Just as Old Ge expected, Vice Mayor Qin and Deputy Division Commander Tao were very interested in going "patrolling" on the river with Han Yu.
They didn't even take ti to eat lunch, quickly changed into camouflage uniforms, put on life jackets, and boarded the Yangtze Police 110 boat, heading with Salted Fish to two sections of the dike currently undergoing ergency reinforcent against leaks.
In Shashi, the water level was rising rapidly, bringing the Jingjiang Embanknt its sternest test yet.
The absolute main force of the Linghai Reserve Camp—the earthwork construction and transportation teams—could only stand by on the engineering ship as required by their superiors, unable to deploy even in the event of sub-dam breaches, only mobilizing in the case of catastrophic events such as the collapse and breach of the main dike, thus becoming the "Strategic Reserve Team" once again!
The professional reinforcent team for dike cracking and seepage ergencies, along with the water transportation team responsible for transporting sandbags and woven bags, beca the absolute main force at this stage.
Vice Mayor Qin and Deputy Division Commander Tao followed Han Yu ashore to greet local leaders and military officers. Seeing others busy elevating and reinforcing the sub-dam, they felt it inappropriate to stand idly by and joined in carrying sandbags.
Han Yu had never done this kind of work before, but he gritted his teeth and joined in carrying as well.
The reporter from the Linghai Daily had been advised by Old Wang in advance, quickly picking a good angle and snapping dozens of valuable photos.
Han Yu didn't want to do this, not because he was afraid of the hardship but because he had more important work to do.
As he pondered how to pull the two leaders away, his phone suddenly rang. He wiped his hands on his clothes and picked up the phone strapped to his chest. It turned out to be Master Xi personally calling.
Could there be another major ergency!
Han Yu's heart skipped a beat. He hurriedly pressed the call button while signaling Chen Zikun and Xiao Gong to call up the two leaders who were working enthusiastically.
"Master Xi, it's Han Yu. Is there an ergency?"
"I just received news, the Jiujiang River Embanknt has breached."
"How could there be a breach at Jiujiang, and it's the main dike that's breached!"
In terms of flood defense severity, Jiujiang City in Xijiang Province, located downstream, was nowhere near as challenging as the looping bends of Jingjiang, otherwise the phrase "Ten Thousand Miles of the Yangtze River, the Danger Lies at Jingjiang" wouldn't exist. Han Yu could hardly believe his ears.
Master Xi was equally shocked and, hesitating for a mont, said, "The National Flood Control Headquarters just called asking if our First Team can travel downstream in an ergency to Jiujiang for dike patching."
"Which Flood Control Headquarters?"
"The National Flood Control Headquarters, specifically Deputy Minister Yang from the Ministry of Water Resources."
"Can we afford to leave at such a critical mont?"
"The Jingzhou Flood Control Command doesn't know, nor does the Beihu Flood Control Command. It was a private inquiry by Deputy Minister Yang. They're just seeking our opinion, not issuing an order."
Han Yu responded without thinking, "Even if the Beihu Province Flood Control Command and Jingzhou Flood Control Command agree for us to go, we can't and won't go."
"I know we can't go. Indeed, at this critical mont, we must not leave. What do you an by 'can't go'? Please be clear so I can report back to the superiors."
"Just sending people won't help. We need to take engineering machinery with us."
Han Yu took a deep breath and explained, "Our advantage lies in on-water operations and ergencies. Not to ntion whether we can find enough flatbed trucks quickly, even if we do, the earthwork construction team can hardly be effective there. The equipnt might not even be transported to the breach site."
Master Xi asked in a low voice, "What about shipping? Can the engineering fleet go?"
"It can't."
"Why not?"
"Master Xi, you've been focused on studying the flood situation and overlooked the waterway conditions! If we were to support over there, we'd definitely have to pass through the Hanwu Yangtze River Bridge. With the water level so high, our tugs, ferry boats, and floating cranes can't pass underneath. We can't exactly dismantle the Hanwu Yangtze River Bridge, can we?"
The navigable height under the Hanwu Yangtze River Bridge is eighteen ters at its highest water level. But the current Yangtze River water level far exceeds the "highest water level" from when it was designed, with the net height under the bridge possibly being less than ten ters.
Back then, it was designed with the Soviet-style concept, with densely packed piers and a sturdy structure, serving both rail and road, turning a natural barrier into a thoroughfare between the north and south.
