Chapter 154: Black-hearted Businessmen
Chapter 154: Black-hearted Businessmen
Asahi Shimbun: The Meteorological Agency reported a magnitude-7.4 earthquake hitting Sendai City at 14:25 on the 13th. Meanwhile, a magnitude-8.9 earthquake struck the Pacific Ocean at latitude 37.8°N and longitude 142.2°E, at a depth of approximately 20 km. The quake triggered a tsunami that devastated Miyagi Prefecture. Preliminary statistics indicate the combined disaster has already caused 5,000 deaths and 20,000 missing persons, with numbers continuing to rise.
CNN News: According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a magnitude-9.1 earthquake occurred in the West Pacific Ocean at latitude 37.8°N and longitude 142.2°E at 21:25 Hawaii time on the 12th. The epicenter depth was about 21 km. The resulting tsunami struck Island Nation, potentially with waves exceeding 25 meters in height.
CCTV: At 13:25 Capital time on the 13th, a magnitude-9.0 earthquake occurred in the Pacific Ocean at latitude 37.8°N and longitude 142.2°E, centered approximately 22 km deep. The quake generated a tsunami affecting areas including Miyagi Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture in Island Nation. Official figures report 5,437 deaths and over 20,000 missing persons.
Reuters: A magnitude-9.0 quake in the northeastern sea of Island Nation has caused tens of thousands of casualties. Legion Ant Company warned of this mega-quake an hour before it happened. With some preparation, the casualties could have been reduced. Why were losses still so massive?
Financial Times: The massive quake and tsunami hitting Island Nation are projected to cause economic losses exceeding 150 billion U.S. dollars.
Die Welt: Fukushima has once again been hammered by a quake-induced tsunami, worsening the nuclear leak crisis. Contaminated nuclear fuel risks seeping into groundwater, making Fukushima imminently more hazardous. Globally, people are again debating the safety of nuclear power plant infrastructure. In South Korea, protests demanding a halt to nuclear power plant construction have resurfaced.
Moscow News: The powerful earthquake has propelled Island Nation’s archipelago 5 centimeters toward the Mariana Trench. The trench’s eastward expansion is accelerating. Currently, Island Nation’s islands are sliding toward the Mariana Trench – located 200 kilometers away – at an annual rate of 1.5 meters. The fault is growing increasingly fragile. Should several more mega-quakes of this magnitude occur, the “Sinking of Island Nation” could become reality.
Various news reports flooded the media.
The attention of the entire world was drawn to this colossal earthquake. Coverage across all levels, in all forms, focused on the quake and tsunami.
One hour before the disaster struck, Legion Ant Company had already issued a warning. Yet, Island Nation still suffered such catastrophic casualties and losses. Many began to reflect deeply on why.
The damage could have been minimized, but Island Nation chose not to trust Legion Ant Company, preventing significant mitigation.
As the world reeled in shock from Island Nation’s earthquake and tsunami, nations including the United States, Huaxia, Russia, and Australia had dispatched rescue teams. United Nations rescue forces were also racing to the disaster zones.
Across Island Nation, spontaneous prayer vigils were held in various settings. The whole nation was swathed in profound sorrow.
Gradually, voices emerged online in Island Nation:
“Why was Legion Ant Company’s warning ignored?”
“Because Legion Ant never disclosed the precise location of the mega-quake! Disaster struck due to their selfishness. Why won’t Legion Ant disclose the seismograph technology?”
“Why didn’t Legion Ant announce the exact location of the super earthquake? Are they truly that selfish?”
“We demand Legion Ant release its seismograph technology.”
These sentiments quickly spread across international news outlets and social media platforms. Media agencies aggressively demanded that Legion Ant Company publicize its seismograph technology.
Alongside reports about Island Nation’s disaster, this demand became a dominant global narrative.
Having now accurately predicted two earthquakes, Legion Ant had proven its seismographs invaluable. Installing devices as monitors in earthquake-prone regions could save countless lives.
