Evening. The sun is setting.
This is the last night.
The earthquake will happen tomorrow.
Dong Xuebing sat in his car, looking at his article on Fen Zhou Daily. His phone had been ringing non-stopped the whole day. However, he only answered a few and made a few calls.
“Chief Dong, I am Liu Dahai. Is it true about the earthquake?”
“Yes. Old Liu, you should send your family away as soon as possible.”
“Chief, I am Luo Haiting. I read the papers and….”
“Sister Luo, hurry up and leave with your family.”
“But what if there’s no earthquake?”
“Listen to me and leave. You all must leave tonight.”
“Alright. I will listen to you.”
“Aunt Qian. It’s me, Xiao Dong.”
“The article you published on the papers had caused chaos.”
“Let it be as long as the residents are safe. Aunt Qian, you and Uncle Liu must be careful. I had asked my mother to contact Sister Yu and Qianqian. She will bring them to Beijing tonight.”
“Alright. We will feel at ease if they are in Beijing.”
“Hello, Xuanxuan. It’s me.”
“I can tell from your voice.”
“Be serious. Are you due soon?”
“Yes. The due date is estimated to be on first October.”
“Ok. You must leave your current building now. Book a suite at the hotel and bring your parents there for a few days.”
“Huh? Why?”
“A major earthquake is going to happen. Beijing might feel the tremors, and it might not be safe.”
“What earthquake? How come I don’t know anything about it?”
“I can’t explain now. Just do what I say.”
“Hello, Xiao Dong.”
“Sister Xu.”
“It’s so hard to get through your line. I had to call for almost ten minutes.”
“I am busy with the earthquake and am about to call you. Leave before it’s too late.”
“Everyone can leave except for me. If the earthquake is happening like what you predicted, then the more I must stay here. I am calling you about other things. Fen Zhou City Government had contacted us to ask about you. Your article had caused fear and panic in the City. They want the State Security to arrest you for investigation. But I have delayed it for you. I can stop them temporarily for a few days. You better be prepared.”
“They had mobilized the State Security!?”
“The commotion you created had crossed the line. I don’t know what to say about you. Why can’t you use your brains before you do anything?”
“Sorry to trouble you.”
“It’s fine on my side. I am afraid something might happen to you.”
“Don’t worry about me. I am confident about the situation. You need to be careful these two days and stay away from those old buildings.”
“Ok. I will take note of it.”
Dong Xuebing spent an hour and a half making these calls.
The streets are packed with cars and people lugging their suitcases. These people are evacuating, and a few residents have set up tents in the garden at the heart of the Subdistrict. They are going to spend the night outside in the garden. These people are the ones who believe an earthquake is going to happen.
Dong Xuebing is glad that some residents believed him.
The situation is in his favor.
Dong Xuebing had successfully alerted everyone.
Suddenly, Dong Xuebing’s phone rang again. It’s the District Party Secretary Wang Anshi’s secretary.
Secretary Cang said coldly. “Secretary Wang wants you to come to the District Party Committee Building’s meeting room now.”
Dong Xuebing knows the time has come for him to face the pressure. He doesn’t know if he can withstand it, but he must hold on until tomorrow at 11 am.
District Party Committee Building’s small meeting room.
Dong Xuebing took a deep breath and knocked softly before entering.
More than a dozen District Government Leaders are in the meeting room. District Party Secretary Wang Anshi, District Mayor Geng Yuehua, District Commission for Discipline Inspection Secretary Wu Liang, Executive Deputy District Mayor Shen Fei, etc. All the District Party Committee members are seated at the meeting table, and other District Government Department Leaders are seated at the back. Dong Xuebing also saw Chu Qinghua and other Subdistrict Office Directors among them.
Everyone is at this meeting.
Dong Xuebing closed the door and entered the meeting room.
Everyone turns and stares at Dong Xuebing.
Only Geng Yuehua and Wang Anshi are not looking at him. Their eyes are glued to a TV in the meeting room.
