He wiped the grease from his mouth and said seriously, "The meat is really delicious today, and the melon is sweet too, but I still have a big stone weighing on my heart."
Du Jianshan put down his bowl and looked at the company commander: "Company commander, what's the matter?"
"Water!" Chen Jianshan frowned.
"Those old wells in our company are about to give out!"
"We need to irrigate the area and also ensure drinking water for people and livestock. The water shortage is too great. The regiment has asked us to solve the water problem as soon as possible."
"We're organizing people to dig new wells everywhere, but water veins are hard to find under this Gobi Desert! We'd be lucky to get one out of ten wells, we're still short of the water needed for six or seven wells!"
He sighed, looking at Du Jianshan with a glimmer of hope: "You're a quick-witted and resourceful guy. Saving pigs, repairing tractors, even digging this dugout so cleverly."
"Do you have any connections when it comes to finding water? Even just pointing to a few more specific spots would be helpful!"
Chen Jianshan was truly at his wit's end.
Now, the higher-ups are putting pressure on them, and it's difficult for those below to follow suit.
With pressure coming from both sides, the burden fell entirely on him, the company commander.
Of the educated youth sent to the countryside, Du Jianshan was the only one with a quick mind, so he came to try his luck and ask.
Du Jianshan had a plan in mind, but his face showed a thoughtful expression: "Company Commander, I actually know a few old methods for finding water. Back in my hometown, I learned some land surveying skills from the old masters."
It's no wonder they spent their time in jail in their past lives; everyone in there was incredibly talented.
He can do any job.
They were using methods from later generations, which were naturally much better than what we use now.
"Oh? Tell me quickly!" Chen Jianshan's eyes lit up.
"First, we need to look at the terrain, you know... contour lines." Du Jianshan tried his best to explain in language that people in this era could understand.
“In the middle of the night, when the dew is heavy, go for a walk in the fields and see where the grass is growing particularly well or where the ground is dampest. Those places are more likely to have water underneath.”
He paused, then changed the subject: "However, Company Commander, this method is fine for finding some water in an emergency, but it's just a drop in the ocean when it comes to solving the fundamental problem."
Chen Jianshan's newly ignited hope sank again: "Then... what do you mean?"
Du Jianshan pointed to the blurred outline of the Tianshan snow-capped peaks in the twilight: "In the long run, we have to set our sights on it!"
"Tianshan?" Chen Jianshan looked in the direction he was pointing.
"Yes!" Du Jianshan said with certainty.
"The snowmelt from the Tianshan Mountains is the lifeblood of our Gobi Desert. If you ask me, once we expand our land reclamation efforts further, we should consider building underground irrigation canals to bring the snowmelt from the Tianshan Mountains down."
He clearly remembered that the groundwater content in the Tianshan Mountains was very high.
Later studies have also provided evidence for this.
For the time being, no one dares to touch this big guy.
"Underground irrigation canal?"
"Yes, it's similar to... well, the famous 'karez' well system in Xinjiang, China."
Du Jianshan explained.
“Digging underground channels to bring water here can greatly reduce evaporation. However, this project is too big, and our current amount of wasteland is not enough to undertake it.”
He then changed the subject: "But we can start planning now! We need to get the contour maps done first and determine the general direction of the water diversion route. Once we've excavated more land, the irrigation canal project can follow immediately, without delaying either side!"
Chen Jianshan's eyes grew brighter and brighter as he listened, and he couldn't help but slap Du Jianshan on the shoulder with such force that he almost stumbled.
"Good lad! You're really something! That's some foresight! You're got the makings of something great! It's a waste of your talent to be stuck in logistics feeding pigs and repairing livestock sheds!"
He got more and more excited as he spoke: "Once this busy period is over, I'll transfer you to the repair department! Technical skills should be used where they're needed!"
Chen Jianshan stood up, looked around at everyone in the room, and waved his hand with an undeniable determination: "Du Jianshan, I think finding water is a good idea! Just go for it! If you need manpower or any support, just let me know!"
He specifically pointed to several educated youths present, including Accountant Liu: "You guys, and the other educated college students in the company, are all under your command! Whether it's looking for dew at night or drawing maps during the day, follow Du Jianshan's instructions! Make sure to come up with a water-finding plan as soon as possible!"
"Yes, Company Commander!" Several educated youths responded immediately, their eyes filled with more respect and expectation as they looked at Du Jianshan.
After Company Commander Chen Jianshan made the final decision, he ate half a chilled cantaloupe in the dugout, then burped contentedly and strolled back to the company headquarters with his hands behind his back.
The remaining people in the dugout looked at the little bit of oil and melon rinds at the bottom of the pot, and then at Du Jianshan; their eyes were different now.
"Brother Du, are you really going to do it?" A former educated youth rubbed his hands together, a little excited but also a little unsure.
Finding water is a big deal; it's much harder than digging a hole in the ground.
But if we actually solve it, we'll be the ones who make the greatest contribution!
It's not just the educated youth settlements that will be rewarded; the military will also show their appreciation!
Maybe we can even make it onto the honor roll!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
