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The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Su Ning called Zhao Tianshan aside.

“Captain Zhao, I have to go back to the bureau today. There’s a ton of stuff to do there: grain allocation, tool procurement, funding applications—none of it can be done without my help,” Su Ning said bluntly. “I can’t stay on the dam forever.”

Zhao Tianshan nodded: "Understood, Director Su, please go with peace of mind. I'll take care of things at the dam."

“I’m just not at ease.” Su Ning stared at him. “We set the rules yesterday, but whether those rules can be upheld depends on you.”

Zhao Tianshan straightened his back: "I will strictly enforce the rules, you can rest assured."

“Execution alone is not enough.” Su Ning shook his head. “Captain Zhao, I know you come from a military background, you can endure hardship and fight desperately. But you have a problem: you are too sentimental and too easy to talk to. You’re almost without any bottom line. You can’t bring yourself to be ruthless towards those students, especially the female students.”

Zhao Tianshan tried to explain, but Su Ning raised her hand to stop him: "Let me finish. What kind of place is Saihanba? It's a battlefield. Here, being soft-hearted is a recipe for disaster. What would have happened last night if you hadn't fired in time? Four female students would have been eaten by wolves! How would you explain that? How would I explain it?"

Zhao Tianshan fell silent, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

"So I'm going to be frank with you today," Su Ning said in a low voice. "From today onwards, you need to adopt the same discipline you have when leading troops in the military. Scold them when you need to, punish them when you need to, and don't let them get away with it. Especially regarding safety and discipline, there can be no compromises. Anyone who violates these rules will be dealt with as a violation of military discipline—those who need to be locked up will be locked up, and those who need to be reported will be reported."

“I understand,” Zhao Tianshan said solemnly. “I will definitely manage it strictly from now on.”

“And then there’s Wu Yansheng.” Su Ning’s tone turned serious. “That kid has the biggest problem. You saw it yesterday: stirring up trouble, provoking conflict, shirking responsibility, and his mind is full of tricks. I dare say he’ll continue to cause trouble.”

Zhao Tianshan hesitated for a moment: "Director Su, Wu Yansheng is a bit impulsive, but he is a college student after all, and it's normal for him to be hot-blooded when he's young. I think with more education, he can be corrected."

“Education?” Su Ning sneered. “Captain Zhao, in all your years in the army, haven’t you ever seen someone who’s two-faced? Wu Yansheng’s problem isn’t youthful impetuosity; it’s character flaws. His fawning over Qin Xuemei, his ostracizing of Feng Cheng, and his defiance of superiors—none of that can be explained by youthful impetuosity.”

Zhao Tianshan still didn't quite agree: "Maybe...maybe he's just a little too eager to show off?"

"Strong desire to perform?" Su Ning stared at him. "Zhao Tianshan, did you ever encounter someone who was usually sweet-talking and good at getting things done, but would fail you when it really mattered?"

Zhao Tianshan's expression changed. He immediately remembered Xiao Liu from the company in the autumn of 1952.

She's usually very good at pleasing people, always eager to do the dirty and tiring work, and her words are as sweet as honey.

Later I found out that this guy was just a hoodlum, just trying to make a living.

"Director Su, what do you mean..." Zhao Tianshan's voice turned somber.

“What I mean is, Wu Yansheng isn’t just someone with a strong desire to show off,” Su Ning said bluntly. “He’s selfish, opportunistic, and using Saihanba as a stepping stone. I even suspect he didn’t come to Saihanba out of love for it, but simply to pursue Qin Xuemei. We can’t interfere with his personal feelings. But if someone like him stays on the dam, he’ll cause trouble sooner or later. I’ll find a way to transfer him away as soon as possible, but until I’ve sorted things out, you have to keep a close eye on him.”

Zhao Tianshan finally understood: "Yes! I will keep a close eye on him and make sure he doesn't disrupt the team."

“That’s right.” Su Ning patted him on the shoulder. “Remember, we can’t afford to lose in Saihanba. A sandstorm can bury all the saplings, and an accident can make years of hard work go to waste. So the team must be clean and the hearts must be united.”

"I remember."

After giving instructions to Zhao Tianshan, Su Ning began packing his things.

Actually, he didn't have much to pack, just a military green satchel containing his work log, pen, and a few documents.

Before leaving, he took a walk around the camp.

The veteran workers in the advance team were repairing their tools, and they all stood up to greet him when they saw him.

Suning responded to each question, and when he walked over to Zhang Fulin, he took a second look at him.

Zhang Fulin was sharpening a machete when he felt Su Ning's gaze. His hand trembled, and the blade almost cut his finger.

"Master Zhang, the knife is very sharp." Su Ning said.

