150: Conferment Ceremony

The next morning, the first light of dawn appeared.

The golden morning sun had just leaped over the horizon, casting its warm rays upon Lujiang City, which had been reborn after its tribulations. The municipal building square in the new district of downtown Lujiang City was now a sea of people.

Tens of thousands of people flocked from Lujiang Base and Yongjiang Base, yet the scene was far from chaotic. The crowd was efficiently divided into neat formations, with solemn Red Alert Soldiers in crisp military uniforms stationed in front of each formation to maintain order. Despite the large numbers, there wasn't much noise; a solemn and expectant atmosphere silently permeated the air. Everyone waited with bated breath, their eyes focused on the carefully repaired white marble flag-raising platform, waiting for that moment to arrive... Lujiang Base, Residential Area.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

"Fatty! Wake up! Still sleeping?! The last shuttle to the city center is about to leave! Do you want to see the commissioning ceremony or not?!" A young man anxiously pounded on his roommate's door, his voice nearly hoarse from shouting.

"Oh crap! I overslept again!" A frustrated cry came from the room, followed by the sound of something heavy hitting the floor and a flustered figure moving about. The young man called Fatty lunged out of bed, slapped his cheeks a few times with his palms to wake himself up, threw on his clothes at an incredible speed—nearly putting his shoes on the wrong feet—and rushed out the door like a whirlwind behind his companion.

On the streets, many others were sprinting like them. They were all people who had woken up late and missed the first few batches of the observation groups. With faces full of urgency and excitement, everyone ran toward the neighborhood office.

In the open space in front of the neighborhood office, twenty buses were ready to depart, most of their seats already filled.

"Hurry up! Only a few seats left!" the staff member in charge of coordination at the bus door shouted urgently.

The two young men rushed onto the bus panting, slumped into empty seats, their chests heaving violently, feeling as if their hearts were about to jump out of their throats.

"Phew... phew... glad we made it... that run nearly killed me..." Fatty said out of breath, clutching his pounding chest.

"Residents, please sit tight. The last shuttle to the municipal building for the ceremony is departing now!" The driver finished the announcement over the microphone and started the engine.

The convoy slowly drove out of the base. When they reached the massive East Gate, a squad of majestic mechs was already waiting outside. Although the zombies in Lujiang City had been purged, mutated beasts in the wilderness remained a potential threat. This mech escort squad would accompany the convoy the entire way to ensure the safety of the citizens.

The mechs marched with heavy steps, keeping pace with the convoy. Their steel bodies glinted with a cold luster in the morning sun, exuding a reassuring sense of power. The convoy moved quickly and smoothly toward the municipal building along the cleared main road.

When the last shuttle reached the vicinity of the municipal building, the wide flag-raising square was already packed with people who had come from all directions. The outer perimeter was also filled with citizens standing on their tiptoes and craning their necks to watch. In the sky, dozens of high-definition drones circled silently, transmitting live footage of the scene to major public screens within the bases and broadcasting it to every base across the country, ensuring that every resident unable to attend in person could witness this moment.

Around the square, squads of Red Alert Soldiers with live ammunition stood as straight as javelins driven into the ground, their sharp eyes keeping watch. There were even several mechs standing like loyal giant guardians at key positions, their cold metal bodies providing an unparalleled sense of security.

At exactly 8:00 AM, the ceremony was about to begin.

Jiang Xin led a group of senior officers from Lujiang Base—Zhang Lei, Zhang Long, Tanya, Natasha, and others—along with Li Xian, Ye Anhe, and other members of the National Government's Honors Conferment Group. They stepped onto the temporarily erected rostrum in front of the square with steady strides. Their appearance immediately drew a wave of suppressed, excited whispers and countless reverent gazes from the crowd.

Just then, a loud and solemn voice rang out from the public address system: "Welcome—the National Flag!"

Instantly, the entire venue fell silent!

Everyone's eyes simultaneously turned toward the square's entrance.

A color guard composed of tall, burly Red Alert Soldiers with resolute gazes marched toward the flag-raising platform in a powerful, synchronized quick march, escorting the national flag. The sound of their military boots hitting the ground merged into a heavy, shocking rhythm that beat against everyone's hearts.

The lead flag officer, with a resolute face and eyes like torches, barked a command: "Goosestep—March!"

"Swish! Swish! Swish!" The entire squad's movements changed instantly! They transitioned from a quick march to a goosestep!

The flag-bearer thrust the national flag forward and upward, making it snap in the wind! The bayoneted steel rifles held by the other soldiers lunged forward simultaneously, their bright blades tracing cold flashes in the morning sun! The entire squad moved as a single unit, advancing precisely toward the flag-raising platform with unstoppable momentum!

Upon reaching the flag-raising platform, the officer commanded again: "Quick—March!"

The squad instantly changed rhythm, transitioning from the fierce goosestep to a steady quick march, finally coming to a precise halt in front of the flag-raising platform's base. The movements were clean and sharp, without the slightest hesitation, demonstrating extremely high military discipline.

The guard holding the national flag stepped forward, saluted the flag, and then solemnly handed it to the flag-raiser waiting under the pole. After the two saluted each other, the guard turned and returned to the squad.

The solemn voice from the broadcast once again echoed across the square: "Play—the National Anthem of Huaguo! Raise—the National Flag!"

The flag-raiser skillfully attached the national flag to the pole, gripped the halyard tightly, and stood perfectly straight.

