Chapter Thirteen: A Promise

Scenes of profound emotion unfolded across the square.

There were parents sending their children to join the army.

There were fathers and sons enlisting together.

And there were burly men from the villages arriving on tractors, or humble migrant workers in their work clothes eagerly signing up.

You could say they came for the money, for the subsidies.

But they understood, too, that such a massive recruitment drive meant something was about to happen.

And likely, something dangerous.

If things went awry, it could threaten the safety of the entire nation.

Yet not a trace of fear could be seen on their faces.

A young man waiting in line heard hurried footsteps, turned his head, and was stunned, “Dad, why are you here?”

The middle-aged man’s expression was grave, “I just couldn’t rest easy. Your mother and I raised you, and if anything were to happen…”

The boy’s face was conflicted, but he remained resolute, “Dad, Mom, don’t try to persuade me. I’ve told you already…”

“I’m not here to change your mind.” The man frowned slightly. “I figured, if a bullet is coming your way, maybe I could shield you… You were right before: the rise and fall of our nation is everyone’s responsibility.”

The boy was frozen in place.

When he was young, this man had loomed tall in his heart, like a superhero.

But as he grew older, he felt contempt for this timid middle-aged man, for his modest monthly wage, for his ordinary, unremarkable life.

And yet—

At this moment, the man’s figure suddenly towered again, just like that childhood superhero!

The light that flickered in the man’s eyes was something the boy had never seen before.

Staring at the man, the boy’s eyes grew red.

Only now did he realize that this steady, mountain-like father had once been filled with youthful passion, that the man he’d scorned had once been a boy just like himself!

Sharp and vigorous, ready to command and inspire!

His heart burned with fervor and heat!

Why had he never noticed? Oh, right—it was for the family, for him, that his father had hidden his brilliance. But now—

The man scratched his head, “What are you staring at, son?”

“Nothing…” The boy awkwardly changed the subject, “What about Mom?”

“Don’t worry, she agreed.” The father smiled, his strong hand clapping the boy’s still tender shoulder. “From now on, the two of us will protect her together—protect this family.”

Looking at the middle-aged man before him, the boy clenched his fists and nodded, “Mm!”

Big and small, they walked together toward the registration point.

Behind them, a woman with reddened eyes took a deep breath, as if making a decision, and slowly headed toward the registration point as well.

A smoking tractor rumbled to a halt near the square, and a group of men with rolled-up pant legs jumped down.

The leader held a hoe, pointed at the registration desk, and called out, “Folks, this is the place!”

“Let’s go!” The burly men rushed toward the registration point; one, still uncertain, asked those in line, “Hey brother, is this where we sign up?”

“Yes… Did you all come as a group?” The middle-aged man looked at the newcomers in astonishment.

Such a scene was unheard of.

“What’s the matter, can’t we sign up?” The big man scratched his head. “I’ve got strength, and I know masonry. Why shouldn’t I do my part for the country?”

These ordinary citizens, though perhaps not highly educated or wealthy—

When crisis strikes, they are always the first to step forward!

They may not know much, but they know they are sons and daughters of their nation, heirs to five thousand years of history!

They may not have read foreign classics, but there is a saying that even three-year-olds can recite:

The fate of the world rests with every citizen!

Who are these citizens?

Before five thousand years of tradition, before a nation of 1.6 billion, everyone is a citizen!

And these citizens, together, form the nation.

The patriotic hearts of 1.6 billion have written the story of the nation’s rise!

Zhang Maoyuan is lauded as the soul of the country, but these 1.6 billion citizens who vow to protect it—are they not also the soul?

These humble stories happened all across the square.

All three streets surrounding the square were gridlocked; some couldn’t wait to drive over, so they jumped from their cars and ran breathlessly toward the registration points.

Beneath the red banners,

All thirty-two registration points were overwhelmed!

Some lines stretched two streets away.

“Attention, everyone, attention! Minors are not allowed to participate…” The uniformed woman in charge raised her loudspeaker and called out, “Minors are not allowed! Go back to class! Only those aged eighteen to forty-five may sign up!”

The crowd’s enthusiasm was overwhelming, and though the age restrictions had been relaxed, there were still some younger ones clamoring to enlist.

Some say the post-2000 generation is a lost one.

But—

When danger arrives, the passionate, burning hearts of the young are the greatest hope!

“Why won’t you let us enlist?” a group of sixteen and seventeen-year-olds protested angrily from the stage, “We want to contribute to our country, why should our age erase our right to patriotism?”

“That’s right, we want to fight for our nation!”

“Sister, can’t you give us a break…”

“No!” The uniformed young woman, helpless but unable to get angry, could only smile and lecture, “You kids, your bones aren’t even fully grown. Your task now is to study hard and hone your skills.”

“When you grow up, you’ll be able to make even greater contributions!”

“The nation doesn’t want you children to face danger. Unless every one of us falls in battle, we will never send children to the front lines!”

“Now hurry back to your studies. Become stronger quickly, the nation awaits your adulthood, and I’ll be waiting for you in the army!”

“Sister, you won’t lie to us, will you?” one youth called out.

The young woman in uniform saw the fiery determination in their eyes, and saluted, her voice solemn, “I swear as a soldier, when you come of age, if you still wish to enlist, you can find me!”

“But don’t spend all your time playing.” She warned, “Soldiers of this nation cannot be weak-willed! And for you, learning is your battlefield. Don’t be a deserter!”

“Ugh, we still have to study hard…” another complained.

After all, the boredom of study is the nature of playful youth.

“Being a soldier is far more dangerous than studying. Your battlefield is not as terrifying as the real one.” She spoke slowly and clearly, “If you can’t face English words and math problems, how can you face even more dreadful enemies?”

“Sister, I understand! It’s a deal!” the lead youth shouted.

With that, the boys turned and left, for the first time feeling their backpacks heavy on their shoulders—like the rifles of soldiers.

“Hey, I’ll come to your house later to do homework, I can ask you about those math problems.”

“See you at the library, Lin!”

“Alright, see you at the library!”

Their voices rang clear.

The young woman watched the energetic youths and whispered, “It’s a deal!”

Her eyes shone with resolve.

No matter what dangers lay ahead,

She would protect these blossoms yet to bloom, as a soldier.

Because, there was still a promise waiting to be fulfilled.