Chapter Fifteen: Dominating the Press Conference

The recruitment of fifty million soldiers in Great Xia not only captured the attention of high-ranking officials everywhere but also triggered an explosion of debate across international social networks.

Since the official announcement, nearly everyone around the globe had their eyes glued to their phones, following the latest developments in Great Xia. The sheer magnitude of the number was staggering—unimaginable, even. And for years, the meteoric rise of Great Xia had been obvious to all. Every move this dragon on the verge of soaring made drew countless gazes, but a massive conscription—especially on the scale of fifty million—was enough to send the world into a frenzy.

Beneath a video posted online showing the Great Xia recruitment drive, comments flooded in:

“OMG, is Great Xia serious about conscripting fifty million?”

“It’s already started? If this were my country, just the preparations would take a month!”

“Come off it, everyone knows it takes your Grand Britannia two years to build a hundred-meter road—don’t brag.”

“No way, I refuse to believe it. White Elephant Nation has an even larger population and could never pull this off… This must be Great Xia boasting!”

“Don’t kid yourselves. My cousin lives in Great Xia—he just told me these are real scenes. Every city square is running recruitment right now, and they’re packed with people!”

“What on earth is Great Xia up to? Are they preparing for war?”

“No worries. I saw this coming years ago—I’ve already learned Chinese.”

“Honestly, if you think about it, this might turn out well. Maybe we’ll get to ride 400 km/h high-speed trains in the future too?”

“Exactly! Domestic shipping is free on Taobao in Great Xia—maybe our Pearl Island will get free shipping someday too?”

“But isn’t Great Xia worried about causing panic in other countries?”

“Panic? Haven’t you noticed a pattern in history? Whenever a nation rises, the world order is reshuffled… Great Xia has reached this point; a new chapter is about to begin…”

Debate raged on international networks. Some were fearful, some skeptical, and others looked forward with anticipation.

But then, a new piece of news swept across the globe:

[Official statement from Great Xia: In ten minutes, a press conference will be held at the Supreme Diplomatic Reception Center to respond to questions about the conscription. The event will be broadcast live to the world.]

In an instant, every international netizen tuned in, waiting for the conference to begin.

At the same time, within Great Xia, where the recruitment was in full swing, every television station, phone, and live-streaming program sent out reminders:

“In ten minutes, our nation will hold a press conference to explain the current conscription drive and address questions about Great Xia’s recent developments. Please stay tuned.”

At that moment, everyone logged into the live broadcast channel, eager to witness the event. After all, everyone knew that a conscription of this scale meant something major was about to happen. The specifics were still unknown, but it was certain—a momentous event was looming.

“Is it war?”

“No, fifty million… Forget taking Pearl Island by force; that’s enough to overrun Liberty Nation! Who are we going to fight?”

“Stop speculating and get into the channel. The officials are about to explain everything.”

Within ten minutes, viewership for the live stream soared to an astonishing 3.2 billion—global attention was fixed on Great Xia.

This was Great Xia’s influence now. This was the sensation sparked by a call for fifty million soldiers.

Inside the Supreme Diplomatic Reception Center, the scene was a hive of activity. Staff busied themselves setting up for the emergency conference, while journalists from home and abroad set up their cameras, nervously checking their equipment for the live global broadcast. Diplomats from various countries, escorted by staff, passed through security and took their seats. They spoke into their earpieces, conferring with superiors in preparation for the upcoming Q&A.

Gone were the easy smiles. Their faces were grave, tinged with fear.

Grandpa Jin, about to take the stage, stood below, watching the diplomats as if they faced an enemy army. A faint smile played on his lips.

“So they’re all so afraid of us now?”

He chuckled, lighting a cigarette, pride shining in his eyes.

Once, Great Xia had been bullied by foreign powers, its gates blasted open by cannons, its borders violated as if they were nothing but a garden fence, and its treasures plundered like spoils by bandits.

Once, Great Xia was ridiculed—when her sons marched under the national flag to the Olympics, determined to show their country’s might, all they met from their international peers was scorn.

But now, even a mere conscription was enough to prompt questioning from the so-called great powers.

These diplomats, though appearing to press for answers about the conscription, could not hide from Grandpa Jin’s keen eyes—they were afraid.

Great Xia, now, was a nation to be feared. Only by being formidable would the nation finally receive genuine respect.

“Grandpa Jin,” Lin Fan, sitting beside him in his usual odd posture, hands clasped in a hollow embrace, smiled lightly. “When you take the stage, speak plainly—no need to spare their feelings.”

“Of course. We people of Great Xia have always treated others with kindness. Be sure also to announce the coming of the Divine. Whether they believe it or not is irrelevant.”

Grandpa Jin nodded. “I know what to do.”

He stubbed out his cigarette and, led by the staff, strode up to the stage with brisk, determined steps.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the conference is beginning,” he announced, standing tall in full military regalia. “Feel free to ask your questions.”

“Let us use this opportunity to let our citizens, too, understand what Great Xia is about to face.”

At that, all the diplomats were momentarily stunned, staring at Grandpa Jin in disbelief.

“What’s going on?”

“Shouldn’t a press conference be hosted by a diplomat?”

“Isn’t that a soldier? Look at the medals on his chest—those aren’t just for show!”

“Why is a soldier hosting the press conference? Is this a mistake?”

“Wait… that soldier looks familiar… Isn’t he the Grand Marshal of the Luzhou Military District, Grandpa Jin himself?”

“What? The military district’s Grand Marshal, here, hosting the press conference?”

The pressure in the room mounted. The diplomats, more accustomed to dealing with their own kind, now found themselves facing a soldier—one with a commanding presence and a sidearm at his hip. They felt utterly outmatched.

“So, no one has any questions? Wasn’t it you who requested this press conference? Why so silent?” Grandpa Jin’s expression darkened, and he reflexively reached for his waist.

At the sight of his movement, those diplomats who had arrived brimming with righteous indignation now shrank in their seats under the media’s glare, as meek as schoolchildren—none daring to speak.

Such was the power of a man who had spent his life on the battlefield; his very bearing left these diplomats, usually so sharp-tongued, unable to meet his gaze.