Binjiang Police Affairs-Chapter 969 - 642: The Importance of Unity

Unknowingly, another day and night passed, and the semi-circular large pond was finally filled in.

The backfill efficiency wasn't as high as when rushing to repair the cofferdam, mainly because many small dangers and safety hazards appeared in the nearby embankment sections.

Excavator No. 1 and Loader No. 2 couldn't work here step by step; the No. 1 earthwork construction team turned into a mobile team to help dig drainage ditches in embankment sections not facing water but soaked with water, and to reinforce embankment sections that were thin or had minor collapses.

It hasn't rained for two consecutive days, and the water level has dropped a bit again.

This is a good thing for flood prevention, but it brought great inconvenience to the water mobility of the No. 1 earthwork construction team.

When the water level was high, the ferryboat could rest its deck directly on the more stable embankment, and excavators and loaders could drive directly ashore.

Now the water level isn't that high, and although the deck can still rest on the embankment, the bow of the ship cannot touch the embankment. The supported deck becomes a ramp, and with several meters underneath being empty, it can't support the weight of several dozen tons of excavators.

Directly resulting in that, when equipment wants to land, it's first necessary to drive dozens of piles in the landing area as if building a bridge. It must be sturdy, the dimensions calculated correctly, then dive into water and use steel wires to tie steel pipes obliquely between the piles and nail beams above them to ensure stability.

Once everything is ready, the deck can be placed gently, and only after confirming the safety of the temporarily erected "bridge" can large equipment move ashore along the deck.

It sounds simple, but it's not easy to do.

This also involves the stability of the ferryboat, as the bow must align precisely with the temporary "bridge". Too close, it might damage the "bridge". Too far, it's not feasible either.

The water is flowing, and the ferryboat must maintain a stationary state relative to the water, both anchoring at the right spot and using the winch to adjust posture, with the upstream direction needing a tugboat to hold position...

Fortunately, the Road and Bridge Company specializes in road construction and bridge erection, and setting up temporary bridges is routine for them. The ferryboat captain, crew, and Director Gu from Binjiang Port Authority have ample experience with water operations; the coordination in water-based tasks was seamless; and anyone else would struggle to handle it.

Even though they are professional, completing these landing support tasks takes time and indirectly affects the emergency efficiency of the No. 1 earthwork construction team.

But overall, it is much faster than moving on land.

This place is unlike Linghai; there is no wide Yanjiang Road under the embankment, and even if there were, it's hard to find a flatbed truck that can transport Excavator No. 1 and Loader No. 1. Heavy equipment can only achieve mobility transitions through water transport...

In the canteen-slash-command tent at the Yangliu section, Han Yu was looking at the emergency progress chart while answering a call.

"Is it serious? Perhaps I should let Master Yao go and check first; he's not far from there. Master Xi, it's not that I don't want to send the No. 2 team over; the issue now is transport capacity. We only have one ferryboat and two tugboats. Without boats, how can I transport the equipment across?"

If only a ferryboat was needed, Jingzhou Flood Control Command could allocate another one.

But to achieve a large equipment water transition not only requires a ferryboat but also tugboats and an experienced captain and crew.

Master Xi knew very well how difficult it was to assemble such a team again. Looking at the appeal list handed over by Deputy Mayor Liu, he held his forehead and said to the speakerphone, "So when can the No. 1 earthwork team come over?"

"Not for the moment, Angong County has strengthened patrol and danger inspection forces on the Yangtze River embankment; just this morning, we found more than thirty small dangers, with even more safety hazards, and we're working overtime to secure them."

"So, the waiting time is required?"

"Based on the current progress, it might take until the morning after tomorrow."

Previously, the Jingjiang embankment on the opposite side and the Yangtze River embankment here were both not facing water, with a distance from the water surface on the Yangtze side.

But now with the flood, from the end of June until this moment, the entire dry embankment on both banks of Jingjiang has been soaked in water for nearly half a month. Imagine what happens after a person's foot is soaked in water for a few hours and turns white and wrinkled; you can imagine the condition of the embankment soaked for half a month.

No major dangers have arisen for the time being, but minor dangers arise continuously.

If not addressed promptly, minor dangers develop into major ones.

Han Yu understood the feelings of the city flood control leaders and Master Xi, and after thinking about it, said, "However, we can let the requesting districts or towns prepare at the embankment sections where we need to provide emergency support. If their preparations are sufficient, I can prioritize and schedule earthwork teams to support as needed."

"What preparations should be made?"

"Mainly the landing preparations for heavy equipment, driving piles and building bridges to support the ferry deck. They prepare materials and organize personnel, and I can arrange for the Road and Bridge Company and water operation technical personnel to go over and guide."

"As long as the problem of landing equipment can be solved, can the No. 2 earthwork team also come over for some assault support?"

"Theoretically, it should be possible."

"Alright, let's decide on that!"

"Master Xi, if only we can hold out until tomorrow, the water convoy will arrive by tomorrow noon at the latest, and once our water convoy arrives, these problems will be solved."

"The issue is that we can't wait until tomorrow."

"Okay, I'll arrange for technical personnel to cross the river first."

It was expected to become a "firefighter," just not anticipating that the task was not to extinguish a "big fire," but rather one small fire after another.

Han Yu put down the phone, picked up the walkie-talkie, and adjusted the frequency: "Master Yao, Master Yao, this is Han Yu, what's the situation on your end now?"

"The equipment just got ashore, and they're building the construction access road, estimated to strengthen by nightfall."

"Several embankment sections on the opposite side are requesting support, switch to Boat 001 with Director Gu to check the situation across."

"Specific location?"