An ethical imperative at the international level pressured Legion Ant Company intensely. Whether this pressure was orchestrated or organic, ordinary people couldn’t tell.
Legion Ant’s official response came swiftly.
The earthquake occurred within Island Nation’s territorial waters; Legion Ant’s seismographs weren’t near the epicenter and thus couldn’t gauge its magnitude or exact center.
As for the clamor to disclose its technology, Legion Ant had zero intention of entertaining such near-senseless demands. Engaging it would be foolish. The quake impacted Island Nation only, yet once positioned Legion Ant prominently in the global spotlight.
The company strove for discretion. Beyond issuing a brief statement, it avoided all public appearances and offered no further commentary on Island Nation’s calamity.
Legion Ant continued its routine work as usual.
Li Chengzhi, Cheng Guo, and Yao Yi arrived together at Legion Ant Company’s office tower. All three were awed by it.
This company was phenomenally potent – achieving something unprecedented. Chen Mo and Legion Ant had entered the highest echelons’ field of vision at last.
Upon entering the building lobby, they saw Chen Mo and others waiting at the entrance.
“Mr. Li, Secretary Yao, Director Cheng.” Chen Mo quickly greeted them before leading the group to a meeting room.
Once seated, Chen Mo broke the silence.
“It’s surprising to get a joint visit from all three of you. Is something urgent happening?”
“It was a matter of coincidence that we came together,” Yao Yi said cheerfully. “My business isn’t classified; I may as well go first. Binhai City is preparing to become a Smart City and enhance its urban image. Since Legion Ant is at the forefront of the intelligent platform sector, I want to invite your participation in the initiative.”
Zhao Min glanced at Chen Mo. He gave a slight nod, prompting her response. “Agreed. We can arrange a detailed discussion on this topic later, Secretary Yao.”
“Perfect!” Yao Yi chuckled. “One more item: the production license for seismographs has been approved. Official production batch numbers are issued.”
Chen Mo and Zhao Min exchanged knowing looks.
The seismographs’ utility had been showcased vividly through the Island Nation quake. High command likely wanted domestic installations urgently, speeding the approval.
Both turned to Cheng Guo, who said, “I came to discuss procurement. We intend to buy 200 seismographs to establish an Earthquake early warning network in provinces prone to earthquakes. Regarding pricing…”
“Manufacturing costs place them at roughly 3 million yuan per unit,” Chen Mo stated. “Consider this Legion Ant’s small contribution to help earthquake-affected citizens here.”
“That is highly commendable. I express the nation’s gratitude to you and Legion Ant.” Cheng Guo’s admiring gaze fell upon the young man, sensing remarkable political awareness.
“However, production requires certain equipment assistance from your end,” Chen Mo noted. “Otherwise, full-scale manufacturing would have to await our machinery. That would impose delays.”
“Leave that task to me,” Li Chengzhi declared broadly.
Top leadership had made its stance clear: Facilitate whatever Legion Ant needed to expedite the Earthquake early warning network’s creation. This mandate drove his presence here.
“I’m here bearing messages as well,” Li Chengzhi added. “First, prioritization must go to building Huaxia’s network. Share any support requirements directly with me.”
“Agreed,” Chen Mo affirmed. “We resolve internal network deployment before targeting exports. Can we request tax exemption incentives for exports?”
“I’ll look into it,” Li Chengzhi replied. “One curiosity: what export price are we discussing?”
“Five million U.S. dollars per machine,” Zhao Min smiled brightly.
Her statement nearly made all three male visitors curse aloud. Selling units costing 3 million yuan for 5 million U.S. dollars? This woman wielded a merciless blade.
“It seems appointing Miss Zhao to manage operations was a wise move, Brother Chen Mo,” Yao Yi remarked after a chuckle.
“Only you know their exact manufacturing costs; please maintain confidentiality.”
“Of course,” the trio replied, sharing conspiratorial smiles.
Foreign companies once exploited monopoly tactics against Huaxia. Now the tables had turned. After all, if they didn’t gouge people, they wouldn’t be qualified merchants.