The well in my hometown

 　　The source of life, the fountain of health; food is easily obtained for the hungry, and

　　drink is easily obtained for the thirsty. Water originates from springs, and the foundation of a nation is its people. The people depend on food for survival, and water is the foundation of food.

　　Drinking water is inextricably linked to health, but the current state of our drinking water sources is indeed worrying. Statistics show that only 10% of China's rivers, lakes, and seas meet drinking water hygiene standards, and only 20% basically meet the standards. Of the 411 surface water monitoring sections in China's seven major water systems, 59% are of substandard quality. 40% of the monitored surface water bodies nationwide are unsuitable for drinking due to pollution, and 78% of river sections flowing through cities have lost their value as drinking water sources. Nationwide, 800 million people drink water with excessive levels of E. coli, 170 million people drink organically polluted water, 50 million people drink water with high nitrate levels, 50 million people drink water with high chloride levels, and 300 million people drink water with excessive levels of heavy metals. These alarming figures have led more and more people to question: Is the water we drink every day safe?

　　People fear famine most in life, but even more so, water shortages. Humans are born with the instinct to eat and drink, but the wells in my hometown have been water-scarce since I can remember. The water supply is insufficient; let alone pure, unpolluted mineral water, even access to inferior water is difficult. Humans also have an inherent instinct to modify nature.

　　Examining the history of the wells in my hometown, at the time of liberation, the wells were not short of water; they could easily supply drinking water for over 200 people and livestock, and the water source was inexhaustible. At that time, a girl and her second brother were playing on the edge of the well when she accidentally fell in and drowned. Her father went down into the well in time to rescue her, leaving behind a cautionary tale for the people of my hometown.

　　History has changed dramatically, and nature has also tormented people. A sudden and massive earthquake struck Tangshan, my country, causing devastation and landslides. The earthquake's rapid changes triggered continuous aftershocks in my hometown, severely damaging the mountains, plains, and waterways. Consequently, the wells in my hometown began to dry up, their springs becoming silent and their flow diminished. From then on, people lived a life described in the poem "The Woman with the Well and the Windlass."

　　"On the desolate yellow sand dunes, a towering poplar stands tall, and beyond the fence, a dark green house stands. Those who lack always yearn for more, and those who have still long for more; who would willingly wait until their heart is chilled to the bone? A dark, iron-like back, sweat rolling in the sun, wind blowing the fence, rain washing the window, tears reflecting the moon. Human hearts are hard to fathom; anything can happen. What water-carrying wife would willingly carry yellow water? Women are not water, men are not jars, fate is not a well pulley binding us to our bodies. Women are not mud, men are not baskets, fate is not a well pulley; to break free from that well rope, the cowbell rings in the spring light."

　　Indeed, my hometown is located in a typical hilly, arid region, where "nine out of ten years are drought years, and every day is a worry for water." In severe drought, we yearn for rain, and cattle and sheep die of thirst. The hillsides, sand dunes, and gullies are rarely afforested; even where trees are found, they are often plundered and indiscriminately cut down, thus disrupting the natural ecosystem and contributing significantly to the lack of rain. If the heavens don't rain, the rivers in my hometown will dry up.

　　As a result, the wells in my hometown suffer from water shortages, and people have to rely on this "thin, yellow water soup" to survive.

　　Water is the lifeblood of people, and for this water, men and women of all ages in my hometown, whether young ladies from wealthy families or newlyweds, tirelessly draw water from the wells, year after year, day and night, only to find "thin, yellow water soup."

　　For this life-saving water, many strange and unusual things have happened at the wells in my hometown, causing even more sorrow and unbearable suffering.

