Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 882 - 838 Urgent Return
Chapter 882: Chapter 838: Urgent Return
Chapter 882 -838: Urgent Return
Such a dedicated phone line was also in his office, specifically the red telephone on the desk.
Just at this moment, suddenly, the lobby trembled once more, only this time it was much milder than before.
This phone, under normal circumstances, sat on the desk solely for use when the central leadership called, and its actual use was extremely rare. Nie Zhenbang had been in politics for many years and had never seen other leaders use it, nor had he used it himself.
Yet, Nie Zhenbang was well aware of its function. Unlike civilian program-controlled telephones and digital switches, this phone employed military dedicated lines, commonly referred to as national defense fiber optics. In other words, even during war or various emergencies, if communications were disrupted, this phone’s communications could still be maintained.
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This was also a necessary means of strengthening the connection between local and central governments. Now that Su Xuan had used this phone, Nie Zhenbang had a very bad feeling.
After answering the call, Nie Zhenbang did not exchange pleasantries but went straight to the point, “Secretary Su, it’s me.”
Over the phone, Su Xuan’s voice came through, sounding very serious and somber, “Zhenbang, a major incident occurred. According to the predictions from the Provincial Seismic Bureau, just now at 11:28 AM, a major earthquake of at least magnitude 7.8 struck within our province, in Xiuchuan Town, Wenshu County, Yizhou City. Currently, communications in the disaster area are completely down.”
Nie Zhenbang abruptly came to his senses before Su Xuan could finish speaking. That’s right, how could he have forgotten such a major incident?
Nie Zhenbang felt some self-reproach. Indeed, there had been such a severe earthquake in his memory, without any hesitation or consideration. Nie Zhenbang said in a deep voice, “Secretary Su, I will return to the province immediately. Please arrange for a car to head to the airport now, I will take the next flight.”
Su Xuan did not hesitate as Nie Zhenbang’s capabilities were well known to him, and getting a plane was not an issue for someone like Nie Zhenbang.
After hanging up the phone, Nie Zhenbang turned to his secretary-general, Li Yunhe, and said, “Yun He, a major incident occurred in the province. Secretary Su just informed me. Just now, an earthquake exceeding magnitude 7.8 struck within Bashu, and I must return immediately. I’m leaving things here in your hands. Notify Governor Liu and you must also return to Bashu right away.”
Upon stepping out of the Great Hall, Nie Zhenbang took out his phone and immediately dialed a number. Without waiting for a response, he sternly said, “This is Nie Zhenbang. I need Dragon Ascend to be ready for takeoff immediately. As for the flight route, I will personally contact the Civil Aviation Administration.”
After ending the call, Nie Zhenbang dialed another number. A few beeps later, his uncle Nie Guodong’s hearty voice came through, “Zhenbang, what has prompted you to call me today?”
Nie Guodong’s words carried a teasing tone. As a vice-chair of the Military Commission and a member of the Political Bureau, Nie Zhenbang had to avoid any appearance of impropriety. Otherwise, not only would Director Shen disapprove, but Comrade Qiao Yiren might also have trouble sleeping.
But at that moment, Nie Zhenbang had no time for distractions and said directly, “Uncle, there’s been a major incident. Just now, an earthquake exceeding magnitude 7.8 occurred in Bashu Province. I’m preparing to return there immediately. My private plane is already on standby at Jingcheng City Airport. I need your help to coordinate the flight route.”
Upon hearing this, Nie Guodong was taken aback and fell silent. The sound of Nie Guodong’s secretary came through the receiver, “Chief, we’ve received a call from Director Shen’s office. You are to attend an expanded meeting of the Political Bureau immediately.”
Such significant matters would definitely be known to the nation almost instantly. Nie Zhenbang had no doubt about it, as the national seismic network was not there for show. A major earthquake like this would surely be reported at the first instance.
Soon after, Nie Guodong’s voice was heard again, “Alright, you go to the airport now. I’ll handle everything else.”
After hanging up, Nie Zhenbang, accompanied by Li Jupeng and his guard secretary Wu Li, immediately left the Great Hall. Outside, an Audi from the Bashu Province Beijing Office was already waiting by the side, with Wu Li promptly taking the driver’s seat.
At the same time, Li Jupeng took a special pass bearing the bright national emblem and the emblem of the State Affairs Office from his briefcase, and placed it on the front windshield. Wu Li then hung a portable police warning light on the top of the car. Turning on the siren, they sped off with its wail piercing the air.
From the Great Hall to Jingcheng City International Airport was a journey of more than fifty kilometers. However, with the siren sounding all the way, Wu Li demonstrated the superb training one expects from a member of the Central Security Bureau. His driving skills were indisputably top-notch.
The car travelled unobstructed, entered Jingcheng City International Airport, and on the tarmac, Tenglong Consortium’s “Longteng” jet was already prepared for takeoff. Nie Zhenbang boarded the plane and as soon as he did, the aircraft taxied onto the runway and took to the sky, heading toward Bashu.
