Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 1127 - Chapter 1127 Chapter 1083 Gathering Forces

Chapter 1127: Chapter 1083: Gathering Forces Chapter 1127: Chapter 1083: Gathering Forces “To Black Stone Town!”

As Nie Zhenbang spoke with finality, the accompanying staff began to mobilize. On the dike, the vehicles started moving, and Nie Zhenbang opened the car door and sat down. Here, Secretary Hong Feng also opened the door and sat in the passenger seat.

As the car started, Hong Feng passed over a pair of deep-tubed overshoes, saying, “Secretary, the dike is mired in much mud, and the surface is quite slippery. For your safety, you should put these overshoes on.”

Nie Zhenbang nodded his head. Just from the short walk he had taken earlier, the soles of his leather shoes had gathered a lot of mud, a thick layer that made his steps feel much heavier. In times like these, Nie Zhenbang was never one to stand on ceremony.

Ahead, Lushan City’s Party Secretary Liu Junwei’s car led the way, the procession of four vehicles traveling along the road below the Lushan Dike towards Black Stone Town.

The journey was not far, about ten miles’ distance, and now, after the rain had stopped, they could drive without any concern for speed. Racing along, it took them less than fifteen minutes to arrive at Black Stone Town.

Once upon the dike, a group of people had already come out to meet them. In front, Liu Junwei got out of the car for a brief exchange, and then the group headed towards Nie Zhenbang.

Having changed into the overshoes and stepped out of the car, Liu Junwei spoke up, “Secretary Nie, Mayor Xia Hong has been personally stationed here at Heishipu, and he is the most familiar with the situation here.”

Lushan City’s Mayor Xia Hong was someone Nie Zhenbang recognized. Nodding slightly, Nie Zhenbang said, “Comrade Xia Hong, you have worked hard. What is the situation at Heishipu? Is there no longer any danger at the places where piping occurred?”

Piping, by definition, is the phenomenon where the soil particles in the foundation or body of a dike are carried away by seepage flow. It usually occurs on flat ground inside a dike. Suddenly, water erupts from the ground, carrying a large amount of soil particles, which over time can damage the geological structure of the dike’s foundation–leading to a dike breach or crevasse.

In the Hongjiang area, this phenomenon is often referred to as “bubbling springs”. As the name implies, it’s like water bubbling up from a spring, but bringing forth water.

Xia Hong, around fifty years old, was not very tall and had somewhat dark skin. At that moment, one could clearly see a trace of fatigue on Xia Hong’s face.

Nie Zhenbang could understand this; given the current situation in Hongjiang Province, leaders from all over were holding the line against flooding. To be able to rest for three or four hours a day was a luxury.

At this time, Xia Hong composed himself before replying, “Secretary Nie, the situation is relatively stable at present, and there haven’t been many instances of piping. There also hasn’t been widespread piping. In terms of measures, we’ve adopted a combination of anti-filtration enclosures and retention basins, which has brought the piping under control for now. In addition, we’ve strengthened dike protection where piping has occurred to ensure absolute safety.”

Nie Zhenbang nodded and reached out his hand to shake hands with Xia Hong, his words earnest, “Comrade Xia Hong, you have worked hard.”

Then, Nie Zhenbang turned to Liu Junwei and said, “Comrade Junwei, please make the arrangements. I will stay here in Black Stone Town.”

After speaking, Nie Zhenbang walked along the dike towards the front, where large quantities of sand and gravel were piled up, with numerous armed police officers busily working there.

Along the dike, many local villagers with red armbands on their arms, carrying copper gongs, patrolled back and forth, inspecting the dike’s conditions.

Approaching the sand and gravel area, a captain turned around, stood at attention, and saluted, “Greetings, Chief. The Guard Company of the Hongjiang Provincial Armed Police Corps reports to you.”

Nie Zhenbang gestured with his hand and shook hands with the captain, “Captain, you’ve worked hard. I want to thank all the armed police officers on behalf of the fifty million people of Hongjiang. Please accept our sincere gratitude.”

Here, a tent had already been set up. Nie Zhenbang walked inside, where a desk had been placed in the center. An emergency light was hung in the tent, making it quite bright.

There were no chairs, and everyone was standing. Nie Zhenbang glanced at Liu Junwei and Xia Hong beside him, and slowly said, “Comrades, the ferocity of this year’s flood is unprecedented. Even calculating by the flow rate, this year’s flood has already surpassed the great flood of ’96. This poses an unprecedented challenge for our Hongjiang. The Lushan Dike is the most critical point in this flood fight. If the Lushan Dike fails, it would lead to a severe disaster for the entire province. So, at this time, we must fully commit to the battle to protect the Lushan Dike, and with a hundred percent effort, ensure the safety of the Lushan Dike.”

As he spoke, Nie Zhenbang turned to Xia Hong and said, “Comrade Xia Hong, what is still lacking in terms of materials in Lushan City? Whether it’s materials or manpower, just speak up. As long as I can do it, as long as the province can do it, I’ll make it clear here, the Provincial Committee and the Provincial Government will absolutely not set any barriers. All requests will be granted.”

Hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Liu Junwei and Xia Hong’s expressions became grave and serious. Secretary Nie’s words seemed like an advantage, but both of them were very clear that there was no such thing as a free lunch. With benefits, there would inevitably be risks.

