A Tale of Two Cities Supporting Xinjiang

Ding Xuemin barely slept a wink the night the crab seedlings were released.

He would turn on his flashlight every now and then and go to the reservoir to look. The water was pitch black and he couldn't see anything except the faint sound of the wind blowing through the water.

But he always felt like he could hear something. Was it the sound of crab larvae adapting to their new environment? Or was it just his imagination? He couldn't say for sure.

As soon as it was dawn, he took the sampling bottles and testing equipment and went out.

The air by the reservoir was very cold in the early morning. He wrapped his coat tighter around himself, squatted downwind of yesterday's sampling point, and carefully took a water sample.

Back in that makeshift testing tent, he began testing one by one: ammonia nitrogen, nitrite, pH value, dissolved oxygen...

He checked every piece of data repeatedly and recorded it on the ever-growing table on the wall.

"Ammonia nitrogen 0.12, normal."

"Nitrite not detected, good."

"pH 8.1, stable."

"Dissolved oxygen... 6.2 this morning, not bad."

Looking at the numbers in the notebook that all fell within the safe range, Ding Xuemin let out a long sigh of relief, her nerves, which had been tense all night, relaxed a little.

But that wasn't enough; he knew this was only the first day.

From then on, Ding Xuemin's life was like a clockwork mechanism.

Every day before dawn, without fail, he would appear at the reservoir to collect morning water samples.

At midday when the sun is at its strongest, while others seek shade, he braves the blazing sun to measure changes in water temperature and dissolved oxygen.

Before going to bed at night, I need to take the test again. Three times a day, rain or shine.

On the walls of the testing tent, there are more and more charts and curves, and they are getting denser and denser.

Besides the water, Ding Xuemin is more concerned about the "little guys" underwater.

He had several fixed observation points set up, and every day he would use a specially made small net to scoop up a small number of crab seedlings for observation.

Observe their activity level, check for any abnormalities in their body color, and examine the integrity of their appendages, paying particular attention to whether they have successfully molted.

In the first few days, Ding Xuemin could still see some weak crab seedlings floating or moving slowly, and her heart would tighten with worry.

But soon, these phenomena decreased. Most of the small crabs that were caught were waving their delicate claws, crawling quickly in the basin, full of energy.

On the seventh day, Ding Xuemin decided to make a preliminary survival rate estimate.

This is a technical job, and also a job that requires patience. He and technician Lao Li selected several representative areas and used scientific methods to sample them.

One net, two nets, three nets... With each haul, they carefully counted and observed the catch. Old Li, wearing his reading glasses, counted with particular concentration.

"In this area, the survival rate of the sampling points is... 99%."

"That point in the east, 97.5%."

"Based on preliminary estimates..."

Old Li took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes, and said in a slightly trembling voice, "The overall survival rate is probably... around 98%."

98%!

Even Ding Xuemin herself was taken aback when she heard the number.

He didn't publicize the news, but somehow it still quietly spread around the reservoir and within the company.

Have you heard?

"Over 90% of the seedlings that Section Chief Ding released this time survived!"

"Really? Didn't they all die last time?"

"I saw them fish it out with my own eyes; it was alive and kicking!"

"Oh, so this time...maybe there's actually a chance?"

The employees, who had initially been skeptical and hesitant, began to whisper among themselves, their eyes now filled with curiosity and inquiry.

Those who initially said it was just a waste of time no longer speak so definitively.

Ding Xuemin keenly sensed this change.

He knew that rumors alone wouldn't work; he needed to let everyone see for themselves.

He chose a sunny afternoon to notify several employee representatives who had previously been more enthusiastic, as well as herdsmen like Batur Abujiang, who, although hesitant, were honest and reliable.

"Brothers, today we've invited you all to come and see our vanguard force."

Ding Xuemin stood by the reservoir, trying to keep her tone light.

He instructed Lao Li and Xiao Zhang to log off at several designated locations.

The net is lifted into the water, and the fish, splashing water, is brought ashore.

Inside the net, dozens of small river crabs, now noticeably larger and with darker shells than when they first arrived, were frantically crawling around, waving their claws, full of life.

"Wow, they're actually alive, and quite a few of them!"

"Look at that, how powerful it is!"

"It's a bit long, huh!"

The onlookers immediately crowded around, pointing and whispering, their faces showing surprise and a hint of excitement. Someone cautiously tried to touch it, but the little crab immediately raised its tiny claws in a defiant manner, eliciting a chuckle from everyone.

Batur Abujiang squatted to one side, observing carefully. After a while, he said in a muffled voice, "Section Chief Ding, this thing... can it really grow here?"

Ding Xuemin picked one up and placed it in her palm: "Look, it's adapting well. The water here is good and the environment is clean. As long as we use the right methods, they can settle down and grow up well."

Batur Abujiang looked at the little life crawling frantically in his palm. His dark face was expressionless, but his eyes flickered.

While everyone was still very interested, Ding Xuemin pressed on, saying, "The scale of raising them by the project team alone is limited."

If everyone could participate, contract a small area of ​​water, and use scientific methods to cultivate it, wouldn't that be a new way to increase income when the benefits are seen at the end of the year?

The project team can provide support in terms of technology and seedlings.

After these words were spoken, the crowd fell silent for a moment, then a buzz of discussion arose.

Some were tempted and started making plans; some were skeptical and muttered, "It's not that easy"; and some, like Batur Abujiang, pondered in silence.

The first step, I managed to barely stand up.

But he never dared to relax his vigilance for even a moment.

Crab farming is like passing through levels. After passing the survival rate level, there are still the growth level, the disease level, the sales level, and so on. Each level is more difficult than the last.

He looked back at the employees who had not yet dispersed, his gaze lingering particularly on a few silent figures.

However, with this 98% as a foundation, he finally had some confidence to face all the difficulties ahead.

More people signed up than expected.

But the one who surprised Ding Xuemin the most, and who put the most pressure on him, was Batur Abujiang.

Upon hearing this, Abujiang Tursun grabbed a sheep-herding stick and chased Batur Abujiang from his home to the sheepfold, yelling, "You idiot!"

I've wasted all my time talking to you.

His approach is all show and no substance; it won't last.

Are you throwing your family's money into the water?!

Batur Abujiang's wife, holding their child, cried, "We only have this much savings, and we still have to raise our child. What if we lose it all? Dad's right, don't go down that mess!"

Some of the surrounding employees were also gossiping: "Batur Abujiang is really bold. Even his father opposed it, but he still dared to do it."

"They're young after all, easily impulsive."

"Let's see what happens when his family has to pay compensation."

Under immense pressure, Batur gritted his teeth and pressed his fingerprint on the contract agreement.

What Ding Xuemin could do was to devote more of his energy to these ten acres of experimental ponds, teaching Batur Abujiang how to measure water quality, feed the fish, and observe the water.