Binjiang Police Affairs-Chapter 1084 - 707: We’ve Stabilized It!

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 time, putting the entire line of embankments on both sides of the Jingjiang in emergency, the Yangtze River embankment, 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 kilometers 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 meters and an elevation of 206 meters 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 metal structure of the dam can withstand forces exceeding design standards by 50%, allowing it to temporarily endure water levels approaching 204 meters.

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-meter 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 moment are risking their lives to relieve downstream pressure, if the Yangtze River embankment fails, the soldiers and civilians in emergency 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 kilometers downstream.

In short, all the possible methods have been thought of, everything that could be done has been done. Having repelled six flood peaks, whether they can withstand this time, Master Xi is really uncertain in his heart.

His head aches violently, smelling smoke makes it worse, just as he is about to get up to breathe some 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 time, 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 emergency 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 moment, 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 reinforcement is needed after it's built to the water-blocking height."

"How long to reinforce?"

"At least until noon tomorrow."

"Got it, report back timely 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 moment 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 mental 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 time 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 message, 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 me help you over there."

"You go do your work, don't mind me."

"Reinforcements are here, President Hao from the Second Team is more professional than me, 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 emergency 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 came to fight the flood at the beginning of August. Although their time 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 regiment fought fiercely at Duck Lake and bravely at Dongsheng Town; the Artillery Regiment staunchly defended Diu Jia Yuan; the division's direct troops and the 175th regiment fought hard at De Gong Tuo; the 178th regiment fought a large battle at Songzi River; the 179th regiment 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 members 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 come in? Although you are an emergency rescue assault team, your situation is different from ours. Your equipment 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 moment 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 meters high, with rainstorm lashing towards the New Moon Embankment at Hong Lake. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

The overflowing river water roared like a mountain torrent, its sound audible even a kilometer away. The flood rushed down, collapsing the courtyard wall of a pumping station on the New Moon Embankment and nearby houses, and the fir trees at the embankment'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 same night, just past 11:00 PM, a four-to-five-meter-long crack appeared at the Qingshan section of the Yangtze River embankment at Hong Lake. Within hours it expanded rapidly to 250 meters, with the gap widening from a finger's width to a palm's width, and over a meter deep, spewing large amounts of water through the crack. Fortunately, it was discovered in time, 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 mechanically."

Leader Qian seemed to understand what Han Yu meant and quietly asked: "If you had reached that civilian dike in time, 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 timely arrive, we must hold it. Whether it risks millions worth of engineering machinery can't be worried about right now."

"That's the right mentality; charge when it's time to charge, step up when it's time to step up."

"..."

"Why are you looking at me?"

"It's nothing."

"Salted Fish, honestly, you're becoming more soldier-like. If you want to become a real officer, you can consider special recruitment 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 something in Binjiang -- I mean public matters, not personal -- I can request assistance from relevant law enforcement vessels or personnel. In the military, could I deploy troops arbitrarily?"

Secretary Wang previously mentioned 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 recruitment 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 recruitment and serve a few years, when you return home, it might not match your current job and salary."