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Chen Jinshan patted non-existent dust off his suit and took a deep breath as he stood at the entrance of the Minning Village Committee.

In March, the wind in Ningxia still carries fine sand particles, which feel like countless tiny knives when they hit your face.

He squinted, looking at the rolling loess hills and the well-distributed brick and tile houses in the distance, yet he understood that such prosperity needed to continue.

"County Chief Chen, why are you standing here in the wind? Come inside!" Village Party Secretary Lao Yang jogged out to greet him, his dark face wrinkled with sand.

In the village committee office, the paint on the walls was peeling off as if it had a skin disease.

Chen Jinshan took the enamel mug handed to him by Lao Yang. The tea inside was so murky that you could see the sand at the bottom of the cup.

He took a sip without making a sound, and the bitterness spread across his tongue.

"Secretary Yang, what was the per capita income in our village last year?" Chen Jinshan asked directly.

Old Yang rubbed his rough fingers, his voice lowering: "Less than eight hundred."

"Seven hundred and eighty-three yuan and sixty cents." A young voice came from the corner.

Chen Jinshan turned his head and saw Ma Defu from Jintan Village handing him a document. "This is the statistical data from the county's poverty alleviation office at the end of last year."

"Defu, you're here too?"

"Ah."

"County Chief Chen, now that Minning Village has a young cadre like Ma Defu, many things are much more convenient," Old Yang said, his tone filled with pride.

Chen Jinshan, however, said with a complicated expression, "Our poverty alleviation efforts do indeed need knowledgeable young people, but unfortunately, we are not attractive to those educated young people."

"Yes! Poverty alleviation work in Xihai Gu is too difficult."

Ma Defu, standing to the side, had a clear and firm gaze: "County Chief Chen, the biggest problems in Jintan Village are two—water and industry. Without water, nothing can be grown; without industry, young people can't be retained. Although Shuihua Group has done quite well in recent years, it is far from being able to completely change the problems of Xihai Gu."

Chen Jinshan nodded and took out a stack of documents from his briefcase: "I'm here today with a new solution. Have you heard of Juncao?"

Old Yang looked blank, but Ma Defu's eyes lit up: "Is it Professor Ling Yinong from Fujian who researched it? I saw it in the journal of the College of Agriculture! He has been promoting the cultivation of Juncao grass around Ningxia for the past two years."

"That's right!" Chen Jinshan slapped the table excitedly, splashing a few drops of tea from his enamel mug. "Professor Ling's Juncao (a type of grass) can not only prevent wind erosion and fix sand dunes, but also grow mushrooms! One acre can earn tens of thousands of yuan a year!"

Old Yang's hand trembled slightly: "How much? Tens of thousands?"

"That's still a conservative estimate," Chen Jinshan said in a low voice. "So I'm planning to invite Professor Ling to come and personally guide our village in growing mushrooms."

Ma Defu, standing to the side, frowned slightly: "But County Chief Chen, our village can't even guarantee irrigation water, how can we grow mushrooms? There's the problem with the pumping station."

“I was just about to say that,” Chen Jinshan turned to Lao Yang. “The county has approved the three-stage pumping station project, which will directly draw water from the Yellow River once completed. But before that…”

He paused, "We still need to use the temporary water station first, even though the water bill will be a bit higher."

"..." Old Yang and Ma Defu's expressions both turned very bad.

The office was silent.

Old Yang's lips trembled, but in the end he said nothing.

Ma Defu looked out the window at the cracked earth, his Adam's apple bobbing.

……

Three days later, at the experimental base of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University.

Ling Yinong squatted in the experimental field, carefully checking the growth of the Juncao grass.

At fifty-six years old, his hair was already gray, but his hand movements were still as precise as a surgeon's.

He recorded a set of data and nodded in satisfaction...

The nitrogen-fixing capacity of this batch of Juncao grass has increased by 12%.

"Professor Ling! Is Professor Ling here?" A loud voice came from afar.

Ling Yinong frowned, he hated being disturbed during experiments.

