A Tale of Two Cities Supporting Xinjiang

Upon arriving in Tacheng, Li Chao proceeded with the work in a routine manner, verifying documents and confirming procedures with local officials, but he couldn't muster much enthusiasm throughout the process.

During the lunch break, I had lunch with Jiang, the cadre in charge of the liaison. He casually mentioned local agricultural support projects and inadvertently brought up the East-to-West Fruit Development Project.

"We are currently promoting the 'East-to-West Fruit' initiative here, which involves bringing fruit trees from Liaoning that are suitable for planting in cold regions."

The Tacheng branch of the Liaoning Academy of Agricultural Sciences has been specifically focusing on this issue. I've heard they've overcome many difficulties in introducing crops to cold regions, hoping to help areas like ours with poor climate conditions to develop some specialty crops.

As he ate his rice, Officer Jiang casually remarked.

"Introduction of fruit trees from cold regions?"

Li Chao hurriedly asked, "Brother Jiang, tell me more about the specifics of this project."

Is this specifically designed to address the problem of cold winters and difficulty in fruit tree survival in our area?

Seeing his strong reaction, Officer Jiang paused for a moment, then explained in detail: "Yes, it's about solving the problem of climate restrictions."

The branch institute has dedicated researchers who have cultivated several types of cold-resistant fruit seedlings and provided technical guidance, all with the aim of enabling us to grow high-quality fruit trees and help herders earn more money.

What, you're interested?

"Interested, very interested."

The silence in Li Chao's heart was instantly ignited, and his previous sense of frustration and depression vanished.

Isn't the biggest problem in Jiulian the cold climate, which makes it difficult for ordinary crops and fruit trees to survive?

This eastward expansion project is practically tailor-made for the Ninth Company.

He finally found hope in turning the situation around and saw an opportunity to prove himself.

Before they had even finished their meal, Li Chao said to Officer Jiang, "Brother Jiang, I'll finish the rest of the coordination work this afternoon. Could you please tell me the address of the Tacheng branch of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences? I'll go visit them as soon as I'm done."

Seeing this, Officer Jiang smiled and said, "Alright, judging by your enthusiasm, you've found the right direction?"

I'll send you the address later. When you get there, just tell them you're connecting with the pilot project for the "East Fruit Westward Expansion" initiative.

Stepping out of the branch office building, the cold wind was still biting, but Li Chao felt warm inside.

After finishing his work in the afternoon, Li Chao went to the Tacheng Branch of the Liaoning Academy of Agricultural Sciences, following the address given to him by Cadre Jiang.

Upon arriving at the branch campus, he took a deep breath, straightened his slightly wrinkled coat, and then carefully walked into the office building.

After making several inquiries, we finally found the office of the research team responsible for the East Fruit Westward Expansion Project.

Li Chao knocked gently on the door and stood respectfully at the entrance to explain his purpose: "Hello, teachers. I am Li Chao, an aid worker in Xinjiang. I am here today to apply to join the pilot project for the introduction of cold-region fruit trees, to bring suitable seedlings back to the village, and to lead the herders in developing specialty planting to help everyone earn more money."

The researchers in the office stopped what they were doing and looked at Li Chao.

Researcher Ma, who was in charge of project coordination, pushed up his glasses and asked gently, "Oh? We've heard a little about the situation at the Ninth Company; the climate conditions are quite harsh."

Have you had any prior experience growing fruit trees in cold climates?

Li Chao dared not hide the truth and answered honestly: "Teacher Ma, I previously tried planting a batch of cold-resistant saplings in the Ninth Company, but..."

Because of insufficient anticipation of the duration of the extreme low temperatures in the area and a lack of adequate frost protection measures, all the saplings died.

The moment he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the office changed instantly.

A young researcher asked with obvious skepticism, "They're all dead? You must lack practical experience."

Our East-to-West Fruit Development Project is meant to produce real results, not for you to use as practice.

The climate in Jiulian is so unique that even you yourself admitted that the prediction was insufficient. How could we dare to entrust the pilot project to you?

If it fails again, it will not only delay the entire project's progress but also damage the project's reputation.

Another senior researcher chimed in, "Young man, we understand your good intentions in supporting Xinjiang, but enthusiasm alone is not enough."

Introducing species to cold regions is inherently a high-risk project, and every step must be taken with utmost care.

If you can't even make the most basic climate predictions, that's a lack of core competence.

Our team spent several years cultivating suitable seedlings and invested a great deal of effort; we can't let your lack of experience cause all that to go to waste.

The surrounding researchers nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with distrust as they looked at Li Chao.

Some people simply lowered their heads and continued with their own tasks, clearly indicating their unwillingness to talk to him any further;

Some people were whispering, "If you don't have experience, don't come and cause trouble," and "Don't delay our project progress"...

The initial frustration of being rejected overwhelmed him. Li Chao took a step forward, slightly bowing, and said with utmost sincerity, "Dear teachers, I know that my previous failures have made you lose confidence in me, and that was my fault."

But after that failure, I didn't run away; instead, I did a detailed review.

As he spoke, he took out a thick stack of documents from his backpack and handed them to the researchers with both hands.

"This is the climate data of Jiulian over the past five years that I compiled, including the lowest winter temperature, wind force, snowfall, and soil test reports for different plots. I compiled each piece of data by running around every corner of the village and combining it with the archives of the local meteorological station."

It also contains my detailed analysis of the reasons for the seedling death last time, as well as the improvement plans I formulated to address these problems, such as the specific operational procedures for layered frost protection, windbreak reinforcement, and soil improvement, with clear plans for each step.

Li Chao stayed up several nights in the village to prepare this information.

During the day, I braved the cold wind to run around the fields and test the soil. My calluses were worn raw in several places, and when they got into the soil, they hurt terribly.

I worked at night under dim light, organizing data and repeatedly revising and improving the plan.

"Dear teachers, I know I have shortcomings, but I have thoroughly understood the climate and soil conditions of the Ninth Company."

The previous failure made me realize the problem and made me more cautious.

If I get the opportunity to try planting this time, I will strictly follow the technical requirements, stay in the field every day to monitor the growth of the seedlings in real time, and I will never make the same mistakes as before.