Chapter 721: Postpartum Care for Sows

On Wednesday, July 9th, the Working Group issued an initiative regarding the implementation of the "Great Learning, Great Discussion" campaign, starting with the Security Division.

The initiative pointed out that in executing the documents issued by superiors regarding the "Great Learning, Great Discussion," the Security Division has been courageous in exploration, pragmatic in its approach, steady in its progress, and has effectively promoted the study and publicity of this campaign within the division.

Deputy Director Feng Daozong, the person in charge of the Working Group, emphasized in the document that all departments of the Steel Rolling Mill should carry out the study and publicity of the campaign documents as soon as possible, solidly advance the progress of the campaign, and while ensuring their tasks, also ensure their study and ideological development.

In political study, one must understand politics, grasp the big picture, be clear about the economy, plan and organize reasonably, establish correct thinking, and severely crack down on corruption and administrative laziness.

The document also mentioned the current status of the campaign's implementation in the Steel Rolling Mill, noting a sluggish attitude, ineffective deployment, and poor execution, which requires strengthening weak links and focusing on publicity and organizational study work.

At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the opinions of the heads of various departments, fully mobilize the enthusiasm of the executive personnel, and...

Just after receiving the study documents from the Working Group, Li Xuewu led the Dual-Plan Training Inspection Group, the Emergency Rescue Training Inspection Group, and the Security Training Inspection Group to visit the Red Star Training Ground.

These three inspection groups were organized under the leadership of the Security Division, inviting relevant persons in charge from within the system as well as from surrounding enterprises, factories, brother units, and joint ventures.

According to their respective business areas, they were divided into groups led by Han Zhan, Han Yating, and Yu Decai, respectively, to provide a complete introduction to the various training projects currently organized by the Security Division at the training ground.

The Security Division had a major operation; people in the compound all saw it. Jeep after jeep departed from the guesthouse, drove through the factory's living area and office area, left from the main gate, and headed straight for Miyun.

This operation was not convened by Li Xuewu to avoid the Working Group; he did not have that kind of rallying power.

As early as a month ago, after the Dual-Plan training class began, Li Xuewu had been organizing this event, intending to promote the Steel Rolling Mill's training ground projects.

Security training, emergency team training and drills, dual-plan execution team training, special duty training, and so on.

While called a visit and inspection, it was actually a trade show and promotion, letting these major clients see the strength of the Steel Rolling Mill's training ground and the actual situation of the ongoing training.

Among these three inspection groups were the supervising leaders and persons in charge of the teams currently training on the mountain.

After a month of training, it was time to give these people an account, and also to let those unit heads who were still hesitating see the actual results after training.

As for the fact that today happened to coincide with the Working Group issuing study documents, that could only be called a coincidence.

Of the five sections in the Security Division, one section head was on the mountain, three section heads were on the mountain as group leaders, and only the Confidentiality Section head was left in the factory.

Sha Qizhi looked at the motorcade in front and behind, turned to Li Xuewu, and asked, "Director, shouldn't we make some arrangements in the factory?"

"Arrangements for what?"

Li Xuewu looked out the window; the scenery after leaving the city became increasingly brilliant, making his mood much better. No wonder Li Shu wanted to come out to play every day.

"Not making arrangements now is the best arrangement."

After Li Xuewu finished speaking, he looked at Sha Qizhi, raised his eyebrows, and asked, "Have you ever heard of 'governing by non-action'?"

"Of course..."

Sha Qizhi certainly knew this saying by Laozi, but the situation in the factory was currently tense; the inspection team and the Working Group were both working, and the leaders above were also working.

The main focus was on the upcoming mid-year meeting, as well as the ideological fluctuations appearing within the organization and among the workers during this period.

As the red line for safety management in the Steel Rolling Mill, the Security Division was engaging in sales promotion at this time, and had even pulled out the main persons in charge, which made Sha Qizhi suspect that the Director was expressing something to all parties.

Although Li Xuewu did not say it explicitly, the phrase "governing by non-action" was enough to explain the issue.

Governing by non-action is the core thought of Laozi's exposition on the Dao following nature; it is a direction and inspiration for interpreting and understanding nature.

A superficial understanding of governing by non-action might be that one doesn't need to do anything, and things will naturally get better.

