Chapter 502: Chapter 502
Feng Zhigao led his team along the path, but this mountain road was treacherous. They were almost rolling and crawling; one misstep and they could fall into the cliff beside them. At this rate, let alone rescuing people, they might lose their own lives.
He had already led his team down from the mountain.
"Captain, we can’t go up. The weather forecast says it’s likely to rain again tomorrow or the day after. Under these conditions, comrades cannot venture up the mountain anymore; the risks are too high. We can’t put our lives on the line just to save them.
How many days has it been? Didn’t Old Sir Song also say that if we couldn’t find anyone today, we should retreat? Anyway, we certainly can’t find anyone now; there’s no way up this road, so we might as well retreat.
Whether we retreat half a day sooner or later, there’s no difference in the outcome. Considering the weather and the length of time, even if they were alive, they wouldn’t have survived this long in the mountain without food or water. It’s unacceptable for us to risk our lives searching for a dead person. The brothers are unwilling."
Everyone below wore faces of indignation.
Feng Zhigao sighed, knowing their sentiments and feeling unwilling himself.
Their lives mattered too.
"Alright, comrades, prepare to withdraw. Let’s gather our things. However, everyone should time it right and wait until the afternoon to withdraw. Otherwise, if those on the outside really find out, we won’t have any explanation."
The people below immediately brightened up, "Captain, don’t worry, we all understand; this concerns all of us. It’s everyone’s interest at stake, so of course, we’ll do it right. We’ll take our time packing. It’s now 10:00 in the morning; we’ll withdraw after three or four in the afternoon, giving them no reason to criticize."
The captain protected them, and they naturally protected the captain.
Half an hour later, someone came running to report.
"Captain, there are rescue personnel from the fire brigade heading up the mountain."
Feng Zhigao was taken aback, Fire Brigade?
He hadn’t heard about coordinating surrounding teams to assist in the rescue operation.
Were they here just for appearances?
After all, it involved Old Song’s grandson.
This was quite the upheaval.
"One hundred people!"
The subordinate who answered was also full of doubt.
A hundred people was no small number.
Together, they barely had over sixty.
Feng Zhigao hurriedly put on his coat and followed up the mountain. Before walking even dozens of meters, he saw from afar a team marching up the mountain in perfect order.
Their equipment was extremely sophisticated, and upon seeing these individuals, it was evident they were carefully selected, all young and vigorous, clearly well-trained.
He didn’t recognize the team leader.
"Hello, comrade, I am the leader of the forest rescue team in this area, and you are?"
Feng Zhigao was displeased; even if they came to join the rescue, they should have at least informed him, the leader of this area, since this territory was assigned to them by higher-ups.
"Hello, we are from the city’s fire rescue team. We were assigned by higher authorities to carry out a rescue mission here. We’ve been granted special privileges. We can act independently, so rest assured, we won’t interfere with your rescue. You’ll do your jobs, and we’ll do ours, each performing our duties."
The speaker was neither humble nor arrogant, but with a few words, they clearly positioned themselves.
Explicitly telling him they weren’t accepting his command or management.
After speaking, they headed up the mountain directly. These individuals seemed well-versed in such scenarios, and their gear was well-suited for the rescue here, even the muddy paths didn’t hinder them.
They marched energetically, their pace quick, and after ascending the mountain, it was evident their team had been divided.
Each person was responsible for an area and dispersed directly.
Feng Zhigao sneered, the terrain of this mountain was very complicated, even they dared not say easily go up the mountain for rescue.
What were these people trying to show off?
Did they think their advanced equipment made them more capable than them?
He guessed it might be Old Song calling others, after all, Old Song had promised them that if Song Moting wasn’t found today, they should withdraw.
These leaders naturally couldn’t go back on their words, but if they arranged follow-up rescue personnel, they would naturally take over.
They wouldn’t just leave his grandson here.
Feng Zhigao returned to his command center.
The subordinates below were anxiously awaiting him, worried about changes due to the situation.
"Captain, what’s happening now? Are these people sent down to force us to rescue together with them?"
"Alright, don’t be so narrow-minded. They said we’d each perform our duties, not interfering with one another. They won’t follow our leadership, nor manage us. They’ll be busy with their work, and we’ll be busy with ours."
Feng Zhigao was unable to swallow his grievances.
"How could they behave ? Clearly calling us for rescue and then sending others over, doesn’t that show distrust in us? They think they’re better than us, let’s see. Let them go for the rescue. If they can’t save anyone themselves, then it’s their disgrace."
The subordinates were also unsettled; after all, they hadn’t encountered something before.
"Alright, alright, everyone just focus on your tasks, let them go."
Feng Zhigao was ready to watch the spectacle and see what great abilities these people actually had.
An hour later, another subordinate ran in.
"Is there something happening again, perhaps another rescue team arrived?"
This time, the subordinate’s face was slightly flushed.
"Captain, another rescue team really arrived, and this time another 100 people came with even more advanced equipment. They drove large vehicles directly to the mountain base, and after the others got off, they prepared to set off, only informing us.
They directly headed up the mountain, saying they were a rescue detachment from a nearby area here on a mission, adding that more detachments would be arriving. I wanted to ask how many more people would come.
They said there were many, at least ten more teams would follow. They received orders to search the entire mountain within a day, to either find them alive or see the bodies."
At that moment, Feng Zhigao felt a thud in his heart, realizing that so many rescue teams had arrived.
There would be over a thousand people searching this mountain.
If they actually found people on the mountain, that would mean their rescue operation failed.
Proving their lack of professional competence, and he, as the captain, would bear unavoidable responsibility.
He suddenly felt a surge of heat.
"Immediately gather our people, ready for action, and prepare to go up the mountain for the rescue."
Feng Zhigao couldn’t shoulder the responsibility.
By the time they reached the mountain base, there was no opportunity to ascend.
One rescue team after another passed them, ascending the mountain, and it seemed the areas were pre-designated.
Each rescue team entered its area and began work without disturbing others.
It was clear there was a well-coordinated leader organizing the effort.
Feng Zhigao couldn’t even intervene.