Siao Hua is six years old and lives with his mother A-Tao in an illegal building close to a military camp. Their only income is what A-Tao can make... More

Siao Hua is six years old and lives with his mother A-Tao in an illegal building close to a military camp. Their only income is what A-Tao can make selling drinks and snacks to the soldiers. Siao Hua\'s greatest joy is to look for bullets and shells left after target practice using a magnet that he has made by himself. In the military camp, the squad leader GU Shisian is a born soldier and the only one who sees being a soldier as a natural duty. He discovers that Siao Hua is attracted to a military career. Some time goes by and Siao Hua seems to have disappeared. The soldiers finally go to his home only to find out that he suffers from leukemia. While the 8th Squad slowly turns into real soldiers, Siao Hua\'s illness becomes increasingly serious. When he is close to dying, he reveals his secret dream, which is to be a general inspecting his troops. The troop inspection ceremony takes place when Siao Hua\'s situation is critical. The Commander-in-Chief inspects the troops carrying Siao Hua in his arms. Siao Hua is glowing with health from the excitement of being able to inspect the troops. As the 8th Squad marches by the inspection stand, Siao Hua takes his last breath. Close