We can never know what life has planned for us, even a usual day might turn our lives around. It's all about being in the right place at the right time. Don't believe what we say, then meet this man who made an exceptional discovery in his orchard. He wouldn't have imagined that someday while working in his orchard, he will find this amazing thing that will change his life forever. Now, what's that he found? You'll be amazed to see his discovery that went viral in no time. Everybody was talking about the amazing thing he found and what he did with it is even more astonishing. You'll find out very soon.
Before we start let us tell you about the Chengdu Plain which is also famously known as the "Country of Heaven" and the "Land of Abundance." We think the place is living up to its name because of the discovery this guy made in his farm. His life was turned into a heaven after he found this amazing thing on the farm he owns which was holding it for god knows how long. Let's see how his life changed after the discovery and what he did with the discovery.
It was November, he could feel the weather changing. The morning was crisp and he was prepared to start his day. Little he knew this day would change his life because of the amazing discovery he was soon about to find on his farm. He wouldn't have thought that living in the Chengdu province in Southwest China, Wenhua would change his life forever. It was supposed to be a usual day but life had a different plan for him.
A Prevalent Farmer In China
Li Wenhua a simple farmer with simple thinking has one of the most renowned surnamed in China that are part of 100 million people all over the world. He comes from the great line of Tang Dynasty but being a simple man with simple thinking had no interest in the bloodline. He loves spending his days on the citrus farm he owns. Nothing makes him happier being on that farm. We think even the farm loved Li which presented him with this amazing thing that changed his life forever. You'll be amazed to see what he did with that thing.
The season for citrus farming wasn't going that well in China. The orchards all over the country suffered from the heavy attacks from greening disease, which reduced the expected yields for that season. Each and every farmer was worried about the attack and hoped that their crops won't get affected. Even Li was worried and decided to look into his crops condition. It was just time and soon he was about to find the most unbelievable thing. What it could be?
Caught The Disease?
Li was worried about his crops that might also get caught in between of the greening disease attack. Though there was a very slight chance of his crops getting affected by it, still, he decided to check the crops to satisfy his inner worries. He was at the farm going through the trees' condition which was looking quite healthy. The cold wind moved the trees which felt like the trees are waving back at him and are celebrating the event which was about to come in his life. It was during this inspection he made this awesome discovery.
Li lives in a Pujiang County, famously known as “the garden of Chengdu." Being a farmer it was very natural of him to get worried about the trees on his farm but he knew that because of the fertile ecosystem this land holds his trees might be safe from the attack. Over 50% of the land of the garden of Chengdu is covered with the trees making the land one of the most fertile lands in China. But, Li has to be cautious because even one tree affecting by the disease could lead to a great disaster.
You'll be surprised to know that being one of the fertile lands in China, farmers don't enjoy the perks of fertile lands. The annual income of over 40 million farmers is less than $350 per year and over 500 million earn a daily income of $5.50. Even Li who comes from a great line of Tang Dynasty was friends with poverty, but his life was about to take a very unexpected turn which would change his life forever.
For Li farming was the only source of income and he was very much aware of that. He knew that if his crops won't yield the expected he would be in a great loss. It's very hard for farmers to lose their crops because of all the investment and hard work they put into, only to hope the best for themselves and to support their respective family. Li made sure that he checks his farm very thoroughly and while doing that he stumbled upon this amazing discovery.
Li didn't even realize that his farm has grown this dense. It's been a very long time he stepped into the denseness of the trees to inhale the happiness his farm brought to him. The farm was so dense he wouldn't even notice a soul wandering inside it. His unawareness made this strange thing enter into this denseness. Li didn't even realize that he was inside the territory and would soon discover the thing which would change his life forever.
As we told you Li was going through his crops' condition, which to him looked perfectly healthy and he was happy to see that this year's crops were much better than the previous year. After so long time he entered this deep in the farm and found himself covered in the greenery which was soothing his soul. It must have been a very beautiful sight but the most beautiful was still waiting for Li to explore it.
As we told you about Li's lineage which goes back to the Tang Dynasty, even then, he has shared home with poverty for several years. He has seen his share of grey clouds which brought the rains of the bad financial condition and struggling to manage a one time meal. We don't know who was there up above who kept an eye on this man which made sure that he finds this amazing thing that would change the course of his life.
Li was done with all the inspection and was happy to see that not a single tree was affected by greening disease. With some few trees left he decided to leave the farm to head back to his home but deep inside he was feeling that he shouldn't leave just now and check those few trees as well. He knew his habit of getting worried about things. He was almost done and only one tree was left which was standing at the end of the farm Now what's that? Something was lying at the foot of the tree.
Li was inspecting the last tree of the orchard, he was amazed to see something lying at the foot of that tree which was looking was very strange. What could it be? He was afraid to touch it and kept his distance from it. His eyes were glued to that thing as if nothing else matters in the world to them. That thing was looking like it is made by some man but little he knew there is more to it.
Being unaware of the thing Li thought he has found a medallion or some kind of a pendant that might be from some dynasty or something. It was black and round in shape and Li was sure that he hasn't seen anything like this before. The outer of that thing seemed as if it is made from wood but soon he found out the true identity of this astonishing thing which kept staring back at him.
