Chapter 355 - 286: Carry Out in Batches

"The initial rescue efforts mainly relied on 4 cranes sent by Huaxi Construction as well as four workers from the cement factory down the hill.

"We arrived early, but we were effectively powerless without tools. Look at the current state of the roads; not even a generator can be transported in. Yesterday evening, Beichuan was enveloped in darkness, and all work had to stop.

"Flashlights were all allocated to the comrades from the Shenyang and Yixing Fire Brigades because they are professionals. Our comrades don’t understand construction or rescue; for the first few days, they were simply throwing themselves at the debris without sectional responsibility, relying solely on their consciences to save people.

"Only yesterday afternoon did we start to rescue scientifically, dividing into sectors and teams and incorporating military, firefighting, and medical personnel. Finally, our efficiency began to improve somewhat.

"It’s a pity, we have never faced anything like this before. Communication also couldn’t get through in the first two days, and we were groping in the dark.

"It’s hard to manage people; the casualties are too large. Many families are left with only one or two members, and they don’t want to live anymore. They just rush toward the areas where they believe their loved ones are trapped, squeezing through any gaps they find, and you can’t stop them. Turn your head, and they’re right back in there again. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have to resort to this last resort.

"The roads haven’t been cleared. Many roads that are repaired are destroyed again. And it’s all in mountainous areas; landslides are simply unavoidable and continuous.

"Yesterday, a temporary access route we had just repaired was blocked by a landslide as soon as it opened for traffic. Another zigzag path in the forest nearby was also destroyed by aftershocks and could no longer be used. We had to send people to lower those entering the city down the slope with ropes.

"It was only this morning that we managed to clear another route that is passable by foot into and out of the city.

"Rescue... that’s another issue.

"The people we rescued on the first day overwhelmed both the medical staff and facilities. There were cries for help everywhere in the rubble. Our trainees alone brought out 31 living people, but only about half survived.

"Now, there’s no sound coming from the rubble anymore. With the high temperatures and the fires, fewer and fewer people are being found alive."

The People’s Armed Police colonel was describing the situation inside, leading everyone from a slope practically made of industrial waste, into the city.

They found two three-wheeled carts willing to help. The troops were ordered to stand by on the spot, while the colonel took the three of them for a round of inspection.

The situation here really resembled a huge ruin.

Beichuan is divided into the new city and Old Town.

The new city and Old Town are completely separate, with a road in between. One side of Old Town is half covered by vegetation and rocks from a landslide, while the new city is slightly more open and in a slightly better condition, but not by much.

The buildings have not only collapsed but have also been displaced from their original positions. In many places, the wreckage isn’t just building by building, but lumped together in piles, crowded together.

The weather is extremely humid, and many roofs’ asphalt has been baked to the point of smoking.

Even after four days, the streets and buildings have still not been delineated, especially in Old Town. What should have been streets are littered with rubble, making even walking difficult.

There are many soldiers wearing masks on the streets, digging around, shouting, providing aid.

There aren’t many people in the rubble, but wherever there are some, there are a dozen or twenty people surrounding one to rescue them.

According to the colonel’s account, there are now over three thousand military and police officers inside. Just for decontamination tasks, there are several hundred people.

There are many people, but still, the disorderly and broken appearance remains unchanged.

Civilians wander recklessly in and out of dangerous buildings. There are not enough body bags for the dead on the streets, and many remain exposed. There are also many starving people, scrabbling through the rubble looking for food.

Post-earthquake relief is not just a matter of having military personnel.

Beichuan is suffering too much; with no roads, it relies entirely on manpower. Without timely assistance from various professionals in the society, it hardly resembles a city at all.

By the time the three-wheeled carts returned to the original spot, the three men got off, and the colonel also bid them farewell, hurrying back to the city outskirts to continue guarding that only access point.

"Major General Jin, let’s divide the work," Fang Huai thought for a long time before finally speaking up.

"Divide the work?" Major General Jin furrowed his brows.

"Yes," Fang Huai nodded: "The situation in Beichuan is completely different from what we imagined. Now there are many people, and many troops have already entered on foot.

"Our superiors ordered us to assist with the search and rescue upon entering, but I think... right now, there might be some tasks that are more effective than search and rescue.

"The current force of military and police is sufficient, but they should perhaps discuss with the Beichuan Command and the frontline command, to incorporate these 800 people into the effort to restore city order.

"Clearing the streets, guarding key institutions, standardizing resting areas and temporary tents—the supplies we brought should also be distributed at fixed points. The importance of fixed points cannot be overstated as this is the foundation of order; we need to give the county city the appearance of a county city.

"As for rescue efforts, I reckon there are probably not many survivors left by now. The thirty firefighters we have are already enough to make a difference. I also have some ideas in mind.

"Of course, once your soldiers are assigned to their work areas, they can participate in search and rescue as well. As for rescue, if people are found, they can call us to assist on the scene."

After listening, Major General Jin said, "I think we still need to request instructions from the front-line command."

Brigade Captain Chen also rarely offered an opinion:

"Mm, there needs to be a major coordination among the various disaster relief units. If the frontline command could direct and organize a meeting with the leaders of each unit to unify a plan that combines both management and relief efforts, that would be best.

