Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 278 Do your best and leave the rest to fate (continued)

He Yuzhu returned to Hong Kong, but instead of just waiting, he began intensive preparations.

Orders were issued one after another at the high-level meeting he convened upon his return.

1. Immediately suspend all scheduled shipments of agricultural products to Africa! All grains, canned goods, and compressed foods already en route or awaiting shipment in port must be transferred back to Hong Kong!
2. All newly produced standard oil drums at the steel mill must immediately cease sales and exports! They must all be sealed and stored for further handling!
3. The car factory must immediately halt all deliveries of the 'Warrior' jeep and 'Rock' truck! Regardless of the customer, all orders are postponed! All newly produced vehicles must be fully fueled, parked in a designated area, and ready for immediate deployment!
Everyone was puzzled as to why the boss would do this. It was as if all businesses except real estate and the docks had stopped, and the boss hadn't even given a deadline.

"Boss, what's going on?" Ah Lang was the oldest among them, so he asked the question first.

"What I want is not your questioning, just to execute the plan. As for why, you'll know in a while."

“But boss, this will cause us a huge loss. Many orders will be cancelled,” Gu Yuanheng said.

"So what if they breach the contract? We'll just compensate them," He Yuzhu said firmly.

"Brother Zhu, just give us a hint, otherwise everyone here will be on tenterhooks," Xiaoman said.

He Yuzhu fell silent, unsure how to put it, but he still managed to say, "Don't worry about this loss. I guarantee you'll be proud of what we've done."

This essentially set the tone for the matter and also reassured everyone, because He Yuzhu had never made empty promises; he always kept his word.

"Yes," everyone replied in unison.

"Then what are you all standing around for? Get to work. What I'm talking about comes first."

"clear."

After leaving the conference room, He Yuzhu returned to his office and dialed Huo Sheng's number.

"Huo Sheng, it's me."

"Mr. He, have you seen the person?"

"Yes, I'm here to talk to you about something."

"You said."

"Mr. Huo, next month, possibly at the end of this month, I need a large number of ships—bulk carriers, roll-on/roll-off ships, and container ships!"

"Mr. He, has something serious happened? Your trade operations don't require so many ships."

"I can't go into specifics right now, but I need all your ships to be ready at my dock by the end of the month."

Huo Sheng remained silent, pondering what He Yuzhu was up to.

After a long pause, he spoke up: "Mr. He, is my Huo family's fleet large enough?"

"That's not enough, I'll go find the shipping magnate again."

"Is it related to China?"

"Yes."

“I told you that my men told me they loaded your cargo and went out to sea, but were then recalled. Since you're not comfortable saying more, I won't ask any further questions! I trust you. All of Huo's Shipping's operational ships will be in port by the end of the month, ready for your command! No rental fees will be charged!”

"I will pay the rent as scheduled."

"No need. Since you're going to do something big, count me in too."

"Thank you!" He Yuzhu said sincerely.

"Hahaha, it's not easy to hear you say thank you. Alright, I'll go arrange it right away."

"it is good."

"toot toot"

He Yuzhu hung up the phone and dialed Bao Chuanwang's number again.

"Bao Sheng, it's me, He Fei."

"Mr. He, is there any big business opportunity you'd like to discuss?" The shipping magnate was quite surprised that He Yuzhu would call in person, as this was the first time.

"Mr. Bao, I need to charter all of your company's ships and have them all ready to be deployed to my port by the end of the month."

There was silence on the other end of the phone.

Then the shipping magnate spoke up: "Mr. He, I'm really sorry. Global Shipping's capacity is indeed very tight recently. Our current schedules are all full, many of which are long-term contracts. Temporarily diverting them... the cost of breaching the contract is too high, and I'm afraid it will be difficult to coordinate. Moreover, you need it so urgently, in such a large quantity, in a short time... do you think we should think of another way? Or, let's see if there are any changes in our schedules..." His businessman nature was revealed at this moment, and the weighing of risks and rewards led him to choose to evade the question.

I will compensate you for your losses.

“Mr. He, this isn’t about compensation. You know I’ll lose a lot of clients if I breach the contract. You can’t possibly cover all the losses.”

"If I cover the losses, and if all else fails, I'll buy your boat."