The news is playing on the TV. “An article on Fen Zhou Daily had caused an uproar in Fen Zhou City today.” The footage switched to Dong Xuebing’s article. “This article was posted by Nan Shan District’s Guang Ming Subdistrict Office Director, and it is about abnormal animal behaviors. He claimed the animal behaviors are indications of an earthquake happening soon. But our reporter had checked with the Provincial Earthquake Administration experts. They told us they had conducted checks in Nan Shan District and did not find any signs of earthquakes. They cannot verify if this article is true and hope everyone can remain calm. The related authorities had started investigating this matter.”
Wang Anshi waved his hand, and Secretary Cang switched off the TV.
The meeting room becomes quiet, and everyone’s attention turns to Dong Xuebing. They know Dong Xuebing is in trouble this time. He had not learned his lesson after offending the District Party Secretary Wang Anshi, he still created this mess for himself and his Subdistrict. The whole city is in chaos because of his article.
Even the City Government Leaders are furious with him.
Wang Anshi started talking. “Fen Zhou City Government had ordered to investigate this matter, and I am suspending Guang Ming Subdistrict Office Director Dong Xuebing now.”
Suspension.
This is not a surprise.
Dong Xuebing’s heart sinks, and he stares at Wang Anshi. “Secretary Wang, I will follow the Party’s decision. But you must give me a reason for suspending my duties.”
Wang Anshi coldly replied. “Are you not satisfied with this decision?”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “Yes. I am not satisfied.”
No one had ever seen a Section Chief staff opposing the decision made by the District Party Committee.
Wang Anshi frowned. “You had spread earthquake rumors and caused fear and panic. This is the reason for your suspension.”
Dong Xuebing retorted. “I disagree with spreading rumors. Animals’ abnormalities are indications of an impending earthquake. This is scientifically based, and I had reported to the District and City Governments. How can you say I am spreading rumors? I discovered these abnormalities and reported them. If I am not allowed to report it, what should we Subdistrict Offices report? What’s the point of setting up Subdistricts, Districts, Counties, and Provinces? The Central Government can govern everything. If we are not even allowed to report our findings, they should do away with the local authorities.
Furthermore, as a citizen and a Party Member, I must report to the higher-ups when I discover anything suspicious! Are you saying that I cannot report to the higher-ups when I discover an earthquake will happen?! I can only keep it to myself and wait for the earthquake to happen?! Are you telling me to wait for people to die in the disaster? How can I continue to be a Party Member?!” Dong Xuebing is good at arguing.
Wang Anshi got mad. “Is this the way you report to the higher-ups?! You published it through the newspapers without any verifications! This is irresponsible! How dare you argue now?! You should reflect on your actions!”
Dong Xuebing looks at Wang Anshi. “I don’t think I should reflect on my actions. In fact, I think everyone here should be the ones reflecting. I don’t believe I am the only one who saw the weird animal behaviors. All of you should have seen it. Yes, the Earthquake Administration did not find any signs of an approaching earthquake, but how reliable are their findings? Many of you are afraid of being held responsible if we start evacuating the residents. What if the earthquake did not happen? Someone must be held responsible. Suppose we ignore it and an earthquake happens. In that case, the Earthquake Administration will be responsible because they did not detect the earthquake. All of you don’t need to worry as you all don’t need to take the blame!”
Somethings cannot be said openly, but Dong Xuebing said it!
Everyone looks at Dong Xuebing and thinks to themselves. This guy dares to say anything. Wang Anshi and the rest of the District Government Leaders are looking terrible.
“Just because you all are afraid of being held responsible, you all are going to pretend not to see the abnormalities. This is disregarding the lives and safety of our residents! You all are betting our residents’ lives!” Dong Xuebing continues. “You all can do such things, but I can’t! I am not afraid of being held responsible for it! I don’t care about the City Government orders or who is going to suspend me! Even if I am suspended, our Guang Ming Subdistrict residents must evacuate! I will bear all responsibilities!”
Dong Xuebing shouted and stormed out of the meeting room. No one can stop him!
He must save his residents even if he is fired!
