PFC Chapter 472: There are many benefits.
Chapter 472: There are many benefits.
After walking for more than two hours, we finally arrived at the valley we had visited yesterday.
Li Xiangyang could see from afar that the depression was still emitting white smoke, though much weaker than yesterday.
“This is it,” he said, pointing ahead.
Engineer Chen's eyes lit up, and he quickly walked over. He took out various instruments from his bag and began taking measurements.
"The thermometer shows the surface temperature exceeds eighty degrees Celsius," Xiao Zhang noted, "much higher than that of a typical hot spring."
Engineer Chen lay on the ground, inserting a probe into the soil: "The underground temperature is higher; there might be magma activity."
Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou stood aside, watching them work.
"Is there really magma down there?" Wang Ergou asked worriedly.
“It’s not the kind of volcanic lava you’re thinking of,” Xiao Liu explained. “It’s more like a deep geothermal system. Hot water is rising from deep within the Earth’s crust, forming this hot spring.”
Engineer Chen carefully collected water samples; the hot water in the glass bottle was still steaming.
“The temperature and mineral content are ideal,” he stood up, adjusting his glasses. “If developed properly, it could easily become a hot spring resort.”
Li Xiangyang's eyes lit up: "Engineer Chen, you mean a hot spring can be built here?"
"Given the geological conditions, it's very likely," Engineer Chen nodded. "The water temperature is stable, and the output is considerable. The key is the water quality; we'll have to take it back for testing to determine if it contains any beneficial components."
Wang Ergou rubbed his hands together: "If we could really build a hot spring, wouldn't our village be rich?"
"Don't get too excited," Xiao Liu poured cold water on the idea. "Developing hot springs requires many conditions. First, there needs to be a road; otherwise, who would be willing to travel so far to soak in a hot spring?"
Li Xiangyang said thoughtfully, "The road is indeed a problem. There's only one dirt road from the village to the county town, and even tractors can't get through on rainy days."
"Furthermore, environmental protection must be considered," Xiao Zhang added. "This area is a virgin forest; indiscriminate development could damage the ecosystem."
Engineer Chen packed up the equipment: "That's all in the future. Let's report the situation first and see what the higher-ups decide. But don't worry, if we really decide to develop it, we'll definitely consult the local authorities."
Li Xiangyang, however, had already begun to make plans in his mind.
Hot springs, ah, that's a golden opportunity.
If it can really be developed, life in the village will be completely different.
"Engineer Chen, may I ask you something?" he asked cautiously, "If a hot spring can really be built here, what benefits would it bring to our village?"
Engineer Chen smiled and said, "There are many benefits. First, the government will cover the cost of road construction. With a road, the village's mountain produce can be transported out, and goods from outside can be brought in."
“There are also job opportunities,” Xiao Liu added. “The hot springs need people to manage and provide services, and we need locals for all of that.”
As they talked, they surveyed the surrounding area for a while, and then Engineer Chen asked Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou to mark several locations.
“These markings are important; we’ll need them next time we come,” he instructed.
The sun was high in the sky, and the temperature in the mountains and forests had risen. The snow was beginning to melt, and the sound of dripping water could be heard everywhere.
"That's about enough, it's time to go back." Engineer Chen packed up the last piece of equipment.
On the way back, Li Xiangyang kept thinking about the hot springs.
If the village really has a hot spring, the changes will be huge.
Putting aside everything else, the road construction alone will bring immense benefits to the villagers.
And if it really works out, when the spring breeze of reform and opening up blows, building a distribution center will be like God paving the way for it!
"Brother Xiangyang, do you think this will work?" Wang Ergou asked.
"It's hard to say, but it's always a glimmer of hope."
Despite his great anticipation, Li Xiangyang dared not make any definitive statements, lest he be disappointed in the end.
Back in the village, the news spread quickly. The villagers were abuzz with discussion, some excited, others worried.
That evening, Zheng Dehou approached Li Xiangyang: "Xiangyang, those geological team members told me about the hot springs today. Do you think it's reliable?"
“They’re professionals, they shouldn’t be talking nonsense,” Li Xiangyang replied.
"If a hot spring can really be built, that would be a fantastic thing," Zheng Dehou said, rubbing his hands together. "Our village has been poor for so many years; finally, there's hope."
"Captain Zheng, this is still very much in the works," Li Xiangyang reminded him. "Let's be realistic and just keep doing what we're supposed to do."
Zheng Dehou nodded: "You're right. But I need to report this to my superiors and see if we can get some policy support."
The next day, Engineer Chen and his team left, saying they needed to go back and analyze the data.
Before leaving, Engineer Chen specifically sought out Li Xiangyang: "Thanks to your help this time. If there's any progress, we'll come back. We might need your help then."
"You're too kind, Mr. Chen. This is just doing things for the village," Li Xiangyang said.
After the geological team left, life returned to normal.
News of the hot springs spread far and wide, and everyone was watching with bated breath.
Time slips away quietly amidst anticipation and busyness, and before we know it, it's December.
The snow fell more frequently than in previous years in Xiaoliang Village, and the thick snow covered the entire village in a silvery-white world. Smoke drifted from the chimneys of every household, rising slowly in the cold air.
Before the roosters crowed in the early morning, Li Xiangyang got up early and started chopping firewood in the yard.
It's been almost two months, and there's still no news from the geological team, which is making people anxious.
"Up so early?" Li Xiaoyun came out wearing a cotton-padded coat. Seeing her husband's furrowed brows, she asked curiously, "What are you thinking about?"
"It's nothing," Li Xiangyang smiled. "It just feels unusually cold this winter."
“That’s right, Sister Wang said yesterday that her water tank was frozen.” Li Xiaoyun rubbed her hands together. “Wangchen kicked off the covers last night, so I covered him with an extra quilt.”
Just then, footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate.
"Brother Xiangyang! Is Brother Xiangyang home?" It was Wang Ergou's voice.
Li Xiangyang opened the door and saw Wang Ergou stamping his feet, his nose red from the cold: "Brother Xiangyang, Captain Zheng sent me to call you, saying it's something important!"
"What's the rush?"
"The geological team is here again!" Wang Ergou said excitedly. "Engineer Chen and the others are at the village committee!"
Li Xiangyang's heart skipped a beat. He quickly went back inside and put on his cotton-padded coat: "Xiaoyun, I'm going to the village committee."
The two trudged towards the village committee, their steps uneven. The snow on the road was already half a foot deep, crunching underfoot.
The village committee office was packed with people. Chen Gong was talking to Zheng Dehou, and there were several other people that Li Xiangyang had never seen before.
"Xiangyang's here." Zheng Dehou waved. "Come over here quickly, Engineer Chen has good news to tell everyone."
Engineer Chen adjusted his glasses, a smile playing on his lips. "Everyone," he said, "we've brought good news. After two months of analysis, the water quality test results for the hot springs are excellent."
The room fell silent immediately, and everyone pricked up their ears.
"The water contains various minerals beneficial to the human body, especially sulfur and silicic acid, which are very effective in treating skin diseases and arthritis." Engineer Chen produced a report. "The higher authorities have given preliminary approval to develop this hot spring project."
No sooner had he finished speaking than the room erupted in chaos.
"Really? Our village is going to have hot springs?"
"Doesn't that mean they're going to build a road?"
"They'll need to hire people to build the hot springs, right? Could my child work as a waiter/waitress?"
……