Year: I planted trees in Saihanba

Time flies, and it's now 1959.

In 1958, Saihanba experienced a snowfall.

Although the snowfall wasn't heavy, it brought a touch of coolness to the sweltering heat of Saihanba.

This also created conditions for storing seeds in the summer.

Xia Tian and Feng Cheng together stored more than 3000 seeds in the snow.

I plan to make a big splash next year.

The system previously stated that 169 saplings were designated as viable.

After being baptized by the heavy snow at the end of 1958, it had already taken root in Saihanba.

This means that the Weichang County Forestry Bureau is carrying out afforestation work in the Saihanba area.

Breakthrough progress has been made.

This achievement demonstrates that the Saihanba area has the conditions to successfully grow trees.

Summer is the biggest contributor to this achievement.

But he simply left after accomplishing his task, concealing his identity and name.

They remain rooted in the dam area every day, dealing with the yellow sand.

The experts from the Chengde Forestry Bureau and the Rehe Provincial Forestry Department were all pushed onto Qu He for the sake of dealing with.

Even the Ministry of Forestry sent an expert team, but they were all dismissed by Xia Tian with just a few words.

In summer's eyes, there's no time for that.

Instead of arguing and bickering with experts, it's much more practical to plant a couple more trees.

Spring is just around the corner, I hope this year won't be as dry as last year!

Xia Tian and Feng Cheng sat together and chatted.

"Our primary goal this spring is to cultivate seedlings."

"As for planting trees, let's not think about it for now!"

Summer looked up at the pale blue sky and said something.

Feng Cheng nodded as he listened to Xia Tian's words.

"Xiaoxia, Xiaoxia!"

Just then, the voices of Engineer Chen and Qu He could be heard from not far away.

This year, Engineer Chen has become increasingly weak.

It's not a lung disease like in the original story.

Because Mr. Chen's lung disease had already been cured by Xia Tian.

Rather, it's because Engineer Chen's lifespan is running out.

According to Xia Tian's estimate, it should happen within the next year or two.

"Uncle Qu, Engineer Chen, what brings you here?"

"We came up to see you and brought you some supplies!"

Qu He patted Xia Tian on the shoulder and said with a smile.

"Xia, I've said it before, if we want to grow trees on this dam, we'll have to rely on you!"

"See if I was right!"

As soon as Chen saw Xia Tian, ​​he pulled him aside and started talking.

This was Chen's first time going up the dam since the trees he planted survived in the summer.

Previously, due to health reasons, I had been recuperating at home.

Therefore, Engineer Chen has not yet seen those seedlings that have survived.

This time, when Quhe went to the dam, Engineer Chen insisted that he take him along no matter what.

Qu He couldn't refuse Chen Gong, this old comrade, so he had no choice but to bring him along.

"Come on, Xia, come with me to see those seedlings."

Xia Tian hesitated for a moment after hearing what Engineer Chen said.

In the end, we decided to take Engineer Chen to see that grove of trees.

Chen spent the first half of his life amidst war.

In the latter half of his life, he started by joining the Weichang County Forestry Bureau and later became the head of the bureau's technical section.

It can be said that he dedicated the rest of his life to the Weichang County Forestry Bureau and Saihanba.

Now I've successfully planted trees on the dam.

In any case, this old man who has dedicated half his life to forestry should be honored.

See for yourself the goal he has strived for for half his life.

"Uncle Qu, Xiao Feng, let's go together!"

In the summer, I invited Feng Cheng and Qu He to go to Laokeng Forest Land together.

Feng Cheng and Qu He nodded in agreement.

"Engineer Chen, look, it's right there!"

Soon, the four of them arrived at the Laokeng Forest Land.

Engineer Chen looked at the small grove of trees that was thriving under the sunlight.

Tears of emotion streamed down his cloudy eyes.

With trembling hands, Engineer Chen slowly walked towards the grove of trees.

His steps were slow and gentle, as if he were afraid of disturbing these hard-won lives.

Summer, Feng Cheng, and Qu Hejing followed quietly behind.

At this moment, they couldn't bear to break this tranquil atmosphere filled with deep affection and emotion.

"Finally... finally it survived..."

Chen's voice choked with emotion as he murmured to himself, his tone filled with the satisfaction and contentment that comes with having weathered many storms.

He slowly squatted down and stretched out his thin, yet powerful hand.

Gently touching the branches of a sapling is like caressing a child you haven't seen in a long time.

Engineer Chen raised his head, tears glistening in his eyes, and looked at Xia Tian.

"Xia, do you know, this is the scene I've been dreaming about day and night."

"We've waited so many years, tried countless times, and failed every time, but you did it..."

His words contained both admiration for summer and memories of the difficult years that had passed.

Summer lowered her head slightly and said humbly,

"Engineer Chen, this is not my achievement alone."

"Without the theoretical foundation you laid before, and without everyone's support, I would not have been able to succeed."

"Moreover, this is just the beginning, and there is still a long way to go."

Qu He stood to the side, his eyes full of admiration for Xia Tian, ​​and added.

"Engineer Chen, Xia is right, this is just the beginning, there's still a long road ahead!"

Feng Cheng was also deeply moved.

Engineer Chen stood up, took a deep breath, and looked firmly into the distance.

"With this successful start, we must plan our next afforestation work more carefully."

"The greening of Saihanba cannot rely on just this small patch of trees; the entire dam area must be covered in green."

"However, this is a long and arduous task!"

Summer nodded in agreement.

"Engineer Chen, you're right."

"Feng Cheng and I have already discussed it, and our top priority this spring is to cultivate seedlings."

"Only by cultivating enough and good enough seedlings can we expand the scale of planting."

After hearing this, Engineer Chen's eyes were full of approval.

"Alright, Xia, with your words, even if I were to die right here, I would be content!"

"Mr. Chen, please don't say that. Your health will definitely get better and better."

Summer hurriedly said.

Engineer Chen waved his hand.

"Xia, everyone has to die eventually, I'm very open-minded about it."

"I have no regrets as I have been able to see Saihanba turn green and full of hope in my lifetime."

The atmosphere became somewhat heavy at this point in the conversation.

"It's alright, Xia!"

"Let's go back, Lao Qu still has something to discuss with you!"

Engineer Chen offered a word of comfort to Xia Tian, ​​speaking to him.

"All right!"

Summer nodded and responded.

The four walked towards the camp.

Along the way, no one spoke.

Feng Cheng was lost in thought, seemingly preoccupied with something else entirely.

Qu He was thinking about what he wanted to say to Xia Tian later.

Engineer Chen, on the other hand, was resting with his eyes closed.

As Xia Tian drove, he pondered ways to prolong Chen's life.

The four quickly returned to the camp.

Back at the camp, Feng Cheng went to the small kitchen and started cooking.

Engineer Chen rested in the dugout.

Summer and Qu sat facing each other on the benches in the laboratory.

"Xia, it's like this!"

"The news that trees can be successfully grown on this dam has already reached the ministry level!"

"The ministry has decided to establish a mechanized forest farm!"

"However, building this mechanized forest farm isn't something you can just do on a whim!"

"The ministry has decided to send an advance team to lay the groundwork here!"

"What do you think about this?"

Qu He finished explaining the department's plans and arrangements in one breath.

……