In the memory of the older generation in Hong Kong, a few decades ago, whenever there was a drought, terrible water shortages would occur.
When the Qing government ceded Hong Kong to the British, Hong Kong's population was still very small, but the problem of lack of fresh water had already arisen.
This is because although Hong Kong has abundant rainfall, it lacks lakes and no big rivers.
Hong Kong is mainly composed of volcanic rock and granite, and the hard geological conditions are not conducive to groundwater storage and extraction.
In order to find water, Dai Ying thought of many ways.
They once sent ships to Japan, Singapore and other places to buy water, but the cost was too high. Not only did they have to pay a large water fee, but they also spent a large amount of oil money. The water purchased after traveling long distances is as expensive as oil. .
Later, Daiying built several more reservoirs and reservoirs, but they could not fundamentally solve the problem.
For almost a hundred years, Daiying could only spend huge sums of money to build one reservoir after another.
People hope that these ponds can really solve the problem of drinking and using water.
Every time a reservoir is completed, everyone is happy and even holds a big feast at the construction site.
At that time, wars were frequent in the mainland, and many people continued to flock to Hong Kong to escape the wars. The water problem became increasingly serious.
Usually water is scarce, and several severe droughts have left painful memories for Hong Kong people.
In 1893, there was no rain in Hong Kong for ten consecutive months. The drought led to an epidemic of plague, which killed more than 2,000 people.
During a severe drought in 1929, 200,000 people fled Hong Kong because of thirst.
The British Hong Kong government could not solve the water source problem, so it began to implement water control.
Starting in 1938, water was supplied regularly every day.
For example, water is supplied for four hours a day, three hours in dry spots, and two hours in dry spots. If the situation is tight, water is supplied every other day, and water is supplied every three days.
In the next thirty years, regular water supply became the norm!
In 1949, New China was founded, the old mountains and rivers were cleared up, and the sun and the moon were replaced by a new sky!
In order to solve the water shortage problem in China, the industrious Chinese people worked hard, cutting mountains and rocks, and built a large number of reservoirs and canals.
The Hongqi Canal in Linxian County, Henan is a miracle in the history of human engineering and is called the "Artificial Tianhe"!
At the same time, the shortage of fresh water supply in Hong Kong has become increasingly serious.
Starting from the end of 1962, there was no rain in Hong Kong for nine consecutive months.
The water storage facilities in Hong Kong that have been painstakingly developed for many years have been reduced to decorations. The ponds have bottomed out and grass has grown over them.
The water supply in the city was changed from 8 hours a day to 4 hours a day, then 4 hours every other day, and finally only once every 4 days.
There is no other way.
That year, long queues of people and buckets appeared in every corner of Hong Kong.
People put down their work, left class, and whole families lined up to get water.
A large number of residents surrounded the public water pipes. What they feared most was that the trickle of water would suddenly stop, leaving them empty-handed and helplessly facing the expectant looks at home.
Residents living in wooden hut areas have even more hardships. After getting water, they have to carry water up the mountain.
The water was heavy and the slope was steep. The mother walking in front looked back from time to time, fearing that her young daughter would spill the water.
People tried every means to grab water and used everything to hold water.
In the store, except for the price increase of buckets, no other products can be sold.
At that time, a portion of barbecued pork cost 5 cents, but a bucket cost 5 yuan. Some businessmen took the opportunity to make a fortune.
In the desperate situation, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong and Kowloon Federation of Trade Unions sent a distress message to the mainland on behalf of Hong Kong.
Drought is not unique to Hong Kong. Guangdong is also suffering from drought.
But after receiving the distress message, Guangdong still extended a helping hand.
Guangzhou has decided to provide 20,000 tons of free water supply to Hong Kong every day.
The newly built Shenzhen Reservoir has given up irrigation of some farmland and supplied 3.18 million tons of water to Hong Kong to meet urgent needs.
In addition, Hong Kong can also use ships to get water from the Pearl River Estuary for free.
The selfless help from the motherland helped Hong Kong survive that terrible flood.
However, this does not solve the fundamental problem.
The best way is to introduce Dongjiang water into Hong Kong.
Only in this way can the water shortage problem be permanently solved.
Dongjiang, known as Huangshui in ancient times, is one of the main streams of the Pearl River system. It originates from Jiangxi, enters Guangdong southwest, and merges into the Pearl River in Dongguan, with a total length of about 520 kilometers.
The Dongjiang River is the closest natural river with the most abundant water to Hong Kong. It is more than 80 kilometers away from Hong Kong.
However, this short 80 kilometers spans a huge mountain. It is very difficult to cross the mountains and bring water into Hong Kong.
After hydrological survey, the Dongjiang water supply project plan was released, requiring 38 million yuan.
In the 1960s, the country was still very poor, so this was undoubtedly a huge sum of money.
After receiving the report, the Prime Minister personally gave instructions: The water supply project is organized by our country and should be included in the national plan. Because more than 95% of Hong Kong people are our own compatriots, it is more proactive to run the project on our own without their intervention.
