101: With one heart and one mind, we fight the disaster together.

Liu Mingsheng's dejected return removed the last giant boulder weighing down the disaster relief efforts.

The five thousand tons of grain brought by Tang Li was like a timely rain, resolving the immediate crisis.

A day later, the supplies purchased by Wang Mingzhang's subordinates from neighboring provinces added the finishing touch.

With supplies now abundant, Lu Fan could finally act freely and fully advance the disaster relief.

Under Lu Fan's coordination and the strong support of Wang Mingzhang's army, the disaster relief operations expanded rapidly.

Centered around Rong County, the newly opened relief points spread quickly to the surrounding worst-hit counties and townships, like sparks starting a prairie fire.

Every relief point followed a model of "thick porridge supply, medical follow-up, and order maintenance."

This ensured that life-saving grain reached the hands of the victims who needed it most.

The soldiers under Wang Mingzhang's command did more than just maintain order; they became the vanguard of disaster relief.

They dug irrigation channels, helped build simple shelters, and even assisted medical teams in transporting critically ill patients.

This unit, originally intended for combat, was waging an unconventional war on the lands of central Sichuan.

As the disaster relief spread, the name of Ivan Trading spread like a spring breeze to every corner of the affected areas in central Sichuan.

It earned the gratitude and praise of countless victims, its prestige becoming unparalleled for a time.

However, Lu Fan's gaze did not stop at the immediate relief.

He understood that aid could only solve temporary problems; more importantly, the victims needed work so they could support themselves.

Coincidentally, his industrial zone plan required a large amount of manpower.

Therefore, at every subsequent relief point, alongside the distribution of porridge, a conspicuous notice and recruitment desk were added:

【Recruitment for New Port Industrial Zone in the Northern Suburbs of Changsha!】

【Seeking: Able-bodied laborers, bricklayers, carpenters, apprentices... No restriction on place of origin!】

【Room and board included! Wages paid daily! In silver dollars!】

【Priority housing for those bringing their families!】

Zhao Chengqiang naturally took charge of the recruitment matters, patiently registering and explaining things with his subordinates.

The prospects of the industrial zone, stable income, and the promise of resettlement for families...

...were like a lighthouse in the dark for victims struggling on the brink of life and death.

Applicants flocked in, and over twenty thousand able-bodied youths and their families were eligible and willing to travel to Hunan.

Lu Fan's industrial zone and town construction gained the most urgently needed and hardworking human foundation.

Lu Fan's deeds in saving the people of Sichuan Province from fire and water reached the highest levels of Sichuan, Provincial Chairman Liu Xiang.

On this day, at the Provincial Government Residence in Chengdu, Liu Xiang personally received Lu Fan and Wang Mingzhang.

This warlord who governed Sichuan, known as the "Ba Gecko," had a lean face and deep eyes, carrying the majesty of one long in a high position.

“Mr. Lu, Division Commander Wang, please sit,” Liu Xiang said in a calm tone, yet possessing the natural aura of a superior.

“The two of you have saved the people of central Sichuan from misery; your merits are immense.

Especially Mr. Lu, who spent a fortune and mobilized supplies to solve the urgent crisis of my Sichuan Province. On behalf of the elders of Sichuan, I express my deep gratitude!”

“Chairman Liu, you overstate it,” Lu Fan replied with a neither humble nor arrogant attitude. “Providing disaster relief and helping the needy is the duty of a merchant.

It is my honor to be able to contribute a little effort.

It is also thanks to Division Commander Wang's full support and the dedication of the soldiers that the situation could be stabilized.”

Wang Mingzhang also responded humbly, “A soldier's duty is to defend the land and peace for the people; I am merely doing my job.”

Liu Xiang changed the subject, his gaze falling on Lu Fan. “I heard that Mr. Lu is not only providing relief but also recruiting workers for an industrial zone in Southern Hunan?

This is the way to save the nation through industry; I admire that.

However, the post-disaster reconstruction in central Sichuan is starting from scratch and also requires manpower.”

There seemed to be a hint of testing in his words.

