Fredrik Westgate, courtesy name Fourqian, and the neighbor's name is Claxton Hicks. How can there be such a coincidence in the world?

After breakfast.

Led by Old Yan.

The group once again climbed up the mountain.

When they reached the sunny slope of Vista Mountain, the scene before them left Dirk Carter and Edith Walsh completely stunned.

In front of them was a massive hillside, directly facing Rearpond Village. The green vegetation that was originally there was now all askew. Old Yan explained this was due to loose soil.

What's more deadly is that large boulders kept rolling down from the slope.

The retaining wall near the mountain side has also cracked severely, with a large section already covered by rubble.

The situation was already very serious.

There was a possibility of landslide at any time.

Yet the experts said it's unlikely a landslide would occur in winter.

What nonsense from the experts.

Dirk Carter turned and asked, "Old Yan, based on your experience, when will this section of the mountain slide, and what kind of impact will it have?"

Old Yan furrowed his brows and said, "Soon. I originally expected it might take another week, but last night when I returned, my wife told me the livestock were very restless, anxious all night. Also, it's rare for rats to move in winter, but last night they were scurrying around. This indicates the landslide will occur in just one or two days."

One or two days!?

Dirk Carter and Edith Walsh exchanged a glance.

Asked, "Where is the landline for the village?"

"In the office of the village committee."

Old Yan said.

"Let's go!"

Without further ado, Dirk Carter led the group down the mountain.

In the village committee office, Dirk Carter dialed the County Mayor's office, but no one answered. Thinking it was before nine, guessing that work hadn't started yet.

He then dialed Bjorn Dixon's mobile.

On the other end came a lazy and impatient voice asking, "Who is it?"

"County Mayor Dixon, it's Dirk Carter."

As Dirk Carter's voice rang, Bjorn Dixon became somewhat impatient, asking, "Comrade Carter, what time is it now? Do you know the work hours?"

Dirk Carter held his patience and said, "County Mayor Dixon, we have examined the situation at Rearpond Village. It's currently very severe. The collapse and landslide could happen at any time. I request to form an emergency rescue team to evacuate the villagers as soon as possible."

"Comrade Carter, is this why you called so early? Didn't I tell you before, expert evaluations suggest a landslide won't happen? Why don't you listen? There are over a thousand people in Rearpond Village. Do you think evacuation is child's play?"

Bjorn Dixon said.

Dirk Carter wanted to argue.

Edith Walsh took the phone and said, "County Mayor Dixon, I am Edith Walsh."

"Oh, it's Deputy Mayor Walsh."

On hearing Edith Walsh's voice, Bjorn Dixon seemed invigorated.

"County Mayor Dixon, what Deputy Magistrate Carter said is true. The situation at Rearpond Village is really urgent. The county should quickly organize disaster relief."

Edith Walsh said.

Bjorn Dixon paused and said, "Deputy Mayor Walsh, I told you before going, we're just going through the motions, not for you to join Carter in creating a fuss. Had I known, I wouldn't have sent you."

"County Mayor Dixon, I'm not messing around, the fact is..."

Before she could finish, Bjorn Dixon interrupted.

"Alright, alright, I'll call you after work hours. Don't talk now, none of you let people rest, jumping from one idea to another. Let's leave it at that."

With that, the call ended.

Edith Walsh, unwilling, dialed again, but the phone was already turned off.

The two exchanged glances.

Dirk Carter said, "Call Executive Director Dixon."

Just about to dial the number.

At that moment, Dale Wright came running in, out of breath, saying, "Leaders, it's bad, more and more stones are rolling down the mountain!"

Old Yan shivered, saying, "It's not good, a landslide is imminent."

Dirk Carter stiffened, looked at his watch, it was just after seven, many people were not yet up. No time for calls, he said, "Deputy Walsh, Old Yan, let's go, wake everyone, and move them to the village committee."

The village committee's location was relatively far from the slope, so even if a landslide occurred, the damage wouldn't be too severe.

With one order.

The seven present all sprang into action.

Upon reaching the foot of the mountain again, indeed, nature was already showcasing its power, with masses of rocks mixed with dirt tumbling down from the slope, the cracks in the retaining wall growing more serious, on the verge of collapse.

No time to think.

Several people began knocking on doors from the end near the slope, alerting the villagers to evacuate.

Some were already up, it helped, some were still sleeping, and once awakened, seeing the slope's condition, they cooperated well, bringing old and young to move towards the village committee.

In a short period.

The peaceful village exploded like a grenade thrown into a lake.

Everywhere were frantic screams, chickens flying, dogs jumping.

Two hours.

From seven thirty in the morning until nine thirty, most of the village's 303 households, 1058 people moved to the committee courtyard.

The courtyard wasn't large, and accommodating so many people at once was quite cramped.

Furthermore, emotions were unstable, many people were shouting and yelling, making the scene chaotic.

At this time, the landslide had already started.

Wave after wave of earth and stones rushed down, hitting the houses near the mountain side, the seemingly indestructible brick houses swallowed in an instant.

Causing a burst of exclamations.

"Old Yan, gather everyone, Deputy Mayor Walsh, call the county again."

Though the situation was truly chaotic.

Dirk Carter still commanded orderly.

Soon.

Edith Walsh ran out of the office, a face full of anxiety, saying, "It's bad Deputy Magistrate Carter, the phone line is cut."

The phone line is cut?

Seems the first wave of the landslide broke the phone line.

This is trouble.

This was the only way to connect with those down the mountain, if cut, then effectively, there's no contact.

Suddenly.

Another burst of exclamations erupted from the crowd.

Looking up.

On the distant slope, another round of collapse had gathered strength. If it slides down, it would cause even greater destruction.

"Deputy Magistrate Carter, Deputy Magistrate Carter..."

Amid chaos.

Old Yan shouted loudly.

Dirk Carter hurriedly waved at him, as Old Yan ran over with a face full of urgency, saying, "Deputy Magistrate Carter, it's bad, among 1058 people, two are missing, Titus Bates' house has an elder and a child who haven't come out."

Old Yan said Titus Bates and his wife had long worked elsewhere, leaving an old father and a young son at home, possibly due to inconvenience, plus Titus Bates' father being deaf, they couldn't hear the evacuation calls.

"Where is Titus Bates' house?"

Dirk Carter's heart sank and asked.

Old Yan pointed towards a distant red brick house, saying, "Over there."

Dirk Carter looked and thought it was bad.

The houses near the slope end, including Titus Bates' home, had been leveled by the collapse. This next wave descending, it's clear an elder and a child might be buried therein.

He gritted his teeth and said, "Old Yan, you keep everyone steady, don't let them run around, I'm going for the rescue."

"I'll go with you!"

Old Yan just about to move, Dirk Carter turned to push his body, saying, "Old Yan, these are your villagers. You'll be more valuable left behind, I'm younger and faster."

Old Yan thought about it and agreed.

Nodded, eyes slightly wet, said, "Deputy Magistrate Carter, be safe."

"Don't worry, I will."

Dirk Carter just about to turn.

Yves Quill and Xiao Zhang also ran out, shouting, "Leader, we'll go with you!"

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