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In order to understand the terrain and soil conditions of Saihanba, Zhao Tianshan and the college students decided to go out on patrol in groups.

Zhao Tianshan divided the technical personnel into two groups:

Group 1: Feng Cheng, Sui Zhichao, Meng Yue, and Shen Mengyin, responsible for the eastern area.

The second group, consisting of Qin Xuemei, Yan Xiangli, Ji Xiurong, and Na Da Kui, is responsible for the western area.

Zhao Tianshan and the advance team stayed at the camp to prepare for the rendezvous.

"Listen up, everyone." Zhao Tianshan instructed the team, "Each group should bring a compass, map, and sampling bags. The main task is to survey the terrain, record the soil type, and collect soil samples. You must be back before sunset, no delays allowed."

"Understood!" everyone responded in unison.

The two groups set off separately.

In the group on the east side, Feng Cheng is at the head.

He traveled all over Saihanba in three years and knew the terrain best.

Sui Zhichao followed behind, talking incessantly, "Feng Cheng, how far are we going today?"

"It depends."

"Meng Yue, are you thirsty? I have some water here."

"Not thirsty."

"Shen Mengyin, are you tired? If you are, I'll carry your bag for you."

"Need not."

Sui Zhichao is a chatterbox; he can talk to himself even when no one is paying attention to him.

Shen Mengyin was extremely annoyed and whispered to Meng Yue, "Why does this Tianjin chatterbox talk so much?"

Meng Yue smiled, "He's just warm-hearted and doesn't have any bad intentions."

"Hmph! In Shanghai, someone like him would be considered a hoodlum."

"hooligan?"

"He's a scoundrel."

"Hehe, Mengyin, I think he really likes you."

"Don't talk nonsense."

After walking for about two hours, we arrived at a sand dune area.

The sand here is so fine that you can sink up to half your leg when you step in.

"Everyone be careful, the sand here is soft," Feng Cheng warned.

As soon as she finished speaking, Meng Yue cried out "Ouch!" and slipped, falling to the ground.

"What's wrong?" Feng Cheng quickly turned around.

Meng Yue's face turned pale with pain. "I...I twisted my ankle."

Feng Cheng squatted down to examine Meng Yue's ankle, which was already swollen.

"We have to go back quickly," Feng Cheng said. "We can't leave now."

"Then what about the exploration?" Meng Yue asked anxiously.

"I'll take you back first," Feng Cheng said decisively. "The survey can be postponed."

Then he turned to Sui Zhichao and said, "Zhichao, you take care of Shen Mengyin and continue the reconnaissance mission. I'll carry Mengyue back to camp."

"Are you sure you can manage alone?" Sui Zhichao asked worriedly. "Why don't we go back together?"

"No need," Feng Cheng shook his head. "Your mission is the priority. I can manage."

He crouched down. "Meng Yue, come up here."

Meng Yue hesitated for a moment, but still climbed onto Feng Cheng's back.

Feng Cheng carried Meng Yue on his back and said to Sui Zhichao, "Be careful, we must be back before sunset."

"Don't worry," Sui Zhichao nodded.

Feng Cheng carried Meng Yue on his back, walking back with uneven steps.

The sandy ground was difficult to walk on, so he took each step very carefully, afraid of making Meng Yue fall.

Meng Yue lay on Feng Cheng's back, her heart filled with complicated emotions.

Feng Cheng is a man of few words, like a wild man, who spends all his time in the nursery.

But he is reliable when it matters.

"Feng Cheng, thank you," Meng Yue said softly.

"Don't mention it," Feng Cheng said, panting. "It's nothing."

"Am I...am I very heavy?"

“It’s not heavy,” Feng Cheng said. “You’re too thin; you should eat more.”

These words warmed Meng Yue's heart. She suddenly realized that although Feng Cheng was not talkative, he was a very honest person.

Meanwhile, Sui Zhichao and Shen Mengyin continued their investigation.

