Chapter 47: Rescue

12:51

Lin Feng knocked on the door of his director’s office.

“Director, today is the day to test the public servants.”

He stared at the director, his lips barely curving upwards, trying to force out his usual smile. However, his facial muscles were tense, and there was no hint of a smile in his eyes, replaced by unconcealed anxiety.

His fingers unconsciously rubbed together.

In the director’s startled gaze, Lin Feng quickly explained the situation.

Director: “Possible, large-scale, deaths? Lin Feng, do you know what you’re saying? Has your brain melted? You believe such a baseless thing, and you come to request dispatch without even knowing the situation? Are you tired of wearing this criminal police captain’s hat, or do you think this director’s position is too stable?”

This time, Lin Feng didn’t retort, nor did he smile.

He just said, “Director, it’s a message from Qin Qing, she’s on site.”

The director frowned: “Is it… that Qin Qing?”

“Exactly that one.” Lin Feng looked up at the clock on the office wall, urging, “Director, we don’t have much time left.”

The director looked at Lin Feng, as if trying to discern any trace of deception in his eyes.

However, there was none. Nothing but anxiety.

The thought flashed like lightning.

The director gritted his teeth and picked up the desk phone beside him.

Before he dialed, Lin Feng said, “If it’s fake…”

The director had already quickly dialed the number, without hesitation, his demeanor could even be described as calm.

“If it’s fake, I’ll accept it. Anyway, I’m about to retire, and I’m willing to stake my future for the safety of the people. Even if there’s only a one-in-ten-thousand chance.”

Pressing the dial button, the director finally instructed Lin Feng: “You go ahead first, don’t worry, I’ve got your back.”

The old director had worked in the system for decades, possessing connections, prestige, and authority.

Lin Feng was relieved.

The only thing worrying now was time. 40 minutes, too short, not even enough to get there from the sub-bureau.

The public servants were racing against time.

12:53

Shanyu City disaster accident, Orange-level Emergency Plan activated.

Emergency response level, Level I.

In the first-floor conference room of the Municipal Hall, the Emergency Command Center was established on the spot, with Deputy Secretary Yan serving as the general commander.

All relevant departments in the emergency plan immediately entered emergency status.

12:55

Traffic police along Yudai Gorge received a notice from the control center.

“Urgent notice: Road sections 1231 to 1246, please be advised, immediately implement emergency disaster plan 3. Repeating…”

Ding Qing was an intern traffic police officer on duty in the Yudai Gorge section. The emergency notice came over the walkie-talkie just as she finished her shift handover with a colleague.

When the notice sounded, both she and her colleague were startled.

Colleague: “What’s going on? The control center didn’t explain clearly?”

Ding Qing put her traffic uniform back on, not bothering to button it, just fastening the Velcro on the front.

Due to the heat, she had already taken it off and was holding it, wearing only her sweat-soaked T-shirt underneath.

Putting on her hat, she said to her equally intern colleague, “The situation is urgent, probably no time to explain. Let’s just obey orders.”

She emphasized to her colleague, “Emergency plan 3 means we need to clear the rightmost lane for an emergency lane. Quick, you go first, I’ll follow.”

With that, Ding Qing put her whistle to her lips, walked to the middle of the road, and began directing traffic.

Soon, voices of colleagues on duty in other sections came over the walkie-talkie.

“Reporting to control center, warning signs have been set up on road section 1231 to prohibit subsequent vehicles from passing, and vehicles are being guided to detour. Report complete.”

“Reporting to control center, warning signs have been set up on road section 1246 to prohibit subsequent vehicles from passing, and vehicles are being guided to detour. Report complete.”

“Reporting to control center, the right lane of road section 1232 is clear. Report complete.”

“Reporting to control center, the right lane of road section 1235 is clear. Report complete.”

Ding Qing picked up the walkie-talkie to report the situation in her section.

“Reporting to control center, the right lane of road section 1238 is clear. Report complete.”

Vehicles were jammed in a single lane, unmoving, as if welded to the road.

On the city traffic radio in the cars, the laughing male and female hosts abruptly stopped their banter, and with a serious tone, reported: “Urgent traffic update: The road section from Yuxia Town to Yudai Gorge is severely congested in both directions due to an unexpected accident and traffic restrictions. Please detour, citizens.”

