The night is deep, and the command hall of the Jingzhou Flood Control Command Center is brightly lit, smoke swirling, with phone rings continuously chiming.
The water level of this flood peak has unexpectedly surpassed the sixth ti, putting the entire line of embanknts on both sides of the Jingjiang in ergency, the Yangtze River embanknt, which has been soaked in floodwater for over a month, is at risk and fraught with danger.
All the civil dikes that could be opened to divert the flood have been opened, the upstream Gezhou Dam hub and several reservoirs that could be scheduled have been scheduled, even the Geheyan Reservoir on the Qingjiang mainstream more than 100 kiloters upstream is operating with risks.
That reservoir is an important regulatory reservoir upstream of Jingjiang, helping to share a large amount of floodwater, staggering the flood peaks. The dam has a height of 151 ters and an elevation of 206 ters above sea level. During the sixth flood peak, due to retaining too much floodwater, the huge pressure compressed the dam body to let out an explosive bang!
Even now, walking on the dam, one can feel the dam shaking, if the water level continues to rise, it may cause the overall collapse of the dam.
And now in the Yangtze River, all the reservoirs resemble a set of placed dominoes. If one reservoir goes wrong, it might lead to a chain reaction dam break.
Fortunately, the tal structure of the dam can withstand forces exceeding design standards by 50%, allowing it to temporarily endure water levels approaching 204 ters.
To minimize downstream flood peak staggering, and also to ensure the safety of the dam, now the gates can only be opened and closed intermittently, keeping the water level constantly oscillating below the 204-ter line. It can be said that this is the limit of dam collapse, maximally easing downstream water pressure.
But whether or not the dam will break, no one knows.
As the capability of bearing forces exceeding design standards by 50% is repeatedly calculated by experts.
It can be said that the reservoir staff at this mont are risking their lives to relieve downstream pressure, if the Yangtze River embanknt fails, the soldiers and civilians in ergency rescue may have chances to survive. If a dam break occurs, the huge water pressure forming a water column will tear the reservoir staff apart like cutting tofu, their bodies might only be found over 100 kiloters downstream.
In short, all the possible thods have been thought of, everything that could be done has been done. Having repelled six flood peaks, whether they can withstand this ti, Master Xi is really uncertain in his heart.
His head aches violently, slling smoke makes it worse, just as he is about to get up to breathe so fresh air, Deputy Governor Zhou walks in and asks, "Friend Yuan Chang, is the danger at Diao Guan Pier under control?"
Huang Yuanchang hasn't had a good sleep for a long ti, also nearly unable to withstand, supporting his forehead and pinching his temples to report, "Vice Mayor Zhong and Comrade Han Yu reported ten minutes ago that the danger of piping and sub-dam breaches have temporarily stabilized. The Second Assault Team of the ergency response has arrived at Diao Guan Pier, building barricades together with the First Team."
It's just stabilized, not controlled.
Deputy Governor Zhou hesitated for a mont, then pursued the question, "When can the barricade be completed?"
"Han Yu said about two and a half more hours, but that's just building an earthen dike, only having preliminary water-blocking capability. To truly ensure absolute safety, further reinforcent is needed after it's built to the water-blocking height."
"How long to reinforce?"
"At least until noon tomorrow."
"Got it, report back tily if there's any situation."
"Deputy Governor Zhou, there's a situation."
"What situation?"
Huang Yuanchang glanced at the call record just now, hesitated for a mont and said, "As of five minutes ago, there have been 46 comrades injured or fainted over there, the injured and sick are mainly from the 60th Division. Of these, 32 seriously injured and ill have been transported to Shishou People's Hospital, the hospital is organizing rescues."
After days of tug of war with the flood, nearly all warriors are injured and sick, their physical and ntal energy having long reached critical points, now again fighting life and death with the flood, it's normal for warriors to be unable to endure, but Deputy Governor Zhou didn't expect so many to collapse at once.
He was silent, silent for a long ti before nodding slightly.
...
In fact, it's not just the warriors who can't hold on, but also the cadres.
Leader Qian was just giving commands when suddenly his vision went black, collapsing into the muddy water.
Han Yu got the ssage, quickly handing over command to Hao Qiusheng, running over to look at Leader Qian who was just lifted up by the warriors, and asked, "Leader Qian, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, just need a break."
"This is not the place to rest, let help you over there."
"You go do your work, don't mind ."
"Reinforcents are here, President Hao from the Second Team is more professional than , I'm not busy now."
Han Yu helped Leader Qian to a gentle slope that had just had floodwater drained away, sitting down together with Leader Qian regardless of the muddy ground.
Leader Qian's dizziness was severe, with closed eyes resting for about three to four minutes, he feebly asked, "Why are you all pushing so hard today?"
"We are the ergency rescue assault team, we must push hard." Han Yu took a deep breath, retorting, "Leader Qian, you're about to transfer, your division is about to be disbanded, why are you pushing so hard?"
"Our division isn't about to be disbanded, it has already been disbanded."
"Already disbanded?"
"We received the order the day after our farewell ceremony and conference. Over 3,200 officers and soldiers are set for transfer or demobilization. When they said disband, we disbanded. When they told us to take off our military uniforms, we had to, and thinking about it, it's really hard to let go."