The state decided to suspend some other projects and go all out to build the Dongjiang Shenzhen Water Supply Project.
In 1964, tens of thousands of engineering personnel gathered in Qiaotou Town, Dongguan overnight.
More than 60 factories in 14 provinces and cities across the country produce special water pumps, motors, transformers and other equipment for the Dongjiang Shenzhen Water Supply Project, with a total of more than 2,160 units.
The Prime Minister personally issued instructions, requiring the Ministry of Railways to prioritize the transportation of materials for this project and transport them to the site as soon as possible.
On February 27, 1965, the first phase of the Dongjiang Shenzhen Water Supply Project was successfully completed.
On March 1, all walks of life in Guangdong and compatriots in Hong Kong witnessed a river of clear water rushing across the mountains into Hong Kong.
Since then, Dongjiang water has been continuously supplied to Hong Kong.
Since then, Hong Kong’s water shortage has become history. If Hong Kong citizens want water, they can just turn on the tap.
……
The floods in East China reminded many Hong Kong people of the help they received from mainland compatriots during the drought in Hong Kong thirty years ago.
Many people spontaneously took to the streets to donate money and materials to the victims.
On the bustling streets of Causeway Bay, there is a small platform set up with a few simple stools, covered with a piece of white cloth, and several donation boxes placed on it.
In red fonts at the back it says: Please donate! Contribute to the compatriots in the disaster-stricken areas of East China!
Countless citizens stopped here, donated generously and gave their love.
Some students carrying schoolbags donated their lunch money.
A disabled person also came to the donation box to donate. Due to physical reasons, his body was not in control, and it took him a long time to take out his wallet.
He took out ten dollars, but because his hands were shaking and the opening of the donation box was not big, he had to get in with the help of the staff. This scene was recorded on camera by reporters at the scene. After it was broadcast, it moved countless people.
A grandmother donated her coffin book. When interviewed by reporters, she said: "28 years ago, there was a severe drought in Hong Kong, and we could only get water once every four days. In the mainland, I heard that we were hit by a disaster, and many people volunteered to carry water to Hong Kong. If it weren’t for them, I don’t know how many people would have died in Hong Kong. This is a life-saving grace, and I have to repay it.”
The reporter heard my grandma say! I was very moved by these words and said to the camera: "In 1964, Hong Kong suffered a once-in-a-century drought. It was the selfless assistance of compatriots in the mainland that helped us Hong Kong people overcome the difficulties. Now the mainland is facing a once-in-a-century drought." In the face of major floods, please lend a helping hand to help our compatriots tide over the difficulties! ”
You donate, I donate, and everyone donates together. Suddenly, donating money for disaster relief has become the mantra of Hong Kong citizens, with one sentence invariable: Have you donated today?
In the face of disaster, everyone unites as one heart, because we are all flesh and blood compatriots whose blood is thicker than water!
Because Yang Ye has unparalleled influence in the Chinese world, he rushed back to Hong Kong as soon as possible after handling the affairs in the United States.
......
Xinhua News Agency Hong Kong Branch, President Zhou Nan held Yang Ye's hand and said gratefully: "Mr. Yang, you came back at the right time!"
Yang Ye said: "My compatriots are suffering, and I will be used wherever I can be used."
In this time and space, the image of the mainland is much better than in the original time and space. The economic development along the coast is booming, and the students have seen it. Hope everything is stable.
It’s just that this year’s disaster has swept through most of the country and is so severe that we have no choice but to request humanitarian assistance from the international community.
Zhou Nan introduced the current situation to Yang Ye. All the richest people in Hong Kong donated money generously, ranging from several million to tens of millions. Private donations were also very enthusiastic.
The Huo family contributed the most. Not only did they donate 20 million, they also obtained a large amount of supplies, the most important of which were urgently needed medicines.
Yang Ye didn't want to steal the Huo family's limelight, so he also donated 20 million, and then came up with two plans.
First, organize artists from the entertainment industry to perform a disaster relief performance to raise funds.
Second, organize artists from the entertainment industry to shoot a movie together, and donate all the box office proceeds.
......
Yang Ye just did what he said. After coming out of Xinhua News Agency, he immediately summoned the heads of the Hong Kong Cinema Alliance, Screenwriters Guild, Directors Guild, Actors Guild and other major guilds together. Went to Baiyang Pictures for a meeting.
At the meeting, Yang Ye said bluntly: "I am going to unite the forces of Hong Kong's entertainment industry and make a charity movie together. All the box office receipts will be donated to the victims. What do you think?"
This is the moment of unity, and everyone naturally agrees.
Yang Ye said: "Due to time constraints and the large number of stars who have to star in the show at the same time, it is definitely too late to write the script now. My idea is to remake the 1959 "Welcome Night Banquet" "
Zeng Zhiwei was beaten so badly by Yang Ye last time that he is still frightened. He has no ability to retaliate. Instead, he flatters him: "This is a good idea, this "Wealthy Night Banquet" itself. It was also a charity film, and there were dozens of celebrities participating in it, which is very suitable for our current situation.”
The senior people at the scene knew about this movie, so they all agreed.
