Binjiang Police Affairs-Chapter 856 - 582: Director Ge’s Inspection

has been out for ten days.

First, survey the riverbed and the conditions of the Yangtze River embankment at over a dozen hazardous sections in the Hui’an segment, then go upstream to examine the West River section of the Yangtze.

The further upstream, the more worrying the situation becomes.

In fact, on February 6th of this year, a severe landslide hazard occurred at the Yong’an section of the Yangtze River embankment in Jiujiang City.

The hazardous sites were located at Gaojia Bay, Gao Liufang, and the Riverside Hydroelectric Power Station in the Yong’an embankment section, with total crack lengths reaching 215 meters and a maximum crack width of 40 centimeters, along with multiple occurrences of subsidence.

Fortunately, Jiujiang City took timely measures, organizing forces to conduct underwater surveys of the landslide embankment section, grout the cracks, and throw stones for stabilization, totaling over 30,000 cubic meters of stone. They managed to control the hazard, or it could have led to a breach of the Yangtze River embankment, with unimaginable consequences.

From previous investigations and yesterday’s survey results, there are four main reasons for the hazard.

First, the main stream of the Yangtze River is approaching the embankment; second, from November last year to February this year, the water level in the main stream of the Yangtze was nearly 4 meters higher than in previous years, reducing soil saturation and shear resistance;

Third, there is insufficient stone placement at the embankment base, affecting embankment stability; fourth is the chaotic river sand extraction management, with excessive dredging disrupting the riverbed, affecting river stability.

Master Xi and his assistant Master Xu are deeply concerned, unable to stay long at hydrology station docks along the line.

After communicating the latest survey results to colleagues at the Hydrological Bureau and local flood prevention departments and exchanging opinions with their counterparts, they returned to the freshly resupplied 001 to continue upstream, continuing surveys.

These are the authorities in the study of Yangtze River water conservancy and flood control!

Master Yao learned a lot on this journey, initially addressing Master Xi and Master Xu, but now calls them "Teacher Xi" and "Teacher Xu."

The rain pours down, the murky river waters continuously rising. The two teachers wear worried expressions; it’s inappropriate to bring up the need for Binjiang Reserve Group’s achievements at this critical juncture.

Master Yao decides to adopt the second plan, letting the group quickly arrange for someone to deliver camouflage uniforms and the military flag to an upstream hydrology station, where 001 is scheduled to dock for resupply the day after tomorrow, allowing them to bring the "package" specially delivered from home on board.

Once the Yangtze tidal level at home exceeds the alert line, the City Committee and Municipal Government, as well as the Military District, will undoubtedly issue mobilization orders, allowing all crew members to open the packages, change into camouflage uniforms, wear their reserve ranks, and operate under the banner of the Binjiang Reserve Group’s Linghai Reserve Camp.

Just pondering who Salted Fish would arrange to send the package, he sees the subordinate responsible for cooking knocking on the porthole outside.

The underwater surveying system on 001 was not only upgraded but also modified.

The computer is no longer installed in the cramped second-floor pilothouse but in the first-floor command cabin, allowing work to be done while seated facing the computer.

Master Yao cleared his throat, reminding, "Teacher Xi, it’s time to eat."

"You guys go ahead and eat. The riverbed here might be damaged; I need to check what’s going on."

"Master Xi, look here, there’s a noticeable deep trench, definitely caused by sand mining."

"Master Liu, Master Liu."

"Received, go ahead, Master Xi."

Master Xi stared intently at the computer monitor, holding the radio, asking, "Are there any ships going downstream ahead?"

Liu Wei glanced down at the radar screen, left hand on the steering wheel, right hand holding the radio, "There are four ships ahead, with two about a kilometer from us."

"What about the other two?"

"The other two are further away, about three kilometers from us."

"Adjust the course after passing the two ships ahead, steer through the portside navigational marker, and maintain a seventy-meter distance from the river embankment, parallel upstream."

"Roger that."

"The current in this area is rapid, and the navigation is not as per regulations; safety must be prioritized."

"Rest assured, Master Xi, I’ll be cautious."

Despite not navigating according to maritime regulations at this moment, Liu Wei was afraid Master Xi wouldn’t be reassured and added, "We have a powerful engine and radar; I’ll use high-frequency to alert oncoming ships and stay vigilant in avoiding collisions."

The current is swift, and downstream ships travel fast.

Due to the need for surveying, they have to go against the flow, which could easily lead to collisions.

Master Xi thought it over and still felt uneasy, raising the radio once more: "Visibility is poor on rainy days, and oncoming ships may not have radios; it could be a deaf and mute ship, so let’s turn on the warning lights and sirens."

"Alright, I’ll turn them on right now."

Liu Wei put down the radio, reached out, and switched on the warning lights and siren.

There isn’t a single police officer on board, yet they can turn on warning lights and sirens; Liu Wei was a bit proud, hardly believing there would ever be a day he’d pilot a police boat.

...

Meanwhile, it also started raining in Linghai.

The Yangtze River tide level began to rise unexpectedly, already exceeding the peak level during the spring flood, yet it hasn’t surpassed the alert line for activating flood prevention and emergency plans.

Director Ge, Secretary Wang, and Village Chief Song had clear divisions of labor: one sitting at the Traffic Control Center at the Port Supervision Department, one patrolling the river embankment to ensure flood prevention personnel are in place, and one resting in a dormitory downstairs to conserve energy for night duty.

