"A million tons of gasoline..." I swallowed hard, and Liu Yuning added, "On October 21, 1993, a spatial explosion occurred in the unleaded gasoline tank area of the semi-finished product workshop at a petrochemical company's oil refinery in Nanjing. This ignited the ground around the tanks and tank 310, resulting in two fatalities."
"You know about this, too? Yes, it was quite a serious accident."
As we were chatting with Director Wu, a firefighter suddenly burst in from outside. "Everyone! This is bad! The fire we had under control has inexplicably started to burn fiercely again! And it's spreading faster than before. We're still trying to block it with rocks, but it's not working well this time! Director Wu, and both officers, you should go out and see!"
"What?" We were all astonished. We immediately rushed out. Seeing the blinding glare of flames all around us, we realized the situation had taken a turn for the worse.
As we left the gasoline plant, I saw many people desperately moving rocks. Liu Yuning and I joined them. While moving, I asked Linghu Jing, "Didn't you have it under control earlier?"
"I don't know. Someone apparently saw a burning figure scattering gasoline on the grass!"
"A burning figure?"
At the time, I didn't quite understand what Linghu Jing meant. I just helped pile rocks. But as we were struggling to stack them, a loud explosion erupted nearby. With a boom, several firefighters were blown away. Before we could react, a panicked firefighter rushed over to us. "The east side has fallen! The fire is encroaching on the gasoline plant! A gasoline tank on the east side has exploded!"
"How is this possible? This speed..." Director Wu was also terrified. But I noticed something strange about him.
He quickly called for people to go to the rescue, but he himself remained standing there, continuing to move rocks with us. I immediately sensed that something was amiss.
While we were busy here, a loud bang came from the west. I completely ignored Director Wu and led the Punishment Team members directly to the west. When we arrived, we found that this entire area of the factory had turned into an inferno.
It seemed the fire was spreading faster than we'd imagined. Just then, my phone rang. As soon as I answered, I heard He Bailing's voice, "He Sheng, where are you?"
I told her we were on top of Yuegui Mountain. She sighed, "I knew you all were risking your lives. You rushed in as soon as I left. I'm bringing the He family over now."
"But the fire has already surrounded the entire mountain!"
"Don't worry, we have a way!"
He Bailing hung up. I wasn't too worried about her side; after all, my sister wouldn't do anything without a plan.
Upon arriving at the west side, everyone continued stacking rocks. However, the flames showed no sign of stopping. We could only retreat a distance and create firebreaks before the fire deepened any further, otherwise the consequences would be dire.
Many firefighters and gasoline plant employees cooperated with us in stacking rocks. Soon, a massive wall was built in the center of the factory, temporarily halting the flames. But everyone was exhausted, sitting on the ground and gazing at the inferno not far away. The survivors from earlier were helping us move rocks. An elderly man said to us, "When can we leave here?"
"Not for now. Don't worry, we will definitely take you back to see your families!"
"Please. They must be worried sick. I don't have a phone."
Before I could reply, several gasoline plant workers rushed over. "It's bad! The north and south sides have fallen! Countless flames are surging towards the central oil pipeline. What do we do?"
"So quickly? Didn't you use fire-resistant stones?"
"We did, but Director Wu was acting very strangely just now. He actually fainted..."
"What?" I suddenly understood.
After cursing, I went directly to find Director Wu. When I saw him lying in the infirmary, his fists clenched, I grabbed his collar and yelled, "Director Wu, your judgment! Have you been swayed by the organization? You scoundrel! You want us all to die here, and then have a million tons of gasoline explode?"
Director Wu was still unconscious but I had grabbed him so forcefully. Several staff members rushed over, trying to pull me away.
But I had no intention of letting go. I cursed fiercely, "You bastard, wake up immediately! Stop pretending!"
I shook Director Wu's body violently. The man finally woke up, or rather, he couldn't stand my torment any longer and forced his eyes open.
"Officer He, what are you talking about? When was I a traitor? Don't slander me! You're spouting nonsense!" Director Wu retorted as soon as he opened his eyes.
"You're not? First, after the incident in the east, although you appeared anxious, you actually didn't care at all. You didn't personally go to rescue, but instead stayed in a relatively stable area. This proves you don't care about the gasoline plant's situation at all. Second, after the incidents in other areas, you actually fainted. I suspected you did it on purpose, but after touching you, I became even more certain that you were faking. You did this to attract others' attention and distract them! Third, you reek of gasoline. If I'm not mistaken, you've set fires before! You're the culprit!"
Hearing my words, Director Wu still said, "There's gasoline everywhere here, of course I'll smell like it. The situation in the east is beyond control, why can't I stay in a safe place and maintain order? I'm the director, after all. And how do you prove I fainted on purpose?"
"Fine!" I clenched his arm tightly. "Your breathing was even just now. You had strength when I was pulling you. Even if you were pretending to be unconscious, the body has a self-defense mechanism, a reflex from the cerebellum. If you were truly unconscious, you wouldn't have had any strength to resist. And your fists were clenched. That's a defensive posture. How could an unconscious person clench their fists?!"
Director Wu continued to deny it. "Is that so? You've explained that well. So, why would I need to go to the east? The main gate of the factory is the most important!"