The Rise Of Australasia

Mid-April, Australasia, Australian Timor, Emperor’s Power City.

This is a very inconspicuous department store. After the flu gradually disappeared, the flow of customers in the department store became much more scarce.

The sign hanging outside the store is different from other shops, but it doesn’t seem to bring any business to the store.

Thump, thump, thump!

Footsteps came from a distance, and the boss looked up when he heard the sound. He saw the police in the Emperor’s Power City jogging forward and shouted at the boss, "Nick! Nick! Someone is looking for you, come out quickly!"

"What’s the matter? Mr. Policemen." As required by Australasian law, cooperation is required when facing police interrogation. This also made Nick quickly leave the store, asking with a puzzled expression.

"Nick." The policeman blurted out and then realized that something was wrong. He hurriedly changed his tone and said, "Mr. Nick, someone is looking for you."

Before Nick could continue asking, the person behind him quickly caught up. Dressed in a royal guard outfit, he approached Nick and asked seriously yet gently, "Excuse me, are you Mr. Nick Frank?"

"Yes, you are?" Nick was slightly stunned and nodded mechanically.

"I am here on behalf of His Majesty the King to announce that due to your selfless dedication during the flu epidemic, you have made a significant contribution to tens of thousands of people in Emperor’s Power City. His Majesty has decided to award you the National Medal.

Please attend the award ceremony on the specified date." The guard took out an invitation letter with the time and location of the award ceremony clearly recorded, and Nick Frank’s exclusive name printed on the back.

Nick was stunned again and mechanically took the invitation from the guard. He lowered his head and looked at it quietly for a while, seemingly forgetting to look up.

"Is this from His Majesty?" After about a few minutes, Nick finally reacted and asked incredulously.

"Of course, sir. This invitation is extended to all those who have been honored, and it all comes from the royal palace. No one is allowed to imitate it. You can attend the award ceremony with your family on time. Thank you for your contribution to the country and the royal family during the flu epidemic!" After notifying Nick, the guard left in formation.

It’s not that they didn’t want to chat more, but there were indeed many people who contributed to the country during the flu epidemic. Before the award ceremony, all the invitations had to be issued to these people.

Reward achievements and punish offences; this is Arthur’s firm governance strategy. The flu epidemic was definitely one of the most difficult times in Australasia, and they even had to impose a nationwide quarantine, blocking all cities from the outside world.

Store owners like Nick, who were selfless during the flu, emerged one after another. They not only implemented Arthur’s policy of prohibiting price increases during the flu epidemic but also spontaneously reduced prices for the elderly, showing their selfless care and kindness towards their fellow citizens.

After investigating that these people did not deliberately show off, Arthur decided to grant them rewards, either by awarding medals or granting titles. In short, those who made contributions should not be discouraged.

This can confirm what Arthur said at the time, that common people can also become nobles through their contributions to the country.

Whether being awarded a medal or granted a title, it is an incomparable honor for an ordinary commoner.

Even the easiest-to-obtain national medal can be reported by major newspapers and become the hero discussed by the people, respected by all neighbors and friends.

On April 30, 1919, the Australasian award ceremony officially began.

Less than a year after the last award ceremony, Australasia welcomed the second award ceremony.

But the spectators had no dissatisfaction or disgust, and were instead looking forward to the upcoming award ceremony.

It is not so much an award ceremony, but more accurately a reward ceremony for all those who have made merit.

There were very few people who received a title, only a handful. The number of people who received medals was also not high, totaling to about ten or so.

But in addition to these, there were hundreds of people who also made contributions during the flu. Their contributions may not be large enough to deserve titles or medals, but they had also made a significant contribution to the country and are rightly rewarded.

They will naturally participate in this reward ceremony and receive verbal encouragement and financial rewards from Arthur.

At ten o’clock in the morning, the reward ceremony was officially held at the crowded Sydney Palace Square.

Arthur slowly approached, first scanned all the people, and then slowly said, "My fellow citizens, I am very glad to be able to gather with you at such a moment to reward these heroes who made contributions during the flu epidemic."

"The flu is a terrible disaster that affects all mankind, its impact on the world is enormous. Most people are struggling to survive in such adversity, but there are always some who stand up."

