Necromancer, summoning 055? What the heck?

Chapter 259 Forest Guardian Sprout Breeder

Dongxia, Ziyun National Nature Reserve.

Forest ranger Lao Zhang pulled up his clothes, and the light strips emitted a soft yet clear glow in the night.

Old Zhang's full name is Zhang Changlin. He is over fifty years old this year. Of course, if you only look at his appearance, you could believe he is seventy.

The old forest ranger's face was sculpted by the fierce winds of the Gobi Desert over the years, his skin and tree bark almost indistinguishable. Several deep wrinkles lined his forehead, each crease revealing decades of weathering.

However, his eyes remained clear and bright, like the morning dew in the mountains, revealing a clarity that was completely incongruous with his appearance.

Zhang Changlin has spent his entire life dealing with trees.

In the year he was born, Dongxia planned a massive ecological project lasting over seventy years, called the Northern Shelterbelt Project, in order to thoroughly improve the ecological environment of the north, prevent the land from becoming desertified, and protect residential areas from wind and sand erosion.

A project is like a person's entire life.

Zhang Changlin's father was one of the first generation of tree planters. He grew up in the forest area. In his father's words, "Lin boy, your life is dedicated to the forest farm!"

Sealing sand dunes, planting trees, repairing canals, patrolling forests... Just as his father said, Zhang Changlin devoted his entire youth and most of his life to this massive project without reservation.

He felt that he was destined to live and die with the project, and that he would never leave that increasingly green land in his lifetime.

Of course, he received no shortage of complaints from his family for making this choice.

Especially when her brother-in-law, dressed smartly and driving a luxury car, came over, it was practically a large-scale torture session.

"What's the use of being named an advanced worker every year? Why don't you bring back more money? How much money is this certificate worth?"

His wife calmly put her chopsticks down on the bowl, her voice low but cutting to Zhang Changlin's heart: "We've been poor our whole lives, and this is how it is. But what about the child? His girlfriend's family has made it clear that they need to buy an apartment in the city. We've scraped together a lot from our savings, and we're still far from enough. You have to think of something!"

To be honest, the in-laws' request isn't unreasonable. They just need to buy an apartment in the county town, in a location that isn't too remote. They didn't even mention a dowry or anything like that. All things considered, the down payment plus renovations should be around 400,000 yuan.

Old Zhang has worked diligently for so many years and has long saved up a sum of money for his child's wedding.

Traditional parents in Dongxia always put their children's affairs first.

But man proposes, God disposes. My mother fell seriously ill, and the family's savings were quickly depleted like water spilled from a pool. Now, we still have to spend money on medicine every month. Although medical insurance covers most of it, we still can't save any money.

The son kept his head down and didn't say anything, slowly poking at the dumpling wrappers in his bowl with his chopsticks.

Seeing that the atmosphere was getting a bit tense, the brother-in-law, after a few drinks, started trying to persuade him again.

"Old Zhang, I'm not trying to be mean, but..."

I'm not trying to be mean, but I really am going to talk about you.

"With things like this at home, why are you still so stubborn? Everyone's forest farm is using Boss Jia's saplings, and the quality reports clearly show they're up to standard! Why can't they be allowed in your area?"

"If you had just lifted your hand a little, why would your family be struggling so much?"

"This won't do!"

Old Zhang, who had been silently smoking, seemed to suddenly wake up: "No, the saplings in their nursery are too weak and will die easily!"

Old Zhang shook his head firmly, "No way!"

The seedlings used in the project come from two main sources: one is the guaranteed nursery operated by the Dongxia State, and the other is the purchase from socialized nurseries. In recent years, the purchase has gradually become the dominant source.

It's a market economy!
The Mr. Jia mentioned by my brother-in-law owns several nurseries and is a long-time winning bidder for engineering projects. The saplings he supplies are all qualified through random inspections. However, in the wind and sand of the north, if the saplings are not strong enough, they are very easy to die.

"Then how come other people can use it?"

