Power and Wealth

Only a few hours before the earthquake happens.

Dong Xuebing did not sleep last night and is exhausted. But he is forcing himself to carry on. He is at the disaster relief centers with the rest of the Subdistrict Office Leaders to maintain order.

“Everyone, follow me to the relief center!”

“Don’t rush…. Queue up and keep orderly!”

“Guang Ming Garden is full. Go to the plaza on West Street.”

“Follow this path. Eh! Help that old man! Xiao Liu, carry him on your back!”

“Don’t bring heavy items or electric appliances! Go and take shelter at the relief centers!”

“Is there anyone else left in the neighborhood?! Go and check every household! Make sure there is no one left!”

Dong Xuebing and a dozen Subdistrict Office and Neighborhood Committee staff are outside an old neighborhood built in the 70s. They are evacuating all the residents there. This place was one of the places that turned into rumbles after the earthquake. This is listed in Dong Xuebing’s newspaper from the future. Such old buildings cannot withstand major earthquakes. Dong Xuebing could not afford to leave anyone behind and had ordered everyone to evacuate. Hundreds of residents were evacuated to the various relief centers, and the building was empty.

“Director, everyone had left.”

“Did we miss anyone?”

“No. We checked every household.”

“Alright. Let’s go to the next location! Hurry up!”

Most of the buildings in Guang Ming Subdistrict survived the earthquake and did not collapse. Dong Xuebing only needs to evacuate the worst-hit buildings like this one to prevent casualties. He might achieve zero casualties if everything goes according to his plan.

The residents of these locations must be evacuated, as these buildings might collapse.

Dong Xuebing got into his car for the following location and called Zhou Yanru. “Director Zhou, how is the progress on your side?”

“We are working on it. We had just evacuated a neighborhood.”

“What about the other locations?”

“Secretary Geng and Yuling had led a team to evacuate the row of shops and factories along the commercial street. We have ordered the schools to stop classes, and Director Yu is going to the Neighborhood hospitals. The neighborhood clinics and hospitals are ready. Their doctors and ambulances are on standby. When an earthquake hits, the injured will be sent there immediately. Your earthquake drill guideline had asked Liu Xiang Neighborhood’s old hospital to shift their equipment and staff to temporary tents outside. They had done that.”

“Good. Did you hear anything from the District Government?”

“I did not receive any information from them.”

“What about the City? Did other places start evacuating their residents?”

“Your article had caused some residents to leave the city last night. But most of the residents remained, and the City Government did not make any announcements. Oh, I just received information that other than our Subdistrict, Yan Tai County also started evacuating their residents.”

Dong Xuebing paused for a second. “Yan Tai County?!”

“Yes. Other than our Subdistrict and Yan Tai County, all other areas are not doing anything about the earthquake.”

“Who ordered Yan Tai County’s evacuation?”

“I heard it is a female Mayor. She proposed the evacuation this morning during their Party Committee Meeting.” Zhou Yanru sounds impressed. “Although the County’s Party Secretary objected to the proposal, their Mayor managed to win through the committee members’ vote. She even says she will bear full responsibility if anything goes wrong. Now, Yan Tai County had started to move their residents.”

“I know.”

Dong Xuebing is surprised that Xie Huilan would do this. He thought she would disagree as he tried persuading her over the past few days. She always replies she will think about it. That’s why he did not call her yesterday.

Dong Xuebing reached another old residential building. He ordered his men to evacuate the residents and returned to his car to call Xie Huilan.

Ring… ring… ring….

“Huilan, it’s me.” Dong Xuebing said.

“Haha…. You finally decided to call me.”

“I heard you had ordered an evacuation.”

Xie Huilan giggled. Her background is very noisy. “This order was given out this morning, and the residents are evacuating. I am directing this operation at the scene.”

Dong Xuebing hesitated for a while and said. “You finally believe what I said.”

“Believe what you said?”

“That article about an earthquake.”

Xie Huilan laughed. “To tell you the truth, I don’t believe your article and don’t believe an earthquake will happen.”

Dong Xuebing is surprised. “Then why did you give an evacuation order?”

Xie Huilan replied. “The trouble you had caused this time is too big, and everyone is targeting you. Haha…. If I don’t support you now, who else will support you? Don’t forget we are getting married.”

“Huilan…. You….”

“Haha…. Are you moved?”

“Yes.”

“So, you finally know how good I treated you.”

“Yes…. I knew it a long time ago.”

“Then you must treat me well in the future. You will do all the household chores after we are married.”

Dong Xuebing is amused. “How can you say that? We got to split the work equally.”

“Hmph! You don’t want to do it?!”

“Yes…. Yes…. I will do whatever you ask me to. I will not let you do any chores after we are married. I will treat you like an Empress.” Dong Xuebing joked.

“That’s more like it. Haha…. I am taking a big risk with you. If the higher-ups decided to punish us, we got to switch careers and do business. I hope you are prepared for this.”

Dong Xuebing replied. “Don’t worry. This will not happen.”

“Haha…. You sound quite confident.”

“Since when have I done anything that I am not confident about? I am touched by your support and did not expect you to evacuate Yan Tai County’s residents. But I believe all Yan Tai County residents will be grateful towards you after today.”

Xie Huilan’s support gave Dong Xuebing’s morale a boost.

It’s a blessing for Dong Xuebing to meet Sister Xie.