Chapter 182: Bearing the People’s Worries While Living Off Their Support

The Capital Seismological Benchmark Station was located at Baituan in the western suburbs. Since the International Geophysical Year 60 years ago, it had formally recorded observations of earthquakes and geomagnetism. Equipped with various observation methods, it was an important base for domestic earthquake observation and geophysical research, as well as a platform for international earthquake and geomagnetic data compilation and exchange.

This was the site of today’s earthquake early warning network launch ceremony.

In the Capital, it had snowed for several days during winter, but today was exceptionally clear. Rays of sunlight offered the only hint of warmth in the harsh cold. The ceremony venue was crowded with people, and many reporters were broadcasting live.

After the seismograph was developed, the earthquake early warning network was now officially launched. This signaled that earthquake prediction had become possible in the future.

Just as everyone was eagerly anticipating, a convoy of vehicles appeared and stopped in a special area of the ceremony venue.

“Chen Mo, you designed and invented the seismograph, right? Tell us about some interesting stories from when you were designing it,” the Chief called Chen Mo to his side with a friendly smile.

Chen Mo nodded, his mind racing. He could not say that the seismograph came from the Science and Technology Library. The existence of the Science and Technology Library was his most closely guarded secret.

“In the past, when I saw reports about earthquake disasters, I thought it would be great if we could have earthquake early warnings. During my studies, I learned all about physics, including vibrations, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, and mechanics. Later, after reading about earthquake early warning knowledge, I began organizing related theories. Once the company had funds, I put my initial ideas into practice…”

Chen Mo spoke seriously while making things up, knowing that no one else could verify the truth of his words. If he said it was true, then it was true.

“As for an interesting story, it was when I submitted my research paper on earthquake early warning. I submitted it to Nature, but both domestic and international submissions were rejected. I posted it on the official website hoping to find like-minded people, but instead, I was heavily criticized.”

Chen Mo spoke all the way, and the Chief listened attentively.

“After enduring the pressure, I developed the first seismograph. Through Li Chengzhi’s introduction, I met Mr. Wu Zhen from the Academy of Sciences, and then we began testing the seismograph.”

His explanation was simple, but others could imagine the hardships involved.

“Many great discoveries were initially misunderstood,” the Chief said after listening.

The group arrived at the scene and began greeting the staff involved in the installation and testing of the seismograph.

Wu Zhen’s face glowed with happiness, as if he had become decades younger. His lifelong wish was to be able to warn about earthquakes, so others would not have to experience the pain of losing their families in earthquake disasters as he did.

For this wish, he had even changed his name to Wu Zhen. Now, at an age when he was nearing the end of his life, he had finally fulfilled this dream.

After the seismograph was installed, data testing was conducted around the clock.

All specific data collection was completed. For earthquakes below magnitude 5.0, the warning accuracy rate was about 92%. The higher the magnitude, the higher the accuracy rate.

No major earthquakes had occurred domestically, so the exact accuracy rate could not be determined. Data for high-magnitude earthquakes were obtained from several seismographs in the Pacific Ocean, and all known earthquakes had been successfully predicted.

The testing work had long been completed; today was merely a ceremony. The actual earthquake network had already been put into use and would not be interrupted for the ceremony.

Even though it was just a ceremony, he was still overjoyed. It meant announcing to the world that the era of earthquake early warning had arrived.

Just as he was rejoicing, the Chief, Chen Mo, and others approached him.

“Old Mr. Wu, you’ve worked hard,” the Chief said, holding Wu Zhen’s hand.

Feeling the warmth from the Chief’s hand, Wu Zhen’s eyes welled up. The memory of his family being buried under rubble was still vivid in his mind.

Snapping back to reality, Wu Zhen spoke, his voice choked with emotion: “It was no hardship. I bear the people’s worries while living off their support.”

These last words earned Chen Mo’s silent admiration. Countless unknown scientific workers had supported the nation’s progress over the decades, seeking neither fame nor gain. They simply did as Old Mr. Wu said: bearing the people’s worries while living off their support.

“Old Mr. Wu, congratulations on fulfilling your wish,” Chen Mo said to Wu Zhen.

“I should be thanking you,” Wu Zhen replied, casting a grateful look at Chen Mo.

All the workers and employee representatives involved in the installation and testing of the seismograph shook hands with the Chief one by one. Some were excited, others surprised—each person felt differently.

In the Legion Ant Company employee area stood the company’s technicians and staff who had participated in the seismograph assembly.

“They are the representatives of Legion Ant Company’s turners and assembly personnel, involved in manufacturing and assembling the seismograph components,” Chen Mo explained as they reached the Legion Ant Company area.

Each employee stood tall, their faces filled with pride. After shaking hands with the Chief, they were even more excited.

“There is also a special employee—the Legion Ant Company’s Enchantress Robot, Xiao Yao.”

Chen Mo led the group to a robot.

“Its chip contains all the data related to the seismograph assembly. During the initial assembly, it taught other employees how to assemble and explained the process. Sometimes, it also participated in the assembly. There were five robots involved in the assembly, each assisting a different team.”

To have this robot participate in the ceremony, Zhao Min had put in great effort, going through countless confirmations and checks before it was approved.

Though the procedures were extensive, Zhao Min insisted on doing it because of its special significance.

The fact that Legion Ant Company had intelligent robots was no longer a secret. The use of robots was still being tested, and they might be launched on the market in the future.

“Hello, Chief,” the Enchantress Robot said as soon as Chen Mo finished speaking.

“Hello.”

The Chief looked the robot up and down, smiling as he shook its hand. It was his first time shaking hands with a robot. The robot’s smooth and flexible movements made it seem like a person in disguise—its intelligence was remarkably high.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“It is Xiao Yao’s honor to participate in the seismograph assembly.”

Hearing Xiao Yao’s voice, everyone at the scene laughed, while also marveling at the advanced technology of Legion Ant Company.

The Chief nodded with a smile, but his mind was racing. He had seen this robot in a video during the Internet Conference exhibition. Given his unique position, he considered issues more thoroughly and broadly than others.

The social problems that might arise with the advent of robots were something they needed to consider. Today’s society was open, and technological advancements happened too fast—the future was already here.

“Well done, Xiao Yao. I look forward to your active innovation, better benefiting society and the people,” the Chief said, nodding before turning to Xiaoyu beside the robot.

When she noticed the Chief looking at her, Xiaoyu immediately grew nervous.

She had often seen this elderly man on TV and in mobile news, but this was the first time she was so close to him. It was untrue to say she wasn’t nervous or excited.

“She is my girlfriend, He Xiaoyu, and also Zhao Min’s assistant. When the earthquake early warning paper was published, it was Xiaoyu who believed in me and supported me through that stressful time,” Chen Mo introduced with a smile. “Thanks to her support, we have the seismograph today.”

“Hello, Chief.”

Being introduced like this made Xiaoyu blush with embarrassment. She shook the Chief’s hand nervously but gracefully.

“Hello,” the Chief said with a smile. “Sharing hardships together makes it all the more precious.”

“Thank you, Chief,” Xiaoyu nodded earnestly.

After greeting all the employee representatives, everyone took their seats, and the launch ceremony began.