Sui Zhichao kept talking the whole way, “Mengyin, look at this sandy land, the particles are so fine, it must have poor water retention.”

"Mengyin, are you hot? I have a handkerchief here, you can wipe your sweat."

"Mengyin, are you hungry? I brought some dry food."

Shen Mengyin was incredibly annoyed. "Sui Zhichao, can you please be quiet? My ears are about to fall off."

"I'm just worried about you," Sui Zhichao said, feeling wronged. "Look at this desert, it's just the two of us. If I don't talk to you, who else can I talk to?"

"Then talk less," Shen Mengyin glared at him, "and focus on the investigation."

"Okay, okay, I'll say less." Sui Zhichao agreed verbally, but started again less than two minutes later, "Mengyin, do you think the trees we planted will survive? Engineer Li said the survival rate is no more than two percent, which is discouraging."

Shen Mengyin ignored him and squatted down to take a soil sample.

Sui Zhichao also squatted down and leaned closer, saying, "Mengyin, your soil sample-taking technique is really professional; you're clearly a trained professional."

Shen Mengyin finally couldn't hold back any longer, "Sui Zhichao! If you keep nagging, I'm going back by myself!"

"No, no, no, I won't say anymore, I won't say anymore." Sui Zhichao quickly shut up.

The two of them, one talking nonstop and the other getting incredibly annoyed, completed their exploration mission.

……

The situation in the western group is not going well either.

Qin Xuemei led the team; she was meticulous in her work and conducted a thorough investigation.

Ji Xiurong and Na Da Kui were very cooperative, taking samples and recording data as instructed.

Only Yan Xiangli walked slower and slower, and finally simply sat down.

"Yan Xiangli, what's wrong?" Qin Xuemei asked.

"I can't walk anymore," Yan Xiangli said. "This sandy ground is too difficult to walk on; I sink with every step. My legs are aching."

"Let's persevere a little longer," Qin Xuemei said. "There's still another piece of land ahead that needs to be surveyed."

"I'm not leaving." Yan Xiangli shook his head. "You can go investigate; I'll wait for you here."

Ji Xiurong advised him, "Xiangli, we're in a group, we need to work together. It's not safe for you to be here alone."

"What's unsafe about it?" Yan Xiangli said dismissively. "What kind of wolves could there be in broad daylight?"

Da Kui also said, "Yan Xiangli, this isn't right. Everyone else is insisting, but you're not?"

"I just can't do it, so what?" Yan Xiangli was a little annoyed. "I came here to plant trees, not to suffer. This survey can be done by whoever wants to, I'm not doing it."

Qin Xuemei frowned. "Yan Xiangli, this is disorganized and undisciplined. This is a collective expedition; how can you just quit like that?"

"I'll just stay here like this." Yan Xiangli simply lay down. "You guys go quickly, I'll sleep here."

Ji Xiurong wanted to persuade him further, but Qin Xuemei stopped her, saying, "Forget it, if he doesn't want to go, he doesn't want to go. The three of us will go."

She looked at the sky. "But we need to hurry. Judging from the sky, a sandstorm might be brewing."

The three continued onward, and Yan Xiangli actually lay down on the sand and fell asleep.

When Qin Xuemei and the others returned after their investigation, Yan Xiangli was still lying there.

"Get up, it's time to go back," Qin Xuemei called to him.

Yan Xiangli then lazily got up.

At this moment, the wind began to pick up on the horizon, blowing sand up and reducing visibility.

"Oh no, a sandstorm is coming!" Qin Xuemei's expression changed. "Let's go!"

The four quickened their pace and hurried back.

The wind was getting stronger, and the sand stung my face.

Ji Xiurong and Yan Xiangli supported each other, with Qin Xuemei leading the way, while Da Kui followed at the back, furious.

Fortunately, they were not far from the camp, and they returned to the camp before the sandstorm fully intensified.

