Afternoon.
Street Administration Office.
It was past lunchtime, and Dong Xuebing walked out of his office. He took his meal card and walked into the cafeteria. He was starving.
"Is there any more food?" Dong Xuebing asked.
The waiter behind him quickly asked. "Chief, you have not eaten?"
Dong Xuebing nodded. "I had some matters to attend to, and it's late. It's fine if there is no food."
"There is still food." The waiter said. "It's a little cold. Let me heat it up for you."
Dong Xuebing waved his hand. "No need to trouble yourself. Just get me some food. Thank you."
"Ok. Please wait for a while." Although the canteen was rented out, everyone knew this ordinary-looking young man in front of them was the highest ranking official in the Street Administration. That's why no one dares to offend him. They also had a good impression of Dong Xuebing. They knew this Chief Dong was very polite to everyone and did not put on airs. Even when Dong Xuebing told them not to bother, the chef still asked one of the workers to heat up the food before passing it to him.
At the corner near the window.
Dong Xuebing sat down with the food and started eating. His mind was still thinking about the upcoming magnitude 8 earthquake.
Dong Xuebing's appetite was affected when he had something on his mind. Although his stomach was growling, he could not eat anymore. He put down his chopsticks and looked around. He was the only one in the cafeteria, and the workers had gone to the back to rest. So, Dong Xuebing took out his phone and called Yang Zhaode.
Ring … ring … ring … ring …
Dong Xuebing ate some more food and chewed on it, and the call got through.
"Hello, Xiao Bing." Yang Zhaode's voice was on the other end.
"Uncle Yang, are you busy?" Dong Xuebing swallowed the food in his mouth.
"I am not busy. I had just finished lunch and am in my office."
"Are you free? I … err … I have something on … "
"Haha, tell me. Who offended you this time?"
Dong Xuebing replied. "No … it's not about that." Dong Xuebing paused for a while and said. "It's about the earthquake."
Yang Zhaode was stunned and laughed. "Earthquake? Why did you think of this? "
Dong Xuebing replied. "I have a friend at the National Earthquake Bureau, and I heard rumors that Hebei Province might have a major earthquake in the next few years. You should know about the damage caused by earthquakes, and I think our City should prepare for it now. This way, we can prevent casualties. Uncle Yang, can you mention this to the City's Party Committee? Let everyone pay attention to it and then discuss how to avoid the earthquake? Should we make a comprehensive plan? "
Yang Zhaode did not know whether to laugh or cry. "There's going to be an earthquake in Beihe Province? Mid-term earthquake prediction? "
Dong Xuebing also doesn't understand and replied. "It should be this."
"What should it be? I've never heard of it. If there is a forecast, the provincial seismological department will report it directly. But there is no news at all."
"Aiya, anyway, there is no harm in taking precautions, right?"
"Xiao Bing, do you know that your Uncle Yang is from the Organization Department? Is he going to talk to the Standing Committee about earthquake prevention?"
"But you are also a member of the Standing Committee of the City Committee. As long as it is related to the City, it is related to you."
"Let me put it this way." Yang Zhaode said helplessly, "There's nothing to hide between us. When it comes to earthquake prediction, foreign countries are more advanced. We have to admit that our country's earthquake prediction is much worse. Mid-term prediction and short-term prediction are not reliable. Moreover, the problem now is that your Uncle Yang can tell you clearly that the National Seismological Bureau has not made a mid-term prediction for the earthquake in Beihe Province recently. I don't know where you got this news from, but it's definitely a rumor and absolutely cannot be trusted."
Dong Xuebing replied. "Uncle Yang, it's better to be safe than sorry."
"You are too pessimistic. How can there be an earthquake out of nowhere? "
"But the previous few times, weren't they all fine just like that? Who can say for sure? "
"Xiao Bing, what's wrong with you today?"
"I am worried. Our city's population is too high, and the consequences will be dire if there is an earthquake."
"Don't worry. It will be fine." Yang Zhaode reminded him, "Fortunately, you told me this today. You can't say this to others. You are spreading rumors about the earthquake. If someone catches it and makes a fuss about it, you might be sentenced. Your Uncle Yang is not trying to scare you."
"Uncle Yang! Can you just mention this at the meeting? "
"It's not that I don't want to help you. If it's your problem, I will do my best to help you. But this … earthquake?"
"But what if it really happens?"
"What if it really doesn't happen?"
Knock … knock … knock … Someone knocks on the door, and Yang Zhaode said. "I have someone here. Xiao Bing, think about it carefully and stop thinking about this."
Du … du … the line was cut.