But it cos with shortcomings, as when the water depth is suitable for larger ships, the height is insufficient.
When the water is shallow enough for height, larger vessels can touch bottom or even run aground.
Master Xi suddenly understood and said, "Got it, I'll report back as such for now."
Just as Han Yu put down the phone, Vice Mayor Qin, who had just climbed up the dike, asked urgently, "Salted Fish, what's happened?"
"The Jiujiang Yangtze River Main Embanknt has breached. While North Lake and South Lake have had multiple breaches, the Yangtze Main Embanknt has never breached. The severity of the flood control situation here is unknown how many tis more severe than Jiujiang, and the lengths of dikes we must strictly defend are far longer. How could such a major incident occur over there!"
"Could it be due to complacency?"
"Possibly."
Downstream from Jiujiang is Hui'an, and further downstream is Jiangnan Province.
The fourth flood peak hasn't even reached Jingzhou, yet two breaches have already occurred. The situation will be even more severe when the fourth flood peak arrives.
The more Vice Mayor Qin thought about it, the more worried he beca, furrowing his brows and saying, "Salted Fish, I need to get back quickly. The cadres in Angong are assigned to villages and groups; I'm covering an area in Binjiang, and it's the main urban district!"
The breach of the Jiujiang River Embanknt is no small matter.
Deputy Division Commander Tao also realized the seriousness of the issue and solemnly said, "Salted Fish, ever since the flooding began, our division has set up a command post. I'm the Deputy Commander, and I need to get back too."
"Alright, I'll have Captain Chen take you back to the dunship to collect your luggage."
"What about you?"
"They are still locating the seepage leak point ahead, I'll keep an eye on it here first."
"Alright, we're leaving then."
Watching the two leaders depart, Han Yu didn't even bother greeting the army leaders supporting this segnt of dike reinforcent as he hurried along the sub-dam straight to the grouting team's ergency protection zone.
The divers from the diving team were searching underwater with the assistance of 001, while Du Yuan was busy drilling holes in preparation for grouting.
Han Yu glanced at 001 who was trying to maintain a steady state with the water and was planning to head down the embanknt to check on the situation at the piping. Master Xi called again.
"Salted Fish, Deputy Minister Yang is going to take the special plane with Vice President L to Jiujiang later. He asked if I can mobilize a few engineers to go with him."
"The disaster in Xijiang is not as severe as in Beihu. Xijiang doesn't lack experts nor engineering technicians, with the strength of the entire province, it certainly doesn't lack ergency supplies."
"I know, but what the superior needs now are engineering technicians with rich ergency experience!"
"President Hao can't leave, nor can President Zou. Master Xi, how about sending Master Sun and Master Yao together?"
"And you?"
"I can't leave either!"
"Salted Fish, this is an opportunity." Master Xi felt sowhat frustrated, emphasizing: "This is a special plane with Vice President L. Once you're on the plane, you're Vice President L's escort, once you get off, you're a rescue technical expert for the National Flood Control Headquarters."
The floods are almost engulfing the sub-dam, which had been heightened several tis, with two piping points under the dam and it's not even the most critical mont yet. When the flood peak arrives, who knows what will happen.
Han Yu didn't want to be an "escaped soldier" at this crucial mont, nor did he want to leave his troops. Without thinking, he said: "Master Xi, I appreciate your kindness, but I don't want to be Vice President L's escort, nor am I an expert. Right now, I just want to do my job well and see if I can get through this challenge with the army and civilians on the embanknt."
Realizing the Linghai Reserve Camp truly couldn't be without Salted Fish, Master Xi said softly: "Alright, let Sun Youyi and Yao Lirong go."
...
3:48 p.m.
Secretary Ye and Director Ren walked out of the airport exit, dragging their luggage. Deputy Minister Li of Linghai Ard Forces Departnt and the driver from the Ard Forces Departnt quickly went up to help the officials with their luggage.
"Minister Li, thanks for your hard work."
"Secretary Ye, I'm not working hard, I'm rely a grunt, it's Salted Fish and Director Ge who are truly working hard."
Deputy Minister Li helped the two city leaders put their luggage into the trunk, opened the door for them to get in the car, and then climbed into the passenger seat like a secretary to report the latest news he just received.
