[Books Nourish Our Original Aspirations, Joyfully Welcoming the 20th National Congress] Companion to the Earth, Journey Alongside the Mountains — Reflections on Reading “Wen Jiabao’s Geological Notes”

“It was the wind from that valley that set our red flag fluttering, and it was the raging rain that washed away our tents…” Every time I hear “The Song of the Prospecting Team,” my heart swells with emotion and my spirit is stirred. This song embodies the youth, dreams, and growth of generation after generation of geologists, and it is vividly reflected in the book “Wen Jiabao’s Geological Notes.”

The “Geological Notes” is divided into four sections: field geological survey notes, administrative work notes, research notes, and study‑and‑research notes. It contains more than 160 working and study notes penned by Comrade Wen Jiabao between 1968 and 1985, along with 24 memoirs, over 630 facsimiles of his handwriting, and more than 50 photographs. The “Geological Notes” strives for authenticity and fidelity to the original; whether in drawing or in writing, every entry is a genuine, unaltered record, with virtually no traces of erasure. The script is neat and well‑organized, and the hand‑drawn geological maps and sketches are so clear they appear almost as if printed.

Comrade Wen Jiabao wrote in the opening “Field Geological Survey Notes” of his book, “Geological Notes”: “The work and daily life of geological field teams are monotonous, arduous, and fraught with danger, yet they are also filled with wonder and delight. The scenery of the Qilian Mountains and the mysteries of nature have given me the courage to explore.” In 1968, upon graduating from the Beijing College of Geology, he—still very young—went to the Qilian Mountains region in Gansu to conduct fieldwork, dedicating himself to the nation’s urgent cause of mineral exploration. Though surrounded by towering mountains and mighty rivers, he never neglected his studies, boldly pursued new knowledge, held himself to the highest standards, and never abandoned his ideals or aspirations.

“I believe that only by devoting all the time others spend on leisure to work and study can I make up for my lack of talent, avoid wasting my life, and accomplish more meaningful things for the people within the limited span of my existence.” “Only by dedicating oneself to society can one discover the true meaning of a life that is, in fact, both fleeting and fraught with risk.” He not only spoke these words but also embodied them through his actions, demonstrating that “action is the ideal’s best companion.”

During more than a decade of field geological work in the Qilian Mountains, Comrade Wen Jiabao consistently ensured that he “climbed along the deep gullies up to the mountain ridges, all the way to areas covered by ice and snow. Because the deep gullies are sharply incised, rock outcrops, bedding‑plane variations, magmatic intrusions, and structural features are exceptionally well exposed, making them ideal for observation; moreover, the geological conditions on either side of the gullies lend themselves readily to comparison.”

“To pinpoint a single location, we sometimes have to hike mountain trails for one or two hours, and I never dare be careless.” As for remote sensing, “my conscience simply won’t allow me to cut corners. I must never slack off; otherwise, the guilt would be unbearable. Even if it means climbing another hour or two, I’ll go out into the field to make observations and meticulously record everything I see.” Indeed, field geological surveys are a task that demands integrity: the level of detail in observing geological phenomena can range from rudimentary to painstaking, and the content of geological records may be brief or exhaustive—there are plenty of opportunities to take shortcuts. Field sites are typically remote and sparsely populated, and identifying rocks, minerals, and fossils on the spot is no easy feat. Moreover, preparing geological notes and sketch maps directly at the site is virtually impossible without a solid grounding in geology.

From the meticulously written pages of “Geological Notes,” I have deeply appreciated the rigorous scientific spirit of a geologist; and from the crisp, spare sketches, I have truly come to understand the unwavering resolve of one who dedicates themselves to this field. These insights have taught me an essential truth: no one achieves success without effort; it springs from lofty ideals and steadfast conviction, from diligent study and keen reflection, from mastery of one’s craft, and from relentless striving and arduous perseverance. Only when the heart is set on a goal can even the hardest stone be worn away.

Fieldwork in geology is arduous—sometimes one might describe it as desolate, with barren landscapes and harsh, unforgiving terrain. Yet he could still behold “mountains cradling clouds, clouds encircling the mountains, the peaks half‑hidden within the mist, endlessly shifting, wondrous and mysterious, like a fairyland.” Thus, the optimistic spirit and upward‑looking attitude of a geologist come vividly to life on the page. “One day in June 1970, at the Xiaolongkou base station along the Hongshui Dam River, torrential rains set off a sudden flash flood… The next day, after the storm had passed, the gully lay utterly transformed, strewn with boulders swept down by the floodwaters and even the carcasses of dead camels.” “Normally, the stream flows gently, its waters clear and murmuring; but when heavy rains strike, flash floods surge forth, roaring and surging with unstoppable force.” Every time I read these lines, a shiver runs through me. One can only imagine how harsh the conditions were then, how truly harrowing the scenes must have been. Yet for a geologist, such trials may well be commonplace—sustained by an indomitable spirit. Standing with head to the sky and feet firmly planted on the earth may, after all, be nothing more than the everyday reality of the profession.

Every time I read this, I feel it deeply. From 2013 to 2017, I had the privilege—and immense pride—of participating in regional geological survey projects in Lenghu, Qinghai Province, and Wenquan County, Xinjiang. The hardships of fieldwork are well known: we set out before dawn each day, lugging the heavy “three essentials” of geology, along with an array of instruments and equipment, plus copious supplies of fresh water and dry rations. On the return journey, we carried back armloads of rock samples. In Lenghu Town, the weather is notoriously capricious: in July, snow still falls; the diurnal temperature range can reach 25 degrees Celsius, and by October, temperatures plunge into the minus‑teens. The relentless winds are so fierce they leave one’s head aching. Vast stretches of Gobi desert and bizarre yardang formations alternate between scorching sun and biting cold, while dust storms that blot out the sky can strike at any moment. In Wenquan County, the high mountains may be bathed in clear blue skies one minute, only to be shrouded under dark, oppressive clouds the next, accompanied by hail and a sudden drop in temperature. Dense fog rolls in without warning, reducing visibility to less than ten meters. Each day, we trudge over mountain paths—often more than thirty kilometers—for over twelve hours, wading through streams when we encounter them and braving torrential downpours we cannot avoid; a raincoat is our most essential piece of field gear. And yet, all this was endured by a new generation of geologists equipped with state‑of‑the‑art tools and facilities. Looking back now at the conditions described in “Geological Notes”—conditions that seemed unimaginably arduous at the time—we gain an even deeper appreciation for the toil and greatness of the older generation of geologists.

For our generation of geologists, “Geological Notes” is more than a biography—it is a biography that carries even greater weight, more compelling and deeply moving than the average memoir. It is also more than a textbook; it teaches us that greatness begins in the ordinary, that ideals give rise to brilliance, and that only perseverance can bring about miracles.

“Geological Notes” faithfully chronicles the passionate dedication of the older generation of geologists as they devoted themselves to the cause of mineral exploration for the motherland, enabling us, the younger generation of geologists, to draw knowledge and strength from their example—studying assiduously, working tirelessly, and cultivating a sound outlook on life, values, and career. I am confident that many more young people will follow in their footsteps, and I, too, hope to emulate them: to remain steadfast in my convictions, to cherish lofty ideals, and to persevere with unwavering determination, truly becoming someone who “spends a lifetime in the company of towering mountains, relentlessly exploring and striving, scaling the heights of science, and dedicating oneself to the betterment of the people.”