Photos: CCTV

A Chinese veteran from the Sino-Vietnamese conflict found success and happiness after he turned large tracts of wilderness into a 27,000-acre tea plantation with his fellow hometown veterans, according to huanqiu.com.

The tea plantation was later transformed into a complete industrial chain and has increased local GDP by at least seven times while pulling 40 veteran families out of poverty.

Another veteran, Wang Mingli, was honored with a military third-class merit. Wang joined the military in 1981 and was wounded in combat. Although he survived, he lost his left leg and spent 11 months recovering in a hospital.

During his hospital stay, he underwent countless operations. Wang’s doctor said he was lucky to be alive.

Wang returned home to Sinan County in Southwestern Guizhou Province. He met other veterans like him and found they lacked the necessary skills to make a living and were living in poverty as a result.

Today, Sinan is known for Yan tea. The region’s rocky terrain gives it a natural advantage over other parts of the country where tea is grown.  

Wang saw an opportunity and started the company with six military veterans and volunteer villagers. 

They rented equipment to build the roads. Throughout most of the first year, they lived in tents, used kerosene lamps, and drank water from a well. 

Once construction was complete, they endured harsh winter weather for two years. They lost 40 percent of everything they planted.  But it was worth it.

Today, Wang’s village, along with six neighboring towns were alleviated from poverty because of the tea plantation. 

Financial reports have revealed the villagers in the Sinan area earn 10,000 yuan a month. If it wasn’t for the plantation, they would only earn 800 yuan. Some can even afford to buy a new car.

The tea plantation has become a second home for more than 40 veterans. 

“I finally found a place where I can use my own hands to make a fortune, thanks to Wang,” one veteran said.

Wang wants to expand his business and create more opportunities for people who wish to be prosperous through hard work and their own initiative.