He slowly stood up and saw a middle-aged man in a suit running towards him, his leather shoes covered in mud.

"Chen Jinshan? Aren't you the deputy county head on temporary assignment in Xihai Gu?"

The panting man who arrived was none other than Chen Jinshan, who looked travel-worn. "Professor Ling, I've come here to ask for your help."

Ling Yinong gave a perfunctory handshake, his gaze already drifting back to the experimental field: "Oh? County Chief Chen, what can I do for you?"

"Here's the thing, our Minning Village in Xihai Gu would like to invite you to guide the villagers in growing mushrooms."

“Impossible.” Ling Yinong didn’t even look up. “The Juncao technology is still in the improvement stage. We need to observe it for at least another year.”

Chen Jinshan's smile froze: "Professor Ling, the villagers can't wait! Do you know how much they earn in a year? Less than eight hundred yuan! Their children need to go to school, and their elderly need to see a doctor!"

Ling Yinong finally raised his head, his eyes sharp: "County Chief Chen, science has its own laws. If we promote it now and it fails, the farmers will lose their hard-earned money!"

"But your paper clearly states..."

“Laboratory data and field practice are two different things!” Ling Yinong raised his voice. “Ningxia’s climate, soil, and water quality are completely different from Fujian’s, so we need to conduct adaptation tests!”

Chen Jinshan was sweating profusely: "Professor Ling, could you please go and take a look first? Consider it an inspection."

Ling Yinong sighed and pointed to a patch of mushroom grass not far away: "Look at this grass. It looks ordinary, but its root system can penetrate three meters underground, effectively preventing soil erosion. We are researching its use to produce feed and fertilizer; its value goes far beyond growing mushrooms."

"That's great!" Chen Jinshan seized the opportunity. "It'll solve our desertification problem perfectly!"

"I told you, it takes time!" Ling Yinong's patience ran out. "County Chief Chen, forgive my bluntness, but you officials only think about immediate political achievements and completely ignore scientific principles!"

Chen Jinshan's face flushed red: "Professor Ling, what you said is too hurtful! Yes, I want to achieve results, but I want to see ordinary people have meat to eat and children have access to education even more!"

He pointed outside the experimental field, "Do you know how far our children have to walk to school? Twenty li! Just because the village can't retain teachers!"

The two men stared at each other, their expressions tense and ready to fight.

Finally, Ling Yinong shook his head, turned and left: "Come back in ten days, and I'll show you the preliminary data."

Chen Jinshan stood still, his fists clenching and unclenching.

Suddenly, he shouted at Ling Yinong's back, "Professor Ling, I have informed all the villagers of Minning Village that you will be giving a lecture on mushroom cultivation in ten days!"

Ling Yinong turned around abruptly: "What did you say?"

"I've already bought your train ticket!" Chen Jinshan took out a train ticket and placed it on the edge of the field. "I'll come pick you up in ten days!"

After saying that, he turned and ran, afraid of being called back.

Ling Yinong was so angry that his beard was trembling: "Nonsense! Utter nonsense!"

He picked up the ticket, intending to tear it up, but then stopped.

In the distance, Chen Jinshan's figure had already disappeared on the dusty path.

……

Meanwhile, at the construction site of the pumping station in Jintan Village.

Ma Defu, wearing a safety helmet, is arguing with a technician from the Water Resources Bureau.

"Engineer Wang, this pump's head is simply not enough! Our village's altitude..."

"Comrade Ma, this is all the funding the county has approved." The technician wiped his sweat. "How about your village pools some money together to get a more powerful one?"

Ma Defu gave a wry smile.

If Jintan Village could raise the money, would it need to wait for the county to provide poverty alleviation assistance?

He looked at the dried-up canal and recalled the days when he was a child, he would go with his father to fetch water from dozens of miles away.

Back then, a bucket of water had to be used sparingly by the whole family for three days.

"Good news! Professor Ling will be here in ten days!" Chen Jinshan's voice came from behind.

Ma Defu turned around and saw that Chen Jinshan's suit was covered in dust, but his face was full of excitement.

