Power and Wealth

Night.

Guang Ming Garden.

The street lamps are lit, and additional lights are put up in the garden. Dong Xuebing is supervising the set up of the temporary disaster relief center.

"Thank you. You all had work hard."

"Director, we are fine."

"We got to do this through the night. This is the time when the residents need us. We will pull it through."

"We can do this. Eh, Director, you don't need to help. We can do it."

"How can I stand here and watch you all work? Oh, there are not enough tents."

"We had used all the tents we bought previously here. There are not enough tents in the other gardens and plazas."

"Director Zhou, contact the sports equipment companies and ask them to deliver these supplies over. If we don't have enough money, put it on credit."

"Ok. I will call them now."

"Everyone, do your best. Everyone's lives depend on us."

Guang Ming Garden is big, and there's no high-rise building around. There will be no falling debris or risk of building collapses, and it is the best relief center location. Dozens of tents had been set up in the garden. Some are smaller tents, but the majority are big ones. However, the tents only occupy a small area in the garden center. The progress is too slow, and Dong Xuebing got to help the staff set up tents, carry supplies, set up lights, etc.

After inspecting Guang Ming Garden, Dong Xuebing drove off to other locations.

It's midnight, and people are still on the streets. Many people are resting by the roadsides and some even set up tents in the open. These people are worried about the earthquake.

"Old Zhou, you are here."

"That's right. My whole family is here."

"I heard the TV had started to stop the rumors. They say there's no confirmation of an earthquake happening."

"I don't dare to take the risk. I would rather spend two days outside than to return home."

"I think so too. I would rather believe an earthquake is happening than to risk it. Come over. We can stay together. I have a tent."

Dong Xuebing did not stop these people when he saw them. They had set up tents by low-rise buildings and far from the walls. Even if those buildings collapse, they will be safe. The disaster relief centers cannot accommodate so many people, and some residents got to find safe places themselves. The residents are not fools, and they know where to take shelter.

When Dong Xuebing was about to drive off, he saw a few police cars stopping by the roadside.

The registration plates indicate they are from the District Public Security Bureau.

The police officers descended, and one of them has a beer belly. He is the highest-ranking officer among them. The District Public Security Bureau Deputy Chief.

The officers gathered the residents by the roadside.

One skinny officer shouted. "This is a public space. Who gives you all the permission to sleep here?!"

An old man looks at the officers. "An earthquake is going to hit us. Are you asking us to wait for our death at home?!"

The skinny officer retorted. "Who told you there will be an earthquake?! Don't believe these rumors! Go back immediately!"

A couple with a one-year-old child shouted. "What's wrong with us staying here?! The newspaper had reported that there might be an earthquake."

Deputy Chief Chu steps forward. "People! We had just received news from the District Party Committee that there will not be any earthquakes! I can guarantee it! The Earthquake Administration confirmed there are no indications of any earthquake. You all don't need to worry and go home! Sleeping here will disrupt law and order and the traffic. It will affect our duties to maintain law and order! Go back now!"

The old man retorted. "You all dare to guarantee that there will be no earthquake?! If the Earthquake Administration can predict earthquakes accurately, why did so many people die from the previous major earthquakes?!"

"That's right! We are not leaving!"

"My dog had been barking the whole day. It's abnormal!"

"You all are trying to kill us by asking us to go home!"

"What are you all up to?! Do you all want to see us killed?!"

"Yeah! What's wrong with us staying here?!"

Dong Xuebing's article had convinced these people that an earthquake was coming. Of course, the majority still don't believe it. These families that are spending the night by the roadsides are the ones who are worried. It's not easy to persuade them to go home.

This place is near Guang Ming Garden.

The commotion attracted many Subdistrict Office staff, including Zhou Yanru and Wang Yuling.

"What are you all doing?!" Wang Yuling shouted at the officers.

