Back to 1980: Farming the Sea and Expanding the Island

As dawn broke, Lin's mother and Wang Haiyue, who had come to help, boarded the ferry to the commune early in the morning.

Lunch for more than 20 people was not something Lin's mother could handle alone, and even with Wang Haiyue's help, the two of them were still quite busy.

Lin's mother affectionately held Wang Haiyue's hand, her face full of smiles: "Haiyue, we are so grateful to have you come and help us today."

With over twenty mouths to feed, I'm really worried I won't be able to manage it all by myself.

"Auntie, please don't say that. You're being so polite with me. Xiao Chuan has helped our family a lot, so it's only right that I lend a hand," Wang Haiyue said with a sweet smile.

Looking at Wang Haiyue, Lin's mother was very satisfied. She took Wang Haiyue's hand, and the two leaned closer to chat quietly about everyday things.

The old man, along with Shui Houzi and Li Jiaye, tidied up the pots and pans they had borrowed from their home and neighbors, preparing to head to the island.

"Hey! There's so much in this bowl. Are so many people going to the island today?" Li Jiaye asked, carrying a large iron pot, looking puzzled.

"Yes!" The old man nodded with a smile. "Xiao Chuan said that we need more manpower to get the greenhouse built as soon as possible."

We won't have flatbread for lunch; we'll have stewed meat instead.

"That's great." Li Jiaye grinned.

The old man couldn't help but chuckle. This kid is good at everything now, except for his gluttony. He's definitely gotten quite plump lately.

"Xiao Pu, is your father still in Chongming?" The old man took a puff of his cigarette and then asked about the water monkey.

"I think so! Grandpa Lin, my dad hasn't come back these past few days." Water Monkey scratched his head and chuckled.

The old man nodded. He hadn't been back for several days, so he must not be in Chongming anymore. Although the two places are not close, it's still possible to go back and forth in a day.

On the other side, even more noise and voices came from the small pier at Nantan.

Lin's father waited at the dock, smoking a pipe, for the villagers he had arranged to meet. He had searched around in the dark yesterday and sixteen people had agreed to come to the island to help.

Once everyone had arrived, he called out, "I'd appreciate it if you all could help. Everyone, please check your tools. Make sure you have all the hoes and pickaxes, and don't forget the carrying poles and ropes."

Huiqin has already gone to the commune to buy meat. Although the island is simple, the food is definitely not simple.

The sixteen neighbors responded enthusiastically, their laughter and chatter now even more energetic.

The job pays work points and includes a lunch break, plus a promise of meat from the employer – it's a rare and good job.

At Beishi Wharf, the sound of water gently lapping against the wooden piles on the shore.

Li Jianguo tightened his coat and tapped his pipe against the side of the boat.

The spark fell into the water and disappeared with a "whoosh".

Turning to Su Yanqiu, who was carefully stepping onto his wooden boat, he said, "Comrade Su, watch your step, the boat is rocking a bit."

Su Yanqiu nodded, adjusted her glasses, and shifted the cloth bag she was carrying, her movements somewhat restrained.

Lin Chuan nimbly reached the stern, holding an oar, and smiled at Su Yanqiu.

"Comrade Su, let's set off now. There's a lot of fog on the river today, so I'll row slowly. This will give you a good look at the river."

"Okay." Su Yanqiu sat down on a small stool in the middle of the boat and replied with a smile.

Li Jianguo sat at the bow of the boat, pushed hard, and the small boat silently glided away from the dock.

Lin Chuan's boat was the first to dock at a temporary pier that had been repaired on the north side, and Su Yanqiu jumped off the boat with Li Jianguo's help.

After stretching, Su Yanqiu did not immediately go forward, but squatted down to observe the soil on the island.

He reached out and grabbed a handful of soil, rubbed it between his fingers, and observed its color and particles. He then took out a small notebook and pencil from his bag and made a few notes.