"Mr. He, you must be joking. Do you have your eye on my business?" Mr. Bao's tone turned cold.

"In that case, I'm sorry to have bothered you."

"Mr. He, if you have any business opportunities, remember to contact my Global Shipping," Mr. Bao added as a final touch.

The only response he got was a busy signal on the phone.

"What nonsense! You think you can just order everything up for me because you want a boat? Do you really think you can call the shots in Hong Kong?" Bao Sheng slammed down the phone.

With He Yuzhu's order, the massive machine of the entire Yellow River system began to operate at an unprecedented speed and efficiency.

Wharf Holdings was brightly lit, and the roar of loading and unloading machinery never stopped throughout the night; the production lines of steel mills and automobile factories were running at full capacity; and the Fok family's fleet frequently entered and exited the port.

The near-self-destructive shutdown of Yellow River Industry and the unusual gathering of the Huo family's fleet have become topics of conversation over tea.

Various speculations are rampant: Is He Fei about to launch a new acquisition war? Is the Yellow River Group facing a broken capital chain and urgently needing to sell off assets? There are even outrageous rumors that he plans to build a new country at sea...

The senior executives below are under tremendous pressure, having to appease the concerns of internal management and partners while dealing with various probing inquiries from the outside world, leaving them exhausted.

Xiaoman looked at He Yuzhu several times, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping herself, and finally just sighed, silently helping him process the data and answering various phone inquiries.

Even Orion called.

"He, are you leaving Hong Kong? My men told me that your warehouses are full of food and various supplies."

"Why do you believe everything you hear? Do I look like I'm about to leave?"

“Your actions are like that, but I know that if you really wanted to leave, you would have told me.”

"Alright, stop guessing. It's all baseless. Why are you getting involved?"

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

"There really is. If you're familiar with the marine police, tell them to stop harassing my boat. I'm so anxious I could burst into flames."

"What's going on?"

"We'll talk about the specifics later. Just get this done for me first."

"Okay, I'll give it a try. You know they might not give me face over there."

"Come on, you're about to be promoted to assistant director, who wouldn't give you some face?"

"How do you know? The higher-ups just had a talk with me."

"Do I need to tell you how you behaved after you came back?"

"Is it that obvious? I'll be more careful in the future, since I haven't been officially appointed yet."

"I think your case is pretty much confirmed. Congratulations in advance!"

"Hahaha, I'll accept it then. When it really works out, I'll host a banquet at your restaurant. You'll have to show off your skills then."

"Alright, you help me take care of the water police, and I'll show you everything."

"I'll go ask right away."

As August drew closer, He Yuzhu's supplies had all arrived, but he was growing increasingly anxious because Lao Fang hadn't written back yet.

He stays in the office until late every night, afraid of missing the phone call. Although he doesn't smoke, the ashtray on his desk is always full.

Xiaoman felt sorry for him and would give him tonics every day to help him recover. Now, no one dared to mess with him.

Finally, on the night of July 28th, the phone He Yuzhu had been waiting for rang.

He Yuzhu practically lunged forward to grab the receiver, his voice slightly hoarse: "Hello?"

Old Fang's hoarse and tired voice came through the receiver, and He Yuzhu could vaguely hear the sound of a telegram: "Zhuzi, it's me."

"Uncle Fang, please speak!"

[Delete 1000 words here, otherwise the book might be lost!!!]

"Zhu Zi, Lianyungang, Jiangsu! There's a deep-water port there, accessible by both rail and road! You can use it!"

"Lianyungang! Understood! Uncle, don't hang up yet, I have something else to do."

"I still have something to say," Old Fang said.

"You say."

"Zhu Zi!" Old Fang breathed heavily on the other end of the phone, his voice more solemn than ever before. "Once the supplies are on land, our people will take over the transportation, distribution, and use. You and your men are absolutely not allowed to go ashore! That's an ironclad rule! Do you understand?"

He Yuzhu immediately replied, "Understood! Uncle Fang! Once the goods are delivered to the port and handed over to your people, my ship will turn around and leave! I won't cause any trouble! I just want the goods to reach the people who need them!"

"Don't worry, the goods will be fine. I'll have people watching them. Let's see who dares to do it." There was a hint of menace in his words. "Then I'll say what I need to say. Could you find a few pilots?"

