her perspective, "Besides, Mengyin, you're so beautiful and pretty, no matter where you live, your beauty won't be hidden. Look at this earthen bed, although it's hard, doesn't it look prettier with the sheets we brought?"

These words struck a chord with Shen Mengyin.

She wiped away her tears and asked, sobbing, "Really...really? I'm pretty?"

"Of course you look beautiful!" Ji Xiurong said earnestly. "Among all the girls in our group, you're the most beautiful. Southern girls are just different—fair skin and big eyes. Your presence here is a real asset to this room!"

Shen Mengyin was a little embarrassed by the praise, and her crying gradually stopped: "Then...then the bed sheets should be laid out nicely."

“That’s right, we can tidy up the house and make it just as comfortable.” Ji Xiurong pressed on, “Come on, put your luggage away first, and I’ll help you make your bed.”

Shen Mengyin stopped making a fuss and started packing her things.

Su Ning listened outside the door and breathed a sigh of relief.

Ji Xiurong is quite good at ideological work.

……

We ate lunch at the campsite.

The kitchen was a makeshift shed. The cook, Lao Zhang, made stewed cabbage and potatoes, steamed corn bread, and a pot of corn porridge.

Simple, but filling.

Of course, providing enough food is only possible at the beginning; it won't be possible after a while.

During the meal, Yu Zhenglai addressed the group: "Students, from today onwards, you are the first builders of the Saihanba Mechanical Forest Farm. The task is arduous—to transform this desert into an oasis. But its significance is also immense; every tree you plant will benefit future generations." He paused, then looked at Su Ning: "For living arrangements, consult Deputy Director Su and Captain Zhao. For technical matters, you university students will take care of them. For matters of ideology, consult Director Qu. Let's work together and make sure the forest farm is built!"

The students applauded, their eyes filled with enthusiasm.

After the meal, Yu Zheng called Su Ning aside and said, "Su Ning, these students are in your care now. Pay special attention to the female students, especially Shen Mengyin. She's prone to getting emotional, so you'll have to be patient with her."

“I understand.” Su Ning nodded. “Don’t worry, Director Yu, Zhao Tianshan and I will take good care of them.”

The story of Saihanba has only just begun.

And the youth of Suning and these young people will shine brightest here.

……

Next, Su Ning, Yu Zhenglai, and Qu He, the director of Weichang Forestry Bureau, led the students to visit the nursery.

This nursery was set up by Feng Cheng, a member of the advance team, all by himself.

Feng Cheng was among the first group of people to go to Saihanba. He stayed there for three years, researching seedling cultivation and tree planting on his own. Although his achievements were limited, he persevered.

The nursery is not large, about half an acre, and is neatly divided into plots.

There were some saplings planted inside, including pine trees, poplar trees, and several other kinds that I didn't know the names of.

Qin Xuemei graduated from the Forestry College with a major in seedling cultivation, and she has a solid grasp of her major.

She squatted down and examined it carefully for a while, then her brows furrowed.

“Many of these seedlings are substandard,” she said, standing up. “Their root systems are underdeveloped, their leaves are yellow, and they are not growing well. According to the standards, these are substandard seedlings and should be pulled up and replanted in a different bed.”

She was about to start pulling up the seedlings when she said that.

"Wait!" Su Ning immediately stopped her. "Comrade Qin Xuemei, these seedlings were planted one by one by Comrade Feng Cheng over three years. You can't just pull them out without his permission."

Qin Xuemei was stunned: "But... these seedlings are really not good! Keeping them is a waste of space, so it's better to pull them up and transplant them to a different bed."

"What's the standard for good or bad?" Su Ning looked at her. "Is it the standard in the textbooks, or the actual conditions in Saihanba?"

"This..." Qin Xuemei was speechless for a moment.

Wu Yansheng jumped out from the side.

He had been trying to curry favor with Qin Xuemei, so he quickly chimed in, "Deputy Director Su, you're mistaken. Comrade Qin Xuemei is a top student from the Forestry College, and her judgment is professional. These seedlings are indeed no good; they were pulled up to plant better ones. You didn't study this, so you might not understand the technology."

That's a rather blunt way of putting it.

Director Qu's expression changed, and he tried to smooth things over, but Su Ning waved his hand, signaling him to be quiet.

"I don't understand technology?" Su Ning laughed. "Then let me ask you, how much do you know about the climate conditions of Saihanba? What is the average annual temperature? How long is the frost-free period? What is the soil pH value? How deep is the groundwater level?"

A barrage of questions left the students bewildered; they were newcomers, how would they know any of this?

