The Rise of Australia

Mid-April, Australasia, Australian Timor, Dili city.

This is a very inconspicuous department store. After the flu gradually disappeared, the traffic in the department store became much thinner.

The sign hanging outside the store is completely different from other stores, but it doesn't seem to bring anything to the store.

Thump thump thump!

There were footsteps in the distance, and the boss heard the sound and ran away. He saw the police from Dili City running forward and shouting to the boss: "Nick! Nick! Someone is looking for you, come out quickly!"

"What's wrong? Mr. Police." Australasian law stipulates that you must cooperate when facing police questioning. This also made Nick quickly walk out of the store and asked in confusion.

"Nick." The policeman blurted out. Then he felt something was wrong and quickly changed his words: "Mr. Nick, someone is looking for you."

Before Nick could continue to ask, the person behind him quickly arrived. Wearing the uniform of a palace guard, he walked up to Nick and asked seriously but slightly gently: "Is this Mr. Nick Frank?"

"Yes, what are you doing?" Nick was slightly dazed and nodded mechanically.

"On behalf of His Majesty the King, I would like to announce to you that because of your selfless dedication during the influenza period and your great contribution to tens of thousands of people in Dili City, His Majesty has decided to award you the National Medal. Please attend the medal ceremony on a date." Guard Take out an invitation letter, which clearly records the time and place of the award ceremony, and the words exclusive to Nick Frank are printed on the back.

Nick was stunned again, and took the invitation handed over by the guard like a machine. He lowered his head and watched quietly. For a moment, he forgot to raise his head.

"Did His Majesty give this to me?" After working on it for several minutes, Nick finally came to his senses and asked in disbelief.

"Of course, sir. This invitation letter to all the honorees comes from the palace and no one may imitate it. You can take your family to attend the investiture ceremony as scheduled. Thank you for your contribution to the country and the royal family during the influenza period. Contribution!" After the guard finished announcing, he lined up and returned.

It’s not that I don’t want to chat more, but there are indeed many people who have contributed to the country during the influenza period. Before the medal ceremony is held, all invitations must be distributed to these people.

Those who have merit must be rewarded, and those who have made mistakes must be punished. This is Arthur's firm policy of governing the country. The flu was definitely one of the toughest times in Australasia, even leading to a nationwide quarantine and all cities being closed off to the outside world.

Selfless shopkeepers like Nick came to the fore during the flu. Not only did they well implement Arthur's policy of prohibiting price increases during the influenza period, they even took the initiative to reduce prices in the face of the elderly, reflecting their selfless care and kindness to their compatriots.

After investigating that these people did not deliberately show off, Arthur immediately decided to reward these people, or award them with medals or knighthoods. In short, we cannot let those who have made merit feel cold.

This can also corroborate what Arthur said at the time, that civilians can also become nobles based on their contributions to the country.

Whether it is being awarded a medal or a knighthood, for an ordinary civilian, this is an incomparable honor.

Even the most easy-to-obtain national medal can be reported by major newspapers, become a hotly discussed hero, and be admired by all neighbors and friends around you.

On April 30, 1919, the Australasian Medal Ceremony officially began.

Less than a year has passed since the last investiture ceremony, and Australasia has ushered in its second investiture ceremony.

However, the onlookers did not have any dissatisfaction or boredom, but were full of expectations for the upcoming investiture ceremony.

It is said to be an award ceremony, but to put it more bluntly, it should be an award ceremony for all those who have made meritorious services.

The number of people who received the title was very small, only a few. There are not many people who have received medals, only about ten people in total.

But beyond that, there were hundreds of people who also contributed to the flu. Their contributions may not be so great as to receive titles and medals, but they have also made considerable contributions to the country and deserve part of the rewards.

Naturally, they will also participate in the award ceremony and receive verbal encouragement and financial rewards from Arthur.

At 10 noon, the award ceremony was officially held in the crowded Sydney Palace Square.

Arthur slowly stepped forward, glanced around all the people, and then said slowly: "All my people, I am very happy to be able to gather with you at such a moment to celebrate these heroes during the influenza period. Reward."

"Influenza is a terrible disaster that affects all mankind, and its impact on the world is huge. Most people cannot protect themselves in the face of such a disaster, but there are always people who stand up."

"Today we will reward the heroes who have done their best for all Australasians regardless of their own safety or interests during the pandemic."