As the saying goes, one must listen for the undertones; Lu Fan understood perfectly.

Liu Xiang's implication was clear: he was accusing Lu Fan of poaching from Sichuan and undermining his foundation of governance.

Even at a time like this, this old fogey wasn't thinking about how to provide relief, but was instead playing mind games.

He smiled slightly and said unhurriedly, “Chairman Liu's concern is very valid.

My recruitment of workers is entirely voluntary, and I have promised to resettle their families.

This is precisely to reduce the pressure of resettlement in Sichuan Province and give the victims a long-term way to survive.

When stuck, one must change. If they can't eat their fill at home, they should go out. A living person can't let themselves be cornered by a bit of trouble, right?”

Since the old fogey wouldn't speak plainly, Lu Fan wouldn't hesitate to hide needles in his silk.

His words subtly mocked Liu Xiang for his poor disaster relief and for letting his subordinates hike up prices and profit from death.

They were both old foxes; how could he not understand the meaning?

Hearing this, a flash of displeasure crossed Liu Xiang's eyes, replaced by an expression of righteous shame.

“My Sichuan Province is remote, making it extremely difficult to mobilize supplies and carry out disaster relief.

But with the people's livelihood so desolate, I, Liu Xiang, cannot shirk my responsibility. I am ashamed, truly ashamed!”

Seeing this, Wang Mingzhang also helped to smooth things over. “Chairman Liu has taken the lead in tightening his belt and has been working tirelessly for disaster relief.

Just now, Chairman Liu personally reprimanded Liu Mingsheng, suspended him from his duties, and ordered him to reflect at home.

In addition, the Chairman has ordered the execution of Ma Dahong of Dahong Rice Shop and others who disrupted the relief efforts, as a warning to others.

And all the supplies of Dahong Rice Shop have been confiscated to be used for disaster relief.”

Since things had reached this point, Lu Fan stopped being stubborn; the power of one person was limited in the face of a great disaster.

To fully carry out the relief work, he still had to give Liu Xiang some face.

“Chairman, I have a ship of supplies arriving in Chengdu soon.

Ten thousand tons of grain, a hundred crates of medicine, and a thousand bolts of cloth. All will be donated to the Sichuan Provincial Government free of charge.

To be centrally managed by Chairman Liu for disaster relief and the restoration of the people's livelihood.”

Lu Fan showed his hand immediately. For the system mission, he decided to take a gamble and trust Liu Xiang for once.

“A whole ship? Ten thousand tons of grain donated for free?”

Even though Liu Xiang was used to great storms, he was stunned by the staggering scale Lu Fan tossed out so casually.

This aid was truly a "bit" much.

That was a whole ship of scarce supplies worth hundreds of thousands; he was just donating it like that?

This boldness and sincerity directly shattered his perception.

Wang Mingzhang, listening from the side, was also secretly clicking his tongue, deeply admiring Lu Fan's financial power and sense of the big picture.

A sharp light flickered in Liu Xiang's eyes, and the smile on his face became much more genuine, even taking on a hint of warmth.

“Mr. Lu, you are truly noble! Such a generous gift solves the plight of my Sichuan Province; I cannot thank you enough.

Your action is like sending charcoal in the snow. On behalf of the Sichuan Provincial Government, I express my deep gratitude.

If you have any needs in Sichuan in the future, as long as they do not violate national laws, I, Liu Xiang, will certainly do my best to assist.”

Official and merchant reached a tacit cooperation at this moment.

With tangible supplies, Lu Fan not only completely neutralized the risks that might have arisen from his previous conflict with Liu Mingsheng...

...but also earned valuable goodwill and a "pass" from the highest levels of Sichuan Province.

A week later, disaster relief operations were fully underway across Sichuan, reaching every corner of the disaster areas.

With the support of massive supplies and everyone working together, the disaster in Sichuan was effectively contained.

It was now June, the fourteenth day since Lu Fan arrived in Sichuan, when the heavenly sound of the system rang in his mind.

【Emergency mission completed. Statistics in progress...】