Binjiang Police Affairs-Chapter 1075 - 700: Main Force and Assault Team

All units along the line are on the embankment now, not only the liberation army units, but also the armed police, and civilian soldiers who outnumber both.

You can't stop singing, they heard you from afar and are eagerly waiting; you can't let them down now.

As the convoy sailed downstream, singing along the way, everyone sang until they couldn't anymore, resorting to mouthing the words and waving red flags or camo hats to greet the officers on the shore.

Dongdong was full of energy and disregarded piloting to step up to the bow and beat the rhythm.

Captain Fan steered the boat while Xiao Chen assisted with the music playback.

Han Yu couldn't even drum the beat anymore, so he handed over the task of "celebrating" with the shore officers to Dongdong and quickly returned to the command cabin for some water to moisten his throat.

Unexpectedly, just as he poured the water, Huang Yuanchang called.

Han Yu hurriedly answered, "Director Huang, is there a danger?"

"Not at the moment."

"You startled me, what's going on?"

"Are you all playing music and singing on the river?"

"Yeah, the command cabin isn't very soundproof, you heard it?"

Huang Yuanchang had just returned to the anti-flood command office, and looking at the leaders waiting in the office across, he whispered, "I didn't hear it on the phone; it's what the military region commander said while calling Deputy Governor Zhou earlier. He said your song was well played, and the soldiers guarding the embankment sang well too; he mentioned that it's crucial to boost morale at times like this."

Han Yu instinctively asked, "How did the military region commander know?"

"They inspected the embankment."

More than the commander's inspection, Han Yu was concerned about whether there would be flood diversion. Unable to contain himself, he said, "Director Huang, coming from this way, although the water level is pretty high, the sub-dam is even higher, I think we can hold it. Will the silt barrier outside North Gate be detonated?"

"No detonation, no diversion."

"Decided?"

Once more glancing at the office diagonally across, Huang Yuanchang gripped the phone excitedly, saying, "Decidedly, General had previously said 'this administration will never divert flood', and Vice President reiterated it this afternoon, otherwise the Central Military Commission wouldn't command all units to be on the embankment tonight."

Finally hearing the news he most wanted.

Han Yu felt emotional enough to cry, mumbling, "Great, the current water level is nearly as high as during the fourth flood peak; if we could withstand the fourth, we can withstand this!"

"Indeed, I believe that as long as the military and civilians work together, we can certainly hold." Huang Yuanchang took a deep breath, then switched topics: "Salted Fish, is Reporter Wang with you?"

"He is."

"Why is his phone unreachable?"

"You need to find him for something?"

"Not me, it's the military district's political department looking for him; I'll give you a number, and have him call back promptly."

Reporter Wang wasn't part of the troop, why would the military district's political department want him?

Han Yu was genuinely worried, fearing Reporter Wang wrote something inappropriate. Hastily jotting down the number Huang Yuanchang provided, he ran below to the crews' quarters to awaken the overexhausted Reporter Wang.

"Uncle Wang, why would military leaders look for you?"

"Likely about the article."

Reporter Wang rubbed his eyes, took the note Han Yu handed, and immediately inserted the charging battery, navigating to the number on the note.

"Hello, I'm Binjiang Radio Station's reporter Wang Xiangguang, may I ask why you're looking for me... Chief Yang is looking for me, ah, alright, alright, I'll call him back immediately. Oh, how did he find you guys, got it, sorry for the trouble."

Reporter Wang didn't have time to explain to Han Yu, quickly retrieving another number and continued dialing.

The call connected quickly, despite the loud noise in the cabin, Reporter Wang turned up the phone's volume. Han Yu clearly heard the other end say, "Director Wang, my apologies, it's been almost six days since we received your article, and today is the first chance we've had to call you back."

"No problem, Chief Yang, is the article publishable?"

"Director Wang, your article isn't just an all-encompassing anti-flood report; it also accurately pointed out shortcomings in the current publicity, though these shortcomings are not caused by our military media. Of course, our publicity efforts aren't flawless either."

"Chief Yang, I don't mean to blame you, and I know it's largely unrelated to your department. Besides, the officers participating in the flood defense deserve attention. I've personally witnessed many touching moments over the month traveling from Beihu to Hui'an, then back again, including soldiers risking everything plugging breach points, using raw human strength against the flood. However, we can't overlook the significant role and contributions made by the vast civilian militia reserve force in flood defense and rescue efforts."

Reporter Wang took a deep breath, emphasizing, "Speaking about jumping into breach points to hold back floods, civilian soldiers have also done it. Regarding sacrificing precious lives, civilians have made that sacrifice too! How many liberation army officers are involved in Yangtze River Basin flood defense? How many civilian militia reserve forces participated?

In comparison to liberation army and armed police officers, civilian militia reserve forces not only outnumber them, but also were on the embankment earlier. They were the first to go up and even the last to come down. Lots of civilian soldiers had their own homes flooded yet still went elsewhere for flood rescue.

And now, media attention is solely focused on liberation army and armed police personnel. Frankly speaking, even posthumous welfare doesn't match that of active-duty officers, not to mention sacrificing themselves."

Now it dawns on Han Yu what Reporter Wang had written!

Han Yu was unaware of how to respond when the other party spoke, "I understand and empathize with your sentiment. The day I received your manuscript, I reported it to the higher-ups. The reason for calling today is to indicate that the higher-ups take this matter seriously.

By the latest, day after tomorrow morning, the Four Headquarters will jointly issue a statement emphasizing that more than five million civilian militia reserve forces participated in flood rescue operations and played a vital role."

Reporter Wang furrowed his brow asking, "Just emphasized the vital role?"

