mtl008 Chapter 367 Disaster Relief Comparison
Chapter 367 Disaster Relief Comparison
He couldn't speak anymore.
After a whole day of searching, they found not a single survivor.
Some of the charred corpses were tightly huddled together, presumably a family.
Some huddled in corners, trying to escape the merciless flames; others collapsed on the path to the exit, just a few steps away from escaping.
"Pass down the order to mobilize more manpower and begin clearing the ruins tomorrow."
"All remains of the victims must be wrapped individually and clearly marked."
Cui Zhihao's voice was somewhat hoarse, "In addition, arrange for a mourning hall to be set up at the City God Temple, and invite a high-ranking monk to perform rituals for the deceased."
As he left the ruins, Choi Ji-ho could still hear the cries of the disaster victims from the previous night.
As an official appointed by the imperial court, he felt deeply powerless.
Fires happen every year, but this is the first time one has been so devastating.
Although the imperial court had disaster relief regulations, they were nothing more than opening granaries to distribute grain and reducing taxes, but there was no systematic approach to prevention and relief.
After turning into a small alley, a warm light suddenly appeared ahead.
A dozen or so children sat around a campfire, and a young woman dressed in plain clothes was telling them stories.
The woman's voice was clear and bright, and her gestures were vivid. The children listened with rapt attention, temporarily forgetting the pain of losing their home.
Choi Ji-ho unconsciously slowed his pace.
It was Miss Shi! Why hadn't she gone home to rest yet? Why should a young lady like her work so hard?
She was dignified in demeanor, yet often uttered surprising remarks in her speech.
What's even stranger is that, despite her rudimentary medical skills, she is adept at treating burns and saved many injured people last night.
"...So the little rabbit used its wisdom to defeat the big bad wolf and protect its home."
After finishing the story, Shi Wanxia gently stroked the hair of a five-year-old girl in her arms.
The girl still had tear stains on her face, but she had already smiled.
"The stories Miss Shi tells are always unique."
Choi Ji-ho stood at the edge of the firelight, maintaining a proper distance.
Shi Wanxia looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes: "Lord Cui."
She tried to get up to greet them, but was held back by the child in her arms.
"No need for such formalities."
Choi Ji-ho waved his hand, hesitated for a moment, and then found a rock by the campfire to sit down, deliberately keeping a distance from her.
A night breeze carried the faint scent of medicine emanating from her, mingled with the aroma of firewood, creating a strangely comforting feeling.
"Did you return from the scene of the fire, sir?"
Shi Wanxia noticed the ash on his official robes and his tired eyes.
Choi Ji-ho nodded gravely: "No survivors confirmed. Cleanup to begin tomorrow..."
He paused, then suddenly asked, "Miss Shi, in your homeland, how would you handle a fire of this size?"
Shi Wanxia was clearly stunned for a moment, and her hands holding the child tightened slightly.
Choi Ji-ho noticed a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, a mixture of nostalgia and sadness.
"Where we live..."
She carefully chose her words, "First, there will be a professional firefighting team. They are well-trained, well-equipped, and can arrive at the scene in the shortest possible time."
"A professional firefighting team?"
Cui Zhihao frowned. "Was it established by the imperial court?"
"Yes, every city has one; they're called fire departments."
Shi Wanxia explained, "They do not participate in other official duties; they specialize in fire prevention and firefighting, flood control and disaster relief, and relieving the suffering of the people."
"On a regular basis, we inspect for fire hazards and teach the public about fire prevention; in times of disaster, we are responsible for firefighting and rescue."
Cui Zhihao seemed thoughtful: "That's a good idea. Although our dynasty has watchmen who are also responsible for signaling the fire, we don't have a dedicated team for it."
“Secondly,”
Shi Wanxia continued, "Our buildings are mostly made of brick and stone, with little wood, and there is sufficient spacing between the houses, which is called fire-prevention alley."
Important locations will also be equipped with fire extinguishers, sandbags and other firefighting tools.
The campfire crackled, illuminating her earnest profile.
Choi Ji-ho noticed that when she talked about these things, her eyes were exceptionally bright, and her words revealed a confidence and certainty he had never heard before.
"Prevention is the most important thing."
Shi Wanxia gently patted the child who was almost asleep in her arms, "We will teach every child basic fire safety knowledge: be careful with fire, keep candles away from curtains, and never leave anyone near the stove... We will also organize escape drills regularly."
"drill?"
Choi Ji-ho asked in surprise, "You mean, simulate a fire beforehand?"
"Exactly. That way, when a real fire breaks out, people will know the fastest way to escape and won't panic."
Shi Wanxia's voice was soft yet firm, "If everyone knew to cover their mouths and noses and bend over while moving forward, perhaps more people could be saved."
Choi Ji-ho was startled.
Last night, quite a few people did indeed collapse while trying to escape due to smoke inhalation. He never imagined that there were techniques involved in escaping.
"What about disaster relief?" he pressed, leaning forward unconsciously.
After a moment's thought, Shi Wanxia said, "The first thing to do is to tally the casualties and losses, and then resettle the victims."
"Then we will investigate the cause of the fire, hold those responsible accountable, and improve the system."
"Finally, there will be reconstruction, with a greater emphasis on fire-resistant design than before."
She paused, then added, "The most important thing is psychological support, especially for children who have lost loved ones..."
As she said this, she looked down at the sleeping girl in her arms, her eyes softening.
Only then did Cui Zhihao notice that most of the children around her had already snuggled together and fallen asleep, some of them still tightly clutching the hem of her clothes.
"Miss Shi knows so much."
Choi Ji-ho exclaimed, "I wonder what your country's name is? These systems are truly ingenious."
A flicker of panic crossed Shi Wanxia's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure: "It's just a small overseas country, nothing to worry about."
"If you find these methods useful, sir, you may wish to give them a try."
Just as Cui Zhihao was about to ask another question, Cui Jiu rushed over: "Sir, someone from the Ministry of Works has arrived, saying there's an urgent official document!"
He had no choice but to get up and take his leave.
After taking a few steps, he looked back again.
As Shi Wanxia gently covered the children with coarse cloth blankets, the firelight gilded her with a golden edge, making her appear like a tranquil painting in this devastated night.
On the way back to the mansion, Shi Wanxia's words kept echoing in Cui Zhihao's mind.
Professional teams, fire protection design, escape drills... these concepts are unheard of, yet inexplicably convincing.
He suddenly had a bold idea: perhaps he could ask Miss Shi to help with the reconstruction work?
The following morning, Cui Zhihao summoned the county officials to discuss post-disaster matters.
When he proposed forming a dedicated firefighting team, the clerk immediately objected: "Sir, not only will this waste money and resources, but it will also be a waste of manpower when there is no trouble."
"Prevention is better than cure."
Choi Ji-ho quoted Shi Wan-xia, saying, "If there had been a dedicated team last night, perhaps dozens fewer people would have died."
"How can one easily believe what that woman says?"
Other officials from the Ministry of Works lowered their voices, "Her origins are unknown, her behavior is strange, and she is likely not a good person."
Cui Zhihao's face darkened: "Since the fire, she has been treating the injured, and today she is taking care of orphans. How can she be considered unkind? Even Dr. Li was amazed by her treatment methods."