Chapter 241 – Sudden disaster! (1/2)
One day…
Two days…
Three days…
Six days had passed.
This morning, dark clouds covered the skies, and it was raining heavily since midnight over the northwest region of the County, and the rainfall is the heaviest in ten years. Dong Xuebing’s injuries were almost recovered. Despite not fully recovered and the bad weather, Dong Xuebing still drove to the Bureau. Public Security is the busiest during such weather, and he was bored to tears at home. So, he decided to return to work earlier.
Pitter-patter… It’s the sound of raindrops falling on Dong Xuebing’s umbrella.
When Dong Xuebing was about to enter his office building, he met Gong Zhongwen.
“Chief Dong? You are back so soon? How are your injuries?”
“Haha… I’m fine.”
“Fine? But your arms are still covered in bandages. You call this fine?”
“I can move my arms now, and the bandages are for the abrasions.”
Both chatted as they walked into the building. Along the way, they met a few other leaders, and they are concerned about Dong Xuebing’s injuries. Dong Xuebing greeted them politely and went up to Bureau Chief’s office. He needs to inform Liang Chengpeng that he will be returning to work and get his third-tier merit award.
In the office, Liang Chengpeng is reading a document.
Dong Xuebing closed the door behind him and smiled. “Chief Liang, I am reporting back to work.”
Liang Chengpeng looks up and saw the bandages on Dong Xuebing’s arms. He frowned. “Go home and rest now! I will give you five more days to rest at home! You are not recovered yet, and why are you here? I know work is important, but before you are well, you are not allowed to return to work.”
Dong Xuebing smiled and moved his arms. “Chief Liang, look at me. I’m fine.”
Liang Chengpeng said. “Then remove the bandages and show me your arms!”
“Err…. To be honest, I’m bored at home. Is there any case in the Bureau that can be assigned to me?”
Liang Chengpeng laughed. “How can I assign work to you with your current condition?”
“Ah… I…”
“You… don’t need to say anymore. If you insist on returning to work, go back to your office and do the coordination work for Hui Tian Village. When you are fully recovered, I will give you more work than you can handle! Your job now is to recover!” Liang Chengpeng also told Dong Xuebing that his award would be issued to him in a ceremony next Monday.
After returning to his office, Dong Xuebing drank his tea slowly and called Hui Tian Village Station. “Hello, Old Liu. I’m Dong Xuebing.”
Liu Dahai was surprised. “Chief Dong, you are at the Bureau now? Have you recovered?”
“I’m fine. Is everything alright at Hui Tian Village?”
“It’s fine, but the rain had been pouring. Two mountain roads have some problems because of the rain. Our men had set up warning signs at certain sections of the road where the condition is not too serious. The sections that are severely damaged are closed. It is still raining, and the rain is getting heavier. I don’t think the rain will stop anytime soon, and more problems will arise.”
Dong Xuebing frowned and asked. “Do we have sufficient manpower?”
“We can still manage now.”
“Ok. Do your best to coordinate our officers. I will drive over now.”
“Chief Dong, it is raining heavily now. You must be careful.”
“Alright.”
Dong Xuebing had returned to work because of this heavy rain. He did not remain in his office and left. On his way out of the Bureau, he met a Deputy Office Director and informed him that he would be going to the village.
Dong Xuebing drove his Mercedes MPV in the heavy rain.
Dong Xuebing’s current condition allows him to drive without any problems. But he still can’t do strenuous sports.
Ten minutes…
Twenty minutes…
Normally, the traffic in the County is smooth, but today, there are traffic jams everywhere. Dong Xuebing wasted half a day just to drive out of the County town. He chose to go to Hui Tian Village, not by the main road, to avoid heavy traffic. Instead, he drove through the mountain roads. But the road conditions are very bad, and once in a while, rocks fell onto the road from the mountains.
Dong Xuebing focused on driving and slowed down.