Actually, this is wrong, completely wrong.

Non-action does not mean doing nothing, and even less does it mean acting recklessly or chaotically; it is "doing nothing, yet leaving nothing undone."

"Leaving nothing undone" refers to the higher level of doing everything and achieving great things under the premise of complying with the laws of natural development.

After seeing the farce of the past few days, Li Xuewu already understood that the wind had gathered and the situation was beyond redemption.

This storm was bound to sweep through everything. Facing the complex situation and personnel relations of the Steel Rolling Mill, what he had to do, and what he should do, was to govern by non-action.

The water was already muddy enough; he didn't need to stir it anymore. Take it slow, watch the water turn, watch the silt and sand mix, and slowly it would stop and settle.

Excessive intervention would only blind the direction of history and affect the creativity of the situation's development.

Non-action meant that Li Xuewu should not act recklessly himself and should get involved less in the affairs above.

Just as Confucius said: "He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it."

Li Xuewu had already gained a foothold in the Steel Rolling Mill and had taken root in this fertile soil. Don't be anxious; the sunshine, rain, and dew would fall when they were supposed to. He only needed to wait quietly, and there would be a day when he would become a towering tree.

What he needed to do now was "exercise government by means of virtue," manage the existing foundation well, deeply cultivate the Security Division's own projects, firmly control the overall ideological dynamics of the Security Division, and build a professional team that obeys the Party's command and has an excellent work style.

Every growth and progress of the Security Division was the realization of his own progress and growth.

In the end, he would be that "north polar star," and "all the stars would turn towards him."

Sha Qizhi did not understand, but Li Xuewu had no intention of explaining it to him. Some truths wouldn't be understood even if explained; only by reaching this position, putting oneself in the situation to feel and think, would one understand the reason for what he was doing today.

Action and non-action were reflected in behavior and even more so in state of mind.

All of Li Xuewu's actions were planned, purposeful, and centered on a core idea.

The document issued by the Working Group today also mentioned Wang Jingzhang, the person in charge of the Service Division, saying that it was necessary to respect the opinions of department heads, and so on.

The Working Group dared to use Li Xuewu as a model, but they did not dare to use him as a gun like they did with Wang Jingzhang.

The reason this document mentioned the Security Division today was partly because the Security Division was doing well and its work was indeed solid.

The second reason was the previous inspection turmoil; the Working Group naturally had to give the Security Division an explanation.

Facing this document, or what some might see as an honor, Li Xuewu felt not a ripple of emotion in his heart.

Not to be pleased by external gains, not to be saddened by personal losses.

If one never cares, where would the surprise come from!

For Wang Jingzhang, this document was not an honor, nor a surprise, but a large hand—a large hand pushing him forward.

It was pitch black ahead, and he couldn't see anything; it could be a cliff, or it could be a mountain of knives and a sea of fire.

The hand behind him didn't care about him; he was just pushed out to scout the path... a sacrificial lamb.

Facing the same document, Li Xuewu could remain calm, while Wang Jingzhang had to be terrified. There were reasons related to their original intentions, and also reasons related to their work styles.

Li Xuewu was too calculating in his work, moving step by step, seeking progress while maintaining stability, never leaving any flaws for others.

Even if there were flaws, they were traps; if you stepped in, you would definitely take a big tumble.

He would have liked to be sophisticated and tolerant, but others wouldn't give him the chance.

Climbing so high at such a young age, everywhere he went, he was surrounded by scrutinizing eyes, and even some underhanded small moves to test him.

If he didn't cover himself in thorns, how could he grow in this precarious environment?

If he didn't bear a reputation for being evil, how could he scare away those covetous eyes?

It could be said that by choosing the Steel Rolling Mill and choosing to walk this path, Li Xuewu had no other choice but to hack through the brambles and carve out a bloody path in the same dark environment.

Some said he had already succeeded; why did he still present an image of being difficult to provoke, calculating, and digging holes for others?

The answer is that there are thieves for a thousand days, but no defense against thieves for a thousand days.

Li Xuewu wanted to "exercise government by means of virtue," but the prerequisite was that he had the time and energy.

When he was exercising government by means of virtue, he didn't want anyone to interfere with him, affect him, or destroy the fruits of his labor.

