"Deputy Director Garukei, there's a massive dune field up ahead. The Engineering Department has calculated it—if we detour around it, it'll add several months to the project." Wuzhong Ou, wearing wind goggles, reported to Deputy Director Garukei, who had come to inspect the progress of the Sand-Moon Expressway.
"Let's go take a look first." Garukei wasted no words. He pulled on two sandproof socks and walked out of the tent.
Looking at the enormous dune field before them, over two hundred meters high and stretching beyond sight, Garukei sucked in a breath.
"How long is it?" Garukei asked.
"At least thirty li."
"We can't afford the delay. We can't." Hearing Wuzhong Ou's answer, Garukei immediately shook his head.
"We originally planned to complete the first phase of the Moon-Sand Expressway by the end of this year. If we lose several months, it'll drag into next year. Besides, the village will soon be holding military exercises in the Land of Rivers. Supplying Moon Lake New District is the top priority. This can't be delayed—we can't take a detour! Didn't your survey team find this dune field before?"
"There wasn't any dune field here before. Didn't that black sandstorm blow through a couple days ago? It sprang up overnight." Wuzhong Ou spoke helplessly.
"Damn, I still underestimated things. I didn't account for the desert's unusual climate." Garukei slapped his forehead, looking deeply annoyed.
After a while, Garukei tugged at the scarf around his neck, as though he had finally made a difficult decision.
"Damn it! We'll build according to the original plan!"
"But these dunes are over two hundred meters high. If we follow the original plan and dig pits and drill holes, the workload will more than double. Won't that delay us even more?" Wuzhong Ou scratched his head.
"If I