Chapter 329 Return from Scientific Expedition; Milan River Junction
Lian Cun is 27 years old and has been joining the Tianhe seed collection team for three to four years. His skin is dark and chapped.
Going up plateaus, going down canyons, crossing dangerous shoals, wading in mud...
In the past four years, he was like a hunter pursuing his prey, rushing to wherever the flowers bloomed.
“Capturing the footprints of plants is to better protect them, not to possess them.”
This was told to him by a professor he met on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Utilization is also a kind of protection, so Tianhe is also for protection. Very few people in this world will propagate "worthless" plants on a large scale.
Just like this time they collected a dozen rare plants in the Kumtag Desert. If there are no accidents, most of the time they will be kept in the laboratory like specimens.
The way home was illuminated golden by the setting sun.
The two cars were packed to the brim, and Lian Cun would often look back at the carefully collected specimens.
The outline of the city has appeared in the distance, and the vast Gobi Desert is almost over.
The talented team member who recently joined the team shouted loudly: "Ah! It's finally time to return to the city. This time I'm really suffocating. I've been playing with sand in the desert every day for more than a month." "
"Brothers, go and wash away your bad luck tonight and let the company treat you!"
"Okay, that's settled"
Listen to the intercom. During the conversation, Lian Cun said helplessly: "What are you thinking about? The boss came to Dunhuang yesterday and is waiting for us!"
"Ah? Is this the case?"
"I can't lie to you."
"It's okay, let the boss take care of us."
"You're awesome, wait a minute Go tell the boss."
Lian Cun saw a few cars parked on the road beside the Gobi and said, "Stop talking nonsense, the boss is waiting in front."
< br>
"Really here?"
"Brothers, the cards are full."
After a while, the two groups of people met at the junction of the oasis and the Gobi.
Guo Yang looked at the people who were in good spirits and walked up to greet them one by one.
Lian Cun smiled and said: "Fortunately, boss! I brought back many valuable species this time!"
"Thank you for your hard work. I will help you wash away the dust at night."
"Boss, are you serious about washing him? He has suffered a lot in the desert this time, and it takes a lot of washing before he can be clean."
Guo Yang smiled and shook hands with the team member and said: "You can wash it however you want, just don't wash it until the skin is bald."
"Haha..."
After exchanging a few words, Lian Cun opened the trunks of the two cars and showed off the results of this time.
The first thing that catches the eye is a large number of reference books, and also some carrying tools and soil sampling, which occupy the largest space.
Lian Cun took out a thick layer of specimen folders and sealed bags.
Inside are various collected plant specimens and seeds of wild plants.
Well preserved.
Bi Qiang stepped forward to inspect the number of seeds and praised: "Well done. The seeds look very healthy and have high vitality."
Lian Cun said: "Basically, they are collected directly from the plants. The seeds scattered on the ground are not taken because the temperature in the desert is too high. There are only a few plants, but only 500 seeds have been collected."
"Well, rare plants are like this, barely enough. Let's go and find a place to deal with them first."
The seed collection team brought back 18 species of desert hinterland plants this time, 3 of which are Extremely rare, 'Tamaris saltland' and 'Tamarisk albicans' may even be discovered for the first time.
Because Tianhe’s purpose of collecting seeds is not for preservation, some seeds were still immature when collected, so they directly cut the branches with pruning shears and brought them back.
So some seeds are mature and some are immature. The seeds must be separated as soon as possible.
Fortunately, Tianhe also has an office in Dunhuang.
A group of people, led by Bi Qiang, quickly finished processing, and finally spread the seeds and placed them in an air-conditioned room.
Bi Qiang then said: "Let's go, Boss Guo, have you arranged your celebration banquet? The seeds harvested this time are of great value!"
Guo Yang smiled: "I'm just waiting for you. The people from the West Lake Management Bureau have been waiting for a long time."
…
In a private room of a high-end hotel, there were five people from the seed collection team, eight people from Guo Yang, and six people from the West Lake Management Bureau.
A total of nineteen people sat together.
This scientific expedition was aimed at the Kumtag Desert. The West Lake Management Bureau did not participate, but it did not affect the admiration of Wu Xiong and others for Lian Cun and others.
Especially when he learned that he had obtained several rare and rare plants, Wu Xiong praised: "Plant hunters really deserve their reputation!"
Many people have only heard of seed hunters, or plant hunters. , this seemingly complimentary title also carries a high level of respect.
However, in the past few years, I have not been very fond of the title of plant hunter.
Lian Cun thought for a while and said: "Actually, from a nationalist perspective, plant hunters are generally regarded as poachers."