……

On the east side, Feng Cheng carried Meng Yue on his back for more than two hours before finally seeing the outline of the camp.

"We're almost there," Feng Cheng said, panting heavily.

Meng Yue felt very guilty. "Feng Cheng, put me down and let me rest for a while. You've carried me all the way, you must be tired."

"No need," Feng Cheng said. "We'll be there soon, hang in there."

He was indeed exhausted, covered in sweat, and his clothes were soaked through.

But he gritted his teeth and kept walking forward step by step, without saying he wanted to rest.

Meng Yue was deeply moved when she saw the beads of sweat on the back of his neck.

I discovered Feng Cheng's goodness quietly and genuinely; he doesn't say anything fancy, but his actions are always very practical.

The two finally returned to the camp.

When Zhao Tianshan saw them, he quickly went to greet them.

"what happened?"

"Meng Yue twisted her ankle." Feng Cheng put Meng Yue down and then plopped down on the ground, exhausted.

Zhao Tianshan examined Meng Yue's ankle; it was already very swollen.

"We need to deal with this quickly," Zhao Tianshan said. "Feng Cheng, go get a basin of cold water and apply it to Meng Yue as a cold compress. I'll go get the medicine."

Feng Cheng struggled to his feet and went to fetch water.

Meng Yue felt a warm feeling in her heart as she watched his retreating figure.

After a while, Sui Zhichao and Shen Mengyin also returned.

They completed the survey before the sandstorm and brought back a bunch of soil samples and records.

As soon as Sui Zhichao returned, he asked, "How is Meng Yue? Does her foot still hurt?"

"I'm much better," Meng Yue said. "Thank you for your concern."

"Of course, of course." Sui Zhichao started talking again, "You too, why aren't you more careful when you walk? This sandy ground is slippery to begin with..."

Shen Mengyin interrupted him, "Say less! Let people have some peace and quiet."

Sui Zhichao then obediently shut up.

The group from the west has also returned.

Qin Xuemei reported the findings to Zhao Tianshan, mentioning that Yan Xiangli refused to leave.

Zhao Tianshan's expression darkened upon hearing this. "Yan Xiangli, what kind of attitude is this? It's a group activity, and you're the only one who falls behind. Is that acceptable?"

Yan Xiangli lowered his head and remained silent.

"I'll let it go this time," Zhao Tianshan said. "If you do it again next time, I'll record a disciplinary violation on your record."

Yan Xiangli remained silent, but his expression was grim.

Ji Xiurong quickly smoothed things over, "Captain Zhao, Xiangli is probably just tired today. It won't happen again next time." Zhao Tianshan glanced at Yan Xiangli, "I hope so."

During dinner that evening, everyone discussed the findings of the exploration.

Feng Cheng's team surveyed 300 acres of land to the east, which is mainly sandy soil and sandy loam soil with poor water retention, making it difficult to plant trees.

Qin Xuemei's team surveyed 200 acres of land on the west side, where the soil conditions were slightly better, with some areas containing clay and better water retention.

"Overall, the soil conditions are not ideal," Qin Xuemei summarized. "But the west side is better than the east side. I suggest that the first batch of saplings should be planted mainly in the west."

Zhao Tianshan nodded, "I agree. Next spring, when the trees are planted, we will adjust the planting plan and focus on the western plot."

"Okay! Develop a plan outline as soon as possible, and then submit it to the Forestry Bureau as a report."

"Yes."

After the meal, everyone rested.

Meng Yue lay in bed, her ankle covered in medicine, still throbbing slightly.

She recalled the scene of Feng Cheng carrying her on his back earlier that day, and a feeling she couldn't quite describe welled up inside her.

Qin Xuemei is writing in her diary, recording today's exploration progress.

She frowned when she wrote about Yan Xiangli…

This person is capable, with a solid foundation in meteorology, but his attitude is terrible and he's difficult to manage.