"Ah...yes, Director Su." Zhang Fulin quickly stood up, wiping his hands on his trousers. "The tree branches on the dam are hard; the knife has to be sharp."

“Yes…a knife that isn’t sharp can’t cut down a tree.” Su Ning looked at him. “But you also have to be careful not to let the knife hurt your own people.”

Zhang Fulin's expression changed, and he forced a smile, saying, "How could that be? I've been sharpening knives for over ten years; I know how to use them."

"As long as you know your limits." Su Ning nodded, glanced at him again, and then turned to leave.

That one glance sent chills down Zhang Fulin's spine.

He stared at Su Ning's retreating figure, his palms sweating profusely.

"Old Zhang, what's wrong?" asked Old Wei, a worker standing nearby. "Your face is so pale."

"N-nothing...it's nothing." Zhang Fulin sat down and continued sharpening the knife, but his hands were trembling violently.

He has something to hide.

Three months ago, he and his accomplice Li Laosan robbed a small museum in Chengde.

Originally, Li Laosan only wanted to steal some things to exchange for money, but he didn't expect to accidentally kill the old administrator on duty.

Zhang Fulin was terrified and fled to Saihanba overnight. He used his connections to sneak into the advance team, hoping to lay low until things calmed down.

He's been living in constant fear these past few days, waking up at the slightest noise at night.

The way Su Ning looked at him just now clearly showed that she knew something...

"Impossible," Zhang Fulin reassured himself. "I've hidden myself so well, how could a deputy director of the forestry bureau possibly know?"

But Zhang Fulin was still afraid.

The sharpening motion became increasingly rapid, and the blade made a piercing sound as it struck the whetstone.

……

After leaving the camp, Su Ning walked for more than three miles and encountered a horse-drawn carriage belonging to villagers passing by on the dam.

"Hey fellow villager, I'm from the Weichang Forestry Bureau. Can I hitch a ride?"

"Sure! But I can only give you a ride part of the way; I'm not going to the county."

"Okay! We'll see where we end up."

Conditions in Saihanba are harsh, but some villagers still live there. Feng Cheng's uncle, Li Tieniu, lives on the dam.

Sitting in the villager's horse-drawn carriage, he opened his work log and recorded in detail what had happened from yesterday to today.

Regarding Wu Yansheng, Su Ning wrote: "Wu Yansheng has an improper ideology, a frivolous work style, likes to show off, and lacks a sense of collective responsibility. It is recommended to observe him for a period of time, and if there is no improvement, consider adjusting his position."

Regarding Zhang Fulin, he wrote rather cryptically: "Zhang Fulin, a worker in the advance team, appeared normal but seemed nervous, as if there was something going on. Further background information is needed."

Suning stopped writing at this point.

He did know a little about Zhang Fulin's affairs.

However, I don't want to expose it so quickly; I want to see how well Zhang Fulin can withstand pressure.

The sound of horses' hooves came from afar; it turned out to be a horse-drawn carriage from the Forestry Bureau.

Su Ning immediately got off the villager's carriage and transferred to a carriage from the Forestry Bureau.

The driver who was rushing to catch the bus was Mr. Liu, a long-time employee of the bureau. When he saw Su Ning, he quickly stopped the bus and said, "Director Su, are you going back to the bureau?"

"Yes, Mr. Liu, could you give me a ride?"

"Get in the car quickly, I'm going back to the station to pick up supplies too."

The horse-drawn carriage bumped along the dirt road.

Master Liu was a chatterbox, talking non-stop the whole way. "Director Su, the news about you setting up rules in Bashang yesterday has reached the bureau. Director Qu's expression wasn't very good when he heard about it."

"Oh? Why?" Su Ning asked.

“Think about it! You’re just a deputy director, and on your first day at the dam, you’re signing documents and setting rules. Director Qu, the director, is losing face.” Master Liu lowered his voice. “I heard that Director Qu said in private that you ‘overstepped your authority’ and ‘dated special privileges’.”

Su Ning laughed: "Let him say what he wants. The matter in Bashang is a matter of life and death; we can't be lax."

"That's right, that's right." Master Liu nodded repeatedly. "But Director Su, you also need to be careful with your approach. Director Qu isn't very magnanimous. If you're too forceful, he'll definitely be uncomfortable."

"I know what I'm doing," Su Ning said. "By the way, Master Liu, are you familiar with Zhang Fulin from the advance team?"

“Zhang Fulin?” Master Liu thought for a moment. “I don’t know him very well. He came three months ago, saying that there was a famine in his hometown and he came out to find work. He’s a very honest man and works hard, but he doesn’t talk much.”

Who recommended him?

