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A few days later, the Weichang Forestry Bureau quietly launched an investigation into Zhang Fulin.

The head of the security department sent two officers, one to Zhang Fulin's hometown and the other to Chengde for a visit.

None of this alerted the people on the dam, and life in the camp continued as usual.

At lunchtime that day, Zhao Tianshan stood up with his rice bowl in hand and tapped the table: "Comrades, I have good news. The Forestry Bureau has allocated us 10,000 saplings, which will be transported to the dam area the day after tomorrow!"

The cafeteria immediately became lively.

"Ten thousand!" Sui Zhichao rubbed his hands excitedly. "Now we can get some real work done!"

"What kind of tree is it?" Qin Xuemei asked.

"It's mainly larch and Scots pine, and some poplar saplings," Zhao Tianshan said. "Deputy Director Su worked hard to get them from within the bureau."

Wu Yansheng's eyes lit up: "Captain Zhao, I applied for these saplings with the bureau! I wrote three reports detailing what tree species and quantities were needed in the dam area. It seems the bureau adopted my suggestion!"

"You applied for it?" Zhao Tianshan was a little surprised.

“Of course!” Wu Yansheng puffed out his chest. “I’m a forestry professional, so I know best what kind of seedlings are needed. My report was full of detailed data and well-supported arguments, and the bureau approved it immediately.”

Zhao Tianshan nodded: "That's good. Since the saplings are arriving soon, we need to make arrangements in advance. I plan to divide everyone into several groups..."

"Captain Zhao, wait a moment." Wu Yansheng suddenly interrupted him.

Everyone looked at Wu Yansheng.

Wu Yansheng stood up and cleared his throat: "Captain Zhao, I think the matter of grouping should be decided by me. After all, I'm the only one here who graduated with a degree in forestry. I applied for these saplings, so I know best how to use them."

Zhao Tianshan was taken aback for a moment: "Comrade Wu Yansheng, group assignments are a management issue, and they don't have much to do with professional skills, do they?"

“How can it not matter?” Wu Yansheng said confidently. “Different plots of land are suitable for planting different trees. Which group goes to which plot, what kind of trees to plant, and how many to plant are all technical issues. Captain Zhao, you are a former soldier and good at management, but when it comes to technical matters, you still have to listen to us professionals.”

These words left Zhao Tianshan speechless for a moment. He truly didn't understand technology and had a natural reverence for intellectuals.

After Wu Yansheng said that, Zhao Tianshan didn't know how to refute him.

Watching from the side, Feng Cheng couldn't help but speak up: "Comrade Wu Yansheng, technical issues can be discussed, but shouldn't Captain Zhao be in charge of the management arrangements?"

“Feng Cheng, what do you know?” Wu Yansheng glanced at him. “You’ve been planting trees for three years, how many have survived? With your old-fashioned methods, no matter how many seedlings you have, they won’t be enough to waste. This time we have to use scientific methods. I’m a professional, and I’m in charge.”

Qin Xuemei frowned: "Wu Yansheng, you can't say that. Comrade Feng Cheng has three years of practical experience, and his opinion is very important."

"Experience?" Wu Yansheng laughed. "Experience from failure? Qin Xuemei, we are scientists, we should trust data and theories. Feng Cheng's approach is outdated."

Zhao Tianshan's expression wasn't very good, but he still tried to be as amiable as possible and said, "Comrade Wu Yansheng, then tell me, how should we divide them into groups?"

Wu Yansheng walked to the front of the canteen and spoke like a leader: "Here's what I'm thinking. There are eight of us, so we'll divide into four groups. Qin Xuemei and I will be in one group; we're the most professional and will be responsible for the most important plot of land. Sui Zhichao and Meng Yue will be in another group, Na Da Kui and Ji Xiurong will be in another group, and Yan Xiangli and Shen Mengyin will be in yet another group. Captain Zhao and the comrades from the advance team will be responsible for transportation and logistics."

This grouping is clearly problematic. Wu Yansheng grouped himself with Qin Xuemei and also put the strongest people in his group.

Sui Zhichao couldn't help but say, "Wu Yansheng, isn't this grouping unreasonable? You and Qin Xuemei are the strongest, you should be separated and each lead a group! Besides, Ji Xiurong and Na Da Kui are both vocational school graduates, how can they manage without us leading them?"

“What do you know?” Wu Yansheng glared at him. “The core plots are the most important and must be managed by the strongest people. That’s called the rational allocation of resources.”

Feng Cheng hesitated for a moment before speaking up: "Comrade Wu Yansheng, I would also like to apply for some saplings. I've been in Bashang for three years and am familiar with the terrain, so I know which places are suitable for planting trees. Could you give me a thousand saplings? I'll try planting a patch of them myself."

"You?" Wu Yansheng looked Feng Cheng up and down and laughed. "Feng Cheng, it's not that I'm not giving you face. But your method really won't work. Giving you saplings would be a waste. How about this, considering your three years of perseverance, I'll give you fifty saplings. You can plant them wherever you want. Consider it practice."