　　"The waterway of many years has become a river, and the daughter-in-law of many years has become a mother-in-law." Since marrying into my hometown, Peach Blossom has carried this water-carrying pole, a pole she will never lose for life. On one end she carries the heavy burden of her past, filled with both joy and sorrow, and on the other end, she carries the hope for a bright future, striving for success and the highest benefits, resolutely walking along the country hillside path to fetch water. Her husband worked away from home year-round, leaving her to manage all the farm work both inside and outside the house. Year after year, through spring, summer, autumn, and winter, she toiled tirelessly day and night. She also had to support nine children, siblings, through school, and pay for their marriages. Their income was meager; besides farming, they relied on raising chickens, pigs, cattle, and sheep to make a living. This water source was absolutely essential, and she carried it for decades. Even now, she couldn't bear to put down that water-carrying pole. Humans are made of flesh and blood; even the strongest man will eventually succumb to exhaustion. What a remarkable woman! But finally, she couldn't endure it any longer and collapsed on the edge of the well in her hometown. Her speech, thoughts, and consciousness became disordered. Fortunately, a fellow water carrier found her and informed her children, who promptly hired a vehicle to take her to the provincial medical university's affiliated hospital. Doctors diagnosed her with late-stage brain tumors, an incurable disease, and instructed her family to prepare for the worst. Peach blossoms, through decades of tireless labor, devoted themselves entirely to providing water.

　　"I sigh deeply and wipe away my tears, lamenting the hardships of the people's lives."

　　"Think of danger in times of peace; if you think of danger, you will be prepared; if you are prepared, you will have no worries." The newly elected village chief vowed to dedicate himself to the development of his hometown, "to the utmost, even unto death." However, after only a few years in office, his strength waned, and he was diagnosed with late-stage esophageal, stomach, and colon cancer. On his deathbed, he instructed his son to fetch some freshly drawn cool water from the well in his hometown, wanting a sip as his stomach burned terribly and needed the cool water to soothe it. Qing'er dashed to the well and fetched a small amount of "thin, yellowish water," then ran home in a flash. Just as he stepped through the door, his father lay dying. He looked at his father, still with his eyes open, waiting for the freshly drawn cool water, his death unfulfilled.

　　I also remember that year of drought, the sun scorching the earth, the heat unbearable. An old shepherd and his brother were herding a flock of sheep past the well in their hometown. The sheep all crowded into the well to drink, and one sheep, in the chaos, fell in. He and his brother peered over the edge and, without warning, were bumped headfirst by another ram, also falling in. The well had very little water, but luckily a water carrier happened to be there and pulled them both out. He and his brother were unharmed, suffering only minor injuries to their skull and toes from the impact, but the sheep had a broken back. This incident of the old shepherd sacrificing himself to save his sheep during a water shortage finally subsided.

　　"The people are the most important, the state is next, and the ruler is the least important." To worship the state, the hometown held a grand village opera ceremony every year, offering sacrifices to the Dragon King and the Well God, praying for rain, and seeking divine favor and rewards.

　　This year was unusual. Not only was there no more water in the well, but during the lean season, not a drop of rain fell, causing famine, water shortages, and widespread panic. The reason for this was that a beautiful young woman from the opera troupe, whose graceful dance was described as "lowering the willow branches and moonlight in the well, singing sweet songs and gentle breezes from peach blossom fans," removed her makeup and washed her face thoroughly for three days at the well in her hometown, thus angering the Dragon King and the Well God. The poor villagers, despite their prayers, received no reward, only punishment.

　　The lives of the people in my hometown can no longer be lived like this:

　　"East of the mountain, west of the river, a cart in front, tracks behind. Which came first, the mountain or the river? Which track is your old cart following? Busy through spring, summer, autumn, and winter, rushing to catch a ride. No time to appreciate the beautiful scenery along the way, back home still the same old routine: pushing the millstone, pulling the grindstone. Close your eyes and sleep, open your mouth and drink, stumbling up the mountain, crossing the river in a daze. We can't live like this anymore, we can't live like that anymore. Life requires careful consideration before acting. Life is like climbing a mountain, life is like crossing a river, each step leaving a deep footprint, each footprint a song."

　　History is written by the people, and the people have the power to change the course of history. "When the people are united, even Mount Tai can be moved." After traversing the rugged road, a smooth path will eventually appear. "Always think forward, always look forward. Villages look to villages, households look to households, and the masses look to the cadres." "The people are the foundation of the state; when the foundation is firm, the state is at peace." "Be the first to worry about the world's troubles and the last to enjoy its pleasures." "Those who win the hearts of the people prosper." To solve the problem of water shortage in their hometown, the people were full of fighting spirit to overcome the evils of nature.