"Today, we will reward those heroes who, regardless of their own dangers and interests, have made contributions to all Australasians during the flu epidemic."

"No matter where we come from, we all have a unified identity, and that is the glorious people of Australasia. These heroes who have made sacrifices and dedications for their fellow citizens should also receive the rewards they deserve and the honor that belongs to them."

"I declare the crowning ceremony officially begins. Please welcome these heroes to the stage with applause!"

Amidst warm applause, a few people walked proudly on stage with smiles on their faces, standing upright in the admiration and envy of the audience.

"I declare the Victoria Memorial Medal to be awarded to Henry... and two others, as well as the title of Knighthood. I expect them to contribute more to the nation and the royal family in their new identity, and to fulfil their responsibilities as nobles," said Arthur with a smile.

"Award the Australasian National Medal to Nick and others for their great contributions to the country during the influenza pandemic. You are role models for all people of Australasia and our pride for your family, children, and friends."

"At the same time, I’m also commending those who contributed during the pandemic and awarding them with funds, as it is because of these heroes that our country has safely navigated through this illness."

Following Arthur’s declaration, the audience on stage successively received their swords, medals, or rewards.

Even the least rewarded person could receive more than 50 Australasian dollars, and everyone was happy with their cheques.

This was quite normal, as only those with sufficient contributions would have been invited to the stage in front of so many people.

For those with lesser contributions, the state or city government would commend them, and while their rewards would naturally be smaller, they were certainly better than nothing.

"Although influenza is now less severe, it still cannot be confirmed whether the pandemic has ended. Citizens, whether there will be a new wave of the flu or not, I hope you can stand up like these heroes during critical times and guard our great nation together." n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Australasia is a great nation, which is why it is great because of the brave people like you. Let us use our greatest faith to build our country together and witness the rise of Australasia to the pinnacle of the world."

In the end, Arthur encouraged all commoners while also hinting at the possible speculation that the pandemic might not be over yet.

Speaking of the flu, it was indeed unusual.

Starting with the first reported case in March 1918, the spread of the virus was swift.

The severely lethal virus began in August and ravaged the world for a long four months.

Just when the people of the world were panicking, the pandemic threatening the world seemed to vanish overnight.

Although not as exaggerated, the pandemic’s fatality rate had gradually decreased, and the number of people infected with the flu had dramatically diminished.

By late April this year, flu diagnoses across Europe, the United States, and the Australasian region were scarce, while only regions like Africa and India still exhibited the flu’s devastation.

It was normal, considering the underdeveloped medical facilities in Africa and India combined with the fact that most areas were colonies. The colonizing nations would not spend a great deal to provide medicine for the indigenous populations.

The people of these colonies naturally would not have enough funds to seek treatment. Under such circumstances, it would be impossible for the flu to disappear quickly in these areas.

The sudden emergence and disappearance of the pandemic made the conclusion that the flu was artificially manipulated more believable to the public.

The American government had also resigned itself to not refuting the conclusion that the flu was artificially controlled, trying as much as possible to shift the blame to the chemical factory in Kansas, or more precisely, the consortium behind that factory.

This was an unavoidable situation, as blaming an entire nation’s government for the pandemic would directly plunge the country into the abyss.

If only a few consortia were held accountable, there would be room for reversal. Even if the US government could not escape regulatory responsibility, at least their reputation would not be as bad, and other countries would not be as hostile.

Although the flu had disappeared, Arthur still believed that the flu would break out again either this year or next.

Although the third wave of influenza would not be as severe as the second, the fatality rate would still not be low, so precautions must be taken.

That’s why Arthur publicly stated that the flu pandemic had not ended yet. As long as the flu was not completely declared over, major quarantine stations in Australasia must be retained as a preparation for the possible outbreak of the third wave of flu in the future.

It would be good news if there was no third wave of the flu, but precautions had to be taken if there was.

Arthur’s great prestige in Australasia would have a significant impact on the public, urging them to guard against the possible third wave of the flu in public.

At least when facing the possible resurgence of the flu, people would not be caught off guard, and keeping some disinfectant and masks handy would not be a mistake.