Chapter 48

Chapter 4: A Thousand Years of Glory

As if to verify Li Yi's sixth sense, on the third day of the research team's arrival in Sanjiang City, a powerful wind swept through the city, making the window frames rattle. Children running on the streets had their shirts blown away, and young women riding bicycles could barely move forward despite their efforts. Paper scraps, waste, and clothing danced chaotically in the air.

Li Yi, looking out the window at the wind, asked the Sanjiang City staff beside him, "Has there ever been such a strong wind before?"

"Never. It's really strange!"

"Secretary Gu, what do you think?" Li Yi asked calmly.

Gu Heng looked at the sky, dark with clouds, and remained silent.

Li Yi suggested, "In my opinion, we must immediately prepare for flood prevention!"

Gu Heng's eyebrows suddenly twitched, about to object, but then he remembered the young man's previous actions—he was the one who foresaw the explosives on the plane in Haizhou City!

"Are you worried about a flood?" Gu Heng asked, pondering.

Li Yi nodded firmly.

As soon as he spoke, heavy raindrops the size of beans poured down, hitting the windows like countless people stir-frying beans, making a deafening noise.

The accompanying water engineer laughed and said, "Mr. Li, you are overthinking it. Sanjiang City has many mountains and rivers. Although such strong winds are rare, such heavy rain is not uncommon!"

Li Yi forced a smile and said, "I hope I am being overly cautious! We have inspected several large and small reservoirs over the past two days, and the water levels are quite high."

The engineer waved his hand and said, "Mr. Li, the reservoirs are as solid as a rock, with strong flood discharge capabilities. There's absolutely no need to worry. It's the Xiang River and the major lakes that might experience minor floods. But it won't cause any significant problems; minor floods happen every year."

Li Yi said seriously, "Secretary Gu, preparation is key. If you prepare, you will succeed; if you don't, you will fail. It's better to be prepared and not need it than to need it and not be prepared."

Gu Heng patted Li Yi's shoulder and quickly walked to the telephone, dialing the direct line to the city party secretary, Meng Di: "Secretary Meng, this is Gu Heng. The rain is very heavy, and the rainfall may exceed the reservoir capacity. I suggest we immediately prepare for flood prevention."

"Haha, Mr. Gu, you are overthinking it. Such heavy rain is very common in Sanjiang City. We had a heavy rain last week, which was even more frightening, but nothing happened. It will stop by tomorrow at the latest!" Meng Di laughed easily.

Hearing the playful tone in Meng Di's voice, Gu Heng emphasized, "Secretary Meng, I am making this request as a specially appointed advisor to the State Council. I demand that the Sanjiang City Party Committee and Municipal Government immediately prepare for flood prevention! If anything goes wrong, I will report directly to the State Council and have you removed from your position!"

"That's a bit too much!" Meng Di was somewhat angry, thinking, "You are just an advisor sent out by the State Council, and you are using the State Council's name to bluff? We are all at the provincial level. In terms of power, I am the party secretary of a major city, and I am not afraid of an old man like you." He replied insincerely, "I understand. I will immediately convene a standing committee meeting to discuss it."

Putting down the phone, Meng Di sneered, "You give me a little respect, and you start acting up!" After a moment's thought, he called in his secretary and instructed, "Notify the standing committee members. We will convene a standing committee meeting at 9:30 AM tomorrow!"

The secretary cautiously said, "A few standing committee members are still on a business trip in the provincial capital."

Meng Di slammed his hand on the table, "Tell them to come back immediately!"

The secretary dared not say more, responded with a "Yes," and left.

Looking at the continuous rain outside, Meng Di's mood became heavy. Of course, it wasn't because of the heavy rain, nor was he worried about the Ma Ling Reservoir, which had been solid for decades.

He thought of the legend about the Ma Ling Reservoir.

Cao Cao once led hundreds of thousands of troops through this area, and countless horses and soldiers died for no reason, causing the troops to lose morale and return without success, wasting many resources.

Meng Di sighed softly, "Will my mission in Sanjiang also end in failure, returning with nothing?"

He recalled the words of Governor Tang Chunqiang before he took office in Sanjiang: "Brother Meng, your mission to Sanjiang will not be peaceful! Sanjiang City has always been the stronghold of Xiong Xi. He has operated in Sanjiang for over a decade, with his disciples and former subordinates spread throughout the city, often defying the provincial government's orders! You must be careful with this person!"

The words of his old leader still echoed in his ears. He had been in Sanjiang for more than two years but had achieved nothing. Sanjiang City was like an iron board, impervious to needles and water. He, Meng Di, was like a child holding an iron board, possessing it but powerless to change it.

"Ah!" Meng Di sighed deeply, then his spirit lifted, "I must use this standing committee meeting to secure the appointment of at least two key positions!"

The rain outside grew heavier, and Meng Di's mind flickered with a shadow of darkness. He recited coldly, "A thousand years of glory, all in the act of killing!"

A bolt of lightning split the sky of Sanjiang City, and after the blinding light, darkness enveloped everything.

It was past ten o'clock at night, and the heavy rain showed no signs of stopping.

Li Yi stood by the window, constantly observing the cloud layers in the sky and the water level on the ground.

"Knock, knock, knock!" The door knocked, and Li Yi opened it. Gu Heng walked in, looking worried, "Li Yi, I fear that if this continues, something will happen. Fan Lao inspected the flood prevention and discharge measures of the major lakes, and the situation is not optimistic. Sanjiang City had a heavy rain last week, and the water levels of the major lakes are already at the warning line. If it rains for another two days, a flood is inevitable!"

Li Yi invited Gu Heng to sit down, made him a cup of hot tea, and said, "Secretary Gu, I am not worried about the flood... The Xiang River can discharge the flood, and it won't cause much damage to Sanjiang City."

Gu Heng put down his cup, walked to the window, and looked in the direction of the Ma Ling Reservoir, silently praying, "Heaven protect Sanjiang!"

Around four in the morning, Li Yi was still awake, pondering the possible scenarios and the necessary measures to take if needed.

Suddenly, the room went pitch black.

The power was out!

Outside, it was pitch black, and the entire city of Sanjiang was plunged into darkness.

Li Yi got up, put on his clothes, and went to the window again, silently watching the torrential rain continue.

As dawn approached, Li Yi had slept for about three or four hours and woke up.

The rain showed no signs of weakening, and the power was still out. The streets were flooded, and pedestrians could barely pass even with rain boots. Many people simply took off their shoes and socks and walked barefoot.

Occasionally, a car would drive by, splashing high water onto the pedestrians on both sides who couldn't avoid it in time.

In such weather, whether or not to use an umbrella seemed to make little difference; every pedestrian was drenched.

Li Yi hastily ate breakfast and went to Gu Heng's room, asking, "Secretary Gu, how is Sanjiang City preparing?"

Gu Heng's face darkened, "They are going to hold a standing committee meeting to discuss it."

Li Yi frowned and said, "I want to go to the Ma Ling Reservoir to check it out."

Gu Heng was surprised, "That's too dangerous!"

Li Yi said, "If it's dangerous now, then hiding here won't make us any safer!"

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