Chapter 390 The Wave of Urbanization
As Liujiazhuang's economic strength grows, its population growth rate becomes increasingly rapid, like an unstoppable torrent.

The population explosion naturally raises a series of challenges that need to be addressed urgently, such as food security, health education, and housing conditions. These problems are like a chain reaction, one that is linked together and tests the carrying capacity and wisdom of this land.

Liujiazhuang had quietly adjusted its agricultural layout as early as last year.

Except for the famous cash crop "Jingxi Rice" which continues to be exported, local food crops such as winter wheat, corn, sweet potatoes, potatoes, soybeans, peanuts, etc. have completely stopped being supplied to the external market.

There are actually multiple considerations behind this decision.

First of all, the primary task of local food is to ensure the daily dietary needs of its large population.

Secondly, with the vigorous development of Liujiazhuang's industrial and agricultural production, especially the gradual expansion of the breeding industry, local food crops have also become an indispensable source of raw materials, injecting continuous vitality into the local economic lifeline.

In this way, the agricultural structure of Liujiazhuang has quietly completed its transformation, which not only ensures people's livelihood but also promotes the prosperity of the local economy, presenting a new picture of rural development in the new era.

Liujiazhuang occupies a vast area of ​​hundreds of square kilometers, but its terrain is mostly mountainous and densely covered with virgin forests. Plains are particularly scarce and are only scattered here and there, barely supporting the planting of food crops.

In this land, the wave of urbanization is also quietly surging, and the demand for land is becoming increasingly urgent.

However, for future planning, Liu Zhiye knew that he should not destroy forests to create farmland easily. This would be like drinking poison to quench thirst. Behind the short-term benefits would be the destruction of the ecological balance and the sacrifice of long-term development, which would not be worth the cost.

Therefore, Liujiazhuang chose a more cautious and sustainable path, striving to find a delicate balance between protection and development.

Perhaps it won’t be long before Liujiazhuang will have to rely on food transfusions from other regions.

In order to protect the ecological environment, Liujiazhuang resolutely refused the over-exploitation of mountain forests and land.

This move has caused the area, which originally had ample development land, to become stretched.

Faced with this severe challenge, the people of Liujiazhuang demonstrated forward-looking wisdom.

Looking back several years ago, the leaders of Liujiazhuang had a far-sighted vision and resolutely suspended the individual approval process for villagers' homesteads.

Instead, they took a bold and innovative approach - unified planning for the entire village and concentrated their efforts on building high-rise residential buildings, thereby subtly improving the value and utilization efficiency of every inch of land.

This change not only effectively eased the tension in land resources, but also invisibly paved a green and sustainable path for the future development of the village.

On the east bank of the Yongding River in Liujiazhuang, every high-rise building rising from the ground on this newly constructed land symbolizes the vitality of this emerging city.

They not only witness the changes and growth of Liujia Village, but also become a bright business card that attracts the attention of the outside world and showcases the rural landscape of the new era.

Today, Liujiazhuang has been neatly divided into three major areas: the west bank, the east bank and the north bank, each with its own characteristics and building prosperity together.

Xi'an District, as an old district with a long history in Liujiazhuang area, has not been out of touch with the times despite its long history.

It has witnessed Liujiazhuang's magnificent transformation from tradition to modernity. The introduction of a series of modern infrastructure, such as a complete drainage and sewage system, bright street lights, solid hardened road surface, and the popularization of living facilities such as biogas, heating, and tap water, has brought about earth-shaking changes in the quality of life of residents.

In addition, the laying of electricity and communication networks, such as comprehensive coverage of circuits and telephone lines, has closely connected this land to the pulse of the information age.

In the area, all kinds of service facilities are available, including post offices, supply and marketing cooperatives, department stores and other commercial outlets, and banks, police stations and other public service agencies to safeguard the lives of residents.

The prosperity of farmers' markets and hardware markets meets daily purchasing and industrial needs; the establishment of hospitals and street offices ensures the health and safety of residents and orderly community management.

There are also professional institutions such as agricultural machinery companies and transportation companies that provide solid support for agricultural production and logistics transportation.

