Chapter Seven: A Nation in Uproar, the Official Proclamation

Supreme National Assembly Hall.

A meeting unknown to the public was quietly underway.

Soldiers under the direct command of the Supreme Court guarded every entrance with utmost vigilance, thoroughly inspecting all who entered and only allowing passage once convinced there were no electronic devices or dangerous items.

This was the highest-level meeting in all of Grand Xia. Those privileged to sit here were either ministers of state affairs, supreme commanders of military regions, or directors of national departments.

The hall was shrouded in silence.

Since the aged elder presiding from the highest seat had spoken, not a single murmur was heard.

"Your Excellency," a middle-aged man rose, his expression peculiar. "Is this... some sort of joke?"

"To wage war against the gods?"

"The gods?"

The heavy atmosphere unraveled as faint, incredulous smiles surfaced on the faces around the table.

But.

When the elder stood, all laughter ceased instantly.

His face bore not the slightest trace of amusement, only an unyielding gravity and calm.

"Ladies and gentlemen."

"I, too, wish I were joking."

"But this time, regrettably, our adversary is indeed the gods."

"And we shall go to war against them!"

At these words, everyone in the chamber was momentarily stunned.

This elder would never jest here.

Which meant...

"Is it truly... the gods?"

A middle-aged man in military uniform rubbed his face.

"Ladies and gentlemen," said Chen Yan, who sat beside the elder, rising to his feet with a grave tone, "we now possess ample evidence confirming the existence of the gods."

"And it is certain—"

"Three months from now, the gods will descend!"

"Permission to speak!" The same officer raised his hand. "I have a question."

"Why must we go to war with the gods?"

He had voiced what countless others were thinking.

Chen Yan adjusted his spectacles. "It is not we who seek this war. Rather... the gods intend to invade Grand Xia."

"In three months, when they descend, there will be untold suffering!"

"This information has been confirmed. From this moment—this is war!"

At that, the chamber fell into a heavy silence.

The elder's gaze swept across the assembly, his voice steady. "Here and now, on behalf of Grand Xia, I unilaterally declare war on the gods."

"Does anyone object?"

With these words, a jolt of shock ran through every face present.

War.

How long had it been since this word was last spoken?

From this moment forward, was Grand Xia to face war once more?

In an instant, a chilling sense of solemnity swept through the room.

The middle-aged man who had spoken earlier slowly stood, his voice resolute. "The Chuan Military Region will give its full cooperation! We will go to war against the gods!"

"The Gan Military Region will give its full support!"

"The Southern Hu Military Region, fully committed!"

"The Ministry of Commerce will back the war effort with all its might, ensuring the supply of essential goods for the people!"

"And I..."

One after another, fists clenched, the assembly rose to their feet.

To war with the gods!

Witnessing how smoothly this unprecedented meeting progressed, the elder's eyes grew moist.

United in purpose!

This was Grand Xia!

Many believed that, after nearly a century of peace, the people of Grand Xia had lost their conviction, the blood-born courage of their ancestors, the will to die for their beliefs.

But they had forgotten.

Grand Xia was forged in the fires of war!

Five thousand years of turbulent history, steeped in conflict.

Eighty years ago, when the great powers bullied them, the people of Grand Xia answered with blood, declaring to the world that they would never be enslaved!

So it was eighty years ago; so it remains today!

Grand Xia has never lacked the courage to fight—even against the gods!

Conviction endures.

For a moment, the elder and many old generals and officials could not help but recall those years of adversity.

Though many of their old comrades had long since departed, those present still marched onward.

"Good!" The elder wiped his eyes and spoke in a firm voice. "Here and now, I announce that Grand Xia will immediately begin conscripting fifty million soldiers!"

"Fifty million!"

At this figure, all present were momentarily stunned.

Such a number was staggering.

But—

"Chuan Province can provide five million! No, six million!"

"Shan Province as well—six million!"

"Tibet Province has fewer people, but... three million!"

"Jiang Province, five million!"

"The Ministry of Commerce may not be able to help on the front lines, but I am willing to send my own son!"

One after another, the regional commanders and ministers pledged their support.

There was no fear or hesitation in their eyes.

Nor were they intimidated by the sheer number—fifty million!

Grand Xia is a people united.

When the nation calls, when the people are in need, any problem, no matter how great, must be solved!

There was no room for refusal; no matter how difficult, they would find a way.

Such is the resilience of the people of Grand Xia.

"Excellency, that's enough," Chen Yan said quietly to the elder, exasperated. "At this rate, their pledges will add up to nearly a hundred million..."

The elder smiled warmly at the sight before him. "Enough. These matters can be discussed among yourselves later."

"Next, Grand Xia will establish the Supreme Command Center."

"There will, of course, be a Supreme Commander to lead you."

At this, everyone present was taken aback.

"Supreme Commander?"

"Who could that be?"

At that moment—

A young man strode quickly to the elder's side atop the dais, saluting the assembly.

"Supreme Command Center, Supreme Commander Lin Fan, reporting for duty!"

...

An hour later.

Every television station, every social media platform, every news portal across Grand Xia interrupted their regular programming with breaking news!

[Urgent Announcement: Following deliberation by the Council of Elders, the Central Court has decreed that fifty million soldiers are to be conscripted!]

[The nation hereby announces the establishment of the Supreme Command Center, commanding all three branches of the military and overseeing domestic and foreign affairs. Supreme Commander: Lin Fan. Deputy Commanders: Jin Minsheng, Chen Yan...]

The twin announcements sent waves of shock across the country!

The second bulletin even included photographs of Lin Fan and other key figures.

In an instant, online and offline, the entire nation erupted into heated discussion.

"Heavens, fifty million conscripts?"

"What is the Supreme Command Center—such authority! To command all three branches?"

"Something big is about to happen, isn't it?"

"At last, an expansion! No matter what, I'm enlisting!"

"Exactly! Even if there's trouble, I'll serve my country!"

"Becoming a soldier has always been my dream! I'm going, I'm going!"

"Is Grand Xia planning to retake Xiadao by force?"

In a matter of moments—

The entire nation was in an uproar!

On Weibo, the hashtag [Grand Xia Conscripts Fifty Million] shot to the top of the trending list!

The comments below were full of fervor:

"If war comes, I will answer the call! 031 Regiment, 3rd Division, Guangchuan, retired—always ready to serve!"

"321 Division, 1st Combat Brigade, Hei Province, retired—awaiting the call of the motherland!"

"South Sea Wavebreaker Special Forces, retired—standing by for the nation's summons!"

"Brothers, have the recruitment stations opened yet? I'm signing up!"

Meanwhile, [Supreme Command Center Lin Fan] surged to second place on the trending list.