Zhou Yanru asked. "What is happening?" A middle-aged woman recognized her. "Director Zhou, these police officers are trying to chase us away. They don't allow us to sleep here. An earthquake is coming, and they are not allowing us to take shelter here! They are trying to kill us!"

Deputy Chief Chu narrowed his eyes as he looked at Zhou Yanru. "You are from the Subdistrict Office?! Good! Get your residents back home and stop the panic from spreading! We have received complaints that people are setting up tents and sleeping by the roadside."

Zhou Yanru stares at Deputy Chief Chu. "We received notification from the District Government for earthquake disaster response warning, and the Subdistrict Office had ordered the residents to evacuate their homes." Deputy Chief Chu's rank is much higher, and he shouted back at her. "Earthquake disaster response warning?! How come we are not informed?! I had just received orders from the District Party Committee and the Public Security Bureau to maintain law and order in the district! Residents are not allowed to sleep here! Since you are from the Subdistrict Office, you should not allow this! Nan Shan District is in chaos now, and you all are making it worse! What are you all up to?! This is disrupting public order! Do you want me to bring you back for questioning?!"

The skinny officer shouts at the residents. "I am repeating this. There are no earthquakes! If you all want to remain here, don't blame us for this!" He turns to the other officers. "Bring all of them back to the Station!"

"Yes!"

A few officers step forward.

Zhou Yanru and the rest of the Subdistrict Office staff are furious. But before they could say anything, they heard the sound of a car door closing.

Dong Xuebing got out of his car.

Dong Xuebing is mad. These Public Security Bureau officers are counting their death. The earthquake is happening tomorrow, and he has less than twelve hours. Yet these people are creating trouble by forcing the residents back home and arresting the Subdistrict Office staff.

Wang Anshi controls the District Public Security, and these officers are following his orders.

You all had picked the wrong place.

Don't you all know who I am?! I am Dong Xuebing!

"Director!"

"Director Dong is here!"

The Subdistrict Office staff felt at ease when they saw Dong Xuebing. They know their Director Dong's way of working after these few months.

Public Security Officers think differently.

Deputy Chief Chu's eyelids twitched, and his officers are in dazed.

Who is Dong Xuebing?! He is the biggest troublemaker and gangster of the Nan Shan District!

Deputy Chief Chu did not expect to see Dong Xuebing here, but he was ordered to do this. "Director Dong, these residents are…."

Dong Xuebing can't be bothered with what he wants to say and interrupts him. "What did you all say earlier?! You all want to arrest our residents?!" Deputy Chief Chu replied. "They are causing a disturbance, and…."

"Disturbance, my ass!" Dong Xuebing points at him. "Who are you to interfere in Guang Ming Subdistrict Office's business?! Who the f**k are you to arrest my residents?! Go ahead and try arresting someone now! I dare you to do it!"

The residents are shocked. They did not expect their Subdistrict Office Director to be so vulgar. He is the opposite of all government officials.

Guang Ming Subdistrict Office's staffs are also shocked. They did not expect Director Dong to spew vulgarities when he opened his mouth.

Deputy Chief Chu turns pale. He holds the same rank as Dong Xuebing and has heard of the infamous God of Plague. He got mad and stared at Dong Xuebing. "Watch your words!" Dong Xuebing sneered. "This is the way I talk! Bring your men and get out of our Subdistrict! Stop creating more problems for us!"

"Creating problems?!" Deputy Chief Chu shouted. "You all are the ones creating problems for the Public Security Bureau! Don't you know the District Party Committee had ordered to stop the rumors?!"

Dong Xuebing was about to argue when his phone rang.

It's Police Station Chief Pang Gang. "Director, something happened at my side. The Public Security Bureau's Officers arrested our Officer."

Dong Xuebing's face changed. "What?!"

"Their officers are forcing the residents along Guang Ming Road East to return home, and they arrested our officers when we try to stop them. I had stopped their cars."

"Stop them from leaving until I arrive!"

Dong Xuebing's blood is boiling! You all are asking for it!