"County Chief Chen, you really managed to get Professor Ling to come?"

"Of course!" Chen Jinshan patted his chest. "The whole village will have to come to the lecture; not a single one can be left out!"

Ma Defu hesitated for a moment: "But what about the pumping station?"

“I’ve already thought this through,” Chen Jinshan said in a low voice. “We’ll use a temporary water station first, and the county will subsidize half of the water fees. Once the third-level pumping station is completed, everything will be much easier.”

"The villagers themselves still have to pay 100 yuan per mu."

“Growing mushrooms can earn tens of thousands of yuan a year, what’s a hundred yuan?” Chen Jinshan said confidently. “Defu, you have to help me persuade the villagers. I know they’re all afraid of poverty and don’t dare to take risks, but this is really an opportunity!”

Looking at the enthusiasm in Chen Jinshan's eyes, Ma Defu recalled his original intention of giving up his job in the city and returning to his hometown.

He nodded: "Okay, I'll go and talk to each household."

As the sun set, the two people cast long shadows on the loess slope.

In the distance, several shepherd children watched them curiously as the flock of sheep struggled to graze on the dry grass.

Chen Jinshan suddenly said, "Defu, do you believe it? In just a few years, this place will become an oasis. Children will no longer have to walk dozens of miles to school, and every household will be able to eat meat and vegetables."

Ma Defu did not answer, but his gaze swept across the barren land as if he could already see that possible patch of green.

……

Seven days later, at the entrance of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University.

Ling Yinong stood beside the suitcase, his face grim.

Chen Jinshan jogged over, his face beaming with smiles: "Professor Ling, the car is ready!"

“County Chief Chen, I must reiterate that this is merely an inspection tour, and we do not promise any technology promotion,” Ling Yinong said solemnly.

"Of course, of course!" Chen Jinshan nodded repeatedly, taking the suitcase. "It would be our honor if you could come!"

The train travels through the vast North China Plain, and the scenery outside the window gradually changes from lush green to withered yellow.

Ling Yinong kept his head down reading the materials, occasionally jotting down a few notes.

Chen Jinshan tried to strike up a conversation several times, but was turned away by his cold attitude.

“Professor Ling, look over there,” Chen Jinshan suddenly pointed out the window, “that’s the typical landform of Ningxia.”

Ling Yinong looked up, and the scene before him stunned him...

The endless loess hills are crisscrossed with gullies like the wrinkles of an old man, with hardly a trace of green in sight.

In the distance, several farmers were driving donkeys to work on a steep slope, each step feeling like walking on a knife's edge.

"Nothing has changed here." Ling Yinong's voice was a little hoarse.

“It’s been like this since I took office,” Chen Jinshan said softly. “And the desertification is getting worse every year. Professor Ling, do you know why it’s called ‘Minning Village’? It’s all because of the relocated migrants from Xihai Gu.”

Ling Yinong remained silent for a long time, then suddenly took out a notebook from his briefcase and began to write quickly.

Chen Jinshan glanced at it and found it was filled with dense technical parameters and possible adjustment plans.

The train continued westward, and the scenery outside the window became increasingly desolate.

The scratching sound of Ling Yinong's pen on the paper became the only sound in the carriage.

As the setting sun dyed the Loess Plateau blood-red, the train finally arrived at the station.

At the exit, Ma Defu and several village officials had been waiting for a long time.

Upon seeing Ling Yinong, Ma Defu excitedly stepped forward to shake hands: "Professor Ling, I am Ma Defu, a graduate of the College of Agriculture. I have read all of your papers!"

Ling Yinong finally smiled: "Oh? So what do you think of the adaptability of Juncao in Ningxia?"

Ma Defu said earnestly, "Based on the data in your paper, it's theoretically entirely feasible if the irrigation problem can be solved. Our village has already prepared ten mu of experimental land, but it's for growing button mushrooms."

"Wait!" Ling Yinong glared at Chen Jinshan. "Didn't we agree it was just an inspection?"

