Binjiang Police Affairs-Chapter 935 - 626: A Formidable Task

The development of the piping crisis was swift, as water seeped in from the river carrying sand and continuously gushing out, with another piping point emerging. Master Yan quickly organized the basic civilian soldiers for emergency defense.

Fortunately, it was quite far from the river embankment. If all seven piping points were at the embankment's base, Han Yu would not dare to dispatch his brothers from the camp to repair the embankment ring.

Faced with dual hazards, the only thing Han Yu, the chief commander for the emergency response, could do was to report the changes in the critical situation every ten minutes to County Magistrate Huang via walkie-talkie, and constantly call Boss Huang, who had just relieved Deputy Mayor Shen at the City Flood Control Command, to request equipment and supplies.

The Vice Prime Minister had arrived and just disembarked the plane.

Deputy Governor Zhou of Beihu Province, commanding flood control in Jingzhou, Secretary Chen of Jingzhou City, and Guangzhou Military Region Commander, who was also commanding the military for local emergency aid, all went to the airport, even Master Xi, a flood prevention expert from the Yangtze Flood Control Headquarters, went to greet him.

Five minutes ago, Secretary Chen of Jingzhou City called Deputy Mayor Liu, who hadn't caught much sleep for several days and nights. Secretary Chen said that as soon as the Vice Prime Minister got off the plane, he asked two questions.

First, how high is the Shashi water level?

Second, can the dual hazards at the Yang Liu Village dike section in Angong County be contained, and have the tens of thousands of people from two towns and three villages, who would be flooded if the dangerous dike breaches, been promptly organized to evacuate? 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

The Yang Liu Section dike is also part of the Yangtze River embankment. A breach in the embankment would be a major incident, even though that area is a flood control area...

Deputy Mayor Liu was extremely anxious, looking at the note passed by Huang Yuanchang, he gripped the phone tightly and questioned, "Where is the stone material supported by the Three Gorges Corporation? Didn't they say it would arrive today? Can't reach them? Can't reach them, can't you arrange someone to find out? I'll give you two more hours, but you must find out where those stone materials are!"

No sooner did Deputy Mayor Liu hang up the phone than the Director of the Transportation Bureau, who had finished a call outside, came in.

"Mayor Liu, the rollers have been found, a total of three units. But rollers can't move fast, it will take at least three hours to reach the temporary dock set up by the Port Supervision Bureau and the Waterway Section."

"Driving them over as they are, of course, won't be quick. Hurry up and find a vehicle to transport them!"

"The rollers are too heavy for regular trucks to carry or even load; only flatbed trailers can handle them, but where do we find flatbeds on short notice?"

"Other people can manage to transport large excavators and loaders over from thousands of miles away to support our flood control, yet you're telling me you can't even find a flatbed to transport a roller? How did you become the Director of the Transportation Bureau?"

"I'll make more calls and see if I can think of a solution."

"It's 6:16 right now, I don't care what solution you find, but you must get the rollers to the temporary dock by 7:30!"

"..."

"Why are you still standing here? Hurry up and get moving."

"Yes."

"Director Huang, we have to trouble Changhang to transport the rollers to the emergency site by water."

"Mayor Liu, there's no issue with water transport; I have already arranged it."

"As for the stakes needed for the Yang Liu Section, gathering them will indeed take time, but rest assured, I have already contacted County Magistrate Huang in Angong, and they are also trying to find a way."

"Then we won't wait for the stakes; I'll have colleagues from the Port Supervision Bureau transfer the woven bags and fuel over first."

"That's all we can do."

...

Just as Han Yu was busy answering a call from Huang Yuanchang, Camp Commander Li Shousong of the 2nd Battalion of the 132nd Regiment arrived with a company of soldiers.

Director Ge organized logistics personnel to warmly welcome them.

Considering the soldiers were indeed exhausted and needed rest, Li Shousong straightforwardly let the soldiers first rest on the embankment.

"Director Ge, we'll eat later; I want to go ahead and have a look first."

"You can't go; it's too dangerous up ahead."

