[Earth Era, January 12, 2012] [Western Calendar, Thursday] [Xia Calendar, Xinmao Year, nineteenth day of the twelfth month. Auspicious: burial, erecting monuments, encoffining, travel, ending mourning, beginning mourning, moving coffins. Inauspicious: moving into a home, installing a bed]
"Let us observe thirty seconds of silence for the martyr Chen Gongrang, the hero who gave his life to defend the Safe Zone."
In Martyrs' Park, Qian Wendao led the mourners in bowing before a newly erected stone monument.
The ceremony was also broadcast live throughout the Safe Zone.
Chen Gongrang had put himself on the line, luring the invaders into a trap and securing the Safe Zone's first victory against them.
The United Government had prominently pinned the full account of the incident on every forum, published it in electronic periodicals, and played it on a loop over the broadcasts in the War Readiness Zones.
Everyone was thrilled that they could defeat the invaders, and the public truly felt that their work in the War Readiness Zones had meaning.
After this victory, all voices of discontent toward the United Government and its senior leadership fell completely silent.
At the same time, everyone remembered a hero's name-Chen Gongrang.
When the invaders first entered the Safe Zone, he had been a criminal, exiled to Giant Ridge.
When the invaders entered the Safe Zone a second time, he had rendered distinguished service, and a monument was erected for him in Martyrs' Park.
The last time, he had been convicted as the Governor's son, and everyone in the Safe Zone had praised the United Government for its fairness and transparency, for refusing to let officials shield one another.
This time, he was no longer remembered as someone's son. Everyone acknowledged his selflessness and courage-a hero despite his youth.
In just one month, Chen