Some cadres failing to do their work well was not always due to their lack of ability; often the problem lay in interpersonal relationships, or even the work environment.

Changing to another department or environment, he might spread his wings and soar into the clouds.

The reason was that some people couldn't stand to see you succeed; they would step on you, sabotage you, and disgust you.

Didn't Wang Jingzhang want to work hard, achieve results, and make progress?

He wanted it too much; he was crazy about making progress!

Was it that he lacked ability?

Looking at how he had held the top position in the Service Division for so many years, one knew that if he lacked ability, he would have been adjusted long ago.

He had ideas and ability, so why had he reached this point today?

Mindset, environment, self-cultivation—everything was related.

Wang Jingzhang was prepared for progress, but he was not prepared with the mindset for progress, and even less with the ruthlessness needed when facing competition.

Last time, when competing with Zhang Guoqi for the top position in the Steel Mill, he lost. He didn't even know where he lost, and now he was coming to compete for the Great Path.

The position of Deputy Director of the Joint Enterprise was very good, but he didn't look at who his competitors were. Over there, let alone the Deputy Director position, even the control was being fought over with swords and shadows. Running over there at this time, if he didn't get cleaned up, it would be a miracle.

The organization was just like this; one wrong step, and every step is wrong, unless there is a large hand protecting you for a few years, and when you grow into a towering tree, you won't fear these things anymore.

But such opportunities are hard to come by, let alone at this time—who would dare to reach out recklessly?

The wind is strong, the waves are high, forbearance is the best policy.

"Bang~ bang~ bang~"

"Bang~ bang~ bang~"

When the motorcade drove up the mountain and into the gate of the training ground, stopping steadily in the parking lot, there were sounds of car doors and bursts of gunfire from the mountain.

The unit heads who had just gotten out of the cars all looked toward the mountain. They might have been conducting weapons training there, and because the training ground was at the foot of the mountain, the sound carried over very clearly.

Wei Tong had been waiting for them. Seeing the motorcade stop, he found Li Xuewu's command vehicle and trotted over, followed by a group of cadres from the Training Section.

After Li Xuewu got out of the car, he also glanced at the mountain, then waved in the direction Wei Tong was running from.

Those cadres from the Training Section understood Li Xuewu's meaning and immediately dispersed to find Han Zhan and the others, cooperating to organize the visiting group to go to the designated location for the visit.

Visiting training was not unfamiliar to these members of the visiting group; some had even organized related activities themselves.

However, they still held curiosity and a desire to explore regarding the Red Star Training Ground, which was located deep in the mountains of Miyun.

No other reason—since they went up the mountain, whether it was the style of Red Star Village, the units under construction and production along the road, or the training ground compound and the bursts of gunfire and artillery from the mountain, everything was refreshing to them.

Being located in a remote area meant that the Steel Rolling Mill attached great importance to this place and it also had great confidentiality.

But the Steel Rolling Mill also interpreted with actual conditions that being in a remote area did not mean being backward.

When they walked to the rest area specially prepared for them, looking at the sunshades, dining tables and chairs, hot tea, and the canned goods and small bowls and plates on the tables, they knew that life here was not as backward and difficult as they had imagined.

Because it was a motorcade, it took more than two hours to arrive.

And the crowd, weary from the journey, all showed expressions of joy when seeing these preparations.

This hospitality could be said to be full of sincerity, not a bit worse than the hospitality at the foot of the mountain.

Li Xuewu watched as the people from the Training Section invited these people to sit in the rest area, while cooperating with Han Zhan and others to explain the locations and procedures for today's visit, and couldn't help but nod to Wei Tong beside him, expressing his appreciation.

Being able to prepare so comprehensively, considering that there were many people coming today, it was inconvenient for everyone to go to the office area, and it wasn't suitable to go directly to the canteen, so setting up a simple rest area in front of the office building and arranging it so perfectly showed that the people in the Training Section had listened to his requirements.

Last month, when Li Xuewu went up the mountain to deliver telecommunications equipment, he had explained clearly to Wei Tong that the people in the visiting group were all potential clients for the training ground, and how to host and arrange them was left to the Training Section to organize.

