175: Chapter 174: This selection process is more complex than a transnational counter-terrorism mission.

"Rest assured," Li Wanjiang said with a smile, "Public voting only accounts for 30% of the weighting; it depends more on the depth and influence of one's deeds. Otherwise, wouldn't those veteran heroes who contribute silently be drowned out by internet traffic?"

Su Han nodded slightly, acknowledging the logic.

"Step 3: Jury Evaluation (January of the following year)"

"The list of 50 will be narrowed down to 20 through voting and preliminary assessment, then enter the jury evaluation stage."

Li Wanjiang explained, "The jury panel can be described as a 'luxury lineup'—it includes headquarters leaders, experts and scholars, moral models, and senior media personnel, totaling over 30 people. They will review the authenticity and social influence of the candidates' deeds point by point, and may even send people to conduct on-site visits for verification."

He gave an example: "For things like your training results in the military, the details of when you saved people, your daily routine of training troops, and your own training routine, the judges might look for your unit, the people you rescued, or even the folks in Su Family Village to understand the situation. This step tests 'hard power' the most; not a hint of falsehood can be mixed in."

Zhou Mo said thoughtfully, "This is just like the after-action review we conduct after a mission; every detail must stand up to scrutiny."

"Exactly," Li Wanjiang nodded approvingly, "So for this next period, you should train as usual and lead your team as usual; there is no need to deliberately 'perform.' The judges want real heroes, not models who are acting."

"Next is Step 4: Final Selection and Award Ceremony (February of the following year)"

"This is also the final step, which is to select the 10 'Touching China' figures from the 20 candidates."

Li Wanjiang's tone carried a hint of anticipation, "The results will be announced before New Year's Eve, and the award ceremony will be broadcast live on CCTV during prime time, attracting nationwide attention. By then, the bigwigs of China will present the awards in person. That scene will be more than ten times more solemn and grand than today's commendation ceremony."

He looked at Su Han, his gaze solemn, "Of course, even if you don't make it into the top ten, the 'Nomination Award' for making it into the list of 20 is also an extremely high honor. But given your deeds, as long as you perform normally, there is a very good chance of being selected for the top ten."

Su Han was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled, "That sounds more complicated than fighting a cross-border counter-terrorism mission."

"The nature is different, but the difficulty is on par," Li Wanjiang put away his smile, "Counter-terrorism relies on force and tactics, while this selection relies on reputation and the hearts of the people. However, for us soldiers, winning 'the hearts of the people' is not necessarily easier than taking down an enemy."

"Most importantly, this year there will be a soldier among the winners! Therefore, your competitors will only be from within the military; you will not be competing against candidates outside the armed forces."

"In other words, your opponents are actually just the candidates from other Military Regions!"

Wang Yuanchao patted Su Han's shoulder, "Of course, don't overthink it. Just like Commander Zhao said, we soldiers don't do things for the sake of awards. But since there is this opportunity to let more people see what a soldier is like, we must give it our all."

The night outside the window grew deeper, and the occasional soft bark of the Black Panther and the laughter of villagers in the distance drifted from outside the ancestral hall. Su Han looked at the two First-Class Merit medals on the table and suddenly felt their weight increase—this was not only an affirmation of the past but also an expectation for the future.

"I understand," he stood up and saluted Li Wanjiang and Wang Yuanchao, "No matter the result, I will cooperate well with the selection work. But the premise is that it cannot affect military training and the formation of the Womens Special Operations Team."

Li Wanjiang laughed heartily, "That's the Su Han we know! Rest assured, the Military Region will coordinate the time well; we will never let the selection interfere with your primary duties."

The members of the War Eagle Squad listened with boiling blood. Monkey nudged Big Bear's arm, "Did you hear that? If the Chief Instructor really wins the award, our War Eagle Squad can bask in the glory too! Maybe we'll even get to show our faces on CCTV!"

"Get lost! We are Special Forces Soldiers; can we just show our faces on camera whenever we want?"

Monkey was stunned and pointed at Su Han, "Then he..."

