Due to the obstruction of their footsteps by the swift current, some people had already crouched down and begun to wail.
"Secretary Du, quickly organize your manpower and prepare to repair the embankment. This is not a time for weeping."
Su Xiaotian said loudly to Secretary Du and Mayor Liang.
The crying of these people here would not only stir up unrest but also waste precious time.
Why not use this time to rush to the scene for disaster relief?
Her words jolted them out of their stupor.
Secretary Du and Mayor Liang then remembered the issue.
Indeed, time waited for no one, and they could not afford further delays. Although the embankment had breached due to a lack of timely repairs, the most crucial task now was to rebuild it.
Furthermore, only by successfully closing the breach could they ensure that the river would not change its course and harm more people downstream.
After a brief discussion, the two decided on the next course of action.
With so many strong men on the embankment, and with stones that could be quickly transported from nearby, plus bamboo from the mountains, all these resources could be utilized for flood control and disaster relief.
"Everyone, stop crying. Let's hurry up and repair the embankment, striving to minimize the disaster!"
Secretary Du shouted loudly while arranging the work.
With the village cadres from several villages also present, everyone worked together, and people were soon divided into groups.
It had to be said that those who could be leaders indeed had their merits.
Once they realized what needed to be done, Secretary Du and Mayor Liang had already arranged everything in an orderly manner without needing any prompting.
One of them organized manpower on the scene to repair the embankment as quickly as possible.
The other person went directly upstream to seek assistance.
After all, their own strength was somewhat insufficient to deal with such a serious problem with the embankment.
However, there were several more villages upstream, and mobilizing the people from these villages to help would be the best solution.
Moreover, when they arrived, most people had only come to assess the situation, and very few had brought tools.
Although they had started to get busy, the lack of suitable tools was evident, and their efforts were clearly insufficient.
Many people were busy trying to move large stones from nearby and throw them directly into the swift river.
But at this moment, the water flow at the breach was too rapid. Stones thrown in would swirl and disappear, and it was unclear whether they sank to the riverbed or were washed away by the muddy current.
Secretary Wu watched this scene and said, "This won't work. We need to use the old method."
There weren't many stones here, and if these stones were simply thrown in and washed away again by the river, it would create more difficulties for the subsequent rescue efforts.
The people here had some experience with flood control and naturally understood what Secretary Wu meant.
"Secretary, we don't have any tools, and we can't cut down the bamboo on the mountain with just our bare hands," someone said anxiously.
In fact, these people regretted not bringing their tools when they came.
But now, no matter what was said, it was too late.
"Let's move the stones over first. When people from upstream come to help later, they should bring tools, and then we can go up the mountain to cut bamboo," Secretary Wu decided decisively.
Meanwhile, Su Xiaotian had found a relatively safe spot.
"Teacher, it's quite safe here. You stay here for a while. Xiaotian and I will go help!"
Su Sangong looked at the busy crowd engaged in rescue efforts and expressed his desire to help as well.
As a young man, he couldn't just stand by and watch others work.
Shen Zizhen, however, had an issue with Su Sangong.
This rascal, if he wanted to help, fine, but why did he have to bring Xiaotian along?
Didn't he know that this was a sister, not a brother?
"Perhaps Xiaotian could stay with me?" Shen Zizhen asked tentatively.
Su Xiaotian shook her head and said, "Uncle Shen, it's safe here. As long as you don't move around randomly, there's no danger. Xiaotian and I will go help; one more person means one more pair of hands."
Although there were over a hundred people present, when it came to actual flood control and disaster relief, this number was clearly insufficient.
Shen Zizhen also wanted to help, but he was aware of his physical condition, which would not support him working in the water and rain. He could only follow the instructions of the siblings and wait in a safe place.
Watching the two children voluntarily throw themselves into the rescue efforts, Shen Zizhen felt even more emotional.
But he also knew that if he went, he would only be a burden!
It had to be said that people at this time were truly united. Soon, many people came to help.
These people who rushed over from upstream indeed carried tools in their hands.
As men arrived in groups of three to five, even more women followed.
In addition to various tools, these people were dragging long bamboo poles and ropes.
Although Su Xiaotian and her brother had some knowledge, they truly couldn't fathom the use of bamboo at this moment.
At this time, wouldn't transportation tools like baskets and wheelbarrows be most useful?
What could bamboo be used for?
Could it be used to leverage large stones with the power of a lever?
But soon, the siblings realized they were underestimating things.
These people tied four or five bamboo poles together with ropes, shaping them into a hollow bag, and then filled them with stones of various sizes.
Su Xiaotian and her brother watched curiously, wondering what this operation was.
When the crowd completed one finished product, the siblings saw them directly insert the tied, long strip into the breach of the embankment.
Su Xiaotian instantly understood that this could ensure the stones stayed in place to the greatest extent, rather than being washed away by the current.
Indeed, the strength and wisdom of the people were boundless.
After understanding the intentions of these people, Su Xiaotian actively helped.
Even when there was a shortage of ropes and bamboo, Su Xiaotian quietly exchanged some from the system store and placed them in inconspicuous corners.
Fortunately, there were so many people busy at the time that no one noticed Su Xiaotian's small actions. Su Dan Novel Network.
However, Su Xiaotian was still cautious and didn't take out too much, lest she arouse suspicion.
Fortunately, someone soon came down from the mountain with cut bamboo, and the problem was resolved.
With the strength of many people and their division of labor and cooperation, their coordination improved, and their speed increased.
Bamboo poles were quickly tied together, and the women were responsible for filling them with stones.
Su Xiaotian, with her great strength, voluntarily helped.
The village women, who had initially worried that the delicate young girl might not be able to lift them, eventually discovered that Su Xiaotian's strength was even greater than theirs, despite their constant farm work.
A few women, during their breaks, couldn't resist making playful remarks, which enlivened the atmosphere considerably.
But while they livened up the atmosphere, their pace of work did not slow down at all.
Su Xiaotian could see that these people were not considering conserving their strength while working; each of them was working to the best of their ability.