The brother-in-law got anxious and slammed his wine glass on the table: "It's just that the survival rate is a bit low, it's not that they can't survive. It's normal for trees to suffer some losses when planting them in sand dunes, isn't it? Boss Jia already said that he came to your site not to make money, but to gain some fame!"

"If you just give them a little face, you can also solve your own family's financial difficulties. Wouldn't that be great? I'll also have some face when I go out!"

Zhang Changlin shook his head firmly: "No way, the trees I planted survived the most, and many forest farms are watching me. I can't do this!"

"You're willing to ruin your son's life by making him a bachelor for the rest of his life just for this worthless honor?"

The brother-in-law was a little tipsy and started talking recklessly. He knew he had gone too far as soon as he said it. He looked at his sister's slightly red eyes and then at his nephew who was holding his head. He angrily slammed his wine glass on the table.

Zhang Changlin couldn't sit still any longer. He turned around, went out the door, and plopped down on the sandy ground outside. His gaze pierced through the night, looking towards the distant forest he had planted with his own hands, which was now lush and green.

That was the place he and his father had worked on their entire lives. When they planted the first tree, he wasn't even as tall as the sapling. Now, the endless protective forest is like a dark green city wall, quietly guarding the land in front of and behind them.

But his own life seemed to remain forever at the height of that sapling.

The night wind rustled through the woods, like the soft calls of old friends.

Old Zhang exhaled a heavy puff of smoke, speaking to his wife who had followed him out worriedly, and also seemingly to himself, "I'll think of another way."

“When spring comes, I’ll take on more shifts. This forest is our child too; I can’t let it go to waste…”

Of course, no matter how many extra hours Lao Zhang works, it's useless. This is an era where hard work is enough to make a living, but hard work alone is not enough to make a fortune.

Then one day, he received a strange transfer order.

A transfer order from Laboratory No. 1 of the Starry Sky Biology Research Institute of the Xia Kingdom Academy of Sciences brought Lao Zhang to this vast and desolate mountain region.

The reason for mobilizing these forest rangers was not simply for forest protection, but rather stemmed from a special discovery by Yu Suhuai.

[Sprout] really dislikes his own professor.

As the lab's "dumbest" yet most meticulous disciple, Yu Suhuai diligently and meticulously recorded the actions of [Budding] every day. As the data accumulated, he inadvertently discovered a pattern while organizing it.

[Budding] When secretly watching TV, he would choose to stay at different distances depending on the different people in the nearby laboratory.

If their own professor eats in the cafeteria next door, [Sprout] won't come over at all.

Having discovered the pattern, the laboratory immediately conducted a comparative experiment. The results broke Professor Zheng Yuanhang's heart. Indeed, the child he had raised in his laboratory was now keeping its distance from him.

But no matter how heartbroken you are, you have to put your emotions aside and study the principles first. Through further analysis of the "budding" behavior, botany scholar Ouyang Hua put forward a conjecture.

This little thing has a unique "life affinity perception".

"Plants don't move. Well, I should say most plants, except for those that are sprouting, don't move. But we can use animals as an analogy."

"【Budding】It can move, so it should be viewed as an animal."

"I don't know if you've seen it, but some people who like to rescue small animals and raise birds and beasts can easily get close to small animals, even unfamiliar ones."

Yu Suhuai immediately nodded: "That's right, that's right. I've seen a lot of videos. Those video bloggers can just reach out and the birds will land on their hands!"

The others nearby immediately chimed in: "Yes, yes, I've also seen spiders and caterpillars coiled around..."

"I even saw someone taking a walk with flies in his arms, it was amazing! I thought to myself, if he kept a lot of flies, he could eat anywhere for free..."

Zheng Yuanhang glared at his unreliable disciple and urged Ouyang Hualai, "Go on, why isn't the little guy close to me?" "I guess, just guessing, is it possible that Professor Zheng, you've handled too many dead creatures..."

Zheng Yuanhang froze on the spot.

Is that right? Absolutely right. As a leading figure in the biological research institute, Professor Zheng has dissected tens of thousands of plants and animals, and as the mastermind behind it all, he has directed his students to perform countless operations.

