Protection

"Actually, it's nothing serious. I went to University of Pennsylvania coffee and chatted with them about academic matters, that's all. Don't worry, we're safe," Shen Qi said casually.

For the next period of time, Shen Qi went about his business as usual, guiding his two graduate students in mathematics and continuing his research on seismological models in physics.

What gave Shen Qi a headache was that he discovered he was being followed.

No matter where Shen Qi went, he could always sense one or more suspicious strangers around him.

These strangers, whether strolling or sitting on stone benches, always carry a cup of coffee, a newspaper, or a magazine, but their attention is not on the coffee, the newspaper, or the magazine.

As Sha Qiang once said, if a person isn't focused, he's definitely a cop.

Shen Qi knew that the organization behind these distracted and suspicious strangers was more powerful than the US police.

While jogging today, Shen Qi spotted one of those suspicious individuals again.

The white man, around thirty years old, sat on the lawn in front of the mathematics building, flipping through a book called "Science".

When Shen Qi ran past the mathematics building for the third time, the man was still sitting on the lawn.

Shen Qi sat down next to the man and said, "Brother, you read this 'Science' magazine every day, but this issue isn't the latest."

The issue of Science magazine in the man's hand contained the article about Shen Qi's interview.

In this article, Shen Qi stated that the idea that "earthquakes are unpredictable" is a false proposition and lacks sufficient theoretical support.

The man smiled and said, "But this issue of Science is particularly excellent; it's worth reading every day. My favorite article is the one with Professor Shen Qi, where he argues that earthquakes are predictable."

Shen Qi extended his right hand in a handshake gesture. "Hello, I am Shen Qi."

The man shook hands with Shen Qi in a friendly manner. "Hello, Professor Shen, I am Harry Manson."

Harry Manson? Who knows if that's your real name?

Shen Qi stared at Harry Manson and said, "You were a soldier."

"Hmm." Harry Manson shrugged, neither confirming nor denying.

"Most of the field personnel at the US Department of Defense have military service experience," Shen Qi explained.

"Since Professor Shen, with your keen observation skills, has guessed my identity, I hope we can get along amicably." Harry Manson did not deny his identity; his actions no longer constituted covert stalking.

With a willingness to communicate effectively, Shen Qi stated his request. "I told you a few days ago that I will no longer predict natural disasters such as earthquakes. If I must make a prediction due to factors beyond human control, and the prediction results are relevant to the United States, then I will prioritize notifying the US Department of Defense rather than the USGS."

"Look, Harry, I've already made huge concessions. Please stop spying on me, okay? This is Princeton University, not a battlefield. There's no political struggle here. I want Princeton to remain pure. It's the most influential research university in America." Shen Qi said with obvious anguish.

"Professor Shen, we are protecting you; it's our responsibility," Harry Manson said seriously.

Shen Qi shrugged and said, "I abide by the law and am loved by everyone. I don't need any so-called protection."

"No, Professor Shen, you need American protection. You are in danger." Harry Manson looked as if he were facing a major crisis.

"I want to see your minister." Shen Qi was displeased. "You Americans protect the whole world, but the whole world is at war every day. You are the biggest source of danger."

"There's a chance, Professor Shen. If an earthquake really does occur on Unimak Island and Nikolskoye Island in the near future, our protection level for you will be raised to the highest." Harry Manson was quite assertive; we were determined to protect you.

"Damn it." Shen Qi couldn't help but swear in Chinese, then got up and ran away.

What can be done on American soil?

Shen Qi warned himself that he must be careful with his words in the future while on American soil.

The islanders of Unimak Island and Nikolskoye Island have been away from their homeland for some time now.

No earthquakes occurred on the two islands in the North Pacific Ocean or in the surrounding waters. The International Seismological Centre, the USGS, and the Russian Seismological Network did not detect even micro-earthquakes.

The calmer things are, the more conflicted I feel.

As in a Russian fable, an old Russian father had a beautiful daughter. One day, an army suddenly appeared near their home, and the father couldn't sleep all night, his hair falling out in clumps.

A few months later, the old father's daughter became pregnant.

