Free Web NovelChapter 683: Chapter 307: Second Loop
As expected, Yian Qingwen still proposed to disperse the team, to cast a wide net first and roughly understand the situation of our trapped compatriots in the disaster area.
Gu Ji knew.
Finally, it was his turn to speak, "Mr. Yian, I think you should join the expert team and station directly at the Bafang command center to establish an earthquake monitoring and analysis forecast team to monitor the earthquake development and provide information security for our frontline rescuers."
"Oh?"
Yian Qingwen’s eyelids twitched, suddenly taking a keen interest in the young man before him, "Why do you say that? Tell me your reasons."
So, Gu Ji simply reiterated the analysis he had done at the airport.
As they say, "The troops and horses have yet to move, but the intelligence is already there."
Whether dispatching professional rescue teams to the disaster areas to save survivors and trapped people, or conducting inspections for major hazards, important target items, and major infrastructure vulnerabilities, preventing secondary derivative disasters, and organizing cross-regional deployment of disaster relief materials and equipment, all rely on earthquake monitoring.
This is also why any major operation must establish a command center.
"You make a good point. I was initially worried because the situation on the ground in Pakistan’s quake zone is complicated. With only Han Yue in command at the front line, mistakes are likely. I didn’t expect you, young man, to have such a deep perspective."
Yian Qingwen looked at Gu Ji with admiration, then turned around and said to Han Yue:
"In that case, the front-line command is left with you guys, Han Yue. This Bian Shizhang is a talent, and you should listen to his advice more!"
"Understood, Mr. Yian!"
Han Yue glanced at Gu Ji.
Next, the team, as it did last week, was divided into 12 squads, and Gu Ji deliberately chose to be in the same team with Zou Lei and Wang Yuexi.
Since the game has granted him the ability to return from death.
He must try to make up for all regrets possible. If he were to choose a colder answer, it would be to "score points" to the fullest extent possible.
So, he led Zou Lei straight to Pello Middle School.
Upon arriving at the scene, before they could start the search, Zou Lei’s breathing began to quicken, and the remaining alive Pakistani people gathered around the ruins were crying uncontrollably, some even digging frantically at the rubble with bloody hands.
"Mr. Zou, don’t worry, we’ll definitely save everyone!"
Seeing Zou Lei emotional, Gu Ji stepped forward and firmly grabbed his shoulder.
This reassurance undoubtedly calmed Zou Lei down.
Then, Gu Ji carried out the rescue of Zou Xiaoxin and the two students using last week’s methods.
This time the rescue was initiated earlier and unaffected by aftershocks.
Rescue work was easier than last week, and by dusk, Zou Xiaoxin and the others were safely brought out.
"Brother, you must be careful."
"Don’t worry, Xiaoxin. I will. Obey the medical team’s instructions during treatment. They’ll surely heal your leg!"
Zou Lei reluctantly watched as Ying Wanyu placed Zou Xiaoxin on a medical stretcher.
Once confirming his sister’s safety.
Unexpectedly, he turned around and "thud," kneeled before Gu Ji.
"Mr. Zou, what are you doing! Get up quickly!"
"Bian Shizhang, on behalf of my whole family, I thank you. My parents died young, and I’m not married, so she’s my only relative. If something really happened to her, I wouldn’t know how to face my parents in the afterlife, sob..."
It’s hard to imagine that a strong man would kneel on the ground, holding onto Gu Ji’s legs, and cry bitterly.
Perhaps, this is also the mindset of those who, knowing it’ll yield no results, still linger in front of the ruins, unwilling to leave.
Life and emotions, truly are two miraculous things.
"Bian Shizhang, rest assured, I’ll repay you in the future, whatever you ask of me, as long as it doesn’t interfere with national duties, I’ll do it!"
"Get up, Mr. Zou."
Gu Ji gave Wang Yuexi a glance, and the two of them pulled Zou Lei up together.
"Mr. Zou, I don’t need your gratitude. We’re all members of the International Rescue Team, and we each understand what our duties are. I believe that if it were my sister or Xi Zi’s, you would be equally willing to put yourself in danger to rescue them. We should focus our energies on the rescues ahead. Our primary principle is always to preserve life."
