Chapter 75 Epilogue Between Fairy Tale and Reality

As soon as I heard that I "received" Mr. Yang Qinhuan's planning, there was a lot of discussion in the society, and there was a lot of chatter: octogenarians made it up, this is a fairy tale, it is a story. It cannot be said that these friends poured cold water, indeed, I am already old.Said "fitness" is very good, strong and healthy, obviously full of water.Severe insomnia has plagued me for more than half a century, so that no medicine, no sleep, no dreams, no sleep has entangled me all my life.But this does not prevent me from pursuing the ideal of having a new realm of literature.After retiring and returning to his hometown, he still swears by the "crazy words" of a thousand words a day and a book a year, and in 2008 he really realized it.The major awards are missed, but the awards of single subjects and regions are also occasionally attached.

I have an estimate for my body. At this age, it is neither better nor worse.Every time I travel far, such as to Xinjiang, or to the Northeast, the doctor will advise me to go to the hospital for a physical examination.I always answer them with a smile: thank you!I have full confidence in going to Xinjiang and Northeast China.Go to the hospital for a physical examination when you come back!I thought to myself, if your medical equipment detects something wrong with my brain and internal organs, will you still let me go to Xinjiang in the northeast?Didn't I go to Xinjiang and Northeast China now?It is unrealistic to fly tens of thousands of kilometers in the sky and run underground without getting sleepy, but after all, you can stand it.

Mr. Yang Qinhuan, the chief planner of this book, is the one who believes that I can "take the call" the most.He provides a good platform.Of course, the writers who were invited to write articles all over the country also cared and trusted me.By the beginning of November, 1.5 million words of manuscripts had been sent to the Editor-in-Chief Office of the History of Water Control. At the end of October, I went to Northeast China to meet with writers Zhang Xiaotian, A Cheng, Liu Zhaolin and Deng Gang.Ah Cheng had just returned from participating in the book fair in Germany. He said: Brother Xianzhang, the editor, created a myth in the world; he was also a miracle in the history of publishing.

Later when we arrived in Beijing, Comrade He Jianming, secretary of the Secretariat of the Chinese Writers Association and director of the Writers Publishing House, braved the heavy snow to come to the hotel where I was staying to discuss publishing matters.Since then, the collective creation of a strong team of Chinese writers kicked off, and the "fairy tale" is about to become a reality. When the apples are ripe, they all fall to the ground, and no one takes it seriously.Only the scientist Newton discovered the force of gravity from the phenomenon of falling apples. Writing, though not a discovery of a scientific theory, is a topic brought up by an entrepreneur.That day, when Yang Qinhuan and I talked about the water control of Meiyan Group, Mr. Yang Qinhuan told me about the current hydropower construction in many areas of the country.At that time, he told me about a power station in the southwest region, which was in the stage of large-scale construction, and local prices were also rising.The main prices of agricultural and sideline products in Yongshan County generally rose by 50%.He said, "While the construction of hydropower projects can promote the development of the regional economy, it may also have a negative impact on the local economy. You see, in the reservoir area of ​​Wuqiangxi City, Hunan, the flooding of the reservoir caused the local immigrants to lose a lot of livelihoods. The land resources and social economy of the reservoir area have undergone tremendous changes after the inundation. In the win-win decision of the development of the so-called hydropower bureau, the bigger winner is the economically developed area, not the backward area. In particular, the price of conquering nature is Expensive, lacking benefits, and damaging the social and ecological environment..." I saw a kind of worry in Mr. Yang's eyes, and maybe his worry touched me.When he told me that he wanted to write a plan, I felt a kind of responsibility.When the country is in trouble, it is the responsibility of every man. "The old man has a long-term ambition." I squeezed his hand and said, "I will accept the call."

Three days later, I wrote a book proposal.I mentioned in the plan: "The book will be compiled in three and a half years, and you will inject funds." Only a few people knew about this at the beginning.Later, with the development of the book editing business, Guangzhou and Beijing media announced the news and the media fueled the flames. Everyone said that the title was great! "I don't believe that it was Yang Qinhuan who proposed writing the water control epic! I don't even believe that Yang Qinhuan planned to write the 'Water Control Epic'." Rumors abounded.

I asked a young writer who was very close to me: "Why don't many people in the society believe that Yang Qinhuan planned it?" The friend's answer surprised me: "I definitely don't believe it." "Why?" I asked him. "This question requires a scholar to ask." "But it was indeed Yang Qinhuan who proposed to write this book." "You're so humble!" he replied with a hiss. The persistence of ideas makes it difficult for you to argue.Of course, it neither affects Mr. Yang's capital injection nor my book compilation.In retrospect, Meiyan Co., Ltd. was about to be listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, and many people were commenting: "This is a joint trick by Yang and Cheng, and it was a feint." On September 12, 1994 in the 20th century, Meiyan stock was It was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, with a market value of more than 20 yuan per share, which surprised many people who were cynical and gloating.It is still not enough for training.

Since Li Daoyuan's "Shui Jing Zhu" in the Northern Wei Dynasty, there has not been a complete and ideal book on water control in China.Strictly speaking, "Shui Jing Zhu" actually writes articles on landscapes. Although it is also a literary talent, it rarely writes articles on water control. The "Shui Jing Zhu" with more than 300,000 words is still regarded as a classic of water control by many water control practitioners and literati and poets.The question is, why has there not been a relatively complete and ideal water control book in China after the "Shui Jing Zhu"?This makes me and Mr. Yang Qinhuan have a sense of responsibility to write a book on water control in China.We do not say that it has complete and ideal historical value, but there are heavyweight writers who create collectively and write articles in person, at least they will show the famous emperors, ministers and celebrities in Chinese history with a unique cultural landscape and beautiful and elegant literary talent. Great achievements in flood control.

Why did the apple fall to the ground?This is Newton's problem.Can we write one?This is Yang Qinhuan's plan, and it is also the wish of our generation of writers. On the first anniversary of the "5.12" Wenchuan earthquake in 2009, with the support of Mr. Yang, I took my two young assistants, Luo Weixin and Cheng Yongfang, to Chengdu to inspect Yingxiu and Dujiangyan. The reason why we chose this day is because I did not go to the scene to participate in the disaster relief when the "5.12" earthquake occurred due to various reasons.What happened to Dujiangyan, which I think about day and night?What happened to Wenchuan, Shifang, and Yingxiu?In order to redeem my morality and responsibility, I also gave myself a little comfort. In short, on "5.12", I set off to investigate the first stop - the world-famous water conservancy project Dujiangyan.