The main economic and work achievements of the Training Section came from training and drills; the more units that came up the mountain, the better, and the more people who came for training, the more achievements they could make.

Only by earning more money for the Security Division could the Security Division invest more funds here for construction.

Wei Tong accompanied Li Xuewu to stand in a quiet place and smiled as he reported to Li Xuewu: "We also pooled our wisdom, asked the instructors from Huaqing, asked Political Commissar Wang, and asked many people, and only then did we come up with this format."

"Not bad. A black cat or a white cat, a cat that catches mice is a good cat!"

Li Xuewu patted Wei Tong's arm and said with a smile: "Regardless of your work format, looking at the current results, there is no problem. Keep it up, and let these units settle their minds to arrange for their people to come here for training—that is success."

"I understand."

Wei Tong nodded clearly and reported to Li Xuewu: "Today's main procedures for the visit are to observe daily training, observe political study and theoretical study, and observe the actual combat drills currently underway on the mountain."

"Lunch is arranged in the canteen, and at the same time, we will observe the dining situation in the canteen."

"In the afternoon, we will take advantage of the trainees' rest time to visit the dormitories, letting the visiting group see the trainees' daily rest situation."

"In the afternoon, we will organize a symposium and invite the team leaders and outstanding trainees from each team to participate."

Wei Tong gestured to the rest area and said: "In the afternoon, we will also invite the training experts, political instructors, and management personnel stationed here to participate, and at that time, we will also announce some training data for the teams."

"Very good."

Li Xuewu nodded after hearing the report and said: "When the visiting group comes, don't treat them specially or engage in formalistic things. Just follow the daily training procedures. What it's like normally is what you should show them."

"That goes without saying."

Wei Tong nodded with a smile and said: "These visiting groups include leaders of personnel currently in training. If we arrange anything, it will definitely be exposed."

"So we just didn't make any special arrangements."

Wei Tong was very happy working here. Li Xuewu could see that he had more smiles than before; it seemed he had gotten used to it.

"That's good. Implement it according to your plan."

Li Xuewu nodded, gestured to the mountain, and asked: "What is today's actual combat drill?"

"It's explosion prevention and fire."

Wei Tong's expression became serious when Li Xuewu asked about specific work: "These are all special subject drills. At that time, we will arrange for people from each training team to conduct the drills, once a week, which can achieve the training effects and goals."

"Hmm, what about the communications squad?"

Li Xuewu's gaze turned to the communications base station on the hillside. After the installation was completed last month, it was directly handed over to the communications squad stationed here to manage.

Wei Tong knew what Li Xuewu was concerned about, raised his hand to gesture in the direction of the communications squad, and said: "Now we conduct communications training every day, and some trainees will also be arranged to go up the mountain for internship drills, mainly to coordinate drills with our factory's communications platoon."

"Pay attention to confidentiality work."

Li Xuewu pointed at Wei Tong and emphasized: "Set the communications squad as a special squad, and arrange security duty. Don't let any leaks occur."

"You can rest assured about this; we started arranging it right after the handover."

After taking over the training ground, Wei Tong grew up very quickly, doing things in a very orderly manner, with a very mature and steady attitude.

"The communications squad takes turns going up the mountain for duty. Normally, there are only four security guards and two communications personnel. Every hour, there will be people on patrol to go around, and there will also be people from 816 going over to use the radio."

"I know this."

Li Xuewu nodded to indicate he knew that people from 816 would go to use the communications equipment there. This had already been coordinated when the communications base station was first built.

816 also had its own communications equipment, but it wasn't as large as the one at the training ground, nor was it fixed like this one, so it was lacking in transmission distance and command distance.

They were all joint units, a situation of "you have me and I have you." Letting the people from 816 use it could further increase the confidentiality of the radio.

Precisely because 816 was using it, the Beijing Telecommunications Inspection Department did not monitor this communications point. After all, it involved a special department, and 816's own management was probably stricter than the Telecommunications Inspection Department's.

After talking to Wei Tong about some of the training ground's situation, Han Zhan and the others had also explained today's visiting procedures.

After the members of the visiting group drank tea and ate canned goods, they had rested enough, and they all stood up one after another, following their respective team leaders and the personnel from the Training Section to disperse in different directions.