"No matter where we come from, we all have a unified identity, that is, the glorious Australasians. And these heroes who have made dedication and sacrifice for their compatriots deserve the rewards they deserve and what belongs to them. honor."

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"I announce that the award ceremony has officially begun. Please welcome these heroes to the stage with applause!"

Amidst the warm applause, a few people walked onto the stage with smiles and pride, and stood in front of the stage with their heads held high in the eyes of everyone's envy and admiration.

"I announce that Henry and three others will be awarded the Victoria Memorial Medal and be awarded knighthoods. I hope they can make more contributions to the country and the royal family in their new identities and abide by their responsibilities as nobles." Arthur smiled said.

"The National Medal of Australasia is awarded to Nick and others for their great contribution to the country during the influenza period. You are role models for all Australasians and a source of pride to your families, children and friends."

"At the same time, we will commend the contributions made during the influenza period and grant certain financial rewards. It is because of heroes like you that the country can survive this influenza safely."

As Arthur announced one after another, everyone in front of the stage also received their own daggers, medals or financial rewards.

Even those with the smallest reward can receive a financial reward of more than 50 Australian dollars, and they all smile when they get the check.

In fact, this is normal. After all, to be able to commend in front of so many people, only those who have made sufficient contributions can take the stage.

For those who have contributed less, it will be handed over to the state or city government for recognition. The rewards they will receive will naturally be smaller, but it is definitely better than nothing.

"Although the impact of the flu is gradually receding, it is still not certain that this flu is over. Citizens, regardless of whether there will be a new round of flu, I hope that you can all stand up like these heroes in times of national crisis. Come out and protect our great country together."

"Australasia is a great country. It is great precisely because of brave people like you. Let us build the country with the greatest faith and jointly witness the great rise of Australasia and make Australasia Go to the top of the world!”

At the end of the reward, Arthur encouraged all the civilians while also revealing the speculation that the flu might not be over yet.

Speaking of this flu, it is indeed a bit weird.

From the first case in March 1918, the spread of influenza was actually very fast.

The truly serious deadly virus began in August and raged around the world for four months.

While people around the world are in extreme panic, the influenza that threatens the world seems to have disappeared overnight.

Although it’s not an exaggeration, the lethality of the flu has gradually decreased, and the number of people infected with the flu has also decreased crazily.

As of the end of April this year, there have been very few confirmed cases of influenza in Europe, the United States and Australasia, leaving only regions like Africa and India where traces of influenza are still raging.

Such a result is also normal. After all, the medical care in Africa and India is relatively backward, and because most of the areas are colonies, those colonial countries will not spend a lot of money to purchase medicines for these indigenous people.

Naturally, it was impossible for the people in the colonies to have enough money to go to the doctor. Under such circumstances, it was impossible for the influenza to disappear quickly in these areas.

The sudden appearance and sudden disappearance made the conclusion that the flu was man-made more believed by the public.

The U.S. government has also accepted its fate and no longer refutes the conclusion that the influenza is man-made. It is trying its best to shift the responsibility for the influenza to the chemical plants in Kansas, or to be precise, the consortium behind the chemical plants.

There is no way around this. After all, letting the government of a country take the blame will directly plunge the country into an abyss.

If only a part of the consortium takes the blame, there is still room for change. Even the U.S. government cannot escape its regulatory responsibilities, but at least its reputation is not that bad, and the hostility from various countries is not that serious.

Although the flu has disappeared, if Arthur remembers correctly, there will still be an outbreak this year or next.

Although the third round of influenza is not as serious as the second round, the fatality rate is also not low, and prevention must be carried out.

This is why Arthur publicly stated that the flu is not over yet. Before the end of the flu is completely announced, major isolation points in Australasia must be maintained to prepare for a possible third round of influenza in the future.

It is good news that there is no third wave of influenza, but if there is, we must prepare for it.

With Arthur's huge reputation in Australasia, asking people in public to take precautions against a possible third wave of influenza can still be quite effective.

At least the public will not be unprepared when faced with a possible flu outbreak. It is good to have some disinfectant and masks on hand.

The second update of 3000 words, please vote for me and support!

My cold is not over yet, so I will update twice today! My limbs are a little sore and my throat is sore. Is it possible that I have three Yangs?

In addition, I wish everyone a happy Chinese Valentine's Day!