Yang Ye said: "Then let's start the division of labor now. The Screenwriters Association will adapt the script in three hours. Then, you have to send screenwriters to the shooting scene, ready to call at any time."
Nan Yan, the president of the Screenwriters Association, immediately Agree.
Yang Ye continued: "The Directors Association is responsible for selecting directors. Due to time constraints, I suggest that we divide the shooting into four groups. Anyone who is willing can sign up. Let me say first, I am responsible for one group."
Everyone raised their hands. Because there were so many applicants, we decided to let each of the four major film companies appoint a director.
So, in addition to Yang Ye, the directors of this film include Zhang Jianting of Jiahe, Gao Zhisen of Debao, and Wang Jing of Yongsheng.
Then came the starring role. Eric Tsang volunteered to play the male lead. Yang Ye smiled and said, "We have to finish filming this movie and release it within a week. If you play the male lead, you basically won't be able to sleep. Think clearly!"
Eric Tsang said: "No problem!"
The male lead is confirmed, and other roles will be left to Xu Guanwen, president of the Actors Guild.
The next step is for the Photographers Association to send photographers to take photos with the group. This is easy to say.
Finally, the theater chain alliance is responsible for coordinating the number of screenings and showing the film in Hong Kong after the film is produced.
Since all box office receipts will be donated, the theater alliance does not charge fees.
After everything was discussed, various people immediately started taking action.
......
I heard that Yang Ye was going to hold a charity performance, and Happy Valley Racecourse provided the venue for free. Stars from all walks of life in Hong Kong put down their work and came from all directions.
This benefit performance of Yuan Shikong was initiated by Alan Tam and Anita Mui, two big brothers and sisters in the music industry.
Alan Tam also bought a song overnight and asked someone to write the lyrics. It was used as the theme song for the charity performance, called "A Thousand Miles of Heart".
It’s not that they don’t want to come forward now, it’s just that Yang Ye is a veritable Hong Kong entertainment tycoon.
They also knew that Yang Ye would definitely stand up, so neither of them stepped forward and just silently contributed from behind.
Yang Ye doesn’t want to take away their credit, but he understands how much influence he has. Only by letting him do this can the influence be maximized.
In fact, this is indeed the case. More than 100 artists from Yuanshikong participated in this benefit performance, and the performance lasted for seven hours.
This time, the number of people was even greater, with more than 200 celebrities appearing, and the performance lasted for two days.
In addition to all Hong Kong artists attending, a large number of Taiwanese artists also came.
Li Zongsheng, Luo Dayou, Zhou Huajian, Su Huilun, Yi Nengjing, Ren Xianqi... the stars of Rolling Stone are obliged to do so.
Wang Jie, the Little Tigers, Yu Chengqing, Tsai Qin... the flying saucer stars also arrived one after another.
On the original Time and Space Continent, only Lao Cui and Gong Li appeared on the stage. This time, Wang Fei, Yang Yuying, Lao Lang, Zhu Lin, Fu Yiwei and others also appeared on the stage.
People from Singapore, Malaysia, and even Japanese and Koreans have appeared.
“We drink from the same river, we are all Chinese!”
The theme of this charity performance further highlights the fact that Hong Kong people grew up drinking water from the Dongjiang River.
As soon as the performance started, Xia Meng took the stage and announced that Baiyang Company would donate the same amount of money as the artists present today, which immediately attracted a burst of warm applause.
Subsequently, two students of Yang Ye, Yang Yuying and Liu Xiaohui, represented the mainland and Hong Kong respectively, and sang the theme song of the charity performance "Drinking from the Same River" together.
The two stepped onto the stage, and first one of them donated 50,000 yuan.
Then, Liu Xiaohui took the microphone and said: "Hello everyone, I am Liu Xiaohui. I heard that compatriots on the mainland are suffering, our teacher Sir Yang Ye rushed back to Hong Kong overnight to call for disaster relief.
He I saw a grandma on TV talking about the water shortage in Hong Kong in 2028, and the mainland compatriots organized to carry water across the New Territories. I was so moved that I wrote the song "Drinking from the Same River" overnight and sent it to everyone.
26. Years ago, mainland compatriots introduced Dongjiang water into Hong Kong. We Hong Kong people grew up drinking Dongjiang water. Now our compatriots are in trouble, and I hope everyone will lend a helping hand."
Yang Yuying said: " Hello everyone, my name is Yang Yuying, from Jiangxi. I have been very touched these days when I see everyone taking to the streets and donating generously. On behalf of my compatriots in the mainland, I would like to thank you for your help, thank you! ”
Yang Yuying bowed deeply to the audience and sang: "I live at the head of the river, and you live at the end of the river. Our love for each other is infinite, and we drink from the same river together."
Liu Xiaohui then sang: "You live at the head of the river. , I live at the end of the river, we have infinite love for each other, and we drink from the same river."
The two sang together: "Our mountains are connected, our water comes from the same source, our hearts are connected, and our mountains hold hands. Connected, our water comes from the same source, our singing voices are beautiful, we sing about the same home, the same home..." (End of this chapter)