It was like now, where human resources were provided if needed, and materials were given if demanded. Nie Zhenbang had only one goal in mind–regardless of what it took, the safety of the Lushan Dike had to be guaranteed at all costs. That was the most crucial task.

If there were any oversights, both of them would have to bear significant pressure and responsibility.

After a moment of contemplation, Xia Hong nodded and said, “Secretary Nie, at the moment, Lushan City’s reserves of woven bags and sand and gravel are still a bit low. Moreover, in terms of manpower, if possible, I hope we can allocate another troop here. Since initiating level one flood control precautions, it has been twenty days now. Many local officials haven’t left the dike for up to twenty days. Many of them have reached their physical limits. Manpower is what we are most in need of right now.”

Listening to Xia Hong’s explanation, Nie Zhenbang didn’t speak immediately. After pondering for a while, he looked up and said, “Alright. I will figure out a way for the materials and personnel. The specific coordination will be the responsibility of comrades Liu Junwei and Xia Hong. You must ensure the safety of the dike.”

After finishing speaking, Nie Zhenbang picked up the phone and directly dialed the number of Li Qisheng, the director of the Civil Affairs Department. As soon as the connection was made, Nie Zhenbang directly said, “Is that Comrade Li Qisheng? This is Nie Zhenbang. Right now, the Civil Affairs Department must do everything possible to urgently dispatch one thousand tents and twenty thousand life jackets as well as one million woven bags. Can you do it?”

Li Qisheng, succeeding Guo Nansheng as the director of the Civil Affairs Department and also being allied with his own faction, did not dare to dally in the slightest and nodded, “Secretary Nie, rest assured, I will make sure it is done.”

After hanging up the phone, Nie Zhenbang flipped through his mobile phone, found a number, and dialed it. When a voice came through from the other end, Nie Zhenbang directly said, “This is Nie Zhenbang, Secretary of the Hongjiang Provincial Committee. Please connect me to the command headquarters of the Yuezhou Military Region.”

After waiting for a moment, a sonorous voice came through the phone, “Comrade Zhenbang, hello.”

The speaker was the commander of the Yuezhou Military Region, General Gu Huijun. As a senior military leader in charge of a major military region, his status was even half a notch higher than his own. After all, not to mention anything else, there are only seven major military regions for over thirty provinces and cities in the country.

Therefore, in front of Gu Huijun, Nie Zhenbang didn’t dare to show any negligence. He smiled and said, “Commander Gu, hello, I apologize for disturbing you.”

General Gu Huijun exuded a strong military presence and was straightforward in his words and actions. After the pleasantries, Gu Huijun directly asked, “Secretary Zhenbang, is there something you’re calling for?”

Nie Zhenbang did not beat around the bush and straightforwardly said, “Commander Gu, I’m afraid I have to trouble you this time. Hongjiang Province is currently under immense pressure with flood control. The entire province has been mobilized, including the Provincial Military District, as well as stationed troops and armed policemen within Hongjiang Province. However, we still have a shortfall of personnel, and I’m seeking your support, Commander Gu. Can the Yuezhou Military Region allocate a troop to assist with the flood-fighting efforts in Hongjiang?”

Having said this, Nie Zhenbang added, “Commander Gu, please rest assured, I will not cause you any difficulty in terms of procedures. I will immediately report to the higher-ups.”

Gu Huijun pondered for a moment. Nie Zhenbang knew how to deal with people. With Nie Zhenbang’s connections and background, coupled with the fact that the Nie family hailed from the military system and had a vast network within the military, it would be no problem for Nie Zhenbang to obtain an order.

But Nie Zhenbang had called him first as a sign of respect, and that was exemplary of someone who knew how to conduct himself. Thereupon, Gu Huijun nodded and said, “Secretary Zhenbang, what are you talking about? The military’s development could never be separated from local support. Hongjiang Province is an important source of troops for the Yuezhou Military Region. In the past, we always talked about the deep bond between the military and the people. Isn’t it time now to show the unity between the military and the citizens? I’ll immediately allocate a brigade and arrange for a military aircraft to fly directly to Lushan Airport.”

Relieved by Gu Huijun’s words, Nie Zhenbang said, “Commander Gu, thank you. Once the flood control in Hongjiang is over, I’ll treat you to a drink.”

After hanging up, Nie Zhenbang made a call to Qiao Yiren’s office. The one who answered the phone was Jiang Yitao, but soon, President Qiao’s voice came through. After explaining the situation in Hongjiang to President Qiao, he also readily agreed. The order from the Military Commission would be issued to the Yuezhou Military Region within ten minutes.

After ending the call, Nie Zhenbang turned to look at Liu Junwei and Xia Hong. Both were quite astonished, but Nie Zhenbang simply smiled. Clearly, they were overwhelmed by his influence.

Nie Zhenbang slowly said, “The materials and personnel will start to arrive within a maximum of two hours.”

As the sound of his voice faded, the tent curtain was lifted, and Niu Weiguo, the Deputy Secretary of Lushan City, walked in with a serious expression and said, “Secretary Nie, I’ve just received a call from the National Flood Control. The first surge of the flood is expected to pass through the Hongjiang River at eleven o’ clock tonight.” (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian (NovelFire.net). Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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