Because the content each visiting group needed to see was different, and the teams currently training here were also different, they could only watch separately.

Those who had training went to watch practical training; those who were having political classes went to listen to political classes; those who were having theoretical classes went to listen to theoretical classes.

Li Xuewu took Han Jiankun up the mountain, leaving Sha Qizhi with Wei Tong to ensure logistics for the visiting group.

He went up the mountain mainly to take a look at the training ground, planting area, reclamation area, and breeding area on the mountain, as well as to visit the Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital team that was currently inspecting and researching, and finally, the communications base station he had just mentioned to Wei Tong.

The road from Beijing to Miyun was not easy to walk; it was intermittent, with gravel roads and dirt roads.

The road conditions after going up the mountain were even worse. Because of the sufficient rain in the summer, a long section of the road had relatively deep ruts; sedans could forget about going up.

It looked like it had been crushed by large trucks. When Li Xuewu came up, he felt the bumps on his backside; he thought Lao Biaozi must have contributed significantly.

The second half of the road up the mountain was much better. The training teams on the mountain took turns coming down to repair the road, including using large trucks to pull coal slag and stone slag from the mountain to pave and repair it.

At the very least, it ensured that the roadbed would not cause deep pits that were impassable due to rain erosion and other reasons.

Arranging for the visiting group members to rest after arriving at the training ground was also for this reason.

As for why half of the road up the mountain was good and half was bad, that had to be said to be Li Xuewu's careful arrangement.

Anyway, this road had to be repaired, repaired slowly, until the world was at peace.

It was a gravel road; there were plenty of stones on the mountain, and plenty of coal slag dug out from abandoned coal mines. As long as one wanted to repair it, it could be repaired.

But it had to be repaired according to progress. The road at the foot of the mountain was used less, and the road on the mountain was used more, so the road on the mountain was repaired first.

The road from the training ground to the training ground on the mountain, and the road to the communications base station on the hillside, were all roads that were used relatively more.

So Li Xuewu didn't feel much bumping while sitting in the car, and it wasn't as difficult to walk as when he first came up the mountain.

The road up the mountain had already been repaired, paved with coal slag, had a foundation laid, and drainage ditches built; it was very easy to walk.

Every day, there were training teams going up and down the mountain; any larger pit would be leveled.

It only took twenty minutes for the command vehicle to go from the training center at the foot of the mountain to the training ground on the mountain.

This was still because there were many curves on the mountain road and he didn't dare to drive fast. If it were a straight line, it might just be a matter of stepping on the gas.

Standing on the platform at the top of the mountain and looking down, the small village rendered in gray and green, the training center, the food factory, the medical workstation, the communications base station, and other areas were all in full view.

Looking back, there were mountains even higher than this one.

Li Xuewu first checked the training facilities at the training ground on the top of the mountain, including buildings like simulated city high-rises, shooting ranges, three-line training grounds inside mountain caves, and so on.

After seeing these, Li Xuewu went to the mountain cave next to it to look at the planting area. In the summer, this place mainly cultivated seedlings and seeds, and in the winter, it could continue to plant vegetables that didn't need light.

This was a key project to improve the food for the 816 Regiment and the training ground canteen, and it was also a key project to supply units at the foot of the mountain and create profits.

Last year, very little was planted; it was experimental in nature, and the seeds were all collected from the village, not very comprehensive.

This year, after half a year of development and preparation, the entire mountain cave had been fully utilized.

Places that needed reinforcement were re-reinforced, and places that needed hygiene elimination and organization were renovated.

Unsuitable caves were directly sealed, and heating and lighting equipment were re-installed and repaired.

This time, there was no noise from the generator, because with the joint efforts of the 816 Regiment Engineering Division and the Steel Rolling Mill Engineering Division, a circuit was pulled from the foot of the mountain to the mountain to supply the training ground, as well as the planting area and other areas here.

Working in the planting area were not only people from 816, but also outstanding representatives selected from Red Star Village at the foot of the mountain, participating in the basic work of the planting area together.

While called outstanding representatives, they were actually reliable people, arranged by Yin Mancang to go up the mountain to participate in labor.

And in the area divided for the medical workstation inside the mountain cave, Li Xuewu saw his third younger brother, Li Xuecai, who was interning here.