"Pilot? What for? Is there something else that needs to be airlifted?"

"It's not an airplane, it's a helicopter."

"You even have a helicopter?"

"We've acquired a few foreign-made aircraft, but I don't have any pilots, and even if I did, they couldn't go. Do you have any?"

"Yes, of course we have them. You're way behind the times. We've already mass-produced the Z-5, which is a copy of the Mi-4, and it's still in service with some."

"You probably only managed to get this, right? I know you have some connections with Polar Bear."

"Bigger than that one."

"Big? Mi-8?"

"Ah."

"You're really something, kid. We can't even buy it; they won't sell it to us." Old Fang's voice trembled slightly.

"There are also some Bald Eagles, but I won't say the specific models, since you wouldn't know anyway."

"You underestimate me. Fine, I won't say anymore. We'll see when it's delivered. How many people do you need?"

"About ten," He Yuzhu said.

"Okay, I'll make the contact and prepare 20 for you."

"it is good."

"Keep your communication channels open and stay in touch! You'd better stay in Hong Kong and not come over," Lao Fang added.

"Yes! I will arrange for loading and shipment immediately! The Huo family's fleet will stand by in the harbor!"

"The Huo family's ship, huh? Alright, I understand," Old Fang murmured.

The busy tone of the call ending rang out, and He Yuzhu finally relaxed a little while holding the receiver.

Then he dialed the number for Wharf Holdings.

"Yuxin, it's me."

"Brother, tell me."

"Notify all standby cargo ships to immediately load the first batch of supplies, destination: Lianyungang, Jiangsu! Compressed biscuits, water purification tablets, waterproof tarpaulins, tents, and first-aid medicines are given priority! Depart as soon as they are full, without stopping for a moment!"

"All loading and unloading personnel at Wharf Holdings, work around the clock! Load the cargo as soon as the ship returns to its berth!"

Who else is at the dock?

"Brother Lang, Lao Bai and Shi Bin are all here."

"It's good that they're all here, then I don't need to call them one by one."

"Understood, brother, I will pass it on."

"Go."

At Wharf Holdings, massive searchlights illuminated the pier as bright as day.

The tower crane's massive steel arm emitted a piercing metallic screeching sound as it spun and lifted things frantically.

The workers were no longer walking, but running. Shouts, whistles, the roar of forklifts, and the heavy thud of containers hitting the ground, mixed with the salty smell of the sea breeze, intertwined into a hurried symphony concerning life and death.

"Quickly! Load the compressed biscuits from Warehouse No. 3 onto the 'Nanhai' first!"

"Waterproof tarpaulins! Pile up the waterproof tarpaulins in Zone Three! The 'Ocean Cruiser' is waiting!"

"Careful! Handle the medicine with care! Over there! Push it over!"

Hong Lang and He Yuxin's voices were already hoarse as they waved their arms and moved through the yard, their shirts soaked with sweat.

Bai Yifeng and Shi Bin were like nails planted at key points, one keeping a close eye on the material list and the loading progress, and the other directing security personnel to ensure unobstructed passage and prevent any possible delays or chaos.

Time is no longer measured in seconds, but in terms of the container loading speed.

The first fully loaded cargo ships sounded their horns in the dim light of dawn, and the massive hulls slowly sailed away from their berths.

Almost simultaneously, the marine police's speedboats arrived as scheduled, flashing their lights, trailing far behind the convoy.

Inside the captain's cabin, the high-frequency radio crackled with the slightly official voice of the naval police: "'Nanhai', don't panic. This is a routine patrol. Please maintain your course and speed."

The captain calmly replied, "Received!"

The marine police speedboat followed for a while, its lights flashing a few times, before making a sharp turn, leaving a white trail, and disappearing into the channel returning to port.

The last words came over the radio: "Safe voyage, over."

Orion's coordination did come in handy; by mentioning the patrol, he essentially opened a green channel for them.

The fleet cut through the waves and sped northward.

"The dam has collapsed! The Banqiao dam has collapsed—!!!"

No one knows who uttered the first heart-wrenching scream, which was instantly drowned out by the earth-shattering roar.

