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

The top floor of the August 1st Building. That is the most sacred place in the entire Chinese military, and it is also the "General's Pavilion" that is never open to the public.

Today, there are no somber meetings or somber battle reports here. Instead, there is a rare atmosphere of celebration and a rugged joy unique to soldiers.

The long mahogany dining table was laden with a sumptuous feast. There were no fancy delicacies, only the most authentic hearty dishes served in the military – large bowls of braised pork, whole roasted chickens, and specially supplied strong liquor in military canteens with an alarmingly high alcohol content.

This was an internal celebration banquet personally approved by Lao Lin for the "Dragon Fang" team, which made outstanding contributions in the recent China Sea crisis.

Those who can sit here to keep me company are all high-ranking military officials who are so powerful that a single stomp of their feet can shake the entire military region.

But today's protagonists are not them, but those five young men who have just changed into brand-new military uniforms, sitting upright, not even knowing where to put their hands.

Tank, Lone Wolf, Vulture, Poison Doctor, Ghost Hand.

"Don't be so reserved! You're like wolves killing on the battlefield, but why are you acting like little lambs at the dinner table?"

Old Lin sat in the main seat, looking at his grandson's brothers-in-arms, and laughed heartily.

"Today there are no leaders, only comrades! Eat and drink to your heart's content! Anyone who dares to leave an empty stomach will be punished by running ten kilometers of armed cross-country on the parade ground!"

With Lin Lao's words and a few drinks, these soldiers, who had been on edge, finally let their true nature show.

"Haha! Well then, big boss, we won't stand on ceremony!"

Tank was the first to unbutton his top button, grab a roast chicken, and tear into it, his mouth dripping with oil.

Although Lone Wolf was somewhat refined, his drinking prowess was in no way inferior. He picked up a full glass of baijiu, clinked it with the deputy commander of the military region next to him, and downed it in one gulp without changing his expression.

Ghost Hand, meanwhile, grabbed several generals from the Technical Equipment Department and boasted, spittle flying, about how he had hacked into the enemy's aircraft carrier subsystem in three seconds, leaving the old generals stunned.

The atmosphere was extremely lively.

……

After several rounds of drinks...

The officer slowly stood up, holding a glass of water in his hand (he could not drink alcohol due to health reasons), and his gaze swept over everyone present.

The hall fell silent instantly.

"I'll drink this water instead of alcohol today."

The old man's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a powerful and moving authority that stirred the heart.

"A salute to the five of us here, young heroes."

"At the most dangerous moment for our nation, you did not retreat or hesitate. With your flesh and blood, with your unparalleled wisdom and courage, you won this war without gunpowder, yet it was a heart-stopping one for our Dragon Kingdom."

"You are the pride of our army, and the pride of this country."

The old man turned his head and looked at Old Lin.

Old Lin understood, stood up, and took five red velvet trays from the guards behind him.

The moment the red silk on the tray was unveiled.

A collective gasp filled the room! Although everyone knew that their contributions were immense, awarding the rank of general to five young men under the age of thirty at once was an unbelievable and exceptional promotion in peacetime!

This means that, from today onwards, these five "shadows," who were once confined to clandestine missions, have officially stepped into the sunlight and become true pillars of the Chinese military!

Tank stared at the glittering gold star, then dropped the half-eaten chicken leg onto the table with a thud. His usually ruthless eyes turned red.

"This...this is for me?"

He rubbed his rough hands vigorously on his clothes, but dared not touch the rank insignia, for fear of getting it dirty.

Lone Wolf pushed up his glasses, took a deep breath, and tried to make his voice sound calm:

"Boss, this is too heavy. We just..."

"Not heavy!" Old Lin interrupted him, his voice booming like a bell.

"This star was earned with your lives! It was fought for by you, sword and gun, in the drug dens of the Golden Triangle, in the rainy nights of Phoenix Mountain, and on the crests of the storms in the East China Sea!"

"The nation never fails to reward those who have rendered meritorious service!"

Old Master Lin personally stepped down from the main seat and walked to the five of them.

"stand up!"

With Lao Lin's command.

The five people instinctively stood up abruptly, chests out, heads held high, and eyes fixed ahead.

Old Lin picked up the heavy star and solemnly placed it on Tank's shoulder.

Then there's Lone Wolf, Vulture, Poison Doctor, and Ghost Hand.

Every time someone put one on, Old Lin would pat them hard on the shoulder.

"Well done! From now on, it will be up to you to protect this beautiful land."

The five men saluted in unison without saying a word, but their resolute gazes said it all.

……

The conferment ceremony has concluded.

Five newly promoted major generals held their wine glasses, but did not toast the leaders present.

They glanced at each other, as if they had reached some kind of tacit understanding.

Then, they turned around and, in unison, walked toward the man who had been sitting in the corner, silently drinking tea and smiling at them.

—Liu Ming.

He wasn't wearing a military uniform today, nor did he hold any official title. He was simply a "consultant" and a "family member" who was granted special permission to attend this internal celebration banquet.

But he is the eternal, one and only god in the hearts of these five people.

"Boss."

Tank was the first to speak, his massive body slightly bent before Liu Ming, his voice trembling with excitement.

"This star, though it rests on my shoulder."

"But I know it is yours."

The lone wolf stepped forward and raised his wine glass.

"Without you, we would have rotted away in that rainforest long ago. Without you, we would have been nothing more than unseen killers for the rest of our lives."

"It was you who gave us these clean clothes."

"It was you who showed us what a true soldier is."

Ghost Hand sniffed, tears welling up in his eyes.

"Boss, I only have one thing to say: no matter what rank or position I hold in the future, as long as you say the word, I, Ghost Hand, can give you my life anytime."

The Poison Doctor and the Vulture didn't speak, but silently raised their glasses.

Five people, five glasses of strong liquor.

Facing that man who, even sitting there, was as unshakeable as a mountain.

"To our eternal Wolf King!"

The tank roared.

"Homage to Asura!"

The five men roared in unison.

Then, he tilted his head back and drank the strong liquor in the glass in one gulp!

The spicy liquid burned their throats, but it couldn't burn away the brotherhood and camaraderie they shared, a bond that transcended life and death.

Liu Ming stood up.

He looked at his five comrades, once green and inexperienced but now capable of standing on their own, and at the shining stars on their shoulders. A barely perceptible warmth flickered in his eyes.

He picked up his teacup, but didn't switch to wine.

Because he knew that their relationship didn't need alcohol to numb it.

"From now on, I'll have to walk my own path."

Liu Ming's voice was soft, yet it carried the expectation and sternness of an elder brother who was like a father to his children.

"The brighter the star on your shoulders, the heavier the burden."

"Don't embarrass me."

"Don't embarrass yourself with this outfit."

He raised his teacup and gently touched the empty cups in their hands.

"Done."

Water down the throat is stronger than alcohol.

On this night of shining stars, these five men completed their transformation from "soldier" to "general".

The man who brought all this to fruition simply retreated silently into the shadows, concealing his achievements and fame.