Chapter 376 - 306: No sooner has one wave subsided, another rises.

"Damn, it was Old Cao who ran slow just now; Master He saw it!" Ye Jiahong cursed under his breath.

Zhang Yang was even more displeased, "Damn it, Fang Huai didn’t run, so if we stand by the office door, and when Old Teacher He comes, we’ll just say we’re discussing matters, any problem?"

Fang Huai’s eyes widened, "Do you think Old Teacher He is a fool? He won’t believe a damn thing you say! If he catches you on the spot, he’ll give each of you a kick, believe it or not?"

The three of them kept blaming each other all the way, but no one mentioned that they shouldn’t have been eavesdropping.

It was such a big deal; they had to listen!

According to Old Teacher He’s voice, the plan should have a result by the end of the month.

When Fang Huai returned to the squadron, he received a system prompt.

The task completion reached 180 points.

Instead of presenting a choice of reward, it directly granted him a "Waist Strength Increase."

Feeling the substantial sense of strength increase in his waist, Fang Huai was inwardly elated but also a bit anxious.

What about the second round of internal organ strengthening? Gone?

He called the system half a day with no response.

Nothing to do but let it go for now.

Fang Huai was filled with helplessness towards this weak system.

Dammit, even with reincarnation, I can’t enjoy a good thrill! I’m still far from being a superhero!

Given the current situation, the only way to quickly enhance physical strength seems to be through military merits bringing "Core Strength Enhancement," but this enhancement has demands on the body’s limb strength as well; it requires balanced strength throughout the body.

He has strengthened his core twice already; A-level strengthening for First-Class Merit is probably not compatible at the moment.

The system has already provided him with muscle potential far beyond that of normal humans, but as of now, he’s still not nearly muscular enough.

He needs to train hard!

...

The atmosphere was cheerful at lunch.

Everyone kept praising Chang Ming’s cooking skills and Special Duty’s meals, reminiscing about the food in Sichuan that couldn’t really be called food, just carbohydrates to keep one alive.

Of course, they also lamented that the drop-in troops at Yingxiu had it even worse, giving their rations to the civilians during those days of rescue at Gushan and eating what was essentially pig feed.

Fang Huai did not partake in these topics, but sat next to Zhang Yang.

The two discussed how to cut costs and amend the squadron renovation plan if necessary.

As they were talking, Zhang Yang’s cell phone rang.

Old Cao picked up his cell phone, and upon seeing the caller ID, his brow furrowed with a tinge of panic, he said:

"Damn, Master He’s calling, he isn’t about to chew me out, is he?"

As he spoke, he looked at Fang Huai and Ye Jiahong, the culprits who had been snooping in the afternoon.

Ye Jiahong was quite confident, "Impossible! If Master He wants to scold someone, he definitely wouldn’t have held back until now. He’d be pissed off just holding back for twenty minutes!"

That made sense.

Zhang Yang relaxed his brow and answered the call, standing up and walking out of the canteen.

The voice was soft at first, but soon resounded through the corridor outside.

"Wangmo?!"

Hearing these two words, Fang Huai’s heart tightened, and he stood up abruptly.

The others also looked over, catching the conversation outside.

"Wasn’t Wangmo where they had the major flood the year before last?"

Fang Huai confirmed it again in his mind, incessantly recalling.

Damn... wasn’t it supposed to be in June? How did it change to May?

Southwest Guizhou, Wangmo...

What a tough place.

He had heard about this disaster many times in his previous life from a comrade who was transferred from the Southwest Guizhou Detachment.

Wangmo was already a poor place, and between 2006 and 2011, three major floods occurred in six years.

And each one was more severe than the last.

In 2006, it was an eighty-year flood; in 2008, a once-a-century flood; in 2011, a two-hundred-year flood.

The concept of a flood being a certain number of years’ event is a statistical one, professionally referred to as the recurrence period. It’s not the history of the disaster occurrence, but a category of disaster level.

For example, a century flood means that this level of flood has a 1% probability of occurring each year over a long period.

Many places in Guizhou have the saying "no three days of clear skies," and rainfall has been topping the charts in recent years. Reaching this level is already very significant, with any floods above fifty years’ event considered major floods.