"So, Tianhe has always used seeds internally. The collection team claimed that if one day we can go overseas, it will not be too late to become plant hunters."
Wu Xiong asked: "Why are plant hunters called poachers?"
"Because of plants? The most glorious achievements of hunters come from the West. For hundreds of years, these plant hunters have collected seeds from all over the world by any means, and our country is the biggest victim.”
"The most striking example is the result of this theft of plant seeds, which has destroyed the export of tea, our best-selling commodity in international trade."
Many people know something about tea, but Lian Cun obviously knew more.
Before the Opium War, in order to reduce their dependence on Chinese tea, the British planted tea in their colonial India.
But the quality of this tea is very poor and cannot compete with Chinese tea. It cannot shake the dominance of Chinese tea in the world market.
But the Opium War gave the British a chance.
Robert Fortune, an early plant hunter, disguised himself as a businessman many times over a period of two and a half years, wearing fake braids and Chinese clothes. His appearance was almost the same as that of an ordinary businessman.
Fortune used various methods to steal tea saplings and seeds, and introduced 20,000 tea saplings into the East India Company's tea gardens at the southern foot of the Himalayas.
At the same time, he also recruited a group of experienced tea workers, which greatly promoted Britain's tea planting and processing capabilities in India.
This move gradually ended the history of Chinese tea’s monopoly on the world tea market.
In 1866, only 4% of the tea consumed by the British came from India, but by 1903, this figure had risen to 59%.
Fortune was therefore known as the "Tea Thief".
Some economists believe that Fortune’s role is worth thousands of troops.
The same example is the kiwi fruit. Many Western "plant hunters" have taken action against the Chinese kiwi fruit. They have collected a large number of seeds and shipped them to Europe and America.
Although these seeds took root and sprouted smoothly, they never produced fruit because kiwi fruit is a dioecious plant.
Only the plants grown from wild kiwi seeds brought back by Mary Fraser from New Zealand were two female and one male.
It also created the world-famous New Zealand kiwi fruit today.
But the achievements of these people are not as good as that of another British 'plant hunter': Ernest Wilson.
Since 1899, Wilson has sneaked into China five times, the first two times on behalf of the British Veitch (Nursery) Company, and the last three times on behalf of the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University in the United States.
Each time he went deep into inaccessible mountain canyons and introduced 1,500 different plants and 65,000 plant samples to the West, 60 of which were named after him.
He is known as "the first person to open a garden in western China" and is highly respected in the Western horticulture community. Countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States have awarded him numerous medals.
"People who enter other countries to poach plant seeds without the owner's permission are called 'plant hunters.'"
Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit dull, Lian Cun smiled and said: "Actually, I don't mind being a plant." Hunter, but we are currently only operating legally within the country and have no chance to go abroad.”
Everyone laughed knowingly.
Wu Xiong looked at Guo Yang and said: "Boss Guo, if our employees want to go abroad to do a career, you have to support it!"
"Haha... don't worry, there will definitely be such an opportunity. , don’t even be impatient to save you, I’ll have a chance to get you later.”
"Okay."
Standing up and holding a glass of wine, Guo Yang said: "The collection team has worked hard this time, it's a good time to rest for a while."
After finishing the drink, he took a few bites At this time, Bi Qiang also raised a glass of wine and faced the collection team.
“I set up the collection team by myself, but now that I have more time for research, I can only rely on you for seed collection.”
“Brother Qiang, you can rest assured if you leave it to us. ”
Bi Qiang continued: "Wilson was born at the bottom of the British society. He relied on his identity as a plant hunter to finally squeeze into the upper class. He even left his name in history. I hope you can also realize your ambitions."
"I Our ambition is to go abroad to make trouble.”
“Hahaha...”
“Whenever the boss lets us go, it will be a big step towards success.”
Bi Qiang said: "Lian Cun didn't finish what he said just now. The British Wilson ended up in a bad end. He broke his leg in Wenchuan and became disabled for life."
"You deserve it!"
"I mean you should also be careful."
"Don't worry, we are very stable in China." Lian Cun said with a smile.
Everyone changed glasses one after another, and the atmosphere became more and more harmonious.
By the time we finish our meal, it’s not too late. Let Lian De and several people move around freely, and today’s consumption can be reimbursed.
Guo Yang and Wu Xiong found a teahouse to drink tea, "Why didn't Secretary Wang come today?"
In the West Lake Management Bureau, Wang Jin is the real leader, while Wu Xiong is more responsible for protection. actual work in the district.
Wang Jin was also invited to organize the game today.
Wu Xiong asked: "I heard that Jiahe is going to rent the protected area. Is this true?"