"Fifty?" Feng Cheng was stunned. "This...this is too few. At least five hundred, right?"

"Five hundred?" Wu Yansheng shook his head. "Feng Cheng, do you know how precious these saplings are? The bureau only allocated ten thousand, and it's not enough for the eight of us. Giving you fifty is already a favor. If you don't want them, then forget it."

That was such a harsh remark that everyone in the cafeteria frowned.

Perhaps it was Suning's reminder and the establishment of rules that made people stop blindly following and instead began to dislike Wu Yansheng.

After all, talking too much nonsense and empty talk only makes people dislike you...

Zhao Tianshan couldn't stand it any longer and stood up: "Wu Yansheng, you've gone too far! Comrade Feng Cheng has worked in Bashang for three years; even if he hasn't made any great contributions, he has certainly put in a lot of effort. He wants a thousand, and you only give him fifty? Is that reasonable?"

“Captain Zhao, I’m doing this to be responsible for the saplings.” Wu Yansheng said confidently, “Saplings are national property and cannot be wasted. Feng Cheng’s old-fashioned methods won’t make the trees grow; giving him more is pointless.”

"You..." Zhao Tianshan's temper flared up, and he wanted to curse.

Feng Cheng quickly stopped him: "Captain Zhao, don't argue, don't argue. Fifty is fine, I accept."

"Feng Cheng!" Zhao Tianshan exclaimed anxiously, "What are you afraid of him for? The saplings were allocated to Saihanba by the bureau, not for Wu Yansheng personally! How they are allocated is up to me, the team leader, and it's not his place to interfere!"

Wu Yansheng chimed in, "Captain Zhao, you're wrong. I applied for the saplings. I'm a forestry professional, so I get to decide how to use them. If you think my arrangements are wrong, you can go to the bureau to complain. But here in Bashang, technical matters are my responsibility."

The two were in a stalemate.

Qin Xuemei couldn't stand it anymore: "Wu Yansheng, don't go too far. Comrade Feng Cheng wants saplings to plant trees, not for personal gain. What can you do with fifty saplings?"

"Qin Xuemei, why are you taking his side too?" Wu Yansheng said, displeased. "We're classmates, you should be supporting me."

"I always judge by the issue, not the person," Qin Xuemei said bluntly. "What you did today was wrong."

The other students also started whispering among themselves.

"Wu Yansheng really went too far."

"Fifty saplings are too few."

“Feng Cheng is a veteran comrade, after all. We don’t give him any face at all.”

Hearing the discussion, Wu Yansheng felt embarrassed, but he still stubbornly insisted, "I'm just sticking to my principles! To maximize the benefits of the saplings, we can't let personal feelings interfere!"

Zhao Tianshan was furious. He slammed his fist on the table and yelled, "Wu Yansheng! Listen to me! This is Saihanba, not your home! The saplings belong to the state, and the allocation is in my hands as the brigade leader! It's not your place to tell people what to do!"

This slam of the table startled Wu Yansheng.

Zhao Tianshan, being a former soldier, had a very imposing presence when he got angry.

Wu Yansheng wanted to argue, but seeing Zhao Tianshan's ashen face, he swallowed his words. Zhao Tianshan scanned the room and said, word by word, "I am now announcing the group assignments and sapling distribution plan. We will be divided into four groups: Qin Xuemei and Na Da Kui in one group, Yan Xiangli and Ji Xiurong in one group, Sui Zhichao and Shen Mengyin in one group, and Meng Yue and I in one group."

He deliberately didn't put Wu Yansheng and Qin Xuemei together.

Wu Yansheng became anxious: "Captain Zhao, what about me?"

"You?" Zhao Tianshan looked at him. "Since Comrade Wu Yansheng is so professional, let him be in charge of a plot of land by himself. Here are 1,500 saplings for you. Let's see just how powerful your 'scientific methods' really are."

"A single team?" Wu Yansheng was stunned. "Then...then I need help too."

"What kind of help do you need?" Zhao Tianshan asked. "Didn't you say you were the strongest? Does the strongest person need help?"

Wu Yansheng was speechless.

Zhao Tianshan continued, "Comrade Feng Cheng, here are five hundred saplings for you. You've been in the dam area for three years and have plenty of experience. You'll be in charge of a plot of land on your own. How you plant them is up to you; I won't interfere."

"Five hundred?" Feng Cheng was both surprised and delighted. "Thank you, Captain Zhao!"

"No need to thank me," Zhao Tianshan said. "This is what you deserve. The remaining saplings will be divided equally among the other groups."

This allocation is fair and reasonable, and everyone nodded in agreement.

Wu Yansheng protested: "Captain Zhao, this is not fair! I'm a forestry professional, I should get more saplings! Why should Feng Cheng get five hundred saplings with his old-fashioned methods?"