We fly to Chengdu.Almost following in the footsteps of General Secretary Hu Jintao and Vice Premier Li Keqiang, on the morning of May 15th, he chartered a small car and rushed to Wenchuan Yingxiu to lay flowers and mourn in silence for the dead who died in the earthquake last year.Then turn back to Dujiangyan. Walking around Dujiangyan City, I feel that although Dujiangyan City is not as devastated and ruined as Yingxiu, the severity of the disaster is beyond our imagination.It was too late to solve the problem of hunger, so we hired a "taxi" driver to invite a disaster victim from Dujiangyan, and "all of them were registered".He used an old "small four-wheeler" to let us walk around every corner of Dujiangyan City, and then had a bird's-eye view of Dujiangyan, and then entered Dujiangyan through the old wooden gate of the holly fence in Dujiangyan.Only journalists or journalist-type writers are interested in "searching" Dujiangyan, and only we will go to great lengths to find people who were affected by the disaster in Dujiangyan as "tour guides".This seems a bit out of the ordinary, but "investigating" Dujiangyan is definitely not a tourist trip.As a result, we saw that in some areas of Dujiangyan City, the walls collapsed and houses collapsed, and there were also places that were flattened.A village near Dujiangyan disappeared, and new board houses were built.Our "tour guide" pointed to a prefabricated house on the hillside and said to us: "This is my new home." Then he pointed to the opposite hillside and said: "That is the 'Erwang Temple' destroyed by the earthquake."

This is down, that is also ruined, and the majestic 2,000-year-old Dujiangyan, except for the cracks in the "fish mouth", still stands heroically in the Minjiang River where the waves are flying, still nourishing and fertile. Chengdu Plain.Dujiangyan is a miracle of water conservancy in the world, and people with conscience all over the world pay attention to Dujiangyan.Hello, Dujiangyan, a hero.  "5.12" Wenchuan Earthquake You are also a serious earthquake area, but you stand in the rolling river safe and sound. What is the unique trick of Shui Sheng, who built the weir more than 2,000 years ago?Dujiangyan, built by Li Bing and his son, has also experienced six or seven major earthquakes. Why has Dujiangyan not collapsed for more than 2,000 years, nourishing the fertile Chengdu Plain.

The day before yesterday, when I got off the plane, I said to my assistants Weixin and Yongfang: "We came to Chengdu to worship Dujiangyan. We came to Chengdu for pilgrimage. You see, Li Bing and his son are water sages, Du Fu is a poet sage, and Zhuge Liang and "Five Tiger Generals", Sanxingdui, Zhu De, Liu Bocheng, Chen Yi, Deng Xiaoping, Xu Xiangqian and other founding fathers of the Republic. Guo Moruo, chairman of the National Federation of Literary and Art Circles of the Republic, Ba Jin, chairman of the Chinese Writers Association. Both literary and military are the sages of Sichuan and Shu." One thing comes to mind: At the end of the 20th century, I went to Shanghai with Mr. Yang Qinhuan and visited our hometown, Master Li Guohao, a world-renowned bridge expert.During the conversation, I asked the master: "Nanpu Bridge has no approach bridge, and adopts a spiral design, which protects how many shops in the downtown area!" Inspiration for students to draw pictures." After hearing this, the master smiled and remained silent for a while.After pondering for a while, he sighed and said: "There are all kinds of news, my fellow, think about it, if a bridge expert, scholar, or bridge engineer doesn't even understand the simplest and most basic truth, he dares to undertake the construction of a bridge bridge." Is it a bridge across the river?" I blushed suddenly.Afterwards, he wrote me several personal letters, and he didn't dislike my childishness in asking questions.I have now found a handwritten letter from the master.This is still the view of Li Bing, the water sage more than 2,000 years ago.Not to mention the tour guide, not long before I went to Dujiangyan, a university professor talked about the history of Dujiangyan on TV. Like the tour guide, he said that Li Bing and his son are very close to the people, very secular, and they are modest gentlemen who learn everything from the people. Genius is "dwarfed" into an overtone. Let the world comment, Dujiangyan, which was first built in the late Spring and Autumn Period and the late period of King Zhaoxiang of Qin Dynasty, miraculously stood in the snowy water of the roaring Minjiang River through the efforts of two generations of Li Bing and his son. Over the past 2,200 years, Dujiangyan has gone through hardships, including many strong earthquakes, and it has remained standing. It has nourished the people in central Sichuan who often suffered from drought and floods, and has become a kingdom of Sichuan and Shu that is rich in goods and people. Dujiangyan, miracle and mystery!Does it have a password?Yes, and very publicly.The inscription carved by Wang Menggeng, the official of Quanguan County during the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty, is engraved with six characters high and high - "Deeply wash the beach and make a weir low".This is the "password" of Li Bing's construction of Dujiangyan.How deep is the water when you wash the beach deeply; how low is the weir when you make it low?What materials are used, the water is deep and the waves are rough, and how to wash it underwater?Without words, let the future generations of water control experts, water control experts