Big Bear smiled bitterly, "Don't forget, Su Han's organizational affiliation is not within our Falcon Special Forces Brigade."

"Besides, even if it were, today, he has already shown his face as much as he needed to."

Everyone: "..."

Wang Yuanchao glanced at his watch and frowned slightly, "It's getting late; we should get going."

He looked at Su Han, "The military leave was only approved for one day; we must return to the unit for morning exercises at six o'clock tomorrow, so we cannot afford any delays."

Upon hearing this, the members of the War Eagle Squad immediately straightened their backs.

Monkey put away his joking expression and began to pack his things efficiently—he had recorded quite a few videos during the day and was now carefully tucking his phone into a shockproof bag.

Big Bear silently picked up the marching pack in the corner.

"Leaving so soon?" Su Han was a bit surprised.

He thought they would at least be able to stay until the next morning, and he had wanted to ask Xiao Nuan to prepare some local specialties for everyone to take with them.

"There's no help for it; discipline is discipline," Wang Yuanchao smiled bitterly, "Our Falcon Special Forces Brigade is a full-training unit. 365 days a year, except for statutory holidays, we almost never have complete holidays. Being able to get one day of leave to attend your commendation ceremony this time was a special approval from Commander Zhao."

Li Wanjiang also stood up and adjusted his collar, "I have to go back too. Military Region headquarters is waiting for me to report on this commendation ceremony and, incidentally, to further refine the materials for your participation in the 'Touching China' selection."

He patted Su Han on the shoulder, "Take good care of your injuries. Don't worry about the selection; I will keep an eye on it."

The female soldiers of the Womens Special Operations Team also walked in.

Su Qingcheng held a small cloth bag and handed it to Su Han somewhat bashfully, "Great-grandfather, this is a peace talisman that a few of us embroidered overnight. Please carry it with you."

The cloth bag contained seven small sachets, with the words "Peace" embroidered on them in crooked handwriting. Although the stitching was not skilled, it was filled with heartfelt sincerity.

Zhang Meng scratched her head, "We don't know how to do anything else, so we just thought this could pray for your safety."

Su Han took the sachets, his fingertips touching the mugwort inside, and a fresh, bitter fragrance wafted out.

"Thank you, that's very thoughtful."

"After you go back, you cannot slack off in your training," Su Han put on a stern face, instantly switching back to 'Chief Instructor' mode, "The physical fitness plan I left for you must be checked in every day. I'll inspect it when I return to the unit. Anyone who slacks off will have their training tripled!"

The female soldiers stuck out their tongues and responded in unison, "Yes! Chief Instructor!"

Outside the ancestral hall, several military off-road vehicles were parked under the moonlight, the camouflage paint on the vehicle bodies appearing and disappearing in the night.

Wang Yuanchao finished checking the equipment one last time and walked up to Su Han, his gaze falling on his back, "Your wounds haven't healed properly, so don't push yourself to train. I'll keep an eye on things in the unit; you should rest at home for a few more days and get your body healed before returning to the unit."

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of imperceptible pleading, "Especially the Womens Special Operations Team; they are currently at the stage of building their foundation. Without you there, they feel uneasy. But if you ruin your health, who will lead them?"

Su Han understood what Wang Yuanchao meant.

He nodded, "I understand. I'll go back once my wounds are mostly healed; it won't delay things."

"That's right," Wang Yuanchao smiled and raised his hand to punch him lightly, "Don't always think of yourself as iron. You are the Chief Instructor, their backbone; you must be responsible for yourself first before you can be responsible for them."

The vehicles started slowly, and the team members rolled down the windows, waving to the crowd seeing them off.

Xiao Budian chased the car for two steps and shouted in her childish voice, "Uncle Monkey, Uncle Big Bear... come play at my house when you have time; Xiao Hei and I will be waiting for you!"

Black Panther also barked twice, as if in agreement.

...

Today is my daughter's full-month celebration. I went to sleep early last night and have been busy all morning, but I finally managed to rush this out during lunch.

I might only have time to write the rest tomorrow afternoon.