Asahi Shimbun:At 14:25 on the 13th, the Meteorological Agency reported a magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Sendai City. In the Pacific Ocean, at 37.8°N and 142.2°E, a magnitude 8.9 earthquake struck at a depth of approximately 20 kilometers. The resulting tsunami hit Miyagi Prefecture. Current official statistics report 5,000 dead and 20,000 missing, with numbers still rising.
CNN:According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a magnitude 9.1 earthquake struck the western Pacific at 21:25 on the 12th (Hawaii time), centered at 37.8°N and 142.2°E, with a focal depth of 21 km. The resulting tsunami is estimated to have reached a peak height exceeding 25 meters.
CCTV:At 13:25 Capital Time on the 13th, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake occurred in the Pacific Ocean at 37.8°N, 142.2°E. The 22-kilometer deep quake triggered a tsunami that devastated Miyagi Prefecture, Fukushima, and surrounding areas. As of the latest data, over 5,437 people are confirmed dead, with 20,000 missing.
Reuters:A 9.0-magnitude quake has rocked northeastern Japan. With tens of thousands dead or injured, questions are being raised: Why did the Marching Ant Company's warning not prevent this? Could more lives have been saved?
Financial Times:Japan's earthquake and tsunami are projected to cause over $150 billion in economic losses.
World News:Fukushima has once again suffered a nuclear crisis due to the earthquake and tsunami. Concerns grow over groundwater contamination, raising renewed global debate on nuclear plant safety. Anti-nuclear protests reignite in South Korea.
Moscow News Network:The quake has shifted the island nation 5 cm toward the Mariana Trench. It's now sliding eastward at 1.5 meters per year. The local fault is increasingly fragile, with the potential for more megaquakes. Geologists warn: the "Disappearing Island" scenario is no longer fantasy.
The world was reeling.
The scale of the disaster dominated headlines. Endless coverage. Raw footage. Emergency alerts. Prayer vigils across the island nation.
But another topic was rising to the surface—controversial, emotional, and politically charged.
The Marching Ant Company had issued a warning one hour before the earthquake.
It was a fact, confirmed.
Yet, despite the forewarning, tens of thousands were still dead or missing.
Anger began to fester.
On local networks and international media alike, accusatory voices emerged:
"Why didn't the Marching Ant Company disclose the exact location of the quake?"
"Isn't withholding technology during a crisis unethical?"
"They could have saved more people. Are they choosing profit over lives?"
"Release the seismograph tech now!"
Like wildfire, hashtags and headlines took over:
#MarchingAntResponsibility, #SeismographEthics, #TechMonopolyMurder
To some, it seemed like genuine outrage.
To others—especially behind the scenes—it was a narrative being carefully manipulated.
The Marching Ant Company issued a short, crisp response:
"The earthquake's epicenter was far from our nearest seismograph array. The device could detect regional seismic activity, but not the exact focal point or depth in time. Data was limited."
As for demands to publicly release the technology?
"No comment. We don't respond to brainless questions."
No press conference. No long explanation. No apology.
While others scrambled, Chen Mo and Zhao Min remained calm, letting the facts—and time—speak for themselves.
Behind the scenes, the quake had only raised the company's prestige even higher. Their tech had predicted the impossible. Twice.
At Marching Ant HQ, things were anything but chaotic.
Chen Mo stood at the lobby entrance as three government officials approached: Li Chengzhi, Cheng Guo, and Yao Yi.
All three wore solemn expressions, but there was a hint of anticipation behind their politeness.
"Mr. Li, Secretary Yao, Director Cheng," Chen Mo greeted with a warm smile and led them inside.
Once seated in the reception room, he asked casually, "It's rare for all three of you to visit at once. Something important must be brewing?"
Yao Yi chuckled. "Just coincidence. Though while we're here, I'll speak frankly. Binhai is preparing to launch a smart city initiative—we want to integrate the world's most advanced platform. Naturally, we're inviting the Marching Ant Company to lead."
Zhao Min glanced at Chen Mo. He gave a slight nod.
"We'll be happy to discuss the project in detail later," she said smoothly.
Yao Yi nodded with a smile. "Excellent. And one more thing—the production license for your seismograph has been officially approved. The batch number has also been assigned."
Chen Mo and Zhao Min exchanged a look of mutual understanding.
It made sense.
The quake had pushed higher-ups into greenlighting the tech—fast. There was no time to waste on red tape.
Cheng Guo chimed in next. "We'd like to place an order for 200 units to establish an earthquake early-warning network across high-risk regions in China. Can we talk pricing?"
Chen Mo nodded. "The manufacturing cost is about 3 million yuan per unit. For domestic use, we're happy to supply them at cost. Consider it a contribution to the safety of our people."
Cheng Guo was visibly moved. "On behalf of the country—I thank you."
"But," Chen Mo added, "we'll need some support. Production equipment is still being delivered, so mass manufacturing will take time unless we get assistance."
"I'll handle it personally," said Li Chengzhi immediately. "The government is fully committed. We're here to ensure your work proceeds without delay."
"Good." Chen Mo smiled. "If we're giving domestic priority, can we also talk about tax-free status on exports?"
"Absolutely. I'll push it through," Li Chengzhi promised. Then, he paused. "Just curious—what's the price for export?"
Zhao Min smiled like a shark in heels.
"Fifty million U.S. dollars per unit."
The room fell silent.
The officials stared at her like they'd just heard the punchline to the world's most outrageous joke.
Chen Mo coughed lightly.
Li Chengzhi blinked. "That's… generous."
Yao Yi laughed. "Letting Miss Zhao run your company was the smartest decision you've ever made."
Cheng Guo shook his head. "Three million to make, fifty million to sell. Ruthless."
"Business is war," Zhao Min said calmly. "Foreign companies once charged us obscene prices during their monopoly years. We're just playing by their rules."
"No objections here," Li Chengzhi smiled. "Just don't let them see the cost price."
"Of course," Chen Mo said. "After all, a true black merchant doesn't wear a label."