Chapter 143 Disaster

Unconsciously, the sky outside the window was getting darker and darker. The northern fields looked particularly vast and boundless in the twilight, and the snow reflected a faint cold light.

The temperature seemed to have dropped even lower, and the wind blowing in through the gaps between the carriages was bone-chillingly cold.

Lu Liangchen was lying on the bed, but he didn't sleep. He was quietly watching Jiang Haitang working diligently, with doting in his eyes and brows.

Sudden!

A dull and loud sound of metal breaking, accompanied by a sharp and harsh friction sound, came from under the car without warning!

The entire carriage shook violently, as if it was pushed hard by an invisible giant hand!

"Bang--squeak--!!!"

The immense inertia caught everyone off guard and hurled them forward! Packages from the luggage racks clattered down, and thermoses popped on the ground, splashing boiling water everywhere!

Exclamations and screams instantly exploded in the carriage.

"ah--!"

"What's going on?!"

"The car is going to flip over?!"

Many people began to panic, and for a moment, adults and children were shouting.

The moment the shock hit, Jiang Haitang subconsciously hugged Xiao Taozi and held her tightly in her arms.

She used her body to brace against the hard bunk divider to prevent the child from being thrown out.

Lu Liangchen reacted extremely quickly. While rushing forward, he firmly grasped the railing of the upper bunk with one hand to steady himself, and stretched out his other hand like lightning to grab Jiang Haitang.

The four young men sleeping on the middle and upper bunks also screamed. Fortunately, they were young and had lived in the countryside before. At the critical moment, they held on tightly to the handles on the beds and the carriage and managed to keep steady.

“Grandma, grandma!”

Suddenly, Jiang Haitang heard Zhao Xiaomei's panicked shouts coming from the bunk next door.

Jiang Haitang immediately realized that something had happened to Tao Yuhe.

The violent shaking lasted for a few heart-pounding seconds, followed by a teeth-grinding sound of metal twisting. Finally, under the huge inertia, the train came to a crooked stop with a harsh sound of brakes.

Jiang Haitang then hugged Xiao Taozi tightly and went to the next bunk under the escort of Lu Liangchen. She saw Tao Yuhe rolling on the floor. Fortunately, he was cushioned by the scattered luggage and quilts and did not suffer any greater damage.

"Grandma Tao, are you okay?" Jiang Haitang asked hurriedly.

Lu Liangchen immediately went over to check on the good guy's condition.

Fortunately, the old man just fell off the bunk and was dizzy.

After the old man was straightened up, everyone realized that the carriage was tilted! It was obvious that one side was higher than the other.

The view outside the car window was no longer of flowing scenery, but a dead wilderness covered with thick snow.

The biting cold wind instantly rushed in through the broken windows and twisted door gaps, and the temperature inside the car dropped sharply!

After a brief silence, someone started shouting.

"Something's happened! The train's derailed!"

"Look! One of the carriages is tilted!"

"Help! Someone's hurt!"

The shrill cries came from somewhere, one after another.

Chaos and panic spread like a plague.

The lights in the carriage flickered a few times and then went out completely. Only the emergency lights emitted a dim and weak light, illuminating the panicked faces.

The biting cold wind was howling, chilling people to the bone.

"Liangchen, what should we do?" Jiang Haitang also became anxious.

Lu Liangchen quickly stood up straight, and his military instinct made him immediately enter emergency mode.

"Everyone, don't panic! Stay calm!"

His resonant voice was like a magic needle that instantly drowned out the noise.

Perhaps because someone stood up at this time, many people's emotions calmed down a little and the people in the car were no longer panicked.

His sharp eyes swept across the chaotic carriage and he quickly assessed the situation: the carriage was tilted about 15 degrees, the joints were deformed, cold wind was blowing in, many people fell, objects fell, and some passengers might be injured.

The most urgent thing is to quickly control the chaos, rescue the wounded and prevent hypothermia!

"Comrades, party members, please step out of the line and gather on my left. The elderly, the weak, women and children in the carriage need you. Comrades who have knowledge of medical rescue, please gather on my right. The injured people need your assistance." Lu Liangchen shouted loudly.

"Comrade Zhao Xiaomei, please help take care of my children and Grandma Tao. Haitang, please help check on the wounded!" Lu Liangchen gave orders very quickly, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

"I understand!" Jiang Haitang didn't hesitate at all and immediately stuffed the still dazed Xiao Taozi into the arms of Zhao Xiaomei, who was still in shock in the bunk opposite.

"Sister Xiaomei, help me hold the baby down and don't let her move! Observe Grandma Tao's condition and call for help immediately if there's an emergency."

She quickly took Little Peach's small cup and wrapped it around Little Peach.

