40: Chapter 40 Level One Combat Readiness - Nationwide Mobilization

A long time passed.

The white-haired elder sitting in the main seat slowly stood up.

He was already seventy-three years old, yet his spine remained as straight as a pine tree.

In those deep eyes, an unyielding flame burned.

"Comrades."

His voice was not loud, but it was like a grand bell, making everyone quiet down:

"We — have been forced to the edge of the cliff."

"The USA wants to strangle us."

"Wants to make us yield."

"Wants to make us kneel."

"Wants to make our ancient nation unable to ever lift its head."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present:

"But —"

His voice suddenly became high and spirited, like thunder:

"We will not yield!"

"We have the portal!"

"We have the crystal core!"

"We have a once-in-a-millennium opportunity to change the nation's destiny!"

"Therefore —"

Every word he uttered was resonant and powerful:

"I have decided — to initiate a nationwide level-one combat readiness!"

Boom!

This sentence exploded like thunder!

Everyone widened their eyes in shock!

Level-one combat readiness?!

That was the highest-level combat readiness state that had only been initiated once since the founding of the country!

"Chief —"

Li Hongxing suddenly stood up, his voice trembling:

"Level-one combat readiness, that is... that means..."

"I know what it means."

The elder interrupted him, his voice as steady as a mountain:

"Level-one combat readiness means the entire country enters a state of war."

"Means all industrial production capacity must serve the war."

"Means all resources must be prioritized for the military."

"Means nationwide mobilization, and all reserves must assemble immediately."

"Means —"

He looked at the crowd, his eyes blazing like torches:

"The entire country will turn into a fully operating war machine."

He paused, his voice becoming distant:

"Since the founding of the country, we have only initiated level-one combat readiness once."

"That was in 1969, during the Baozhendao conflict, when the northern Great Bear Country deployed a million troops, and the shadow of nuclear war loomed."

"And now —"

His fists clenched tightly:

"This is the second time."

In the conference room, everyone fell silent.

Level-one combat readiness — that was Daxia's highest-level mobilization order.

All civilian factories immediately transitioned to military production.

All strategic supplies prioritized safeguarding the military.

All reserve soldiers stood ready to set out at any time.

Railways, highways, and airports all yielded the way for military transport.

The 1.4 billion people of the entire country would provide support for this war.

This was truly the strength of the entire nation!

"Six hours."

The elder continued, his voice growing higher and more spirited:

"We have six hours of precious time."

"Equipment, supplies, combat personnel..."

"Send in as much as can be sent in!"

"We must —"

His voice became incomparably firm, like an oath:

"In that Otherworld — establish a truly impregnable Forward Base!"

"A military fortress capable of long-term operation and sustained combat!"

"Then, continuously acquire the crystal core!"

"Continuously transform energy!"

"Until — we completely shake off the energy crisis!"

"Until — we can straighten our backs and loudly say 'No' to the USA!"

"Until —"

His gaze became blazing hot:

"We let the whole world see that the blockade cannot crush the people of Daxia!"

"This is —"

Every word he uttered was resounding:

"Our only path to survival!"

Boom!

Thunderous applause erupted in the conference room!

Everyone stood up, flames of resolute determination burning in their eyes!

"Comrades!"

The elder shouted aloud, his voice echoing throughout the entire hall:

"This time — we want the whole world to see —"

"Daxia will not fall!"

"Daxia will not yield!"

"Daxia — has the ability to break all blockades!"

"Has the ability — to master its own destiny!"

"Now —"

His gaze was like lightning, sweeping across everyone:

"All departments act immediately! Convey my order —"

"Level-one combat readiness! Nationwide general mobilization!"

"Yes!"

Everyone answered in unison, their voices shaking the skies!

At that moment —

The highest decision-making level of this ancient country made a decision that would change the course of history.

In less than ten minutes.

Central Command's top-secret order was transmitted to all parts of the country at the speed of light via encrypted communication networks.

Northern Theater Command, Southern Theater Command, Eastern Theater Command, Western Theater Command, Central Theater Command.

The headquarters of the five major theater commands simultaneously received the highest directive marked in red font.

[Level-one combat readiness! Execute immediately!]

Boom!

Piercing alarm sounds rang out in every military camp and every base.

Woo — woo — woo —

That was the sound that made all soldiers' blood boil!

