A nation's industrial development begins with junior engineers.

The lights gradually drifted away, first forming a blurry chain of light on the horizon, then turning into scattered fireflies, and finally being completely swallowed by the deep darkness.

The crowd began to disperse in twos and threes, talking in hushed tones, their faces bearing the calm and satisfaction unique to the completion of a ritual, as if some weight had been entrusted to them, and their bodies and minds had become lighter.

The return journey was quieter than the way there. Jiang Xia and Lao Wang didn't say much, only listening to the footsteps and the lingering sound of the sea breeze. The atmosphere relaxed, and they were no longer tense.

Passing by a vendor who hadn't yet packed up, Old Wang pulled out some small bills, bought two still-warm rice dumplings, and handed one to Jiangxia without saying a word.

Jiang Xia peeled off the bamboo leaves, took a bite, and suddenly asked, "When exactly will that 'second-generation Big Yellow' with the 'light pen' arrive?"

"The transportation team has already made arrangements within the next day or two," Old Wang answered readily. "What, are you in a hurry?"

"Get it as soon as possible, get to work as soon as possible," Jiang Xia mumbled, his gaze drifting toward the roadside.

Not far away, two men who looked like officials were talking in hushed tones, their voices carried on the wind.

The two people speaking were middle-aged and had an extraordinary air about them.

The man on the left is of medium build, with a thin face and several deep lines etched on his forehead. He is wearing a faded dark blue Zhongshan suit with worn-out cuffs that are somewhat shiny. However, his eyes are calm and powerful, revealing a seasoned and capable demeanor.

The man on the right is slightly taller, with broad shoulders and dark skin from years of sun exposure. He is also wearing a Zhongshan suit with the collar buttoned up tightly. He has thick fingers with distinct knuckles, and looks more like someone who has been working diligently at the grassroots level for many years.

They seemed to be discussing tonight's events.

"...I never expected that a spur-of-the-moment 'releasing sea lanterns' could gather so many people." The lean man said with a sigh, "It shows that the masses have a demand for cultural life. Our Dalian has a solid industry, but at night, it always feels like... it lacks a bit of vitality."

The more honest one chimed in, "Yes, Lao Hu. I was thinking, how about we organize more of these healthy and heartwarming activities during holidays and festivals? Let's keep it simple and tailor it to the characteristics of our fishing port and shipyard."

The cadre known as "Old Hu" pondered for a moment, his finger unconsciously tapping lightly on his side: "The idea is good. However, 'releasing sea lanterns' is fundamentally a traditional custom, and the old tradition dictates that it should be done on the thirteenth day of the first lunar month. The fact that we are holding it this year on the Dragon Boat Festival is a special circumstance."

If we do this frequently, won't people say it's promoting old customs? We need to carefully gauge the appropriate level of intensity.

"Traditions are all feudal superstitions! They should be completely destroyed and swept into the trash heap. How can they still be promoted?"

A hoarse voice, typical of someone going through puberty, interrupted their conversation.

The speaker was a young man, about eighteen or nineteen years old, tall, with skin that was pale as if it had never been exposed to the sun. Below his thick eyebrows were a pair of single eyelids, and his eyes were so bright that they were almost piercing, even revealing a coldness that seemed out of place for his age.

He was wearing a woolen overcoat that was quite conspicuous for that era. Half a step behind him, on the left and right, were two burly men with wary expressions. His demeanor was somewhat similar to that of Old Wang when he was carrying out certain missions.

Upon hearing this, the two cadres quickly exchanged a glance, and in perfect unison, slightly turned their bodies to create some distance from the young man who had abruptly interrupted them. The polite smiles on their faces faded, but they did not respond to his words.

Jiang Xia's brows furrowed imperceptibly.

He slowed his pace and his gaze fell on the young man.

Seeing that the two cadres didn't respond, the young man didn't seem embarrassed at all. He turned his head and whispered a few words to one of his followers.

After the follower replied in a low voice, a look of understanding flashed across the young man's face. Then, quite casually, he spoke to the two cadres in a deliberately raised tone:

"Comrades Guo Shushen and Zhang Zhicheng! I didn't expect to run into you here. Regarding the issue of mass cultural activities, I think we should have a more innovative approach!"

