dognovel Chapter 50 Bang! Fate unknown
Chapter 50 Bang! Fate unknown
In ten days, it will be the Spring Festival.
The weather in Suicheng is as unpredictable as a woman's grandmother; it even started drizzling for several days.
The provincial company's safety department, having learned from the experience of the XX gas poisoning incident, issued the latest water supply guarantee plan before the Spring Festival.
The company is required to upgrade the management and control of all its projects across the province, implement the main leadership responsibility, and ensure that no major personal safety accidents occur again. If such accidents do occur, the perpetrators will be severely punished.
This morning, Tan Huasheng chaired the routine safety meeting, repeatedly emphasizing the bottom line for safety during this special period. All projects not yet started must be suspended; those already started should be stopped if possible, and those that absolutely cannot be stopped should be completed as quickly as possible. He required all company personnel to uphold this final safety standard, standardize operations, and ensure safe work practices so that everyone can have a good New Year.
This scene brought back Lin Chen's memories of his time at the Baru Institute. Back then, he loved these "one-size-fits-all" work stoppage orders, and everyone in the institute would huddle in the office chatting and joking around, feeling incredibly comfortable.
Around 3 p.m., the Shuanglong Water Supply Station in Suicheng received a report that an underground main water pipe had burst under the Jiulong Bridge in Shuanglong District, causing water outages for residents in two communities in Shuanglong District.
After receiving the report, Director Guan Cong verified the situation immediately and then reported it to Tan Huasheng, who was in charge of the case.
Guan Cong: "Director Tan, we have received a report that an underground pipe has burst in Shuanglong District, causing a water outage for approximately 200 households in two residential areas. Residents are complaining and demanding immediate water restoration. We are requesting your assistance in initiating repair work immediately."
Because of the morning meeting and the current special circumstances, Guan Cong did not dare to work rashly and could only report the situation to his superiors by phone first.
"Have you conducted an on-site investigation? What exactly is the situation?" Tan Huasheng asked.
Guan Cong looked at the photos of the scene: "Judging from the water flow, it seems that the main water pipe under the bridge burst."
Tan Huasheng: "Approximately how long will the repairs take?"
Guan Cong also estimated based on his experience: "The main water pipe is buried quite deep, and it's under the Kowloon Bridge. We're worried about damaging the bridge piers, so we can't use an excavator. We estimate it will take two days."
Tan Huasheng's tone turned serious: "Two days? That's too slow. It's best not to drag it out that long. The safety management for overnight work needs to be upgraded. I also need to report to my superiors. It's very troublesome. Send a few more people and try to finish it in one day."
Guan Cong hesitated, "This might really be a bit difficult."
Tan Huasheng's tone turned serious: "What's so difficult? Is it a technical problem or a personnel problem? Should I find someone else to do it?"
Guan Cong understood the implication in those words and immediately replied nervously, "Director Tan, it's not a technical issue, nor is it a personnel issue. The main problem is that we're in a special period right now, and we're required to upgrade our control measures. The process is too strict. To ensure absolute safety, we have to wait until the underground pipeline is completely excavated to a depth of two meters to create enough space before we can start working. It's really difficult to do this in such a short time."
Tan Huasheng's voice rose even higher: "Instead of trying to solve a little difficulty, you're here haggling with me? Is this your usual style, Director Guan? Now hundreds of people are without water, this is a very serious incident, and water must be restored within a day."
Guan Cong was a little startled and stammered in a low voice, "Director Tan, you mean you want to supply water all day?"
Tan Huasheng said firmly, "I only have one point: we must always prioritize the interests of the people, serve them wholeheartedly, and deliver safe and clean water to them promptly. Clean water is our mission. I don't care what methods you use, as long as it's compliant and safe, you must complete the repairs today and guarantee the water supply. Any more questions?"
Guan Cong was stunned, but finally nodded: "It should be fine, right?"
Tan Huasheng's tone softened then: "Okay, then let's quickly organize personnel for emergency repairs."
Guan Cong hung up the phone and immediately arranged for Liu Dajun, the most experienced and skilled technician in the institute, to lead a team to carry out emergency repairs. Liu Dajun was an honest, obedient, and responsible man, and was Guan's right-hand man.
Liu Dajun received the task and expressed great doubt: "It has to be done today?"
Guan Cong nodded helplessly: "There's nothing we can do; the higher-ups have given a strict order."
Liu Dajun: "My aorta has ruptured. What should I do? Will I ascend to heaven or shrink to the earth?"
Guan Cong: "Da Jun, please help me out, otherwise my position as director will be in jeopardy."
Liu Dajun: "Is your hat more important or my life?"
Guan Cong: "Life is definitely more important. Just do what you think is best, and we'll talk about it if things get really bad."
After saying that, Liu Dajun led his men off.
Accompanying Liu Jun in the emergency repair was a new college graduate named Liang Xiaoming. He had been with the company for several months and had been working with Liu Dajun. He admired Liu Dajun very much, as he could handle any problem with ease.
On the bus, a bewildered Liang Xiaoming asked Liu Jun, "Master Liu, didn't you say this morning that it was a special period and all work in the county was suspended? Why do we have to work again?"
"Our leaders' words are like farts, they're all idiots," Liu Dajun said irritably. "But this is an emergency, so it's understandable. If we don't rush to repair it, they won't have any water to drink, how can they stand that?"