"Fearless of danger, selfless dedication, life protection, steadfast in duty."
Zou Lei mumbled, echoing the team spirit principles of Xia Kingdom’s International Rescue Team.
Wang Yuexi beside him, along with other rescue team members, was silently moved by this phrase.
Ying Wanyu, responsible for the rescue, glanced up at Gu Ji’s profile.
His combat suit was covered in dust, his face smudged with soot, but at this moment, under the twilight, Gu Ji’s eyes seemed to be as bright as the moon.
Subsequent rescues continued to progress methodically.
Under Gu Ji’s second precise earthquake prediction, Wang Yuexi and the others narrowly escaped once again, crawling out from the collapsing ruins ahead of time.
It was already 1:00 am by then.
The actions of the rescue fighters grew increasingly sluggish after 16 hours of high-intensity work, even the toughest men couldn’t withstand such exhaustion.
After all, risking your neck in the quake zone is no joke!
"I can see everyone is tired tonight, put down what you’re doing, prepare to withdraw to the outer command center of the county town for rest."
Thankfully, Han Yue finally gave the command to rest at this moment.
But when they returned to the Pakistan quake zone’s command center, there was no place left for them to stay.
The Lahore Metropolitan Area was densely populated, and government resources were limited, fully occupied by disaster victims.
Looking at the United States, Japan, Germany, and other rescue teams staying in their tents.
Their resources had been halved due to landslides on the mountain roads.
Helplessly, Han Yue had to order everyone to lay rescue blankets outside the camp to rest.
At this point, they couldn’t afford to pick and choose, Gu Ji was gnawing on a compressed biscuit, his exhaustion and drowsiness pounding over him like waves under a typhoon.
Upon opening his eyes again, he was startled awake by a piercing whistle.
"Everyone, 5 minutes to freshen up, prepare to gather!"
Gu Ji quickly sat up, raised his wrist, noting it was just 5 am.
He quickly retrieved his toiletries from the backpack.
While brushing his teeth and washing his face, they suddenly heard a low, chorus-like sound, following the noise with their gaze.
They saw countless Pakistanis kneeling and bowing deeply.
In front of them were candles of varying heights, burning with small flames.
From their sorrowful expressions, it was evident they were mourning and praying for lost family members, children, or dear friends.
Gazing at these candles, Gu Ji suddenly felt.
Human life is like these candlelights in the wind, always at risk of snuffing out, never to awaken again.
The melody and atmosphere on-site moved many to share in the sentiment.
Even if they couldn’t understand the meaning of the song, at that moment, it felt beyond language and nation.
Be it the Xia Kingdom, Russia, the United States, or Saudi Arabia.
Countless rescue team members instinctively stood still, removing their helmets, silently watching.
Because any country on earth might have faced such a disaster, maybe after the day it happened, many never saw their friends’ profiles light up again; they left no will, no belongings, sometimes not even a body to find.
All that can be done is light a candle like this, as a token of remembrance.
"Everyone, gather up, we’re moving out!"
After a brief silence, it was Han Yue’s voice that cut through everyone’s reflections.
Everyone shouldered their heavy backpacks, carrying various equipment, boarded the bus, and headed towards the quake zone to continue today’s rescue.
Thankfully, yesterday’s efforts produced good results.
Roughly ninety percent of the compatriots within the quake zone’s scope had been located and rescued from the debris, with only one confirmed death.
"Our goal today is the Descon Chemical Plant located on the northwest flank of the quake zone’s edge. There are five compatriots providing support work there, and according to intelligence provided by Mr. Yian, since 3 a.m., seismic activity has intensified once more, so we cannot rule out further aftershocks today."
"The chemical plant stores huge quantities of flammable and explosive chemicals, toxic, and harmful gases, so be extremely cautious during today’s operation. Without my orders, no one is to act alone. Is that understood?"
"Understood!"
The crowd shouted in response.
Gu Ji frowned at the mention of "chemical plant," instinctively recalling the overwhelming chlorine gas scenes from the World War II level.
Yet at that moment, a sharp altercation suddenly erupted from the roadside outside the vehicle.