"Yes."
"Secretary Wang may not agree." Wu Xiong said softly: "Because of this matter, the secretary went to the Forestry Department."
Guo Yang frowned: "What is the reason?"
< br>Wu Xiong whispered: "If Jiahe wins the protected area, the allocation from superiors will be slashed in half, and the establishment of the application will also be cut. However, Jiahe's investment has nothing to do with the administration, and even the rent will be..."
< br>After all, it was still a matter of interests. Guo Yang asked: "Bureau Wu has no idea?"
"Secretary Wang is from outside." Wu Xiong said with a smile: "I am a local, working in Dunhuang Forestry After decades of working at the grassroots level, it’s basically the end of my career at this position. Let’s talk about the sensational aspect, I have feelings for every plant and tree here.”
"It is a good thing for us to invest in a large enterprise like Jiahe. It may be more reliable than relying on superior funding."
Guo Yang thought for a while and said in deep thought: "Is there anyone familiar with Director Wu here?" Nurseries, forest farms, labor teams, etc.?”
“Oh? Does Jiahe need it?”
“Of course, it will be needed for the subsequent breeding and sowing of seedlings, and it will be needed in the future. The Administration Bureau will help.”
Wu Xiong reacted. Jiahe was sending sugar-coated bullets. Although he didn’t know the amount of Jiahe’s investment, mosquito legs were also meat.
"Okay, no problem. I'm good at raising seedlings. It just depends on when Jiahe wants it?"
Guo Yang said: "The sooner the better, we can even start preparations now."
Wu Xiong asked doubtfully: "Isn't the project implemented yet?"
"Sooner or later!"
Dunhuang West Lake Wetland is sparsely populated, and there are only two surrounding oases. There are two or three in the village and Yangguan Town. It is not easy to organize manpower. It is right to win over Wu Xiong.
As for Wang Jin, let him do whatever he wants.
With the end of the first scientific expedition, more than 20 subject areas including hydrology, geology, flora and fauna, and climate have preliminary reference materials.
Although it is still very rough, the route has been basically figured out.
Several route maps have also been prepared through remote sensing technology, and several base camps and temporary camps have been initially set up.
Jiahe made its first submission regarding the planning proposal for the National Desert Park project. …
Provincial Forestry Department.
Wang Jin, who was in his prime of life, finally entered a certain office after many twists and turns.
"Leader, how can the Dunhuang West Lake Wetland be leased to companies? Companies will only develop it indiscriminately in order to make profits."
The leader is a spirited old man and asked: "What do you think? How much does Jiahe know? ”
Wang Jin said: "Big companies are very rich and have contributed to domestic saline-alkali land management, but this is 660,000 hectares of wetland, so just give it to Jiahe for free?"
"Are you really? "I'm confused." The leader said with an unhappy expression: "Jiahe has invested at least ten to two billion in the Tengger and Badain Jaran Deserts."
"If this money is invested in the West Lake Wetland, it will generate more money. What kind of effect will it have?”
“Wu Xiong came to the office to borrow 100,000 yuan for the office supplies of the West Lake Management Bureau last time.”
“Now the real rich man comes. If you don’t catch it quickly, you’ll push the project out, right?”
If Jiahe didn't get involved, the West Lake Wetland would be the back garden of the bureau, and the bureau plus various protection stations would be considered a large unit.
Tickets can also be collected later.
Of course Jiahe can invest, and Wang Jin even welcomed it at one time, but directly rented the entire wetland.
What is the purpose of the West Lake Management Bureau to supervise Jiahe? Can you manage it?
The power has shrunk, and Wang Jin, who still has something to pursue, is of course not willing to give in.
"The ecology of the West Lake Wetland is very fragile. What if Jiahe develops agriculture on a large scale and causes irreparable damage to the West Lake Wetland?"
The leader shook his head, "No."
At this moment, the leadership assistant hurriedly walked in, holding a document and handed it over with both hands.
"Leader, did you bring us a copy of the planning plan for Jiahe's new project?"
The leader was stunned and asked doubtfully: "Did you bring it in advance? Isn't it that we haven't decided yet? Time? ”
"Jiahe said it would be submitted directly to the Ministry of Agriculture."
"What's going on?"
The leader took the document suspiciously, glanced at it, and his eyebrows twitched unconsciously.
The cover was not the Dunhuang West Lake Wetland as he expected, but replaced with: Northwest China National Desert Park Planning Plan.
He repeatedly confirmed that he had read correctly, "Jiahe changed the location of the project?"
