Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 1128 - Chapter 1128 Chapter 1084 Resolute Determination to Die

Chapter 1128: Chapter 1084: Resolute Determination to Die Chapter 1128: Chapter 1084: Resolute Determination to Die “`

As Niu Weiguo finished speaking, Nie Zhenbang’s face, along with those of Liu Junwei and Xia Hong beside him, changed. The upstream had ultimately been unable to withstand the pressure and had begun to discharge floodwater. It would pass by after eleven o’clock at night. This was not a good time.

Everyone knew that people were most tired in the early hours of the morning, and, in addition, it was difficult to see in the dark. This added significant pressure to flood control, to put it simply. When the flood peak passed by, the pressure the Lushan Dike would have to bear would be unprecedented. It was a test of the entire dike’s safety. One could imagine the continuous emergence of various dangerous situations at that time.

The simplest concern: piping. If it were daytime, with ample light, you could pay attention to any situation inside and outside the dike at any time.

But in the deep of night, if a piping incident occurred and was not discovered in time, the consequences would be unthinkable.

After a moment of contemplation, Nie Zhenbang looked at Liu Junwei and said, “Comrade Junwei, Comrade Xia Hong, give the orders. At this moment, including myself, we are all part of the Lushan Dike. You must demonstrate your own opinions and take the lead in responding to the flood peak. In this area, I am not here to give directions; your experience is more extensive than mine.”

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang’s selflessness was evident. Nie Zhenbang never pretended to know things he did not.

In such a critical juncture, Nie Zhenbang would never do anything foolish. Having amateurs direct professionals was the last thing needed.

Liu Junwei and Xia Hong exchanged looks. Xia Hong nodded and said, “Secretary Nie, my suggestion is to immediately relay this message all along the dike. Tonight, let’s mobilize everyone and prepare for an overnight battle. Also, inform the power department to repair and set up temporary power lines as soon as possible; we must ensure that the dike is well-lit at night. This will play an incalculable role in the entire flood fight.”

As he finished speaking, Liu Junwei added, “I’ll also push the Sand Tube Station to urgently allocate materials like gravel and rocks, ensuring we have a sufficient supply of resources.”

Nie Zhenbang nodded in approval of the two men’s measures and, after a moment’s thought, added, “Additionally, we need to prepare thoroughly for night patrols. We should arrange teams of two, equipped with high-power flashlights, and have them cover one-hundred-meter sections. We must also organize replacement personnel, alternating every two hours. By doing this, we can ensure that, when the flood peak arrives, every situation along the dike is under control.”

Nie Zhenbang was well aware that with the experience of Liu Junwei, Xia Hong, and Niu Weiguo, they would not have overlooked this. The reason they hadn’t said anything was mainly to give themselves an opportunity to shine.

This is human nature. However, they were considering an additional layer; not giving their leader an opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities would be embarrassing for him. Although it felt somewhat like suspecting the noble-minded of harboring petty intentions, Nie Zhenbang did not intend to delve into it. For trivial matters, it was better to play dumb.

After a pause, a frown appeared on Nie Zhenbang’s brow as he said, “Looking at the weather, I estimate there might be heavy rain tonight. We should contact the provincial meteorological bureau to confirm the situation. Additionally, see if there are any measures to delay the rain or disperse the rain clouds.”

Time was steadily moving forward; it was already past four in the afternoon. The dike was still a hive of activity, with dump trucks shuttling back and forth, ascending the dike and pouring loads of gravel and rocks into designated positions.

Inside the tent, Nie Zhenbang sat at the edge of a makeshift camp bed. He was constantly on the phone, either making calls or receiving them. For the people of Lushan City, their only worry was the Lushan Dike. But for Nie Zhenbang, his concern was the flood control efforts across the entire province of Hongjiang.

Outside, Hong Feng came in holding a bowl of instant noodles and whispered, “Secretary, please have something to eat. You haven’t eaten anything since noon. Even the strongest body can’t hold up without food.”

Nie Zhenbang nodded and signaled Hong Feng to put the noodles on the table, then said into the phone, “Comrade Hong Zhuan, flood prevention in JingShan City must not be taken lightly; you need to be thorough and diligent in checking for deficiencies and making repairs. Give it your all. This is a matter of provincial importance and should not be treated lightly. Alright, I won’t say more. Call me anytime if there’s an update.”

After hanging up the phone, Nie Zhenbang stood up and walked over to the table. He hadn’t eaten since breakfast and was indeed feeling hungry.

Nie Zhenbang made short work of the instant noodles, then looked at his watch and said to Hong Feng, “Little Hong, make sure to take care of the reporters that are with us. Later on, when night falls and things get complicated, nobody will have the time to look after them. You need to handle this properly. Also, has there been any news from the Xibei Military Region?”

