Soldiers gallop across the battlefield, drivers speed around the track, doctors heal the wounded and rescue the dying, farmers plow in spring and store in winter, while Rongchuang people brave wind and rain, rushing to and fro in all directions. Ordinary as we are, we fight at our own posts, shedding sweat, fulfilling our duties, and continuously gathering the mighty strength to build the nation, achieving a substantial life along the road to rejuvenation.

In the summer of 2014, Zuo Xiangchuang left campus and formally stepped into society, resolutely joining the construction industry he had long admired. In the years since entering the field, he has hit many walls, but not once has he given up on his career choice and pursuit, walking the "pit-digging journey" of geotechnical engineering for eight years.

"My first job was quite comfortable. During my internship I could earn 90 yuan a day, which was high among graduates. I was happy and satisfied—more money, less work, close to home. I was very content at the time," Zuo Xiangchuang said with a smile. Later, because the company he had joined was poorly managed and short of projects, employees idled away their days with nothing to do, and his passion faded away. Then by chance, Zuo Xiangchuang saw that a friend was working in Beijing. Without the slightest hesitation, he gave up this "comfortable job" and resolutely decided to try his luck in Beijing.

Zuo Xiangchuang when he first joined Rongchuang

After more than two years of tempering in Beijing, shedding his greenness and becoming mature and steady, Zuo Xiangchuang became connected with Rongchuang. On the day of the interview, the company's general manager and chief engineer simply asked him questions about site management and technical matters. Although nervous, Zuo Xiangchuang fully drew on his accumulated construction experience and answered calmly. What he did not expect was that the interview that day lasted only about 10 minutes.

His First "Entrance Exam," He Spared No Effort

Having passed the interview assessment, Zuo Xiangchuang was given no transition period before being thrown into real combat—as project chief technical engineer, he was assigned to the Zhejiang Petrochemical project (the Zhejiang Petrochemical 40 million tons/year refining and chemical integration project, Phase I (covering an area of 20 square kilometers), including process production units, public utilities, storage and transportation, and auxiliary facilities, with a total investment of 200 billion yuan, located on Dayushan Island, Daishan County, Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province, and the largest refining and chemical integration project under planning and construction in China.) to participate in construction work. According to him, he had long anticipated that the Zhejiang Petrochemical project would involve heavy construction tasks and great difficulty, but in fact the unpredictable emergencies during construction were what truly tested the team. He was not unaware of the difficulties before him; he simply firmly believed one thing at the time: as long as one's spirit does not falter, there will always be more solutions than difficulties. Most people might be daunted by such a task, but Zuo Xiangchuang happened to have exactly that kind of drive—daring to fight tough battles and refusing to admit defeat.  

As a pioneer in the first echelon of the Zhejiang Petrochemical project, Zuo Xiangchuang witnessed the entire process of each project from construction to completion acceptance. The Zhejiang Petrochemical project is located on an island with harsh natural conditions. During his time on the island, he experienced several typhoons, big and small. When going out for surveying and setting out lines, torrential rain often poured down in an instant, so oppressive that one could hardly breathe, and he would hug the instruments and hide everywhere on the island looking for cover. Having no water to bathe and having the skin on his arms peel off layer after layer from sunburn became routine for him. "I have been angry, anxious, and afraid. But looking back, it is inevitable that one suffers some grievances and hurts in life. Rather than brooding and feeling gloomy, it is better to face things openly and calmly. Only by enduring the baptism of violent storms can one develop the composure to remain unruffled," Zuo Xiangchuang said.

Work photo at the Zhejiang Petrochemical project (second from right is Zuo Xiangchuang)

As a "Beijing drifter," although Zuo Xiangchuang devotes most of his time and energy to work, he can still balance his family and life well. He never brings the emotions of life into work, nor does he let the pressure of work affect his life. When he cannot relieve the pressure, he makes video calls with his family. Looking at his wife and child on the other end of the video, everything dissipates, and it all feels worthwhile.

He does an outstanding job in an ordinary post and walks an ordinary road with an open heart. As a project manager, he deeply feels the responsibility and pressure, and he also believes that one must understand technology, management, communication and coordination, and dare to take responsibility. Whenever he has spare time, he recharges through study. There is a path through the mountain of books, and diligence is the path; the sea of learning is boundless, and hard work is the boat. In his office are placed all kinds of books. In his words, "One is never too old to learn." 

Zuo Xiangchuang discussing the construction plan with colleagues

Though it takes a thousand siftings and ten thousand washings, only after blowing away the wild sand does the gold appear. Since joining Rongchuang in 2017, Zuo Xiangchuang has been awarded honors by the company such as "Rongchuang Outstanding Newcomer," "Rongchuang Outstanding Employee," and the "Chairman's Special Award." These are not only honors but also an affirmation of him. 

"When we came, it was a desolate, uninhabited land; when we leave, it is bright with the lights of thousands of homes. Towering buildings rise from the ground, and every brick and tile is a foundation." Zuo Xiangchuang has advanced step by step with his feet on solid ground, from an initial technician to his current role as project manager. During this period, he successively participated in the construction of the "Zhejiang Petrochemical Coal Yard Project, Fuzhou Berry Genomics Industrial Park Project, Dongfeng Motor Renovation Project, Workers' Stadium Renovation and Reconstruction Project, Beijing Municipal Administrative Center Theatre, shared supporting facilities, and other projects." Five years of wind and rain, five years of journey—he has grown a great deal and gained a great deal.

Work photo of Zuo Xiangchuang at the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center project (first from right)

Work photo of Zuo Xiangchuang at the Dongfeng Motor Renovation Project (second from right)

 From Zuo Xiangchuang, the most distinctive quality one can feel is the determination beneath his calm appearance—the determination that, despite long being in harsh and noisy construction sites, he can still remain optimistic and still insist on being "unambiguous and unafraid."

He uses his own story to tell us that to break through, one must first transform; to grow, one must undergo tempering. A fine steed cannot leap ten paces in one bound; a nag can cover a great distance in ten days, and success lies in perseverance. Indeed, without indomitable persistence, how could one endure the long night and meet the dawn before daybreak!