The bitter and happy scene in Sanmenxia

In 1950s, I had the honor to participate in a geological exploration of "Sanmenxia Large-scale Water Control Project of the Yellow River". Now, let me open the window of memory and record some pains and joys of that period.

19551early October, Cai Shiquan, Zhang Hongsheng and I led a delegation of 14 to the Sanmenxia Geological Exploration Brigade of the Yellow River in Shijiatan, Huixing Town, Shan County, Henan Province.

When I first arrived at Shijiatan, I was assigned to the second team of dam site as the geological captain. My main task is to collect the data of drilling core column profile and water pressure test according to the rules and specifications formulated by Leningrad Hydropower Design Branch of the former Soviet Union, so as to provide geological basis for dam design in the future. This work was completed in April and May of the following year, and then transferred to Xingzhen Water Supply Team. Not long after, I was asked to go to Zhengzhou "Yellow River Water Conservancy Committee" to collect relevant information about the proposed earth dam at the mouth of Sushui River in Shanxi. I spend the winter in Mengmengqiao Village (Sushan Dam Area), Yongji County, Shanxi Province. At the beginning of 1957, I was transferred back to the headquarters of Shijiatan, and accepted the pit exploration task of the proposed "mixing building" on the right bank slope of the downstream dam (mainly for collapse and accumulation), and was responsible for ***4 people until the end of the work. In addition to the pit display map, section map and three-dimensional map, the first draft of the pit exploration report was submitted. Then, he was ordered by the Beijing Department to leave Shijiatan and return to Beijing with Jia Gong on the first day when the train between Huixing Town and Sanmenxia was connected (1 957 65438+February1).

At that time, the operation area of the second team of dam site was on the left bank of Sanmenxia Dam of the Yellow River, and eight drilling rigs were scattered in valleys and mountainous areas. There are 24 geologists (including 20 interns) on the rig. The task of drilling rig geologist is mainly to do drilling core logging and drilling water pressure test to check their quality; However, my task is to swim between eight drilling platforms day and night, check and deal with geological problems. For a lesbian who just left school, it really feels a lot of pressure. I often can't eat on time every day, but I have been sleeping. From the early winter of 1955 to the early summer of the following year, I spent half a year in tension, fatigue and even panic.

I remember that when I first arrived at the dam site, I heard the roaring sound of the surging Yellow River water day and night, and the roar of the drilling rig resounded through the valley, which was both exciting and difficult to sleep. The Yellow River is turbid, but it is the only source of drilling water and our domestic water. This harsh environment and living conditions are also trivial for field workers. The most embarrassing thing for me is going around the rig alone. Climbing mountains, crossing ditches and going back and forth are all tolerable physical exertion. What scares me most is the fear of meeting wild animals or bad people, especially walking alone at night. At that time, there were no families on the banks of the Yellow River. I heard that there were hungry wolves, but all the difficulties had to be overcome before I could work. Therefore, I often take a bamboo stick with me when I travel. First, it is for courage. Second, I save effort in going up the mountain. It can prevent slippery in rainy and snowy days. It is more important to prevent "animals".

I remember one night, I suddenly got a call from a drilling rig on the mountain. I immediately got up, picked up the flashlight and the only self-defense weapon-bamboo stick, and went to the mountain. Empty as ink, walking alone at night, already shivering. Halfway up the hill near the reservoir (the only place to pass), I suddenly heard a shout: "Who"? "ah! Captain Huang. " The roar of the pool manager almost scared me to the ground and my heart almost jumped out of my throat. But in the face of this waiter, I can only try to be calm and still "tiger" with courage (nicknamed "tiger" by my classmates) to continue on the road.

One day, it was near dusk after dealing with the problem of water pressure test on the mountain. It takes a long time to go downhill along the original road, and it will get dark, so I chose another path left by the driller and wanted to return as soon as possible. But this road is steep, and you will fall down if you are not careful. I walked on this mountain road before and felt nothing, so I boldly took this shortcut. When I get to the steep cliff (almost vertical) composed of thick conglomerate, I will be a little scared. What should I do? Looking at the gloomy sky, night is coming, and you can't advance or retreat. It is difficult to ride a tiger. After hesitation, I decided to move on. So I had to squat down and slowly rub it down. Finally, after crossing the dangerous road, my hanging heart relaxed a little and suddenly stepped on a pebble. I snored like a slide and "slipped" five or six meters to the end. I collapsed on the beach in horror, and it took me a long time to recover. Fortunately, the steep slope is not high, but it is only a close call. Only then did I really understand the true meaning of the sentence "It's easier to go up the mountain than down it".

