149: Chapter 149: Tomorrow, we'll send the war merit plaque home!

"Did I hear that right? Eight subject championships? And a championship in the confrontation exercise?" The bespectacled boy pushed his glasses up firmly, his eyes behind the lenses widening like copper bells.

"That's not all!" Another classmate pulled out his phone and searched frantically, his voice trembling. "Nationwide, in the history of the Military Games All-Army Grand Competition over the last decade, the record was four championships! And that was set by a Soldier King ten years ago!"

"Nine championships... This is like pinning all the top experts in the entire military to the ground and rubbing their faces in the dirt!"

The reporters were like sharks that had caught the scent of blood, instantly becoming agitated.

The sound of camera shutters was as dense as popping beans, and the flashes were almost enough to sear one's eyes.

"Minister Zhang! Is this true? Is there an official record for the nine championships?"

"Is the confrontation exercise the legendary 'Red vs. Blue' simulated combat? How did Major Su lead his team to victory?"

"Nine championships! Does this mean Major Su is at the top level in almost every military subject field?"

Facing the flood of questions, Minister Zhang raised his hand to signal for silence and said in a clear voice, "The Military Region has already issued an official notification. The nine-championship record of Comrade Su Han is true, and every item has video records and judges' signatures, which can absolutely stand up to scrutiny."

He turned to look at Su Han, his eyes filled with even greater admiration. "Especially in that final confrontation exercise, Su Han led a team that had been at the bottom of the rankings in previous years to defeat over a dozen elite teams with higher rankings, setting the most classic example of winning against the odds in the history of the All-Army Grand Competition."

Upon hearing this, even the usually composed Teacher Liu gasped.

Although he did not understand military affairs, he knew what kind of astonishing tactical talent lay behind "winning against the odds."

Lin Ruoxue looked at Su Han's profile, her heart beating uncontrollably fast.

Zhao Xiaodao was so excited that his face turned bright red. He grabbed Su Han's shoulder, his voice loud enough to deafen someone. "Old Su! You're too awesome! Nine championships! In the future, if I go out and tell people I'm your brother, who would dare to disagree?"

Su Han slapped his hand away and said helplessly, "Keep it low-key."

"Low-key my ass!" Zhao Xiaodao's eyes shone. "This is a matter of bringing honor to your ancestors! We must be high-profile!"

In the corner, Chen Hao completely slumped in his chair.

One Third-Class Merit for excellent training, one Second-Class Merit for rescuing hostages, and one First-Class Merit for nine championships in the All-Army Grand Competition... With a resume like this, let alone a promotion to Major in ten months, even if he were directly granted a higher military rank, no one would question it!

"So," Minister Zhang looked around the room, his voice resonant and powerful, "now, does anyone still think Comrade Su Han's promotion is unreasonable?"

No one answered.

The flashes went off wildly again, and this time, they captured nothing but Su Han's calm figure.

Su Han gave a light cough.

"I hope all my journalist friends can focus on 'safety precautions' and the 'duties of a soldier' themselves,"

Su Han's gaze swept across the media present, his tone sincere. "There is no need to over-sensationalize individual deeds. Whether it's fire rescue or rescuing hostages, it is all the duty of a soldier."

He paused and added, "Instead of focusing on me personally, it would be better to report more on fire safety knowledge or the stories of soldiers' daily training. Let more people understand that the stability of peaceful times never comes out of thin air."

These words made the reporters present nod one after another.

Compared to simple heroic deeds, this line of thinking was clearly more profound.

Minister Zhang's gaze swept over everyone present and finally landed on Su Han, his tone filled with undisguised excitement. "I just mentioned the past merits of Comrade Su Han, but there is one more important thing I haven't said."

He paused, his voice suddenly rising, clearly reaching every corner of the room. "In this hot pot restaurant fire rescue, Comrade Su Han disregarded his own safety, and even after falling from the third floor, he persisted in saving people, successfully rescuing eight trapped civilians and preventing a larger casualty accident. After research and decision by the Military Region, to commend his heroic actions, Comrade Su Han will be awarded a First-Class Merit again!"

"What?!"

"Another First-Class Merit?!"

This news was like a bombshell, causing an uproar in the private room.

The camera shutters in the reporters' hands sounded densely again, and the flashes were so bright it was blinding.

