Chapter 363: Chapter 217: If We Don’t Nurture Our Own People, Should We Become Bleeding-Heart Saints and Nurture Outsiders? (Part 2)
The vantage point that Ning An found before was mercilessly blown up.
Along the line between wasteland and life, two regiments of soldiers were dispatched—two thousand men—just to guard Enjiang Town!
Yet despite that, near the barracks, in the beginning, every now and then, a few stubborn tourists could still be caught, all weaving elaborate stories.
The military district didn’t care about these excuses, directly issuing warnings, threats, and deleting photos, then notifying related departments to take them away, even convicting one person of espionage to finally quell those with restless hearts.
But precisely because of this, Enjiang Town became the hottest topic among Dragon Country’s netizens.
...
As they ascended in elevation, the original makeshift path opened by the military suddenly turned into an asphalt road.
Even along the way, you could see backpackers in pairs or threes, not chatting and laughing, but cursing and begrudging.
"Is this opening a scenic area or clearly setting up a prison?"
"Exactly, you’re not allowed here, nor there, and there’s even electric current through the barbed wire. Is this how they treat their own people?"
"These things are useless, wanted to try crossing the mountain range, never mind."
"..."
Not far from the expanded tourist asphalt road, you can vaguely see high barbed wires, equipped with razor wire on top.
The Hongqi car slowly passed by as Li Nan proactively said, "This road was originally opened by the military, later taken over by local authorities and transformed into the current tourist route."
"This place has thus been developed into a tourist attraction, which also contributes to local tax revenue."
Ning An pointed at the endless barbed wire, asking puzzled, "Why is there a net built over there, is there instability?"
Li Nan shook his head, laughing as he said, "Not at all; actually, the scenery there is better than this side."
"The reason for sealing that area is because from there, you can directly reach the area you’ve designated; if not sealed, it might disturb the Daoist Masters’ meditation."
"Uh, okay."
Feeling slightly embarrassed, Ning An replied awkwardly.
Li Nan didn’t mind, continuing to drive while expressing, "Actually, the villagers at the foot of the mountain are rather lucky; for each ticket, five percent is allocated by the officials to compensate them."
"Once the scenery flourishes, they can, like in Enjiang Town, have a township set up by the officials, making their lives much better than now."
Along the way, Li Nan narrated as they walked, yet Ning An didn’t feel bored.
Midway through the tourist route, a fork appeared, one path clear and unimpeded, the other guarded by armed police.
After verifying identity information and a salute from the squad leader, the car smoothly proceeded.
The deeper they went, the more primitive the environment became, ancient trees flourishing like a cage, blocking the view of the sky.
From a distance, Ning An spotted a dark red building, feeling somewhat familiar.
"What’s that?" Ning An pointed at the building, asking confusedly.
"Oh, that’s the replica Changchun Temple."
Li Nan naturally said as he drove, "The higher-ups were concerned you might not be accustomed to other styles, so they specially reconstructed one following the original Changchun Temple’s design for the Daoist Masters’ comfort."
Upon hearing this, Ning An was instantly moved.
Truth be told, Dragon Country’s officials never fail to win hearts.
Approaching the expanded Daoist Temple, Ning An nodded repeatedly.
The current terrain has changed entirely, the original barrenness gone, replaced by thriving vigor.
Outside the temple, many exotic and vibrant flowers and plants are purposely planted, including numerous out-of-season blooms.
Inside the temple, all remains as before; a two-courtyard structure with the Prayer Hall and five auxiliary halls arranged harmoniously.
Even the previously abandoned woodshed is fully rebuilt here.
In the eastern courtyard, common fruits and vegetables are planted, now lush and transparent green, soon to be harvest time.
The western courtyard is unremarkable; the soil turned, but no sprouts emerging.
According to Li Nan’s explanation, seeds brought from the base were just planted here, requiring at least a week to sprout.
Behind the temple, machine rumblings continue, officials feeling the allotted land inadequate, preparing for future herbal deliveries that might exceed the two courtyards, deciding to solve this issue now.
Ning An listened as Li Nan introduced, feeling increasingly favorable toward the officials.
Honestly, their attitude, even the promise they draw, so big and round, would move anyone.
This environment, unsuspecting individuals might assume it’s an Immortal’s abode...
Apparently not, except the one before them.
"Lin Yanke, what mischief are you making in the kitchen?"
Ning An sniffed, detecting a burnt smell.
No doubt, his "culinary expert" junior sister was concocting some dire dish.
"Cooking for you all, don’t mind me, just keep looking; I’ll teach you once it’s ready."
"..."
Ning An’s mouth twitched, yet with outsiders present, he had to save face, reluctantly saying, "Cook a bit more rice and let it simmer longer."
"Got it!"
Lin Yanke responded from the kitchen, whether she heard or not was unknown, continuing to mercilessly handle the food.
Seeing this, Li Nan chuckled on Lin Yanke’s behalf, "You have no idea, Lin Daoist Master’s cooking skills have greatly improved recently, sure to surprise you."
"No need for big surprises, just being edible is enough."
Ning An quietly muttered, then asked, "When I left, only early corn had successfully mutated; how about other staple crops?"
Upon hearing, Li Nan immediately turned serious, "As of now, besides early corn, only rice has successfully mutated; others are still in experiment."
"What’s the yield per acre for early corn, is it near a hundred kilograms?" Ning An asked curiously.
At the base, despite the headaches, he inevitably knew some data.
For instance, early corn’s yield per acre last year was over three hundred kilograms.
According to the researchers’ estimates, mutated early corn’s yield was around a hundred kilograms per acre, which is why he asked.
"Well..."
Li Nan’s expression fixed, bitterly saying, "Yield is only twenty kilograms... not even."
"Can you be more specific?"
"Thirteen kilograms."
My heavens?
Ning An abruptly raised his head, genuinely shocked within.
This yield not only falls short of regular early corn but is far below the researchers’ expected level.
Over these days, he’s understood their character.
They’d never overestimate!
If they say a hundred kilograms yield per acre, their internal expectations must be over a hundred, with no upper limit.
Yet the yield now barely reaches a seventh of the most conservative estimate!
"What about other crops, fruits, and vegetables?"
"Don’t even mention it, whether eggplants or beans, tomatoes, or cabbages..."
"All wiped out!"
"..."
