Binjiang Police Affairs-Chapter 938 - 628: No Team to Learn From

The road rollers have not been transported over yet, and even if they could, they wouldn't be of use for now.

The piping situation is escalating too quickly; the priority now is to urgently build the new levee higher.

Two earthwork construction groups are working simultaneously from both ends; the No. 1 dump truck is transporting earth to the new levee for disposal, and one loader and the No. 2 loader are pushing the earth flat, using the buckets and wheels to compact it simply. Then, taking advantage of the dump truck's downtime while loading earth, they assist in transporting sandbags. The group working on the opposite side is doing the same.

The troops from the second battalion, third company of the 132nd regiment have all become "bricklayers," using shovels to level the ground and then stacking the sandbags dumped by the loaders from the levee upwards.

The slope is angled, requiring shovel adjustments on the slope to stack tightly.

Initially, it was a bit unfamiliar, but they got quicker as they worked. A truckload of sandbags can be stacked within five minutes.

Director Hu from the Angong County Government Office noticed the sandbag supply was insufficient. Specifically, three loaders had more critical tasks and couldn't be dedicated exclusively to transporting sandbags, so he immediately mobilized nearby villagers who didn't want to retreat to the safe zone but came to the levee to help with filling and transporting.

Most busy at the base of the levee don't have life jackets, but they can't be concerned with this right now.

Whether the hazardous section can be held temporarily doesn't matter; the urgent task is to earn time for the tens of thousands of people evacuating to the safe zone!

Han Yu couldn't ignore the safety of the troops and people at the base of the levee, immediately instructing Director Gu to arrange for crew members to send over a dozen ropes. These ropes are laid along the gentle slope of the new levee downwards. In case the front end of the hazardous levee collapses and breaches, the troops and people at the base can climb up using the ropes...

In the midst of his frantic rush, the Navy divers arrived, a total of nine led by a Navy Major.

An outsider can't command insiders; County Magistrate Huang had already acknowledged Han Yu as the commander-in-chief.

The Navy Major could only report to Han Yu under the guidance of Old Ge and request the assignment of tasks.

"Commander, we brought eight divers but have only four sets of equipment."

"Major, your timing is perfect..."

Han Yu skipped formalities, briefly introduced the precarious situation, and then led him into the command tent, handing over two riverbed maps surveyed by Master Yao.

"Major, we suspect the leak points are in these deep trenches at the river bottom. If you can quickly find the leak points and assist us in plugging them, even finding and plugging one or two would help us gain precious time for rescue efforts on the shore!"

"This end is far from the river levee."

"I'll prepare a boat for you; our captain and crew have extensive water navigation experience. They will do their utmost to keep the vessel stable on the water."

The divers' job is more dangerous than the work of the troops and people below the levee.

Han Yu considered and pulled out another water situation report measured by Captain Fan and Xiao Chen with assistance from Master Yao: "Our vessel is equipped with the most advanced underwater surveying equipment and hydrological survey instruments. They will provide you with the latest water flow information."

Though the flood peak has passed, the water flow is still strong.

The divers' gear is heavy, and despite the ropes, holding a vessel stationary on such swift-flowing water is very difficult.

Once a vessel's posture becomes uncontrollable, it could snap the ropes, oxygen tubes, and underwater communication wires, not only preventing divers from surfacing but also risking their wash away, uncertain of where they might end up.

The Major looked at the materials Han Yu provided, paused for a moment, and then looked up, "Okay, let's arrange for someone to take us aboard."

Han Yu reminded, "This task is extremely dangerous."

"I know."

"Actually, even if we could find and plug the leak points, we could only earn a little time for rescue efforts onshore. Major, what I said wasn't a command; I don't know much about diving nor the dangers of diving. I only understand it's highly risky, so whether or not to dive is your decision."

"Commander, we're here to do rescue!"

"Alright, be careful."

This wasn't the time for pleasantries, Han Yu asked Director Ge to take them to No. 001, saluted, and then walked out of the tent without looking back.

...

Meanwhile, the newly arrived Vice President L had finished being briefed, and accompanied by Deputy Governor Zhou, Secretary Chen from Jingzhou City, along with Master Xi and Deputy Mayor Shen, inspected and guided along the Jingjiang Embankment to the hazardous section at Old Temple Gate in Lingjiang County.

The Ten Thousand Miles of the Yangtze River, the critical section lies in Jingjiang!

This saying was not voiced by Jingzhou people themselves but is the consensus of everyone from past to present, from high-ranking officials down to the Jingzhou civilians.

For this reason, any significant emergencies occurring in the Jingzhou segment of the Yangtze River must be reported promptly to the National Flood Control Headquarters.

The cracking and serious leakage of the Old Temple Gate's walls and gates are such significant emergencies!

Vice President L stood on the embankment, braving the scorching heat, looked at the section ahead, and asked, "Was the original gate here?"

"Yes, it has become part of the dry bank."

"How long has it been used?"

The reinforcement from Linghai has been tremendously helpful; they deserve recognition.

Deputy Governor Zhou explained, "Deputy Mayor Shen Fan from Linghai Reserve Camp led the entire operation; he knows the situation best."

"Is Shen Fan here?"

"Present, Shen Fan, report to Vice President L."

Deputy Mayor Shen still felt like he was dreaming. Reminded by Master Xi, he quickly stepped forward, "Reporting to the commander, my camp used twelve hours to safeguard the critical situation at Old Temple Gate Hazardous Section, and twelve hours to support Lingjiang County officials and civilians in tackling the flood peak and other emergencies."

Vice President L, also the commander-in-chief of the National Flood Control Headquarters, upon hearing the request of Jiangnan Province's reserve forces for support from Yangtze Flood Control Headquarters, instinctively asked, "Shen Fan, did you come from Binjiang?"