The rain had lowered visibility, and Dong Xuebing cannot see clearly.
Ring… ring… Dong Xuebing’s phone rang. He reached for his phone in his pocket and answered. “Hello, I’m driving. Who is this?”
“I am Liang Chengpeng. Are you going to the village?”
“Yes. I’m worried about the situation there and want to take a look.”
Liang Chengpeng sounds anxious. “There is a situation at Qingnan Road. If you are nearby, get over there immediately!”
Dong Xuebing was shocked. “What happened? The road collapsed?”
Bzzz… the phone signal is not good in the mountainous area. “… the mountains… I… over there now.” Duuu…. The line got cut off. Dong Xuebing tried to call back, but there was no signal. Dong Xuebing was worried. Qingnan Road? His location is just next to Qingnan Road. Did something happen there? What happened?
Just as Dong Xuebing was wondering what happened, there was a loud rumbling suddenly!
Mud, sand, rocks, etc. came crashing down onto the road in front of Dong Xuebing’s car suddenly!
Dong Xuebing got a fright and looked towards the mountain on his side. Mud and rocks are crashing down towards him from the mountains. Dong Xuebing immediately stepped on the brakes and swerved towards his left. Because he had swerved and stepped on the brakes too hard, his car skidded and turned 180 degrees!
Crash!! The mud and rocks fell onto the road and narrowly missed Dong Xuebing’s Mercedes!
Dong Xuebing broke out in cold sweat. He had almost died!
Dong Xuebing knows what the situation on Qingnan road was. It’s landslide! What happened earlier is considered mild. But further up the road, the mountain is steeper, and because of the mining activities in the mountains, the landslide might be serious. If cars or passersby got caught in the landslide, they would be dead!”
Dong Xuebing’s face changed when he thought about it!
What should I do now? It will be dangerous to continue moving forward! Should I make a detour, or should I go forward?
Dong Xuebing thought for a few seconds and decided to go forward. The more dire the situation is, the more he got to step forward. If he hides from danger, he might as well give up his position as the Deputy Public Security Bureau Chief. Dong Xuebing started his car to try to drive through the mud.
Five minutes…
Ten minutes…
Finally, after some tries, Dong Xuebing managed to drive out of the mud. He drove by the rocks on the road and speed up.
Hurry up! Dong Xuebing prayed that there are no casualties from the landslides!
Because Dong Xuebing’s car was stuck in the mud, he wasted some time. When he reached the scene, Chief Liang had arrived. They had traveled through another road, and to Dong Xuebing’s surprise, he saw Mayor Xie Huilan and County’s Deputy Party Secretary Cao Xupeng there. Hu Silian was holding up an umbrella for Mayor Xie, and she was speaking to a few leaders. There are lots of people at the scene, and Liang Chengpeng was giving out instructions to his people. The fire department, police station, and local villagers are there.
Dong Xuebing’s heart sunk when he saw so many people and knew the situation must be serious.
Dong Xuebing saw what happened further up the road and was shocked!
A bus is lying on its side on the road beside a slope, and a gigantic rock is on the road not far from the bus. The rock seems to have rolled down from the mountain, and cries and screams from the injured passengers can be heard from the bus. The glasses on the bus are thick and had not shattered from the impact. The rescue party is helping the trapped passengers exit from the bus door.
“Xiao Dong!” Liang Chengpeng saw Dong Xuebing’s car and shouted.
This location is the border of Hui Tian Village, and Liu Dahai, Chen Fa, and the rest of the officers are there to help.
Dong Xuebing ran over without an umbrella. “Chief Liang, how can I help?”
Luan Xiaoping wiped the raindrops from his face and said. “You are still injured. Don’t be rash and wear a raincoat now. You will be in-charged of our officers’ rescue efforts. The rescue team is too slow. Hurry up! Break the windows and bring the passengers out. We must get everyone to safety within three minutes! We don’t know when there will be another massive landslide!”