Every time I see Elaeagnus angustifolia, I seem to see the first generation of Xinjiang Corps.

If a tree is used to represent the image of Xinjiang Corps, I will blurt out and tell you: Elaeagnus angustifolia!

In Xinjiang, the Corps is the place where Elaeagnus angustifolia is planted the most.

Xinjiang Corps was founded by demobilized soldiers in the desert Gobi. At the beginning of land reclamation, members of the Corps attached equal importance to tree planting and grain production. In Tanobei, you can see many neat rows of Elaeagnus angustifolia trees along canals, roadsides, in front of houses and behind houses, and where there are corps people. Just like an army being read, it is a straight line horizontally and vertically, which embodies the strict discipline and standardized unity of the corps people from the army, and also embodies the lofty mission of "planting trees in the past and enjoying the cool in the future".

Elaeagnus angustifolia is located in the northwest, and its living environment is very bad. They are not as fertile as the soil in the south, nor are they nourished by abundant rain in the south. Although there are abundant and lush plants in the south, they can't survive in the arid saline-alkali land in Xinjiang.

Elaeagnus angustifolia is drought-resistant, salt-resistant, sand-resistant, not afraid of heat and cold, and has strong vitality. How like Xinjiang Corps!

Under the harsh conditions of lack of clothing and food, the first generation of Xinjiang Corps simply relied on the most primitive production tool Kantuman to reclaim wasteland and establish a vibrant oasis.

The members of the first generation of Corps left their homeland and went to the distant frontier, and set up their homes on the more ancient wasteland, just like Elaeagnus angustifolia, deeply rooted in this barren land. Corps people gave birth to children here, gave their youth to children, and transformed the barren Gobi desert into endless fertile land.

Elaeagnus angustifolia has no straight and tall trunk, so it can't be used as a material for making expensive furniture, or even as a girder for building houses.

Due to historical reasons, the members of the first generation corps did not read much, just like Elaeagnus angustifolia, they could not become pillars. However, members of the Legion are patriotic, loyal, hardworking, fearless and willing to contribute. They cultivated land while studying and brought the most advanced technology to Xinjiang at that time. As individuals, most members of the Corps are ordinary people, but as a whole, they are the cornerstone of consolidating the frontier and the guardians of the motherland. They cultivated fertile land with their own hands and sweat, and built a special "Great Wall".

There is beauty in standing upright and beauty in bending down. Elaeagnus angustifolia's bent upward posture, like the first generation of corps people struggling to plow farmland, is a spirit of perseverance, tenacious struggle and patriotic dedication.

The bark of Elaeagnus angustifolia is rough, just like the rough hands of the first generation corps. People in the Corps who have nothing and started from scratch know that only by not being afraid of difficulties can they survive, and only by working hard with their hands can they gain something.

The leaves of Elaeagnus angustifolia are grayish white in turquoise, just like the military uniforms of the first generation of corps people have been worn year after year, washed and washed, and the sweat stains have been weathered by the wind and the sun.

Elaeagnus angustifolia flower is very small, not as gorgeous as peony, nor as delicate and charming as rose, but the Corps people like it because it belongs to the flower king of this land. In that era of hard life and poor culture, the fragrance of Elaeagnus angustifolia flowers was simple and pure, which made the Corps people feel very cordial, happy and comfortable. Elaeagnus angustifolia is the most beautiful flower in the eyes of Bingtuan people, belonging to Bingtuan people and the flower of Bingtuan spirit.

At the beginning of Bingtuan's business, it was difficult for Bingtuan people who ate boiled cabbage every day to eat sweet things. Candy was an unattainable luxury at that time, and surprisingly, clusters of dense and sweet Elaeagnus angustifolia were within reach, letting people know what a "sweet" life was, which was a generous gift from Elaeagnus angustifolia trees in the desert.

In 1950s and 1960s, there was a serious shortage of food in China. Corps people worked day and night in Daiyue, scrimped and saved, and contributed a lot of hard-won food to the country, which became life-saving food in many areas. These grains were as precious as Elaeagnus angustifolia in the desert at that time.

Elaeagnus angustifolia of the first generation of Corps race is now over 60 years old. The members of the first generation of corps have long since retired, and many people have been buried under Elaeagnus angustifolia trees.

A few years ago, I saw a row of old Elaeagnus angustifolia trees in a farm company of the Corps, just like a wrinkled old man standing quietly on crutches, silently looking at the farmland soaked with sweat.

A company commander who accompanied me at that time saw me staring thoughtfully at Elaeagnus angustifolia. He said: "These Elaeagnus angustifolia trees belong to our parents, and they have existed since the time of the Corps. Now that these trees are old, we are going to cut them down and renew the forest belt. "

"Why do you have to cut it?" I suddenly became angry: "These trees are not ordinary trees. They are the testimony of the corps stationed in the frontier, and each tree is a precious historical relic. They are indeed old, but their aging has a vicissitudes of beauty honed by years. They can make future generations feel the hardships of the corps people's entrepreneurship and the struggle and dedication of the corps people. Why cut them off? "

The company commander froze, puzzled and embarrassed.

"Don't you think they are beautiful?" I am very excited: "I think these Elaeagnus angustifolia trees are beautiful." They are the embodiment of the first generation of Corps people, the symbol of Corps spirit and the historical landscape of our Corps. These trees are old trees of our Corps. Not only can't you cut down a tree, but you should also protect every tree, otherwise it will seriously damage the precious cultural relics of the Corps and be a crime of spiritual inheritance of the Corps. If you don't know how to cherish the old trees of the Corps, there will be no cultural expression. A corps without culture has no future. "

Although some friends around me felt that my words embarrassed the company commander who received us, they did not stop me, but nodded approvingly.

"There are more and more new buildings in the Corps, and there are fewer and fewer old traces." I sighed: "When our children ask what the first generation corps left behind, we can point to these trees and say that this is the tree they planted that year. If we cut down all the old trees, what will our descendants see? "

It is said that cultural inheritance is very important, so what is the inheritance of Bingtuan culture? Culture is not absolutely invisible and intangible. Culture has a carrier, and these old trees are the carrier of Bingtuan culture.

I go back to the Corps farm every year. The traces of the first generation of pioneers are now almost only some old trees, and they are getting less and less.

postscript

I was born in Xinjiang Corps. I walked in the shade of Elaeagnus angustifolia every day from primary school to high school.

After leaving the Corps for many years, I still deeply miss the sand jujube in my hometown.

For decades, I have always had a wish to write an article about Elaeagnus angustifolia in my life, and this wish is getting stronger every year.

If I don't write this article, I will be ashamed of Elaeagnus angustifolia and be ashamed of being a member of the Corps.

However, due to my poor handwriting, I have been afraid to write, for fear that I would desecrate the Elaeagnus angustifolia tree that I admire.

I have been searching for articles about Elaeagnus angustifolia, but none of them satisfy me.

I saw another article about Elaeagnus angustifolia today. Although it was written by a cultural celebrity in the Corps, it still made me disappointed and sorry, which once again inspired my writing impulse. I decided to put aside my troubles and try to write about Elaeagnus angustifolia in my heart.

After writing, although I was very dissatisfied, I finally expressed something. Let us take comfort from it.