One must know that a First-Class Merit is extremely rare in the military. Many soldiers struggle their whole lives without necessarily receiving one, yet Su Han had already received two First-Class Merits in just ten months; this was simply unheard of!

Zhao Xiaodao was so excited his face turned red. He grabbed Su Han's arm and shook it vigorously. "Old Su! You're too awesome! Two First-Class Merits! If this were hung in your family ancestral hall, how glorious that would be!"

Lin Ruoxue looked at Su Han, her eyes filled with admiration and praise.

She finally understood why she always felt Su Han had a unique aura today; it was the composure and majesty accumulated after experiencing life-and-death trials and repeatedly performing miraculous deeds.

Teacher Liu and Teacher Wang looked at each other and smiled, their faces full of gratification.

Teacher Liu sighed with emotion, "Good lad, you've really brought glory to our school! I knew you were an extraordinary child back then, but I didn't expect you to have such great achievements!"

Teacher Wang also nodded in agreement. "Yes, Su Han has been sensible and responsible since he was a child. Now that he has such achievements, it is all the result of his own hard work."

Chen Hao in the corner was completely numb at this moment.

He slumped in his chair, his eyes hollow, as if he had lost his soul.

In the face of Su Han's dazzling merits, his previous showing off and questioning seemed so ridiculous and feeble.

The reporters came back to their senses and rushed toward Minister Zhang, wanting to learn more details.

"Minister Zhang, is there a specific document for this First-Class Merit commendation?"

"Is Comrade Su Han's current First-Class Merit separate from the previous First-Class Merit from the All-Army Grand Competition?"

"Two First-Class Merits, is this unprecedented in the history of our Military Region?"

Minister Zhang raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet and then said in a clear voice, "This First-Class Merit commendation has already been studied and approved by the Military Region Party Committee, and the relevant documents will be issued soon. It is separate from the First-Class Merit obtained in the previous All-Army Grand Competition and belongs to different merits."

His tone changed, becoming solemn. "The Military Region has decided to send representatives tomorrow to accompany our city's Armed Forces Department to the Su Family to formally deliver the plaques and military medals for the First-Class, Second-Class, and Third-Class Merits obtained by Comrade Su Han. This is both an affirmation of Comrade Su Han's achievements and a token of gratitude to the Su Family for raising such an excellent descendant."

"As a family of martial arts practitioners, the Su Family has always had the family motto of 'Protecting the Home and Defending the Country.' Comrade Su Han has put this family motto into practice with his actual actions; he is the pride of the Su Family and the pride of all the people in our city!"

Upon hearing this, heated discussions broke out in the private room again.

"The military medals are being sent to the Su Family tomorrow? This is so grand!"

"I must go and see it; such a magnificent scene, I might only encounter this once in my life!"

"The Su Family is truly glorious this time!"

Xiao Nuan jumped up with excitement, grabbed Su Han's hand, and said excitedly, "Brother! That's great! The elders in the clan will definitely be very happy tomorrow!"

Xiao Budian also shouted in a milky voice, "Great-grandfather is amazing! Xiao Budian wants to go see Great-grandfather receive the military medals!"

Compared to the excitement and awe of the others, Su Han appeared helpless with a bitter smile in his heart.

He had originally wanted to keep a low profile.

Unexpectedly, the Military Region would not allow him to stay low-key.

The previous First-Class Merit was not brought to the family for commendation because it was from the Special Forces Soldier All-Army Grand Competition, which involved the secrets of the Special Forces.

But now, since it has been made public, it naturally has to be made up for.

But he really didn't want to make such a big deal out of it!

If it's announced like this, tomorrow, the Su Clan will surely be turned upside down by the heat of the excitement!

As the elder with the highest seniority in the Su Clan, he would have to "put on airs" again!

How bitter!

Minister Zhang looked at Su Han, as if he could see through his thoughts. He stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Comrade Su Han, the Military Region attaches great importance to tomorrow's merit-delivery ceremony. This is also a good opportunity to promote the image of the military, and I hope you can cooperate."

Su Han smiled helplessly and nodded. "Don't worry, Minister Zhang, I will."

...

Two chapters, five thousand words! There will be another update tomorrow around 6 PM!

Everyone, please take a look at the author's note below; the author answers some of your questions!