Sweat poured down Ding Qing’s face as if it were raining.

It was indeed hot, and also due to the urgency.

A car owner got out to offer her iced water.

“Officer, what’s the situation now, and how long will the traffic jam last?”

Ding Qing didn’t take the water, wiping her face with her sleeve, which was useless; the sweat got into her eyes, making them sting and hard to open.

She told the car owner to get back in their car: “We don’t know either, please be patient, thank you for your cooperation. Don’t get out of the car, get back in. You can’t block the road here.”

The car owner had no choice but to get back into their car and turn on the air conditioning.

Then they saw several vehicles whizzing past. First, a fire truck, leading the way with its sirens on.

Soon after, several military trucks followed in succession.

Ding Qing stepped back to the roadside, saluting the passing vehicles.

A car owner witnessing this grand sight unconsciously murmured, “My goodness, have they finally decided to go to war?”

Then he pulled out his phone and called home: “Wife, wife, it might be war, quickly take leave from work and go home to stock up on rice and vegetables.”

Time rewound a few minutes.

12:58

The Municipal Office Emergency Command Center received a report.

City Fire Department urgently reported: “Reporting to the command center, according to the latest information, one of our fire brigades, after completing its scheduled mission, is currently on its way back to base, estimated to be about 3 kilometers from the accident site. Given the current emergency, an order has been issued to redirect this team immediately to provide emergency support. We will continue to monitor the team’s movements, and ask the command center to prepare for coordination and guidance.”

City Garrison Command urgently reported: “Our city’s National University of Defense Technology cadets are on their way back to school after completing their summer field training. Currently, the trucks carrying the cadets are approximately 5 kilometers from the accident site. Given this, these cadet forces have been urgently mobilized and are accelerating their journey, expected to arrive at the scene and participate in rescue operations in 6 minutes. Please provide further instructions to the command center to ensure their actions are coordinated with the on-site rescue.”

Deputy Secretary Yan of the Command Center: “Command center received. Prioritize the personal safety of citizens and avoid secondary risks during rescue operations. Collaborate closely with other on-site rescue teams, maintain clear communication, and update the situation at all times. The responsibility is immense, please do your utmost.”

“Yes, please rest assured, Command Center.”

13:00

At the Wild Creek entrance.

Qin Qing felt powerless.

Without going into the river, what they could do was truly limited. Preventing new arrivals from entering the river had already consumed considerable energy, even leading to physical altercations.

Under the loud shouts from the megaphone, some people who didn’t understand at first also came ashore.

But seeing that the people shouting were just ordinary citizens, they directly cursed them for being crazy and ruining their fun.

Some people, after coming ashore, waited on the road, just in case.

And another group of people, again carrying their belongings, tried to go down to the river.

Some were stopped, but there were still some who slipped through.

Those still hesitating in the wild creek, seeing this situation, completely stopped moving, watching it as a spectacle.

13:01

A fire truck arrived at the scene.

Officials were finally here, and Qin Qing breathed a sigh of relief.

Firefighters organized people to evacuate, and more directly rushed to the wild creek to pull people ashore.

But the manpower of one fire team was, after all, limited.

The sky was clear and bright.

It didn’t create a sense of crisis, and some of the evacuated crowds returned, gathering by the roadside to watch the commotion.

The firefighters were like an overwhelmed sheepdog, herding a lazy flock.

13:04

National University of Defense Technology cadets arrived at the scene.

The green tarpaulin was lifted, and cadets in camouflage uniforms jumped directly out of the truck, their faces young, but they were well-trained.

A middle-aged military officer, without shoulder insignia, emerged from the driver’s cab.

Qin Qing, squeezed in the crowd, watched him make a few gestures.

The cadets were divided into four groups: one group headed straight down to the wild creek entrance to assist the earlier firefighters.

One group went forward, and another went back to other entrances of the wild creek.

The last group remained in place, guiding and directing the onlookers.

These cadets might not even be as old as the children of the citizens present.

But they wore that green uniform, that uniform representing “people first, selfless devotion,” appearing wherever they were needed.

The people trusted that uniform.

Almost without much shouting or emphasis, the onlookers followed their instructions.

No probing questions, no feigned obedience.

