54: Chapter 54: Conferring of Medals at the Founding of the Nation! The first Order of the Stars was awarded to her!

The news that the Head of State would hold a commendation ceremony in the afternoon instantly spread throughout the temporary office building.

Everyone was in an uproar.

This was a first in history; with the merit of founding a nation, who wouldn't hope to be on the list?

In the afternoon, the conference room converted from a warehouse was packed with people.

There were no red carpets or flowers, only a small, temporarily built stage with a blue background and white stars—the national flag.

The atmosphere was incredibly solemn, even carrying a sense of sacredness.

Everyone held their breath.

Lin Zhou changed into a sharp black suit, unbuttoned his collar, and wore the national emblem on his chest, looking composed yet sharp.

He stepped onto the stage, his calm gaze scanning everyone below.

The New Year had just passed, so the personnel at the base were relatively complete.

There was the diplomatic team led by Qin Yue, Zhang Zhe's legal expert group, and Chen Yuan, who had just started to get the hang of being the Minister of Finance...

These people were the first batch of his team from when he started with nothing.

They were the original wings of this "commander without an army."

"Everyone."

Lin Zhou spoke; his voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

"Today is not for celebrating success."

He paused, his tone becoming heavier.

"It is for remembering!"

"Remembering how we came this far from being an internet joke! Remembering every person who poured their heart and soul into the birth of this nation!"

"A country cannot be without heroes! A nation cannot be without spirit! National honor is the cornerstone of our spirit! Today, we drive the first pile for this cornerstone!"

As his voice fell, Su Qing stepped forward carrying a simple wooden box.

Everyone's hearts were in their throats.

"I announce that the first commendation ceremony of the Cyber Freedom Republic has officially begun!"

Inside, one could hear a pin drop.

"The first pioneer medal is awarded to..."

Lin Zhou took a bronze medal from the box; his movements weren't fast, but they tugged at everyone's heartstrings.

Below the stage, many people unconsciously straightened their backs.

But Lin Zhou's gaze looked past the crowd toward the distance.

"Zhao Li, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Cyber Freedom Republic to Egypt!"

Suppressed gasps rang out from the crowd.

Zhao Li?

That young man with the least seniority?

Many had only heard his name but never seen him. How could it be him?

Lin Zhou had expected this reaction; he held up the medal, his voice powerful and resonant.

"Ambassador Zhao Li is currently thousands of miles away in Cairo, guarding our lifeline, and cannot be here."

"But when the country most needed someone to charge forward, it was he who accepted the mission in the face of danger without any hesitation! In the chaotic situation of Egypt, it was he who, under immense pressure, used his courage and wisdom to defend our national dignity!"

"His achievements will forever be etched into the annals of the Republic! He truly deserves this first pioneer medal!"

Lin Zhou solemnly placed the bronze medal on a tray covered with red velvet.

"When he returns in triumph, I will personally pin it on him!"

At this moment, no one questioned it anymore.

A fire ignited in everyone's hearts.

So, the Head of State really was watching!

Seniority and background were completely unimportant here! What mattered was what you had done for this country!

Next, Lin Zhou continued to award pioneer medals to several experts and staff members who had performed excellently during the early preparation stages.

Every time a name was called, a burst of warm applause erupted from the crowd.

The atmosphere was completely ignited.

"Next, what is to be awarded is..."

Lin Zhou's voice paused slightly, and he took out a unique medal from the wooden box.

It was a pure gold medal with a dazzling diamond set in the center.

freedom star medal!

The highest level of honor!

Everyone's breathing stopped at this moment.

Here it comes!

Who on earth could be worthy of this first merit of the founding of the nation?

Was it Minister Chen Yuan, who managed the overall situation?

Or was it Justice Zhang Zhe, who had poured his heart and soul into drafting the fundamental law?

Everyone's eyes unconsciously turned toward these two big shots.

Chen Yuan and Zhang Zhe also clenched their fists, unable to hide their desire.

Lin Zhou's gaze swept over their faces and finally landed on a woman in the crowd who remained calm yet couldn't hide her nervousness.

The woman who had chosen to be "crazy" with him since he was just an "internet lunatic."

The woman who danced with wolves in a secret room in Zurich.

The woman who wouldn't yield an inch at the negotiating table in Cairo.

"The first, and the only freedom star medal of this ceremony, is awarded to..."

Lin Zhou's voice was powerful and resonant.

"Qin Yue! Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Cyber Freedom Republic!"

*Whoosh!*

The entire venue was dead silent at first, then erupted in thunderous applause!

This result was too unexpected!

And yet... it made perfect sense to everyone.

Indeed, without Minister Qin, where would the diplomatic recognition for this country come from? Without diplomatic recognition, they would still just be a virtual community on the internet!

Qin Yue herself was dazed.

Her mind was a complete blank; she never expected Lin Zhou would give this top honor to her.

She saw Lin Zhou on stage smiling at her, gesturing for her to come up.

Qin Yue raised her hand to tidy her professional suit and walked up steadily, but only she knew how fast her heart was beating.

Lin Zhou took the glittering gold medal and personally pinned it to her chest.

The medal felt heavy in his hand.

"Minister Qin." Lin Zhou looked into her eyes, his tone more sincere than ever. "Others said I was a joke, a scammer running an internet pyramid scheme. Only you chose to believe in this plan of mine that was absurd to the extreme."

"It was you who, holding a letter of credence that might have been lost forever, knocked open the first door to the real world."

"It was you who, at the negotiating table in Cairo, faced the difficulties from the Egyptians and the pressure from the Americans to win us our first recognition of sovereignty!"

"Without you, the Cyber Freedom Republic would not be where it is today!"

"You truly deserve this medal!"

Qin Yue's eyes instantly turned red.

More than a month ago, when she first met this man, she still thought he was a lunatic with wild fantasies.

And now, this heavy medal on her chest, this glory of the first merit of the founding of the nation, was silently telling her.

All of this was real.

She, Qin Yue, had personally participated in and witnessed the birth of a nation!

This resume, let alone a ten-billion-dollar merger case, couldn't be bought even with a hundred billion!

"Thank you, Head of State."

She gave Lin Zhou a solemn and deep bow.

The commendation ceremony continued.

Chen Yuan, Zhang Zhe, and several core members of the original negotiation team all received gold medals of the next rank.

Although they missed out on the highest honor, they felt no resentment; instead, they felt even more admiration.

The Head of State rewarded based on merit, not seniority or personal relationships, but only on contribution!

Only such a country has hope!

The entire ceremony was simple and solemn, full of power, injecting strong motivation into everyone.

As the ceremony ended, everyone was still immersed in excitement, discussing in small groups.

Qin Yue, however, holding a document she had just received, walked quickly through the crowd to Lin Zhou's side.

The joy of receiving the highest honor was gone from her face, replaced by a look of gravity.

"Head of State."

Lin Zhou saw her expression and his heart tightened. "What happened?"

"The Vatican City has sent another diplomatic note." Qin Yue's voice was very low.

"Oh? Those charlatans haven't given up yet?" Lin Zhou was a bit surprised. Hadn't they already clearly rejected their "goodwill" before?

"Not only have they not given up," Qin Yue's brow furrowed into a knot, "this time, they've changed their game and offered a condition... that we almost cannot refuse."

Lin Zhou's expression also became serious.

For Qin Yue to say "cannot refuse," the weight of this condition must be significant.

"Speak."

Qin Yue handed over the document and spoke word by word.

"They say that Vatican City is willing to become the first European country to publicly recognize our sovereign status at the United Nations General Assembly."