Dong Xuebing threw his phone on the table and continued eating. After that, he picked up his phone and called Xie Huilan.
The call connected.
Dong Xuebing heard a mature woman laughing. Xie Huilan still loves to laugh. "Hello? Haha. "
"What is it, Sister Xie?"
"Haha … Guess?"
"How can I guess? Are you reading some documents?"
"Almost. I am writing a speech for tomorrow." Dong Xuebing could hear the sound of flipping pages. "What's the matter? What is it? "
"How do you know I have something on?"
"You can't hide anything from your face, and it's the same with your voice. Tell me, what trouble did you cause again?"
Dong Xuebing was furious. Why are you all always like this? Am I that troublesome? Hmmm … Fine … I am a little troublesome, but you all should stop talking about it. "No trouble. I just want to tell you something. Do you know about earthquakes? It's not an official earthquake, I'm talking about a real earthquake. "
Xie Huilan laughed. "Do you think Sister Xie knows about earthquakes?"
Dong Xuebing replied angrily. "Even a three-year-old knows about earthquakes. You don't know?"
"Since you know I know, then why are you still asking?"
"Hehe … can you stop arguing with me? I am only trying to start the conversation. Sister Xie, Xie Huilan, can you be more serious? I'm being serious. " Dong Xuebing stopped joking with Xie Huilan and got straight to the point. "I heard from a friend in the Earthquake Bureau that there might be a major earthquake in Hebei Province. It will not be lower than a magnitude 7 earthquake, and you should know how destructive it is. That's why I want you to prepare for it and help Yan Tai County prepare for it. If not, it will be too late!"
"Did you drink too much in the afternoon?"
"What's there to drink? I am not done with my lunch!"
"Then why are you talking about this? Earthquake prediction? Why didn't I receive any news about this? Don't believe in rumors. "
"I'd rather believe it than not!"
"Are you out of your mind?"
"I am sober. Just tell me if you agree or not!"
Xie Huilan paused for a second. "We are in an era of economic growth, and our earthquake preparedness has never been neglected. But you want me to focus on earthquake prevention and disaster reduction alone. This is a waste of resources, and it is more of a formalism. In my opinion, there is no need for this. "
"Why is it not necessary? Can those preparedness measures withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake? "
"It can't, but how do you know there will be an earthquake? A magnitude 7 earthquake and above? Did you hear it from someone? "
Dong Xuebing was speechless as he does not know how to explain. "Anyway, you can do it! Do you think I will harm you? "
"This is not a problem of who will harm who. As the County's Mayor, I cannot use the County's resources to bet on a rumor. Let's stop this topic, alright?"
"Sister Xie!"
"Hehe, don't talk about Big Sister. Even if you call me Mom, I won't play along with you."
After hanging up, Dong Xuebing is furious. This Xie Huilan does not believe him and still dares to provoke him!
Dong Xuebing took a deep breath and did not give up. He immediately called Geng Yuehua.
The call went through. "What's up?"
Dong Xuebing immediately replied. "It's about earthquake preparedness and disaster reduction. Mayor Yuehua, can we organize an earthquake preparedness drill in our district? It will be best if we can set it up in every neighborhood. I heard from a friend from the Earthquake Bureau that our Hebei Province … "
Geng Yuehua did not wait for Dong Xuebing to finish his sentence. "No!"
"Yuehua! Listen to me … "
"I don't have time to listen to your drunken talk! That's all! "
"Damn! I am not drunk!"
Du … du … du … the line was cut.
Dong Xuebing slapped his forehead and put down his phone. He does not know what to say.
Yang Zhaode does not believe Xie Huilan.
Xie Huilan does not believe him.
Geng Yuehua also does not believe Dong Xuebing.
And this was someone who had a good relationship with him. If it was someone else, he wouldn't believe it.
Dong Xuebing also does not blame them. If someone had told him that they want to start a large-scale earthquake preparedness drill, Dong Xuebing would have kicked him out!
But now, the big earthquake was really coming!
The effects of FORWARD had been verified, and it is real! Dong Xuebing only has about a month left!
Dong Xuebing was no longer in the mood to eat. He walked out of the cafeteria and looked at the bustling city. His eyes narrowed. He still needs to convince Yang Zhaode and the rest, but in Guangming Street Office, Dong Xuebing can still make the decisions. Even if everyone does not believe him and does not want to cooperate, Dong Xuebing must still do what he can. At least, he must ensure the safety of the people in his district!
Dong Xuebing will save as many people as he can!
Let's start with Guangming Street! Dong Xuebing does not care about anything else!
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