A Tale of Two Cities Supporting Xinjiang

After leaving General Manager Zhao's office, Zhou Mingyu immediately called Yang Zhitong and explained the situation: "Yang Zhitong, General Manager Zhao hasn't given a clear answer. He said we have to wait for the decision from the head office leadership, so we can only wait a little longer."

Yang Zhitong felt a pang of disappointment upon receiving the call, but he quickly rallied: "Director Zhou, thank you for making the trip. It's alright, just wait. I'll continue to keep an eye on things at the Department of Natural Resources. If we work together, we'll get results eventually."

Over the next few days, Yang Zhitong contacted the Xinjiang Department of Natural Resources daily, repeatedly inquiring about information and supplementing relevant materials. Zhou Mingyu also continuously coordinated through the management committee to push the matter forward.

Just two days after those words were spoken, the expert team actually arrived at Shihezi Garden Airport.

Without much preamble, they circled the airport. They saw the runway covered in gravel, with some piles of pebbles forming small mounds; they also looked at the equipment, half of which was awaiting repair, some covered in dust, others with parts exposed; and finally, when asked about the personnel, Han Jidong could only truthfully say that they were all key personnel who had come from other fields.

The team leader picked up the progress report that Han Jidong had worked through several sleepless nights to complete, glanced at it twice, and shook his head, his tone full of disapproval: "Director Han, how long do you plan to take to launch the ship?"

"The plan is for four months."

Han Jidong answered with a forced smile, his heart already pounding.

"Starting operations in four months? That's a pipe dream!"

The team leader slammed the progress chart on the table, raising his voice several decibels, "At this rate, forget four months, even a year wouldn't be enough!"

Han Jidong's face turned red instantly with anxiety, and sweat beaded on his forehead. He forced a smile and argued, "Team leader, we really have been working hard!"

If there's no one available, we'll take on multiple roles, one person doing the work of three. If we lack experience, we'll learn on the job, researching, asking friends, and figuring things out step by step. Give us a little more time, and we'll definitely meet the requirements!

"Time? How much more time do you want?"

The team leader's tone was full of distrust, and his eyes showed obvious doubt: "Civil aviation operations cannot be achieved by brute force!"

Look at your team. Not a single certified professional is in place, and you can't even come up with a proper safety plan. The runway cleaning is disorganized and haphazard. Equipment maintenance is all done by guesswork, and it's questionable whether it's even usable.

"Given this situation, how can you expect us to believe you can set sail? Absolutely not!"

Another expert chimed in, his tone serious: "Director Han, it's not that we're deliberately making things difficult for you, but civil aviation safety is a zero-tolerance bottom line, allowing no room for carelessness. In your current situation, let alone ensuring flight safety, you can't even get the most basic operational procedures running smoothly."

If we were to hastily set sail, we would be gambling with the lives of hundreds of people, and we absolutely cannot agree to that.

These words were like buckets of ice water, chilling Han Jidong to the bone from head to toe.

A few days after the research team left, a strongly worded letter arrived at the office.

"After investigation and verification, your conditions for operation are seriously substandard. Your personnel configuration, equipment maintenance, and safety plans do not meet the standards for civil aviation operation."

A 30-day rectification period is hereby granted. You must replenish the required professional personnel, improve the safety system, eliminate runway hazards, and submit a qualified operational plan within this period. Failure to do so will result in the immediate cancellation of your operational qualification, and no further applications will be accepted!

30 days!

Han Jidong held the letter, his hands trembling violently. This was no rectification period; it was a final ultimatum!

Two weeks after Yang Zhiyong's repeated follow-ups, the Xinjiang Department of Natural Resources approved the pilot project plan, but put forward a strict requirement: "Tianye Group must increase its investment in environmental protection, build a high-standard wastewater treatment plant, ensure zero discharge of industrial wastewater, and absolutely not pollute the water source of Qianquan Lake. This is the bottom line and cannot be crossed."