and people in China, foreign countries, and the world guess and think, the code still has not been cracked. Take a night flight from Chengdu to Guilin, and take a car overnight to worship Lingqu.Xing'an County in the northern corner of Guangxi, because of the Lingqu, has five-star hotels and golf courses, and the colorful street lights illuminate us night walkers like entering a magical realm.The next day it rained heavily, and the Lingqu ferry stopped due to the high water and high waves. The three of us had to hold up our umbrellas and climb up the hill to have a look.Part of the Xiangjiang River was intercepted, and canals were dug to divert the water to the Lijiang River more than 60 kilometers away, so as to connect the Xiangjiang River going north with the Pearl River flowing eastward.At that time, Qin Shihuang built Lingqu to solve the problem of food, fodder and supplies for his 500,000 soldiers and horses who went south.The war has subsided long ago, and the masts and sculls have been wiped out.But Lingqu communicated the economic and cultural exchanges between the North and the South. "There is the Great Wall in the north and Lingqu in the south." The people of Guangxi and Hunan provinces still proudly say so.I worship the Lingqu, I seem to have seen this incredible and arduous project somewhere.Ah, by the way, 70% of the inspiration for Lingqu comes from Dujiangyan built by Li Bing and his son when Qin Shihuang's great-grandfather was in power.This "password", did I guess right? After returning from Dujiangyan, I accepted an interview with Hong Kong Commercial Daily. Going to Yingxiu and Dujiangyan on the first anniversary of the "5.12" earthquake is a "news eye". "Hong Kong Commercial Daily" and "Meizhou Daily" both published news.My idea is to throw out the news about the history of water control and see what happens outside.Most people's opinion is - don't believe or take it seriously.Eighty-year-olds compile the history of water control, or they are just bluffing a gun, or they are "picking fairy peaches".I laughed it off.Gossiping, chattering, so normal, not too much.I don't have any worries if I have this idea. Mr. Yang and I talked about the experience of returning to Dujiangyan.I said: "The topic you proposed is great. Think about it, it is something that no one has done for a thousand years, and it is something that Li Daoyuan in the Northern Wei Dynasty has been looking forward to since "Shui Jing Zhu". Some people ridiculed us as 'picking fairy peaches'. I was not happy at first, but after seeing Dujiangyan and Lingqu, I really wanted to try my best to pick fairy peaches." "Great, let's go pick the fairy peach." Yang Qinhuan really applauded. "Who has ever picked fairy peaches? There is no record in Chinese mythology. At the peach festival held by the Queen Mother and the immortals, Monkey King, who has transformed into seventy-two, just stole it and did not pick it." I replied with a smile. Yang Qinhuan said: "Sun Hou'er is not a real person, why do you want to steal it? Since it is a fairy peach, pick it off." "How to pick peaches?" I said to myself. Yang Qinhuan said: "I know the contradiction in your heart. You want to rely on yourself to steal and write alone to enjoy yourself. Your resource is that there is a large group of writers behind you. You have to contact and mobilize the national heavyweight writers to invest together. You It is best not to write an article, but to devote energy to organizing and contacting writers to write the history of water control. You must learn to manage and manage culture. There is hope for this fairy peach to be picked. But, you can’t be locked in the office, you want the whole country Run, fly across the country, and inspect water conservancy projects in various places like you inspected Dujiangyan. Wherever you go to inspect, you can choose an ideal writer to write about the water control projects around him.” It's really "suddenly enlightened". "Threesome, there must be my teacher Yan." "Business culture" is a new topic for writers.Don't understand, won't, and don't want to.Fighting alone, cut off from the market, still haunts many writers today.From the so-called tower of ivory, famous writers such as He Jianming, Chen Shixu, Miao Junjie, etc. are invited to arrange and invite manuscripts.I became the "treasurer" of the boss.Among writers across the country, a round of collective creation climax of writing about China's water control projects has been set off. It seems that Xiantao has gradually approached the palm of your hand. "I want to go to Xinjiang!" Once, I raised this matter with Mr. Yang. "Yes, take some time to visit Karez." Mr. Yang said. I said, "It's even more difficult to spare time when we come down to compile water control epics. I've already booked a plane ticket to Urumqi on the day of the 'Great Heat'." Mr. Yang hesitated for a while, and said in a low voice, "Wouldn't it be better to push back the time?" I know that Mr. Yang is thinking that the "July 5" riots just broke out in Urumqi, and the law and order are still unstable.I said to Mr. Yang: "The most dangerous time is also the safest time; the most dangerous place is also the safest place. Our country attaches more importance to the safety of Urumqi than ever before. "Great Heat" flew to Urumqi to go to Turpan Huoyanshan itself is a 'news eye'. I want the media to pay attention to my determination to compose an 'water control epic'." Mr. Yang said: "I have already bought the plane ticket. What else can I say, but pay attention to safety and take