If the Tree of Life truly had a detection system, seeing this old man would definitely make him a big red-named monster!
Although the purpose of studying biology is to better protect life, who can explain this thing clearly?
Looking at the data along this line of thought, sure enough, [Sprout] was friendlier to the base's cleaners than to itself.

Despite his sadness, the professor quickly adjusted his mindset and reported the situation to his superiors. Subsequently, outstanding forest rangers, animal protection role models, afforestation experts, and excellent zookeepers from all over the country were invited to the laboratory of the Ziyun Nature Reserve.

Zhang Changlin was one of them.

As a veteran forestry worker who started planting trees with his father at the age of eight and has been involved in the Northern Shelterbelt Project for over forty years, his colleagues at several surrounding forest farms all know that the forests that Old Zhang personally planted and cared for have a significantly higher survival rate and higher quality timber than those of others.

Naturally, it was also selected as a candidate for investigation.

Upon arrival, these nature-friendly individuals from Dongxia will undergo a preliminary selection process, which involves sitting in designated areas and observing the distance control when [Sprout] sneaks over to watch TV.

Old Zhang belongs to the top tier.

Next came the second round of selection, where these people were asked to walk through the forest as forest rangers. As a result, among thousands of trees, Old Zhang spotted [Sprout] standing there pretending to be a tree.

"This little tree is very special!"

"So beautiful, so, so lively!"

The others around them exchanged bewildered glances. Pretty was somewhat understandable, but lively... what was that saying again?

Only a very few people who knew the inside story felt a chill run down their spines.

The next day, the base gave Zhang Changlin a chance to patrol the forest alone. After making his rounds, Old Zhang squatted down in front of [Sprout] again.

Zhang Changlin's hands were rough, with thick calluses covering his palms and fingertips. His knuckles were deformed from years of labor, covered with fine cracks that resembled the fissures of parched earth.

But the moment those weathered hands gently touched the sprout, the high-definition cameras positioned around clearly captured the extremely subtle movement of the tender shoot at the tip of the sprout, as it moved towards Old Zhang's palm!

Those who don't know the situation might think it's the wind, but the expert team knows it isn't.

That posture is just like a kitten welcoming its owner home, tilting its head and rubbing forward vigorously when being petted comfortably, seeking more affection.

Professor Zheng Yuanhang, who witnessed this scene on the monitor screen, felt as if an entire kitchen spice rack had been overturned, a mixture of sour, astringent, bitter, spicy, and salty flavors overwhelmed him, and even his eyes became slightly moist.

Despite his sadness, Academician Zheng still demonstrated the demeanor of a great man of a great nation. With one application, Lao Zhang became a forest ranger in the Ziyun National Nature Reserve.

At the same time, he was specially appointed as a Level II Researcher at the Institute of Starry Sky Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Well, as the head of the base, Professor Zheng Yuanhang, an academician of the Dongxia Academy of Sciences, is himself a first-level researcher. The weight of this title is self-evident.

If Lao Zhang returns to the forest farm with this title, he can sit at the same table as the provincial highway officials from his hometown.

At this point, no family problems will be problems anymore.

The moment the transfer order and appointment documents reached the original unit, not only the entire forest farm, but also the local government convened an emergency meeting immediately.

That afternoon, the township head, along with leaders from the forest farm, arrived at Old Zhang's house to convey instructions from higher-level leaders and to express condolences on behalf of the organization.

An hour later, the county-level officials arrived, and an hour and a half later, the municipal government leaders also arrived at the forest farm, beginning a three-day "on-site investigation of the shelterbelt project".

The key target of the investigation was naturally Comrade Zhang Changlin, an advanced worker and outstanding forest ranger.

That's why the city government leaders are so capable; after briefly understanding the situation, they immediately began self-criticism.

"Comrade Zhang Changlin is the pride of the forest farm, the pride of our entire township, the entire county, the entire city, and even our entire region! Before I came, the Provincial Administration Commission had already called and instructed us to make sure that Researcher Zhang's logistical support was in place!"

"But after seeing it in person, I felt ashamed!"

