But the river water kept eroding, and a secondary collapse could happen at any moment.

“Hurry up and block the breach!”

Baker Village was also under Ningxiu Town’s jurisdiction. William Young anxiously leapt a big step forward.

David Sullivan quickly grabbed him and shouted loudly, “Don’t go any further! If you fall in, no one can pull you out!”

William Young was so anxious that veins bulged on his forehead. He roared, “Block the breach! Block the breach! Lives are at stake!”

On the opposite bank, the sound of gongs rang out, dense and urgent, as if striking people’s hearts.

David Sullivan was anxious too, but no matter how anxious, he couldn’t let go.

Don’t be fooled by Uncle Seven’s taunts at the other side—actually, the two villages faced each other across the bridge, had intermarried for years, and were deeply connected.

For example, his uncle was from Baker Village.

Uncle Seven’s father-in-law’s family was also in Baker Village.

William Young calmed down a bit, looked around, and shouted, “We need to organize a rescue!”

Everyone fell silent. With such high water, how could they get across?

“Is there a boat?” William Young asked.

David Sullivan said, “The village boats are too small, can’t make it across. We need an assault boat.”

Ryan Sullivan cursed out of habit, then said, “Without a big boat, going in is just throwing lives away!”

William Young asked the cadre behind him, “Do we have an assault boat?”

The cadre shook his head in silence.

People on the opposite bank had already started moving, tossing sandbags into the breach one after another.

David Sullivan shouted, “Cages! Find cages to pack them together!”

Others were shouting too. It was unclear if the other side could hear, but people kept coming and going, desperately blocking the breach.

William Young felt a deep sense of helplessness, clutching his hair in regret. Why hadn’t he taken it seriously? Why hadn’t he prepared?

David Sullivan seemed to spot his cousin from his uncle’s family, but could only watch, unable to do anything.

Ryan Sullivan grew anxious, took off his shirt, and bared his arms.

David Sullivan was anxious too, and shouted, “Uncle Seven, don’t be reckless! Think of Aunt Seven and the kids!”

Ryan Sullivan had no intention of going into the water. He took a deep breath and shouted, “Ma family! Hold on! You must hold on!”

Immediately, others joined in, “Ma family, hold on!”

“Ma Jia Village, don’t be afraid!”

“Everyone, hold on!”

Cheers and encouragement rang out on this side, but besides that, there was little they could do for now.

The breach on the north bank was still eroding, and Baker Village had reached a life-or-death moment.

Just then, a group of people in olive green uniforms, wearing orange life jackets, rushed up the river embankment. Ropes were tied around their waists, sandbags in their arms. They decisively jumped into the water, blocked the breach with sandbags, then stood tightly together hand in hand, facing the raging river, forming a human dam!

The muddy floodwaters surged, but were blocked by their flesh and blood!

They stood firm, as if they were an iron Great Wall made of flesh and blood!

The force of the water lessened, the embankment gradually stopped eroding, and as more sandbags were thrown in, the situation began to stabilize.

Looking at those young faces, those shoulders carrying hope, the people on the south bank fell silent, shocked, and moved.

Even though, at this moment, they weren’t guarding Sullivan Village!

David Sullivan’s eyes grew moist. They were the true Great Wall of the Republic!

It was as if something was washing over David Sullivan’s heart—he would never forget this scene for the rest of his life!

“Soldiers! You’re amazing!” David Sullivan shouted with all his strength, “Soldiers! Keep it up!”

Immediately, others joined in, “The PLA are heroes!”

“Soldiers, thank you for your hard work!”

There was no response, nor was one needed. They stood there, resolute and silent, just like the Great Wall.

As the sun neared the western horizon, the breach on the north bank was finally blocked. The soldiers left in silence, leaving behind the embankment that kept the villagers safe.

The water level finally began to drop. Around 6:30 in the evening, the new bridge connecting Sullivan Village and Baker Village emerged above the water, with toppled stone railings and litter scattered across it.

A call came from above: the water levels of several main reservoirs would soon fall below the warning line. As long as there was no sudden heavy rain, the floodwaters would soon recede.

The troops did not withdraw and would stay a while longer, leaving depending on the water situation.

Originally, the village planned for the troops to stay in villagers’ homes and had started clearing out rooms, but the troops firmly refused. The village had to open the elementary school, which was on summer break, as a temporary base for the troops.

The troops left some personnel to stand night watch with the villagers, while the rest gradually returned to the school, to ensure they had enough strength to respond if danger arose.

David Sullivan led a squad of soldiers and also arrived at the school.

Sullivan Elementary was built very early, occupying a large area, with dozens of huge trees that would take several adults to encircle.

However, the school buildings, like many rural schools of this era, were rather dilapidated.

Strictly speaking, when David Sullivan attended elementary school, the buildings were already dangerous.

News of the flood had spread completely, and people from neighboring villages came to deliver food. Emily Thompson, who was in poor health, was assigned to help the brigade accountant with record-keeping.

The kindness from other villages would have to be repaid after the flood, with visits to thank them when possible.

David Sullivan arrived at the elementary school office door. Emily Thompson was busy recording, and across from him stood a middle-aged man with an honest face.

“Emily, keep separate records!” the man emphasized. “All the meat must be recorded separately! Ears, stomach, pig’s feet, liver, offal—they’re all different prices. Later I’ll have to settle accounts with the brigade, so don’t miss anything!”