care. In this way, I will send two more young people to you, which will be more secure." So, our team expanded from 3 people to 5 people, and flew from Shenzhen to Urumqi, Xinjiang on the day of the "Great Heat". I have always had the habit of taking a nap.During this 5-hour sky flight, I forgot my fatigue and leaned on the porthole next to me to scan the beautiful rivers and mountains.For a full 3 hours, the silver-gray snow-capped mountains were displayed under the wings of the plane, shining dazzling silver light in the sun.For the southerners who do not see snow all year round, the wax figure of Yuanchi in the hot summer makes me intoxicated. As soon as I checked into the hotel, I called Liu Liangcheng, a writer from Xinjiang. He is famous all over the country for his "A Village of One Man". He is brilliant and his articles are full of philosophy.He heard my voice and asked in surprise: "I thought you were joking, are you really here?" "coming." "What are you doing in Urumqi?" "Go to the Flame Mountain and see the Karez Well in Turpan." "Huoyanshan and Karez are in Xinjiang. In China, why are you so anxious? Don't you know the security situation in Urumqi?" "I know. What's the matter? In my eyes, Urumqi is a peaceful scene." "I am writing in Kashgar." "Aren't you coming back?" "Thousands of miles away, can you walk away? Let me tell you, the Rebiya elements are still hiding their murderous intentions. Don't go out at night, watch TV in the hotel, and ask Xiao Luo to be more careful." The phone was put down. On July 5, the three forces of Xinjiang separatist Rebiya Rebiya launched a riot in Urumqi, killing people and setting fires. It was extremely crazy.This is what Liang Cheng is worried about.When we were having dinner, we saw heavily armed military police in trucks on the street. There were also four armed policemen standing guard at road crossings, watching suspicious elements in four directions, east, west, north, south.It can be seen that Liang Cheng's phone call is also a reminder.Urumqi is still in the smoke, and it is not a peaceful place yet.But precisely because of the heavily armed military police, Urumqi is still full of traffic and a bustling scene. No longer is Xinjiang as yearning and astonishing to me. Whether it is the vast and boundless desert, the towering snow-capped mountains, the sweet vineyards, and the simple and industrious people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, they all fascinate me. Unforgettable, written into my diary. In order to write the plan planned by Yang Qinhuan, the founder of Meiyan Hydropower Group, we flew 4,000 kilometers from Shenzhen to Urumqi, Xinjiang on the day of the "Great Heat".As soon as you step out of Urumqi, you will enter the vast Gobi Desert. This desert is full of weathered gravel and no grass grows.The tour guide said it was called the "Black Desert". I have never seen such a vast Gobi Desert. There is no life on the 183 kilometers of land. There are only two electric windmills on the road slowly turning their propellers.Why is the moon called "Guanghan Palace" lifeless!Why is there no life in our neighbor called Earth?Just look at the Black Desert, which is 183 kilometers away from Urumqi, and you will understand. More than 20 years ago, we would hum "the grapes in Turpan are ripe".I know that Tang Monk passed through the Flame Mountain when he was studying Buddhist scriptures, and he borrowed the plantain fan from Princess Iron Fan with the magic power of Monkey King.On the second day of the "Great Heat" this year, we went to the Flame Mountain.What the flaming mountain stirs up is my vitality and enthusiasm.Going to Turpan, we went to inspect the water conservancy project Karez.I met a little Uighur girl who used a copper pot to draw water from Karez well.Because it is a basin, the wind in Turpan is blocked by the surroundings, and the weather is too muggy, but it is a good place for grapes.In a word: The long-flowing snow water of Karez has made oasis appear in the deserted desert, and the desert Jiangnan, which is rich in melons and fruits, has appeared.All officials appointed by the imperial court and exiled to Xinjiang, such as Lin Zexu and Zuo Zongtang, made indelible contributions to the construction of Karez. Eating roast lamb is one of the most extravagant and memorable meals in my diet.Two Uyghur girls and a handsome Uyghur boy in the restaurant asked my older "diner" to wear a vest and a Uyghur flower hat.Three people gathered around me and raised a knife to "cut the cake", a girl was pulling at the root of my ear, and a girl was half-nuggling in my "embrace", and the handsome guy joked in bad Chinese that you have two "wives" Now, don't be shy, be nice.The whole table burst into warm applause. The romance in my life is far less than the enthusiasm of two Uighur girls. This scene is too extravagant. The "handsome guy" went to kiss our tour guide, and was immediately dragged away from the dining table by a girl by the ears.Then we asked everyone to leave the table and dance. A Uighur girl led me to make gestures, and finally asked me to hug her.I am old!Where can I hold it?How did I come to this feast of youth in my rough life?Who said that Han and Wei hate each other?I regard this lunch as a romantic poem of symbiosis and co-prosperity for my ethnic minority brothers and sisters.On this hot summer day, less than 20 days before the "July 5" incident, I accepted the most unforgettable and beautiful lyric poem presented to me by young Uyghur men and women in Turpan.The friendship between Han and Uighurs