Han Yu had only heard before that their division would be disbanded, not expecting it to have already happened.
Their division ca to fight the flood at the beginning of August. Although their ti fighting the flood wasn't as long as the 404th Division, they were engaged in battle as soon as they arrived and haven't rested since.
Their 175th regint fought fiercely at Duck Lake and bravely at Dongsheng Town; the Artillery Regint staunchly defended Diu Jia Yuan; the division's direct troops and the 175th regint fought hard at De Gong Tuo; the 178th regint fought a large battle at Songzi River; the 179th regint reinforced Jiuhetuan. On August 8th, a major piping incident happened at the Shishou Jiuhetuan dam, and they fought fiercely for six days and nights…
Han Yu reflected silently, as Leader Qian continued: "As long as we haven't taken off our military uniforms, we are soldiers. If you reserve forces fight this hard, we current service mbers must fight even harder."
"Yes, as long as we're here, we have to step up."
"Speaking of business, how could you bear to let the engineering machinery co in? Although you are an ergency rescue assault team, your situation is different from ours. Your equipnt isn't your own, and your superiors wouldn't and shouldn't order you to take such a risk."
The situation earlier was indeed very severe, almost a matter of life and death.
Han Yu looked at the constantly heightening cofferdam not far away, and after a mont of silence, he said: "Five days ago, we were ordered to follow the flood peak, sailing all the way to Hong Lake, then returning per superior orders. On the return journey, the weather suddenly changed, and a force 7-8 gale whipped the river, stirring up waves over two ters high, with rainstorm lashing towards the New Moon Embanknt at Hong Lake.
The overflowing river water roared like a mountain torrent, its sound audible even a kiloter away. The flood rushed down, collapsing the courtyard wall of a pumping station on the New Moon Embanknt and nearby houses, and the fir trees at the embanknt's base were uprooted, flooding the entire Qijia Yuan."
"Was that civilian dike flooded?"
"It was flooded."
Han Yu took a deep breath, continuing: "That sa night, just past 11:00 PM, a four-to-five-ter-long crack appeared at the Qingshan section of the Yangtze River embanknt at Hong Lake. Within hours it expanded rapidly to 250 ters, with the gap widening from a finger's width to a palm's width, and over a ter deep, spewing large amounts of water through the crack. Fortunately, it was discovered in ti, and after three days and nights of hard work by over ten thousand soldiers and civilians, it was finally secured by yesterday dawn."
Leader Qian asked perplexedly: "What does this have to do with you?"
"I was aware of these threats when they occurred, and our engineering fleet wasn't far from there. But to ensure the safety here and to protect against potential major threats, we had to 'see death without helping,' and return as required by our superiors."
Han Yu turned to look at Leader Qian, regretfully saying: "The severity of the threat at Qingshan was no less than what we're defending against here, arguably the largest threat during the sixth flood peak. As the ancient saying goes, 'A general in the field is not bound to obey orders to the letter,' yet there I was, knowing I could lead the team over to help but ultimately choosing to follow orders chanically."
Leader Qian seed to understand what Han Yu ant and quietly asked: "If you had reached that civilian dike in ti, could you have controlled the sub-dam overflow?"
"I don't know."
"Exactly, even if you led the team over, it doesn't guarantee saving that civilian dike. Besides, you are now a reserve officer, and reserve officers are also soldiers. Obedience to orders should always be the duty."
"That's the way it has to be thought." Han Yu nodded, raising his arm to point at the nearby cofferdam: "This place is different from that place. Since the higher-ups have us defend this major threat, as long as we tily arrive, we must hold it. Whether it risks millions worth of engineering machinery can't be worried about right now."
"That's the right ntality; charge when it's ti to charge, step up when it's ti to step up."
"..."
"Why are you looking at ?"
"It's nothing."
"Salted Fish, honestly, you're becoming more soldier-like. If you want to beco a real officer, you can consider special recruitnt after the flood fighting."
"I don't want to."
"Why not? Isn't being an active-duty officer good?" Leader Qian asked puzzledly.
"It's not that it's bad; it's just that I'm not suited to be a soldier."
Afraid Leader Qian might misunderstand, Han Yu added: "I'm used to a free and undisciplined life, and I surely wouldn't adapt to military rules. To give a simple example, if I encounter sothing in Binjiang -- I an public matters, not personal -- I can request assistance from relevant law enforcent vessels or personnel. In the military, could I deploy troops arbitrarily?"
Secretary Wang previously ntioned that this person was the "Water Army Commander" of Binjiang, with full rule over the Yangtze River waterfront. Bringing him into the army via special recruitnt wouldn't be suitable, as the military emphasizes hierarchy above all else.
Leader Qian nodded, not knowing how to further the conversation, when Han Yu added: "Besides, I'm already settled with a family; I have elders and children to support, no savings but loans in the bank. If I were to enlist, I'd be unable to sustain my life on the military's modest salary."
This is an achingly heartfelt topic.
After decades in the military and nearing demobilization, many still have little savings.
Leader Qian suddenly felt a bit envious of Han Yu, sighed, and said: "Not being in the army might be fine too. Though you aren't an active officer now, you're as good as one. If you opt for special recruitnt and serve a few years, when you return ho, it might not match your current job and salary."
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