After several hours of flight, the plane arrived above Bashu International Airport. As soon as Nie Zhenbang deplaned and walked out of the airport, there were already two vehicles waiting at the door: one police car with its emergency lights flashing, ready to go at any moment. Without much conversation, he got into the car and headed straight for the Bashu Provincial Party Committee compound.
At this moment, inside the Bashu Provincial Party Committee Office Building, within the committee meeting room, the atmosphere was grave. The office door was pushed open from outside, and Nie Zhenbang walked in.
All the standing committee members were already seated. Su Xuan, seated in the central leading position, also had a very serious expression. Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “Sorry, I have returned late.”
Su Xuan waved his hand and said, “Alright, comrades, Governor Nie has also returned. Let’s begin the meeting. Director Shao, please introduce the specific circumstances of this major earthquake in Wenshu.”
Director Shao was the head of the Bashu Provincial Seismic Bureau. At this moment, speaking in front of all the provincial standing committee members, he seemed somewhat nervous as this was his first time.
Taking a moment to steady his breath, Director Shao began, “Secretary Su, Governor Nie, leaders, according to the data from our Provincial Seismic Bureau and Seismic Monitoring Center, as well as the information shared with the National Seismological Network, today, April 12th, at 11:28 am, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake occurred in Wenshu County of Yizhou City, Bashu Province. The epicenter should be located in Xiuchuan Town of Wenshu County. The focal depth was about 10 kilometers and the seismic intensity exceeded level eight, classifying it as a major earthquake. Following the naming convention for earthquakes, we have designated it the Wenshu Major Earthquake.”
After him, Sun Jialuo also spoke, “Secretary Su, Governor Nie, at present, all communications within the province have been temporarily interrupted. The communication departments are rushing to repair the lines, and currently, no updates are available from the earthquake-affected areas.”
After Sun Jialuo finished, Pan Jianzhang, the standing committee vice governor in charge of transportation and other projects, also spoke, “Secretary Su, Governor Nie, I am in charge of transportation, and to my knowledge, Yizhou City is already on the western edge of our province, with extremely inconvenient transportation. There are only two access routes, one is the 03 National Highway via Changhong City and the other is the 18 National Highway above Yizhou. However, traveling that way requires detouring more than eight hundred kilometers. Wenshu County and Yizhou City are in the same area, and Wenshu is also the seat of Yizhou City’s government. With such a big earthquake this time, I worry the traffic might already be cut off, which is extremely disadvantageous for subsequent rescue efforts.”
These words from Pan Jianzhang filled the meeting room with an oppressive silence, with transportation and communication cut off, it was as though Yizhou City had become an isolated island.
Su Xuan looked grave, tapping his fingers on the table, and said in a solemn voice, “Yizhou City has a population of over 390,000 in the urban area; at 11 am, people would have been at work or school. Situated at the very center of the earthquake, one can imagine the current chaos in Yizhou. We can’t delay any longer. We must deploy emergency rescue operations immediately.”
Among those present, many officials lacked experience in disaster rescue, but Nie Zhenbang did not. He had encountered the Lixian earthquake back in Xibei Autonomous Region, and later in WangHai, had also fought against typhoons.
At this moment, Nie Zhenbang pondered for a moment before speaking, “Secretary Su, it’s not just Yizhou City. I believe the towns and counties surrounding Yizhou City have also suffered considerable disaster. I suggest that the province and all standing committee members take action immediately, heading to the surrounding towns and counties to begin deployment of earthquake relief operations. The Provincial Civil Affairs Department, Public Security Department, and Health Department must also prepare for rescue efforts, mobilizing manpower and material resources from throughout the province and various cities to go all-out in post-disaster rescue operations. At such a time, in the face of such a major disaster, this is a battle. We have to give it our all, to win this war.”
At that time, Nie Zhenbang’s words served as a backbone, providing a clear objective to the other standing committee members, who no longer hesitated.
Su Xuan nodded, and his esteem for Nie Zhenbang rose another level. Nie Zhenbang was indeed a rising political star. The breadth of his vision and his composure were not something ordinary people could match.
Standing up, Su Xuan said, “Good, I believe everyone has clearly heard what Governor Nie said. In that case, Vice Secretary Long will immediately rush to Changhong City, and comrade Bo Jun will go to Yangde City. The rest of you should head to the various towns and counties surrounding Wenshu. There’s no time to lose—let’s get moving.”
As soon as the words were spoken, the meeting room door was pushed open, and the deputy secretary-general of the Provincial Party Committee Office came rushing in, out of breath. Looking at the standing committee members, he reported, “Secretary Su, leaders, an urgent notice from Central Government.” (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, your votes of support on Qidian are greatly appreciated.)