"If we were afraid of danger, we wouldn't have come, Director Ge. We are here to handle the emergency!"

"I understand, but how can you handle the emergency if you don't eat until you're full?"

Master Dai and Li Shousong were not only comrades-in-arms but also competitors.

Previously serving as company commanders in the same battalion, the two companies competed against each other, resulting in Li Shousong's win, while Master Dai didn't get promoted to deputy battalion commander. Later, he was transferred to the regiment and promoted to deputy battalion commander, but he had to wait for the current deputy head of military affairs to retire or transfer before becoming deputy head.

He couldn't stand the sight of Li Shousong's arrogance and casually said, "Camp Commander Li, the captain just had a call with Director Ge, and he wants you all to obey Director Ge's orders and follow his command."

Li Shousong, equally discontented with the "blind advisor" who particularly picked on his Second Battalion, didn't even look at Master Dai and urgently said, "Director Ge, since the captain has entrusted us to your command, please assign us a task."

Old Ge Comrade was very busy now and held significant authority.

As Captain Peng and Political Commissar Yang were dozens of kilometers away, and the route here was so congested that even a rapid advance would take several hours, they entrusted the respected elder to command.

County officials, especially those from nearby towns, had all gone to organize and mobilize the mass evacuation. On the embankment, only County Magistrate Huang and Director Hu, two local leaders, remained.

With the liberation army coming for support, County Magistrate Huang needed to command the evacuation via mobile phone and walkie-talkie, Director Hu was busy contacting various relevant units to organize and transport the materials needed for the emergency, overwhelmed with tasks, unable to receive the supporting liberation army, and therefore entrusted it to the experienced former director of the Linghai City Transportation Bureau.

Entrusted with responsibility, fulfill it wholeheartedly.

Moreover, this is no ordinary entrusted responsibility — it could be said to have been entrusted at a critical moment!

Old Ge, while inviting Li Shousong to have breakfast, gravely said, "Camp Commander Li, the next task for you is very challenging. One company needs to assist us in handling the emergency; once the woven bags arrive, you must race against time to fill the sandbags. The other two companies should rest as soon as possible. When the cadres organized by County Magistrate Huang arrive, you will need to assist the local cadres to conduct a house-to-house search in the evacuation area to ensure not a single person is left behind!"

"But the superior instructed us to come for the emergency response."

"We have the Linghai Reserve Camp for the emergency response, while evacuating the masses and ensuring their safety must be the top priority."

Old Ge paused for a moment, then added, "After the dragnet inspection is complete, you need to assist local officials, especially the local public security police, to patrol the evacuated areas. Check if there are any residents who haven't evacuated in time, and also prevent lawbreakers from taking advantage of the chaos to steal residents' property."

Li Shousong was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "These two tasks are very important, we resolutely obey orders."

"Not just very important, but also very dangerous."

"What's so dangerous about this?"

"The dangerous embankment ahead can collapse at any moment. Camp Commander Han and our battalion's senior expert group on flood control can only ensure that there's no collapse for the next five to ten minutes at most, which means they can only give you advance warning five to ten minutes for those of you executing tasks under the embankment."

Li Shousong realized this task was indeed very dangerous and couldn't help but ask, "Two towns and three villages, such a large area, how can we receive the warning?"

Old Ge took a deep breath, looked at him, and said, "The county will broadcast notices as soon as possible, so while you're carrying out inspections and patrols, pay attention to the broadcasts in each village. Considering some places might not receive the broadcasts, our camp will provide you with twenty walkie-talkies. If any collapse signs appear on the dangerous embankment ahead, I will have Master Dai notify you immediately."

"But the walkie-talkies have limited range."

"We have a relay station; as long as it's within twenty kilometers, we should be able to reach you."

Captain Peng and Political Commissar Yang entrusted these soldiers to me, so I must be responsible for them…

Old Ge weighed the situation, thought again, and said, "I'll also give you five mobile phones. I'll provide you with all my mobile phones."

"Thank you, Director Ge."

