76: It looks like they're going to take a hard line this time!

Scenes like this were currently playing out across the entire country.

Compared to Sequence One: Zhang Runrun, and Sequence Two: Jiang Mo, who could absolutely not afford any mistakes, the process of contacting the remaining 4,998 individuals was relatively normal.

The special departments personally visited them, explained the stakes involved, sought the guardians' consent, signed a series of confidentiality agreements, and promised to pay a large sum of compensation before taking the people on the list straight to the capital.

Over the next four years, they would receive personal guidance from Long Country's Five-Star General, Jiang Chongguo.

On the other side, Long Country urgently recalled several large engineering teams that were currently abroad.

Multiple large domestic projects were immediately halted.

Twenty temporary routes leading toward Xijiang were urgently planned, and construction began overnight.

This series of conspicuously abnormal and cost-regardless actions by Long Country stirred up massive waves both domestically and internationally, with the storm intensifying rapidly, quickly forming a tsunami large enough to engulf an entire city.

International public opinion was in an uproar, with all kinds of speculation circulating.

Small and medium-sized countries that had suddenly lost Long Country's support accused Long Country of unilaterally breaching contracts.

The spokesperson for Great Beauty ranted publicly, calling on all countries to unite and impose sanctions on Long Country.

Faced with external voices, Long Country's official response was extremely strong.

"Long Country is conducting construction on its own territory, which is legitimate and conforms to international law."

"Any external force attempting to interfere will inevitably pay an unbearable price for it."

This statement was a naked warning, carrying an attitude that essentially dared others to challenge them if they were dissatisfied.

While the press conference was underway, the Ministry of Commerce urgently released hundreds of bidding announcements.

These involved multiple sectors: highways, railways, power grids, and supporting living facilities... the quantity of construction materials required was unimaginably vast.

Almost simultaneously, a notification text message from the Conscription Office was gradually pushed to every person in Long Country who had retired from service within the last ten years.

The content was brief, containing only two short sentences and the addresses of the many temporary service points newly established by local Conscription Offices.

This news caused a violent reaction across all sectors of society in a very short amount of time.

Recalling veterans who retired within the last ten years—what exactly was Long Country planning?

The country was completely boiling over.

Meanwhile, foreign nations plunged into endless panic.

Was Long Country serious about this?

A small county town in Long Country.

Li Rui, who had just finished delivering a truckload of packages, heard the notification. When he pulled out his phone and saw the message pushed by the Conscription Office, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He immediately straightened his posture, as if recalling the glorious years he would remember for a lifetime.

"Li Rui, what are you dawdling for? Hurry up and get over here to load the goods."

"Station Chief, I can't deliver these packages anymore."

Yangcheng.

Wu Hongbiao, who was currently coding, glanced sideways at his phone screen. When he saw the message from the Conscription Office, a fiery passion flashed in his eyes.

His hands left the keyboard, and he rubbed his half-bald head.

"If I keep working for another two years, I'll probably be completely bald. Being a soldier is better."

Buses and trains, carrying these men who had gathered from all directions, drove toward the barracks they had once served in.

Among them, some abandoned newly launched businesses, and others said goodbye to their recently married wives.

Even more kept it a secret from their aging parents, left behind the wealth they had accumulated over half a lifetime, and secretly departed their hometown, leaving only one message: "The country needs me. Dad, Mom, your son is unfilial; I can no longer take care of you in your old age."

The temporary service points of the Conscription Office across the country were plunged into unprecedented busyness.

Yangzhai County.

"Name, former unit designation, year of discharge."

"Chen Yi, formerly of the Northeast Tiger Special Operations Brigade, discharged eight years ago."

The staff member entered the information and confirmed it was correct, but frowned deeply.

The information showed that Chen Yi had already joined Yinlong Temple and was a monk. What was the meaning of this?

Chen Yi rubbed his bald head, clasped his hands together, and chuckled softly.

"I just returned to secular life yesterday."

The staff member stood up in solemn respect and rendered a standard military salute.

Chen Yi returned the salute somewhat awkwardly; everything was understood without words.

"Welcome back to the ranks."

"The assembly time will be notified via text message."

It was the next person's turn.

"My name is Zhuang Dayun, formerly of the Southwest Military Region's Wildcat Regiment."

The staff member took the identification and showed a hint of difficulty when seeing the retirement date.

"You do not meet the criteria for this recall. I am very sorry."

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Dayun's face instantly drained of color. He had been retired for exactly ten years and two months—he missed the cutoff by just two months.

"Can't you make an exception? I only missed it by two months."

"My physical condition is fine. I exercise every day, and I haven't lost my skills. Just let me go back!"

The staff member stood up, his attitude respectful but exceptionally firm.

"Old Squad Leader, please don't get agitated."

"A rule is a rule; no one can be an exception."

Zhuang Dayun opened his mouth, but finally sighed, took his identification, and turned to leave.

As he passed the waiting area, Zhuang Dayun straightened his body and rendered a standard military salute.

"I wish you all a triumphant return."

Everyone stood up neatly from their chairs and returned the salute with solemn respect.

On the distant other side of the ocean.

Due to Long Country's conscription announcement, a host of Western nations were currently caught in a state of extreme panic and tension.

Early morning.

The Pentagon was brightly lit at this moment.

Inside the high-level conference room, smoke billowed, filling the air with an anxious atmosphere.

Both sides of the conference table were packed with people, all of them wearing ashen expressions.

In the hallway, clerks holding documents were sweating profusely in their haste.

Because the meeting was continuous, the delivery phones of several nearby pizza places were ringing off the hook.

Anxious cursing could be heard from the surrounding streets; the roads were completely blocked.

"Oh God, can someone tell me what Long Country is trying to do?"

A general wearing stars on his shoulder slammed his hand down on the conference table, his eyebrows knitted fiercely.

"Such a massive resource mobilization, recalling all retired military personnel—they are trying to start a war!"

"War?"

A high-ranking official seated at the head of the left side gave a bitter laugh.

"Long Country's current military strength is enough to wrestle with aliens. We should focus on how we're going to resolve this situation."

Silence immediately fell over the conference room. Reality was this cruel, yet they had no choice but to accept it.

As time passed, especially in the Southeast Asian region, the atmosphere slowly changed from one of hostility to something different, as they realized that this time Long Country wasn't just talking—they were getting serious.

The press halls in the capitals of various countries became extremely busy.

"We are the closest neighbors to Long Country and possess the longest history of friendly exchanges."

"Regarding Long Country's magnificent plan in the Xijiang region, we firmly believe in it and resolutely express our support. This will make an outstanding contribution to regional and even global prosperity and stability."