"What can we do? The weather just got cold, and now there's a problem at sea. Even if we wanted to migrate, we can't leave."
"Even if we brave the snow, there's no heating system in the Kunmeng Mountains. The temperature there is so low, how are we supposed to get through it once we arrive?"
A group of bigwigs looked anxious.
Some people who were not familiar with the shelter project asked, "What? There are no heating pipes installed?"
"Well, we did want to lay it, but it's impossible. The area is all rolling mountains, making construction difficult to begin with, let alone meet the deadline. There's no water, electricity, or heating at all." Someone familiar with the work provided an explanation.
"So what did we fix?"
"It's just an ordinary house, a bungalow, a small house. It's just for temporary shelter, what kind of good repairs do you expect?"
"Oh, no wonder General Li didn't recommend checking in early, the conditions must be really bad!"
"Yes, everyone is used to tap water and toilets. Who would want to go to the river to fetch water or to the outhouse to poop? There is electricity over there, but there are no electronic devices. The electricity is only used for lighting and construction."
"Those laborers have a tough life over there."
"That's right. Even if the alliance didn't mistreat them, they've all become skin and bones. The inconvenience of life is one reason, but the daily physical labor is also a major factor. I heard there's no entertainment there, which has forced the kids to take up martial arts. By some twist of fate, they've found a way out for themselves."
"Ahem, let's not talk about that anymore. Aren't we discussing what to do with the residents of coastal areas right now?"
"What can we do but wait and drag it out? The weather conditions don't allow it, so we'll have to break our promise."
Listening to everyone's discussion, General Li sighed and turned to ask Dean Xu, "What do you think is the approximate time when the disaster will occur?"
Dean Xu frowned, seemingly very troubled: "General, it's not that I'm deliberately making excuses, but rather, I really don't know. The seawater appears calm and normal on the surface, but our researchers discovered that the energy inside the seawater is very active during professional measurements."
Moreover, energy is directly proportional to depth. This means that the seawater has not yet finished storing energy, and we still have some time to prepare.
"What you said is as good as nothing at all," General Li pointed out directly, and the others nodded in agreement.
"There's nothing I can do about it, it's really hard to say."
Dean Xu also had his own ulterior motives. To be honest, based on the current data, the energy peak shouldn't be reached in the next two or three months, but who knows what might happen? Therefore, he'd rather be suspected of lacking professional expertise than provide speculative data.
"Oh dear, what are we going to do?" The meeting room fell into another round of sighs.
After a long pause, General Lee said, "Let's inform the people about the current situation. Since we made a promise, we should keep it."
"But..." Aren't you afraid of causing unrest?
“There are always risks, but if we don’t disclose them and something goes wrong, it means a loss of credibility. At that point, it won’t be so easy for the alliance to win people’s hearts again.”
The meeting room was deathly silent. After a long while, a vote was taken by raising hands, and General Manager Li's suggestion was passed unanimously.
Because everyone knows how serious the consequences can be when a government loses its credibility.
In early December, the Qinghe Alliance held another press conference.
Lee, the leader of the alliance, frankly informed all citizens of the latest research findings and recommendations.
"Although the ocean is beginning to change, according to scientists, this change is still in its early stages and will not affect our production and daily life..."
Logically, we could begin relocating coastal residents, but with snowfall in most cities and many highways closed for safety reasons, we lack an effective method for large-scale relocation...
We hope that coastal residents can understand and stay home to wait for the weather to warm up...
If the situation at sea deteriorates, we will evacuate all citizens to the Kunmeng Mountains even if helicopters are deployed...
The shelter conditions are very basic, with no central heating. Even if you go there now, you'll face no water, no gas, and no heating, a situation incomparable to current urban living conditions...
The shelter can open earlier, but the temperature in the Kunmeng Mountains is currently as low as -37 degrees Celsius, unsuitable for human habitation. If coastal residents are concerned and arrive early, the Alliance will only provide accommodation and no other services. Please consider this carefully…
General Lee's words were half statement and half threat, but in any case, they clearly explained the current crisis and predicament.
Whether others believe it or not is not within his consideration.
After the press conference ended, online discussions reached a fever pitch. Without exception, the discussions revolved around whether or not people should have checked into the shelters ahead of schedule.
People who are used to being cautious believe that it is best to seize the opportunity before everyone else has reacted.
But he was also worried that the living conditions were really as bad as General Li had described. In the end, he might end up freezing in the Kunmeng Mountains even though nothing happened at the seaside, which would be a huge loss.
Therefore, they hesitated and wanted to hear other people's opinions.
There was also a group of optimists who believed the alliance wouldn't risk human lives. Since Alliance Chief Li had said there was no immediate danger, it meant they were relatively safe.
If that's the case, why bother going to the refuge area? Even setting aside the long and arduous journey, once you reach it, without warmth and food, you won't survive for long.
Therefore, they decided to remain inactive and follow orders.
Another group is indifferent. They believe that everyone's fate is predetermined, and when it's time to die, everyone must die; no one can escape it. So they eat and drink as usual, not caring at all. Even if disaster is imminent, they remain calm and composed.
The online debate was in full swing, coastal residents were filled with anxiety, and the tense atmosphere spread inland. Even Shen Yanming and his colleagues felt a sense of urgency.
The guards took many measures, all in secret. No one except their own personnel knew anything about them.
Shen Yanming and Bi Qiaoan were also assigned tasks. One was to back up data, and the other was to stockpile traditional Chinese medicine pills. The couple had a clear division of labor and were extremely busy every day.
An'an and Nuannuan are very obedient. They play various games in the living room every day and don't bother Bi Qiao'an. Only at noon or in the evening do the four of them get together to be affectionate.
The matter was resolved at the end of December. Because a group of people really didn't listen to advice, and carrying their belongings, they went through countless hardships and finally reached the Kunmeng Mountains.
The labor workers stationed there did indeed follow the instructions and assigned them rooms. But the empty and poorly warm rooms left the group feeling utterly devastated.
They didn't know what the point of coming all this way was.
Is it better to learn to fetch water by yourself, or to shiver in thick quilts?
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