Forty-eight, "Old Point" Future

  The way home was more detour than usual, leaving at dawn and arriving home at dusk. Due to the continuous heavy rain, the upstream river water rose, and the "Manshui Bridge" that must be passed on the way back was flooded again.

  This humble-looking bridge spans the Tongjiang River, a tributary of the Fujiang River, which is itself a tributary of the Jialing River, and ultimately the Yangtze River. The stone slabs are supported by inclined conical stone piers, and the bridge deck is less than half a person's height above the water surface. As a result, during the summer months, the river water overflows onto the bridge deck. However, this flooding causes great difficulties for traffic between the inside and outside of the area.

  Because, the Man Water Bridge happened to be stuck at the throat of the entrance and exit road of the research institute. Once it was flooded, ordinary buses had to stop operating, and must-leave vehicles could only take a detour, entering and exiting through what is called the "back mountain".

  This mountain road is even more difficult to walk around. The high mountains and steep ridges are not to mention, the roads in the rainy season are also muddy and unbearable, the bumpy road made Fanghua vomit several times, and when she returned home, her whole body felt like it was falling apart. Fanghua didn't want to go home in the summer, partly because she was afraid of this road.

  However, her mother Sun Yumin comforted her by saying: "We'll be moving away next year, and when you come back for vacation, you won't have to suffer on this mountain road anymore. Moreover, in order to ensure a smooth move, a steel bridge will soon be built over the Tongjiang River. By then, the road will also become much easier to walk on."

  Before the summer vacation, the school had already moved out. Some departments also sent personnel to move out in advance, but most people will not move until next year or the year after next.

  So this is probably the last time Fanghua spent in this mountain valley. From now on, the mountains and rivers here will forever become her dreamland, becoming the "old place" in her memory.

  In the past, after Fang Hua and others moved away, they never came back. Of course, Lao Dian didn't really move everything away, because some instruments and equipment couldn't be moved. For example, there was Asia's largest particle accelerator here at that time, so huge, how could it be moved? So, Lao Dian left a guard squad to keep watch, and every now and then someone would come back to do experiments.

  However, the old house was empty after all.

  After listening to the people who went back, they said that the old place was very deserted and decadent. The weeds were growing everywhere, and there were wild dogs all over the ground. The surrounding farmers and villagers had pried open the doors and windows of the vacant houses, taking away everything that could be sold as scrap, and then turned the good empty houses into pigsties and manure piles, making the old place a scene of broken tiles and foul smells.

  One evening after returning, Fang Hua climbed up the mountain where the TV tower was located, overlooking the mountains, rivers and streets below.

  The research institute is surrounded by mountains on all sides, although not particularly towering, but also continuous, only to the southwest corner leaving a gap, becoming a natural passage for entry and exit. The roads in the institute are also along the foot of the mountain, from the southwest, south to southeast, this piece of mountain foot is mainly distributed with living areas, schools and other buildings; from southeast to east, it is an office research area, with many walls, heavily guarded.

  On the north mountain side are the farmlands and residences of peasant folks, separated by an artificial reservoir in the valley. The reservoir looks like a huge pen holder or a big Chinese character "mountain" written with bold brush strokes. In summer it is at its peak water level, covering an area as large as seven football fields.

  Standing on the mountain, looking at the surrounding green mountains, looking at the sparkling water surface, looking at those quiet residential buildings, looking at those solemn factory buildings, looking at the thick French plane tree branches covering the shaded roads, and also looking at that simple school without a gate or playground. The afterglow of sunset cast a golden glow over all of this, and yet tears welled up in her eyes.

  This is the hometown where I grew up for over a decade, how can I let it just drift away with the wind? I must do something for her!

  After coming down from the mountain, Fanghua started writing a plan book overnight. On that hot summer night, she was still in her small room, writing diligently under the desk lamp. Her mother, Sun Yumin, asked her what she was doing, and Fanghua thought for a moment before saying: "For the future!"

  Two days later, Fang Hua handed over her finished work to her father, Lin Zhihui.

  Lin Zhihui found the topic "National Defense Science and Technology Education Base Construction Plan" amusing at first, thinking it was a big topic. But after carefully reading the content, he was attracted by Fang Hua's idea.

  Fanghua had not studied market development or economic management, she just relied on her own imagination and passion to write this plan. Her core idea was that after the research institute moved out as a whole, the original factory building would not be idle and abandoned, but would be well utilized to build a national defense science and technology education base. The main objects of education were middle school students in large and medium-sized cities.

  There are many instruments and equipment that cannot be moved, which can be directly opened to them for exhibition; a photo gallery and physical display hall can also be built to let them experience the legendary achievements of military workers; they can also be allowed to stay in the houses where the two bomb heroes lived and worked, personally experiencing the hardships of the environment at that time and the optimism of the people. I believe that uncovering the mysterious veil that has been shrouded over the military industry for many years will make more people understand the feelings of the military workers back then, and it will also attract more people to support national defense and military construction.