Ji Xiurong was mending Yan Xiangli's clothes; her needlework was very fine.

Da Kui saw this and said, "Xiu Rong, what do you mean? I'm your boyfriend."

Ji Xiurong laughed, "Come on! When did I ever say you were my boyfriend?"

"you……"

"Alright! You're a boy, you can't be in our girls' dormitory," Ji Xiurong said.

"..." Da Kui could only slink away from the girls' dormitory.

Shen Mengyin was writing a letter home, describing the hardships of Saihanba, the difficulties of planting trees, and her longing for Shanghai.

She cried when she finished writing.

Sui Zhichao is sorting soil samples, classifying them, and labeling them.

He hummed a little tune as he worked, in a very good mood.

Yan Xiangli lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.

Feng Cheng was inspecting his saplings at the nursery.

He was very happy that several more trees survived today.

Zhao Tianshan is writing a work report and plans to send it back to the bureau tomorrow.

The night in Saihanba has quieted down.

But no one is at peace.

There are feelings of being moved, worries, longing, and determination.

……

A few days later, Suning went to the dam again.

This time he wasn't there to inspect the work; he came with a new idea.

He called Feng Cheng, Qin Xuemei, and Meng Yue into the conference room and got straight to the point, "I've studied the climate and soil data of Saihanba and I have an idea: we can try the full-light seedling cultivation method."

"Full-sun seedling cultivation?" Qin Xuemei was the first to react. "Deputy Director Su, you mean we don't need to provide shade and can let the seedlings grow directly in the sun?"

“Yes.” Su Ning nodded. “Saihanba has plenty of sunshine, but shading seedling cultivation is costly and inefficient. I want to try full-sun seedling cultivation and see how it goes.”

Meng Yue immediately objected: "Deputy Director Su, this won't do. We learned in school that seedlings must be shaded. Direct sunlight will scorch the seedlings, causing the leaves to dry out and even die. This is basic common sense."

“That’s common sense in plains areas,” Su Ning said. “Saihanba is a plateau desert, and the situation is special. I’ve checked the data, and some arid areas use full-light seedling cultivation, which works well.”

"What documents?" Qin Xuemei pressed. "Could we take a look?"

"It's some Soviet forestry documents, and experimental reports from several forest farms in the Northwest," Su Ning replied perfunctorily. "The documents are at the bureau; I'll bring them next time. But I think it's worth a try."

"Try it?" Meng Yue shook her head. "Deputy Director Su, these saplings aren't guinea pigs. Every single one is precious; we can't just 'try it out' them. If it fails, who will bear the losses?"

“I’ll take responsibility,” Suning said readily.

"You'll take on this?" Qin Xuemei said bluntly. "Deputy Director Su, you're the leader, responsible for administration and logistics. Let's leave the technical stuff to the professionals. Full-light seedling cultivation is theoretically impossible, because that's common sense. Strong light, high temperature, drought—any one of these factors can kill the seedlings. Shading seedling cultivation is the scientific method."

Su Ning looked at them. "Are you saying that my idea must be wrong?"

“It’s not necessarily wrong, but it goes against scientific principles,” Meng Yue said. “Deputy Director Su, I understand that you want to innovate, but innovation must be based on science. Full-light seedling cultivation in a place like Saihanba is just wishful thinking.”

Feng Cheng, who had been silent until now, spoke up, "Deputy Director Su, I've been in Bashang for three years and I've tried full-sunlight seedling cultivation. It really doesn't work. The seedlings wilt as soon as they're exposed to the sun, and no amount of watering helps."

"Have you tried it?" Su Ning asked.

“I’ve tried it.” Feng Cheng nodded. “I tried it in the first year, planted fifty seedlings, and they all died. Later, I switched to shading, and the survival rate gradually improved.”

Su Ning pondered for a moment, but still insisted, "Feng Cheng, your method might have been incorrect when you tried it. The information I found shows that the key to full-light seedling cultivation is to water generously and frequently to keep the soil moist. Did you water it enough back then?"

