Just a few days before Xiao Xian turned her mat-weaving skills into scholarly knowledge, on a day in early August, Zhou Ziang arrived at Uluqosa Town in southern Xinjiang, accompanied by a recommendation letter from Director Yu Gang of the Agricultural Science Academy.
For recommendation letters written by others, the mayor of Uluqosa Town would not take them seriously, but a letter from Director Yu was different.
Director Yu's letter stated: Zhou Ziang is an agronomist with a Ph.D. from the United States who has helped solve many plant disease and pest problems across the country. If there are any issues, seek him directly. If there aren't any pressing problems, have Zhou Ziang interact with the local cotton farmers to exchange experiences and insights on cotton cultivation.
After finishing the letter, the mayor asked Zhou Ziang to sit in his office, mentioning that he would ask a veteran local cotton farmer to come and take Zhou Ziang around to see various places.
