Chapter Fifty-Three: The Meeting

"You are all aware that I have a private technology laboratory in Silicon Valley, where I have gathered a large number of the world’s most outstanding scientists and technologists. So far, our laboratory has developed many world-leading scientific technologies, including earthquake prediction. With this technology, my lab has predicted that within the next three months, there will be a powerful earthquake in North China. The magnitude will reach 7.8, and the epicenter will be Tangshan, Hebei Province. The earthquake is likely to occur between July 26th and 30th. Tangshan is a major city with nearly a million residents. If an earthquake of this scale really strikes, imagine what devastation it would bring to our nation. That is why I had no choice but to meet with you both in this manner. I hope you can send this news back to China, so the country can prepare for disaster relief and, most importantly, minimize casualties,” Wei Hua said heavily.

Hearing this, Consul Zeng Guangyi and Secretary Lin Jianguo were both stunned.

Both Zeng Guangyi and Lin Jianguo had some understanding of the destructive power of such an earthquake—it would be a catastrophic disaster. If it really struck a large city like Tangshan, the consequences would be unimaginable; the whole city would become a wasteland. Consul Zeng Guangyi had visited the disaster area after the Hengshan earthquake in 1966 and had seen the devastation with his own eyes. Thinking of this, Consul Zeng Guangyi grabbed Wei Hua and said,

“Why should we believe what you say? You must understand that this is not something to joke about!”

“Consul Zeng! Do I look like I’m joking? I went to such lengths to contact our diplomats abroad and spent a great deal of money arranging this urgent meeting with you—do you think I’d do all this for a joke? Am I idle, or is there something wrong with my mind? Of course, this is real! I am certain that our technology is accurate. And this concerns the lives of nearly a million compatriots in Tangshan. As a descendant of Yan and Huang, how could I stand idly by and let disaster befall my people?” Wei Hua replied with firm resolve.

“Mr. Wei Hua, would you let us see your so-called earthquake prediction technology? As far as I know, earthquakes happen every moment on this planet. If you can prove the accuracy of your technology, we will report this to the authorities at home and let our national leaders make the final decision. Otherwise, we cannot simply pass on such news without justification. What do you think?” Secretary Lin Jianguo interjected.

Wei Hua attributed his knowledge of historical events to a technology he had fabricated in order to win the diplomats’ trust. In reality, he possessed no earthquake prediction technology at all, so he flatly refused Secretary Lin’s request.

“Secretary Lin, Consul Zeng—the earthquake prediction technology will not be shown to you. I have already informed you of the situation; what happens next is up to you. But I believe the lives of nearly a million compatriots are not yours to decide, nor even mine—they belong to the people themselves or to the nation’s highest leaders. You have no right to make such a choice over the lives of others. Your only duty is to report my words to the highest authority, and let them decide whether to believe me or not. I have said all I needed to say. Thank you for your time—I hope you will not become traitors to our nation. Also, Consul Zeng, Secretary Lin, I will continue to arrange meetings with other Chinese diplomats abroad and repeat everything I have told you today. I hope you will not take offense. Farewell.” With that, Wei Hua rose and left the Chinese Consulate in Canada.

“Consul Zeng, what should we do?” Secretary Lin Jianguo asked.

“That young man is right. All we can do is report everything word for word to the authorities back home and leave this heavy burden to our leaders. It’s too great a responsibility for either of us to bear,” Consul Zeng replied, feeling the weight of it all.

“So you believe Wei Hua is telling the truth?” Lin Jianguo asked.

“Yes. I don’t think he’s joking—what would be the point? As he said, unless there’s something wrong with his brain, he stands to gain nothing from this. On the contrary, he has much to lose. I can at least be sure that the CIA and FBI are now secretly investigating him. And didn’t you hear what he said before leaving? He doesn’t trust us and will contact other Chinese diplomats abroad. All of this shows he’s not joking. So we must be cautious. If the earthquake doesn’t happen, there’s no harm done. But if it does, and we fail to report it, can we bear that responsibility? Can our consciences be at peace?”

“You’re right—we have a saying: ‘Caution is the parent of safety.’ We should report today’s events back home. Judging by Wei Hua’s words, he’s already begun contacting other diplomatic missions. We were the first he approached. If other missions report before we do, we’ll be left in a passive position.”

“Very well. Organize the details and send them back to the authorities. Let the State Council’s leaders decide,” Consul Zeng concluded.

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