"Call the command center to ask. I made it clear to Master Xi: as long as the opposite side can solve the problem of landing equipment, we can organize forces to support as needed."

"Understood."

"President Wu, President Wu, I'm Han Yu. How are things over there?"

"The seepage point was found and blocked using a dozen blankets. The secretary of this village is impressive; he somehow brought two boatloads of stone materials and is now dumping them onto the newly blocked leak point from the river. Captain Feng and I aren't much help here, so we're planning to check if yesterday's grouting had any effects."

"Alright, be careful on your way back."

Plans are always subject to change.

We had good intentions when departing, thinking that keeping all the equipment and personnel together would maximize the impact.

However, in the absence of major emergencies, responding to the rescue needs requires breaking up the groups. Right now, there are six squads outside handling the rescue operations.

Han Yu, the general commander of the emergency rescue team, has now become the central coordinator for the rescue operations.

...

While he was busy and overwhelmed, Old Ge received a call from Director Wang Wenhong of the Water Police Station in the logistics support tent.

"Why don't you contact Salted Fish?"

"His phone is unreachable, and it's the same if I talk to you."

Wang Xiazhi, known for causing trouble, unexpectedly started making things difficult at this crucial moment.

Old Ge was displeased and asked irritably, "Do you want my opinion?"

Wang Wenhong, puzzled, said with a smile, "Director Ge, you're not just Salted Fish's elder, but also my former leader, so of course, I want to hear your opinion first."

"Since you see me as an old leader, I'll clearly tell you, transferring Salted Fish's work relationship to the Water Police Station shows a lack of consideration."

"Director Ge, can you be more specific? How am I lacking consideration?"

"Do you know what time it is now? We're in the middle of flood control! Wang Xiazhi, you might not like what I say, but you're not just inconsiderate, you're also causing trouble. You're failing to see the bigger picture and neglecting the overall situation!"

"Director Ge, I can't accept such accusations. Don't scare me."

"I'm not trying to scare you; I'm addressing serious matters."

Old Ge lit a cigarette and said bluntly, "Don't think I don't know about your trivial spats with the Changhang Bureau. It's fine to squabble normally, but not now. Now is the time for unity and determination! If you silently transfer Salted Fish's work relationship to your bureau without notifying the Changhang Bureau, what will they think? You're damaging unity!"

"..."

"Why are you silent? Let me clarify further. Deputy Mayor Shen won't agree to the transfer, nor will the Linghai Municipal Committee and Municipal Government."

"Director Ge, I didn't intend to fight with the Changhang Bureau; I just saw this as an opportunity. If Salted Fish can be transferred back, he'd be our Deputy Director and Deputy Division Commander of Water Security. When I step down, he could take my place!"

"I apologize if I was harsh earlier. I acknowledge your good intentions, but good intentions can lead to mistakes."

"Director Ge, I don't quite understand."

"It's not that you don't understand; you're just caught up in the situation!"

Wang Xiazhi has been bouncing around in the police system, appearing clever but lacking in perspective and a larger view.

Old Ge sighed inwardly and asked, "Do you think Salted Fish is just Salted Fish of the Changhang Bureau and your Water Police Station? Think carefully about how the excellent situation of unity and advancement among several enforcement units along the river came about. If you transfer Salted Fish to your station now, what will the Changhang Bureau think?"

"Does what the Changhang Bureau thinks matter?"

"It matters, greatly!"

Old Ge was surprised that Wang Xiazhi still couldn't grasp the concept, he tapped the iron table and said, "Salted Fish, as the 'Binjiang Water Commander,' is recognized by your collective units, and any transfer should involve consulting with other units and the Linghai City leadership.

Regarding the position of Deputy Director, and potentially succeeding you, none of these matters is substantial for the current Salted Fish! He doesn't need your concern, nor your promotion! And knowing him, he'd most likely not want to be a director spending his days in meetings."

Wang Wenhong was stunned; he hadn't expected Old Ge to say such things.

Old Ge worried that Wang still couldn't see the point, so he continued, "I appreciated your previous effort in establishing the Water Firefighting Association. The current Linghai Reserve Camp was essentially formed based on your Water Firefighting Association.

As for Salted Fish now, he only needs to continue in his roles as Secretary-General of the Water Firefighting Association and Camp Commander of the Linghai Reserve Camp. Whether he can achieve a full department level or gain a higher position is just a matter of time."

It's possible that the flooding situation in Binjiang isn't severe, so there's no direct understanding of the importance of flood control and rescue.

Or perhaps Jingzhou is too far away, so there's not much awareness of the achievements of the Linghai Reserve Camp.

Wang Wenhong initially had preconceived notions, but upon hearing Director Ge's comments, he suddenly realized that Salted Fish had grown significantly and no longer needed his concern as a full department level Water Police Director.

As he silently marveled at Salted Fish's maturity and his own aging, Old Ge shifted the conversation: "Everyone needs a foundation to stand on, and Salted Fish's foundation is on the river. Xu Sanye was farsighted, having pointed this path for Salted Fish early on.

Anything that compromises the unity of several river units, Salted Fish won't involve himself, and he mustn't. To put it differently, before a decisive winner emerges between your bureau and the Changhang Bureau, he won't transfer to your bureau, nor back to the Changhang Bureau."

"Understood, I'll explain to Director Chen.""

"Wenhong, please trust me, administrative ranks don't mean much to Salted Fish. What you need to do now is to understand him, support him, let him continue to excel as 'Binjiang Water Commander.' Only on the river can he truly achieve success. If you let him sit in an office like you, Xu Sanye's considerate efforts will be wasted, and even Salted Fish himself will be ruined."