"Just because he held his post on the dam for three years!" Zhao Tianshan raised his voice. "Just because he endured so much hardship and shed so much sweat! Wu Yansheng, let me tell you, in Saihanba, experience is more important than theory! Feng Cheng's practical methods were figured out here, and they are more effective than your set of book theories!"

Wu Yan was so angry that his face turned red and his neck bulged, but he didn't dare to confront Zhao Tianshan directly.

Zhao Tianshan concluded by saying, "There's one more thing. Before Deputy Director Su left, he instructed that from now on, all afforestation work must be recorded. Who is responsible for which area, how many saplings were received, and what they did each day must all be recorded. Major decisions must be discussed in meetings, and everyone's remarks must be recorded and signed for confirmation."

He looked at Wu Yansheng: "So, nobody should try to cause trouble. What was done and what was said is all in black and white, crystal clear. If any problems arise, we will hold people accountable according to the records."

These words were clearly meant for Wu Yansheng's ears.

Wu Yansheng's face turned pale and then red, and finally he lowered his head and remained silent.

After the meeting, Feng Cheng found Zhao Tianshan and said, "Captain Zhao, thank you for today. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have even gotten fifty saplings."

"No need to thank me." Zhao Tianshan patted him on the shoulder. "You've been wronged. That kid Wu Yansheng is outrageous."

“He also wanted to do a good job, but his methods were wrong.” Feng Cheng was quite magnanimous.

"Tch! He wants to do a good job?" Zhao Tianshan shook his head. "I think he just wants to show off and outshine you. Feng Cheng, don't worry, with me here, he won't be able to bully you."

"Captain Zhao, let's prioritize harmony," Feng Cheng said. "Our goal is to keep the trees alive, not to start internal strife."

“You’re right,” Zhao Tianshan sighed. “But some people will take advantage of you if you don’t teach them a lesson. Deputy Director Su is right; you can’t be too polite to people like Wu Yansheng.”

Upon hearing the mention of Deputy Director Su, Feng Cheng asked with a hint of doubt, "When will Deputy Director Su come again?"

"I don't know," Zhao Tianshan said. "There's a lot going on at the bureau, he won't be here for a while. But I'll definitely do what he asked me to do. The record-keeping system must be strictly enforced, Wu Yansheng needs to be closely monitored, and Zhang Fulin..."

After a pause, Zhao Tianshan didn't continue.

The investigation into Zhang Fulin was conducted in secret and cannot be disclosed.

"What happened to Zhang Fulin?" Feng Cheng asked.

"It's nothing," Zhao Tianshan changed the subject. "Get ready, we'll start planting as soon as the saplings arrive. Now that we have saplings, we have to make sure they turn out well."

"Definitely!" Feng Cheng nodded emphatically.

After the two parted ways, Feng Cheng returned to his room.

He took out a small notebook and began to plan how to use the five hundred saplings.

Meanwhile, Wu Yansheng was sulking in his room.

Sui Zhichao came in and advised him, "Yansheng, you really went a bit too far today. Feng Cheng is a veteran comrade after all, and everyone will have opinions about how you treated him."

"Am I wrong?" Wu Yansheng retorted. "I applied for the saplings. I'm a professional. I demanded that the trees be planted using scientific methods. Where did I go wrong?"

“You’re not wrong, but your method is wrong,” Sui Zhichao said. “If you want to promote scientific methods, you can explain it properly and demonstrate it to everyone. Instead of using a coercive approach, people will only resent it.”

“It’s their business if they’re disgusted,” Wu Yansheng sneered. “Once my trees are all alive and theirs are all dead, we’ll know who’s right and who’s wrong.”

"You..." Sui Zhichao said helplessly, "If you think like this, how are we going to cooperate with everyone in the future?"

"I don't need cooperation," Wu Yansheng said confidently. "I can grow these trees all by myself. Just you wait and see, my survival rate will definitely be the highest this time."

Sui Zhichao shook his head and left.

Wu Yansheng sat alone in the room, getting angrier the more he thought about it.

I took out paper and pen and started writing the report...

He wanted to report to the bureau that Zhao Tianshan was acting arbitrarily and suppressing professional talents.

What Wu Yansheng didn't expect was that Zhao Tianshan had meticulously recorded all of his actions that day.

Another page has been added to that blue work log:
"On April 22, a dispute arose over the allocation of saplings. Wu Yansheng attempted to monopolize the allocation rights and humiliated Feng Cheng, which aroused public anger. The brigade leader, Zhao Tianshan, redistributed the saplings, which Wu Yansheng was dissatisfied with. Comrade Wu Yansheng showed a strong tendency towards individualism and exclusivity, which was not conducive to team unity."

These records will eventually be delivered to Suning.

Suning, who already disliked Wu Yansheng, would naturally seize the opportunity to get rid of this troublemaker.

Perhaps it was to highlight everyone's selfless dedication that the cloying character of Wu Yansheng was created.

The saplings are arriving soon; the first test is about to begin.

...(End of chapter)