Suddenly seeing his second older brother, Li Xuecai was also very happy, his mouth babbling and asking about the situation at home.

The young people working together here also laughed, their eyes full of envy.

It wasn't that they envied Li Xuecai for having such an awesome second older brother, but that they envied him for being able to see his own relatives.

Among these young people, some were interns from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, and some were interns recruited from various medical colleges this year.

There were also Li Xuecai's classmates, such as Zhao Xia, the son of the Vice President of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, and other children of medical cadres.

Their purpose for going up the mountain was the same as Li Xuecai's—either arranged by their families, or they didn't want to participate in those things at school.

As for the interns, they were reluctant when they first came, but starting from last month, and then to this month, the news about the internal situation of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital that was passed up the mountain from time to time made them all settle down.

Here, there were master teachers to teach, patients to diagnose and intern with, endless Chinese herbal medicine planting work on the mountain, and research topics on Chinese patent medicine.

These jobs were very hard, and the environment was very difficult, but it was much better than the precarious situation at the foot of the mountain.

People are afraid of comparison, and environments are also afraid of comparison. Suffering more here, they could be more content looking at the situation at the foot of the mountain.

Li Xuewu could see the envy in the eyes of these young people. He didn't pay attention to Li Xuecai, but first shook hands with the teacher from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital who was in charge of the work here, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then shook hands with these interns to express his condolences.

Only then did he briefly tell his third younger brother about the situation at home, telling him to work hard, study diligently, and hone his skills down-to-earth together with the young people studying here.

Only those who can endure loneliness can guard the prosperous future.

After seeing the planting area, Li Xuewu took Han Jiankun to the reclamation area and breeding area in the mountain.

This year, the 816 Regiment was crazily reclaiming mountain land here, cutting down trees and planting fields, wanting to solve their supply problem once and for all.

Although they had the support of the Steel Rolling Mill and Red Star Village at the foot of the mountain, and also used some mechanical power, so far, Li Xuewu knew that the existing reclaimed farmland and vegetable fields were not enough to meet the consumption of the thousands of people on the mountain.

Fortunately, they had their own rations; saying they wanted to solve the supply problem was also a goal to strive for.

The reclamation of mountain land itself was very difficult. The newly reclaimed wasteland needed to be tamed for a year or two to improve the soil structure, and the yield of crops was not very high.

This is science; artificial changes and influences are insufficient, and one can only wait.

This year, Qi Yaowu spent most of his time in the reclamation area, leading the people of the 816 Regiment to not only reclaim farmland but also reclaim a portion of Chinese herbal medicine experimental fields for the medical workstation.

It wasn't that they were actively dedicated, but that the Chinese Herbal Medicine Research Center also had a share of them.

When the cooperation was reached, Li Xuewu didn't leave them out, and while enjoying the treatment, they also had to complete the related obligations.

Cooperating with the medical workstation personnel to complete the planting and research of Chinese herbal medicine was the work they had to do.

Li Xuewu looked around and finally found Qi Yaowu in the vegetable field.

Looking at Qi Yaowu, who was carrying a bucket of manure on his shoulders, Li Xuewu admired this regimental-level commander from the bottom of his heart.

Able to fight, have ideas, take responsibility, and have achievements.

Cadres who lead by example like this were many at this time, but they have become fewer and fewer in later generations.

Seeing Li Xuewu bring people over, Qi Yaowu put down the manure bucket on his shoulder, waved at Li Xuewu with a smile, and then gestured for Li Xuewu to go to the lakeside, and he himself walked over there too.

Li Xuewu took Han Jiankun along, looking at the farmland, vegetable fields, and the fruit forest and artificial lake for fish farming in the distance that had been converted from hillsides.

He thought Qi Yaowu must be so happy doing farm work here that he forgot about home.

Qi Yaowu was much older than Li Xuewu—thirty-six years old, born in 1930—and was exactly a generation that had experienced suffering.

This generation cherished farmland very much. As a major agricultural country, the people here had a special feeling for the land.

Walking through the vegetable field, Li Xuewu looked at the soldiers who were busy, and their faces were also full of satisfaction and hope.

"The Chinese cabbage is growing very well."

