Safety First, Prevention First
"Western China possesses abundant natural resources. Previously, the West-to-East Gas Pipeline and the West-to-East Electricity Pipeline were used. What does this indicate? It shows that the energy demand in eastern China far exceeds that in the west. Now, the electricity generated by the 'Project Starlight' will entirely serve the production, construction, and civilian needs of northwestern provinces such as Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, and Xinjiang."
"Taking resources from nature, developing them in the Northwest, and utilizing them in the Northwest, a sufficient energy supply is a necessary guarantee for the development of the West. Therefore, the 'Project Starlight' is of great scientific and strategic significance, and this project cannot afford to fail."
"The location for the ground base of the 'Project Starlight' has been thoroughly studied by the state, and this is the most suitable location for our country's conditions."
"While developing the economy of Northwest China, we must never cause irreversible damage to its ecological environment."
"Here, I hope that the environmental monitoring team at the Northwest Base will continuously monitor environmental data within the coverage area of the 'Project Starlight' and continue to improve various emergency response plans."
"Green mountains and clear waters are more valuable than gold and silver mountains; this is the most fundamental national policy."
"Before becoming a desert, the desert was once a place of lush green mountains and clear waters."
"Restoring deserts to their original oases is extremely difficult. However, we have a responsibility to prevent the continued deterioration of the ecological environment in desert regions."
"In addition to emergency plans for conventional natural disasters such as earthquakes, mudslides, floods, and sandstorms, I would like to emphasize the prevention and emergency response to two other types of disasters."
"First, there is the Foehn Wind. Second, there is the Light Disaster."
"So thank you all for your hard work, meeting adjourned."
After returning to the command post in Dunhuang, Shen Qi convened a meeting and gave important instructions on relevant matters.
After the meeting, the head of the environmental monitoring team stationed at the Northwest base spoke with Shen Qi privately. The two drank tea, smoked cigarettes, and chatted.
This environmental expert, Wu Xinping, has dark skin from years of outdoor scientific research, and the deep wrinkles on his forehead reflect his deep concern for the country and its people. "Before joining the 'Project Starlight,' I worked at the Capital Geophysics and Meteorology Research Institute. I was initially very opposed to the 'Project Starlight' because it would inevitably have an impact on the environment. I wrote a report of more than two hundred pages analyzing the potential environmental damage caused by the 'Project Starlight.'"
"After our director saw the report, he gave me a severe dressing-down. He said, ' Wu Xinping, who do you think you are? Such an important national decision, a plan personally approved by the leader, you think you can overturn it just by writing a report?'"
"I was in my thirties at the time, and I had a rather volatile temper. I also relied on my family's connections, so I slammed my fist on the table and started arguing with the director," Wu Xinping said, sounding somewhat emotional as he recounted his past.
"It seems the Old Wu family's background is incredibly deep." Shen Qi knew there were many powerful figures surnamed Wu in various government departments in the capital. Which Wu family did this dark-skinned Wu Xinping belong to?
A subordinate slammed his fist on the table and confronted the head of the institute. Instead of being punished, he was promoted and joined a national key engineering project team. Wu Xinping's background was clearly very strong.
Wu Xinping is currently the director of the Environmental Monitoring Department of the "Project Starlight," and his position and benefits are equivalent to those of the deputy director of the Capital Geophysics and Meteorology Research Institute.
"I was being naive by mentioning my background in front of Academician Shen. What I mean is that I was impulsive at the time, fearless in my pursuit of my scientific ideals, and I offended many leaders. After confronting the director, I had prepared for the worst, but I didn't receive any criticism, punishment, or exclusion. Instead, I was recruited into the Environmental Monitoring Department of the 'Project Starlight,' and my position and benefits were improved."
"It wasn't until years later that I learned that it was the director who strongly recommended me to join the 'Project Starlight' environmental monitoring department. Why? Because I was a perfectionist and opposed to implementing the 'Project Starlight' within China."
"Since Wu Xinping has raised so many serious environmental issues for the 'Project Starlight,' then let Wu Xinping study and solve these problems—these are the director's exact words."
"In the blink of an eye, I've worked for Project Starlight for over ten years. I'm almost fifty years old now, and our director passed away two years ago due to illness."
"When the old director was leaving, he held my hand and told me to safeguard the 'Project Starlight,' to control my temper, to speak calmly, and not to have conflicts with leaders or colleagues. He said everything was for science, for the country, and for the people. After saying that, he stopped breathing right in front of me. I cried all night that day."
At this point, Wu Xinping was deeply moved. "So many people have devoted their lives to this project, directly or indirectly. When they pass away, only a few people will know their names. Academician Shen said it very well at the meeting just now: 'Project Starlight' cannot afford to fail. If it fails, I will spend the rest of my life in guilt."
"We extend our highest respect to Old Director Wei. He will surely bless us from heaven to complete our mission." Shen Qi was also deeply moved as he listened. Indeed, only a few people in the industry knew about Old Director Wei of the Capital Geophysics and Meteorology Research Institute, and Shen Qi was one of them.
The older generation of scientific researchers have passed away, and the younger generation of scientific researchers are growing old as time goes by.
Stories similar to those of Old Director Wei and Wu Xinping happen every day, whether in research institutes, laboratories, construction sites, or in remote wilderness areas with extremely harsh living conditions.
The backbone of a nation is not just the most famous scientist; countless grassroots researchers who dedicate themselves silently support the backbone and pride of the entire country.
"As you get older, you become nostalgic," Wu Xinping said with an apologetic smile. Then, in a serious tone, he continued, "I went from being Associate Researcher opposed the 'Light Project Starlight' to the head of the Environmental Monitoring Department who firmly supports it. I understand my responsibilities very well. My job position has changed, but my original aspiration remains the same. I fully agree with Academician Shen's instructions at the meeting to improve emergency plans for various natural disasters. My colleagues and I will work together to carry out the follow-up work as soon as possible in accordance with Academician Shen's instructions."
"We have relatively mature response systems for natural disasters such as earthquakes, mudslides, floods, and sandstorms, and we will continue to improve them. However, our prevention and emergency response to Foehn Wind and Light Disaster are still relatively weak, as these rarely occur in China. Precisely because they occur so infrequently, they deserve our utmost attention."
"So please rest assured, Academician Shen, I will definitely follow your instructions completely and complete the tasks you assign in the shortest possible time."
"However, there is one type of disaster prevention and handling that is beyond my knowledge. I would like to ask Academician Shen, what should we do if such a disaster occurs?"