Back to 1980: Farming the Sea and Expanding the Island

After some contemplation, Lin Chuan once again outlined his upcoming tasks.

The job of a scorekeeper is not difficult, but it is quite tedious and important, and it is very time-consuming. I can't quit now.

Canhong Island is a good place, but its development requires sustained management and time.

With proper development, I believe the debt can be cleared up in no time.

Lin Chuan considered his work as a scorekeeper. Apart from the essential morning registration and evening calculation, he could find a way to eliminate the patrols in between.

This will save a lot of time, and I should be able to take on the task of managing Canhong Island myself, with some support from the team.

In two more years, when the policy is promulgated, the production teams will be abolished. We can take advantage of this time to gradually transition out of this job.

"Kawako, why haven't you left yet?"

Lin Chuan looked up and saw a pipe with sparks rising from it lifting the curtain, and an old man in his fifties leaned in.

He smiled and said, "Uncle Jianguo, what brings you here? I was just thinking of going to see you tomorrow. Now is the perfect time, as I have just finished writing the application for the governance of Canhong Island."

After speaking, Lin Chuan handed over the "Application Form for the Governance Plan of Canhong Island" that he had just finished writing on the table.

At night, the dim yellow light shone through the windows, casting a warm glow over the courtyard.

Village chief Li Jianguo took the paper, took a puff of his pipe, and didn't look at the paper.

Instead, she lingered on Lin Chuan's face for a moment, then sighed softly and asked, "Are you really sure you want to go and govern Canhong Island?"

"Yes, Uncle Jianguo, I went to the county town a while ago and consulted with the teachers at the school about some ways to manage sandy land."

I've also researched a lot of relevant information, and I believe I can manage Canhong Island well.

"Alright!" Li Jianguo took another deep drag of his pipe, looked at Lin Chuan, and slowly said, "Since you're confident, then give it a try."

Lin Chuan smiled and nodded in agreement, then said, "Uncle Jianguo, there's something I need to discuss with you."

As you know, managing Canhong Island requires time spent working on the island.

Now that the busy farming season is basically over, could we skip the inspections in between? My work points will be calculated based on the rice paddy.

If all else fails, could you perhaps ask my grandfather to keep an eye on things for me?

Li Jianguo frowned upon hearing this, then nodded, "Okay, but your grandfather can skip it."

You should still patrol the area yourself when you have time; I'll keep an eye on things for you most of the time.

"Thank you, Uncle Jianguo!" Lin Chuan said gratefully.

"Well! It's getting late, go home and get some rest. We'll deal with your debts at the end of the year."

After Li Jianguo finished speaking, he shook the shirt he was wearing, put away Lin Chuan's application form in preparation for using the seal tomorrow, and that was how the matter was settled.

......

"Grandpa, Father, Mother, what are you doing? Are you having a family meeting? Or are you preparing to interrogate me?"

When Lin Chuan returned home and saw the scene in the living room, he immediately felt both warm and amused.

In my past life, I was so focused on my own things that although I brought money home, I didn't really care much about what happened at home.

Lin's father frowned, but still couldn't help but ask Lin Chuan, "What are you doing? How dare you say that?"

I ask you, why did you have to go and manage Canhong Island? And you even dared to sign a written agreement? Where did all your education go all these years?

Lin Chuan glanced at his younger sister and knew that it was the seriously "air-leaking" Lin Xiaoman who had complained to the emperor.

When Lin Xiaoman saw her older brother looking at her, she immediately turned her head away and pouted.

It's because her older brother wanted to eat her duck; normally she wouldn't have said a word.

Now, "Hmph!"

"I'm talking to you. You don't need to glare at your sister." Seeing that Lin Chuan didn't answer, Lin's father became even angrier.

He didn't say anything about his father and wife last night, and now even his son is acting like this. How will he maintain his authority at home in the future?

"Alright, Xiao Chuan just got back. What's wrong with letting him rest for a while and talk things out properly?"

Lin's mother interrupted Lin's father's anger, turning to Lin Chuan and saying:

"Xiao Chuan, come, sit down and tell me slowly."

Lin Chuan sat down next to his mother, and looking at his sulking father and his inquisitive family members, he smiled and explained:

"Grandpa, Dad, Mother, actually, ever since I heard about the team's policy, I've been thinking about how to manage Canhong Island."

"Xiao Chuan, we all understand that you want to govern Canhong Island."

"I don't understand," Lin's father interjected angrily.

Lin's mother rolled her eyes at her husband, "Apart from your father, your grandfather and I support you."

However, your father is right about one thing: Zhao the Skinflint is not someone to be trifled with.

If you want to govern Canhong Island, then govern Canhong Island. Why do you need to draw up a written agreement with him?

Li Suanpan has been eyeing this job of yours for a long time.

"That's right, Xiaochuan, your mother is right."

Listen up, your grandpa's still pretty nimble. I'll be managing Canhong Island from now on, so you can focus on your work.

Lin Chuan knew that his family was not yet aware of the actual situation on Canhong Island, but their concern and unconditional support were always so touching.

"Grandpa, Father, Mother, listen to me, I'm not lying to you, I really want to govern Remnant Island!"

Lin Chuan looked at everyone and solemnly said, "There is sweet water on Canhong Island."

Old Lin paused, looking at Lin Chuan instinctively, thinking he had misheard.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible," Lin's father said firmly and decisively.

"Is there sweet water on Canhong Island? Didn't the team dig a well the year before last?"

"They've poured out their grievances. Your father was involved too, so it can't be fake." Lin's mother also looked doubtful.

"Father, Mother, listen to me," Lin Chuan said with a smile, continuing to explain.

"I asked my teacher at school before, and he said there's a special type of terrain in this area called a 'freshwater lens.'"

"What's a 'freshwater lens'? You're not kidding us, are you?"

Lin's father clearly didn't believe it. Having spent half his life making a living on the island, he had never heard of such a thing.

"Don't interrupt, let Xiao Chuan tell you all about it first." Lin's mother reached out and tugged at Lin's father, signaling Lin Chuan to continue.

If a living spring can really be found on Canhong Island, then Canhong Island will be something else entirely; it will become "Baohong Island".

"Dad, this freshwater lens body refers to the underground water storage structure unique to islands or sandbars."

When rainwater and freshwater from rivers seep into the ground, their density is much lower than that of the surrounding seawater or saltwater, thus forming a "convex lens-shaped" freshwater layer underground.

This freshwater layer, like a "sandwich cookie," floats above the brackish water layer, and it persists as rainfall replenishes it.

"Don't talk in such mysterious terms. I don't understand anything about density or convex lenses. Just tell me how you can produce a sweet spring."

Lin Chuan was taken aback by what he heard. Seeing the puzzled looks on his family's faces, he slapped his forehead and said, "Wait a minute."

After saying that, he went to the kitchen, found a basin and two plates, filled them with water, and came to the main room to demonstrate and explain.

"Now, let me give you an analogy. This bowl is like the Remnant Island, and the two plates together contain sweet water."

In the past, when the team was fetching water, they did find sweet water, but they dug too deep and broke through the sweet water layer.

The bitter water then welled up along with it, mixing with it, and the sweet water turned into bitter water. Now you understand!