Chapter 112 Strongest China!

Gazing upon Xu Mo's corpse airlifted to Beijing, Wu Gang's body quivered. The plan seemed utterly divergent from its original course.

According to the initial plan, it should have been Black Dragon's corpse transported back, while Xu Mo would have triumphantly patted Wu Gang's shoulder, remarking, "See? Am I not formidable?"

Everything was different now. During the operation to apprehend Black Dragon, thirty Special Service soldiers perished, along with five hundred seventy-six police officers and over three hundred civilians. Some victims were mere children, only a few years old.

Observing the outcome before him, Wu Gang finally comprehended Adam's words: "Preserve strength?"

It was as if all events unfolded within his grasp; even the deaths of the Special Service members were calculated with extraordinary precision. Had he, not Xu Mo, been responsible for the capture, would the outcome have differed?

Heavily, he knocked on Adam's door. Wu Gang had nothing substantial to report, merely seeking an explanation.

"Is something the matter?" Adam "received" him with his habitual smile.

"I have come to 'request punishment'," Wu Gang spoke sincerely.

"What transgression have you committed?" Adam's expression turned thoughtful.

"Regarding the operation to apprehend the nation's top wanted fugitive, Black Dragon. The Special Service forces suffered grievous losses, implicating civilian casualties. Ultimately, he escaped Hong Kong with negligible difficulty. I wish to take responsibility for this operation," Wu Gang expressed profound remorse.

"Ah, you refer to that incident?" Adam seemed unconcerned. "His escape was inherently part of my plan. The sacrifice of Xu Mo and the other personnel is an acceptable outcome. Sacrificing only this number is significantly fewer than I anticipated. You have already exceeded the mission's requirements."

"Although I am unaware of your plan, I cannot accept the practice of sending comrades to their deaths knowingly! Xu Mo was my contemporary, an elite rarely found even within the Special Service forces. Yet he was... he was..." Wu Gang's trembling body rendered his speech incoherent. Tears, rare for a soldier, streamed down, shed for his classmate, his comrade-in-arms, and his brother.

"Believe me! Their deaths were not in vain!" Adam's tone was resolute. "They are national heroes; their blood was shed for the nation's greater prosperity. The world shall forever remember them, and their place is secured on the Heroes' Monument."

Wu Gang gazed perplexedly at Adam, not fully grasping his meaning.

"Report!" An orderly entered. "Sir, the arrangements you requested have been completed. Awaiting your instructions."

"Excellent, let us proceed immediately!" Adam rose to his feet.

"Sir, you are..." Wu Gang grew more bewildered.

"Accompany me. I intend to demonstrate to you that their blood shall save China," Adam stated profoundly.

Wu Gang habitually followed his steps, knowing Adam could surely provide a satisfactory answer.

"Alright, the 'performance' begins," Adam murmured inwardly, a barely perceptible smile touching his lips.

At this moment in Zhongnanhai, Zhao Xiang and Liu Tao sat silently in an office. The exhilaration of the previous night had completely vanished. Adam's swift, thunder-like action had eradicated all leaders of the Anti-Japanese Alliance, offering a glimmer of hope to these two men awaiting a miracle that the turmoil might subside. Yet, reality proved far less simple. Although radical actions diminished, the fervent crowds remained unchecked. Demonstrations, strikes, and class boycotts persisted.

The nation was incrementally proceeding towards ruin.

News of the failed capture of Black Dragon in Hong Kong reached the duo immediately. Cursing the escape of this damned instigator, Zhao Xiang likely would have personally shot his head to pieces had he been apprehended.

Suddenly, the silently seated pair received a familiar call from Adam. He uttered only two words: "Watch television."

Switching it on, the screen displayed Tiananmen Square. The hunger-striking students persisted in their foolish endeavor. Witnessing the students, each with a haggard complexion, Zhao Xiang's heart felt as if pierced by knives. They were the pillars nurtured by the nation! The future hope of the country. Yet, after nearly three days of fasting, several hundred had fainted in the square. Dozens succumbed during hospital rescue attempts, losing their young lives. Arguably, the most fervent participants in this turmoil were not the members of the Anti-Japanese Alliance vandalizing Japanese goods and denouncing "traitors," but these children who neither fought nor caused trouble, solely loving China with all their hearts.

This group of children was forcibly parted by fully armed Special Service soldiers, clearing a path. The platform from which the Peking University Student Union president (assuming 北大 refers to Peking University) had spoken was enlarged, with a vast white backdrop hung behind it, wide enough to rival a cinema screen. Helicopters proliferated in the sky; closer inspection revealed the additions were all Special Service military aircraft. Enormous searchlights swept back and forth above the crowd, resembling the grand spectacle of an awards ceremony.

"What on earth does Adam intend?" Liu Tao wondered aloud.

"Regardless of his move, if he dares harm these children, I will make him pay the price, even if it means civil war!" Zhao Xiang genuinely cherished them, as if protecting his own offspring.

"Sir, this is Tiananmen Square! I implore you to return swiftly. These children are far more fanatical than any Anti-Japanese Alliance. Your appearance might genuinely incite a riot; your safety cannot be guaranteed!" Wu Gang urged nervously from within Adam's car.

"It matters not. I have come precisely to give them an 'explanation'," Adam leaned back against the soft upholstery, closing his eyes and gently massaging his temples with both hands.

