The job change is a bizarre and calamity; the nation begs me to tone it down.

Gu Xu actually enjoyed listening to the big shots' teasing.

He could sense that these people's attitudes towards him had improved significantly.

In the past, they viewed him as a promising junior.

Now, they see him as a comrade who is on par with them, or even better.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Gu Xu sat down in the center of the first row.

This seat is quite special; only those who sit here are allowed to enjoy it.

They are all the absolute core of the Sherman military.

Not long after, the side door of the auditorium opened, and Li Weiguo and Zhang Daoxuan walked out side by side and went up to the stage.

The entire room fell silent instantly.

Li Weiguo walked to the microphone, his gaze sweeping across the entire room, his deep eyes revealing an imposing and dignified presence.

"Now that we've gathered everyone here, I'm sure you all know what's going on."

Li Weiguo's expression was solemn, and his voice echoed in the auditorium: "The battle in the East China Sea a few days ago was the most severe test that our Divine Xia has faced in nearly ten years. We won, but the victory was extremely fierce."

He paused, his tone becoming heavy: "Here, I would like to propose once again that everyone stand up and observe a moment of silence for Senior Ye Nantian, who sacrificed his life in the Battle of the East China Sea, and for all the brave soldiers who died for their country."

The entire audience stood up and bowed their heads in silent tribute.

Three minutes later, everyone sat down again.

The atmosphere in the auditorium became somewhat heavy.

Li Weiguo sighed, then changed the subject, his gaze falling directly on Gu Xu, who was sitting in the first row.

"However, even in dire straits, true pillars of the nation have emerged in our Divine Xia."

Li Weiguo's voice gradually rose, tinged with barely concealed excitement: "Gu Xu, step forward!"

Gu Xu stood up, strode quickly to the front of the platform, stood ramrod straight, and gave a perfectly standard military salute.

Looking at the young man before him, Li Weiguo was filled with mixed emotions.

Although this kid usually seems unreliable and talks nonsense, he's more principled than anyone else when it comes to matters of principle.

"In view of Gu Xu's outstanding contributions in the Battle of the East China Sea, he saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and successfully killed four alien demigods."

Li Weiguo loudly announced: "With the unanimous approval of the Supreme Command, Gu Xu is hereby awarded the rank of Lieutenant General, effective immediately!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire audience erupted in applause, the sound of which was so loud it seemed to lift the roof off the auditorium.

An eighteen-year-old lieutenant general!

This is unprecedented in the history of the Divine Xia Empire!

Even Ye Nantian back then didn't reach the rank of lieutenant general until he was over thirty years old.

But at this moment, not one of the hundreds of senior generals present expressed any dissatisfaction.

Who dares to disagree?

If anyone disagrees, the command can simply buy them a one-way ticket to the East Sea dimensional rift and let them reason with the projection of the Abyss Emperor.

Zhang Daoxuan walked over carrying a tray with two gleaming lieutenant general epaulets on it.

Li Weiguo personally picked up the shoulder insignia and replaced Gu Xu's original major general shoulder insignia.

"Good lad, this is no easy task. Don't lie down so easily in the future."

Li Weiguo patted Gu Xu on the shoulder and said in a low voice.

Gu Xu looked at the two gleaming gold stars on his shoulder, his mouth practically stretching to his ears in a wide grin.

He lowered his voice and asked, "Minister, how much more is a lieutenant general's salary than a major general's? Has the meal allowance increased?"

Li Weiguo was initially quite moved, but upon hearing these words, the muscles in his face twitched involuntarily.

He gritted his teeth and said, "Raise it! Raise it all! You'll get your share!"

Gu Xu gave a satisfied salute, then turned to leave the stage and return to his seat.

Just then, Li Weiguo suddenly raised his hand to suppress the applause.

"Everyone, please be quiet for a moment. Wait, this isn't over yet."

Gu Xu was taken aback and stopped in his tracks.

Is there more good news?

Are they going to give out bonuses on the spot?

The entire audience fell silent, watching Li Weiguo with curiosity.

Li Weiguo took a deep breath, his expression more solemn than ever before. His next words were like a bombshell, exploding directly in the crowd.

"Following an emergency meeting held overnight, the Supreme Command has decided that, in order to prepare for potentially more severe challenges in the future, the Divine Xia Empire will establish its own Nineteenth Legion, effective immediately!"

"Unit designation—Disaster Army!"

"Gu Xu is appointed as the first legion commander of the Calamity Army!"

boom!

The auditorium erupted in chaos.

No one could believe their ears.

A new legion is being formed?!

Moreover, it's the Calamity Army, named after Gu Xu's sinister profession?

Gu Xu was dumbfounded, his eyes wide open and his mouth slightly agape.

What the hell?

Legion Commander?

I just wanted more wages, how did I suddenly become a contractor?!

However, Li Weiguo's bombshell didn't stop there.

He raised his voice, drowning out the murmurs below: "At the same time, in order to ensure the combat effectiveness and mobility of the Calamity Army, the Command has granted the Calamity Army a special authority."

"Within the territory of Shenxia, ​​all professionals below the Saint level, at the Quasi-Saint level, will be included in the reserve force of the Calamity Army!"

"Commander Gu has the authority to mobilize these quasi-saints at any time and in any place, without needing to report through layers of bureaucracy; he can act first and ask for permission later!"

The entire room fell into a deathly silence.

Immediately following was a chorus of gasps of surprise.

That's too much power!

It's absolutely enormous!

It should be noted that although the ninth-tier saints of Shenxia are a strategic deterrent force, their numbers are extremely small.

What truly supports the nation's conventional front are those eighth-tier quasi-saints.

With just one sentence from Li Weiguo, the core backbone of the Shenxia Empire was effectively eliminated.

Everything was handed over to Gu Xu.

This isn't just establishing a legion; it's clearly creating an invincible private army for Gu Xu!

Zhou Yi and Li Podi exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

The General Staff really went all out this time.

This shows they're grooming Gu Xu to be their future successor.

Gu Xu stood there blankly, his mind buzzing. He looked at Li Weiguo, then at the lieutenant general's epaulettes on his own shoulders.

Clearly, they didn't react immediately.

Before Gu Xu could even recover from the shockwave of the words "Legion Commander," Zhang Daoxuan had already given him no chance to catch his breath.

The number two figure in the Shenxia military walked to the microphone, coughed lightly, and had a very subtle smile on his face.

How to describe that smile?

It's like the expression of a homeroom teacher preparing to let a struggling student speak at a parent-teacher meeting—a mixture of anticipation, trepidation, and a hint of mischievousness that seems to enjoy the drama.

"Now that the appointment of the legion commander has been announced, shouldn't our Legion Commander Gu say a few words, as is customary?"

Zhang Daoxuan turned his head to look at Gu Xu, and even emphasized the words "legion commander".

All eyes in the room once again focused on Gu Xu.

Several old generals even looked on with amusement – ​​this kid is usually so eloquent he can talk the dead back to life, but when it comes to speaking in a serious setting, it's a different story.

They were very curious about what earth-shattering statement Gu Xu would make.