The assistant said quickly: "No, leader, Jiahe has expanded the scope of the project. Because it involves three provinces, Jiahe directly contacted the Ministry of Agriculture."
Even Wang Jin couldn't sit still now. He came closer and saw the cover.
The leader opened the plan and a scale map appeared. Dunhuang West Lake Wetland only occupies a small corner.
Most of the rest are in Xinjiang Province.
“200,000 square kilometers?”
This data made several people breathe quickly. Wang Jin was shocked and said: "What did Jiahe think?"
The land of three provinces, 200,000 square kilometers, is equivalent to a control area of 300 million acres, even if it is all Desert, that is also a frightening number.
The leader paused for a moment and said, "But Jiahe not only made a plan, but also submitted it. It's really crazy! How much does Jiahe plan to invest?"
Wang Jin hummed. : "It's impossible to say that people are just using their names to acquire land, and they won't be able to invest much money at all."
The leader continued to flip through the planning book. The total investment amount of the project is planned to be 100 billion yuan. The first-phase investment The amount is 30 billion yuan.
This number is staggering.
"Jiahe may be able to come up with this money, but are you really willing to invest it in this uninhabited desert? Could this be just to deceive people!"
"It's hard to say!"
…
The planning plan for the National Desert Park quickly caused an uproar in the small circle.
Jiahe is interested in Dunhuang West Lake. Many people in Long Province know this, but the National Desert Park?
Even in Xinjiang Province, many people were confused when they received the news.
Xinjiang Province.
SDIC Luo Potash also held a board meeting, which included content about the second phase of Luo Potash’s water supply project. Jiahe came to attend the meeting with Miao Lanchun.
However, after the meeting began, Zhou Weiliang, general manager of SDIC Luokash, was very interested in Jiahe’s new project.
"Mr. Miao, Jiahe is so proactive, right? Milan River is also part of the Jiahe National Desert Park planning?"
"Of course."
"The first phase will require an investment of 30 billion yuan?"
“That’s what the boss decided.”
In the conference room, a total of 11 directors looked at each other. The total investment in the first phase of Luo Potassium was less than 5 billion yuan, and the investment so far is still Not half done.
Even if the planned second phase is included, with the annual production capacity reaching 3 million tons, the total investment will only be more than 13 billion yuan.
Jiahe’s 30 billion is almost equivalent to an investment of 2.5 Romans. Calculated at 100 billion, it is equivalent to 7.7 Romans.
Just for a Dunhuang West Lake and a desert with nothing.
It’s a little crazy!
Miao Lanchun, who is in her early forties and has straight bangs, is calm and composed. She will not be surprised by whatever decision her boss makes now.
While listening to the meeting, I checked the latest information on my own.
Potassium salt is very scarce in China, and the domestic self-sufficiency rate is less than 10% at this time.
However, the land in Jiahe has encountered fewer difficulties in this regard. The land in the northwest has a good potassium content. The potassium deficiency is mainly in the south, especially the southeastern coast, which is very deficient in potassium.
Although the 120-ton Luopotash Phase I plant has not been fully put into production, it has already generated profits at this time.
There is an agenda in the board of directors about whether to pay dividends.
Miao Lanchun didn't care about this. Although Jiahe had 21.8% of the shares, the maximum dividends given to Jiahe at this time were several million.
Can’t get excited.
Until the topic came to the Luo Potassium Phase II water supply project.
Li Shoujiang, Secretary of the Board of Directors, said: "The preliminary plan given by the Water Conservancy Survey and Design Institute refers to the first phase of the project, which still uses underground pipelines to transport water."
"The water pipelines total 264km, divided into There are two sections, the lower section is parallel to the first phase. The upper section is 22~26KM long and is divided into three options: the west line, the middle line, and the east line. The construction costs are 91.36 million yuan, 76.17 million yuan, and 81.97 million yuan respectively. In the long term, the design institute recommends It’s the Western Front plan.”
Miao Lanchun asked: "Isn't it possible to transfer water from the surface?"
Li Shoujiang said: "No, the lower reaches of the Milan River have stopped flowing long ago, and in the hinterland of Lop Nur, there is high temperature and drought, and evaporation is extremely severe. We can only rely on Underground pipelines.”
Everyone present knows the purpose of Jiahe: ecological management.
Once the National Desert Park project is established, the area around Lop Nur will also be within the scope, and the Milan River is an important water resource.
Zhou Weiliang said: "The 2nd Agricultural Division has a tamarisk ecological forest dozens of kilometers downstream of the river, but the section to the middle of Milan Town is desert."
Miao Lanchun didn't pay attention to these, but thought about several ideas given by his boss: water saving, fallow farming, and water conservation.