and other ethnic groups will last forever, long live the friendship. In Grape Valley in Turpan, I was warmly received by the owner of the vineyard. In the house of the vineyard hangs a photo of Chairman Mao meeting Uncle Kurban.They put out all kinds of grapes picked this year in plates for us to taste our fill.The grapes are like emeralds, sweet and refreshing.I am in Turpan, but I am drunk in friendship and sweet wine! It is more than 20 miles away from Urumqi, and after walking out of the expressway, it is the first-class highway leading to Tianchi Lake in Tianshan.From the "village" covered with green grass and yurts, I know the herdsmen living happily under Tianchi Lake.All the poplars planted along the way are not tall or upright, so we know that the poplars are artificially planted.Who doesn't say Tianshan is a good place, but I haven't seen poplars standing upright on the ground and pointing to the blue sky.It can be seen that artificial tree planting is important to beautify the earth.The most rare thing to see in Xinjiang is water.The expressway is built along the river. If you want to see the graceful river from the window of the car, you will be disappointed and melancholy for a long time.Because the dry river is full of sand and stones, and there is no drop of water.In front of the village under the Tianshan Mountains is a grassland, and on the road is a clear and swift stream.Crashing, the sound of running water is the most charming music in the desert.The grass is fat and the sheep are strong. Do such villagers still worry about the lack of moisture?The rare north and south of the Yangtze River, the wind is cool, and the people are friendly, it can be called a fairyland on earth.Take the cable car to swim in Tianchi, the sky is so deep and blue that it is intoxicating.If I can ascend to the sky, drill into the sapphire sky, and be a speck of dust in the universe, it is also the creation of life.The sky is blue, and the water in the pool is also blue. Between the water and the sky, we breathe the unparalleled fresh air and get the care of the aura of the sky, the aura of the water, and the aura of the earth. The realm of the sky, the border of the earth, and the realm of water, take a handful of water from the Tianchi Lake in Tianshan Mountain, and slowly drink it, only then do you realize that I am not the owner of the Tianchi Lake, but it is so selfless, even if you are a foreigner, it will give you generously. A scoop of jade liquid wine. The landforms of Xinjiang are so peculiar. There are snow-capped mountains over 4,000 meters in the depths of the desert, and the barren desert below the mountains is extremely hot... Who said that ice and charcoal cannot coexist?This good place in Xinjiang is a model of the coexistence of ice and coal. Take another cup of the cold water from Tianchi, calm down my excitement, and keep the water in Tianchi in my heart forever.In this life, I may only come to Tianchi once.But one time is enough, satisfied and happy. In Lingnan, four miles away, at the age of eighty, I still have the opportunity to come to the Tianchi Lake in the sky and on earth. My wish is enough. Goodbye, Tianshan, goodbye, Turpan.Even if it is today's Xijue, after all, we will remember each other for life. After returning from Tianshan Tianchi, we decided to fly to Beijing. I have the following goals in mind.The first goal is to find China's "chief" main theme reportage writer - Comrade He Jianming, secretary of the Secretariat of the Chinese Writers Association and president of the Writers Publishing House.The 60,000-word majestic and elegant reportage "A Hundred Years' Dream—Great Men of China's Five Dynasties and the Three Gorges Project" written by He Jianming was the first to "land" in the editorial department.His high-profile reportage has long been well-known across the country, and his "College Entrance Examination Report" made me unable to put it down.Looking for him, I have two hopes: one is to invite He Jianming to be my backer, and ask him to act as the editor-in-chief; the other is to publish the book in the Writer's Publishing House.This will save you a lot of hassle before publishing your book.After a phone call, Comrade He Jianming readily invited us to the office for an interview. At 11 am on July 27, He Jianming's office.Books are stacked around the desk.The casual, natural, and strong bookish atmosphere left a deep impression on me. Comrade He Jianming wears a pair of glasses and has smooth black hair. He is gentle and bold. "Say you're 79 years old, and it's not easy to go to Xinjiang to go to the Flaming Mountains in the hot summer!" He didn't let go of his hand, and looked at me again: "79? Not like! You are not old, and your mentality is still so young. Going into the flames Mountains, compiling the history of water management, this is a feat, and the merit is immeasurable!" I said, "I'm just afraid that I won't be able to handle it, so come to Beijing and ask you to be my and Mr. Yang's backing." He Jianming asked me: "You are a senior, please talk about your experience in literary creation in Guangdong." I said: "I edited "The Merry People" in Guangdong for a while. This is a self-funded, self-financed newspaper. Lu Ruihua, Zheng Guoxiong, Li Ziliu, and Liang Guangguang have all supported this newspaper. We have done our best, and the dozen or twenty editions of the newspaper started with the "Merry Man". At that time, I was the vice dean of business in charge of the Guangdong Academy of Literature, and I brought the writers of the Academy of Arts to