Countless soldiers woke up from their sleep, put on their military uniforms at the fastest speed, and rushed to the assembly point.

"Everyone attention!"

An emergency order came from the broadcast:

"Level-one combat readiness! Repeat! Level-one combat readiness!"

"This is not a drill! This is not a drill!"

"All officers and soldiers assemble immediately! Arrive at the designated position within five minutes!"

Level-one combat readiness?!

The expressions of countless soldiers changed.

That was... a state of war!

But no one hesitated, no one wavered.

At the very first moment, everyone rushed to their posts at the speed of a hundred-meter sprint.

Northern Theater Command, Yangshen.

The 39th Group Army Headquarters.

"Attention all officers and soldiers!"

Commander Chen Hu stood on the playground, his voice like a grand bell:

"Received the highest command from Central Command!"

"Immediately transfer all troops of the 113th Heavy Combined Arms Brigade!"

"Target — Southern Jiangsu!"

"Bring all heavy equipment! Do not leave a single piece behind!"

"Within twelve hours — must arrive at the Sunan Military Region!"

"Those who violate the order — will be dealt with by military law!"

"Yes!"

More than three thousand soldiers roared in unison, shaking the clouds!

Then, the entire military camp fell into a frantic state of busyness.

Rumble — —

type 99a main battle tank, this steel behemoth known as the "King of Land Warfare", drove out of the armory one by one, their tracks crushing the ground and producing a deafening roar.

04A Infantry Fighting Vehicle, PLZ-05 Self-Propelled Howitzer, PHL-03 long-range multiple launch rocket system, Hongqi-17 air defense missile launch vehicle...

Hundreds of heavy armored vehicles formed a long dragon, and the roar of engines resounded through the night sky.

The entire earth trembled!

Central Theater Command, Tianfu.

The 72nd Group Army.

"Received the highest command!"

"The Fifth Combined Arms Brigade fully assembled!"

"Bring all heavy equipment! Target Southern Jiangsu!"

Another five thousand plus people!

Hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles again!

Southern Theater Command, Western Theater Command, Eastern Theater Command —

One ace unit after another was urgently transferred.

Every theater command sent out its most elite Heavy Combined Arms Brigade.

type 99a main battle tank, 04A Infantry Fighting Vehicle, PLZ-05 Self-Propelled Howitzer, Hongqi-17 air defense missiles...

All heavy equipment that could be mobilized was deployed!

Daxia's torrent of steel was converging toward Southern Jiangsu!

These units all shared a common goal —

Sunan Military Region!

At the same time.

The National Railway Corporation received an emergency order from Central Command.

"All passenger trains — immediately suspend operation!"

"All freight trains — unconditionally yield the way for military transport!"

"Repeat! This is level-one combat readiness! Highest priority!"

Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway, 11:37 PM.

A Fuxing high-speed train rushing at a speed of 350 kilometers per hour suddenly began emergency braking.

Passengers in the carriages were thrown left and right by inertia.

"What happened?"

"Why did it suddenly stop?"

An apologetic voice from the conductor came over the broadcast:

"Dear passengers, very sorry."

"Due to special national needs, this train must be suspended immediately."

"Please get off at the next station, and we will fully refund your tickets and arrange for rescheduling."

"We express our deepest apologies once again."

Passengers looked blank, but still got off one after another.

And just after they got off.

Train after train of military-green military trains roared past!

The carriages hung a striking August 1 Military Emblem!

Flatbed carriages were covered with camouflage nets, underneath which were the huge silhouettes of type 99a main battle tanks!

Sealed carriages were filled with ammunition, provisions, and tactical equipment!

Personnel carriages were filled with fully armed soldiers looking forward with resolute gazes!

Woo-woo-woo, rumble — —

That sound was breathtaking!

"This is..."

Passengers on the platform looked at this scene in shock; someone took out their phone wanting to take a photo, but was immediately stopped by the railway police.

"Why are there so many military trains?"

"How many tanks must there be?"

"Could it be... that a war is about to break out?"

They dared not think further, but a strong sense of unease surged in their hearts.

Not only the Beijing-Shanghai Line.

Beijing-Guangzhou Line, Shanghai-Kunming Line, Lanzhou-Xinjiang Line, Beijing-Harbin Line, Longhai Line...

All major railway trunk lines across the country suspended passenger transport and switched to military transport.

Military train after military train set off from all over the country, with only one target —

Southern Jiangsu!