The four Navy soldiers and six Sea Militia members did not accidentally fall into the water; instead, the boat was heaved high by the earthquake-induced surges, and the officers and soldiers were thrown into the sea while on duty on deck.

They narrowly escaped with their lives, but whether there will be a blessing in disguise is unknown. They were only slightly startled and not injured. In contrast, officers on board sleeping soundly were suddenly thrown off their beds and injured, but fortunately, it was only superficial wounds.

The medical team from the Rescue Boat Team was already at sea. Medical staff from Binjiang Second People's Hospital immediately boarded the power boat to extend medical aid on the fishing vessels. Ma Jintao, Chen Jian, and Gao Jichun were responsible for transporting doctors, nurses, and transferring the more severely injured militia to the island.

A boat losing power on the sea is very dangerous.

Losing anchor chains or having anchor chains tangled with other boats' anchor chains is also very dangerous.

Due to each Civilian Soldiers Transport Brigade's fishing boats being anchored one by one, the surges caused by the earthquake not only led to twelve fishing boats losing anchors and going out of control but also resulted in many fishing boats' anchor chains getting tangled.

Han Yu, after rescuing people, couldn't rest and had to race against time to save the boats!

First, bring over number 001, and use the crane on the aft deck to help lift the anchors. Then organize the mechanical repair team officers to work with the crew on the fishing boats, using crowbars and even sledgehammers to untangle the anchor chains bit by bit.

The anchor chains are all iron, very heavy, and sturdy.

On the high winds and huge waves, amidst the aftershocks, untangling anchor chains is a skill-intensive, laborious, and very dangerous task!

Although all fishing boats have cranes and there are many fishermen participating in the rescue, they were busy from 3 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. before all the tangled anchor chains were untangled.

Some fishing boats' windlasses were damaged, and the mechanical repair team soldiers gobbled a few bites of food, drank a few sips of water, and began the intense repair work.

Xiao Yu was responsible for transporting the needed spare parts for emergency repairs. The ship machine parts dealers on board were extremely busy, and the spare parts they brought were not enough, so they had to ride a power boat to the shore to purchase more.

The logistics support group specially arranged two military trucks for them and assigned two officers to ensure the vehicles transporting spare parts could pass unimpeded.

As for the cost of replacing the ship machine parts, it'll be recorded first and settled uniformly with the logistics support group later.

Equipment was damaged while cooperating with the regular forces' exercises, and the country has an obligation to reimburse and cannot let them pay out of pocket.

Han Yu helped repair one windlass and was exhausted beyond endurance.

With the help of two fishing boat crew members, he climbed onto the power boat along the rope net, collapsed into a seat, and asked weakly, "Xiao Yu, busy untangling anchors and repairing boats during the day, I couldn't keep count. How many aftershocks were there today?"

"Six times."

"So many times!"

"The tremors were strong, and it felt more severe on shore than at sea. The aftershock at 8:49 a.m. really made the ground shake like mountains, and it almost knocked me over."

People on shore used to say earthquakes were coming, and adults told children to hide under the Eight Immortals Table or under the bed when they felt a quake. Xiao Yu had no home on shore and lived on the boat, feeling nothing at that time.

In fact, rumors of great earthquakes back then caused panic, but ultimately no earthquake happened.

Xiao Yu truly experienced an earthquake this time, recalling the first quake and the six consecutive aftershocks later, still feeling a lingering fear. While gripping the steering wheel, he added, "At first, when I just got on shore, I only knew about aftershocks. Later, Adviser Wu said the last aftershock was severe, and the Earthquake Bureau reported it was a 6.2!"

Han Yu instinctively asked, "The last one?"

"It was the last one in the morning; the logistics command center said there might still be aftershocks to come."

"Looks like we need to continue quake-proofing."

"We'll be fine on the boat."

"What if a tsunami occurs?"

"What is a tsunami like? Is it worse than an earthquake?" Xiao Yu truly didn't understand and asked since he was unsure.

Han Yu yawned and, half-asleep, said, "I've never seen a tsunami either, but I've seen it on TV. Once it happens, sea levels surge dramatically and backflow! Waves reaching dozens of meters high come crashing like a mountain, wave after wave, sweeping everything, capable of tossing over hundred-thousand-ton freighters ashore."

"So you're saying a tsunami is more terrifying than last year's tidal waves?" Xiao Yu asked in shock.

"The difference between a tsunami and tidal waves is about the same as the difference between ocean waves and waves in a river." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"It's terrifying. We can't have a tsunami, or all our boats will be doomed."

As they were talking, the power boat went ashore.

The logistics support group's jeep was waiting in the front, and Han Yu got up, disembarked, and waded through the muddy waters.

Going ashore was at the logistics support group leader's request. Han Yu greeted the aide who came to pick him up and quickly got into the car, rushing off to the logistics command center tent.

Captain Fang was on the phone, and a dozen advisers and officers were busy over a sea chart.

Han Yu was considering whether to report when he suddenly noticed Captain Shen from the Observation Team approaching from the corner.

"Salted Fish, you've worked hard, are you hungry?"

"Not too hungry, just a bit tired."

"Logic says we should let you rest well, but the earthquake situation is serious. To ensure the safety of the Civilian Soldiers Transport Brigade ships participating in the exercise, the higher authorities have decided to have each Civilian Soldiers Transport Brigade withdraw."

"The exercise is over?" Han Yu asked in a low voice.

