New identity

In the eyes of his colleagues, Zhou, who now leads hundreds of workers, is diligent and capable, caring for his team members.

"Under his leadership, we now have paved roads on our farm," said Li Wenzhong, one of his co-workers.

Zhou was elected a deputy to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature, in 2018.

NPC deputies are from all walks of life and work part-time. Of the nearly 3,000 national lawmakers, more than 15 percent are grassroots workers and farmers.

Before Zhou headed to Beijing for the annual session of the NPC, he had visited the Inner Mongolia Agricultural University to consult on questions about building fire barriers in natural forests.

"We discussed planting fire-resistant trees, and I advised him on cultivating new breeds with biotechnology and genetic-engineering methods," said Bai Yu'e, a forestry professor at the university.

This year, Zhou plans to offer suggestions about road construction for fire control, as well as improved telecommunication networks in forests.

He said natural forests are often hit by lightning, and it is necessary to ensure that fire trucks can access forests using paved roads.

Some years ago, he witnessed a pine forest being engulfed by fire. "I was heartbroken, like a farmer seeing his year-long toil torched to ashes."

Zhou's busy schedule doesn't allow him to spend much time with his family. His grandson has become a first-grader in the regional capital Hohhot.

Zhou will retire soon, but he is glad to see more young graduates being recruited to the forest farm, as part of the country's state-owned forest farm reform to attract talent.

"With the younger generation taking over the job of forest ranger, I'll have more time to spend with my little one after retirement," he said.