At this time, Xiao Taozi was very sensible and did not make a fuss. She just hugged Zhao Xiaomei's arm tightly and stared at Jiang Haitang without blinking.

At this time, some people had already stood up, including four young men on the upper and middle bunks.

"We are not party members, nor are we medical staff, but we can help." The four people said in a firm tone.

"Let's check each carriage for injuries first." Jiang Haitang didn't hesitate and started the action with four people.

I had only taken two steps forward when I saw a young woman holding a child and rolling to the ground with the child.

Jiang Haitang immediately squatted down: "Comrade! How are you? Is the child okay?"

The young woman's face was pale, her forehead was scratched and bleeding. She frantically checked the baby in her arms. The child was crying loudly in fear, but there seemed to be no obvious external injuries.

"I... I'm fine, the child seems... seems to be fine too..." Her voice trembled.

"Don't be afraid, I'm already gathering medical personnel. Please keep an eye on the child."

Jiang Haitang's voice was soothing. She quickly checked the baby's limbs and head and found no obvious injuries, just as the young woman had said.

"Hold the child first, find a place to sit down and wrap him up tightly!"

At this time, Jin Youqing had also walked up to a woman whose arm was scalded by hot water and was gasping in pain.

"Don't move, sis! Let me see!"

The other three educated youths were already comforting the injured and frightened passengers.

At the same time, Lu Liangchen made some simple arrangements for three people who had medical knowledge and several people who volunteered, and then strode towards the connection between the carriages.

The situation there was worse than expected. The iron sheets at the joints were twisted and deformed, the cold wind rushed in like a knife, and there were broken glass scattered on the ground.

Lu Liangchen looked towards another carriage.

"Male comrades who can still move, please help carry the injured comrades to a sheltered place. Rescue workers may not arrive for a while, so we have to save ourselves first." Lu Liangchen shouted loudly.

The people in the carriage gradually calmed down, and several people stepped forward to help.

"Please check if anyone is trapped by heavy objects! Watch out for broken glass underfoot to avoid causing secondary injuries!"

After Lu Liangchen finished arranging this carriage, he turned around and went to the next carriage.

The situation in the next car was even worse than in their car.

He led the way, leaning over and dragging out a middle-aged man whose legs were pinned by luggage.

Then, according to the previous arrangement, those who were able to move in the carriage were called upon to step forward and start saving themselves.

With Lu Liangchen's calm command, the chaotic carriage found its backbone.

Several male passengers who had calmed down a little responded immediately and began to support the injured and clear obstacles in the aisle.

"Attendant! Conductor!" Lu Liangchen shouted towards the front of the train, but all he heard in response was chaos and the sound of wind coming from farther away.

Lu Liangchen went through each carriage one by one, arranging people to rescue themselves in each carriage.

After making sure that everyone in the carriage was rescued, Jiang Haitang decisively walked in the opposite direction of Lu Liangchen.

Following the example Lu Liangchen had set, she began to call on the people in the back half of the carriage to rescue themselves.

"Able-bodied male and young comrades, please take the initiative to help the wounded, the elderly, the weak, women and children who need help."

"We need something warm! Everything that can keep us warm, blankets, coats, quilts, give priority to the elderly, children and the wounded!"

"Watch your step and don't cause secondary damage."

Jiang Haitang repeated these words over and over again until her voice became hoarse before she finally reached the rear end of the vehicle.

Someone came forward, and although the people in the carriage were still in chaos, they were much calmer than before.

Many children and women were crying, but their voices were very low, as if they were afraid of infecting others with their emotions.

"Comrades, please believe that we will all be fine. Everyone, take out all the warm clothes and wrap them up. Especially the children, make sure to take good care of them."

The sun had set, the glass on the car windows was shattered, and the cold wind rushed in. The temperature in the car was getting lower and lower, and some people were already shivering with cold.

The sleeper car has quilts, which is better than the hard seat car.

Jiang Haitang felt sad, but at this time, she was powerless and could only try her best to help those in need.

She had already given her gloves and scarf to the children and the elderly. The cold wind blew in along her neck and she couldn't help but shiver.

After confirming the situation in the following carriages, Jiang Haitang quickly returned to the original carriage.

She was worried that Xiao Taozi would be scared if she didn't see her and Lu Liangchen for a long time.

Fortunately, Xiao Taozi was stronger than she thought. The little guy sat in Zhao Xiaomei's arms and did not cry.

A few men found some cardboard from somewhere and were trying to block the broken window.

The people in the carriage were either busy or sitting together, leaning against each other, but no one spoke.

Obviously, everyone is worried about whether they can get through this difficult time.

Jiang Haitang forced a smile and said soothingly, "Please believe that we will be able to overcome this difficulty and return home on time for the New Year!