"The higher-ups asked for documentation and I drafted one saying more than five million reserve forces became the main force and assault team for flood operations. Whether the higher-ups will adopt this remains unclear. Nonetheless, when the higher-ups issue a communiqué, it will include situations of civilian and reserve forces' contributions during flood rescue operations, which I personally penned.

I referenced much of the content from your article, also having colleagues verify with each military region and request reporting of touching stories about civilian and reserve forces. We'll objectively and comprehensively summarize, but this situation report won't be signed as it's not a typical news release."

Without hesitation, Reporter Wang said, "The signature doesn't matter, what's important is not dismissing the contributions of millions of civilian militia reserve forces."

"Director Wang, rest assured, the higher-ups recognize this, and won't dismiss those contributions. Moreover, civilian militia reserve forces are an integral part of our liberation army."

"Alright, I am relieved."

"And once the Four Headquarters' joint communiqué is issued, we'll arrange for the publication of your article as well."

"The headline, do you want to change it?"

"No need to change it, just use your original one."

"Great, thank you, President Yang!"

"Director Wang, we should be the ones thanking you. Thank you for traveling all over the Yangtze River Basin, interviewing so many Civilian Militia Reserve Forces, and providing us with so much detailed material."

...

Reporter Wang really stands out.

Years ago, an article drew national attention to the illegal harvesting of eel fry.

Now, an article again causes a stir with the Four Headquarters, prompting them to issue a joint notice.

Han Yu listened with quiet awe and couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Wang, how did you write your previous headline?"

Reporter Wang removed the phone battery to continue charging it and casually said, "The original headline was 'Millions of Iron Flood Troops, Eight or Nine out of Ten are Civilian Militia Reserve Forces.'"

This headline is quite sensitive, especially at this critical juncture.

Right now, if you turn on the TV, it's full of images of the liberation army soldiers fighting floods fearlessly. The whole nation is moved, even to tears. Posting such an article at this moment implies the liberation army soldiers are merely supporting roles, while the Civilian Militia Reserve is the main character.

In fact, the number of Civilian Militia Reserve Soldiers involved in flood relief is indeed far greater than that of active duty soldiers.

The news yesterday reported 300,000 liberation army soldiers engaged in flood relief, but this 300,000 refers to those working nationwide. The Yangtze River Basin accounts for at most half.

Can 150,000 soldiers guard the Yangtze River embankment? Clearly not. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Han Yu doesn't know about other places, only that without the tens of thousands of Civilian Militia Reserve Soldiers, local Party cadres, and people along the line, the mere thousands of liberation army soldiers couldn't possibly hold the Jingjiang Embankment.

Thinking of these things, Han Yu couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Wang, did you write about our camp?"

"I wrote about the entire Yangtze River Basin, how could I write just about you?"

"So you mentioned our camp?"

"I mentioned it briefly."

"That's enough. Actually, we don't really need publicity right now."

"Look at how pleased you are. Speaking of touching deeds, there are many among the Civilian Militia Reserve Forces. Your camp certainly doesn't rank among them. San'er, I'm saying this even if it might not make you happy—compared to them, your deeds don't quite align with 'touching'."

"I know, the Jingzhou Military District had several militia members sacrificed. Their deeds are truly touching and should be promoted more."

...

Chatted for a while, returning to the deck, it was already dark.

On both banks of Jingjiang, some sections of the embankment were brightly lit, others showed the glow of flashlights and kerosene lamps, with shadows everywhere.

To ensure navigation safety, the lighting facilities of the engineering fleet were quite comprehensive, but only showed night-time signal lights and shapes—the 'chorus' had ended, and only the roar of the main and auxiliary engines could be heard.

Han Yu wanted to call Boss Huang to inquire about the situation, but unexpectedly, Captain Peng called.

"Captain, it's Salted Fish, any instructions?"

"I don't have any instructions. I just saw you and called to say hello."

"Where are you?"

"We are on the embankment. I can see you. Is the Political Commissioner on board?"

"The Political Commissioner is on the big 001. I'm on the small 001. I'll come over to see you!"

"No, don't come over. You focus on your tasks, carrying out your duties is more important."

Han Yu looked at the flashlight lights flickering on the embankment, asking, "Captain, how's the situation over there? Do you need emergency supplies? We have quite a lot and can spare some for you."

Captain Peng looked toward the sailing fleet and replied, "No need, we can hold it. Your supplies are crucial, save them for critical moments."

"Alright, then we'll be on our way."

"Go ahead, we'll gather once we've overcome this flood peak."

Li Shousong and others didn't realize they were passing by the main force, otherwise they'd certainly be both excited and regretful.

Excited because after nearly a month apart, they were finally reunited.

Regretful because the Captain, Chief of Staff, and other leaders and comrades of the First and Third Battalions were on the bank, yet they couldn't go ashore to reunite with their leaders and comrades.

Han Yu was filled with emotions, when surprisingly, a senior he'd avoided disturbing, busy commanding flood relief and rescue, called him.

Seeing the caller ID, he deeply missed his senior, daughter, and home, quickly answering, "Xiang Ning, what made you think to call me?"

"Are you busy now?"

"Not busy."

"Glad you're not busy." Han Xiang Ning, holding the phone, glanced back at her mom watching TV with Han Han in her arms, said, "We're watching Central TV's disaster relief gala. The host says you might need to divert the flood, is it true?"

"We are prepared to divert the flood, but haven't yet."

"Will you need to divert it?"

"It depends on the situation; from the present conditions, it seems we can hold it. But now, with the flood peak just passing through, no one can say for sure in the end."

"Be careful."

"I know."