Surface water transportation is not feasible, but there are pipelines that can directly reach Luokash.
The water for shops in Lop Nur town is also purchased from Luokash, which also contains ecological water.
Miao Lanchun asked: "How much land does the 2nd Agricultural Division have? Is the utilization rate of drip irrigation high?"
Kang Jianxin, a representative of local state-owned capital, said: "Milan Town is the 36th Regiment A total of more than 50,000 acres have been reclaimed, and the use rate of drip irrigation is low. Currently, the cotton is being withdrawn to plant red jujube ecological forest. ”
Saving water is the way to go.
Miao Lanchun wrote down in his notebook and asked: "If water saving is achieved, can the water diversion volume in the second phase be increased?"
The designed water diversion volume is 30 million m.
Kang Jianxin thought for a moment: "It is theoretically possible, but it is difficult to implement. The 36th Regiment lacks funds, and drip irrigation is difficult to implement."
Miao Lanchun did not dwell on this issue. As long as you can save water, you don't have to transfer water.
"When will the Milan water conservancy project start?"
Zhou Weiliang said: "In two years, it may take 10 years to realize the water diversion."
"It's too long."< br>
The conference room was a little quiet for a while.
SDIC does not want to get involved with Jiahe in terms of ecological management, which is of little significance to the Luo Potassium project itself.
Based on the current progress of Luokash, the first phase of the water supply project is sufficient, and the second phase is divided into upper and lower sections. The lower section and the first phase are overlapping lines.
This means that as long as more than 20 kilometers of the upper section are supplied with water, the water supply in the first phase can be increased again.
So, it is reasonable for Luo to realize water transfer in 10 years.
Zhou Weiliang didn't want to pay attention to it, but the Xinjiang Provincial State-owned Assets and Corps paid great attention to it.
Although CDB Investment absolutely controls Luo Potash, among Luo Potash’s shareholders, in addition to Jiahe, there are four Xinjiang provincial state-owned assets.
Jiahe cut off Luo Ka's shares, and now increasing its investment in Milan is equivalent to reciprocating a favor.
In the end, Kang Jianxin broke the peace.
“The problem of Milan River Hub is also the shortage of funds. If Jiahe is willing to invest and hold shares, the speed will naturally be accelerated.”
“What is the investment budget?”
“360 million .”
"How big is the gap?"
"220 million."
Miao Lanchun asked: "Can all of the 220 million be given to Jiahe?"
"Jiahe really wants to invest? "
"Of course, including water-saving irrigation, preferential and flexible payment methods will be provided for the laying of the first and main pipelines."
Everyone was surprised again, this was going to involve real money and silver!
Kang Jianxin asked: "Jiahe really wants to invest in the National Desert Park project?"
"The boss has already set off for the capital." Miao Lanchun said with a smile: "Even if the project cannot be approved, Dunhuang West Lake The wetland cannot be escaped, and the water diversion project will also come in handy in the future. "
There is a Kumtag Desert between Lop Nur Town and Dunhuang Wetland, and no one knows where she got her confidence.
But I can’t control it.
Kang Jianxin did not lie. For a long time, due to short-term funds, the Milan River lacked water regulation projects.
During the flood period, floods and winter idle water cannot be stored and controlled, and there are water conflicts during the irrigation period.
Irrigation methods are still mainly based on conventional ground irrigation. Surface water supply uses open gates to release water, regardless of water volume, and charges per mu, which is very extensive.
As a result, the desert forest and grass vegetation on the periphery of the downstream irrigation area has declined, the river has dried up and there is no vegetation, and the desertification trend is obvious.
Water and electricity bills cannot be charged much, but the Milan River Water Conservancy Project is critical .
Kang Jianxin said: "Leave this matter to Luyuan State-owned Assets, the State Committee, the 2nd Agricultural Division, the Tower Management Bureau, the Design Institute, and Ruoqiang. We will take care of it."
"Jiahe is responsible for paying."
Miao Lanchun smiled and said: "Okay."
With 220 million, it can control the Milan River Water Conservancy Project, which means that Jiahe has the initiative to carry out water conservation and water diversion in the basin.
Even if the project does not succeed, in the long run, the cost of water and electricity can be recovered in 20 years.
The life cycle of potash must be more than 20 years.
Beijing.
Lu Qi is one of the initiators of this desert scientific expedition and the founding director of the China Desertification Research Institute.
When he was invited to participate in the planning review of the Jiahe National Desert Park project, waves surged through his mind, and it took him a long time to hold back a sentence of emotion.
“How dare he!”
(End of this chapter)