The People’s Liberation Army has always been for the people.

Someone in the crowd shouted, “Quick, check the news release online!”

Only then did people realize that, minutes earlier, official media outlets had posted messages on various social media platforms.

Shancheng DailyV: A major accident has occurred in the undeveloped wild creek tributary section of Yudai Gorge in our city. Citizens at the scene are urged to evacuate immediately.

Ping’an ShanyuV, Shanyu ReleaseV, Shanyu Youth LeagueV, and other accounts also posted similar information.

Immediately after, almost simultaneously, a flurry of text message alerts rang out in the crowd.

Qin Qing noticed her phone vibrating too.

[Shanyu City Public Safety Alert]

A major accident has occurred in the undeveloped wild creek tributary section of Yudai Gorge in our city. The Municipal Government has activated its emergency mechanism. The Municipal Government reminds all citizens, if you or your family/friends are in this area, please evacuate to the highway before 13:30. Please follow the instructions of on-site rescue personnel, prioritize safety, and do not linger. Citizens are asked to remain calm, not to panic, and to pay attention to official information to avoid believing or spreading rumors.

The scene instantly became chaotic.

But the good thing was, those still packing up by the creek became more anxious.

The middle-aged military officer without shoulder insignia, holding a megaphone, shouted, “Is there a citizen named Qin Qing here?”

The scene was too noisy, Qin Qing’s voice might not be heard.

Qin Qing grabbed the nearest camouflage-clad young man: “I am Qin Qing.”

The camouflage-clad young man looked at the instructor with the megaphone, then lifted the cordon to let her in.

Qin Qing quickly ran towards the middle-aged military officer: “Hello, I am Qin Qing.”

The officer, checking the newly received information, asked: “24 years old, graduated from Shanyu University?”

Qin Qing: “Yes, that’s me.”

The middle-aged officer quickly stood at attention and saluted her.

“National University of Defense Technology instructor Yuan Xin. I am temporarily in charge of coordination here. Thank you for your contribution to the safety of the people.”

After the salute.

Qin Qing: “Hello, Instructor Yuan.”

Yuan Xin: “Hello. I received instructions from my superiors that you might be needed to continue helping here.”

Qin Qing: “Please tell me, I will do my best.”

Yuan Xin shook his head: “Not now. I’m still waiting for further instructions from my superiors. Stand by.”

He also didn’t know or understand why such a citizen needed to be kept on site, or what kind of help she could provide.

He didn’t even know exactly what had happened.

But he didn’t need to know or understand.

A military order was a battle opportunity; all he had to do was execute it.

Execute it one hundred percent.

He and his soldiers were temporarily assigned, acting on orders.

So far, his soldiers had done very well.

Qin Qing wanted to ask about the situation, but saw Yuan Xin leave her and quickly walk to the other side, catching a cadet who was about to go down.

That camouflage-clad young man had twisted his ankle from rushing and was now limping.

Yuan Xin caught him, wasted no words, and directly ordered: “You stay on the road and do evacuation work.”

Then he pointed to another person nearby: “Soldier, take his place.”

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

In less than twenty seconds, the handover was completed swiftly and without delay.

Yuan Xin retreated, standing by the roadside, continuing to oversee the overall situation.

Below.

A mischievous child ran far out on the riverbank.

Seeing a group of unfamiliar cadets, he was scared stiff on the spot.

Unable to find the child’s parents for a moment, the cadets didn’t care about that; their order was to prioritize efficiency.

They grabbed the child and passed him up, regardless of who the child was.

They formed a relay line, passing the slower children up first.

The children who had already reached safety, without their parents, cried in unison.

Ladies also in the safe area spontaneously formed a circle, enclosing the children. This was to prevent anyone from abducting them amidst the chaos.

They searched their entire bodies, looking for things that could be used as toys to coax the children.

Pretty hair ties, keychains, bag charms, even decorations from Crocs…

They sang, told stories, used snacks, trying every possible way to distract the children and stop them from crying.

A young soldier brought a newly relayed child over, saw a circle, and paused for a moment. Then he unhesitatingly put the child into the circle.

As he turned to pick up the next child, he passed by Qin Qing, and Qin Qing heard him muttering, “It’s quite similar to my pigsty.”