Fang Huai had no prior notice or preparation for this disaster because heavy rainfall can be predicted by weather forecasts, and floods accumulate over time.

Having suffered before, the place should have been on alert.

"Yes, yes, Instructor, I understand! I’ll ask them right now!"

Zhang Yang’s voice was returning to the canteen outside.

Everyone inside had already figured out what was happening.

As Zhang Yang’s face appeared at the entrance of the canteen, everyone in the squadron stood up.

Before Zhang Yang could speak, Hao Chengbin loudly said:

"No need to ask, we must go when there’s a disaster!"

This statement immediately sparked everyone’s affirmation.

"Right! Where is it? We’ll go!"

"We have to go! Else, why would we wear these uniforms?"

Zhang Yang sternly said, "Southwest Guizhou, Wangmo, over two hundred kilometers away, there’s been a major thunderstorm there, are you guys physically up to it?"

"What can’t we withstand? We’ve got to handle it! Otherwise, Fang Huai’s going to keep scheming to get us into training!"

Liu Jianfeng’s remark caused laughter among everyone.

"Right! Disaster relief is better than training! If it were training, I really couldn’t hold up right now!"

"Just in time, the earthquake damaged a bunch of equipment. Now, let’s go and write off the water rescue gear and replace it all with new stuff!"

Fang Huai did not join in their jests; instead, he spoke quite seriously:

"Just right, time for water rescue to prove our worth."

Zhang Yang’s expression became serious.

He really hadn’t thought about that just now.

With his thoughts whirling, he wasted no more time, glanced at his watch, and instructed:

"Twenty minutes from now, everyone get dressed in emergency rescue suits, with spring camouflage, and assemble outside the building!

Zhang Yang, Hu Hongzhi, Qin Hongjun, you three don’t have to go! Stay home and recuperate!"

The three who had just finished their infusion, still weakly holding spoons and eating, felt unsatisfied upon hearing this.

"Instructor, I want to go!"

"I’m going too!"

Zhang Yang glared, without a hint of question in his stance, "Go to hell! This is an order!"

After speaking, he waved at Fang Huai and headed outside.

Fang Huai looked at the table full of fresh and bright food, grabbed a few big mouthfuls of food with his chopsticks like a bandit, took his bowl, and walked outside.

A battle had to be fought, but a meal still had to be eaten.

The entire cafeteria suddenly erupted with the sound of chopsticks and bowls clanging.

...

Outside the courtyard, Cao Yi, with hands behind his back, said:

"The instructor said that there’s a big difference in rainfall, somewhere between 50 and 120 millimeters, but there are many river valleys in the county, leading to significant water accumulation.

Other disaster situations are still unclear, and the rain keeps falling. Right now, some areas are experiencing thunderstorms.

Besides carrying standard equipment, do you have any suggestions?"

Fang Huai thought for a moment and said:

"The situation is different from an earthquake this time. We have fire trucks accompanying us, so we don’t have to think too hard about it.

Besides, if we’re short on equipment, we can have the drivers go back for replenishments.

We should take some extra fire hooks and some telescopic insulating rods, rope—this time bring some thicker ones—diving gear, throwers, kayaks, and since we’re going at night... bring more flashlights."

Cao Yi stroked his chin and asked in a low voice:

"Do you think... we should try to stand out a bit more this time?"

Fang Huai responded with a smile, "How should we stand out?"

Cao Yi scratched his head and said, "The instructor mentioned there’s a group of reporters at Dayi Town. He told us to be mindful of our image.

How about we make an appearance first?

I’m not using this to show off! There haven’t been any reports of casualties yet, and according to what the instructor said, they’re also directing us to head there!"

Fang Huai contemplated seriously for a moment, then shook his head:

"Let’s talk about that when we get there. It’s right to make an appearance, but I think the method is wrong. We’re setting up a water rescue sub-team for a reason—to tackle tough situations.

Let’s survey the site first when we arrive.

If possible, we can contact the local brigade and have them forward the emergency calls from trapped civilians in remote areas where rescue is difficult to us, so we can go to help them.