In terms of culture and entertainment, the establishment of places such as libraries, People's Square, and cinemas has enriched the spiritual world of residents, allowing the West Coast area to retain its traditional charm while also exuding vitality.

Commercial forms such as markets, restaurants, snack bars, and clothing stores make this place full of the flavor of life, comparable to the prosperous scenes of some cities in the 1990s.

In short, the West Bank District has become the most important part of Liujiazhuang with its unique charm, carrying the weight of history while displaying modern vitality.

No matter how Liujiazhuang develops in the future, this is the foundation of Liujiazhuang people. That is why the housing prices here are the most expensive among the three districts.

The East Bank District is the new district of Liujiazhuang. Because it is located on the east bank of the Yongding River, although the terrain here is flat, it is all sandy and rocky, which is not suitable for growing grain crops at all.

For a long time, the ancestors of Liujiazhuang looked at this vast land on the east coast with helplessness and regret in their hearts.

They had tried to cultivate this land with great hope, but in the end, because the soil was poor and unsuitable for crop growth, they had to reluctantly give up and temporarily abandon the development of this place.

In addition, because there is a turbulent river between the two banks and the lack of a bridge, this land seems to be forgotten by time, sleeping quietly in the long river of years, with no one caring about it, lonely and desolate.

The reason for this was that the level of productivity at the time was limited. Faced with the wide and fast-flowing river, the villagers of Liujiazhuang were willing but unable to build a thoroughfare on their own.

This helplessness and regret, like heavy shackles, binds this land and people's dreams.

However, with the passage of time and the booming economy of Liujiazhuang, the past difficulties were finally resolved.

When the first bridge was built across the river, it not only connected the two banks and turned it into a thoroughfare, but also awakened this long-sleeping land.

It finally broke free from its original desolation and silence, and ushered in new vitality and hope.

With the increasing expansion of Liujiazhuang, the land value in the west bank area has soared, and every piece of land has become extremely precious.

Under such circumstances, the development and construction of the East Coast area has been given unprecedented urgency, and the pace of construction has been significantly accelerated.

In the hot land of Dong'an District, the Yongding River is like a winding dragon, leading the city to expand rapidly in the south, north and east.

In just two or three years, the urban area of ​​the East Coast District seemed to be cast under a spell and expanded at an alarming rate. Its size has quietly approached that of the once prosperous West Coast District.

This is not only an expansion of the geographical territory, but also an extension of the city's vitality and dreams. Every brick and tile records the rise of the East Coast District, attracting the attention and footsteps of countless dreamers.

The north bank area of ​​Liujiazhuang is like a shining economic pearl. It is home to a huge industrial park with closely connected factories, vehicles shuttling back and forth, and bright lights under the night sky. It is a busy scene that firmly supports the economic backbone of the area.

This new area on the north bank is undoubtedly the economic heart of Liujiazhuang, contributing more than 60% of the region's economic output. Its influence is increasing year by year, becoming a strong driving force for local development.

In the district, nationally renowned brands such as "Yeshan Winery" stand side by side with large enterprises such as "Liujiazhuang Pharmaceutical Factory", "Yeshan Food Factory" and "Liujiazhuang Hardware Factory". There are also more than 300 small and medium-sized enterprises scattered around, together weaving a prosperous industrial landscape.

The entire new district gathers 100,000 hardworking workers and is the most densely populated area in Liujiazhuang. Even at the end of the year and the beginning of the next year, when most factories enter a rest period, there are still more than 10,000 employees who stick to their posts and work overtime to prepare for the glory of the coming year. This is a hot land where dreams and sweat are intertwined, writing the industrial legend of Liujiazhuang.

If the west bank area of ​​Liujiazhuang represents the pace of life and environment of China in the 1990s, then the east bank area is similar to that of third- and fourth-tier cities in the early 21st century.

You have to know that it is the 1960s now, and most of the country's first-tier cities are still in the initial stages of urbanization.

Therefore, the changes in Liujiazhuang made it stand out like a crane among chickens in Xia State.