  As long as the transportation infrastructure keeps up, it's not a difficult task to turn the old site into a patriotic education base. Moreover, with the People's Liberation Army stationed there, we can also collaborate with them to set up a military summer camp, which will enrich the content of national defense education and make the schedule more flexible.

  In fact, ten years later in the Science City built after moving out of the mountain valley, there is also a science exhibition hall as a demonstration of "red tourism". Fanghua thinks that if it was built on the original site of the military industrial unit in the deep mountains, it would have more authenticity, shock and educational significance.

  Besides, Lao Dian is not just limited to red tourism. The mountains and rivers here are beautiful, the folk customs are simple, and it can be developed into a rural tourist area. Although the surrounding villagers work hard, they live in the deep mountains and have no good way to get rich, so it's better to abandon those difficult-to-cultivate mountain lands and move directly to the abandoned residential buildings in the village. It can specialize in receiving rural tourism and also develop some planting and breeding industries as sidelines.

  The farm workers in the commune can provide technical guidance to them and lead them to develop the surrounding mountains into a flower and fruit mountain. The people on the farm were originally opening up a small tangerine garden on the mountain, which can be led by farmers to open up large tracts of orchards. And the peasants here are originally raising silkworms and mulberries, they can also let them plant more economic crops, without having to plant grain with little income. The public grain tax can be replaced by buying grain.

  There is also a reservoir. In the past, because there were confidential units here, farmers were not allowed to enter the water. Later, it can be fully developed, for example, allowing them to develop aquaculture inside.

  If we can mobilize the surrounding villagers to develop a diversified business with farmhouse fun as the main focus, it can also drive them to get rich together. It's not in vain that the scientific research personnel have been living in these mountains for many years. After being neighbors for so many years, it would be great if we could help the villagers before leaving, and leave some memories behind.

  Lin Zhihui looked at the plan book while listening to his daughter's explanation beside him and couldn't help but nod frequently.

  But in the end, he thought for a moment and said: "I really don't know how your little brain thinks! It's not bad, the idea is really good! But all these things need someone to do them, and cooperation with the surrounding villagers may not be easy either. I'm more familiar with them, if you give them material goods and money immediately, they'll be very grateful. But when it comes to seeing results that develop slowly over several years, they're probably too lazy to care about you. After all, it's just a lack of vision."

  The eyes that were originally full of hope also dimmed: "Maybe! What about the construction of the national defense education base?"

  Lin Zhihui said: "This is actually not difficult to say, but also need to have investment and publicity. Now in our village, from top to bottom, everyone wants to move out of the poor mountain valley as soon as possible. To let people stay here for development, it's probably hard to find someone willing. Everyone is thinking about rushing to a new unit to grab a good position (smiling self-deprecatingly). I'm actually interested, but there are too many things on my plate. Look, Yu Liang and others have already made a prototype of the electric heating treasure. I've been busy with the production work of new products!"

  Fang Hua was also delighted: "Teacher Yu and the others have succeeded, that's great!"

  Lin Zhihui smiled: "Not only them, but your mom's team also came up with one. However, everyone thinks that Yu Liang's thing is more convenient and practical, so they put their sample on the market first. But, your mom's team is developing other heating devices."

  Although Fang Hua was excited, she thought of her grand plan and felt discouraged: "Then, is this plan of mine really not going to work?"

  Lin Zhihui put the plan book away, putting it in his own briefcase, and said: "Girl, don't be impatient! This matter, I will think about it. When there is an opportunity, I will first blow some wind to the leaders! Doing things is not always that smooth! Being impatient won't let you eat hot tofu!"

  It's also good to think about it, anyway, I've done my best. Man proposes, God disposes!

  However, it didn't take long for heaven to send a nobleman to help Fanghua achieve her wish.

  One afternoon after work, a dark blue Santana stopped outside Fang Hua's house. When Fang Hua curiously walked out to take a look, he saw Lin Zhihui get out of the car first, followed by a 37-year-old middle-aged man who got down from the driver's seat. He was stout and had a bit of a bald spot on his head like a Mediterranean, but his face was covered with thick sideburns, giving off a Ru Zhishen-like vibe from the TV series "The Legend of the Condor Hero".

  Fang Hua was taken aback for a moment, then remembered who the person was and hastily went forward to call out: "Uncle Xu, it's been a long time!"

  The visitor's name is Xu Jinlin, who was a former subordinate of Lin Zhihui. He used to be an office clerk at the Guangzhou branch. He has always been clever and capable, and was also trained by Lin Zhihui himself. Later, in 1986, he resigned and went into business on his own, traveling all over the country as a solo trader.

  In the early years, his loved ones and children were still in the organization, and whenever there were difficulties at home, they would often ask Lin Zhihui for help. Two years ago, they bought a house in the provincial capital and settled down, so his wife also quit her job and followed him to work together.

