Chapter 84: Species Diversity (Please Subscribe)

Around twenty minutes past four, with the sunlight just right, a car stopped at the entrance of the orchard.

Wu Qi stepped out of the car, clicking his tongue in amazement at the place. How much time had really passed, yet everything had changed so dramatically.

After chatting for a while, the two headed straight for their destination.

The plot of land lay right by the river, a natural advantage for whatever might be planted there. In the past, one might have worried about floods, but now that was hardly a concern; a flood would be little more than a thorough watering.

This alone revealed how dire the water shortage had become.

Long ago, when Third Uncle had begun cultivating the land without proper permits, it should have been clear that it would eventually be reclaimed.

Twenty kilometers—neither near nor far—could be reached in twenty or thirty minutes by car, though the road was rough.

Along the way, Zhong Di tried his best to memorize the route. It was rather winding, but fortunately not difficult to recall. Even if he forgot, technology was on his side—a single pinpoint and the path would be laid out for him.

Before they even arrived, Zhong Di was already astonished by what he saw along the road. Once he’d taken it in, his feelings were less awe than indignation.

Most of the trees along the way were dead, the remainder barely clinging to life. Not even the weeds were spared, all withered and dry.

Everywhere Zhong Di looked, he sensed the sadness of the plants, like abandoned children. Complaint, resentment, desperate struggle—such tangled emotions overwhelmed him.

Scattered green leaves fluttered on the treetops, as if they might be blown away at any moment.

At last, Zhong Di stopped looking around; unwittingly, the scenery had affected his mood.

“You see it, don’t you? This is the mess I told you about—the place you’re about to work hard to change.” Wu Qi, noticing Zhong Di’s gaze, took the initiative to explain. Truth be told, when he’d first surveyed this area with Director Xing, he too had been furious.

Those who take government funds and do nothing deserve ten thousand cuts. If the project had been fully implemented, this place would be shaded by trees and filled with birdsong.

“It’s pretty disheartening. I wasn’t too confident before, but now, regardless of how I feel, this has to be done.” After a few more words between Zhong Di and Wu Qi, the car came to a stop.

“This is the spot I picked for you. Most of it is right by the river. The riverbed doesn’t hold much water most of the time, but the soil and groundwater are far better than elsewhere.”

Wu Qi spoke as they walked, describing the surroundings. Zhong Di listened and observed carefully.

The land allocated to him was marked with boundary stones, all inscribed with Zhong Di’s name as a distinction.

This time was different from before—this time, it was real, allocated to an individual.

“The trees on both sides of the river are dying of drought. No wonder. Still, thank you.” Zhong Di understood Wu Qi’s reasoning—the riverside soil and groundwater were superior to other areas.

“This used to be all poplar trees. In autumn, the scenery was beautiful. Those who absconded with project funds are hateful; those who illegally cleared the land are even worse.”

The river was full of stagnant water, not even a trickle forming a stream, barely able to flow—less effective than a canal.

Land reclamation here did not mean enclosing the desert for crops, but rather knocking down the existing trees, burying them, and then planting. The soil was rich for a few years, yielding high output.

The plot assigned to Zhong Di was better than the rest; at least some trees were still alive.

Logically, trees should not die so severely right beside the river, but only if they were fully established with strong roots.

Step by step, the two walked through Zhong Di’s allocated land, their legs growing sore.

Six hundred acres—a considerable expanse. After one circuit, Zhong Di’s legs were aching; this sandy soil was nothing like asphalt, fluctuating underfoot and wearing out the legs.

It was well past seven when they finished surveying the land and began the return journey.

In truth, it shouldn’t have taken so long, but Wu Qi and Zhong Di spent time talking—Wu Qi gave many practical suggestions, and Zhong Di shared his thoughts.

Wu Qi suggested planting fragrant pears, already a stable industry around Kulun City, with good sales and promising deep processing.

But Zhong Di disagreed. If it were before the outbreak of pear blight, he might have considered it. Now, he would not. Not only were the pears grown in Shache County inferior to those from Kulun, but the disease made them unsuitable. After years nurturing the trees, a single illness could destroy everything—what a waste.

Although he could read plant behavior and had powerful tools, that didn’t guarantee everything.

Besides, how could a region rely on only one fruit tree? It was the dominance of fragrant pears around Kulun that allowed the bacterial disease to spread unchecked.

The economic blow was huge, as if the region’s lifeblood had been seized.

The proper development should be a fragrant orchard of many fruits. While this might not turn into a massive industry chain, it would better withstand various shocks.

Diversity is the law of nature. To forcibly unify species is, in Zhong Di’s view, missing the point and failing to achieve sustainable development.

Now was the perfect time to cultivate other fruit trees. Six hundred acres was enough for a sizable orchard. If joined with other nearby growers, why not try a new industry chain?

For Zhong Di, species diversity was the solution, and most beneficial for the ecosystem.

It was almost eight o’clock when Wu Qi dropped Zhong Di off at the orchard and left. Thinking about it, Wu Qi would get back right at eight—perfect timing to finish work.

Wu Qi’s timing was impeccable—could this be the legendary art of idleness? Compared to an afternoon in the office dealing with paperwork, walking around outdoors was much more pleasant.

After contracting the land, Zhong Di’s mind had been a blank slate; he hadn’t known where to start. But after today’s visit, he finally had a plan in mind.