"Hahaha~"

Hearing Li Xuewu's praise, Qi Yaowu stood up from the lakeside with a smile, stretched out his hands that had just been washed, and shook hands with Li Xuewu.

Li Xuewu hadn't seen him when he went up the mountain last time, and the two hadn't chatted for a while.

Standing here this time, both Qi Yaowu and Li Xuewu felt a great sense of accomplishment.

"You didn't catch the potato harvest."

Qi Yaowu smiled and took the cigarette Li Xuewu handed over, let Li Xuewu light it for him, and introduced: "In the spring, we estimated we could get more than 3,000 kilograms. Guess how much we actually got?"

"Hehe, I guess it must be more."

Li Xuewu pointed at Qi Yaowu with the hand holding the cigarette and said with a smile: "Looking at your smiling face, how could it not be worth 500 kilograms more!"

"500 kilograms? Hahaha!"

Qi Yaowu laughed loudly as if he had heard a joke, patted Li Xuewu's arm lightly, and said proudly: "Let me tell you, it was over 4,600 kilograms, almost 5,000!"

"Good fellow, how did you plant it!"

Li Xuewu was indeed very surprised. He hadn't done farm work or planted vegetables, and the initial estimate was just a rough guess made by Yin Mancang.

Looking at Li Xuewu's surprised expression, Qi Yaowu was very satisfied, smiled, and gestured to the soldiers who were watering the vegetables to explain: "We plant vegetables with intensive cultivation, watering and fertilizing, and we put our hearts into it."

"Good land doesn't produce grain; it all depends on the father and mother."

Qi Yaowu said with a smile: "If diligence keeps up, even poor land can produce gold nuggets."

"Hehehe~"

Li Xuewu laughed at his proud appearance and teased: "Do you, Regiment Commander Qi, still remember the skills of leading troops? Are you not going to retire and become an old farmer in the fields?"

"Hehe~ If you ask me if the fields are good, I really like it here!"

Qi Yaowu scanned the surroundings with emotion. This place used to be wasteland, mountain forests, and weeds.

After half a year of their efforts, it had now become fertile land. How could he not be proud?

"With these thousands of kilograms of potatoes, plus the Chinese cabbage in the fields, we can have a good New Year!"

"It's indeed been hard work."

Li Xuewu nodded, agreeing with his words.

The severe situation this year had already manifested. It was said that in Longjiang Province, there was a phenomenon where crops were not being harvested because everyone had gone to engage in activities.

This is a very severe problem. If there is no one to supply grain, the city will once again face a shortage of grain.

Qi Yaowu was in the mountain area, but his brain and heart were not as Li Xuewu said, retired to the fields. He was always paying attention to the changes in the situation and naturally knew that the grain situation this year might be unpredictable.

Now many corn plants were planted on the mountain. Even if there was a shortage of grain, he wouldn't panic; surviving the winter wouldn't be a problem.

Looking at Li Xuewu's worried expression, Qi Yaowu smiled and gestured in the direction of the fruit forest to introduce: "We also planted sweet potatoes over there. You won't be short of sweet potatoes to eat this year."

"Hehe~"

Li Xuewu was also amused by Qi Yaowu's words, and the worry that had just emerged was also dispersed.

Seeing Li Xuewu laugh, Qi Yaowu followed suit and continued: "Don't worry, the boat will naturally go straight when it reaches the bridge. Thinking about it now is useless."

After speaking, he gestured to the artificial lake dug in the spring and said: "At worst, we'll eat fish this year. There's plenty of fish!"

"Hahaha! Good!"

Li Xuewu nodded with a smile and said to Qi Yaowu: "Then I look forward to a bumper harvest in our reclamation area this year!"

"That's for sure!"

Qi Yaowu nodded with a smile, his eyes following Li Xuewu to look at the fruit trees on the hillside, the sweet potato fields under the fruit trees, and then at the corn fields and the Chinese cabbage fields at the foot of the hillside.

The water in the artificial lake came from the mountain, and after it was full, it would continue to flow downstream.

And the lake water would be used to irrigate the mountain land and vegetable fields, and to irrigate the fruit trees and sweet potato fields.

Qi Yaowu said that the crop harvest this year would be good, which had a lot to do with the soldiers who were working hard in the fields.

