"Quickly, send someone to scoop up firecrackers, whatever kind, bring back as many as you can."

So, the organizers quickly sent people to Songjiang River and Donggang to fetch a lot of firecrackers.

This time, everyone seemed to have a better understanding of the situation. Before starting work in the morning, they arranged for someone to go up the mountain and set off a circle of firecrackers around the logging area.

That place was bustling with activity, almost like Chinese New Year.

Sure enough, after setting off firecrackers before starting work, there was no noise at all.

The tension gradually eased as everyone said that the tiger had probably already wandered off somewhere else.

As a result, after just three days of stable work, on the evening of the fourth day, the sixth work team heard tiger noises again on the outskirts of the logging area.

Fortunately, the oxen and horses were empty this time. Even so, the oxen and horses were so frightened that they ran around wildly, kicking and injuring one of the workers driving the sleds.

Well, now we don't have to work anymore, let's stop work.

So the next day was a rest day, and the leaders of the site gathered together to discuss countermeasures.

I don't know who suggested it, but if things don't work out, we should just remove the harnesses from the cattle and horses.

The arrival of this tiger will have the biggest impact on livestock. Once the livestock are frightened, who knows what kind of accidents might happen to them.

Why not withdraw them and reorganize the six work teams into three? Surely the machines won't be afraid of tigers then.

"No, no, our work progress is already much slower this year. If we remove the oxen and horses, we won't be able to get any work done."

Feng Baosheng disagreed, feeling that such an arrangement was unreasonable.

The six work teams were reorganized into three. Everything else was fine, but what about the work team leaders?

He went to great lengths to promote three people to be foreman. If he removes them, will they still be willing to do favors for him in the future?

Feng Baosheng firmly disagreed, and after arguing for a long time without reaching a conclusion, Zheng Xianyong finally stepped in to mediate.

"Well, it's almost seven o'clock, and everyone hasn't eaten yet. We can't come up with any good ideas on an empty stomach."

How about this, let's go to the cafeteria first, grab a bite to eat, and then discuss it further.

And so, the group left the temporary dispatch room and went to the canteen for lunch.

At this time, the workers had long since finished eating. Some had already returned to their dormitories to rest, while others were gathered in the canteen chatting idly.

"Most of us were born after our parents came to Northeast China from Northeast China after the founding of the People's Republic of China."

Not to mention us, even our parents rarely saw the old timber workers in Changbai Mountain doing their jobs.

I heard my teacher's wife say that in the past, before the timber guilds went up the mountain to cut timber in winter, they had to hold a ceremony to worship the mountain god to open the mountain.

A pig's head must be offered as an offering, incense must be burned and prayers must be offered, and chicken blood wine must be drunk to symbolize unity. All the members of the timber guild must sincerely kneel and worship the mountain god, and swear an oath together before they can start felling the first tree.

If the first tree is felled well, without any branches or twigs, it signifies a smooth and trouble-free season.

Sheng Xiping was surrounded by a group of people and was talking to them.

"Really? I've never heard of that!" The people around looked on incredulously. "Isn't that superstition?"

"Whether it's superstition or not depends on how you look at it," Sheng Xiping shook his head.

"As human beings, we should know how to be grateful."

The people of Changbai Mountain have relied on the mountains for generations, cutting down trees and selling them for money every year.

Changbai Mountain sustains the people of our mountains; shouldn't we be grateful to it?

"In addition, our elders have left us with so many lessons learned about cutting down and felling trees."

They have blessed us with safe production and fewer accidents for generations. Shouldn't we be grateful to our ancestors?

Sheng Xiping looked around and asked.

The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere changed instantly, and everyone around fell silent.

No one was laughing and joking anymore; everyone's expression turned serious.

"We should, indeed should, be grateful to this mountainous land and to our ancestors."

At that moment, Zheng Xianyong's voice came from the entrance of the cafeteria.

"Oh, Secretary, Director, we were just joking around and talking nonsense, don't take it to heart."

Everyone turned around and looked at the door, and were startled.

Good heavens, when did these leaders come in? Wang Jianshe, quick-witted, immediately began to explain, afraid that they would misunderstand and think they were promoting old ideas and feudal superstitions.

"No, no, I think what Comrade Sheng Xiping just said was very good."

We forestry workers live in these mountains and forests, so we should have a sense of awe for them and know how to be grateful. That's good.

Zheng Xianyong waved his hand, saying that some old rules have been passed down for a reason, and this is not superstition.

"Secretary Feng, what do you think?"

Feng Baosheng seemed lost in thought, as if he hadn't heard Zheng Xianyong's words.

It was only when someone next to him tugged at his sleeve that Feng Baosheng realized what was happening. "Yes, yes, what Director Zheng said makes sense."

The leaders are here for dinner, what right do the rest of us have to stand here and chat idly? With just one look from Sheng Xiping, his colleagues immediately stood up.

"Secretary, Director, please have your meal. It's getting late, we should go back and rest first."

The group quickly slipped out and went back to their dorm to continue chatting.

"Secretary Feng, don't mind them. These workers are quite bored up in the mountains. After dinner, they have nothing to do, so they get together and chat aimlessly. It's just a way to pass the time."

"It's a bit vulgar, but that's normal." Zheng Xianyong laughed as he watched the group of young men walk away.

“Old Zheng, you’ve been in Qianchuan Forest Farm for a long time and experienced a lot. Tell me the truth, did that mountain opening ceremony that Sheng Xiping just mentioned really exist before?”

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