Year: I planted trees in Saihanba

Chapter 178 Heroes Emerge from Among the Young

After a short but pleasant rest, everyone's fatigue gradually dissipated, and their spirits were refreshed.

Li Zhong could no longer contain his eagerness; he paced back and forth in the camp.

He would occasionally look into the distance, as if he could see through the layers of sand dunes to the forest that haunted his dreams.

Finally, he urged them again.

"Come on, Xia, take me to see those saplings! I can't wait!"

Summer readily agreed, a gentle smile on her face, and said without hesitation.

"Okay, Teacher Li, I'll take you there right away."

So, the group set off in a grand procession toward the Laokeng afforestation area.

The sounds of footsteps and conversations mingled together, breaking the usual tranquility of Saihanba.

The college students excitedly discussed the saplings they were about to see, their eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation.

The accompanying staff members were methodically organizing the tools.

“Teacher Li, look, that lush grove over there is our sapling that has survived.”

Summer pointed ahead, her eyes filled with pride.

His eyes looked as if he were introducing his most prized work.

"These are all the result of planting seedlings cultivated in the Bashang area; each one is hard-won."

"From the initial selection of seeds and seedling cultivation to the later planting and maintenance."

"It's all thanks to the concerted efforts of all the staff at our forestry bureau."

As Xia Tian spoke slowly, her thoughts drifted back to those difficult years, and a relieved smile spread across her face.

Looking at the thriving saplings before him, Li Zhong's eyes gradually welled up with tears as he spoke excitedly.

"Okay, okay, Xia!"

"Truly, heroes emerge from among the young! Amazing!"

Li Zhong's voice trembled slightly, deeply moved by the scene before him.

His tone was full of admiration for summer.

He slowly stepped forward, gently stroked a sapling, and felt its vigorous vitality.

It's as if through these saplings, one can see the beautiful, lush future of Saihanba.

Wu Yansheng stood aside, staring blankly at the saplings not far away.

He never expected that the saplings he planted in Saihanba would actually survive in the summer. He was filled with resentment and muttered to himself.

"Damn summer, how come I'm so lucky?"

He still refused to acknowledge Xia Tian's abilities, stubbornly attributing it all to luck.

His hands clenched unconsciously, and a hint of jealousy flashed in his eyes.

But there was nothing they could do but silently compete with themselves.

Summer continued.

"There is also a suitable afforestation area where more than 100 saplings have survived."

These words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly causing ripples.

The crowd began to whisper amongst themselves, their faces filled with surprise and excitement.

"But it's quite a distance from here, Teacher Li, do you think we should still go see it?"

Xia Tian politely asked Li Zhong for his opinion.

His eyes showed concern, worried that the long journey would tire Li Zhong out too much.

"Go, why not go! Such an inspiring achievement, we absolutely have to go see it!"

Li Zhong laughed heartily and asked Xia Tian to lead the way without hesitation.

His laughter echoed through the air, full of power.

So, Xia Tian led everyone toward the suitable forest land on the north slope.

Throughout the journey, everyone's enthusiasm remained undiminished, and they discussed the future of Saihanba as they walked.

Upon arrival, the scene before him once again amazed Li Zhong.

Although the saplings in this suitable afforestation area are not as lush as those in Laokeng.

But each one stands tall and upright, full of vitality.

Li Zhong showered Xia Tian with praise without reservation.

"Okay, great!"

"Xia, you've really given us one surprise after another!"

"This is the area where the crops are growing relatively well right now."

Xia Tian explained.

"There's another area where the plants were just planted recently."

"Based on my preliminary calculations, about 100 trees should survive."

"What? More?"

Li Zhong asked in disbelief, his face full of surprise.

His eyes widened, as if he couldn't believe his ears.

In his mind, it was already a miracle that a batch of saplings could survive in Saihanba, but he never expected there would be even more surprises.

"Yes, it's a batch of saplings that were planted some time ago."

Summer answered confidently, her tone radiating self-assurance.

Yu Zhenglai, who was standing to the side, was also shocked and couldn't help but ask.

"Xia, what's going on?"

"Didn't they say that the saplings from below the dam can't survive in Saihanba?"

His eyes were filled with doubt, as Yu Zheng had been working in Saihanba for several years.

He knew all too well how harsh the environment of Saihanba was for the seedlings, and this news was a huge shock to him.

Xia Tian smiled and patiently explained.

"Three months ago, Comrade Wu Yansheng applied for a sapling from the Ministry of Forestry."

"Comrade Feng Cheng then had a bold idea."

"Director Yu, do you still remember that wind-suppressing sacred tree?"

"Of course I remember, but this has nothing to do with that tree..."

Before Yu Zheng could finish speaking, he suddenly realized something.

"Xia, you didn't plant saplings around that tree, did you?"

"Bingo, Uncle Yu, you guessed right!"

Summer said with a smile.

"I have carefully considered Comrade Feng Cheng's proposal and think it is feasible."

"We asked Comrade Wu Yansheng for 500 saplings to put into practice."

"After all, the great leader Chairman Mao said that practice is the sole criterion for testing truth."

"Of the 126 trees that survived this test, there are 58 more that are expected to survive as well."

Summer was full of confidence, even though she hadn't received a system notification yet.

But based on his experience, he firmly believed in his judgment.

"Great!"

Yu Zhenglai was so excited that his face turned red, and he held Xia Tian's hands tightly.

"Come on, come on, take us to see this!"

His voice trembled slightly with excitement, and his eyes were full of anticipation.

I wish I could fly to that forest immediately and witness this miracle with my own eyes.

"Alright! But the Wind-Suppressing Divine Tree is a bit far from here, and it's getting late, so we need to ride there."

Xia Tian looked up at the sky, then turned to Li Zhong and asked with concern.

"Teacher Li, are you physically capable?"

His eyes were filled with worry, after all, Li was getting on in years.

Long-distance horseback riding was a considerable challenge for him.

"Don't worry, my old bones are still hale and hearty!"

Li Zhong smiled and waved his hand, his eyes showing determination.

"What's a little hardship compared to seeing these saplings!"

His smile was full of love and dedication to forestry, which moved everyone present.

……