During the rescue process, we can have Meng Qiang record everything, and afterwards, I’ll write the brief report to post on the headquarters intranet. As for the reporters, we’ll play it by ear. If they want on-site footage, just give them a copy. That won’t interfere with the rescue efforts."

"Hmm..." Cao Yi nodded, "There is a Brigade Command Center over there. It’s not the local squadron that’s receiving the calls, I’ll give Old Teacher He a call and ask him to get in touch."

Fang Huai saw the anxiety on his face hadn’t subsided and comforted, "Instructor Cao, planning takes time. Don’t rush it."

Upon hearing this, Cao Yi put his hands behind his back again and, while walking forward, laughed and said:

"I’m anxious because the blueprint you’ve drawn is too beautiful. After working here for so many years, who wouldn’t want to see a Second Squadron like that as soon as possible."

...

6:20.

The soldiers of the Second Squadron were dressed in emergency rescue suits, lined up neatly in formation.

Three soldiers who had got a fever and infusion wanted to join the lineup but were pushed out by everyone, so they could only stand to the side of the formation.

"We’re setting off again."

Cao Yi stood in front of the squad and shouted, "In the face of the disaster situation..."

He’d barely begun when suddenly,

"Reporting!" Hu Hongzhi called out.

Cao Yi twisted his mouth, "In the face of the disaster situation..."

"Reporting!" Zhang Yang called out again.

Cao Yi continued, undeterred, "In the face of the disaster situation..."

"Reporting!" Qin Hongjun joined the chain.

Cao Yi was confused by the interruptions, feeling like he was about to forget his lines.

He took a deep breath, "Damn it... good advice is wasted on a goddamn ghost, get in line!"

The three immediately scampered into formation.

"In the face of the disaster situation!..." Cao Yi felt a bit muddled but didn’t want to lose momentum. He blurted out, "The time has come again for the Party and The People to test us!..."

He stalled.

No one wanted to laugh in the face of the disaster, but it was a struggle to hold it in.

Seeing Sun Jingwu’s face turning red from trying not to laugh in the first row, Cao Yi said irritably, "... the recent tests have indeed been quite frequent!"

Now, some couldn’t contain their laughter anymore.

With a "tch", Chen Zhenghai’s nose ran.

But Cao Yi switched to a serious tone and said:

"What’s so funny? Isn’t it frequent? The ice disaster at the beginning of the year, the earthquake we’ve just come back from, and now a flood. Do you have any idea how much loss a disaster brings?

As firefighter soldiers, there’s only one situation where we can laugh in the face of disaster—when you’re sent on a suicide mission! Smile in the face of life and death!

A mere flood doesn’t merit a suicide mission! So, no laughing!

The requirements for this mission are twofold! First, evacuate the civilians and protect their lives. Second, protect yourselves! Under these circumstances, do your best to save the civilians’ property! You are not to take risks unless it’s absolutely necessary for rescue!

Water is treacherous, the winds are strong, and there’s still a thunderstorm going on! Safety first!

Start preparing the equipment now, we leave promptly at 6:40! Dismissed!"

...

As they packed their equipment, everyone got serious again, and the work went quickly.

Under the organization of Fang Huai, Equipment Technician Chen Gong, and Hao Chengbin, the equipment was loaded onto the vehicles in an orderly fashion.

As Fang Huai was moving equipment, he suddenly remembered something and stared off towards the night duty room.

As the last equipment door on the fire truck closed, Cao Yi didn’t waste any more time, boarded Car 1 on the passenger side, and shouted:

"Board the vehicles! Depart!"

Just as he was about to close the door,

it was blocked by Fang Huai.

Cao Yi looked towards him, "What’s the matter? Did we forget anything?"

Fang Huai said with an awkward smile, "Instructor, this time... can we ring the alarm bell before we go? I haven’t heard it in a long time and I’m really missing it."

Cao Yi’s face wrinkled up:

"What, you’re not used to it without an alarm bell? Can’t handle the quiet life? What’s wrong with you?... Pull it yourself!"

"Yes sir!"

Fang Huai snapped to attention, turned around, and ran towards the duty office.