Special forces soldier demobilization: Starting from the county government compound, a meteoric rise

Kyoto, August 1st Building.

This solemn building is the beating "heart" of the Republic's military power. And today, in its deepest, most secure inner auditorium, a top-secret medal-awarding ceremony is being held without any media coverage or video recording.

There was no thunderous applause from the audience. There was no podium adorned with flowers.

Seated below the stage were only a dozen or so top leaders of the Central Military Commission, their hair gray and adorned with gold stars on their shoulders. Their faces were solemn, yet their eyes revealed an indescribable fervor and respect.

Old Lin sat in the center of the first row. His hands were folded on his cane, and his old eyes, tempered by countless battles, were fixed on the young man standing ramrod straight on the stage.

Liu Ming.

Today, instead of wearing the dark suit worn by a director of the National Development and Reform Commission, he made an exception and wore a dark green Type 07 uniform without military rank.

The uniform looked perfectly natural on him. His broad shoulders, upright posture, and the steely aura emanating from his very bones reminded the veteran generals present of Liu Jianguo, who once charged into battle with a bayonet at the front lines of Laoshan.

"stand up!"

With a powerful command, all the generals present, including Elder Lin who had difficulty walking, stood up abruptly.

The atmosphere in the entire auditorium instantly froze to an extreme.

That is the highest respect for heroes.

The leader of the Central Military Commission, an elderly man nearing seventy with a dignified air, walked steadily onto the podium. In his hands he held a red velvet tray, in the center of which, a pure gold August 1st Medal inlaid with rubies, shone with a dazzling light under the lamplight.

Comrades.

The leader's voice was deep and powerful, echoing in the empty auditorium.

"Three days ago, in the 'Valley of Death' on the southwestern border of our country, a foreign mercenary group, under the instigation of hostile external forces, attempted to kidnap my country's top geological experts and plunder my country's extremely valuable data on superconducting rare earth mineral veins."

"If their plot succeeds, our country's strategic layout in the future semiconductor and high-end manufacturing fields will suffer a devastating blow!"

"With conventional troops unable to cross the border and hesitant to act, it was Comrade Liu Ming who led the 'Dragon Fang' squad, infiltrating behind enemy lines in a desperate situation without support or communication, annihilating the enemy forces, safely rescuing all hostages, and bringing back top-secret intelligence about the enemy's infiltration of our country!"

The leader's voice gradually became more impassioned, filled with undisguised pride.

"This is a war without gunfire! This is a desperate counterattack that turned the tide!"

"Given Comrade Liu Ming's current civilian status and the highly sensitive nature of this operation, the Central Committee has decided not to release this battle report to the public. All achievements will be sealed in an S-level top-secret file."

"but……"

The leader abruptly changed the subject, his gaze fixed intently on Liu Ming.

"Our motherland will never forget any soldier who shed blood for her!"

"The Central Military Commission has decided to award Comrade Liu Ming... a First-Class Merit!"

"boom!"

Although they were mentally prepared, when those three words were actually read out, the generals in the audience, who were used to big occasions, still couldn't help but gasp.

First-class merit!

This is the highest honor a soldier can receive in peacetime! As the saying goes: a third-class merit is earned with sweat, a second-class merit with blood, and a first-class merit... that's something you have to risk your life for!

And the most terrifying thing is...

This is already Liu Ming's fourth First-Class Merit Medal in his life!

Four First-Class Merits!

Looking at the entire history of the Chinese military, apart from those veteran revolutionaries who made outstanding contributions during the war years, in peacetime, those who survived and were able to receive four first-class merit awards are rare.

Liu Ming is the only one.

This is a true pillar of the nation. A living legend.

"Comrade Liu Ming, step forward!"

Liu Ming took a step forward. His leather shoes clicked crisply on the marble floor. He showed neither excitement nor elation. He simply raised his head, his deep, ancient eyes calmly meeting his leader's gaze.