Another time on the mountain, it happened to catch up with the heavy snow and soon accumulated about 20cm thick. As far as I can see, everything is wrapped in silver. It is this heavy snow that makes people working in the mountains miserable. Food and vegetables can't be delivered for a while, and the water pipe is frozen and cracked. There is the possibility of "breaking rice" at any time. As a last resort, we have to turn snow into water and share limited food and vegetables. I was also trapped in the mountains for three days, sharing weal and woe with everyone. But there are few lesbians on the rig, and I have another problem of "difficulty sleeping", which is very inconvenient.

Coincidentally, just then, a drilling rig fell and the drilling technician at the foot of the mountain couldn't get up. The captain and the drillers have been fishing around the hole for hours. Usually when I get on the rig, the captain often asks me to help feed the handle and feel the hardness of different rock layers. At this time, the captain saw that I was watching, and he asked me to try. Give it a try. So the workers helped to lift the drill pipe, and I moved it gently with the drill pipe, patiently groping in the hole by feeling. Once, twice, three times ... I thought it was "right", so I immediately asked the workers to tighten and improve, and it was successful! Everyone is very happy.

In order to prevent the water level in Sanmenxia reservoir area from rising, causing the tributary Sushui River to flow backward, flooding Yuncheng Salt Mine and other important towns, Shanxi Xiezhou held a meeting attended by people from all walks of life. In advance, I have retrieved the drawings and related materials of Xudam area from Zhengzhou "Yellow Committee" for discussion at the meeting. In the discussion, it was mentioned that the schistosity of the ancient gneiss series on the edge of the reservoir area might leak, so Jia Gong had to go to Zhongtiaoshan (ancient gneiss series) to observe it himself. Early the next morning after the meeting, he led me and another geologist, Yang, and a reporter from China Youth Daily with dry food and water. We went all the way over mountains and mountains, over Zhongtiao Mountain, and made geological observations at the same time. Due to my negligence, I didn't take this part of the drawings of Zhongtiaoshan in Zhengzhou, so I had to adopt the original geological exploration method, take steps instead of feet, carry out geological exploration, and analyze the possible flaky leakage. General manager Jia gave us a job: he took Xiao Yang to observe and measure on the spot, and I took notes and drew a geological profile of the route. After a busy day together, I arrived at a farmhouse in Ruicheng, Shanxi Province in the evening.

Although this day is very tired, it is very rewarding. In particular, Jia Gong's serious and rigorous work style left a deep impression on me.

1956 On the eve of May Day, my wife (now my wife) came from Beijing to visit me at the construction site. General Jia saw us that night and said, "Let's get married here! I will marry you. " My colleagues in the geology department also booed, and my face was red and my neck was red. In this way, the second day early in the morning, we took the letter of introduction, took the open shuttle bus in the work area, and went to Huixing Town Government, which is 15km away, to get the marriage certificate. In the evening, I went back to Shijiatan by bus. As soon as we got off the bus, Cai Shiquan (nicknamed "Stone"), the party involved in the specific preparations, took us to the "new home". The so-called "new house" is a simple shed temporarily vacated by colleagues. Although some old newspapers were pasted on the bamboo mud wall, it was shabby, airy and light-permeable, and it was completely decorated. There are two new quilts of red and green satin on the bed. There are happy traceries hanging on the window. There are flowers, mirrors and several plates of fructose on the table. A color printing picture of "Fairy Couple" popular at that time was also posted on the wall. Ribbons and balls are painted in the center of the room. After this elaborate renovation, it has really become a beaming and decent "new house".