"Comrade Changlin has worked diligently for the forest farm for so many years, receiving numerous honors. He has always been at the forefront of the tree planting and forest patrol projects, which inevitably means he can't take care of his family. We should take the initiative to remove any worries for such a good comrade who is so dedicated to the public good!"

The city government leader leaned forward slightly, his gaze gently sweeping over Old Zhang's somewhat uneasy wife and his silent son, his tone earnest:
"The comrades from the county just gave me a detailed report. Researcher Changlin's family currently faces two practical difficulties. First, the burden of his elderly mother's long-term medication; second, the issue of his children settling down and buying property in the county town."

He paused, then looked at the county-level official beside him: "Has the county been aware of this before?"

The county-level official immediately straightened his back and replied earnestly, "Sir, our county has just held an on-site coordination meeting. Regarding medical care, the county will first approve a special medical subsidy, and at the same time, we plan to include Comrade Zhang Changlin's mother in the county's 'Key Employee Family Medical Mutual Assistance Plan'..."

"Regarding the housing issue, we are considering two solutions: First, according to the city's newly introduced 'Incentive Policy for Outstanding Talents to Settle Down,' Comrade Zhang Changlin fully meets the requirements and can apply for a settlement subsidy of up to 200,000 yuan."

"In addition, as part of the policy for attracting and rewarding outstanding talents, our county's urban investment company has dedicated 'talent apartments.' We plan to allocate a 120-square-meter 'talent apartment' for the resettlement and reward of special talents!"

An apartment? 120 square meters?
Never mind, let's not ask...

City leaders warmly took the hands of the family members.

"Correct!"

"Local development and national progress cannot be separated from talent. Outstanding talents should be vigorously cultivated and given key support. Moreover, Comrade Changlin is an outstanding talent from our hometown. He is an excellent role model in our shelterbelt project and a banner on the front of ecological civilization construction!"

"What we need to do is not simply solve the immediate problem, but to establish a long-term care mechanism. Relevant municipal departments should also go down to discuss how to better provide Comrade Changlin with solid, reliable, stable and long-term support."

That very evening, my husband was hired by the forestry bureau as an office worker, stationed in the county town. It was the kind of job where "you can sit all day with a newspaper and a cup of tea," and his salary was naturally much higher than before.

The house arrangement would take another two or three days, but before the son could tell his girlfriend the good news, the woman's family called Zhang Changlin's wife first.

"Both children are getting on in years, and they have such a good relationship. How can we let the house issue hold them back!"

“We found a fully furnished apartment a few days ago, all the furniture and appliances are included, so it’s a hassle-free place! We’ve already paid the deposit. When can your son come over and sign the contract with my daughter?”

“Let’s add a car and 200,000 yuan in cash as a dowry. Let’s hurry up and get the wedding done. I’m looking forward to seeing my grandson!”

As for the brother-in-law who was doing quite well, he became the household laborer, cleaner, and driver. After finishing his household chores, he would rush to the woods to soak up his brother-in-law's "good fortune"!
Old Zhang, who lives far away in the Ziyun Mountain area, received a call from his wife that very evening. Listening to his wife's joyful yet somewhat cautious description on the other end of the line, this man who had endured decades of wind and sand couldn't help but feel a little teary-eyed.

Old Zhang walked out of the dormitory, looked at the vast, undulating forest under the moonlight, and gripped his patrol staff tightly.

He has dedicated most of his life to protecting the forest, and now it is repaying him and his family in an unexpected way.

However, for Old Zhang, these family matters were just something to keep quiet about; his mind was completely focused on this new woodland.

With the intention of following the country's arrangements, he signed the confidentiality agreement, and then learned of this shocking secret.

From that day on, Lao Zhang became the exclusive caregiver for [Sprout].

This thin, slightly hunched old man once planted countless trees of varying heights in the Gobi Desert, once held up a large umbrella for shivering little animals in a blizzard, once rushed to the front line with a fire extinguisher in the wildfire, and once silently shrank back amidst the complaints of his family...

Now, Zhang Changlin has found a new meaning in his life.

He became the forest ranger of [Sprout]... or more accurately, the conservationist!
(End of this chapter)