In the apocalypse, I hoarded goods and handed over my storage space to the government.

Time: Day 7 of the apocalypse countdown.

A sense of unease permeated the air.

It wasn't just the rumors flying around online; even the old lady selling jianbing (Chinese crepes) downstairs sensed something was wrong.

There are too many construction vehicles in the city, so many that they cause traffic jams during rush hour; supermarket shelves are so empty that even the worst-tasting cilantro-flavored instant noodles have been sold out.

What's most alarming is that those usually bustling landmarks—museums, libraries, stadiums—were all sealed off overnight with military-grade seals.

Someone tried to take a picture without permission, but as soon as they raised their phone, they were invited for "tea" by plainclothes officers with solemn expressions on the roadside.

A sense of unease, like "a storm brewing," hangs over the nine million square kilometers of land.

Yucheng, the highest command center.

The ashtray was piled high with cigarette butts.

On the large screen, social sentiment monitoring indices across the country have soared to the red threshold.

"It can't be suppressed anymore."

The propaganda minister's voice was hoarse, as if he had swallowed charcoal. "Advisor Su, if we don't give the people an explanation soon, panic could trigger riots even before disaster strikes."

The rumors have gotten so outrageous that they're saying we have to sacrifice half the population to summon a dragon.

Su Ran sat in the shadows of the corner, her face pale, but her eyes were eerily calm.

"Then stop suppressing it and tell them the truth."

"all?"

Li Guodong was shocked. "That would cause chaos! 1.4 billion people!"

"Tell them half of it."

Su Ran walked to the map, pointed heavily at the twelve huge red coordinates, and said in a cold voice:

"Tell them that a major disaster is coming. At the same time, let them know that the country will always stand by them."

"With only 7 days left, the evacuation must begin. The relocation of skilled personnel must be carried out simultaneously, with doctors, engineers, and senior welders given priority for entering the shelters."

Su Ran paused, a ruthless glint flashing in her eyes:

"Also, thoroughly investigate those who try to cut in line through connections. In chaotic times, the problem isn't scarcity but inequality. If people see someone using connections to jump the queue, the whole place will explode before the zombies even bite anyone."

The leader had been listening in silence, but now he slowly raised his eyelids, his gaze sharp and intense.

"Comrade Su Ran is right. If we earn our living through our own abilities, we'd accept it even if we starved to death."

"The people of Great Xia are not that fragile. In the past five thousand years, they have seen floods, earthquakes, and plagues. As long as the pillar above does not collapse, they dare to follow."

The old man stood up, supporting himself on the table, his posture still as upright as a pine tree.

"Issue a public announcement! If trouble arises, the military will take the lead! If the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up!"

……

12:00 PM.

Without warning, across the entire Great Xia territory, from the bustling Bund of Shanghai to the remote outposts of Mohe, tens of thousands of air raid sirens simultaneously emitted heart-wrenching roars.

"Ugh—!!!"

The deafening roar rolled across the city, startling countless birds into flight.

Immediately afterwards, all television stations, radio stations, outdoor screens, and even the roof lights on taxis all cut off their original signals.

coming.

finally come.

The scene shifts, and the leader's familiar yet resolute face appears on the screen.

He didn't sit down, but stood in front of the podium, with the huge painting "This Land So Rich in Beauty" behind him.

"Fellow countrymen."

The old man's voice was steady and powerful, carrying through the airwaves to every corner.

"I am the commander of the Great Xia Supreme Operations Group."

"I regret to inform you that, according to the monitoring of the National Academy of Sciences, due to intense solar activity and anomalies in the Earth's core, the world will face an unprecedented catastrophic disaster within the next two weeks."

The surface... will no longer be suitable for human habitation in the short term.

boom!

Although they were mentally prepared, when the words "no longer suitable for survival" came from the highest level, countless people still felt like the sky had fallen.

Some people's legs gave way and they collapsed to the ground; others covered their mouths tightly to stop themselves from crying out loud.

"but!"

The old man's voice suddenly rose, like a resounding bell, shattering the despair that had just risen.

"In order to continue the flame of civilization, the highest decision-making level has decided to immediately activate the Level 1 emergency response plan – codenamed 'Peach Blossom Spring'."

"The nation has not abandoned anyone. We have enough food reserves and enough energy. As long as we stand together, Great Xia will endure."

The screen image changed.

It's no longer just empty data, but a magnificent, almost miraculous underground city deep in the Kunlun Mountains.

The enormous dome was brightly lit, revealing a vast warehouse of supplies, neatly arranged production lines, and a nuclear fusion reactor still emitting white steam.

"This is our confidence! This is the new home we've built with the full strength of our nation!"

"I am now issuing Evacuation Order No. 1!"

"Effective immediately, the entire area is under military control. All residents are requested to follow the instructions of their community, street, or village authorities and proceed to the nearest transportation hub in an orderly manner!"

"The entire military has been mobilized! High-speed trains, airplanes, buses, and military vehicles will be used for transportation day and night!"

"Remember, don't panic! Don't lose your composure! As long as you follow orders, the nation will definitely get you into the underground city!"

The old man's gaze seemed to pierce through the screen, looking at every panicked soul.

"We, the people of Great Xia, successfully controlled the great floods five thousand years ago, and we will overcome this hurdle five thousand years later!"

"Set off!"

The live stream has ended.

The world fell into a brief, deathly silence, like a vacuum before a storm.

Three seconds later, it exploded.

However, the anticipated large-scale riots did not occur.

A high-end office building in Shanghai.

"It's over...it's the end of the world..."

The young woman who had just joined the company was so frightened that she burst into tears, scattering documents all over the floor.

"Stop crying! Didn't you hear we need to bring supplies?"

The department head, the bald man who was usually the most sarcastic, now had red eyes and ripped off his employee badge from around his neck, throwing it violently to the ground.

"All men, carry all the company's bottled water! Women, go to the break room and loot all the cookies and candies! Go downstairs! To the designated meeting point!"

"Manager...aren't we going home to pack?"

"Follow orders! Didn't you hear it's Level 1 combat readiness? Staying with the main force is your only chance of survival!"

Yucheng, an old residential area.

An elderly man wearing a tank top was pulling a dusty wooden box out from under the bed.

"Grandpa, what is this?" the little grandson asked timidly.

The old man opened the box, inside was a neatly folded Type 65 military uniform, and a few medals that were not valuable in those days but were polished to a shine.

"This is your grandfather's old partner."

The old man quickly put on his military uniform. Although the buttons were a bit tight, his spirit and energy immediately shone through.

He went to the balcony and yelled at the chaotic crowd below:

"Quiet down! I'm the building manager! And a veteran! Listen to my command! Unit 1, go first, Unit 2, follow!"

"Those with elderly family members, young people, lend me a hand! Anyone who dares to cut in line, I'll give them my cane!"

The same scene is happening all over the country.

There was no looting during the disaster, and no suicide out of despair.

Veterans stepped forward, Party members stepped forward, and even ordinary street urchins were infected by the atmosphere and helped the elderly neighbor carry her load of rice.

On the highway, private cars automatically gave way to the emergency lane.

Military vehicles loaded with supplies and soldiers sped along that passage.

There was no widespread stampede or riot as expected.

Because every Da Xia person knows that as long as those people in green military uniforms are around, the sky won't fall down.