Everyone who comes to Liujiazhuang will be stunned by the urbanization here, and think they have come to "Shanghai" or "Hong Kong"!

As night falls and the lights come on, the streets and alleys of Liujiazhuang are full of flashing neon lights.

The bright lights shine in the night sky, beautifying the city space. People go out of their homes and stroll on the streets, feeling the tranquility and beauty of the night.

In the East Bank District, street lamps are as bright as stars, buildings are dressed in colorful "new clothes", and the colorful and changing lights emit dazzling and charming brilliance, forming a gorgeous landscape. The buildings here can be read, the streets can be strolled, and the lakeside can be rested... The intersection of light and shadow, the fit of lines, points and buildings, the night is full of tenderness. The West Bank Old District is the central business district of Liujiazhuang, which is particularly lively at night. The lights on the facades of high-rise buildings set off the prosperity of the city, and the neon lights and billboards are particularly eye-catching in the night.

This area combines shopping, food and entertainment, and is a great place to experience the city's nightlife.

Some of the cultural blocks here also have a unique flavor at night. The lighting design here is combined with the architectural style to create a warm and cultural night atmosphere.

Strolling through these neighborhoods, you can enjoy the traditional cultural atmosphere while feeling the unique charm of a modern city.

I don’t know when, but authentic night market culture began to appear here.

The lights are bright, and the quaint buildings look even more charming under the light. At the night market of "Suzhou Street" in Liujiazhuang, there are not only a variety of authentic Beijing snacks, but also special foods from the Jiangnan region. While tasting these foods, people can also feel the delicacy and gentleness of the Jiangnan water town.

Some street food stalls and night market stalls are brightly lit, and stall owners are busy preparing a variety of delicious food.

This famous food street is home to a wide variety of restaurants, offering everything from authentic Beijing traditional cuisine to local specialties to satisfy the needs of diners with different tastes.

Whenever night falls, the aroma of various delicacies fills the air, attracting diners from all directions.

The bustling atmosphere and lively voices on the streets here create a vivid city picture.

The area with the largest flow of people is the central area of ​​Liujiazhuang - People's Square.

When night falls, the stars poke their heads out from the sky and look down at the world with joy.

Hearing the faint sounds of gongs, drums and suona coming from the small square, Liu Zhiye felt as if he had grown weeds in his heart. He walked out of the yard alone without taking any of his family members with him.

The courtyard house where Liu Zhiye's family lives is just northwest of the People's Square. After leaving the old house and turning across the road, you will reach the People's Square in about ten minutes.

Even in winter, the place is crowded with people, some taking a walk, some dancing, some taking a brisk walk, with children running around, creating a lively scene.

Liu Zhiye doesn't dance the yangge, but likes to stand by and watch, or more precisely, watch the man playing the suona next to the drum.

The man was in his forties, tall, well-proportioned, with a rough square face. He held the suona, his fingers moving across the sound holes, his head half tilted back with his cheeks puffed up, while he played vigorously with ecstasy and stomped his right foot rhythmically on the ground.

He didn't look at the person beating the drum next to him, nor at the person dancing the yangge in front of him, nor at the people around him. He just blew towards the sky with all his strength.

I saw him constantly changing the music, one after another: yangge songs, military music, popular songs, sometimes high-pitched, sometimes low-pitched, sometimes like flowing water under a small bridge, sometimes like a rushing river...

Look at the men and women dancing the yangge, they are dancing passionately to the beat of the drums and the accompaniment of his suona, with joy on each of their faces.

His playing soothingly penetrated my heart. In Liu Zhiye's mind, there kept emerging the former village of Liujiazhuang, the houses, the surrounding rolling mountains, the winding Yongding River, the vast fields, and the thriving crops... He was mesmerized by the music.

Liu Zhiye guessed that this suona player must be from some art troupe in Liujiazhuang, otherwise how could he play so skillfully and emotionally?

There were three yangko groups in total in the square. Probably because one of the groups had this man's suona to liven up the atmosphere, it had the most people, and new people kept joining in.

There is a lack of entertainment programs in this era, and it is human nature to join in the fun.

