On October 19, 2025, in Yan'an, as autumn winds sweep through, the apple branches hang low with ripe fruits, painting a vivid picture of the vibrant fall scenery of this Loess Plateau. On October 18, the online thematic publicity and research activity titled "Red Star Shines on China: From Great Victory to Great Revitalization" reached Nan'guo Village in Gaotai Town, Ansai District, Yan'an City. Stretching across the mountains in this late autumn, the hillside apple orchards, with their rich hues, are laden with bright and heavy fruits, shimmering under the autumn sun, creating a captivating pastoral scene intertwined with the joy of the harvest experienced by local farmers.

Who would have imagined that this village, once plagued with the "three hardships" of difficult travel, marriage, and work, could transform dramatically in just ten years, pivoting on a red apple to become a model for rural revitalization, with collective assets surpassing ten million and individual net income exceeding twenty thousand yuan per person. From small apple trees to a significant initiative vital for the economy and people's livelihoods, Yan'an has explored a distinctive path for industrial prosperity rooted in the hard work and wisdom of its people.

The revitalization of Nan'guo Village began with the courageous shift in thinking. A decade ago, the land was barren, and villagers relied on the weather for their livelihoods; today, the sprawling 3,160 acres of modernized apple orchards stand as a testament to their transformation. The precise application of dwarfing and dense planting techniques and the efficient water and fertilizer integrated drip irrigation facilities mark the success of the "Three Changes" reform initiative. Transforming resources into assets revived the sleeping hills, setting a solid industrial foundation; turning funds into shares consolidated dispersed investments, infusing strong momentum for real estate development; and converting farmers into shareholders through land transfer, stock dividends, and various employment opportunities has built a closely-knit mechanism for farmers.

With the innovative model of "Party leadership, enterprise driving, and community involvement" taking root, the cycle of merely "sowing grain on a slope in spring and harvesting a bag of grain in autumn" has been thoroughly broken. The modernization of agriculture has successfully encompassed the villagers' dreams of a well-off life and wealth. The vitality of Nan'guo Village emanates from ongoing exploration in "upholding integrity and seeking development." While firmly consolidating the leading apple industry, the residents are not satisfied with merely "growing good fruit and selling at good prices." They continuously expand, supplement, and strengthen the industrial chains while exploring new boundaries.

The young "fruit second generation," Zhao Shengsheng, returned home decisively and leveraged live streaming to sell Nan'guo apples individually, which not only opened online sales channels but also spread their hard work story far and wide; the tree adoption model "I have a tree in Nan'guo" transformed traditional orchards into immersive consumption experiences, gathering crowds for rural tourism while generating additional income. The integration of red tourism and agricultural experience projects has propelled Nan'guo from "selling products" to deeply "selling experiences" and "selling scenery," achieving a shift from "a season's prosperity" to "prosperity all year round."

This synergistic melding of "traditional industry" with "emerging business" is the core driving force behind the village's robust vitality and sustainable development. The metamorphosis of Nan'guo Village symbolizes the enduring spirit of "transferring red genes." As part of the revolutionary sacred land of Yan'an, the revitalization of Nan'guo Village is always colored by the Yan'an spirit. Zhang Runsheng, the village party secretary, leads by example, encouraging villagers to build new homes, improve irrigation, and widen roads. The "Zhang Side" civilization service team, named after the heroic model 「Zhang Side,」 actively provides warmth to lonely seniors and assists in industrial development. The entire village remains steadfast in its goals of a strong agriculture, beautiful countryside, and affluent farmers.

As the rich red culture intersects with the vigorous practice of rural revitalization, it not only consolidates an indomitable development force but also imbues every step forward with spiritual nourishment and clarity of direction. The vibrant practices in Nan'guo Village mirror the vivid depiction of large-scale rural revitalization in Yan'an. Renowned for its ideal conditions for apple cultivation, Yan'an boasts significant day-night temperature differences and abundant sunlight, endowing its apples with unique qualities of color, texture, and flavor. In recent years, Yan'an has been advancing the apple industry towards high-quality development characterized by high-end, green, and intelligent attributes through technological empowerment, policy support, and brand strategy.

Today, this "small apple" has matured into a "big industry" supporting the development of revolutionary old areas. Statistics indicate that by 2024, the total apple planting area in Yan'an has reached 3.335 million acres, accounting for about one-ninth of the nationwide total, with fresh fruit output valued at 27.1 billion yuan, successfully boosting the incomes of fruit farmers. The blossoming of one village in Nan'guo is indicative of the broader transformation occurring across vast rural China. Behind this profound change lies the scientific guidance of the Party Central Committee’s top-level design for rural revitalization, as well as the tireless efforts and unwavering struggles of numerous grassroots Party members and rural people.

As "space apples" carry dreams into the universe and a new generation of farmers showcase their rich homeland to the world through digital technologies, we witness the rise and expansion of not merely a specialized industry but also the resolute steps and grand aspirations of a great nation advancing common prosperity in the new era. Today, in the orchards of Nan'guo Village, newly planted saplings are thriving, nurturing hopes for the year ahead; across the jagged mountains and valleys of Yan'an, more rejuvenation stories like that of Nan'guo Village are being passionately crafted. The success stories of Nan'guo Village remind us that by adhering to our original intentions, maintaining vigor, and ensuring that industrial revitalization is foundational, innovation serves as wings, and cultural richness is the soul, we can lead more villages from "struggling to break free" towards "graceful transformations." This will ensure that the rural chapter of China’s modernization journey becomes increasingly profound and remarkable.