reform. Writing about reform in the spring tide. The local government pays us the cost. Some people say that I am a "dark horse", and some people laugh at me as the father of paid literature. Guangdong's reform is one step ahead of the whole country. Everything is reforming. A non-governmental organization Why can't newspapers be reformed..." "Okay, you are my respected senior." Jianming continued, "You can tell me what you need me to do. I won't treat you to lunch. I'm very busy. My lunch is in the staff cafeteria." He Jianming answered while listening.I introduced Yang Qinhuan's son to He Jianming: "This is Young Master Yang, Comrade Yang Guoli, who returned from studying in the UK and is also a 'returnee'." He Jianming signed his new book, which had just won the national "Five One Project" award, and gave it to Yang Guoli with both hands, saying: "Say hello to your father, he has done a great deed. Thank your father for me, and persist Compile this water control book.” He Jianming said to me again: “Isn’t compiling books also your strong point?” "No, I'm a 'cottage edition', I'm a 'toast', and you're a 'vassal', 'nobility', and 'central army'!" Listening to my words, everyone present laughed. The next goal is to find newspapers and public opinion media.I first went to Mr. Miao Junjie, senior editor and senior reporter of People's Daily. Mr. Miao immediately drew up six nationally authoritative newspaper directors and page managers, namely "People's Daily", "People's Daily Overseas Edition", "Guangming Daily", "Beijing News", "China Youth Daily", and "Literary News". list of people. On the afternoon of July 28, Mr. Zhu Hui, editor-in-chief of "Literary Observation" of "Guangming Daily", was the first to arrive.After asking about the situation, he wrote a press release.Later, Liu Qiong from People's Daily; Liang Yonglin and Fang Xuxiao from Beijing News; Lu Xianfu from Literary Daily; Wu Xiaodong from China Youth Daily and other comrades came to the hotel where I was staying.Mr. Miao Junjie first said to everyone during the meeting: "Comrade Cheng Xianzhang is 79 years old, and he has also visited Karez in Turpan, Xinjiang. The capital injection was planned by Yang Qinhuan, the founder of Meiyan Hydropower Group, and Cheng Xianzhang was the chief editor. Comrade He Jianming’s support. His 60,000-word article reflecting the great men of the Five Dynasties and the Three Gorges Project was the first to be posted on Cheng Xianzhang’s website. Now, he plans to mobilize the best writers in the country to write reports on water control projects in various places, and ask Beijing’s authoritative media to support it. You are here." Everyone expressed their support with one voice and hoped to promote it in several stages.During the meeting, some people also suggested that 3 years is too long, preferably one year.Some people said: "We have been waiting for this book for too long. This is a matter of great merit and must be done well." Soon, various authoritative newspapers in Kyoto reported the news of the folk history of water management in Guangdong.Although it doesn't take up much space, it has great power, and it has been reproduced on the Internet, and many writers are also happy to accept drafts.The trip to Kyoto has greatly exceeded my expectations. On July 31, we flew from Beijing to Jinan, the land of Qilu where the sages I most yearn for come forth in large numbers. Taking a bus from Jinan to Jining is mainly to investigate the current navigation value of the Jining section of the ancient canal.We are very happy that we passed by "Shuibo Liangshan".The base of the protagonist Song Jiang and his 108 generals in the classical literary masterpiece "Water Margin", which I still can't bear to let go from my childhood, is Liangshan in front of us really a cottage guarded by heroes such as Song Jiang? Walking in the ancient streets of Jining, I seem to see Wu Dalang walking towards me with a burden of sesame cakes, and the flirting laughter of Ximen Qing and Pan Jinlian seems to come from the window facing the street.The car drove to the side of the ancient canal that runs through the urban area.Canals are like sewers and don't want to stay.Immediately out of the city, I saw several wooden boats full of goods in the ancient canal.The surface of the river is relatively open. Although the water is not clear, it is not as dirty as the canals in the city.For a day, it was the sight of the canal that swept away my troubles, and I fell asleep after a short rest after dinner. The next goal is to go to Dongying to see the mouth of the Yellow River.We set off early in the morning, crossed half of the Shandong Peninsula, and arrived in Dongying City in the evening.It's not that Dongying gave me a special impression, but the mystery of Qilu land in my heart.From Jining to Zibo, after lunch from Zibo to Dongying.The beautiful Shandong Plain is not only a granary, but also the hometown of Confucius and Mencius, a place where talents came forth in large numbers.Compared with the ten thousand hectares of sand in the Pearl River Delta Plain, its area is just a piece of cake.Although the Great Gobi in Xinjiang is vast, it is monotonous and desolate.I don't know whether it is an outstanding person or an outstanding person?In short, the land of Qilu makes you envious, shocked and admirable. When I went to Dongying by the Yellow River, I saw the endless wetland created by the Yellow River.The vast wetland is full of aquatic plants of different colors, including shrubs and reeds, various birds and fish and shrimp in the