Even at the end of the year and the beginning of the next year, the cold and windy nights could not stop the villagers from bringing their families out of their homes to enjoy this rare time of traveling.

Among them were people from the capital who came from afar, as well as common people from other regions. They came here just to see the charm of Liujiazhuang.

Liujiazhuang, known as the one and only "city that never sleeps" in China, shines even more brightly with its unique charm in the night.

The scenery here is undoubtedly a visual feast for people of this era. It is an eye-opener, intoxicating and unwilling to leave.

Liujiazhuang at night is brightly lit and bustling with people. Every corner exudes a charming atmosphere, attracting the eyes and hearts of every visitor.

…………

"Crackle... " "Boom" "Crackle... " "Xiu... Ba"

Early in the morning, before dawn, Liu Zhiye was awakened by the sound of firecrackers.

Today is the Little New Year. People in the village get up before dawn. The first thing every household does is to rush to fire the "opening cannon". The gongs and cannons sound in the sky at three o'clock in the morning, which means good luck in opening the door and also announces the beginning of the new year.

The whole village is filled with the sound of firecrackers, symbolizing bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new and bringing in blessings, commonly known as "Jie Nian".

Everyone uses firecrackers to welcome the New Year, to see who has the loudest sound and lasts the longest, and who has the most variety of fireworks. All kinds of firecrackers and fireworks make the night sky colorful.

Liu Zhiye said, "Hey! It seems that the people in Liujiazhuang are really rich. It's just a small New Year's Eve, but they can make such a big fuss."

Since he was awake, he decided not to sleep any more. He had developed the habit of getting up early in the army.

Liu Zhiye came to the main house in the front yard and found his mother Deng Ru busy placing offerings to worship the "Kitchen God".

Among the offerings was Liu Zhiye’s favorite snack—“sugar melon”.

As the saying goes, on the 23rd, sugar melons are sticky, so on the day of the Little New Year, sugar melons are a must-eat for old Beijingers.

Why do we eat sugar melons on the day of Xiaonian? This has to do with a person we have to mention - the Kitchen God.

People in Beijing pay attention to offering sacrifices to the "Kitchen God" on the 23rd day, so they will buy some sacrificial candies made of malt sugar, such as sugar melons and Guandong sugar.

It is said that on the day of the Little New Year, the Kitchen God would ascend to heaven to report everyone's merits and demerits of the year to the Jade Emperor. In order to ask the Kitchen God to say more good things and to prevent him from saying too much, people in Beijing would offer him sugar melons and Guandong sugar. Therefore, there is a proverb in Beijing: "Kitchen God ascends to heaven - say more good things".

Liu Zhiye didn't care about the "Kitchen God" or not. He just picked up a few "sugar melons" from the offering plate and stuffed one into his mouth.

This thing is crunchy when you put it in your mouth, but it sticks to your teeth very well, so you have to keep chewing it while you eat it.

Deng Ru turned around abruptly upon hearing the voice, and saw Liu Zhiye secretly gnawing on the offerings to the Kitchen God.

She was so angry that she slapped her son on the back mercilessly and shouted, "How old are you and still doing such sneaky things? Are you missing out on the delicious food at home? You insisted on touching the offerings to the Kitchen God. You really deserve a beating!"

Liu Jingzhai walked in carrying a cleaned incense burner, and glared at him angrily, "You should..."

"Hehe! It's ready-made! I just took it." Liu Zhiye continued the topic with a smile, "Mom, is there anything to look forward to for this morning's meal?" Deng Ru said with some displeasure in her tone: "There's no share for you, stay where you want!" After saying that, she didn't even look at her son and left.

"Hey, why is my mom so angry today?" Liu Zhiye was confused and said to himself.

Liu Jingzhai lowered his voice and revealed: "The New Year is coming soon. Your mother is worried about your brother. She kept talking to me about it for most of the night..."

Liu Zhiye suddenly realized: "I was wondering why this old lady was so irritable. It turns out she missed her youngest son."

"The old saying is true. The emperor loves his eldest son, and the people love their youngest son..."

(End of this chapter)