Chapter 116: Helping the World

In the Qinghe Alliance’s imperial capital office, Chief Alliance Officer Li Cheng’s heart weighed heavy after watching today’s video. He pondered the meaning of the apocalypse, ‘Was it extinction or rebirth?’

In the face of the apocalypse, should one focus on self-preservation or strive to help others? Should Qinghua keep a low profile or forge ahead bravely?

These questions swirled in Li Cheng’s mind as he sat in his office. Just then, his secretary entered to report that thirteen countries had called for help that afternoon.

Li Cheng felt a sense of relief. As the supreme leader of Qinghua, his primary duty was to consider its citizens’ interests. Yet, seeing people abroad struggle on the brink of death filled him with conflict and distress.

A persistent thought lingered in Li Cheng’s mind, ‘If everyone else died, could Qinghua truly be better off?’

The requests for support indicated a willingness to trust Qinghua and stand with the Qinghe Alliance in facing the apocalypse. This realization spurred Li Cheng to action, and he immediately instructed his secretary to arrange a meeting.

After intense discussion, the Alliance decided on a two-pronged approach to support other countries:

First, technical support, primarily for coastal countries. The Qinghe Alliance would send technicians to guide them in building seawater desalination plants. The goal was to enable these countries to independently produce freshwater, ensuring their citizens’ survival.

Second, freshwater support, primarily for inland countries. If these countries couldn’t find groundwater, their situation would be dire. The only way to help them was to send water. The Qinghe Alliance decided to allocate half of the domestic seawater desalination plants’ output to support these inland countries.

Of course, this support wouldn’t be entirely free. In return, assisted countries would offer their specialty products. Those with coal would exchange coal, those with oil would exchange oil, and those with gold would exchange gold. In short, it had to be an equal exchange.

Li Cheng contacted the countries requesting assistance. After discussions, they agreed to Qinghua’s requirements. In the face of a life-and-death crisis, those resources seemed less important than survival.

News of Qinghua’s plan to aid other nations spread quickly, becoming public knowledge within days.

Netizens voiced their opinions, with many accusing the Qinghe Alliance of having a savior complex. Critics claimed the Alliance couldn’t take care of its own citizens, yet sought to manage other countries. They also argued that abundant water resources were not being shared with Qinghua’s own people, who had long been denied the benefits of seawater desalination plants.

A small minority viewed the issue rationally, but their comments were quickly overwhelmed by the negative backlash.

As the matter escalated, Li Cheng decided to hold a globally broadcasted press conference to address the situation.

Facing the camera, Li Cheng took a deep breath and began: “Dear viewers in Qinghua and throughout the world, hello. I am Li Cheng, the supreme leader of the Qinghe Alliance in Qinghua.

“Today, I am holding this press conference to address your questions about our nation’s decision to provide aid to other countries.

“As global economic development and technological progress have strengthened the ties between Qinghua and other nations, we recognize that no country can remain isolated in today’s interconnected world. The effects of the global drought are far-reaching.

“I am sure everyone watching this has seen the videos sent by our foreign correspondents and understands the dire situation abroad.

“Faced with such a crisis, can we in Qinghua remain indifferent and turn a blind eye?

“I can tell you with certainty, no! Neither Qinghua nor any other country can afford to do so!

“If Qinghua doesn’t lend a helping hand now, the global death toll will continue to rise. This will inevitably lead to a decline in the global labor force, decreased productivity, and potentially even famine and plague.

“No nation can survive if this foundation is gone.^[1]The original is a Chinese idiom (皮之不存，毛将焉附) meaning that if the foundation (the skin) is gone, the rest (the hair) cannot survive. It implies that if the critical parts are lost, … Continue reading

“At this critical moment, Qinghua must shoulder the responsibility of a great power. After ensuring the basic survival of our citizens, we will do our utmost to support other countries. We believe in the power of global unity to overcome these shared difficulties.

“We are confident that one day, we will overcome this crisis and usher in a brighter future!”

Li Cheng’s speech not only explained the Qinghe Alliance’s motivations for aiding other countries but also rapidly elevated Qinghua’s international status by demonstrating its proactive responsibility as a major power. Although the technical support and freshwater resources provided by Qinghua were not free, the country’s actions still received widespread praise during this critical period.

Moreover, Chief Alliance Officer Li Cheng’s handsome appearance and righteous speech garnered him many international admirers. The subsequent impact of this event was far-reaching. 

Since Chief Alliance Officer Li’s global broadcast, leaders of various countries have paid increased attention to the Qinghe Alliance. Even ordinary citizens frequently go online to learn about the lives of common people in Qinghua, determined to stay informed and not fall behind.

Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an watched the entire live broadcast, silently cheering for Chief Alliance Officer Li. They reflected that if Qinghua had been prepared in their previous life, and the Qinghe Alliance had the ability to lend a helping hand during a crisis, perhaps the apocalypse would not have been so terrifying.

Unfortunately, Qinghua in their previous life, like other countries in the present, struggled to survive.

The late November weather signaled the approach of winter. Leaves on the trees outside the window yellowed and fell, and the sun began to set earlier and rise later. It was another Monday, and Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an went to work wearing only thermal wear and woolen coats.

“You two are dressed so lightly! Aren’t you afraid of freezing and getting sick?” Yu Shui gestured to his own heavily three-layered outfit. “Look at me, I’m bundled up in my leather coat and staying warm!”

Seeing Yu Shui’s bulky attire, Bi Qiao’an said irritably, “You’re wearing so much now. What will you do when it gets truly cold?”

Yu Shui seemed perplexed. “Isn’t it cold enough now? It’s only seven or eight degrees outside!”

Bi Qiao’an cast a sympathetic look at Yu Shui. “Haven’t you noticed that the heating hasn’t been turned on yet this year?”

Yu Shui appeared puzzled. “Don’t they provide heating based on the temperature? Could they choose not to provide it?”

“What if they really don’t?”

Yu Shui raised an eyebrow. “What else can we do? Of course, we’ll put on sweaters, long johns, and down leather coats!”

“Alright, I hope your optimism lasts!” Bi Qiao’an gave Yu Shui a meaningful glance and even patted his shoulder. Only after touching the cold leather did she realize her mistake, but it was too late.

Bi Qiao’an inwardly wailed, ‘Oh my, why do I act without thinking? Who knows how long it’s been since he last bathed? What if he has lice or fleas?’

Seeing Bi Qiao’an’s shocked expression, Shen Yanming couldn’t help but smile. He took her hand and carefully cleaned each finger with a wet wipe from her bag.

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Translator’s Notes:

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