After disembarking, Li Jianguo looked around with some emotion. He hadn't been to Canhong Island since the last time he led people to fetch water.

Unexpectedly, it has now produced sweet water.

Turning around and seeing Su Yanqiu's actions, he asked curiously, "Comrade Su, you're studying the soil so carefully too."

"The soil quality of the tidal flats is fundamental," Su Yanqiu said, standing up, clapping her hands, and laughing.

"The amount of sand in the soil, the organic matter content, the salt residue... these directly determine what can be planted and how to improve it according to the situation."

As he spoke, he pointed to a spot in front of him, "That place looks much better than here; it's obviously silt that washed up from the river."

Li Jianguo looked in the direction Su Yanqiu was pointing and nodded. As an old farmer, he could naturally tell that the soil in that place was better.

Lin Chuan tied up the boat and walked over, smiling, "Comrade Su, Uncle Jianguo, let me take you to see the Sweetwater Well!"

"it is good."

The Sweetwater Well is located slightly southeast of the center of the island, and its newly built red brick well platform stands out neatly amidst the surrounding weeds.

The reservoir next to it has also been shaped, with fresh soil still exposed at the bottom and some moisture seeping in.

Su Yanqiu walked to the well and first walked around the well platform to observe the height of the well opening from the ground.

"Xiao Chuan, your shed is too simple. If it rains heavily or a typhoon hits, wouldn't it be a waste to have such a good well?" Li Jianguo said after looking around.

Lin Chuan smiled and said, "Uncle, I don't have time now, but I'll definitely tidy it up properly when I have time."

Li Jianguo nodded in satisfaction, then laughed and said, "Bring up a bucket to try. Everyone says the water on the island is sweeter than the water in our village. I want to see what's going on and whether you're just spreading rumors."

"Okay, Uncle, wait a moment." Lin Chuan said, filling the tin bucket next to him with about half a bucket of water.

Li Jianguo and Su Yanqiu picked up the wooden ladles hanging on the shed and began to drink.

Li Jianguo finished drinking the water in his wooden ladle first and looked at Lin Chuan with surprise.

"What great water, Xiao Chuan, you're truly blessed," Li Jianguo said with a smile, smacking his lips.

Lin Chuan laughed and said, "We're lucky; it's all a gift from nature."

At this moment, Su Yanqiu opened her eyes, a glimmer of light in them: "Clear and refreshing, smooth on the palate, with a distinct aftertaste, and no saltiness at all."

With this kind of water quality, it definitely deserves a top-tier rating.

As he spoke, he looked at Lin Chuan and asked, "When you were digging the well, how deep did you dig to reach water? Do you remember how the color of the soil changed at different depths?"

Did the water quality fluctuate as the digging progressed?

Upon hearing this, Lin Chuan immediately replied clearly, "After digging for about one meter, we started to see damp soil. At about two meters, water began to seep in. Then, after digging for another meter or so, the water surged up."

The soil that was dug up consisted of sandy loam on top, clay layers in the middle, and then the sand became coarser, containing shell fragments and gravel.

The problem hasn't recurred here, but the several puddles we dug before all turned salty.

Su Yanqiu nodded, indicating that she understood.

Looking at Lin Chuan, he praised, "Although the terrain here has not been specifically surveyed, this well is enough to prove that this is the 'Freshwater Lens'."

"You were able to accurately puncture this 'lens' without any professional equipment, drawing out fresh water and creating this sweet water well—that's amazing!"

As she spoke, Su Yanqiu gave Lin Chuan a thumbs up.

"It's also good luck, plus the help of predecessors, that we have this good well now. It's not entirely my achievement," Lin Chuan said with an embarrassed smile.

Su Yanqiu shook his head and laughed, "You're too modest. Your well is a perfect example."

This will be of great reference value for finding water sources and even planning small settlements in similar environments along the Yangtze River estuary in the future.

It can be said that it is in itself a highly valuable piece of "scientific evidence."