Wu Gang shuddered at Adam's words. Observing China's officialdom, how many officials, when genuinely confronted by public inquiry, dared to face the masses' interrogation directly? Especially when clearly in the wrong, the default response was, "Less trouble is better than more." Merely based on Adam's courage to face the inquiries of all the nation's people, Wu Gang's admiration deepened profoundly; he felt fortunate to have found an enlightened leader.

The soldiers' blockade further agitated the already incensed students. Clamorous shouts echoed through the silent night sky as the human tide surged against the wall formed by Special Service soldiers. Although tens of thousands of students repeatedly charged, their strength was severely depleted from days without sustenance. Against the robust standard-issue Special Service soldiers, they failed to breach this "thin" "wall." Eventually, seeing their charges ineffective, the agitated crowd began assaulting the obstructing soldiers. Various objects rained down upon the soldiers' bodies. Yet, none retaliated; they continued to link hands, blocking, merely safeguarding the half-meter passage behind them.

A frantic female student lunged onto an assault-type soldier, biting at his exposed neck. The soldier remained motionless, allowing her to tear at him. Blood flowed over his blue chest plate, dripping onto the ground. A nearby male student emulated her, albeit wielding a sharp utility knife.

He slowly approached a female reconnaissance soldier. The gleaming blade rose towards the sky, yet the female soldier did not even blink. Judging by her appearance, she was merely around twenty years old, yet she, like the veteran soldiers, withstood a segment of the crowd. Because she was Special Service, China's finest soldier. The principle "Orders supersede everything" had become her lifelong creed since joining the force.

Suddenly, the tumultuous crowd fell silent. Everyone's gaze converged on a black Hongqi sedan at the entrance of the passage. Adam stood there, his back ramrod straight like a pine tree. With steady strides, he walked towards the platform beneath Tiananmen Gate. His gaze never wavered, fixed directly upon the stage that belonged to him. The previously agitated crowd now followed Adam's movements with silent eyes. Even those resisting forgot their actions. The biting girl lowered herself to the ground; the knife-wielding boy continued to hold his blade blankly.

Following behind, Wu Gang only now understood the meaning of authority. True authority required no embellishment of words or actions. A single person standing there could render myriad masses speechless.

The journey of several hundred meters was quickly covered by Adam. He calmly ascended the simple platform, positioning himself before the microphone. The accompanying Wu Gang stood below the stage, vigilantly guarding against impulsive individuals harming the commander.

Tapping the microphone lightly, a tremendous sound emanated from the loudspeakers on the military helicopters. Even Adam's simple breath could be clearly heard by everyone in the square.

When they saw Adam about to speak, everyone grew even quieter. In the hearts of the Chinese people, Adam was an absolute symbol of power. His achievements at an incredibly young age elicited envy from every man; his extraordinarily handsome features, paired with an exceptionally gentle smile, captivated every woman. Most importantly, Adam commanded China's strongest army, making him an iconic figure of the Chinese military. Such a background could compel everyone to listen silently to what he had to say.

"What are you doing?" Adam inquired sternly, his tone purely interrogative.

No one answered. Instead, everyone lowered their heads, like children caught misbehaving facing their parents.

After a moment of silence, a voice emerged from the crowd.

"We are doing nothing! We merely desire an explanation!" The speaker was the owner of that impassioned speech, the president of the Peking University Student Union. Visibly, he was now sallow and emaciated; likely, even a moderate gust of wind could make him unsteady.

Having spoken, the president walked towards the human wall but was again stopped.

"It's alright," Adam waved his hand, and the obstructing soldiers allowed him passage.

Standing in the empty passage, he met Adam's gaze. Truly worthy of being the student president of China's highest institution of learning, he displayed no fear even facing the commander of thousands of troops. China would gain another pillar of talent in the future.

In truth, the students' thinking was quite simple: "Reason prevails under Heaven!" The current government, in their view, had erred. Thus, they gathered not to overthrow the government, but merely to correct the nation's mistakes through their actions.

"How may I address you?" Adam asked politely.

"My name is Zhong Aiguo," the president replied calmly.

"A fine name!" Adam praised with a smile.

"Thank you." Politeness was fundamental for a university student.

"You just mentioned wanting an explanation. What explanation do you seek?" Adam turned serious once more.

"According to Chairman Zhao's promise, should Japan dare invade even an inch of another nation's soil, that sinful country would be annihilated. Those bold words back then truly stirred us students. No jokes intended, if the nation requires it for fighting Japan, even if it means all of us putting down our pens and taking up arms to kill the enemy, we will absolutely not retreat a single step! Isn't that right, everyone?" Aiguo's soft voice, even without amplification, seemed to permeate the entire square, reaching every heart.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" The shouts emanated from their very core, so synchronized they nearly resonated with the world.

"Ah, you all..." Watching the live broadcast, two streams of tears rolled down Zhao Xiang's aged cheeks. Beside him, Liu Tao's eyes also welled up.

"Well said!" Adam exclaimed loudly.

The square fell silent once more.

"However, the nation does not require your combat. Your pens are mightier than your guns. As for warfare, let us rough folks handle it. Presently, your greatest display of love for the country is to return quietly to your studies," Adam articulated the state's perspective.

"If the nation ceases to resemble a nation, what use is there in studying these books? I fear by the time we graduate, it may no longer be China's domain," Aiguo stood in direct opposition to Adam.