"That's an order!"
Zhao Mengsheng's voice was resolute.
"The country needs heroes, but your parents need a son to care for them in their old age and lay them to rest even more! We cannot let our heroes shed both blood and tears, much less leave their families without a single descendant!"
As his words fell, an eerie silence descended over the entire square.
Everyone thought that some of the men would take a step back, even if they hesitated first.
After all, it was the Commander's order.
And his reasoning was beyond dispute.
Yet...
One second.
Ten seconds.
A minute passed.
The forest of steel formed by a hundred thousand soldiers did not budge!
Not a single man stepped back!
Not even a centimeter!
Every man stood like a nail driven firmly into the ground, his chest held high as he faced the wind and snow and glared ahead.
Zhao Mengsheng's eyes reddened at once.
Goddammit!
These little bastards!
He drew a deep breath, suppressed the emotion surging in his chest, and roared again, "What? Don't you understand my orders?!"
"Only children! Step back! That's an order!!!"
Still, no one moved.
"Are you all fucking deaf?!" Zhao Mengsheng cursed furiously.
Thud!
Just then, a young officer in the front row suddenly stepped forward and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Reporting, Commander! There are no only children here!"
Zhao Mengsheng froze. "Bullshit! I've got every one of your files! I know exactly who's an only child!"
The officer stiffened his neck, shouting until his face reddened and his veins bulged. "Reporting, Commander! The moment we enlisted, we stopped being our families' only children! We are sons of the country and its people!"
"Well said!"
His comrades behind him echoed in unison!
**"We are sons of the country and