165: Chapter 165: The Award Ceremony – Glory Abounds, Shocking the Entire Audience!

The echoes of the ceremonial cannons had not yet faded when a bright red military flag was unfurled in the center of the ancestral hall square.

Under the sunlight, the 'August 1st' military emblem was like a burning flame, casting a warm glow on the faces of everyone around.

Major General Li Wanjiang of the Yuezhou Military Region stepped steadily to the front of the military flag. Behind him, four Honor Guards carried plaques of military merit, their shoulders pulled back straight—the golden characters on the red sandalwood plaques shimmered slightly in the breeze.

The words 'first-class merit,' 'second-class merit,' and 'Third-Class Merit' were so solemn they were breathtaking.

On the other side, two orderlies held trays covered in red velvet, where five medals lay quietly: the silver gears of the Third-Class Merit medal, the golden rice stalks of the second-class merit medal, and the striking red five-pointed star of the first-class merit medal, all reflecting brilliant light in the sun.

"Attention!" Ma Qiming's voice pierced through the noise, and the square fell silent instantly. Even children had their mouths covered by parents, only daring to stare wide-eyed at the military flag.

Su Han straightened the collar of his Major's Service Uniform and stepped forward to the military flag.

His military boots made a crisp sound against the bluestone pavement, each step seeming to beat in sync with everyone's heart.

The live stream camera zoomed in, clearly capturing the two bars and one star on his lapel, creating a wonderful resonance with the gazes of the War Eagle Squad members behind him—

It was a complex mix of admiration, pride, and the feeling of 'our boy has done us proud.'

"Comrade Su Han!" Li Wanjiang's voice was as resonant as a bell. "Step forward!"

Su Han took a step forward, standing at attention, his gaze fixed straight ahead beneath his military cap.

"According to the 'Disciplinary Regulations of the Peoples Liberation Army of Huaxia,' and following the study and decision of the Yuezhou Military Region Party Committee, you are hereby awarded the following honors:"

Li Wanjiang unfurled the Appointment Certificate, his every word carrying weight. "For breaking eight Military Region records in shooting, combat, and other areas during recruit training with outstanding results, you are awarded two Third-Class Merits!"

The first Honor Guard marched forward, presenting the plaque engraved with 'Third-Class Merit' before Su Han.

The grain of the red sandalwood was clearly visible in the sunlight, and the rice stalk patterns carved on the edges symbolized hard work and harvest.

Su Han took the plaque with both hands, his fingertips touching the slight coolness of the wood.

He looked down at the plaque, the corners of his mouth curving almost imperceptibly, then he turned and solemnly handed the plaque to Su Bowen behind him.

Su Bowen's knuckles turned white as he took it with both hands.

He carried the plaque toward the ancestral hall, where the clan elders had already laid out red silk cushions by the offering table—this would be the pride of the Su Family for hundreds of years to come.

At this moment, Li Wanjiang took a Third-Class Merit medal from the tray held by the Orderly, the serial number on the back of the badge flashing in the sun.

He walked up to Su Han and leaned in slightly, his movements gentle yet carrying an unquestionable solemnity, as he pinned the medal to the left chest of Su Han's Service Uniform.

"This is an affirmation of your sweat." Li Wanjiang's voice was very low, audible only to the two of them. "The army needs soldiers who can sweat, but it needs soldiers who dare to risk their lives even more."

Su Han's Adam's apple moved slightly as he prepared to speak, but he was stopped by Li Wanjiang raising a hand.

The old general patted his shoulder and turned to face the crowd: "For volunteering and single-handedly defeating thirteen armed thugs during the 'Lin Group Heiress Kidnapping Case,' successfully rescuing the hostage and preventing the escalation of a violent incident, you are awarded one second-class merit!"

The second Honor Guard stepped forward. The gold paint on the 'second-class merit' plaque was even brighter, and the relief of a rifle and gear glinted coldly in the sun.

Li Wanjiang picked up the medal again, this time the second-class merit medal adorned with golden rice stalks.