Secretary Ye was greatly surprised, murmuring: "No wonder the airport security is so tight, turns out Vice President L arrived."
"As the convoy just entered, Vice President L's plane should be taking off soon."
"Did Master Xi ask Salted Fish to go, and Salted Fish refused?"
"He truly can't leave. If he leaves, what will happen to all these people."
Deputy Minister Li understood Secretary Ye's feelings, thought for a mont, and then said: "The troops in the camp co from so many units, Mayor Shen, Director Ge, and Secretary Wang can only command the troops from Linghai, not the staff of the Changhang System nor the soldiers from the 132 Regint 2nd Battalion and Navy diving team."
Linghai Reserve Camp is indeed like a big mix.
Secretary Ye nodded, sighed softly: "What a pity, such a good opportunity, others can't even go if they want to."
"Secretary Ye, even though Salted Fish didn't go, Yao Lirong from the Water Resources Bureau and Sun Youyi from the Road and Bridge Company went, recomnded by Master Xi."
"I know Yao Lirong, does Yao Lirong know rescue work?"
"He does. He's very experienced, just like Sun Youyi from the Road and Bridge Company, both are technical backbones of our Linghai Reserve Camp."
"That's good, we can't send two amateurs to ruin the brand we worked hard to build."
Linghai having two comrades on Vice President L's special plane and becoming temporary rescue experts for the National Flood Control Headquarters is definitely an achievent for Linghai.
Secretary Ye felt regret for Salted Fish but at the sa ti was very pleased, then asked: "Where are Mayor Qin and the Deputy Division Commander of Jiangnan Army Reserve Division at the mont?"
"On their way to Hanwu, Salted Fish said once Mayor Qin and Deputy Division Commander Tao heard the Jiujiang River embanknt breached, they rushed back to Binjiang. Mayor Shen is on his way to Jingzhou. He just called , saying he will co to report to you."
"I'm here to offer my sympathies, not to inspect work, what is he rushing back to report."
"There's a lot of work to report."
"What work?"
"I don't know much, only know during flood fighting and rescue, we ford a deep friendship with Angong County, Lingjiang County, and Shishou City. Angong County is currently in the most difficult situation, needing to relocate over 300,000 people before the flood peak arrives and urgently relocate tens of thousands trapped by the Hu Du River breach in the floodwaters.
Mayor Qin brought a lot of supplies for sympathy. We have logistical support provided by the Changhang Bureau, not really lacking in supplies. Director Ge said Mayor Shen wants to invite you and Director Ren to visit Angong.
Flowers added to brocade is not as good as delivering charcoal in the snow.
Delivering so sympathy supplies at this ti would be rembered forever.
Secretary Ye nodded and pursued: "Is there anything else?"
Deputy Minister Li was a bit embarrassed, feeling the work should be reported by Deputy Mayor Shen, but since the city leader asked, he couldn't avoid answering, forcing himself to say: "Around 4 o'clock this morning, Salted Fish and others rescued a dozen Shishou City officials from the water, the leaders of Shishou City were very grateful and plan to send us a banner.
Secretary Ye, you ca at a good ti, Salted Fish is busy rescuing and can't handle it, Mayor Shen and Director Ge want you to represent us in Linghai to receive the leaders of Shishou City. Not long ago the Nanhu Provincial Governnt just awarded a 'Lifeboat' banner to a Boat Bridge troop, Shishou City Governnt thought the term 'Lifeboat' was good, and wants to send one as well."
...
Deputy Minister Li couldn't stop once he started talking.
After hearing him out, Secretary Ye couldn't help but turn and say: "Director Ren, seems our agenda is already planned by Shen Fan and Director Ge, it's going to be busy for the next two days."
The schedule is not only arranged but very tightly.
Thinking at least five banners could be brought back, Director Ren said with emotion: "Salted Fish and the team really made Linghai proud this ti, really made Linghai shine."
Secretary Ye nodded: "Shen Fan, Old Ge, Hao Qiusheng, and Wang Dezhi did a great job too. We need to comnd them when we go back, comnd them properly!"
Deputy Minister Li couldn't help thinking about Director Ge's high standing, having shaken hands with Vice President L twice, respected by both Beihu Provincial leaders and the military commander, even regarded as one of their own by the leaders of the Changhang Bureau, he might not care about the city's comndation.
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