The land of China is full of surprises and finding some artifacts when you aren't even expecting to find one is very normal there. Prior to Li's discovery people have found all sort of things that date back to centuries belonging to some dynasties. Even Li was sure that thing lying at the foot of the tree is some kind of artifact. But as he moved closer, he saw some strange carvings on it and surprisingly they looked very different and unknown to his knowledge. Soon every question would be answered and would leave you shocked.
What's more astonishing to Li was the place on which the object was kept. It seemed like someone kept it there on purpose as if that person wanted Li to see it. But Li has been in this place before but he never saw this object then. So, how come this thing suddenly appeared in front of him. Was it a person or some animal who kept it here?
It was very natural of Li to think about the object's worth. The object was very different and new to him. The carvings on its body were giving it a very unusual look. He was hoping the relic to be a precious one so that he can fetch a good amount for it in the market. Li moved closer to the object and was determined to inspect it even further. Then he found out what that thing really was. You'll be shocked to know the truth behind the object just like Li was when he first got to know about it.
The Qin dynasty was the first dynasty that ruled China from 221 to 206 BC. And the probability of this object to be from this dynasty was very a close bet. The Pujiang County's history goes back to 2,500 years which was ruled by the Qin dynasty. So could this object be really from the Qin dynasty? Li was very excited to find out its true origin and when he did, was shocked to see that it was something else entirely and more unbelievable.
Li sat in front of the object and was ready to pick it and he almost did. He was shocked and terrified to see the object move. He stepped back in shock and saw that the object wasn't moving now. That sudden movement froze his legs at that moment. Unable to think further he went closer to the thing this time to finally find out its real identity. Then the object started to squirm. Yes, it really did that. He was sweating heavily but that was just a beginning. What happened next is just unbelievable.
The Name
When the object which he thought was some sort of artifact started to move, made Li really terrified of the situation. But, soon he found out that it was no artifact from previous dynasties but an extraordinary spider. Yes, it was a very strange looking spider that Li never saw in his whole life. A weird looking spider that seemed to have a wood body and consisted of some unexplainable carving on the body. You'll be surprised to know about the spider.
It's a known fact that all over China, especially Pujiang County have the most varieties of spiders over 3,000. However, this spider was different from the regular spiders and Li haven't seen anything like this. What he did next was extraordinary.
Li picked up the spider and took the spider with him. He safely placed the spider in the nearest plastic bottle. Li saw one of his neighbor coming to visit him when he saw Li rushing into the house. He inquired about the urgency and then Li showed him this extraordinary spider he found in his orchard. Soon, people heard about the amazing discovery Li made and people started visiting Li to take a look at this amazing spider. What's the name of the spider?
Li and one of his friend started searching over the internet about this spider. It took them a lot of time to find a name of this species but at last, they found out what this weird spider is called the Chinese Hourglass Spider. He was shocked to see the name that was given to the scientist but looking at the spider the name made sense.
It seemed like Li stumbled upon on the rarest species of spider to which the world has given the name as the Chinese Hourglass Spider. It was believed that this species wasn't alive on the planet anymore and why is that? It is because, in the last 18 years, this spider has been spotted only five times and the first time it was seen by a human eye was in the 5th century. There are other amazing facts about this spider but it was the worth of this spider.
What is so interesting about this spider? It's the shape. This spider has a hard, flat disc kind of structure at its abdomen which looks similar to hourglass and thus the name Chinese Hourglass Spider. The spider has a brown color skin which helps it to mingle with the surrounding. But the worth of this spider is the most interesting part. Can you guess this spider's worth?
So, basically "Erya" is the oldest Chinese dictionary and in that dictionary, this spider was mentioned for the first time. In the 15th chapter of the ancient text, you could read about all about this spider. Thought Li was expecting this thing to be an ancient artifact instead he found a living spider which is even more interesting than an artifact belonging to some dynasty. But how did this spider end up in his orchard?
Li was amazed to note that if looked properly this spider looks like a coin with legs. Soon, Li became obsessed with the spider and wanted to know more and more about it. Soon he read some amazing stuff about the spider which made him really proud of himself.
With some more research, Li found that this spider is also known as the "trapdoor spider." This particular species are mostly found in the underground and use its abdominal disc to close the opening and protect its family. Like no need of gate and all, when this spider has it all.
“The spider is of extreme scientific value,” entomologist Zhao Li told in the interview with the People’s Daily. “And it is definitely a rare species in Sichuan province.” The spider also has a scientific name, Cyclocosmia ricketti. But that's not all.
So, basically Hourglass spider is generally found in the Zhejiang province. Because this spider can't tolerate extreme cold weather which is experienced in the Sichuan province. But Li discovered this spider on his farm which is located in Sichuan province. As we told you it was already November when he found the spider and the winters were already there. So how did this spider managed to travel a long distance between the Zhejiang and Sichuan province? So what else is interesting about this spider?
You'll be surprised to know that many people keep this spider as pets in their home. However, Li had no interest in keeping the spider as his pet as he is quite satisfied with his orchard farm. But more than a male spider, it is the female that interests the scientists the most. Read about the facts scientists say about the female spider.
Li researched some more about the spider when he found out that this Hourglass spider could fetch around 12,000 Yuan ( approx. $1,990). Li knew he can't keep the spider as he had no interest in it, so he finally sold it to the person who was interested in buying it. It's amazing to see how an orchard farm owner stumbled upon a rare spider that changed his life.