“How is it not enough?” Feng Cheng said, “I watered it three times a day, but the seedlings still died. It’s not a problem with the water, it’s a problem with the light. The sun in Saihanba is too strong, the seedlings can’t stand it.”

"That's because you didn't water it thoroughly," Su Ning said. "The information says that you need to make sure the deeper soil layers are also moist, and you can't just water the surface. I've calculated that if you use drip irrigation or seepage irrigation and keep the soil moisture content above 60%, full-sun seedling cultivation may be successful."

Qin Xuemei couldn't stand it anymore. "Deputy Director Su, what you're saying is pure theory. Do you know how scarce the water resources are in Saihanba? Guaranteeing a soil moisture content of 60%? We're even short of drinking water right now, where are we going to get so much water to irrigate seedlings?"

“I’ll find a way to solve the water problem,” Su Ning said. “I can apply to the county government to drill wells and build reservoirs. As long as the method is feasible, the investment is worthwhile.”

“That won’t work either,” Meng Yue said firmly. “Even if there’s enough water, the method is wrong. Seedlings need gentle sunlight, not scorching sun. This is a basic principle of plant physiology, and it can’t be changed.”

Su Ning glanced at the three men and knew he couldn't persuade them.

“Alright then,” he said, “I won’t force you to accept this. But I’m going to set up an experimental nursery in the camp, specifically for the full-light seedling cultivation method. I’ll take full responsibility for it myself, and you don’t need to interfere. If it succeeds, we’ll summarize the experience and promote it; if it fails, I’ll take full responsibility.”

Qin Xuemei and Meng Yue exchanged a glance, both feeling that Su Ning was too stubborn.

“Deputy Director Su, you’re wasting resources,” Qin Xuemei said. “Saplings are in such short supply right now. If you use them for experiments and they fail, all those saplings will be wasted.”

"I'll use my own salary and allowances! It won't affect your daily work."

Before Meng Yue could say anything more, Feng Cheng suddenly coughed.

“Since Deputy Director Su has made the decision, let’s give it a try,” Feng Cheng said. “Perhaps there really is a method we haven’t thought of.”

"Feng Cheng, why did you..." Meng Yue didn't understand.

"Practice makes perfect," Feng Cheng said. "If Deputy Director Su wants to try, let him try. If he succeeds, that's a good thing; if he doesn't, he'll still gain valuable experience."

Su Ning glanced at Feng Cheng and nodded. "Then it's settled. Captain Zhao!"

Zhao Tianshan entered, "Here!"

"Give me a plot of land, about half an acre, in the sunniest spot," Su Ning instructed. "Starting tomorrow, I will personally oversee the full-sunlight seedling cultivation experiment in Bashang. Arrange for two people to help me; the rest of you can continue your work as usual."

"Yes!" Zhao Tianshan didn't understand either, but he obeyed the order.

Qin Xuemei and Meng Yue walked out of the meeting room, their faces looking grim.

“Deputy Director Su is being ridiculous,” Meng Yue said angrily. “What does an administrative cadre like him know about seedling cultivation? He’s talking about nothing but seedling cultivation; it’s like an amateur directing an expert.”

Qin Xuemei sighed, "They are the leaders, so what they say goes. We just need to do our own jobs well."

"But that's a waste of saplings and resources!" Meng Yue said, feeling distressed.

“Maybe… what if it succeeds?” Qin Xuemei said.

“It’s impossible to succeed.” Meng Yue was certain. “Plant physiology is what it is; strong light will kill them. This is science, not luck.”

As the two were talking, Sui Zhichao leaned over and asked, "What's wrong? Did you have a fight with Deputy Director Su?"

“Deputy Director Su wants to implement full-light seedling cultivation,” Meng Yue said. “We tried to dissuade him, but he wouldn’t listen.”

