Recalling Shanmu River Prose

Shanmu River is located in my hometown, Yongshun, Xiangxi, Hunan Province. It is a little-known tourist scenic spot. The mountains are clear and the water is bright, like a bright pearl embedded deep in the mountains of western Hunan. Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, we have not seen each other for 8 years. What remains in my mind is still the memory of the beautiful mountains and rivers...

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This morning, it was raining heavily, and I turned on the computer as usual. Then, make a cup of chrysanthemum tea and enjoy the beautiful articles in Jiangshan while sipping the tea. Suddenly, I received a strange phone call: "Xueqing, is that you?" The voice was urgent, and it should be a middle-aged man on the other side of the phone. The voice sounds a little familiar and a little strange. I say familiar because of the authentic Wanping accent; strange because I really can’t remember who the middle-aged man on the other side of the phone is? "It's me. Who are you?" "Xueqing, I'm Ou Daosheng from the Xiangxi Prefecture Tourism Bureau. My hometown is a place called Qilichong near your hometown."

Ou Daosheng? This name seems a bit familiar. Oh, I remembered, it was him who once served as the Party Committee Secretary of the Tawosu District Office, and later became a member of the Standing Committee of the Yongshun County Party Committee, Propaganda Minister, and Deputy Secretary of the County Party Committee of the Communist Party of China. Later, he went to the Xiangxi Prefecture Tourism Bureau and became the director. That year, I happened to be admitted to Northeast Normal University. His sister-in-law is my distant aunt, and because of this little kinship, he came to my house to have a cup of champion wine. During this period, we also had a brief exchange about the Shanmu River Scenic Area. At that time, Shanmu River was not strictly a scenic spot. Because of Mr. Chen (the father of Chen Xiaolong, the current deputy mayor of Jishou City), I wrote some essays, newsletters, and some photography works about Shanmu River, which were published in the "United Daily News" at that time. It is intended to attract sufficient attention from relevant parties. At that time, Ou Daosheng was still the propaganda director of the Yongshun County Party Committee. During the summer vacation of that year, the famous painter Mr. Huang Yongyu, accompanied by teachers Shang Shuning, Shi Jian, Xiang Chunxiu and Qin Zunkui from the Economic Department of the United Daily News, went on a field trip to Shanmu River. Mr. Huang stayed in Shanmuhe for a week. He is full of praise for the beautiful and beautiful natural environment of Shanmu River, the natural and rich oxygen bar of Shanmu River, and the cool and pleasant summer resort of Shanmu River. With Mr. Huang's attention and encouragement, I co-wrote the TV essay "The Most Beautiful Shanmu River" with Xiang Yuan, Zhong Yan, Hong Bin and photographer (later also a photojournalist for the United Daily News) Zhang Jin. After the CCTV prose column team broadcast it, Ou Daosheng, who was the then Propaganda Minister, was very happy. I still remember the sad words he once said to me: Shanmu River is really good in terms of snow conditions, even worse than Zhangjiajie, which was unknown back then. It's a pity that not many people know this geomantic treasure land. Besides, the county is also poor and there is no more funds to invest in the development and construction of tourist attractions...

This is from his heart Deep sigh and helplessness. I have a strong excitement and deep understanding.

The year I was admitted to Northeast Normal University, he had already taken office as the tourism director of the autonomous prefecture. At this time, he was gearing up and wanted to put the construction of Shanmu River Scenic Area on the agenda so that he could submit it to the leaders of the state committee and government for review. I have been asked to publish a set of columns about Shanmu River Scenic Area in important national publications.

After entering Northeast Normal University, I was fortunate enough to be elected president of the student union and editor-in-chief of the school magazine. In the next two years, he joined the Chinese Writers Association under the recommendation of his mentor Tie Ning. During the summer vacation of my third year, I returned to my hometown and lived in Shanmuhe for 2 months. Go deep into the scenic spot to take pictures of the scenery from multiple angles every day. Then, under the guidance of Mr. Chen, we went deep into the forest area to interview and collect some oral folktales about the Shanmu River Scenic Area. On the way back to my alma mater, I mailed a 180,000-word special article (including 48 close-up photos) to China Forestry News and China Tourism Weekly. Due to space constraints, "China Forestry News" only published all the photos and part of the article. Fortunately, "China Tourism Weekly" published the full article and photos in a prominent position. After receiving the sample magazine, I used the school fax machine to forward it to Ou Daosheng in my hometown. Soon after, he faxed me that Shanmu River Scenic Area had been included in a formal tourism development project with the full support of the state committee and government.

I am truly happy for my hometown, and I truly admire Ou Daosheng’s perseverance.

After that, due to heavy study tasks and graduation assignments, I gradually lost contact with Ou Daosheng.

It’s been another 8 years. The people and things in my hometown almost completely disappeared from my sight. But at this moment, I received a call from Ou Daosheng.

At the AVIC Southern International Hotel, my husband and I warmly received the director from my hometown whom we had not seen for many years.

As agreed, Ou Daosheng appeared at the door of the Southern International Hotel on time. The moment I saw him, I was almost stunned - this is not the same Director Ou who was so powerful and powerful back then. The vicissitudes of time have carved deep wrinkles on his forehead and sunken eyes. He staggers when he walks, almost as if he could be blown over by a gust of wind. After reading it, I couldn't help crying.

Due to the snow conditions, the Shanmu River Scenic Area has all hardened cement roads. The Jiangjunyan Nunnery at the entrance of the scenic area has been renovated. The reservoir inside has been equipped with yachts and other equipment according to your suggestions. A three-star hotel where tourists can eat, drink and stay. However, the cableway has been delayed in implementation due to funding issues, and the finances are currently unable to afford such a huge expenditure; due to fame and transportation constraints, there are currently few tourists, and the development of tourist areas is still stagnant...

European Bureau, just ask for anything you need me to do. As long as I can do it, I will never be vague.

Due to the snow conditions, the tourist area needs to continue to expand its publicity. You are a famous writer and one of the initiators. This task belongs to you. In addition, I made a rough estimate that it will cost at least 20 million to complete the improvement of the cableway and the traffic arteries along the way. For the rest, I will go back and file a report to apply to the province and state.

It’s easy to talk about publicity. It doesn’t matter if I work harder, but...seeing my hesitation, my husband interjected: It is my duty to support my hometown. In this way, AVIC Group will support 10 million, and you can go back and figure out a solution for the rest. How about that? After saying that, the husband called the cashier, signed the number on the checkbook and stamped it with his seal.

Shanmu River, a scenic spot that is gradually fading away in my memory, brings back my leisurely aftertaste of the past.

Some people and some things are destined to be unforgettable in this life. Just like the European Bureau in front of me and the Shanmu River thousands of kilometers away from my hometown. It has become an unforgettable part of my life.

It’s for remembering.