  In those years, Lin Zhihui had many clerks and purchasing agents who went into business on their own. Most of them quickly became bosses or owners of small businesses thanks to the connections they made while traveling around for procurement. They basically all got rich. Xu Jinlin was said to be one of the most successful among them, having even bought a car, with assets worth at least several hundred thousand yuan.

  Xu Jinlin was delighted to see Fanghua: "Hehe, Wang Fang! It's been years since we last met, and you've grown so big! Not bad, you still remember your Uncle Xu, that's not easy!"

  Fanghua was also embarrassed when he called himself "Wang Fang". It turned out that when she was a child, Fanghua had watched the movie "Heroic Sons and Daughters" and admired the hero Wang Cheng and his sister Wang Fang so much that she insisted on changing her name to Wang Fang. Lin Dad and Lin Mom couldn't let her change her surname, of course, and didn't agree. Little Fanghua would tell everyone that her name was Wang Fang, and many people thought it was really her name. Later, the uncles and aunts who knew about this also often jokingly called her Wang Fang.

  Xu Jinlin asked Lin Zhihui, "What about Lao Da? That little brat was quite mischievous when he was young, he even stole the pigeons I raised and roasted them to eat. Is he not that mischievous anymore?"

  Lin Zhihui laughed and said, "Don't mention him, he's gone to play at a Tibetan classmate's home for summer vacation. He's in Ganzi Prefecture now! You're back so rarely, today I'll accompany you to have a good drink!"

  In the evening, Fang Hua went to the cafeteria and ordered some braised dishes. Lin Zhihui took out his treasured Maotai liquor and started drinking with his old subordinate and friend Xu Zhilin. Lin Zhihui didn't drink much, just a symbolic gesture. Xu Zhilin, on the other hand, was drinking enthusiastically, downing cup after cup.

  During the meal, talking about recent events, Xu Jinlin sighed: "Business has been tough in the past two years. I don't know what the central government means, and looking at the wind direction, I still don't know when it will be rectified."

  Lin Zhihui advised, "You don't have to worry either. With your skills, people all over the country know you, and you won't be left out in the cold. Moreover, I think the central government can't keep going on like this forever. The policy of opening up and revitalization will continue."

  Although Fang Hua was quietly eating on the side, she also listened to their conversation from time to time. She thought: After the old man's southern tour next year, China will be a scene of great development again. Uncle Xu, you have endured the severe winter, and it will be better later.

  Xu Jinlin actually had an ulterior motive for seeking Lin Zhihui's help this time. It turned out that he had also heard about the electric heating pad developed by the research institute and specifically wanted to obtain the distribution rights for the product. This coincided with Lin Zhihui's intentions, as the people in his organization were accustomed to buying things everywhere but didn't know how to promote products. Xu Jinlin, on the other hand, had been doing all sorts of business over the years and had accumulated rich experience.

  Moreover, Lin Zhihui not only has confidence in Xu Jinlin's ability but also feels at ease with his character. Among so many people who have gone out to sea, only Xu Jinlin often calls his former superior to ask about things. Xu Jinlin is a man who values old relationships and righteousness, and not only can he be entrusted with cooperative sales matters, Lin Zhihui also wants to entrust him with the construction of the old place.

  Then, after finishing the proper business, Lin Zhihui took out Fanghua's plan book and handed it to Xu Jinlin: "Xiao Xu, take a look at this!"

  Xu Jilin took it over and, after reading the first two pages, couldn't help but exclaim "hmm". The more he read on, the more surprised he became: "Is this written by you? This idea is quite innovative, not only can it make use of existing resources, but also gain support from government departments! This project is worth considering!"

  Lin Zhihui laughed: "Which one did I write? It was my younger sister who came up with it."

  Xu Jinlin was even more surprised: "Wang Fang?! Is it really her writing? Awesome! College students are indeed different! Their brains are so flexible!"

  Lin Zhihui said: "Alright, stop praising her! Are you interested in this project?"

  Xu Jinlin hesitated for a moment: "Of course, I'm interested! I've always wanted to do some real business, not just buying and selling empty things, it's meaningless! However, I feel that this project still needs a lot of capital. This is a bit difficult for me."

  Lin Zhihui patiently said: "Of course, this project can't be done by your family alone. I've talked to the leaders of our department and they agree in principle to provide some financial support in the future. You can also find loans and partners! Plus, with the good relationship between our unit and the local government, some things can also get a green light!"

  Xu Jinlin finally made up his mind: "Old leader, you've said so much, I not only will do this project, but I'll definitely make it work. In seven years at most, or three to five years at least, I think there will be a big change here."

  A seed of change was buried in the prime of life, and the future of "old age" quietly changed.

  Also, I'm delighted to see book friends reading my article with great care! Thanks for all your reviews!