Go back to the past to plant trees

Feng Cheng and Chen Guangji chatted for a while before leaving. It was already evening, and everyone had gone home from get off work. It wasn't appropriate for Feng Cheng to take up too much of Chen Guangji's time after get off work.

Not long after Feng Cheng left, Yu Zheng returned and, seeing Chen Guangji in the office, asked in surprise.

"Hey, Engineer Chen, you're still at get off work?"

Chen Guangji looked up and saw that it was Yu Zheng. He explained, "I was just pulled here by Feng Cheng to chat for a while and was about to go back. You've come at the right time. I have something to talk to you about."

"what's up."

Upon hearing Chen Guangji's words, Yu Zhenglai immediately came over.

Chen Guangji said, "I was planning to tell you this tomorrow, but since I've run into you, I'll tell you now!"

Yu Zhenglai said, "Then you speak."

Chen Guangji: "It's like this, Feng Cheng and I just chatted and he said he wanted to cultivate seedlings in Bashang." Chen Guangji then told Yu Zheng what Feng Cheng had just said to him.

"Do you think this is feasible?" Yu Zhenglai asked Chen Guangji with a frown after listening. He didn't know much about seedling cultivation. Although he had been working in the Forestry Bureau for the past few years, he only knew a little bit about this area.

Engineer Chen replied, "I can only say it's possible, and it's worth a try. As for whether it will definitely succeed, no one can be sure, but I think it's necessary to give it a try."

Yu Zheng nodded, "Then I'll hold a meeting another day to discuss it."

Chen Guangji said, "Let's not change the date, let's do it tomorrow. Now is the time to start seedling cultivation. If we want to make a decision, we should do it as soon as possible, otherwise we'll have to wait until next year."

“Okay, then let’s do it tomorrow.” Yu Zhenglai was also a decisive person. Since Chen Guangji had requested it, then let’s have a meeting tomorrow to discuss it. Anyway, it’s not a big deal. It’s just seedling cultivation in Bashang. It’s a small-scale trial and the investment won’t be too big. If he makes the suggestion, no one will object. If it weren’t for the need to show democracy, he could have just given the order to start doing it.

"By the way, you can't say that Feng Cheng suggested this. Just say that I suggested it," Chen Guangji quickly reminded him, remembering his concerns.

"What, Engineer Chen, are you trying to steal Feng Cheng's credit?" Yu Zhenglai said jokingly.

Chen Guangji shook his head. "What are you thinking? Do you think I'm that kind of person?"

“I’m worried that the seedlings won’t survive in the dam area, and then Feng Cheng will have to take the blame. The staff in the bureau already have some opinions about him, and if this fails, it will be very bad for his future career.”

Upon hearing what Engineer Chen said, Yu Zhenglai realized that he had misunderstood.

Yu Zhenglai said, "Since that's the case, then there's no need for Engineer Chen to make the suggestion. I'll make the suggestion myself. If there's any accountability later, hold me responsible."

Chen Guangji waved his hand, "Come on, you don't understand the technology. What's the use of your suggestion? In the end, everyone will still ask for my opinion. If you make the suggestion, there might be people in the bureau who object. If I make the suggestion, it's not easy for everyone to object."

As a technician at the Forestry Bureau, Chen Guangji has always been in charge of the technical aspects of the bureau. Everyone has always respected his opinions on technical issues. So if he makes a proposal, everyone believes that he has considered the details before launching the project. But Yu Zheng is different. He doesn't understand the technology very well. If he makes a proposal, it would seem like he made a decision on a whim, and there would definitely be dissenting voices.

Furthermore, everyone knows about the relationship between Yu Zhenglai and Feng Cheng. If Yu Zhenglai makes the suggestion, it's hard not to suspect that he's taking care of Feng Cheng. If people have this thought, then this matter may be complicated.

Yu Zhenglai has been in officialdom for many years, and after a little thought, he realized that he really couldn't make the suggestion himself.

"That's true, but in that case, Engineer Chen, you'll have to take responsibility."

Chen Guangji said, "It's just taking responsibility, what's there to be afraid of? As long as trees can grow in Saihanba, I'm not afraid of taking on any amount of responsibility. What I'm afraid of is that trees will never grow in Saihanba."

"It's fine as long as you and I know about this. Once it's done, we'll explain to everyone that this is Feng Cheng's achievement, not mine."

"You deserve some credit for this, so how can it be attributed to you? Without you, the bureau would have had a hard time agreeing to seedling cultivation in the dam area. Feng Cheng's credit is his credit, and no one can take it away. The same goes for you, Engineer Chen. What's yours is yours, and no one can take it away."

Yu Zhenglai speaks with great composure. He has been able to remain in the position of director of the Forestry Bureau because of his fairness. People in the bureau respect him, and because of this, the higher-ups also value him highly.

"By the way, have those guys who beat up Feng Cheng been caught yet?" Chen Guangji asked, remembering this.

Yu Zhenglai said, "They were caught, I went over to deal with them, and then they were released."

"Release him?" Chen Guangji was immediately displeased upon hearing this. "How can we release him? They beat Feng Cheng so badly and even tried to kill him. Can this matter be let go so easily?"

Yu Zheng sighed and said helplessly, "What can we do if we don't release them? Are we really going to kill them? Given their situation, even if we hand them over to the police, they'll only be locked up for a few years. They're the breadwinners of their families. If we really arrest them, what will happen to their families?"

“Feng Cheng is alone in Bashang now. If we arrest them all, won’t their families take their anger out on Feng Cheng? In Bashang, it’s too easy for someone to die. They can just find a place to bury him, and after a couple of days of sandstorms, we won’t even be able to find his body.”

"this…"

Chen Guangji was speechless. He hadn't considered this; he just felt that Feng Cheng was so badly injured that he had to teach these guys a lesson.

However, Yu Zhenglai's concerns were not without reason. Although it has been ten years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, social order is still very chaotic. Fights and brawls that result in death are common occurrences in villages. This is why the people who came with Zheng Laosan did not stop him when he wanted to kill Feng Cheng, because they were used to such things.

"Locking them in might feel good, but it carries a lot of risks. But don't worry, I've released them, but they still have to compensate Feng Cheng. For one thing, they have to pay for his medical expenses and nutritional supplements. Also, I've spoken to their brigade secretary about that tree. They have to protect it. If the tree is there, everything is fine. If the tree is gone, then I'll have to arrest them."

Chen Guangji nodded. "Let them protect that tree? That's a good idea."

Yu Zhenglai also said, "Yes, that tree needs protection. Now everyone in Shaquan Brigade knows about that tree, so it's not safe. It's such a big tree, so someone will definitely have their eyes on it. We can't guard it all the time. Asking them to help watch over it can help protect it. Maybe we can't protect it completely, but it's better than doing nothing."

Chen Guangji nodded, agreeing with what Yu Zheng said.

"Alright, you can talk to Feng Cheng about this. I won't worry about it. But knowing his personality, he might not be able to let it go easily. You should think carefully about how to persuade him."

Yu Zhenglai was also very troubled when he heard this. The old team leader's son was good in every way, but he was too stubborn and wouldn't listen to advice.