Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 894 - 850 National Mourning

Chapter 894: Chapter 850: National Mourning

Chapter 894 -850: National Mourning

April 19th

On this day, a whole seven days had passed since the devastating Wenshu earthquake. In Huaxia, according to traditional customs, this would be the first Seventh Day after death, or what is colloquially known as the “first seven,” for those who unfortunately perished on the day of the earthquake.

Just yesterday, a press conference was held in Jingcheng by the central government, announcing a decision. Starting from April 19th to April 21st, these three days were designated as National Days of Mourning. During this time, embassies and other institutions abroad would lower the flag to half-mast in mourning. All public entertainment activities across the country were to be suspended, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as various embassies and consular institutions would set up books of condolence.

Moreover, at 11:28 am on April 19th, the entire nation would observe a three-minute silence. At that moment, cars, trains, and ships would sound their horns, and air raid sirens would blare.

At the same time, from the start of April 19th, all major TV stations and major online portals across the nation would cease broadcasting and publishing all other videos and news. Station logos and website logos would all turn grey to express mourning.

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In addition, the International Olympic Committee, the United Nations, and other foreign governments also designated this day as a day of mourning, lowering flags to half-mast as a sign of grief.

On this day, in Jingcheng, at the central government institutions, right outside the Huaxia Gate, Director Shen and other central leadership comrades were all gathered here. On the flagpole in front of the Huaxia Gate, the vibrant national flag had already been lowered to half-mast, and at the moment when the air raid siren sounded and the horns blared, the national leaders all bowed their heads in deep, silent mourning.

In Guangzhou, in Hucheng City, in Jiangbei, across the whole nation, in every province, autonomous region, and city, time seemed to freeze at this very moment.

In Yizhou City, at the forefront of a pile of ruins, Nie Zhenbang and Sun Jialuo, representing the Bashu Provincial Party Committee and the Bashu Provincial Government, laid wreaths in front of the debris.

Behind them were the several hundred thousand surviving residents of Yizhou, soldiers from the military, officers from the armed police, as well as rescue workers, medical staff, volunteers, and others from all over the country.

All of them came from different corners of the country, but at this moment, they were united by a single goal, gathered together.

In that instant, there was not even a whisper of noise. Every person was praying and mourning the lost loved ones deeply from their hearts.

After the moment of silence had concluded. Nie Zhenbang turned to Sun Jialuo beside him and said, “Old Sun, how is the situation in Yizhou City now?”

After Nie Zhenbang returned to Tianfu City to command and coordinate the entire province’s earthquake relief efforts, the major responsibility for the relief work in Yizhou City had been handed over to Sun Jialuo.

Having accepted the task, Sun Jialuo had been giving it his all. On one hand, amidst such a great disaster, the cohesion had surged to unprecedented levels, with everyone casting aside their usual attitudes and small-minded concerns, unified by a single belief, a single mindset.

Moreover, Sun Jialuo was well aware that his performance during this time would have a significant impact on his political future. Therefore, over these days, Sun Jialuo had truly poured his heart and soul into the earthquake relief work, dedicating all his energy to the task at hand.

During these days, Sun Jialuo’s health was put to a severe test, and the strain was apparent in his extremely haggard appearance.

Nie Zhenbang looked at Sun Jialuo and comforted him, saying, “Old Sun, your health is the capital of the revolution. You’re not like me; you’re older now, and staying up all night for such a long time isn’t good for you.”

Sun Jialuo forced a smile, then shook his head slightly. Although what Nie Zhenbang said was true, he sighed and said, “Governor, as you are aware of the situation in Yizhou City, we really have no other choice. Ruins await revival, a city vanished in the blink of an eye. Now, Yizhou City has truly been wiped clean.”

Back at the temporary workstation in Yizhou Square, Sun Jialuo continued, “Governor, the situation in Yizhou City during this period has been relatively good. The great disaster did not crush the spirits of the people of Yizhou. Everyone is extremely resilient. Supplies of food, drinking water, and medical care are all in abundance. The rural population’s disaster data has already been tallied up. Now, life in the rural areas has gradually returned to the pre-quake level.”

Hearing this, Nie Zhenbang wasn’t surprised at all. Yizhou, with its vast land and sparse population, had seen significant yet relatively straightforward disaster relief efforts in the countryside. After the distribution of relief tents, agricultural production in the villages gradually returned to normal order. Moreover, after the post-disaster reconstruction compensation funds were issued, farmers spontaneously began constructing houses, and thus the rural disaster areas were the first to recover.

After a pause, Sun Jialuo continued, “The reconstruction work for the urban area of Yizhou City and several districts and counties like Wenshu and Dam County is still in the planning and preparation stages. Currently, our intention is to first arrange for the disaster victims to be housed in temporary modular homes and then plan for reconstruction.”