water, giving the wetland a rich world of life.Yellow River carps and hairy crabs are Dongying's special products, but what excites me the most and is the most novel is the oil pump that keeps kowtow.Dongying Wetland is rich in oil, which is tens of millions of times more valuable than fish and shrimp, and is the power energy most needed by the country.Our great mother river, the ancient Yellow River, deposited sediment before entering the sea, which is a priceless gift generously bestowed by the earth to the people of Shandong.According to records, there were 54 major diversions at the mouth of the Yellow River.Every diversion brings disaster to the local people, but it also gives Dongying people 20,000 mu of wetland every year free of charge. The wetland is rich in oil, which makes Dongying an important resource for the wealthy.The unity of man and nature, the vast land and abundant resources, these undecipherable codes lingering in my heart, I got a very satisfactory interpretation and deciphering on the vast wetland path at the entrance of the Yellow River in Dongying.In my opinion, Dongying is still far from being developed, and the day of great wealth and wealth has not yet come. Zhang Wei, a member of the presidium of the Chinese Writers Association and chairman of the Shandong Writers Association, was the target of my trip to Shandong and one of the few friends I have in the Chinese literary world.He is the first writer in Asia to win the American Outstanding Achievement Award. His novels "Ancient Ship", "September Fable", "My Pastoral", "Family" have long been well-known and well-known across the country. "Ancient Ship" is the first full-length novel that breaks through the traditional concept and symbolizes China as an "ancient ship".Zhang Wei is not a pure novelist.His profundity, thoughts, and concepts are full of philosophy and speculation.Therefore, I often regard Zhang Wei as a philosopher in the literary world.Like Jia Pingwa, Su Tong, and Wang Meng, his novels are the objects of my follow-up reading.He is not a big man from Shandong, he is a handsome man who is gentle and elegant, handsome on the outside and wise on the inside.The only time I saw him was at writers' conferences, and occasionally on the phone.In the Chinese literary world, literati are proud. I don't have many idols, but at least he is my "fan". I returned to Jinan from Dongying and stayed in a hotel before calling Zhang Wei.Zhang Wei immediately came to the hotel where I was staying, and he criticized me as soon as he opened his mouth: "Big brother, you really shouldn't. You told me after running around Shandong that you have arrived in Shandong." When it comes to editing water books.Zhang Wei said: "This title is great, China needs such a book." He talked about asking him to write an article on water control in Shandong.Zhang Wei said: "Just because my brother came to Shandong and we met in Jinan in person, no matter how busy I am at work, I should write an article. I am busy with work, and my health is not good recently. I even went to the United States and Germany for visits. All have been cancelled. But I will definitely finish writing an article for the history of water control.” Talking about book compilation and soliciting manuscripts.Zhang Wei said: "Time must be seized. Three years is too long. People who write manuscripts and edit books are not nervous. It is right to seize the time to ask for more manuscripts from famous experts, but famous scholars have many things and cannot help themselves. Article Pay attention to the quality, and not necessarily invite famous experts, which will delay the time of compiling the book." I asked him to be a consultant for the water control book.Zhang Wei smiled and said: "It's hard for you to think of me. As long as you ask, I will help. It's best to invite you to Longkou Academy. Shixu has been there before. I hope you will come." A great literary figure from Qilu Dadi became my support.Going to Zhejiang to see the Qiantang River, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, and visiting the Huangpu River need not be elaborated. Listed Meizhou Kedu Hotel After returning from Shanghai, I said to Mr. Yang: "I am going to move the sign of the editor-in-chief's office to Meizhou. Please arrange a suite at the Kedu Hotel." "Is it okay?" Mr. Yang asked me. "Okay, why not? Writers' manuscripts are 'landing' in the editor-in-chief's office one after another, and there must be a place to work. Setting the editor-in-chief's office in Meizhou is a great contribution to cultural Meizhou and to Meizhou's building a famous cultural city." 杨总笑道：“客都大酒店给你一套'大使房'，我交代杨斌经理，你什么时候去看看满意不满意？” 我去了大酒店，向杨总回话：“相当满意。” “什么时候挂牌？” “请你选个日子。” 杨总说：“我提个意见给你考虑，2009年9月9日9时三刻，最有意义。” 我笑着应道：“你真是玄机大师，就定这个日子挂牌。” “叫谁题写招牌？”杨总问我。 “我自己题字，牌子已刻好了。”我笑着回答。 “好，你自己的字自成一格，不必麻烦别人。” 于是，我们开始忙，并请市人大常委会常务副主任、党组书记古小平同志，市政协副主席张光明同志为嘉宾，亲自请市电视台袁远山台长，梅州日报社社长李向阳，总编辑陈国章，总经理刘小青，县电视台长张剑城，副台长黄忠健等以及中国新闻社驻梅州记者组等众多媒体的支持。刚好，广东作协副主席、著名诗人杨克来梅。袁远山台长说：“我把各部门负责人请来，给你'滚动式'地报道。” 这样，9月9日9时的挂牌仪式，便举行得简单隆重。报纸、电视台、网络一连几天的密集报道，给了我们一股强大的推动力。《梅州日报》9月10日的报道：总编室落户梅州。 参加客商大会后，我们就到了深圳，第二天，坐飞机飞至4000公里外的长春准备考察鸭绿江。 在深圳机场一上飞机，从机舱门口随手捡起一张当天的《长春晚报》，第一版重要位置一道醒目标题：长春今夜雨夹雪——气温零下3℃。 深圳气温32℃。一个上午我们都开空调。今夜飞到长春，简直是从火里往冰窖里跳。一下飞机，果然寒风刺骨，好不容易拦到一辆“的士”，旅游团的导游滔滔不绝向我们介绍：长春今年冷得早，但也不飘雪。雨夹雪更讨厌，不干爽，潮湿，开车得小心。长春市街道是三横一直，就是一个丰收的“丰”字，不像其他城市那样复杂。他说，长春著名的特产是人参和雪蛤。不要信老板说他卖的是“山参”。去年日本十几支队伍在长白山找了近一个月，才找到三条山参正牌货。他放开方向盘伸出手指向我们比划，就这般大小。你说他一店卖的都是山参，可信吗？我觉得：我们一到长春就遇到了好心人。于是，勾销了我在长春买山参的欲望。 一到酒店就与张笑天通了电话，约好晚上他到我下榻的酒店见面，便乘上华南理工大学舞蹈家王娜娜女士父亲王公的小车逛长春市去了。在街上转了一圈，便在长春汽车厂和长春电影制片厂门口驻足照相。