Captain Shen nodded slightly: "Out of humanitarian consideration, the Central Committee, the National Council, and the Central Military Commission have decided to end the cross-sea landing exercise early. The General Secretary called Taiwan this morning, expressing deep concern over the major disaster in the Taiwan region, offering sincere condolences to the affected compatriots, and extending heartfelt condolences to the compatriots who lost their lives.

The General Secretary stated that compatriots on both sides of the strait are closely linked, and the disaster and suffering of the Taiwanese compatriots affect the hearts of all Chinese people. We are willing to provide all possible assistance to alleviate the losses caused by the earthquake."

No more military exercises to deter them, switch to aiding them instead.

Han Yu was momentarily unable to grasp the situation and instinctively asked, "Is the disaster in Taiwan very serious?"

"Extremely serious. Based on the information we have now, the disaster is not limited to Nantou County. Taipei County, Taipei City, Miaoli County, Taichung City, Changhua County, and Yunlin County are also severely affected, moreover, aftershocks continue, and their magnitude is high. We don't know what will happen next."

"Are the casualties significant?"

"The human casualties may very likely exceed last year's flood disaster."

The area of Taiwan is not large, with so many counties and cities affected, one can imagine how severe the situation is on Taiwan Island now.

The year before last, experienced the confluence of typhoons, heavy rains, and astronomical tides.

Last year, experienced a once-in-a-century major flood disaster.

Didn't expect to encounter a major earthquake in Taiwan this year, Han Yu silently realized how insignificant humans are in the face of nature.

Captain Shen feared he might not understand and continued: "The magnitude of this earthquake in Taiwan can be seen from the range it affected. Parts of Jianfu, East Guang, Zhehai, and Xijiang have all felt varying degrees of impact from the tremors. Cities such as Fuzhou, Quanzhou, Xiamen, and De Ning had strong tremors."

Han Yu looked back at Captain Fang, who was still on the phone, and asked softly: "When will the Civilian Militia Reserve Force withdraw?"

"Aren't you helping repair boats at sea? Once the remaining few fishing boats are repaired, we'll withdraw."

Captain Shen knew Captain Fang was very busy, so he straightforwardly assigned tasks: "There have been six aftershocks today, each with a magnitude over six, and no one knows if there will be more, let alone how high the magnitude might be. To ensure the safety of the civilian transportation units on their return journey, the superior has ordered you to escort the returning Fishing Boat Formation together with the fleet formation from the East Sea Base."

This place is too close to the epicenter, and with so many fishing boats at sea, gathering on the sea is unsafe.

Han Yu realized, did a quick calculation and said, "The remaining damaged fishing boats should be repaired by 12 o'clock."

"Then tentatively set sail at 12 o'clock."

"Yes!"

"By the way, before the Fleet Commander left at noon, he praised you for your quick response, decisively organizing the rescue, and showing the demeanor of a great general."

"What great general demeanor? It's mainly because we were at sea, close to the fallen personnel and out-of-control fishing boats. Besides, we're inherently professional in rescue operations."

"In any case, you have made a great achievement this time. Even Xiao Wu, Xiao Wang, and Professor Liu benefit from your light."

About to bid farewell, Captain Shen reluctantly let go of this temporary subordinate, Salted Fish, and patted Han Yu's arm, ready to chat a bit more when Captain Fang finished his call and walked over to ask, "Old Shen, did you brief Salted Fish?"

"I did."

"Then I won't repeat it."

Captain Fang looked into Han Yu's bloodshot eyes, apologetically saying, "Salted Fish, all good things come to an end. We are about to part ways, but I believe we'll meet again soon."

Han Yu quickly said, "I welcome both leaders to come to our team for work inspection whenever you have time."

"We'll certainly go, definitely."

"It is our Rescue Boat Team's honor!"

"You've seen many big leaders; we two aren't qualified to make you feel honored, kid."

And with that, the exercise ended with a rather abrupt conclusion.

Captain Fang couldn't help but regret a bit, patting Han Yu's arm with a forced relaxed smile: "Almost forgot, the aircraft carrier might not be built anytime soon, but your fifty bucks can be put to use now."

Han Yu was taken aback, confused, and asked, "What can my fifty bucks be used for?"

"When one side is in trouble, aid comes from all sides. Last year during the major flood disaster, the Taiwanese compatriots donated quite a bit. Now that the Taiwanese compatriots are suffering from earthquake damage, even the General Secretary is donating, and so are the Military Region Commander and Fleet Commander. Both Old Shen and I are donating; you need to donate too."

"Donate to Taiwan?"

"Reluctant?"

"Not reluctant, just... just that I think they need more rescue aid."

Han Yu thought for a moment and emphasized: "Such a big earthquake, happening at night, probably caused many houses to collapse, with many Taiwanese compatriots buried under the rubble. The priority now is to rescue people."

Captain Fang stared at him and asked, "You want to go?"

"If the superior orders it, I will definitely obey and follow the command."

"We'd like to go to the rescue, but would Li D Hui let us land on the island?" Captain Fang asked rhetorically, returning to the topic: "Your current task is to ensure the safety of the Fishing Boat Formation on their return. As long as you escort the fishing boats from Zhehai and Jiangnan back along the way, your task is completed."

Captain Shen suddenly remembered something, smiled, and added: "Captain Fang knows you are worried about Boat 823 and Boat 825, and has already contacted the Maritime Department for you. The cross-sea landing exercise is over, the tasks of Boat 823 and Boat 825 are also ended, and the Maritime Bureau has ordered them to join up with you, then return together."