"No thanks necessary, this is what I should do."

At this moment, Old Ge couldn't think about anything else, took out a cigarette and handed one over, sincerely advising, "Comrade Xiao Li, as the camp commander, you must ensure the safety of the soldiers. So, when you reach each village, the first thing to do is to look for higher ground. Once the dangerous embankment collapses and you receive our notification, immediately lead the officers and soldiers to relatively safe high ground to take shelter. We and the county will organize rescue efforts promptly."

Traveling so far is already dangerous; what about the Hong Kong Garrison soldiers working under the embankment?

Li Shousong didn't dare to think further.

Old Ge reconsidered and still felt uneasy, picked up the walkie-talkie, tuned to the water conservancy expert group's frequency, and called, "Salted Fish, Salted Fish, please respond if you hear."

"Received, received, please go ahead, Director Ge."

"Camp Commander Li Shousong from the 2nd Battalion of the 132nd Regiment is here. In an hour, they will assist the county in a carpet inspection of the evacuated area. We're working in two shifts; the workers should wear life jackets, but no need for those not going down the embankment for construction. Could you lend a hundred and thirty life jackets to the 132nd Regiment?"

Han Yu clearly understood the risks of tasks under the embankment and readily agreed, "Sure!"

"Great, I'll arrange it right away."

Director Ge put down the walkie-talkie and continued, "Camp Commander Xiao Li, almost forgot to mention, several media reporters are outside interviewing the evacuated residents. I'll have Comrade Qiu Xueliang, our camp secretary, give you their phone numbers and ask them to contact you promptly. If they're nearby, please ensure their safety as you carry out your tasks as much as possible."

No wonder the regimental commander and political commissar wanted someone like this in charge!

This person considers everything meticulously; it's obvious they truly care about everyone's safety. Li Shousong felt deeply touched, quickly stood up and saluted sincerely, "Thank you, Director Ge, for your concern. We'll complete the task resolutely!"

"No need for such formality among our own people, besides, I'm not an officer. Sit, let's talk sitting down."

Old Ge patted his arm and gravely said, "Camp Commander Xiao Li, if the embankment collapses, no telling when you'll be back. If heaven allows us time to successfully build the cofferdam, you'll still need to operate outside for at least twelve hours.

I've instructed our logistics colleagues to provide you with water and rations after breakfast. Kid, you're not even as old as my son. Is it too much to call you kid?"

"Not at all, Director Ge, please go ahead."

"Kid, this is all I can do for you. When you take people on a mission, you must bring them all back. Don't let me, an old man with white hair, send off young men with black hair! If anything happens to you, I can't explain it to your regiment commander and political commissar, nor to your parents."

Master Dai could no longer bother with any discord with Li Shousong, feeling a pang of sadness, "Shousong, take care and once you're back from the mission, I'll treat you to a drink!"

Li Shousong, like Master Dai, had never encountered such a considerate leader as Director Ge, overwhelmed by emotion, saluted again, "Rest assured, Director Ge, even if I don't return, I'll make sure my brothers do!"

"You're all good guys, and you must return for me too."

"Yes!"

"Hurry up and eat, you need to be full to have strength for the task."

"Yes!"

"By the way, your battalion has been fighting for several days, are there any injured?"

"Two sustained minor injuries, slipped while carrying sandbags yesterday."

"The wounded should stay behind; they don't need to go on the mission with you. We have a military doctor; I'll have them take a look."

"Thank you, Director Ge!"

"No need for thanks, and no tears either, a real man bleeds and sweats but doesn't cry."

"Mm."

"Eat more, I'll go and get your phones."

Director Ge patted the tearfully moved Li Shousong, stepped out of the tent, and watched the soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, squatting and devouring their breakfast on the embankment, murmuring, "They're all good kids, all good guys."

The special nature of staff work in military affairs requires it to be strict, never letting the soldiers see any vulnerability.

Master Dai quickly wiped his eyes and reminded, "Director Ge, you've been busy since before dawn, haven't eaten breakfast yet, please go and eat something."