无论“一汽”或“长影”，都可能与治水无关，但它们都是解放后共和国的“名片”。长影还是东北电影厂时拍过多少对全国人民启智的好片子，后来改名“长影”，它的产品仍然深藏在我的记忆中。长春汽车厂制造出了中国第一部载重汽车，结束了中国不会制汽车的历史。你说巧不巧，那天刚好是“长汽”生产第一千万辆汽车下线的喜庆日子。我们高兴地在喜气洋洋、飘满彩色气球的“长汽”厂门留照。我心里想，好幸运啊，为什么这个喜庆日子会是在今天？是不是专给万里之外虔诚的游客留下？真是太高兴太幸福了。 “笑天，其实我们见过面。”我紧握着张笑天宽厚的巴掌，不肯放下。 “是吗？什么时候？”笑天眯着眼问道。 “1997年11月的全国作家代表大会上。我们一个桌子吃饭。同桌的还有大学者冯其庸。” “是吗？”笑天正儿八经看着我，庄重地说：“程先生，对，我提几点意见，请如实转告何建明同志。” “太好了，我这次来长春，何事？就是千里迢迢万里远行来叩访你。” “真的？你老兄真的不远万里来长春看望我？太感谢你了，真的。”笑天放下筷子伸出三个指头，“我提三条意见。第一，你的亲和力和凝聚力。一说你在主持编这本书，全国作家都响应，放下手头的工作，在文坛掀起写治水史的创作热潮，这不容易。” 我说：“这一是杨总肯注资，二是何建明同志肯担纲，三是作家们的热情，我只是跑龙套。这些人，要么像一尊大岩石，推不动，要么涌上来，就如潮水涌来，每天接电话，接信息，来时收到130万字，估计到北京150万字没问题。例如，我来长春时就接到谭谈、彭见明的电话，谭谈开始动笔，见明已把稿件发来了。” “第二，你们的老板杨总，很多作家没见面。他是大智慧，大赢家。”笑天伸出拇指夸奖。 “他是我的好友。退休后，我告老还乡，市、县委把我的党组织关系放到他的企业。写治水史这个题目是他在一次谈话时提出来的。”我说。 “第三，这是你送给作家出版社的'厚礼'。请你如实转告何建明同志，他刚主持中国作家出版集团工作，你就把全国作家尖子的集体创作，文人集体撰写的治水书交给他们，你说是不是厚礼？三条意见，你要逐条转告何建明同志。” 当我们即将离开长春去哈尔滨时，笑天又赶来相送，他对我说：“我马上去省委开会，除我前天提的三条意见之外，还补充一条：这部书出版后，政府高兴，读者高兴，作家高兴。就这四条，请一条条转告何建明同志。” 按东北行正常路线，第一站是哈尔滨，然后是长春、沈阳、大连。但因为阿成在德国法兰克福参加书展，喝德国啤酒去了。怕飞到哈尔滨时阿成还在德国吃牛扒，便改道先飞长春，去见笑天，然后按逆行路线去哈尔滨见阿成。 阿成在我印象中，他应该是有点自恋的作家。完全出乎我的预料。他和蔼可亲，谈吐轻松。阿成说：“你隐瞒年龄。你看，你像近八旬老人吗？脸不像老汉，手脚也不像。”端详我一阵：“你去了鸭绿江，靠着朝鲜河岸向朝鲜兄弟握手，真是壮年人的体魄。怎么样？来东北的印象如何？” 我说：“物阜民丰的东北，望不到边的苞谷刚刚成熟，辽阔的东北平原从哈尔滨到长春，从松花江到鸭绿江，都被丰收的粮食覆盖，大地每一寸土地就像金子。那是比金子更有价值、哺养人类和牲畜的粮食。就粮食生产而言，什么长三角、珠三角比起东北平原都是食桌上的一碟小菜，令人震撼。” 阿成说：“要说粮食，北大仓才是中国的大粮仓，什么时候我带你去看。” “所以，东北才能产生笑天、阿成、子建、兆林、邓刚这样的作家啊。” “你呢？”阿成侧着脸认真听我回答。 我说：“这是时髦的一句话，我是山寨版，山寨的土司罢了！”大家都笑了。 “土司厉害呀！权势重呀！”阿成赞叹道，“谁有超人的智慧和毅力去编一部千年没有的中国治水史？你看，厉害不厉害，你编书从广东编到东北来，编到哈尔滨来，这要多大的勇气！” 很想和阿成再聊一回天，我在梅州、广东压力太大。和阿成聊天无疑会给我添增信心。可惜，第二天，他就被中国作协点名飞河南郑州去了。临别时，我要求阿成：“黑龙江治水，恐怕非得你担纲撰写。”阿成迟疑一下：“这是条国际河流，又是中国四大河之一，恐怕不能缺。好吧，我来撰写。”这正是我东北之行的一个目的。阿成答应写黑龙江，哈尔滨之行成功矣！ 从哈尔滨飞沈阳见刘兆林，从沈阳乘车去大连，似乎没有更新奇的故事。兆林身兼主席和党组书记，可谓“实权派”。兆林出身于军旅，人很内向，征求他对治水史的意见，他点头说，这是一个好命题，一项大工程，这不，我工作再忙也接受了两个题目，而且完成了。 兆林来稿也有故事。他写辽河治水，有一段把问题写得很具体。我们请他斟酌把问题虚化一点不会影响治河全局，兆林很快改正了，而且很快把修改稿寄来。修改稿符合采用条件，我们把稿费寄出。很快，陈世旭同志发来信息说：接刘兆林短信，编辑部是否把稿费多发了？我们一核对，没有，没有。回短信给世旭，兆林的稿费没多发。请他是否再写一篇内蒙古打井英雄李团长。兆林回短信说，他在部队时写过打井英雄，但那是报纸上用的文章，分量不够重，还得去那个部队采访。不久，打井英雄的稿件收到了，我们又高兴又感激。这个题目，是杨总提出来的。杨总提出后，我们请解放军总后的王宗仁同志物色一位作家，结果迟迟没物色到。谁知，曾是军旅作家的刘兆林同志就写过打井英雄。他的来稿，岂不令人喜出望外？ 到大连见邓刚，没有什么客套话。他跑到我们住的酒店，没好商量对我说：“今天晚上，我有一帮兄弟在某饭店请你们吃饭，看看，社会主义的优越性。”这个魁伟的邓刚一进酒店就带来一阵风。邓刚爱交友，大连的文坛他一定是盟主，老大。但他写稿很认真。稿件传到编辑部后，指名道姓要我立马给他看稿。我遵照他的意见，连夜把稿看完了，发短信给他：“大气魄，大手笔，文采飞扬。” 邓刚看了，立即发来短信：“你深夜12点还值班，真是个老模范。”你看，和邓刚打交道总是风生水起，令你笑逐颜开。“笑一笑，十年少”。你说开心不开心。过不多久，邓刚发来短信，说，老兄，你搞的是大题目，大工程。我写的文章再修改发邮件给你。把通过的稿件拿回去修改。这就是邓刚，对读者绝对负责任的作家。邓刚此举，使我对“治水史”质量更有信心。 不敢言“考察”，但我们却以虔诚之心叩拜北方的大江河。杨总曾多次对我们说：对大江大河的治水，可以请名家执笔，但不可以不看。 我们7时从长春出发，老王驾了日产丰田小车来接我们。走完长春市段高速公路，我们便只能走一级二级公路。通化山沟，有积雪，路牌上显示，该地叫夹皮沟。我想起《林海雪原》的夹皮沟，心里想，莫非就是杨子荣与座山雕斗智斗勇的历史战场？作家的艺术虚构本无定指，取其名用在小说里也是作家惯常的手法。因为没有高山，我想未必是作家曲波笔下英雄与土匪斗智斗勇的战场。南方无雪景可看的炜新与勇芳，便要求老王停车观雪景。他们兴味盎然地在山沟里追逐打雪仗，把手里捏成的雪团当石头抛来抛去，老王也童兴大发，参加雪仗队伍，玩得十分开心。在去鸭绿江途中打雪仗，对他们来说，恐怕这一辈子难得有第二回。可见，我们考察江河也未必正儿八经。其过程也充满丰富多彩的生活元素，曲折离奇，五彩缤纷，令人永世难忘。 鸭绿江边的集安市，很繁荣。一条铁路横跨鸭绿江。上世纪“雄赳赳气昂昂，跨过鸭绿江”。这首抗美援朝、保家卫国的雄伟战歌，唱的就是丹东和集安。而军火辎重，绝大部分是靠横跨鸭绿江的铁路大桥运到朝鲜战场的。而今，“樯橹灰飞烟灭”，鸭绿江两岸，已是一片和平景象，但里面潜藏的玄机，我们这些草根有谁懂得。 初冬的鸭绿江，依然一江碧水，河岸很高，隔江而望，对面就是朝鲜民主主义人民共和国。我们乘汽艇畅游鸭绿江，并在离朝鲜不远的江岸边向朝鲜人民招手致意。司机老王不断地用东北口音的普通话招呼大喊：“你好！”那边岸上的人也挥手回答。 掬一捧鸭绿江水吮一口，洗个脸，肚子里心潮涌动，悠久的历史与眼前的现实，有如一幕映画，一幅幅在我眼前呈现。鸭绿江的滔滔江水，是我看到为数不是很多的美丽河流。但它因为是国际河流，治水问题更为复杂，令我难以言说。我期待中国文坛大家张笑天妙笔生花，把美丽的鸭绿江浓墨重彩写一笔。 松花江因上世纪“九一八”事件早就在我童年时唱在嘴上，记在心里。“我的家，在东北松花江上，那里有，森林煤矿，还有那满山遍野的大豆高粱。'九一八'，'九一八'，从那个悲惨的时候……”松花江，就和黄河、长江一样，在我心里树起永不坍倒的丰碑。歌唱家郑绪兰的一曲《太阳岛上》，以中国的太平盛世深埋松花江的悲惨历史。我去看了太阳岛，那是人为作秀的旅游景点，治水干系不大。松花江的治水与抗洪，著名作家阿成会有精彩的描绘。 刘兆林写的辽河，我细读了。题目怪怪的，但他在文章里声明，这个题目是他的神来之笔，细看，果然如是。 邓刚写治海，我坦率地说，我是标准的门外汉。上世纪1982年，我到大连度假，住黑石礁张学良公馆，常与祖慰这帮文友去黑石礁游泳。迈着改革大步伐建设的大连，我这次重回黑石礁自是旧貌换新颜，感慨良多。邓刚与我见面后即飞河南郑州，我只能自己仔细辨认历史陈迹。 西安的渭河在《创业史》里深深刻上了一笔，上世纪1992年我第一次看渭河，水已断流，现在第二次看渭河，沙滩中一股涓涓细流。苍老的渭河看来要大力治理，才有重现青春的希望。 无论南方北方，所有江河都进入了苍老期。就像老人需要调养治理，否则，它也会淤塞甚至消失，一命呜呼。你看，古老的郑国渠与汉代的坎儿井，不都在我们的土地上完全消失了吗？ 我们收到的治水文章，90%以上都是全国最优秀作家的手笔，列一张名单，55位作家90%都是全国有名望的，各省市重量级一线作家。在这方面，陈世旭同志功劳最大。杨克与缪俊杰同志，也是一双功臣。我们以最大诚意请来《人民日报》高级编辑、资深报人、著名文学评论家缪俊杰同志审稿。11月中旬，与夫人钟教授双双从北京飞来梅州，住下来给我们审稿一周。 缪老阅稿十分认真，他几乎足不出酒店。一天到晚，都与夫人钟教授审阅稿件。每天晚饭后到编辑室喝茶，也会谈及阅稿的印象。有一天，缪老提出两篇稿件存在的问题。这两篇稿件都长达10万字。what to do?缪老主张把稿件退回给作者修改，否则不能用。问题确实存在。但两篇治水史文章，都涉及我国重要江河。我要勇芳把世旭同志请到梅州，共同“会诊”这两篇稿件。很快，世旭的处理意见得到老缪和我的同意。陈世旭亲自动“手术”，处理了一篇稿子。另一篇撰写的作家同意自己修改。而且，两天后就把稿件寄回，基本符合我们的要求。 陈世旭同志不但是本书的重要顾问，更是我个人编撰治水书的老师。他一是谦虚，二是实干，三是在撰写团队中有相当高的影响力和号召力，为治水书立下了极大的功劳。特别值得一提的是，老朋友中共河源市委书记陈建华同志也亲临编辑部指导。 还有《南方日报》的李钟声，陈志，李文龙三位朋友的支持，李钟声——原《南方日报》副总编辑。陈志，《南方日报》文化部主任。广东新闻界第一线最活跃和最具实力的名记。李文龙，活跃在南方传媒第一线的年轻记者。他们三人于11月16日来梅州总编室现场采访，他们便马不停蹄开展工作，小型座谈，阅读大量材料至深夜。 2009年11月29日，《南方日报》在阅读版以通栏标题推出治水书的报道。 的梅江情节 9月10日晚，市长李嘉同志来到客都大酒店总编室。李市长对我说：“既然是在梅州倡议发起的，梅江治水的文章一定要认真写好。这是梅州人民的愿望。” 我深知这话的分量。我们编辑部定下一个原则：请所有撰写治水史的作家都写他熟悉的治水工程，写他身边的江河，写自己的母亲河。这样，免了花旅费花时间去熟悉，去考察。写起来无疑更顺畅些，更逼真更立体也更动人。原定三年完成的治水史，为什么一年不到就完成了？奇迹出现，原因不少，但撰写文章的作家“布点”合理，乃是一个重要的原因。所以，我们专门聘请了资深记者、作家李钟声，他是梅州人，是广东省人民政府参事，原《南方日报》副总编辑，“范长江”新闻奖得主。他来写梅州，再合适不过。 毕竟是梅州民间倡议策划的大部头。尽管我们编辑部的工作得到50多位优秀作家的支持，进行得相当顺利，但我们还得到了党和政府，特别是当地党委和政府的关心和支持，给我们很大鼓舞。中共梅州市委书记刘日知同志亲临编辑部看望大家，当我向刘书记汇报了“治水史”编辑的目的、目标、进度、存在问题。刘书记一边听，一边提醒我们：千万别编成一本流水账，既然有几十位名家加盟，就一定要发挥他们所长。他说：编写是一项大气磅礴的文化工程，编辑部落户梅州，是对“文化梅州”建设的有力推动和支持，希望编辑部在程贤章先生的带领下，树立精品意识，认真组织做好编辑工作，编出一部传世经典著作，为“文化梅州”发展战略作出新的贡献。刘日知表示，市委、市政府和各级各有关部门将积极配合做好服务，全力支持编写这项文化工程。 还要补充一句，评定一项工程的成败得失，是一个非常复杂的命题。它不是一个经济效益就可以评定的，还要看它与自然生态的协调、对一个地区经济结构乃至民生等诸多方面的影响，而这往往需要经受时间的检验才能最终定论。本书执笔作家，可以说没有一位水利专家，纰漏甚至错误势必在所难免，万望读者不吝赐教。 最后，感谢我们的老领导叶选平先生为本书题写书名；感谢中国作家协会副主席何建明先生担纲本书主编，并亲自到梅州检查编辑部的编务工作；感谢何建明同志给本书挑选了个好责编贺平同志，从去年底开始，她便为出版治水史诗日夜操劳，常常深夜收到贺平同志的修正电话及电子邮件，令我们内心激动万分。感谢所有参与执笔此书的作家和各级党委、政府负责同志。本书原计划三年出版，如果没有上述领导同志及有关各界的大力支持，本书很难以这样的速度和质量呈现给读者，这一点是令我稍感欣慰的。 【程贤章：曾任广东文学院院长，广东文史研究馆馆员，广东外语外贸大学客座教授、广西师范大学客座教授，享受国务院特殊津贴专家。 】