“Full-sun seedling cultivation?” Sui Zhichao was also stunned. “Isn’t that courting death? The sun in Saihanba can make people’s skin peel off, how can seedlings withstand it?”

“That’s exactly what I meant!” Meng Yue shook her head. “But they wouldn’t listen; they insisted on trying it.”

Sui Zhichao thought for a moment, "Perhaps Deputy Director Su has some new methods? He is a combat hero who has fought in so many battles, he must have his reasons."

"Fighting a war and planting trees are two different things," Meng Yue said. "Forget it, let's not talk about it anymore. We'll plant our trees, he can try his seedlings, and we won't interfere with each other."

……

The next day, Suning did indeed stay at the camp.

He chose a sunny slope at the east end of the camp and, with two advance team workers, began to build an experimental nursery.

The men Zhao Tianshan assigned to him, one named Lao Liu and the other Xiao Chen, were both reliable and hardworking.

Suning personally directed the work, demanding the digging of deep trenches, the laying of impermeable membranes, and the burial of drip irrigation pipes.

He was very meticulous in every step, following the information he had researched completely.

Qin Xuemei and Meng Yue glanced at it as they passed by and shook their heads.

“Look at those drip irrigation pipes, they’re buried so deep, how can the water reach them?” Meng Yue said.

"Who knows?" Qin Xuemei said. "Anyway, we've already reminded him; whether he listens or not is his business."

Feng Cheng often went to help. Although he was not optimistic about Quan Guang seedling cultivation, he admired Suning's pragmatic spirit.

It's not easy for a deputy director to personally go out and do farm work.

“Deputy Director Su, your drip irrigation system is quite complex in design,” Feng Cheng said.

"I learned it from the data," Suning said as he laid the pipe. "This method was used in arid regions of the Soviet Union; it's water-saving and efficient."

"The Soviet Union is the Soviet Union, and Saihanba is Saihanba," Feng Cheng said. "The soil and water are different; can the methods be used interchangeably?"

“We’ll only know if we try.” Su Ning looked up at him. “Feng Cheng, I know you’re not optimistic. But I want to ask you a question: you spent three years in Bashang planting trees using traditional methods. Did you succeed?”

Feng Cheng fell silent. In three years, he could count the number of trees he had planted that had survived on two hands.

"No," he said honestly.

"Then why not try a new approach?" Su Ning asked. "If the old path doesn't work, we have to find a new one. Even if the new path might fail, it's better than waiting to die on the old path."

These words struck a chord with Feng Cheng. He thought of his perseverance over the past three years, of his repeated failures, and of the saplings that had died.

Perhaps it really is time for a change.

“Deputy Director Su, I’ll help you,” Feng Cheng said. “Whether it works or not, trying is better than not trying at all.”

Su Ning smiled and said, "Okay, let's try it together."

After the nursery was built, sowing began.

Suning personally planted the seeds, placing each seed very carefully, and the soil covering thickness strictly followed the requirements in the documentation.

Then comes watering.

Suning requires drip irrigation for eight hours a day to keep the soil moist.

Old Liu and Xiao Chen took turns watching over the place, not daring to relax for a moment.

The people in the camp were all watching; some were curious, some were skeptical, and some were waiting to see them make a fool of themselves.

Although Qin Xuemei and Meng Yue disagreed, they would still come to check on it every day.

Seeing Suning personally carrying water and watering the plants, so earnest and dedicated, they were also somewhat moved.

“Regardless of whether the method is right or wrong, I admire Deputy Director Su’s enthusiasm,” Meng Yue said one day.

“Yes!” Qin Xuemei nodded. “At least he really does it, he’s not just all talk and no action.”

The days passed by.

The nursery, which uses full-light seedling cultivation, has become a focal point in Saihanba.

Everyone is waiting to see the results.

Success or failure?

Actually, not many people know this.

But Su Ning knew and believed he would succeed because he was an omnipotent time traveler.

...(End of chapter)