The leader picked up the heavy medal.

He walked up to Liu Ming, looked at the bandage on the young man's left shoulder where blood was faintly seeping through, and a hint of heartache and respect flashed in his eyes.

He personally and solemnly pinned the medal, which shone with unparalleled glory, to Liu Ming's chest.

It stands alongside three equally dazzling medals.

Four stars aligned. Radiating brilliant light.

"Liu Ming".

The leader did not step back, but instead reached out and firmly grasped Liu Ming's shoulders.

The force was as if it were pressing the entire burden of the nation onto the young man's shoulders.

"Back in the military, you were the sharp blade that pierced through the darkness. Now in civilian life, you are the pioneer who breaks through the impasse of reform."

"You've come a long way, killing corrupt officials, fighting against tyrants, and now you've extinguished the arrogance of the foreign devils."

The leader looked at him, his voice not loud, but every word was like thunder, deafening.

"With civil authority, one can govern the country." "With military prowess, one can secure peace and stability!"

"You truly deserve these eight words!"

The entire venue was deathly silent.

All the generals' eyes were focused on Liu Ming. They knew how terrifyingly heavy the eight words "leader" carried in their evaluation.

This is not only an affirmation of Liu Ming's past achievements.

It is also the highest endorsement of his unlimited future prospects.

Liu Ming looked at the leader and straightened her back.

"Whoosh!"

A military salute that is perfectly standard and full of iron-blooded killing intent.

"You flatter me, sir. As a Chinese man, this is what I should do."

"Good! That's exactly what should be done!"

The leader laughed heartily, took a step back, and returned a solemn military salute.

……

The ceremony has ended.

There was no celebratory banquet. Liu Ming politely declined the generals' invitations to stay.

He walked outside the auditorium, where the late autumn sunlight was somewhat dazzling.

Old Lin sat in his wheelchair, being pushed by Xiao Wang, and waited quietly at the bottom of the steps.

Seeing Liu Ming walk out with four first-class merit medals hanging on his chest, the old man's eyes reddened again.

"grandfather."

Liu Ming walked down the steps, squatted in front of the wheelchair, and grasped Old Lin's withered hands.

"You lad, you really impressed these old guys today." Old Lin chuckled, wiping his eyes. "Four first-class merits! If your grandfather were alive, he could probably brag about that for the rest of his life."

"These were earned with my life, what's there to brag about?" Liu Ming smiled faintly, casually untied the newly issued medal, and gently placed it in Old Lin's palm.

"Please keep this for me."

"How can this be?" Old Lin was taken aback. "This is your honor."

"My glory is all here."

Liu Ming pointed to her heart, her eyes becoming deep and cold.

"This sign is too heavy and too conspicuous. I'm now a director at the National Development and Reform Commission, and I can't do my job with this on."

"and."

He stood up and looked at the bustling Chang'an Avenue.

"Although Luo Binwang has fallen, his 'friends' in Kyoto, those comprador groups hiding behind the scenes who want to use Zhao Ruihu to destroy my country's semiconductor industry, are still stirring up trouble."

"I can't let them know that I am 'Shura'."

"I want them to think that I'm just a young director with some connections and a bit of economic knowledge."

A cold, hunter-like smile curled at the corners of Liu Ming's lips.

"Only in this way will they lower their guard and come out on their own."

"And what I like best is to close the door and beat the dog."

Old Lin looked at his cunning and ruthless godson and remained silent for a long time.

He gripped the medal tightly and nodded emphatically.

"it is good."

"Grandpa will keep this medal for you."

"Go. Go and uproot those traitors."

"It's time to wash the skies over Kyoto."

Liu Ming turned around and strode towards the black Hongqi sedan waiting at the door.

The sunlight stretched his shadow long.

A civil official's appearance, a military general's soul.

The mist over Kyoto.

She was destined to be torn apart completely by this man in the bloodiest way.