　　During the era of the agricultural commune, the wells in my hometown began to suffer from water shortages. My grandfather, Li Shuanhong, was the second oldest in his family, and people also called him Erlaihong (Second Hong). He worked in the agricultural production team, striving for the benefit of the people's production. He led all the commune members in a concerted effort to explore water sources, dig wells, build water conservancy projects, and construct dams to solve the problem of drinking water difficulties for people and livestock. However, the water supply still could not meet the demand. He planned to divert water from several springs in the deep mountain gullies eight or nine miles behind the village back to the wells in our hometown. This water diversion project was extremely difficult and could not be completed by manpower alone. Even if they used all their strength, they might not be able to finish it. For the development of people's livelihood, he worked tirelessly and overworked himself. He suffered from an acute myocardial infarction and died despite treatment, leaving his grandfather's wish to divert water unfulfilled.

　　In the 1980s, with the implementation of the household responsibility system and the reform and opening up, economic construction was promoted, and agricultural production was developed. The wells in my hometown still lack water. The township government has encouraged villagers to dig dry wells and control soil erosion. They have also sent bricks to the countryside to help villagers build water cellars, solving the practical difficulties of drinking water for people and livestock, and helping impoverished households escape poverty and become prosperous.

　　"When the government is efficient and the people are harmonious, everything flourishes." "Things arise from the times, and preparations are made to suit the circumstances."

　　Now that we have entered the 21st century, the wells in my hometown still lack water. Young people have all moved to the city to live in accordance with the new era of social transformation. Now, only eight or nine households of elderly people over sixty years old remain in the village. But even the well water is insufficient to meet the needs of these eight or nine households.

　　The newly elected village chief passed away from cancer, so people respectfully invited the old village chief to take office again to devise policies and strategies for the villagers' livelihood. As the old saying goes, "The people are concerned about the people, and the ancients have spoken, asking the common folk for advice, and offering their opinions on governance."

　　"Lying alone in this desolate village, I do not grieve for myself, but still think of serving my country at the frontier."

　　The old village chief's son, who assists the mayor and serves as his secretary in the municipal government, returned home for the Mid-Autumn Festival. The old village chief had a heart-to-heart talk with his son, discussing how to establish a water supply system and raise funds to bring water from several springs deep in the mountains behind the village back to the village. He planned to dig a canal, connect it to each household, and install running water, thus solving the people's water shortage problem.

　　"I'll ask the city for approval," the secretary said earnestly.

　　The municipal government's finance bureau allocated funds, and the county water resources bureau deployed mechanized equipment to operate in the village. Within a month, canals were dug and pipes were connected to bring water from the springs deep in the mountains, about eight or nine miles behind the village, back to the village. Preliminary surveys showed that if the water source were to be tap water, the houses on the hillside would be too high, the water level in the water towers would be too low, and the water pressure would be too weak to reach each household. Therefore, the water had to be connected to the well in the village. The municipal government erected a monument to the well in the village.

　　With the implementation of the scientific development concept, people began to ponder: are we drinking truly pure, natural, and pollution-free high-quality mineral water? Every household has installed the "Shanghe Type I Water Purifier." This water purifier utilizes the "magnetic energy principle" developed by Dr. Shoji Yamashita of Nagoya University, Japan, and employs advanced research and development using Japanese magnetic energy biochemical ceramics and British DOULTON nano-silver element ceramic filtration technology. Through six high-tech filter elements connected sequentially, it possesses five major functions—purification, alkalization, softening, activation, and humanization—using normal pressure filtration. People can drink truly healthy water anytime, bidding farewell to the afflictions of gallstones, kidney stones, and urinary stones.

　　People feel a sweet joy in their hearts as they drink this pure, natural, pollution-free, healthy, high-quality mineral water.

　　Several elderly people were drawing water from the well in their hometown, saying that it wasn't just the well that lacked water, but also—talent.

　　Indeed, education is the foundation, and talent is the core. Without talent, the development of the hometown is just empty talk.

　　Building a moderately prosperous village in all respects is not a dream, and it certainly can be achieved!