"You don't know, do you?" Su Ning continued, "Then let me tell you, the average annual temperature in Saihanba is -1.5 degrees Celsius, the frost-free period is less than three months, the soil is barren, and there is a lot of wind and sand, so the survival rate of trees planted here is extremely low. The Weichang Forestry Bureau tried planting trees here for more than ten years, but it didn't succeed. Why? It's because the conditions here are too special. The methods in textbooks may not work here."

He pointed to the seedlings: "Comrade Feng Cheng has been here alone for three years, planting and nurturing them one by one. These seedlings may be considered 'second-rate seedlings' by you, but in his eyes, they may already be the best seedlings that can grow in Saihanba. You've just arrived, you don't know anything, and you want to pull up other people's seedlings. Is that what you call respecting labor?"

Qin Xuemei blushed: "I...I didn't mean that..."

"Then what do you mean?" Su Ning's tone became stern. "I'm telling you, on Saihanba, the seedlings that survive are all good seedlings. There are no so-called inferior seedlings, only seedlings that cannot adapt to the environment. What you need to do is study why these seedlings can survive, not pull them out according to textbook standards."

He scanned all the students: "If anyone dares to touch any of these seedlings without permission, I will record their behavior in their file. Damaging the fruits of labor and disrespecting our senior colleagues—this stain will never be erased for the rest of their lives!"

That's too harsh a statement.

The students were all frightened, even the most outspoken Wu Yansheng shrank back and dared not utter a sound.

The files! Those are matters that affect one's entire life.

If this is recorded, it will affect future job assignments, performance evaluations, and even promotions.

Seeing that they had been subdued, Su Ning softened his tone slightly: "New employees should respect senior employees; this is a basic rule. Even if you think the seedlings are not good and want to pull them out or replace them, you must first discuss it with Comrade Feng Cheng and get his consent. Otherwise, it is a lack of manners and a form of technical bullying."

The moment the term "technological bullying" was uttered, Qin Xuemei blushed even more.

She genuinely wanted to do her job well, but she never expected to be labeled like this.

Yu Zheng quickly tried to smooth things over: "Alright, alright, everyone calm down. Deputy Director Su is right, we should respect our veteran comrades. But Comrade Qin Xuemei is also acting out of professional considerations, and her intentions are good. So, let's not push things too far yet. When Comrade Feng Cheng returns, we can all discuss it together, brainstorm, and see how to improve it."

Qu He also chimed in, "Yes, yes, let's take a look first, no rush."

Su Ning glanced at Qin Xuemei: "Comrade Qin Xuemei, you have technical expertise and professional knowledge, which is excellent. But technical skills must be applied appropriately and in accordance with reality. The situation in Saihanba is unique, and we cannot simply copy from books. In the future, think more, ask more questions, and avoid acting impulsively."

Qin Xuemei lowered her head and said, "I understand, Deputy Director Su."

"Okay, that's enough for today," Su Ning said. "Go back and rest. We'll start working officially tomorrow."

The students dispersed.

Wu Yansheng tried to talk to Qin Xuemei, but she glared at him and he left dejectedly.

Yu Zheng walked up to Su Ning and whispered, "Su Ning, what you just said... wasn't it a bit harsh? The students have just arrived, they're very enthusiastic and eager to get things done, you have to protect their enthusiasm."

“Director Yu, I understand,” Su Ning said. “But some rules must be established from the beginning. The conditions in Saihanba are harsh, and the work will be even more difficult in the future. If the rules are not made clear now, there will be trouble later.”

Qu He nodded in agreement: "Deputy Director Su is right. These college students have knowledge, but no experience, and are prone to being all talk and no action. They need to be given a good talking-to."

Yu Zheng sighed, "That's true. Okay, you handle it. I'll come back to check on it in a couple of days."

After seeing Yu Zhenglai and Qu He off, Su Ning stood alone by the nursery, looking at the saplings that Qin Xuemei had rated as "second-rate seedlings".

He knew that the seedlings were indeed not growing well.

But in a place like Saihanba, just surviving is already a miracle.

Pull it out? That's easy to say.

It took Feng Cheng three years to figure out this little bit of experience.

It would be unfair to Feng Cheng and disrespectful to the actual situation in Saihanba if the students were to reject everything from the outset.

Technology must be combined with reality; this is a principle he understood in the world of "Ordinary Glory".

Investing requires consideration of the market environment, just as planting trees requires consideration of natural conditions.

The principles are the same.

Now, what I need to do is guide these young people to combine book knowledge with practical experience.

This path will not be easy, but he is confident.

Because in this world, he has experience, knowledge, and above all, a sense of responsibility.

I want to help these young people and turn Saihanba into an oasis.

The first step is to teach them...

Respect the land, respect labor, and respect those who have persevered on this land.

This is more important than any technology.

...(End of chapter)