This undated photo shows the spray irrigation system at Yuquan Mountain Forest Park. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Buffeted by the huge loss, Zhang decided to build an irrigation system, a trailblazing idea without any precedent.

Again, the first three attempts of building the system ended in failure, dealing a huge blow.

"Oh, too many to count, at least a hundred times," the veteran said, when asked whether he thought of giving up.

"No, I didn't. The war was on, and I didn't feel like backing away."

Trial and error finally bore fruit. Zhang's team succeeded on the fourth attempt.

Now a 420-kilometer irrigation system is in place, integrating various methods and covering an area of 12,500 mu (833 hectares). In addition, nine huge reservoirs have been built on the top of the mountain for better irrigation and for preventing forest fires.