The two cadres whose names he addressed directly showed a slight freeze in their expressions.

"What a load of rubbish! This isn't the Lantern Festival at all! There aren't even any offering tables!"

Someone muttered something in the crowd, followed by a sound of someone covering their mouth...

Jiang Xia, who was listening nearby, suddenly realized something and said that something seemed to be missing.

So that's what it was...

But the way this young man talks and acts... it's just so unpleasant to hear!

Pooh!

What's wrong with this? So, if ordinary people just want to light a lamp and pray for blessings, they have to be labeled and divided into camps first?

Jiang Xia knew that in this era, ideologies clashed fiercely.

On the one hand, the enthusiasm for building a new nation was at an all-time high, and science and progress were the resounding slogans.

On the other hand, there is a tendency to oversimplify and become extreme in how we deal with history and tradition.

Like the young man before us, the idea of ​​simply equating rich folk customs and historical memories with "feudal superstition" and trying to sweep them away is not uncommon among some young intellectuals who have received modern education, are full of idealism, but lack life experience.

They are eager to break completely with the "old world," but they often overlook the complexity of cultural inheritance and the real emotional needs of the people.

To equate everything in the past with "backwardness" and "feudalism" in a simplistic and crude way, as if completely breaking with tradition is the only progress.

This either-or extreme made him instinctively averse to it.

Hmph! The lands of Yan and Zhao are full of heroes!

I can't stand seeing things like this!

Draw the knife!

“Comrade, you can’t say that.” Jiang Xia took half a step forward and said slowly to the two cadres:

"Comrade Hu, Comrade Liu, I have a preliminary idea. Since we're worried that the name 'releasing sea lanterns' might attract unnecessary controversy, then... could we change the name and also try a broader approach?"

Well, now that Da Mao Zai is always in charge of projects, he's started to speak with a bit of domineering air.

According to common practice, one should say something like "Is it appropriate to say this or not?" to ease the tension, and at the same time, "comrade" should be replaced with "leader".

Jiang Xia's gaze swept over the crowd that had not yet completely dispersed, and he said slowly, "For example, instead of calling it 'releasing sea lanterns,' we can call it 'coastal lantern festival' or 'fishing port lantern festival.' The lanterns are still made by everyone's own hands, and the wishes are still those of hoping for peace and a good harvest."

But we can make it even more comprehensive! Besides releasing lanterns into the sea to pray for blessings, we can also hang them along the roads in Tiger Beach Park, organize healthy and recreational activities such as telling ocean legends and singing fishermen's songs, and even encourage everyone to create themed lantern displays reflecting achievements in production and construction.

"what?"

The two middle-aged cadres exchanged a glance, both showing interest on their faces.

Some of the listeners around nodded in agreement, thinking that what the young man said made sense, it was lively and entertaining, and it didn't violate any taboos, which was great!

Seeing that everyone's reaction was good, the boy with the sly hair smiled slyly.

This wasn't his idea at all; it was originally a signature activity of the Dalian Tiger Beach Park in later generations!

Yes, Tiger Beach in Dallian was built as a park as early as 1954, and later became a marine-themed amusement park. Due to its beautiful scenery, pleasant landscape, and the legendary tales of Tiger Beach, it became a nationally renowned tourist attraction in the 1960s.

Visitors from other places, whether on business or on official business, invariably make time to visit Tiger Beach Park.

Especially around the 1980s, the Dalian people had almost no nightlife. So, in order to solve this problem, Tiger Beach Park held the Tiger Beach Mountain and Sea Lantern Festival.

In addition to lanterns made by local enterprises and institutions for the exhibition, lanterns will also be invited from other cities in China.

The Tiger Beach Mountain and Sea Lantern Festival is held every July or August and usually lasts for two or three months. The tickets are very cheap, and the festival attracts huge crowds, giving locals a real treat for their eyes.

In other words, this was a super popular spot for taking photos back then!

Unfortunately, this event only lasted for five or six years before it was discontinued for unknown reasons.

Export of the solution

Jiangxia smiled, the two cadres smiled, and the surrounding crowd smiled too. Some even started discussing how to make the lanterns more beautiful.

Can……

Some people are unhappy!