“It seems to be…?” Master Liu scratched his head. “Let me think… Oh right, he’s a relative of Old Wang from the logistics department. Old Wang said Zhang Fulin is his distant cousin, and his family is having financial difficulties, so he asked me to arrange a job for him.”

"Old Wang from the logistics department?" Su Ning remembered the name.

"Yes! You know Old Wang, right? Wang Fugui, the one who manages the warehouse."

"I know him." Su Ning nodded. "Alright, I was just asking."

After the carriage had traveled a while, Master Liu couldn't help but ask, "Director Su, are those college students from the dam capable? I heard they all grew up in the city, with delicate skin and tender flesh. Can they endure the hardships of Saihanba?"

“They have to eat, whether they want to or not,” Su Ning said. “The country sent them here because they believe in their abilities. What we need to do is create conditions so that they can adapt as quickly as possible.”

"Sigh, that's true." Master Liu sighed. "I'm just worried that, like in previous years, they'll come and go, wasting national resources." "This time is different." Su Ning looked at the distant desert. "These students have a spark in their eyes. If they're guided properly, they can succeed."

"That's good, that's good." Master Liu cracked his whip. "Giddy up! Let's hurry and get to the bureau before noon so we can have a hot meal."

The carriage sped up, kicking up a trail of dust.

Su Ning leaned against the car floor, closed his eyes, and began to plan what he would have to deal with when he got back to the station:

First, the food issue.

The group consisted of eight students plus the advance team, making a total of thirteen people.

Each person receives 28 catties of grain per month, of which only 30% is refined grain.

This quantity is simply not enough for the high-intensity labor on the dam.

We need to find a way to get additional subsidies.

Second, the issue of tools.

Zhao Tianshan reported that the existing shovels and picks were of poor quality, and the blades would chip and the handles would break after only a few days of use.

We need to contact the county agricultural machinery factory to order a batch of durable tools.

Third, the issue of funding.

Building a forest farm requires money, buying saplings requires money, and repairing roads and building houses all require money.

Weichang County is poor, and the Forestry Bureau is even poorer, so they have to go to Chengde or even the province to run for projects.

Fourth, personnel issues.

Wu Yansheng is to be transferred, Zhang Fulin needs to be investigated, and we need to find a few more reliable and hardworking people to fill the gaps in the dam area.

fifth……

One thing after another came crashing down on us like a mountain.

But Suning doesn't feel tired.

In the world of "Ordinary Glory," he dealt with problems ten or even a hundred times more complex than this.

The ups and downs of the business world, the power struggles and intrigues—which of these isn't more difficult than planting a tree?
Strangely enough, those investment decisions involving hundreds of millions of dollars didn't seem as meaningful to him as these "small things" right now.

Perhaps it's because everything he does here can genuinely change a piece of land and a group of people.

The carriage jolted, and Su Ning opened her eyes.

In the distance, the outline of Weichang County can already be vaguely seen.

Low houses, smoking chimneys, and pedestrians walking on the dirt road.

This is a small northern town in 1962.

It was poor and backward, but full of vitality.

What Suning needs to do is to preserve the vitality and cultivate the hope for this land.

"Master Liu, go straight to the bureau," Su Ning said.

"okay!"

The horse-drawn carriage drove into the county town and turned into the forestry bureau compound.

Suning jumped out of the car, dusted himself off, and strode toward the office building.

The story of Saihanba continues, and his battle has moved from the dam area to here.

Food, tools, funds, personnel...

Every battle is no easier than fighting against the sandstorm.

But he was ready.

For the green hope in that desert, for the youthful dreams of those young people.

……

After Suning left Saihanba, the atmosphere in the camp visibly relaxed.

Wu Yansheng was the first to throw the shovel on the ground and let out a long sigh: "My God! Finally, they're gone."

"Keep your voice down," Qin Xuemei glared at him. "If Captain Zhao hears you, he'll scold you again."

"So what if I heard it?" Wu Yansheng waved his hand dismissively. "When Deputy Director Su was around, I really didn't dare to speak. Didn't you guys feel it? Just his presence and a glance from him sent chills down my spine."

Sui Zhichao leaned closer: "Yansheng, you've hit the nail on the head. Deputy Director Su's aura is so strong. Yesterday at the meeting, when he asked me to sign something, my hands were shaking."

“That’s right.” Da Kui joined the discussion. “I’ve never seen such a strict leader in my life. He’s a man of his word, and he never jokes. Yesterday I talked back to him, and the look he gave me, tsk tsk, was like he wanted to kill me.”

Several female students also gathered around.

Shen Mengyin was still shaken: "I'm still scared when I think about what happened last night. But I was even more scared when Deputy Director Su scolded me. Do you think he'll really record our behavior in our files?"