After a brief silence—

That familiar and magnificent melody played stirringly! It instantly ignited the blood in everyone's hearts!

The flag-raiser cast the bright national flag diagonally upward with all his might!

The massive national flag unfurled like a burning flame against the golden morning sun, shining brilliantly! A perfect breeze arrived just in time, gently and powerfully unfurling the flag completely.

At this moment, no command was needed!

On the square, whether soldiers or civilians, elderly or children, everyone spontaneously straightened their chests and saluted the rising national flag! Countless people had tears in their eyes as they followed the melody, singing the national anthem with all their might! The singing was a bit chaotic at first, but it quickly became synchronized, merging into a majestic wave of sound that soared into the clouds! This singing was filled with the relief of surviving a disaster, hope for the future, and the deepest love for the land beneath their feet!

The national flag rose slowly to the singing, eventually stopping precisely at the top of the pole and fluttering in the wind! The flag, bathed in the golden morning sun, was like a sacred sword piercing through darkness to bring light, flying over Lujiang City!

The song ended, but the excitement in their hearts was difficult to calm for a long time.

Under the watch of countless eyes, Jiang Xin took a deep breath and walked with solemn, firm steps to the podium beneath the national flag. His eyes were like lightning as they swept over the dense crowd below. His voice, enhanced by his Superpower, was clear and powerful, reaching everyone's ears distinctly:

"Fellow compatriots! Fellow comrades-in-arms!"

His voice seemed to carry a certain magic, instantly bringing the noisy square to a complete silence.

"I am the Commander of the Red Alert Legion—Jiang Xin!" He paused, his gaze becoming even sharper. "Together with the countless brave and fearless soldiers under my command, through blood, fire, and tribulations, we have finally completely exterminated the zombie race that occupied this place! We have liberated our Lujiang City!"

His voice suddenly rose, filled with unquestionable determination: "Today, we are here to raise this flag and announce the rebirth of this city!"

He raised his hand and saluted the national flag once more: "Thanks to the trust and esteem of the National Government, today I will receive the nation's honors and appointment here! I solemnly promise to this flag and to all my compatriots—my Red Alert Legion will take the recovery of our Huaguo's lost lands and the restoration of the glory of the human race as our duty! Even if the road ahead is covered in thorns, we shall strive tirelessly and never retreat even in death!"

As his voice fell, after a brief silence—

"Boom!!!"

Applause and cheers like a mountain tsunami erupted instantly! The people waved their arms excitedly, many with tears streaming down their faces, shouting Jiang Xin's name and the name of the Red Alert Legion at the top of their lungs! The applause was like thunder and did not stop for a long time, fully expressing the people's total trust and support for him!

Jiang Xin bowed deeply to the crowd and then slowly walked down from the podium.

On the other side, the already prepared members of the National Government's Honors Conferment Group, wearing brand-new, meticulously ironed military dress uniforms, walked toward the center of the rostrum with solemn expressions, carrying ceremonial trays covered in red velvet. On the trays lay the shining Medal of Radiance, brand-new Colonel rank epaulettes, and the Mayoral Appointment Document.

Li Xian was the first to walk up to Jiang Xin, carrying the tray with the medal. He took a deep breath, using his Superpower to make his voice sound solemn and loud:

"Comrade Jiang Xin!" he declared. "In view of the outstanding contributions made by your unit in fighting the apocalyptic disaster, liberating the city, and rescuing the people! I, on behalf of the Supreme National Government Organs of Huaguo—" He carefully picked up the exquisitely crafted "Medal of Radiance," a symbol of national honor that reflected dazzling light in the sun.

“—Specially award you the National Honor Medal—the 'Medal of Radiance'! I hope you will guard against arrogance and rashness, make persistent efforts, and achieve new merits!"

He carefully pinned the medal above the heart on the left side of Jiang Xin's chest, then stepped back, snapped to attention, and gave an extremely standard military salute. His eyes were complex, but mostly filled with awe. Jiang Xin's expression was calm as he returned the salute with a crisp, sharp movement.

After Li Xian stepped down, Ye Anhe stepped forward with the tray containing the Colonel epaulettes and the appointment document, her steps elegant and steady. She looked at the man before her, who was about the same age as her but already controlled a region and possessed an extraordinary aura; her eyes were clear and solemn.

"Comrade Jiang Xin!" Her voice was crisp and powerful. "To commend your outstanding achievements, I, on behalf of the National Government and the Supreme United Front Work Department, confer this rank upon you!"

She took out the pair of epaulettes representing the rank of Colonel, adorned with golden star emblems, and carefully replaced Jiang Xin's old ones. Then, she picked up the appointment document stamped with the bright red seal of the National Government with both hands and solemnly handed it to Jiang Xin.

"And I officially appoint you as the Chief Executive of Lujiang City, awarding you the National Fourth-Level Official Rank! I hope you will live up to this heavy responsibility, protect the land and the people, and create new brilliance!"

She stood at attention and saluted, her posture as straight as a pine tree. Jiang Xin took the document and returned the salute solemnly once more.

With the completion of the honors and commissioning ceremony, this solemn and grand event gradually drew to a close.

This young man, who had risen from insignificance during the apocalypse, officially stepped onto the national stage today, accepting the attention of the masses, and would surely face even more arduous challenges and a broader future!

The morning sun shone on his epaulettes and medal, reflecting a dazzling light.