Chen Jinshan pretended not to hear and called out loudly, "Everyone, quickly help Professor Ling with his luggage! The village has prepared a welcome feast!"

Ling Yinong was half-pushed and half-forced onto a tractor.

With the chugging of engines, the convoy headed towards Minning Village.

Amidst the swirling dust, Ling Yinong gazed at the faint outline of the village in the distance, his brow furrowed.

Unbeknownst to him, more than 300 villagers had already gathered in front of the Minning Village Committee.

Women held their children, the elderly leaned on their canes, and the young people whispered among themselves... Everyone was waiting to see the Fujian professor who was said to be able to help them "grow gold."

On the wall of the village committee, a brand-new banner fluttered in the wind: "Warmly welcome Professor Ling Yinong to visit and guide the cultivation of Juncao grass."

At the very back of the crowd, several children were drawing imaginary mushrooms in the sand with twigs. They were big, like little umbrellas, supporting all their hopes for the future.

……

In the early morning, the area in front of the Minning Village Committee was bustling with people.

More than 300 villagers gathered here early in the morning. Women held children, the elderly leaned on canes, and the young people whispered among themselves.

A brand-new banner hangs on the wall of the village committee: "On-site meeting for the promotion of Juncao technology".

Chen Jinshan kept checking his watch, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"Where is Professor Ling?" Ma Defu asked in a low voice.

Chen Jinshan wiped his sweat: "We clearly agreed on this last night."

He turned to the restless crowd, steeled himself, and walked onto the stage. "Folks, Professor Ling has something come up, so I'll talk to you about mushroom cultivation first."

There was an uproar in the audience.

"Wasn't he supposed to be a renowned professor from Fujian?"

"Could it be a scam?"

"Grow mushrooms? We're so dry here that even grass won't grow."

Chen Jinshan's voice was drowned out by the murmurs.

He looked to Ma Defu for help, who was about to go on stage to help explain when suddenly a commotion arose from the back of the crowd.

"They're here! The professor is here!"

Ling Yinong, wearing an old jacket covered in mud and carrying a handful of grass, strode over.

The villagers automatically made way for him, curiously observing the legendary professor...

He looked no different from the old farmers in the village, except for his sharp eyes which revealed the air of a scholar.

"Excuse me, everyone, I went to check on that wasteland at the east end of your village." Ling Yinong jumped onto the stage, holding up the grass in his hand. "Do you know what this is? This is the treasure that can change your destiny—Juncao!"

His voice was loud and powerful, instantly captivating the entire audience.

Chen Jinshan breathed a sigh of relief and quietly stepped aside.

Ling Yinong became increasingly excited as he explained the growth characteristics of Juncao (a type of grass) and its sand-fixing principles: "The roots of this grass can penetrate three meters underground, effectively preventing soil erosion. We are currently researching its use in producing feed and fertilizer."

Chen Jinshan was so anxious he kept rubbing his hands together. Finally, he couldn't help but interject, "Professor Ling, the villagers are more concerned about how to make money by growing mushrooms."

Ling Yinong frowned: "Without Juncao (a type of grass), where would the mushrooms come from?"

He turned to the villagers, "Button mushrooms need mushroom stalks and manure as a culture medium, so first you need to..."

"Build greenhouses!" Chen Jinshan interrupted again, "Professor Ling, let's get straight to the point about building greenhouses!"

Ma Defu noticed Ling Yinong's displeasure and quickly stepped in to smooth things over: "Fellow villagers, what Professor Ling means is that growing mushrooms is a systematic project. Just like we need land and water to grow wheat, we need mushroom cultivation materials and greenhouses to grow mushrooms."

"How much does a greenhouse cost?" someone shouted from the crowd.

Ling Yinong looked at Chen Jinshan, who answered with a forced smile, "About two thousand yuan."

"What? Two thousand?!" The room erupted in chaos.

The villagers started discussing it amongst themselves:

"Even if I sold my house, it wouldn't be worth two thousand!"

What if we grow them but can't sell them?

"Exactly, who knows if we can make money?"