When Yang Zhitong received the approval document, he was so excited that he almost burst into tears.

With trembling hands, he quickly called General Manager Zhao to share the good news.

But General Manager Zhao's voice was furious: "Additional environmental protection investment? How much money will that cost! The profit margin of this project wasn't high to begin with, and this will directly reduce the profit by more than half. How can this project continue?!"

"Mr. Zhao, environmental protection is the bottom line; we can't cross it."

Yang Zhitong patiently explained: "Qianquan Lake is the lifeblood of the herders. If the lake water is polluted, not only will the herders object, but the project will also be unable to operate in the long term, and the losses will be even greater."

This is not only a responsibility to the herders, but also a responsibility to the long-term development of the company.

"Stop spouting those high-sounding platitudes at me!"

Mr. Zhao interrupted him directly, his tone full of impatience: "We do business to make money, not to do charity!"

I'm giving you one last chance. Either find a way to simplify the environmental protection process and save me the trouble of that wastewater treatment plant, or I'm withdrawing my investment and quitting this project!

The call was disconnected, and only a busy tone remained on the receiver.

Yang Zhitong knew Zhao's personality well; he wasn't truly heartless, but rather distressed by the initial investment.

Yang Zhitong went to great lengths to secure this project, and it absolutely cannot be shelved just because of environmental protection investment issues.

As the mediator, Zhou Mingyu understands both the importance of the project and the plight of the herders. His intervention might bring about a turning point.

Thinking of this, Yang Zhitong dialed Zhou Mingyu's number: "Director Zhou, something urgent has happened. The approval from the Department of Natural Resources has come through, but it requires the construction of a high-standard wastewater treatment plant. General Manager Zhao is unwilling to invest further and says he wants to withdraw his investment!"

"This project has finally made progress, it can't just fall through like this. Could you help me persuade him? Ideally, you could take him to the Qianquan Lake pasture to see for himself the situation of the herders."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Mingyu also became anxious and immediately replied, "No problem, I'll call General Manager Zhao right away."

After hanging up Yang Zhitong's call, Zhou Mingyu immediately contacted General Manager Zhao and, after much pleading and persuasion, finally got General Manager Zhao to relent.

"Mr. Zhao, don't rush to withdraw your investment. Just give me face and come with me to Qianquan Lake Ranch. You can make a decision after you've seen it, okay? It won't take up much of your time."

After hesitating for a moment, Mr. Zhao finally agreed. Yang Zhitong drove to pick up Mr. Zhao, and after a bumpy ride, they arrived at Qianquan Lake Pasture.

As soon as the car stopped, we saw a little boy of about five or six years old in the distance. He was wearing a thick cotton-padded coat, holding a lamb, squatting by a bucket, and carefully feeding the lamb water with a small spoon.

Looking into the child's clear, bright eyes, Mr. Zhao felt a sudden jolt, and his anger instantly subsided by more than half.

He followed Yang Zhitong into Abduja Token's tent and saw that the herders were extremely frugal with water. They used a basin of snow water first to wash their faces, then to cook, and finally to feed the cattle and sheep.

Abduja Token took out a naan bread and handed it to General Manager Zhao, saying with a smile, "General Manager Zhao, we are not against the project. We also want our lives to get better and better, and we also want our children to have a good life."

But Qianquan Lake is our root, the place where our ancestors have lived for generations. As long as you don't pollute the lake or encroach on our irrigation canals, we will support you and even help you.

After a long silence, General Manager Zhao finally sighed and looked at Yang Zhitong, saying, "I agree to the investment in environmental protection. The wastewater treatment plant should be built to high standards."

But Director Yang, let me be clear from the start: the land and water issues must be resolved as soon as possible. We can't afford to delay the construction any further, otherwise the losses will still have to be calculated.

Yang Zhitong finally felt relieved, a long-lost smile appearing on his face. He nodded vigorously, "Don't worry, President Zhao! I will implement it as soon as possible and will not delay the project's progress!"