Industrial Cthulhu doesn't believe in the end times.

Chapter 56 My Dear Comrades

2*30年6月11日，倒计时，4天。

It's cloudy with light rain.

Against the backdrop of nationwide intensive training, all kinds of exams have been postponed.

Students are the best soldiers—organized, disciplined, and educated. With a little training, it's unrealistic to expect them to reach the level of active duty soldiers in the country, but compared to most countries in the world, their quality is already overwhelming.

As a result, within the next month, schools across the country began more intensive, professional, and targeted training. These students, who should have been studying, taking exams, and welcoming the biggest turning point and the best time of their lives, gradually learned how to use firearms, how to bandage wounds, how to repair machinery, how to use machine tools, and other skills.

While I wouldn't call myself highly skilled, I've at least grasped the basics.

One after another, outstanding military training students emerged. Their academic performance may not have been outstanding, but in this massive mobilization involving the entire nation, their fates were changed. If the great catastrophe had not occurred, they might have embarked on a completely different path.

In addition to military training, each school only retains a minimal number of courses. Basically, after the training ends each day, teachers will sit with students in the classroom or on the playground to explain the 'Passing on the Torch' teaching plan issued by the Education Bureau.

The content of this lesson plan is mostly about the dark and turbulent history that this country has experienced over the past century. Many real photos and videos that were not suitable for publicizing to the general public have been revealed. During this period, museum staff also brought some artifacts from that era to various schools for exhibition and explanation.

Its effects may take time to manifest, and now, both military training and teaching are gradually coming to an end.

A university in Guangxi.

The faculty and staff had just put down their lesson plans and finished their last class when the students in front of them were no longer wearing school uniforms, but neat military uniforms.

The school-age students in each school have formed a complete and mature organizational structure, with groups forming classes and classes forming platoons. Each school is a preparatory school. In addition to the grassroots student self-government committees, a large number of young teachers who participated in the training with them have become leaders of the organizational structure at all levels.

As the bell and broadcast sounded, they assembled into teams and entered the playground in class units. A light drizzle was falling, and some people were reluctant, but when they saw the neat and solemn ranks, and the military uniforms and red flags that looked even more vibrant in the rain, a feeling and an atmosphere arose in everyone's hearts.

So these people also joined the queue and became part of the group.

In fact, the school principal is known for his approachability, and he would not normally organize a gathering on a rainy day.

However, the requirements for military training have been extremely strict during this period. Not to mention this little bit of rain and fog, even if it is pouring rain, there will still be a certain amount of outdoor training.

Some people were angry about this, and some people protested because of it, but in the end, everyone realized what was going on.

The environment has changed, the world has changed, and that great catastrophe has left the country with no more room to protect its students in a greenhouse. In the future, they really have to walk their own path.

Immediately afterward, the principal's first words attracted everyone's attention.

"My dear students—no, at this moment, please allow me to call you that—my dear comrades!"

The principal, whose temples were already tinged with white, was not wearing his usual suit, but instead dressed in green. He grabbed the microphone and strode into the middle of the students.

"We have experienced an extraordinary month since the start of the mobilization."

"You can see the dark clouds overhead."

"You have heard the dramatic changes in the world."

"Now, the arduous training of the past month has yielded fruitful results. You have proven yourselves with your actions and sweat, and have shown everyone that the new generation of young people can endure hardship, fight, and unite!"

"Now, it's time to transform the spirit embodied in this uniform into concrete actions to protect our homeland and overcome these difficult times together!" The drizzle dampened everyone's temples and shoulders, but gradually, no one cared, no one complained. Ten thousand gazes were like lit torches, or like surging rivers.

The surging emotions left the principal slightly breathless. He took a breath and continued:

"The impending catastrophe is imminent. Comrades, we must be soberly aware that our country and our nation are at an unprecedented critical juncture."

"An unknown and enormous challenge, like the low pressure before a storm, is looming over us."

"Its form may be vague, and its power is immeasurable, but the challenges it brings will inevitably have a profound impact on the fate of each and every one of us, and even on the future of our entire country and nation!"

At this point, the principal's voice rose involuntarily, and he questioned, "Why our generation? Why are we the ones facing this? Comrades, are you afraid? Are you in pain? Are you sad?"

Without giving the students a chance to answer, the principal continued:

"Comrades, no one likes suffering, but now, history has chosen us!"

"Do not complain, do not grieve, do not hesitate, do not fear, my comrades, the clarion call to meet even greater challenges has sounded!"

His face gradually flushed red, he raised his arm, and his voice was loud and clear.

"All the division commanders are your comrades-in-arms who advance and retreat with you!"

"The organization will be a guiding light for you!"

"Our hundreds of millions of compatriots, who are connected by blood, are our strongest support!"

In such words and atmosphere, everyone's emotions were stirred. A sense of excitement at being in the midst of a great era swept away the unease and anxiety hidden deep in their hearts. A sense of responsibility gradually took root and began to sprout in the countless subtle actions of the whole society over the past month.

Young people are often the most easily inspired and the most easily ignited with passion. How could they not be excited? How could they not be thrilled!
History has chosen us, and we are stepping into history. Those pioneering poems will be rewritten in this era, and those timeless verses will happen to us!
It is precisely because the wind and rain soak our clothes that our bones become stronger, and wild vegetables fill our hunger that our will becomes even more resolute!
They were ready to sacrifice themselves for their country in times of crisis, regarding death as returning home!
The principal continued speaking, and many people even began to feel tinnitus. The sound coming from the loudspeaker seemed to match their heartbeats. At this moment, everyone truly realized that the fate of the 10,000 people present, and even the hundreds of millions of compatriots behind them, was intertwined!
"The fiercer the storm, the more precious the camaraderie among comrades becomes!"

"The deeper the national crisis, the more glorious the responsibilities of our comrades become!"

"I believe that when you look back on today, you will proudly say: In the face of this unprecedented catastrophe, my comrades and I did not back down!"

"With knowledge, courage, and unity, we have written our own historical answer sheet!"

"Comrades! For our beloved motherland, for our common future—forward! Victory belongs to us! Victory belongs to our great people!"

"Now, answer me, are you ready!"

Over ten thousand people, an endless expanse, stood like a forest of students—soldiers—who erupted from the silence with a thunderous shout.

"Ready at all the time!"

"Always be prepared!!"

"Always be prepared!!!"

Its voice resounds throughout the world, its spirit soars to the heavens!
(End of this chapter)