That wasn't a loud bang, but the earth's roar, the death knell for impending doom!
A wall of water, tens of meters high, carrying mud, sand, trees, and the remains of houses, roared out of the breach with tremendous force, destroying everything in its path and sweeping along the river towards the densely populated plains downstream!

The wailing was instantly swallowed up by the raging flood.

Countless villages and towns were turned into a vast expanse of water in just a few minutes.

Houses collapsed, floated, and disintegrated like building blocks.

Those who were unable to evacuate or unwilling to evacuate were swept into the torrent, struggling and sinking in the murky mud.

Those who managed to climb onto the rooftops or treetops looked at the vast expanse of water before them and cried out in despair.

"Help me—!"

"My child! Where is my child?!"

"Mother! Mother! Hold on to me tight—!"

The earth is weeping, and all living beings are suffering.

"Woo——!!!"

With long whistles, a series of special trains bearing banners reading "Disaster Relief" broke through the rain like giant steel dragons, speeding along the Longhai Railway towards the disaster-stricken areas in southern Henan!

Inside the freight car were compressed biscuits that had just been unloaded from Lianyungang, still carrying the scent of the sea breeze, boxes of water purification tablets, rolls of waterproof tarpaulins, and first-aid medicines.

On the highway, a huge convoy of brand-new "Rock" trucks from the Yellow River Automobile Factory roared with engines and splashed mud.

With bloodshot eyes, the drivers took turns driving, continuously transporting barrels of diesel fuel, generators, and parts for the assault boats that arrived later to the assembly point on the edge of the disaster area.

Deep in the floodwaters, soldiers, piloting various helicopters they had just become familiar with and whose paint schemes hadn't even been changed yet, launched a rescue operation. This was their first mission like this—not to strike targets, but to save lives.
The soldiers didn't have time to wipe the tears from their faces, because below the aircraft lay an endless, heartbreaking sight: rooftops remaining in the vast ocean, arms waving desperately from the treetops, and floating livestock and debris...

"Report to command center! Gathering point located! Coordinates XX, XX! Multiple people trapped on the roof, water level is still rising! Request immediate deployment of life rafts!" The pilot's trembling voice urgently rang out over the radio.

"Deploy immediately."

Boxes of bright orange inflatable life rafts were quickly pushed out of the hatches and, controlled by rappelling soldiers, floated toward the area where the trapped people were located.

In the murky floodwaters, assault boats piloted by soldiers skillfully navigated through the floating debris and whirlpools.

On the water, outstretched hands and desperate cries were everywhere.

"Over here! There are two elderly people on the roof over here!"

"Quick! The rope! Grab the rope!"

"The child! Save the child first! Hand the child over!"

The assault boat approached a dilapidated rooftop.

An old man with a wrinkled face clung desperately to the roof, his cloudy eyes filled with fear and stubbornness: "I won't leave! I'd rather die than leave! I'll guard my house!"

The young rescue worker was soaked to the bone, his face a mixture of rain and sweat. He practically shouted, "Grandpa! The water's rising! The houses won't hold! Lives are at stake!"

Seeing that persuasion was ineffective, he gritted his teeth and gave his companion a look. The two of them forced their way forward, one hugging the old man and the other pushing him onto the swaying speedboat.

The old man's turbid tears finally rolled down his cheeks, mingling with the boundless flood.

On the railway lines, the whistles of special trains never cease; on the highways, the engines of heavy trucks roar through the night; in the sky, the rotor blades of helicopters stir up heavy hopes; in the floods, the engines of assault boats rise and fall... These sounds intertwine to form the strongest voice of humanity's struggle against natural disasters.

The engine was running out of fuel, and the rescuers were exhausted, but no one stopped.

Every delivery of supplies, every life saved, is a race against death.

Supplies from Kowloon Wharf continued to be shipped out. He Yuzhu held tightly in his hand a translated telegram he had just received. It contained only a string of cold numbers and place names, yet it represented the struggle of countless lives.

The fact that Hong Kong was unaffected by the typhoon does not mean that everyone is safe.

A large fleet of ships under the charter shipping magnate Global Shipping was traveling along its original route through the outer perimeter of the Taiwan Strait towards Japan when Typhoon Nina made landfall.

(End of this chapter)