To meet the supply of thousands of people, it couldn't be done without a certain amount of hard work, especially since the number of people at the training ground was increasing, and this burden had become even greater.

It wasn't that the people at the training ground didn't pay for their meals, but rather the problem of where to buy grain after paying.

Grain bought from the foot of the mountain and then transported to the mountain was another cost problem.

If the harvest in the reclamation area could meet the consumption of all units on the mountain, then the supplies for all units on the mountain would be supplied by the reclamation area, and the corresponding expenses would also be paid to the reclamation area.

This is a virtuous cycle. Now, as long as the production link of the reclamation area is opened up, it will be fine.

As long as the grain can be sold, the reclamation area will achieve profitability, further alleviating the supply pressure of the 816 Regiment.

Especially the development of fruit forests, fisheries, animal husbandry, and breeding. No wonder Qi Yaowu told Li Xuewu not to worry; as long as they were given time, this place would definitely become a treasure bowl.

It was indeed a treasure bowl. Qi Yaowu introduced the fat fish in the artificial lake to Li Xuewu. Because they were wild and no one came to catch them, the density was very high.

Li Xuewu knew that at this time, there was indeed fish where there was water, and there must be big fish in deep pits.

Li Xuewu didn't need to remind him; Qi Yaowu said it himself: he didn't intend to catch fish on a large scale this year. There wasn't such a large consumption, and catching them would be a waste.

It would be better to raise them here; anyway, it was very close, and it would be enough to satisfy the canteens at the foot of the mountain.

Qi Yaowu took Li Xuewu to the breeding area, and the wild boars in the large pigsty had increased quite a bit.

"They were all caught in traps dug during reclamation, otherwise they would harm the crops."

Qi Yaowu pointed at the wild boars in the pigsty and explained to Li Xuewu: "The boars were basically killed. We only kept one here as a seed, which also saves them from fighting."

Li Xuewu looked down and saw quite a few piglets, which also looked like new births this year.

Qi Yaowu said with a smile: "We don't know anything about postpartum care for sows, so we invited people from the village to take a look. However, the pigs here are very wild and don't let people get close, so there's not much we can do."

After speaking, he took Li Xuewu to walk toward the hillside on the other side. The forest here was large and not suitable for reclaiming farmland, so it was made into a livestock area.

The cattle and sheep brought back from the border were grazing here. There were soldiers wearing green uniforms riding horses and wandering around nearby, with long guns on their horses, obviously prepared.

"It's wolves, very fierce."

Qi Yaowu curled his lips and said: "It was fine in the summer; there was food in the mountains, so they came to make trouble for a while and then left. I'm afraid we'll have to be vigilant this winter."

"Are there any others?"

Li Xuewu thought of the little fox he saw here last time, but reminded him: "We met a leopard when we first came."

"We've seen it too."

Qi Yaowu nodded: "But that thing is very smart. Seeing so many people working here, it won't come down."

After speaking, he gestured with his hand at several points in the livestock area and said: "I arranged for machine gun sentries. As long as there is grazing, people will be arranged to be on duty."

"You're quite ruthless."

Li Xuewu smiled, looked at the cattle and sheep in the forest, and asked: "How many more years until we can eat the beef and mutton here?"

"It won't be long!"

Qi Yaowu said confidently: "As long as you put your heart into it, the mountains will be full of cattle and sheep, and you can eat as much as you want."

"Keep blowing! Go eat cow dung~"

"Hahaha~"

Because of their cooperation, the two slowly became good friends, and because they had common goals and interests, they were now walking together, laughing and talking.

After coming down from the mountain, Qi Yaowu took the initiative to ask: "How is the situation at the foot of the mountain?"

After speaking, he organized his expression and said: "I heard that your situation is not very good."

"Hmm."

Li Xuewu knew which side Qi Yaowu was talking about. The Steel Rolling Mill had always been a partner, and he naturally understood the situation of the Steel Rolling Mill.

What he was asking about now was not the Steel Rolling Mill, but the branch bureau.

He must have heard about what happened at the Municipal Bureau some time ago, and coupled with Li Xuewu's series of actions in the Security Brigade, Qi Yaowu guessed something. ===== CHAPTER 722 =====