“He definitely wrote it down,” Wu Yansheng said with certainty. “Didn’t you see his notebook? It’s a thick one, filled with dense writing. He wrote down every word we said yesterday. When he signed it, I specifically looked at it, and he even wrote down the exact words I said when I interrupted, ‘You don’t understand technology.’”

"What should we do then?" Shen Mengyin asked anxiously. "If it's recorded in our files, won't it affect our job assignments and performance evaluations in the future?"

"So you're scared now?" Qin Xuemei looked at her. "If you're scared, then work hard and don't break the rules. Deputy Director Su may be strict, but he's right. If Captain Zhao hadn't arrived in time last night, the four of us..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but everyone understood what she meant.

Meng Yue whispered, "Actually, I think Deputy Director Su is doing this for our own good. The conditions in Bashang are so poor; if we don't establish rules, something really bad will happen."

“I think so too,” Ji Xiurong chimed in. “Although he’s fierce, he’s telling the truth. Look at Feng Cheng, he’s been in Bashang for three years, he has much more experience than us. It’s really inappropriate for us to come here and try to uproot his seedlings.”

Mentioning Feng Cheng, Wu Yansheng got excited again: "Feng Cheng is just messing around. He can't even grow a few trees in three years. We are professionally trained and plant trees using scientific methods. We are definitely better than him."

"Say less," Qin Xuemei frowned. "Haven't you learned your lesson from yesterday? If you hadn't stirred things up, would I have acted so impulsively?"

Wu Yansheng was speechless after being rebuked and awkwardly shut his mouth.

Yan Xiangli, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up: "Why do you think Deputy Director Su became a deputy director at such a young age? Judging from his appearance, he's only in his early thirties, right?"

“I know that,” Sui Zhichao said in a low voice. “I was chatting with Lao Wei from the advance team yesterday, and he told me about it.”

"Tell us!" Everyone was intrigued.

Sui Zhichao looked around to make sure Zhao Tianshan wasn't there before saying mysteriously, "Deputy Director Su is no ordinary person. He's a regimental commander in the Volunteer Army, fought in Korea, and made meritorious contributions."

"A regimental commander?" Wu Yansheng exclaimed in surprise, "So young and already a regimental commander?"

“They earned their positions through fighting,” Sui Zhichao said. “Old Liu said that Deputy Director Su entered Korea in 1951 and rose from a soldier to a regimental commander. You know about the Battle of Shangganling, right? His regiment held out for seventeen days and repelled dozens of American attacks. He himself was wounded three times, but he refused to leave the front line despite his minor injuries.”

The students were stunned.

They had read about the Battle of Shangganling in the newspapers and knew it was one of the most brutal battles of the Korean War.

Those who could serve as regimental commanders in such battles and survive were true combat heroes.

"Then...then why did he come to the Forestry Bureau?" Qin Xuemei asked. "Such a combat hero should have stayed in the army after returning home, or worked in the province or ministry."

“That’s the key point.” Sui Zhichao’s voice was even lower. “Old Wei said that after Deputy Director Su returned to China, he was originally supposed to stay in Beijing, and his position had already been arranged. But he insisted on going to the grassroots level, and specifically to the most difficult place. The organization couldn’t persuade him otherwise, so they sent him to Saihanba.”

"You asked for it yourself?" Da Kui didn't understand. "Why? Beijing is so much better, why come to this poor place to suffer?"

“I don’t know about that.” Sui Zhichao shook his head. “Old Wei said that Deputy Director Su’s thinking is different from ordinary people. He doesn’t care about comfort; he just wants to go where he is needed most.”

The students fell silent.

After a long while, Wu Yansheng muttered, "No wonder he has such a strong aura; he must have been forged on the battlefield."

"So let's be more honest from now on," Sui Zhichao concluded. "Trying to outsmart a leader like that is just asking for trouble. He's seen real battles and he can see right through our little schemes."

“You’re right,” Qin Xuemei nodded. “I think that although Deputy Director Su is strict, he’s a man of action. When he asked us to sign and establish rules, it wasn’t to deliberately make things difficult for us, but to teach us to take responsibility. Now that we’ve come to Saihanba, we have to show our true abilities, not just talk the talk.”

“I think so too,” Meng Yue said. “We’re here to plant trees, not to just coast along. Deputy Director Su’s strict requirements are a good thing for us. A strict teacher produces outstanding students.”

Shen Mengyin was still a little worried: "But... won't he have a bad impression of us? We broke the rules yesterday..."

"That depends on how we perform in the future," Qin Xuemei said. "As long as we work hard, follow the rules, and make the trees survive, he will definitely change his mind."

...(End of chapter)