“`

Hong Feng nodded and said, “I just spoke with Commander Chen of the provincial military district. A garrison brigade from the Yue State Military Region boarded a military plane at one fifty in the afternoon. Based on the schedule, the vanguard troops should arrive at Lushan City by about three thirty in the afternoon. All personnel should arrive by no later than five o’clock in the evening.”

Hearing this news, Nie Zhenbang also nodded and exhaled in relief, “That’s good, not too late. Arriving at this time will ease the pressure of flood defense tonight considerably.”

As his words fell, Dai Fei also walked in from outside the door and, looking at Nie Zhenbang and Hong Feng, Dai Fei said, “Secretary, the provincial meteorological bureau just sent over a weather report for the Lushan City area. According to their estimation, there is an eighty-five percent chance that it will continue to rain tonight in Lushan City. The expected rainfall is between heavy rain and torrential rain.”

Whether it was a coincidence or not, just as Dai Fei finished speaking, there came the rumbling sound of thunder from the sky. Nie Zhenbang’s expression changed as he stood up and walked out of the tent, looking up at the sky. The sky, which had stopped raining, had again started to sprinkle down light, fine rain.

This was not a good sign; a sudden heavy rain or torrential downpour tonight would pose significant challenges to the flood-fighting and rescue efforts.

Meanwhile, a few buses drove along the road within the levee toward them. The buses bore red banners with slogans like “United in Purpose, Combat the Flood; Soldiers and Civilians Together, Share Life and Death,” and other similar messages.

The convoy arrived quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it reached the foot of the levee. The bus doors opened, and uniformed soldiers briskly disembarked. Under the command of their officers, they quickly formed up and ran up the embankment.

This must be the first group of reinforcements urgently sent by the Yue State Military Region. More than six hundred people divided into four rows, assembled on the levee, displaying the military’s impressive might. Truly deserving of the moniker “a formidable force.”

At the front, a colonel ran up to Nie Zhenbang, saluted, and said, “Comrade leader, the First Garrison Brigade of the Yue State Military Region has been ordered to report for duty. Please issue your instructions, Brigade Commander Zeng Xinhua.”

Nie Zhenbang stepped forward to meet them and returned the salute, saying, “At ease.”

Then, Nie Zhenbang walked in front of the military personnel and said loudly, “Comrades.”

As his words ended, the sound of uniform standing at attention rang out, transporting Nie Zhenbang back to his days in the Xibei Military Region.

Raising his hands slightly and pressing them down, he signaled for them not to be so formal and continued, “Comrades, at ease.”

“Everyone, look ahead at the surging floodwaters. For now, we have held them back beyond the dike. Now, look behind you, where within the levee lies the livelihoods of fifty million people of Hongjiang. The safety of the people’s lives and property, their happiness, all lies within this dike. At this moment, the ruthless floodwaters, like a monster ready to erupt, wait to devour our blessed lives. This is unacceptable. We are the people’s soldiers, defending the country, protecting the people. That is our sacred duty. To train soldiers for a thousand days for a moment of battle. At this moment, on behalf of the Hongjiang Provincial Committee and the Provincial Government, on behalf of the fifty million people of Hongjiang, I extend my sincere gratitude to you.”

After speaking, Nie Zhenbang bowed deeply. When he looked up again, his gaze turned serious and stern. He said loudly, “Comrades, this morning, I called an emergency standing committee meeting of the Hongjiang Provincial Committee. At the meeting, I issued an order to all comrades and made a solemn promise to all the people of Hongjiang: As long as the dike stands, we stand; if the dike falls, we fall. Here and now, I am not the Party Secretary. I am merely one of the ordinary people of Hongjiang. Here, I ask you all to exhibit the highest morale and the courage to fight with all your might in this war against the flood.”

Nie Zhenbang’s words were plain but forceful, resounding profoundly. At that moment, not just the six hundred soldiers stood there on the levee; surrounding them were the earlier arrived stationed troops, armed police, local militia, and ordinary citizens, amounting to several thousand people, all paying attention to this scene.

As Nie Zhenbang finished speaking, without anyone leading, the six hundred soldiers in front of him shouted in unison, “We vow to live or die with the dike, to defend the people of Hongjiang to the death.”

Emotion is a strange thing and can be mysteriously contagious. At that moment, that sense of pride, sentiment, and resolution to face death as if returning home was infinitely magnified and swept through everyone.

The voices grew louder. Along the levee where Nie Zhenbang stood, following the six hundred soldiers, other military personnel and armed police started to roar. Then all the people, including ordinary individuals, men in their fifties, and boys around fifteen or sixteen years old, also joined in the roar. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit NovelFire.net to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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