Seeing the doubts on the faces of his fellow villagers, Ma Defu suddenly jumped onto the stage: "Jintan Village will take the lead! My family will build two greenhouses first!"

He turned to Ling Yinong and said, "Professor Ling, could we build a few demonstration projects first? Let the villagers see the real results before we talk about it?"

Ling Yinong nodded, a hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes.

Before he could speak, Chen Jinshan grabbed the microphone again: "Fellow villagers, the county will provide some subsidies."

“County Chief Chen,” Ling Yinong said suddenly, “technology promotion cannot rely on administrative orders. If the villagers do not believe in this technology, even the best policies will be useless.”

The room fell silent.

Chen Jinshan opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

After the lecture, Ling Yinong declined the village's hospitality, saying he wanted to visit a few more plots of land.

Chen Jinshan insisted on seeing him off, and the two walked silently along the country road.

“Professor Ling, I know you think I’m too eager for quick success,” Chen Jinshan finally spoke, “but the people here really can’t wait. Do you know how many bachelors there are in our village? One hundred and thirty-seven! Just because they’re poor, no girl is willing to marry into our village.”

Just as Ling Yinong was about to respond, a raggedly dressed woman suddenly emerged from behind the mud wall, timidly extending her hand: "Sir, could you please give me some vegetables? My husband has been sick for several years, and all I want is some greens."

Chen Jinshan quickly pulled out a few tomatoes from his briefcase...

That was lunch prepared for Ling Yinong.

The woman thanked her profusely and left, her back hunched over like a withered tree.

Ling Yinong stood there, silent for a long time.

On a distant mountain ridge, several shepherd children were digging something with sticks...

It's probably the roots of grass underground.

That evening, Ling Yinong knocked on Chen Jinshan's dormitory door, holding a stack of blueprints: "I have redesigned a simple greenhouse suitable for Ningxia, which can reduce the cost to 1,200 yuan. In addition, I have decided to stay for three months to personally guide the first batch of growers."

Chen Jinshan's eyes widened: "Really? That's great!"

“But I have conditions,” Ling Yinong said seriously. “We must follow the technical specifications completely and not engage in a Great Leap Forward for the sake of political achievements.”

Chen Jinshan nodded repeatedly, like a child who had received candy.

……

Meanwhile, in the workshop of Fujian Haiyue Garment Factory, the atmosphere was as heavy as if it were frozen.

"Northwest class, all of you, stop!" Director Yang's shrill voice pierced the roar of the sewing machines. "Having a good chat, huh? From today onwards, you'll all be in the warehouse sorting out the scrap!"

The Ningxia girls on the assembly line looked at each other in bewilderment.

Mai Miao stood up and explained, "Director Yang, we were just exchanging acupuncture techniques."

"Shut up!" Director Yang interrupted sharply. "You bunch of stupid and lazy people from the Northwest! If you don't want to work, go back home!"

Qiu Hong's eyes welled up with tears. Her sick mother and younger brother who was still in school were waiting for her to send money home.

The other girls also kept their heads down, looking like eggplants that had been hit by frost.

"Director Yang," Mai Miao suddenly raised her voice, "You can't insult people like that! We can accept punishment, but we can't accept slander!"

The workshop was deathly silent.

Everyone was stunned, including Director Yang himself.

Her face flushed red: "Fine, very good! Then let's have a speed test! Those who pass can stay, those who don't can get out!"

At the speed testing station, the girls took turns being tested.

Qiu Hong's hands trembled with nervousness, and her stitches were crooked; most of the others also performed poorly.

When it was Mai Miao's turn, she took a deep breath, her fingers flying across the fabric like butterflies...

She was the fastest of all, but still fifteen seconds slower than the factory standard.

"Hmph, with this level of skill, you dare to talk back?" Director Yang sneered. "All of you, to the warehouse!"

Mai Miao bit her lip, then suddenly turned and ran out of the workshop.

"Where are you going?!" Director Yang roared from behind.

"Let's find the factory manager to settle this!" Mai Miao shouted without turning her head.

"..."