Nie Zhenbang nodded. Post-disaster reconstruction isn’t something that can be accomplished in an instant. As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day. This post-disaster reconstruction work is a heavy, complicated, and systematic project. Whether to rebuild in a different location or in the original place is a question that needs to be considered, and beyond that, how to build and how to construct well are key issues. It’s not something that can be done just because one says it can.

Immediately after, Nie Zhenbang asked, “How is the situation at Qin’s Ridge Landslide Lake?”

Qin’s Ridge Landslide Lake was like a sword hanging over the head of Yizhou City, an issue that Nie Zhenbang had always been closely monitoring and concerned about.

When it came to Qin’s Ridge, Sun Jialuo’s expression grew solemn, “Governor, the situation at Qin’s Ridge is not good. Currently, leaders and experts from the Wenshu Earthquake Disaster Relief Command and the Water Conservation Monitoring Group are stationed at the frontline construction site of Qin’s Ridge. According to predictions by Old Tang, the water level continues to rise. The length of the Landslide Lake has already exceeded six kilometers, and the widest part of the water surface has also surpassed 1,200 meters. Data from the newly established hydrological monitoring station above Qin’s Ridge shows that the water level has reached 681 meters. The total water storage capacity has exceeded two hundred million cubic meters.”

This data stunned Nie Zhenbang completely; he hadn’t expected the situation at Qin’s Ridge Landslide Lake to have reached this extent. After pausing, Nie Zhenbang stood up and asked, “Is the dam body safe? Is there any danger of it collapsing?”

Sun Jialuo, who took the situation at Qin’s Ridge Landslide Lake very seriously, was competent in his own right. After Nie Zhenbang fully entrusted him with the work in Yizhou City, Sun Jialuo placed great emphasis on the situation at Qin’s Ridge.

At this moment, listening to Nie Zhenbang’s inquiry, Sun Jialuo nodded and said, “Previously, the Tianfu Military Region mobilized the army’s latest heavy transport helicopters from military regions across the country. Using sling load operation, they have already transported nearly a hundred excavators, fifty bulldozers, and other large machinery to Qin’s Ridge Landslide Lake. In addition, after mobilizing soldiers of the Armed Police Transportation Troops from the YiZhou Urban Area to Qin’s Ridge Landslide Lake, an emergency bypass road was urgently repaired. Small cars can’t pass, but there’s no problem for large off-road trucks and mechanical equipment. Now, under the direction of the Water Monitoring Group, twenty diversion channels have been excavated, and the dam body has also been solidified and reinforced. At present, there shouldn’t be too many problems.”

Relieved by this information, Nie Zhenbang had always been receptive to advice. As water conservation wasn’t his area of expertise, and since experts from the Water Conservation Monitoring Group saw no major issues, he was inclined to believe them.

Immediately afterward, Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “Old Sun, as time goes by, the likelihood of finding survivors keeps diminishing, an undeniable reality. At present, our main focus should still be on two aspects: one is to spare no effort in carefully inspecting and clearing the collapsed buildings and debris to see if any survivors are still present, and the other is the relocation work for disaster victims. Right now, the most pressing matter is to ensure post-disaster order and stability. Once the rescue work ends, that will be our moment to consider post-disaster reconstruction.”

Sun Jialuo nodded to indicate his understanding, but then he suddenly said, “Governor, speaking of reconstruction work, there’s something I want to report to you. Just yesterday, here in Yizhou City, we received a phone call. The caller stated they were from a group called the ‘Tenglong Consortium’ and wanted to make a targeted donation of thirty billion yuan to the disaster area. However, their request was quite unusual, as they don’t want to go through the government for this donation. They wish to arrange their own personnel for face-to-face direct assistance. The amount of this sum is simply too immense, and the company itself is unheard of. I didn’t dare agree to it straight away.”

Hearing this, Nie Zhenbang was also momentarily taken aback; he had not heard a word about Tenglong’s donation from An Na or Wan. Unexpectedly, Wan had directly called here and made such a request.

After a moment of silence, Nie Zhenbang realized that if this money was directly donated to the Bashu Provincial Government, it would inevitably cause a stir domestically. If investigated by those with ulterior motives, the causes and consequences would likely be uncovered. This method would also help ensure Tenglong’s confidentiality to the greatest extent.

With this thought, Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “Old Sun, it seems that our government’s work is not satisfactory, leaving the broad masses of the people without a sense of trust. Thirty billion is not a small amount. Since they have already expressed their intention to donate to Yizhou City, I think it’s a good thing. It’s beneficial for both the people of Yizhou and for us. In that case, why not be more open-minded? I say, let them make their own arrangements.” (