Rebirth: Exclusive Love in the End of the World-Chapter 169: Military Service

Several days later, the base issued a notice: Effective immediately, compulsory military service would be implemented. All male residents aged 18 to 35 without serious illnesses must register for military service for a duration of one year. After completing the service period, one can retire or apply to be transferred into the regular military formations.

Every extraordinary period in human society has seen various systems of conscription, and the punishments for those who refuse to serve usually include imprisonment, hefty fines, or both.

For a time, the entire base was shrouded in gloom. The base’s ability team and Special Training Team had been recruiting soldiers from the public for some time; this was a voluntary army, and those who wanted to join would have joined by now. Why wait until now to join the compulsory service? Those who had not joined until now naturally didn’t want to, didn’t wish to. Not everyone has the courage to face the various dangers outside the base, and many would rather live in peace in their own little corner.

Lu Changyuan had been smoking significantly more these past few days, with a thick smell of smoke permeating the house from morning until night.

From the perspective of those in power, conscription is an excellent way to replenish troops quickly, filling the army’s gaps and stabilizing the situation. Having strong, young people firmly under their control naturally reduces the worry of disruption from the ranks.

But for people like Han Yi, having no one in hand is akin to a tiger losing its teeth or a wolf cutting off its claws.

So, it was impossible for Lu Changyuan not to worry. Their original plan was to leave some people behind to look after things. But given the current situation, it’s feared that once Han Yi leaves, those remaining will be sent to serve in the military.

After lunch, Lu Changyuan gathered everyone in the courtyard into the hall to see what they thought about the recruitment and their willingness to join.

Zhu Changfu held the conscription notice, turning it over and over twice, his smile a bit goofy, somewhat self-mocking, "It looks like only I, Zhu, am exempt from going."

Zhu Changfu was forty-two this year, beyond the conscription age range.

Han Jiaojiao looked toward Zhou Yan and said, "Does that mean Doctor Zhou doesn’t have to go either?" She remembered Yu Wanxi was thirty-four, so Zhou Yan should be about the same age. As long as he was thirty-five, he wouldn’t have to go.

Zhou Yan smiled somewhat embarrassedly, replying, "I’m thirty-three."

"Ah, Doctor Zhou, you and Sister Yu are in a May-December relationship," Han Jiaojiao exclaimed as if discovering a new continent.

Zhou Yan nodded with a smile, as Yu Wanxi blushed behind him.

"Other than Zhu who exceeds the conscription age, Sister Yu and Jiaojiao, being women, don’t have to go. Everyone else is within the range of conscription," Lu Changyuan said, looking at Han Yi, "You can now go directly to the military district to register. If you haven’t registered within a week, the base will enforce punishment."

"There will be punishment for not going?" Zhu Changfu muttered, inspecting the paper carefully, eventually spotting the punishment clauses at the bottom, "...civil defense construction? Forced labor?"

Hearing this, everyone’s expression turned sour.

Nearly half of these people had underworld backgrounds, and their temperaments were definitely not mild. While they may obediently serve under Han Yi now, they were accustomed to being treated with respect outside. Expecting these people to do hard labor was unbearable, and their ways were not suited to the military’s rules of conduct.

Han Yi slightly lifted his head, scanning the people in the hall, and spoke indifferently, "I will personally lead a long journey this time; it will take at least a month to return to the base. The road will certainly be dangerous, but if we succeed, I won’t let anyone be at a loss. As for conscription, it could be another way out. —You all can think it over."

The hall was packed with people, all standing. There were the likes of Zhu Changfu’s underlings, Shao Hai, along with Lu Changyuan’s followers, Zhou Xiaoliang, Yang Qi, and others.

The question was whether to join the compulsory soldiers or follow Han Yi on a mission.

In the military, one would live crammed with others in bunk-bed dormitories, eat three standard meals a day, wear uniforms, and receive only some points each month. The tasks might be as simple as patrolling the walls. There were also transport soldiers in the base, tasked specifically with transporting supplies and delivering ammunition and weapons to the front-line troops, with a high safety factor—of course... Different types of soldiers, vastly different benefits.

Following Han Yi, one wouldn’t need to worry about food, clothing, or shelter, and the weapons used would be the best, but the risks were greater. Although no specifics were revealed about the mission, Han Yi’s words hinted clearly enough. —The journey would be fraught with danger, and over the course of a month, one could return triumphant or not return at all.

No one takes life for granted.

Stay? Or go for military service?

Han Jiaojiao secretly hoped they would stay. A lot of people had thought about joining Han Yi’s cause recently, but Lu Changyuan ultimately only recruited these dozen or so individuals, which meant they all had exceptional qualities. Everyone had been through a period of adjustment, and just as these people were about to stand on their own, the army wanted to dig them out. Wouldn’t that be like dressing someone else for a wedding?

The atmosphere was heavy.

Han Jiaojiao thought they would take a long time to decide, but to her surprise, someone soon said, "I’m with Brother Han."

"The base’s reasons for conscription sound nice, ’protecting the home and the country,’ but where’s the home? Where’s the country? To say something that might sound overly sentimental, I feel like being together with everyone here is what makes a home! If I have to stay, I’ll stay with my own people! I’m with Brother Han."

"Well said! This is our home; I’m staying too."

"I’m staying."

"I’m staying too."

"..."

Everyone chose to stay. Not a single person wanted to go for military service.

——The outcome was satisfactory, yet neither Han Yi nor Lu Changyuan had any joy on their faces.

"The Han Family, the Gao Family, the Zheng Family, the Wu Family... Each of these families has quite a few people under them. Triggering the interests of so many clans, Ji Huajun should not have taken such an aggressive action," Lu Changyuan said, his tone filled with irony.

"Maybe he already negotiated terms in private, and Ji Huajun just needs to pick out the disobedient ones to make an example," Han Yi replied indifferently.

Han Jiaojiao moved closer to Han Yi and carefully took his hand.

Han Yi clasped her hand back and continued, "There are hardly any people left under Han Chenfeng’s command, and now that Ji Huajun is conscripting, Han Rui can only cling tighter to his support. Everyone should get ready in the next few days; it’s almost time to set out."

Zhou Xiaoliang asked, "Brother Han, where is our mission this time?"

Han Yi looked at him and said coldly, "Once we’re out of the base, I’ll tell you."

For the Armory matter, the fewer people who knew, the better. Currently, only Lu Changyuan and a few others like Yan Xiao and Xiao Jian were aware.

They were just discussing when to set off when suddenly, Xiao Jian’s shouting came from outside!——

"Doctor! Doctor Zhou! We need people here, quick!!!"

Zhou Yan immediately ran out, and the rest, with surprised expressions, followed quickly.

An off-road vehicle rushed into the yard from a mission, braked hard! Yan Xiao pushed open the door, rolled out covered in blood, and Xiao Jian was carrying someone on his back who was bloody and mangled! The moment Xiao Jian pulled him from the vehicle, blood poured onto the ground like water from a tap!

"Brother Yan?! Xiaozhao?! What happened?!" someone in the crowd shouted.