The elderly father, finally free from his torment, said, "What was bound to happen, finally happened..."

The United States and Russia remain vigilant in their earthquake monitoring efforts on Unimak Island and Nikolskoye Island.

The US Department of Defense continues to protect Shen Qi.

Shen Qi's novel earthquake model has attracted significant attention from the international seismological community.

The Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) was founded in 1984 by more than 100 universities in the United States and is headquartered in Washington, D. C.

The annual IRIS academic conference was held as usual, and Shen Qi and other seismologists from Princeton were invited to Washington to attend the IRIS earthquake academic conference.

In the conference hall, Shen Qi met with Professor Wellington, a seismologist from UCLA.

As a staunch supporter of the "theory that earthquakes are unpredictable," Professor Wellington criticized Shen Qi, arguing that Shen Qi's new earthquake model was unreliable and that his ability to predict an earthquake was purely by luck.

Then, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake occurred at the second earthquake point predicted by Shen Qi.

"Then Professor Shen, please tell us more about your new earthquake model." Professor Wellington's attitude changed drastically. A person who can predict two earthquakes within a short period of time and a general geographical area must possess extraordinary skills.

"Okay." Shen Qi, holding a page-turner, began explaining his PowerPoint presentation, "First, we must quantify earthquakes; only Quantitative Seismology is meaningful seismology."

"The new earthquake model I proposed is actually still a work in progress. It needs further improvement. 60% of the parts that need improvement are physics problems, and the rest are mathematical problems."

"Fluid Mechanics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Ordinary Differential Equations and Partial Differential Equations, turbulence, Chaos theory... there are just too many subjects that require comprehensive innovation." Shen Qi looked down at the audience, where almost all the well-known seismologists and Solid State Physics in the United States were present.

Shen Qi was pleased to be able to attend an academic conference organized by IRIS rather than the American Mathematical Society and give an invited report, which shows that his research in physics and seismology has been recognized by his colleagues in the Physics Community and seismology communities.

Damn it, Harry Manson, they followed us too, they're like ghosts that won't leave you alone... Shen Qi keenly spotted Harry Manson and his group lurking in the corner of the conference hall.

Shen Qi's initial intention in going to the United States was to engage in pure academic research; he did not want to get entangled with the US government and military.

However, as mentioned before, this is American territory, and the US government and military have the right to make decisions about it.

"On the occasion of this report, please allow me to say a few words on a different topic. I particularly oppose certain remarks made by the BBC. My view has always been that the ultimate goal of scientists is to benefit mankind, not to cause panic. What about the 45th parallel north, or earthquakes in major cities like Milan, Zagreb, and Portland... these are pure nonsense!" Shen Qi angrily denounced the BBC's irresponsible remarks, appearing quite indignant.

The audience was stunned by Shen Qi's imposing presence and remained silent, all absorbed in understanding Shen Qi point of view: the ultimate goal of scientists is to benefit humanity, not to cause panic.

Shen Qi's first half report is over. There will be a 30-minute recess, after which Shen Qi will continue with his second half report.

During the recess, Shen Qi had a lively conversation with Wellington and other experts and scholars. The two opposing factions, "earthquake predictability faction" and "earthquake unpredictability faction," reached a point of mutual understanding and tolerance, realizing that they shared the same goal: to benefit humanity.

Just then, urgent announcements blared throughout the conference hall. "IRIS, the USGS, and the International Seismological Centre have just simultaneously detected a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in the sea about 147 kilometers west of Portland, with a focal depth of 30 kilometers. The powerful tsunami triggered by the earthquake may strike the Portland port!"

"Good heavens, my hometown is Portland!" Professor Wellington shouted, clutching his head, clearly very nervous. He looked at Shen Qi as if he were a monster. "You... Professor Shen, it's you again..."

Harry Manson and other US Department of Defense field agents jumped up. Portland is an important city on the west coast of the United States, Portland metropolitan area has a population of several million, making it far more important than an unnamed island in the North Pacific.

"This..." Shen Qi was shocked. He quickly explained, "This is a natural phenomenon, it has nothing to do with me, absolutely nothing to do with me! I never predicted that an earthquake would occur near Portland!"