But this did not affect his speed in moving another person.

Later, when more children came up, the soldiers automatically put them into the children’s circle.

Time passed minute by minute.

It was truly like watching a mountain run a horse to death, making one anxious.

It clearly looked like a short distance, and the tourists were trying their best to run, but they just couldn’t get up for a long time.

The riverbank was difficult to walk on, and some people, in their haste, fell. The young soldiers saw them and went to carry them.

Upstream of Yudai Gorge.

Prolonged heavy rainfall rapidly saturated the soil moisture, preventing surface water from infiltrating in time, forming runoff. At the same time, the water collection speed in the mountainous area was fast, and the rainfall quickly converted into stream flow, causing the water level to rise sharply.

13:25

Ten kilometers upstream along the creek.

The great mountain finally gave birth to a flash flood.

Sweeping a large amount of mud and sand, with roaring waves, the nascent flash flood rushed downstream like a giant beast.

Along the way, this giant beast, like an insatiable monster, continuously devoured trees and rocks along its path, growing larger.

A black goat was drinking water by the creek. It seemed to hear something, and then a muddy yellow wall of water struck.

The goat stood still and let out a “baa.”

It was instantly swallowed by the wall of water, without a struggle, its figure already gone.

At this moment, the people downstream still didn’t know what had happened.

13:27

City Meteorological Bureau.

Weather radar detected localized flooding.

“Report, it’s here, it’s really here.” Everyone gathered around.

“A flood has formed upstream of Yudai Gorge. The current water level is 15 meters and is still rising. The flood velocity exceeds 12 meters per second. It is estimated to reach the target location within 10 minutes.”

“Quick, report to the command center!”

“The real-time image has already been transmitted.”

13:29

At the entrance of the wild creek, there was still a last group of people who hadn’t evacuated to the highway.

In the children’s circle, a cute little girl nestled against her mother, tears still on her cheeks.

She pointed towards the wild creek, touched her mother’s face, and said, “Mom, someone is ringing a bell over there.”

No one laughed at the child’s innocent words.

The adults heard it too.

It was a dull, clanging sound.

“d~u~ong~”

“d~u~ong~”

“d~u~ong~”

Each sound stronger than the last.

In the military truck, the phone rang.

Yuan Xin didn’t answer the phone; he rushed towards the wild creek entrance.

“Quick, quick, no time left.”

He rushed down, pulling the exhausted soldiers, pushing the last people.

13:31

The flood crest arrived.

Everyone saw the giant beast, coming with overwhelming force.

Almost scrambling and tumbling, at the last moment, Yuan Xin pushed the last soldier onto the highway.

Their location was a large bend where the wild creek flowed downstream.

When the flood crest arrived, it made an abrupt stop here before turning away.

The muddy yellow water foamed against the bank, splashing higher than the road. The water fell, hitting the onlookers by the roadside, soaking their heads and faces.

Some people were hit by the water and lost their footing, almost falling, but were pulled back by those next to them, narrowly escaping disaster.

This sudden change made people weak in the knees; some directly fell to the ground, muttering, “Oh my goodness.”

Even more, some directly burst into tears.

Fear after the fact.

On such a hot day, their backs were cold.

If it had been a little later, even just a little…

Crying can be contagious, and so can happiness.

With emotions fluctuating wildly, those who had survived the ordeal hugged familiar and unfamiliar people around them, crying and shouting.

“I’m alive! I’m alive again, you stupid King of Hell, I [expletive]!”

He wasn’t the only one going crazy.

The police arrived belatedly.

Several police cars and ambulances arrived one after another.

Lin Feng got out of the police car, and even standing in the middle of the road, he could see the high water level.

That height made him instinctively take half a step back.

Qin Qing saw Lin Feng arrive.

She retreated from the roadside.

Lin Feng walked over.

Qin Qing felt a wave of exhaustion surge from deep within her, even though she had done nothing.

She didn’t have much strength, but she smiled at Lin Feng and said, “Officer Lin, well done.”

Lin Feng, uncharacteristically, didn’t smile. He said, “You too.”

Then, he clicked his heels together, stood tall with his chest out, and raised his right hand flat, fingertips touching his temple.

His expression was solemn.

Qin Qing received her second military salute of the day.

The only ones in her life.