"To assign our soldiers temporary posts and involve them in social work would be good. There is a huge stretch between the two city areas. With so many dead and the living emotionally wrought, we can’t just provide disaster relief; it’s too chaotic."

"Captain Chen is right," Fang Huai immediately agreed: "I’m going to find my unit now and discuss a rescue plan."

After hearing this, Major General Jin nodded: "Okay, go ahead and take our two-way radio with you. We’ll notify you if anything comes up."

...

On Fang Huai’s instruction, the people from the Guizhou Fire Brigade stepped out separately and gathered on a street.

Everyone looked at Fang Huai with a sense of bewilderment.

"Captain Huang, Instructor Cao, you are the leaders once again," Fang Huai checked his watch and got straight to the point.

"Disbanded? What’s going on? Aren’t we concentrating on rescue efforts anymore?" Cao Yi asked, confused.

It took Fang Huai two minutes to roughly explain the information he had received.

Then he said, "The situation here is different from other places. For the past three days, Beichuan has been experiencing high temperatures. I just checked, and some rooftops are already smoking at noon. I’m imagining myself trapped in those buildings, with no water for three days, I wouldn’t survive."

At this moment, Huang Yi also chimed in, hands on his hips, "You mean... we can’t save anyone anymore?"

"No." Fang Huai shook his head:

"I’m just saying that we’re about to exceed 96 hours. I think it’s time to shift our approach to rescue.

You can survive four days without food, but definitely not without water.

There are two places I can think of that are the most likely to have viable survival conditions.

First, the vegetable market, and second, there’s a water plant here.

I can only provide an idea; the rest is up to you to brainstorm.

Now that I can get in touch with the Command and request personnel, we need to split up and act separately. Three people form a team, sharing equipment equally, leading the troops into the areas most likely to have survivors."

This time, everyone immediately became more motivated upon hearing that they could lead the rescue.

"What about cool areas? When I came in, I noticed there were some places that were shaded all the time," Liu Jianfeng said.

Fang Huai frowned, "...That’s barely acceptable."

An experienced non-commissioned officer from the First Squadron also spoke up, "I think we need to get a map of the underground water pipes from them. Such a big earthquake would’ve definitely ruptured many underground pipes. If you’re buried nearby and have the presence of mind, there might be a chance to access and store a large amount of water.

This pipeline could allow two teams to search along it, just checking for broken sections. If it’s too far away there’s no point; the chances are slim."

Fang Huai nodded immediately upon hearing this, "Agreed. So now we have teams for the vegetable market, the water plant, and two teams for the pipeline, with six more teams remaining."

These words basically negated Liu Jianfeng’s suggestion of "cool areas."

Fang Huai was too lazy to criticize further, questioning how cool areas could shield from air temperature and allow someone to go four days without water?

Moreover, there were too many cool places!

"Supermarkets, convenience stores!" Hao Chengbin spoke up.

Fang Huai clicked his tongue and thought for a moment, "That’s feasible, but...I saw earlier that a lot of people were digging through those places. I think that with the shortage of supplies in Beichuan, the government and displaced people must have already rummaged through them."

"Cafeterias, restaurants — they have lots of vegetables and water," Wen Jingsong suddenly chimed in.

Fang Huai’s eyes lit up: "That’s workable! These places are worth having three teams search!"

Everyone looked puzzled when the two spoke.

Especially Wen Jingsong. The Second Squadron may not know Fang Huai’s attitude toward him, but it was crystal clear to the First Squadron.

Initially, it was disdain, then resentment. As Fang Huai’s reputation grew and more people thought he might get promoted, Wen Jingsong would leave the moment he heard Fang Huai’s name being discussed.

The talk of Fang Huai provoking Wen Jingsong had also spread.

Promotion slots in the fire service were limited, often a zero-sum game.

Fang Huai’s rise had delivered the biggest blow to Wen Jingsong, especially now that Fang Huai had been given significant responsibilities, everyone felt Wen Jingsong had no chance.

But now, he was actually offering his ideas proactively.

Over the past few days, Wen Jingsong had been working exceptionally hard, truly demonstrating the capabilities expected of a core member of the Special Duty Squadron.

Many felt that he had changed, become more positive.

Perhaps this sudden earthquake had awakened some long-dormant spirits?

There must have been some.

Fang Huai hadn’t thought too much about it.

In such times, every Chinese person has a responsibility, let alone him, a soldier.

Seeing that there were no more objections, Fang Huai didn’t hesitate and began giving orders:

"Alright, we now have three teams left. If there are no other suggestions, the remaining people will go along the streets, inquiring as they search, asking about all possible sources of water, making sure no stone is unturned.

The team assignments will be handled by the two squadron secretaries. Instructor Cao, I’ll go contact the front Command to explain the plan and request more personnel."

Cao Yi said with a barely concealed smile, "So will you be among them, Deputy Captain Fang?"

Fang Huai snapped to attention and said:

"Of course, after I get more people, I’ll be just a soldier, ready to follow your orders!"

"You’re sensible," Cao Yi joked for a rare moment, "When we get back, I’ll make you deputy secretary."

(Today I bought a small dog. It’s been very rowdy, barking for hours and threw off my entire day of writing. It’s caused a delay; apologies.)