He carefully looped the ribbon over Su Han's shoulder strap, his fingertips brushing the wheat ear patterns on the edge of the medal, and suddenly asked, "When you rushed in back then, did you ever think you might not make it out?"

Su Han stared straight ahead, his voice steady: "Reporting to the Chief, I didn't. I only thought that nothing could happen to the hostage."

A flash of approval crossed Li Wanjiang's eyes.

As Li Wanjiang turned, the live stream comments suddenly became dense, with 'The two first-class merits are coming!' flooding the screen.

Li Wanjiang took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the crowd: "For achieving a nine-crown record in the All-Army Grand Competition, breaking event records, and leading your team to complete a classic 'weak-overcoming-strong' battle case, bringing glory to our army, you are awarded one first-class merit!"

"For entering the fire three times during the hotpot restaurant rescue, risking your life to save eight trapped citizens and demonstrating the responsibility of a soldier, you are awarded another first-class merit!"

The last two Honor Guards stepped forward together, two 'first-class merit' plaques held side-by-side in front of Su Han, the gold paint almost blinding in the sunlight.

The sound of breathing in the square seemed to stop, and even the wind bypassed this area—in an era of peace, what did two first-class merits mean?

It meant carving one's name into the legends of the military.

Li Wanjiang lifted the first first-class merit medal from the tray, the red five-pointed star shining brilliantly in his palm.

This time, he didn't pin it immediately but held the medal up to the crowd, his voice reaching every corner: "Comrades, fellow villagers! This first-class merit medal was brought back by Comrade Su Han with his Nine-Crown King performance in the All-Army Grand Competition! He has shown the entire army that the soldiers of our Yuezhou Military Region can fight!"

The crowd erupted into thunderous cheers, and the eyes of the War Eagle Squad members turned red with emotion!

Li Wanjiang carefully pinned the medal to Su Han's chest. The red five-pointed star lined up with the previous medals, forming a dazzling band of light on his Service Uniform.

"This second one," he picked up the other first-class merit medal, his fingertips turning slightly red from the pressure, "is what he snatched back from the sea of fire! He traded his life for it!"

When the second red five-pointed star settled on Su Han's left chest, the entire square suddenly broke into rhythmic applause, rising wave after wave.

Su Xiao Nuan's hand holding her phone was trembling. In the lens, Su Han's shoulders were perfectly straight, and the five medals on his chest were so bright in the sun that they were hard to look at.

"Comrade Su Han," Li Wanjiang took a step back and gave him a solemn salute, "Receive the plaques!"

Su Han raised his hand in a return salute, his military boot heels clicking together.

He first took the plaque from the All-Army Grand Competition, his fingertips brushing over the small characters engraved on the back: '2024 All-Army Number One'.

As the two first-class merit plaques were carried into the ancestral hall.

"Salute!" Li Wanjiang turned and raised his right hand toward Su Han.

"Swish—" All the military personnel on the scene saluted simultaneously.

The villagers followed with applause, starting sparsely and growing dense until it merged into a deafening wave.

Su Xiao Nuan recorded with her phone, her face covered in tears;

Xiao Budian leaned on Su Wu's shoulder, holding up a small red flower she had drawn, and shouted in a milky voice, "Great-grandfather is the best!"

Zhao Xiaodao kept shouting excitedly, "That's my brother! My best brother!"

In the live stream, the comments were no longer legible, leaving only a screen full of 'Salute' emojis and flowing red flags:

"I'm crying! This is too magnificent!!"

"Look at the old general's hand! When he pinned the first first-class merit, his fingertips were shaking!"

"The sight of five medals lined up together is too shocking! This is a true wall of military merit!"

"I suddenly understand why the Su Family is holding a three-day Flowing Feast—this glory is worth the pride of the whole village for three generations!"

Just then, a low rumble came from the distant sky.

As the roar grew closer, the scene fell quiet instantly, and people subconsciously turned their heads toward the distant sky.

Two black dots approached from afar...

Wang Yuanchao slowly approached Su Han and whispered with a smile, "Commander Zhao's mysterious surprise is here!"

...

I can't stay up any longer!

I only slept for over three hours today.

I'll update again tomorrow at 6 PM.