In the factory manager's office, Mai Miao nervously twisted her fingers.

She hadn't expected to act so impulsively, but the thought of Qiu Hong and the others' desperate eyes made it impossible for her to back down.

"Young lady, do you know how many people want to come to me every day to complain?" The factory manager was a man in his fifties, his tone calm yet authoritative.

Mai Miao mustered her courage: "Factory Manager, we sisters in the Northwest class aren't lazy, we genuinely want to learn. Director Yang started by scolding us, and everyone's hands were shaking."

"Then why did you dare to come to me?" the factory manager suddenly asked.

“Because,” Mai Miao blurted out, recalling her father’s words, “we should be reasonable. We left our hometown to work here, not to be mistreated.”

The factory manager was silent for a moment, then picked up the phone: "Have Director Yang come over."

Ten minutes later, Director Yang walked out of the office with a grim face and announced that the Northwest Class would be given another chance, with Mai Miao leading the practice, and a re-evaluation in a week.

That night, the atmosphere in the dormitory was both excited and nervous.

Qiu Hong held Mai Miao's hand: "Mai Miao, what if we don't pass the test? I... I can't lose this job."

Just as Mai Miao was about to comfort her, her roommate suddenly shouted, "Mai Miao, your letter!"

The envelope bore familiar handwriting—it was from my father, Teacher Bai.

Mai Miao eagerly opened the letter, which contained the same simple and sincere advice as always:
"Miao'er, it's like seeing you in person as I read this. Fujian is humid, so remember to soak your feet in hot water before bed. Be tolerant in your interactions with others, but don't compromise on matters of principle. You've always been stubborn, and now that you're out in the world, you need to learn to reason with others even more."

The letter trembled slightly in Mai Miao's hands.

Her father, thousands of miles away, seemed to see right through her situation.

……

Meanwhile, the meeting room of the Ningxia Poverty Alleviation Office was brightly lit.

"Shuihua Group is willing to provide interest-free loans?" Chen Jinshan couldn't believe his ears. "And they even guarantee the acquisition?"

Suning nodded: "Li Shuihua said that her 'Northwest Style' and 'Lanzhou Ramen' chain restaurants need a large number of mushrooms every year. In addition, they can also supply 'Shaxian Snacks' in Fujian."

"That's wonderful!" Chen Jinshan exclaimed excitedly, slamming his hand on the table. "Now the villagers have no more worries!"

Ma Defu seemed thoughtful: "Director Su, why is Shuihua Group suddenly so supportive?"

Su Ning smiled and said, "Because she understands the concerns of farmers. Back then, her father forced her to marry with a donkey and a water cellar. Now that she has the means, she doesn't want to see others suffer in poverty anymore."

"..."

"In addition, the Water Flower Group will establish cold storage warehouses and cold chain logistics, and mushroom cultivation will definitely become another hot industry."

After the meeting, Suning stood alone by the window.

In the distance, the lights of Minning Village are faintly visible in the night.

He recalled what Li Shuihua had said on the phone that afternoon: "Su Ning, if you hadn't married me back then, my life might have been just as tragic."

Suning certainly has the ability to make Xihai Gu rich in a short period of time, but it is better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish. It is still necessary for the people of Xihai Gu to undergo changes and growth in their thinking.

Poverty alleviation is a complex project, not a one-off deal. It can only be achieved by gradually stimulating the initiative of the local people.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in Fujian, Mai Miao was hunched over the communal table in her dormitory, diligently writing back to her father.

Outside the window were unfamiliar neon lights, and her resolute face was reflected in the windowpane.

At the end of the letter, she wrote: "Father, I will follow your teachings, adhering to principles while also learning the methods. The sea here is vast, but my heart will always be connected to the loess soil of Xihai Gu."

The night breeze stirred the curtains, carrying the salty, fishy smell unique to the ocean.

Mai Miao softly hummed a folk song from her hometown, the song drifting out the window, intertwining with the roar of machines and the gentle sound of waves, playing a symphony of struggle belonging to this era.

...(End of chapter)