Liang Xiaoming nodded: "Oh, that's true. We can manage without electricity, but people will really die without water. Let's work harder and supply water to the people as soon as possible."
The repair vehicle bumped along and finally arrived at Kowloon Bridge.
Before even getting off the bus, I saw that the area under the bridge was already a vast expanse of water, with muddy water gushing out. Several municipal workers were evacuating the onlookers and setting up a cordon.
Liu Dajun jumped out of the car, walked through the mud and water to the vicinity of the burst pipe, and frowned after only a few quick glances.
Liang Xiaoming followed and asked, "Master Liu, how's it going? How is it possible to finish in one day?"
Liu Dajun shrugged: "The explosion point is right next to the bridge pier foundation. The water has already hollowed out part of the soil underneath. If it continues to soak, the bridge pier will have structural problems, and it won't be as simple as just stopping the water. According to the regulations, we should first provide support and then slowly excavate. I think two days would be considered optimistic."
Liang Xiaoming: "It seems that Guan said we should finish it in one day."
"He's a jerk, does he think we're some kind of genius?" Liu Dajun retorted irritably, but he didn't stop working, still efficiently directing the workers who had come with him.
"Third brother, set up the water pump to drain the water. Xiao Zhang, move the warning signs another fifty meters away and clear out all bystanders. Xiao Ming, come with me to survey the exact location and depth of the blast point."
The team immediately sprang into action. It must be said that Liu Dajun's work ability was indeed strong; his work was orderly and meticulous.
The water had mostly drained, revealing the burst pipe. The situation was even more troublesome; it was an old cast iron main pipe with a nearly half-meter-long longitudinal crack, and the corrosion around it was also severe.
"Dajun, this water pipe...it needs to be replaced, right? At least a meter should be cut off and a new pipe welded in place. At this location, the excavator can't get too close for fear of vibrating the bridge foundation, so we have to dig it out manually," an old worker said, wiping the rain and sweat from his face.
Liu Dajun stared at the crack, his brows furrowed.
To reach the bottom of the pipe by hand, a pit at least three meters long, two meters wide, and two meters deep must be dug. In this muddy and slippery environment, digging alone would take most of the day, not to mention the dry environment required for welding operations.
"Keep digging, hurry up! Xiaoming, go find two thick steel plates and see if we can make some simple support to prevent the slope from collapsing." Liu Dajun gave the order and picked up a shovel to start working.
Time passed by, and the assignment progressed step by step.
Guan Cong called.
"Dajun, how's it going? Can you finish today? The boss just called again to ask."
"They're digging, damn it, the situation isn't good. Digging by hand is too slow, the soil is too soft in this weather, it keeps collapsing as they dig..."
"Think of a way, Dajun. If we can get it done today, I'll ask the leaders for credit on your behalf."
"Stop nagging, it's so annoying." Liu Dajun hung up the phone, cursed, and shouted to his men, "Brothers, give it your all, the station chief said he'll treat us to midnight snacks tonight."
With a late-night snack, everyone was a bit more motivated, but progress was still slow. Around 5:30, Tan Huasheng called Liu Dajun directly.
"Comrade Liu Dajun? This is Tan Huasheng! How is the situation on site? Can the water supply be restored before 8 p.m. tonight?" Tan Huasheng's voice came through the rain, carrying an undeniable sense of pressure.
Liu Dajun took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady: "Director Tan, we are doing our best to repair it, but the geological conditions at the site are complex. It's right next to the bridge pier, so for safety reasons, manual excavation is progressing slowly. Also, the pipe corrosion is more severe than expected, and we may need to replace an entire section..."
"I don't want to hear about difficulties," Tan Huasheng interrupted him.
"I just want results. The people are waiting for water. We water supply workers are here to overcome all difficulties to ensure people's livelihood. Of course, safety must be guaranteed. I believe you, as a veteran, are capable of handling this well. Alright, I'm waiting for your good news!" Tan Huasheng said and hung up the phone.
Liu Dajun stood there, listening to the busy tone on the phone, rain streaming down the brim of his safety helmet. He looked at the seemingly endless mud pit, his exhausted coworkers around him, and Liang Xiaoming, the college student next to him, who looked worried.
"Master Liu, what do we do now?" Liang Xiaoming asked.
Liu Dajun was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly threw the cigarette butt in his hand into the muddy water and crushed it out with his foot.
"What do we do? What do you suggest we do? That damn boss said we have to keep the water supply running. Third brother, go find some thicker wooden stakes and planks for simple support. Xiaoming, you provide the lighting."
"Dajun, isn't this too risky? The slope hasn't been properly prepared..." The third brother hesitated.
"Damn it, it shouldn't be a big problem. I'll keep an eye on it." Liu Dajun's tone was firm. With his excellent skills, he was still somewhat confident, even though it was a bit troublesome.
The workers looked at each other and ultimately decided to follow Liu Dajun's instructions, because several of them were from the same neighborhood where the water was cut off, and their families had just called to urge them to get water.
So, Liu Dajun, cursing and swearing, grabbed his tools and crawled into the sewer, while Liang Xiaoming followed him down with a light.
As night deepened, it seemed to grow even colder.
A gust of wind blew, and everyone shivered; the earth shivered too.
Suddenly, a muffled "bang" was heard.
The scene was in chaos.
At 18:48:56 that day, the company received devastating news.
A collapse occurred at Kowloon Bridge in Shuanglong District, burying two people underground; their fate is unknown.