Director Ge, as always, disliked staying in the Ministry of Transport Port Supervision’s office building. Wearing a raincoat, equipped with a radio and flashlight, he patrolled the Yanjiang Road in a flood prevention vehicle arranged by the Management Committee.

Whenever he arrived at a potentially hazardous spot, he’d have the driver pull over.

He’d push the door open, get out, and climb the muddy path to the top of the embankment, checking on personnel, ensuring the safety of the river embankment.

The flood control staff at this dike section are resting in the drainage room by the gate.

Seeing Director Ge coming for inspection, they quickly stood up.

"Old Wu, how many of you are on duty here?"

"Four."

"Where’s the other person?"

"He probably drank some unclean water, had a stomach issue this afternoon, so I let him go home."

"Old Wu, you’re an experienced party secretary, haven’t you briefed them on which water is drinkable?"

"I did, but he was probably too thirsty to care."

Old Ge wouldn’t believe the old party secretary’s words, and was almost certain that the one absent had some personal business to attend at home.

Dealing with the masses is different from dealing with cadres; you can’t act all authoritative and criticize them, or else they’ll drop their tasks. You could say you have to cajole them into working.

Old Ge pretended to believe it for the moment, smiled at them, and asked, "When did you patrol the dike?"

"Just now, we just finished. Director Ge, please have a seat."

"No need to sit, I’m just taking a look and then I’ll leave."

Old Ge took out some cigarettes, handed them around to the three of them, picked up the patrol record, and while flipping through it, he said meaningfully, "Old Wu, if the dike collapses, at most I take a reprimand home, enjoy my retirement with full pension, not a penny less! But you, it’s different. Your house is below the dike, your second son’s factory isn’t far from here either. How big would the loss be if flooded?"

The old party secretary couldn’t miss Director Ge’s implication, and quickly said, "Director Ge, I guarantee with my party integrity that we’ve patrolled according to the regulations, the patrol record is genuine. As for Liu San, I’ll ask Accountant Wang to check if he can return. If he still can’t make it, I’ll call someone else to take over."

"You even guarantee with your party integrity, do you have integrity? You think I don’t know about you and that widow!"

"Rumors! Director Ge, you’re a leader, people gossip, you shouldn’t join in." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"If it’s nothing, why would people gossip? I think there must be something, definitely something."

"Definitely nothing." The old party secretary chuckled, biting a cigarette, "And even if others can gossip, Director Ge, you shouldn’t."

"Old Wu, what do you mean by that?"

"You know very well."

Director Ge couldn’t help but laugh, "Old Wu, oh Old Wu, you’re quite something now, daring to joke with me. Let me tell you clearly, my relationship with Old Wei is open and aboveboard, I’m not afraid of your jokes."

You’ve already retired from being the powerful Transportation Bureau Director.

The old party secretary wasn’t as afraid of him as before, jokingly asked, "Open and aboveboard, Director Ge, have you and Director Wei got your marriage certificate? Without it, it’s illegal cohabitation!"

"What era is it, still talking about illegal cohabitation."

Old Ge put down the patrol logbook, proudly said, "Even if it’s illegal, so what? The previous Criminal Investigation Captain Xu Mingyuan is like my godson, the Political and Legal Committee Secretary Salted Fish in your development zone is the same, and even Xu Sanye’s little disciple Xiao Yu is with the police, go report me, have them arrest me!"

"Who dares report you, you’re a leader."

"No more joking."

Old Ge patted the old party secretary’s arm, turned around, and pushed the door open, pointing outside, "Patrol the dike on time, not only the water-facing side, but also check well on this side of the dike, to see if there’s any seepage. Use both your eyes and ears; you actually understand all this, more skilled than me."

The old party secretary hurriedly said, "Rest assured, Director Ge, if anything goes wrong with this dike section, I’ll take responsibility! Just as you said, my home is below the dike, and my second son’s factory is nearby."

"Good to know, I’m counting on you."

"It’s no bother,"

"Alright, you all continue resting, I’ll go take a look up ahead."

Old Ge put on his raincoat hood, turned at the door and laughed, "Old Wu, once flood control is over, you must take me to visit your second son’s factory."

The old party secretary was proud of his second son running a factory, and laughed, "I just fear Director Ge might not give face."

"I’ve already retired, only others give me no face, why wouldn’t I give others face, it’s settled then, you have to treat me to a drink."

"Drinking is a small matter, Director Ge, you almost made me forget, my second son bought me two bottles of Wuliangye for the New Year, I haven’t had the heart to drink them."

"Save them for me, I’ll come help you drink them!"

"It’s a deal then, you must keep your word."

"With good liquor, how could I not keep my word, and remember to invite that... that person from your village."

"Director Ge, you’re teasing again, I’m already sixty-five, it’s pointless to joke with me."

"What about sixty-five? Even at seventy-five, eighty-five, one has the right to pursue happiness! Your wife left early, you can’t go on without finding someone to warm your feet. If you’re embarrassed to speak, I’ll help you. If your son’s new wife doesn’t support or understand, I’ll do the ideological work for them!"

...

The driver Xiao Xiao from the Development Zone Management Committee followed Old Ge on the inspection tour, admiring him profoundly.

Despite being a full department-level cadre and having served for so many years as the Transportation Bureau Director, a notable figure in Linghai, he was down-to-earth, smiling everywhere he inspected, able to chat with anyone.

And those village group cadres on dike duty greatly respected Director Ge, each believing him to be amiable and approachable.