That night, "Stone" asked Dong Zhiliang, an old classmate, to meet the "groom", while I was wearing a red and green dress prepared for me and tied with two "small brushes" tied with ribbons on my head, so we came to the wedding scene together (a big office that can accommodate forty or fifty people). I saw that it was also covered with colorful ribbons, and a big colored ball with a sharp thorn hung in the center; Around the table are all kinds of sweets, fruits, peanuts, melon seeds and other foods; Teammates sit or stand in a room full of people, waiting for the arrival of "new people"

The wedding curtain was opened, and after Jia Gong, the officiating ceremony, finished talking about the weather, geographical location and human harmony, the venue became agitated and the drama continued to heat up. Until the end of the film of the Corps (there was a film in the Corps that night), everyone left separately and enjoyed themselves. Our couple's lifelong event was dramatically completed in such a simple, friendly, warm and romantic atmosphere.

Nearly half a century has passed, and now we are the twilight of our children and grandchildren, but the scene of Sanmenxia will never be forgotten. 1994 On May Day, my wife and I revisited our old place. Standing on the majestic dam, I am filled with emotion! Apart from those unforgettable memories of bitterness and joy, we really appreciate Jia Gong, Cai Shiquan, Dong Zhiliang and others who organized the wedding for us.

At that time, I often went to Sanmenxia construction site, especially after the "dam foundation laying ceremony" in April of 1957, various media reported in succession, and everyone got along well. At this time, director Chen Jian and photographer Xu of the Central News Film Studio also came to the scene. Every day, they go to various places to shoot boiling construction scenes, and plan to complete a systematic documentary from exploration and construction to dam construction and water storage and power generation. So on a Sunday (Dragon Boat Festival), Director Chen invited Jia Gong to take geologists to a legendary "Mitanggou" on the left bank of the river to tell stories and shoot documentaries, and everyone followed with great interest.

First of all, for the convenience of construction, we crossed the suspension bridge on the island between the "three gates" (ghost gate, divine gate and human gate). Although it's rickety, it's much safer and more convenient than crossing the river with a manual bucket car on the Yellow River cable when we first came. Joking all the way, the atmosphere is very relaxed. I walked along the river beach to Mitanggou, and then climbed from the small ridge at the mouth of the ditch to the Wang Yu Temple at the top of the mountain (which has become a pile of rubble). Here I can have a bird's eye view of the gorge area, which is the first time I have had the opportunity to see the panoramic view of Sanmenxia in the past two years since I arrived at the construction site. Looking into the distance, I saw the Yellow River rushing straight into the "Three Gates". In the sunshine, it looks like Huang Cancan's ribbon floating into the distance. What a wonderful view of God! In addition, there are many scenic spots such as Sanmen, Dressing Table, Zhanggongshi Island and mainstay in the work area. Although it is close at hand, it is neglected to watch. So a sense of pride in the hard work and dedication of geologists arises spontaneously.

At this moment, Chen Dao spoke. He asked us to stand on the ruins of the temple, with Jia main station in the middle, and told a true story of "the legend of honey ditch". I stood on his left and listened to him with relish. The photographer took this scene in time. On that day, we all looked very heroic and natural. Later, director Chen sent me a close-up photo of three people, including me. Colleagues at the scene also took a scene that was being filmed. I have kept these two old photos to this day.

At the beginning of the "Cultural Revolution", I worked in Xi 'an Mining Institute. My students saw me and said: There is a close-up of you in the great changes of the Yellow River. Later, the girl next door also had a photo of "Great Changes in the Yellow River" inserted from the journal. Next to my close-up photo, there is the word "girl fighting in the Yellow River Canyon". So I understand that from that day on, I have become a "girl" who has an indissoluble bond with the Yellow River forever.

Looking back, I can't forget my work and life in Sanmenxia. Every participant will remember that Sanmenxia at that time was like a battlefield, and people worked together in Qi Xin; It is also a melting pot for us young people from all directions to hone and grow up (I want to thank Jia Gong and Xia Gong for their bold opening and full trust in me, giving me the opportunity to accept comprehensive exercise and lay a certain foundation for my future work); It is also in this United and exciting environment that a profound friendship of mutual concern has been formed; It even creates an open mind. When the storm strikes, it can face life with a smile. Friends still feel cordial when they meet again decades later. I am honored to participate in this great project all my life!

Xi 'an, September 2004