On the levee, there were only County Magistrate Huang and Director Hu from the government office; the others had all gone to organize the evacuation of the people. County Magistrate Huang was too busy handling phone calls to attend to the support troops.
Director Hu hurried out to greet them and introduced himself.
The second company commander stood at attention and saluted, panting as he said, "Comrade Director, the Second and Third Companies of the Second Battalion of the 132nd Regiment have come to support you as ordered. Please assign us a task!"
They had all run there, each one drenched in sweat.
Director Hu was so moved that he could scarcely speak, taking several deep breaths to control his emotions, and choked up as he said, "Thank you, thank you, comrades of the liberation army."
"Comrade Director, now is not the time for pleasantries. Please assign us a task."
