268: The ceremony concluded.

As the grand fireworks pushed everyone's emotions to an unprecedented height, Jiang Feifei's clear and solemn voice rang out again, like a clear spring, quickly restoring a dignified silence to the scene that had been boiling like the sea.

"The ceremony enters its final and most important agenda—" Her voice echoed over the square, "We invite the representative of the National Government, the Qin Guoqiang of China during wartime, General Qin Guoqiang, to confer military ranks upon Comrade Jiang Xin and Comrade Zhang Lei!"

As her voice fell, the stirring music turned solemn and grand. Everyone's eyes instantly focused on the conferment platform.

Jiang Xin and Zhang Lei had long been standing solemnly in the center of the platform. The two of them were dressed in crisp, new general's ceremonial uniforms, their postures as upright as green pines and ancient cypresses. Under the cold winter sunlight, they looked like two monuments forged from steel and will. Their gazes were as sharp as lightning, piercing through the air to look straight ahead; beneath their steady countenances were uncontrollable surging emotions and an endless sense of responsibility.

General Qin Guoqiang adjusted his collar, his expression solemn. He took steady and powerful steps, accompanied by two high-ranking officers, Yang Tian and Ye Qingwen, as they marched together onto the conferment platform.

Yang Tian and Ye Qingwen each held a ceremonial tray covered in dark red velvet. Resting quietly on the trays were two pairs of brand-new Major General shoulder boards. The golden star emblems, set against the velvet, shimmered with a restrained yet noble starlight. They represented not only the highest military ranks but also symbolized the supreme recognition and heavy trust from the nation and the people.

Qin Guoqiang first walked up to Jiang Xin. This veteran Commander, who had fought a hundred battles and commanded the nation's troops, had now shed the fervor he showed during the parade, replaced by the warmth and esteem of an elder. He gazed at Jiang Xin's young but resolute face, and his voice, though not loud, was full of power, clearly reaching Jiang Xin's ears and spreading across the silent square through the microphone:

"Comrade Jiang Xin," he began slowly, every word carrying immense weight, "From the moment you stood up in Yongjiang County to lead the self-defense forces and protect the people; to your step-by-step recovery of Lujiang, the integration of Xijiang, and your southward march to capture key strongholds in the South of the Ranges... I have seen all the hardships and brilliance of this journey and kept them in my heart. Today, you have finally fulfilled the oath you made to the people of Xijiang, bringing long-awaited stability and hope to this long-suffering land. You are excellent. As a soldier and as a leader, your decisiveness, wisdom, and sense of responsibility make this old man feel deeply gratified, and I see the infinite possibilities for the country's future."

The affirmation and expectations in his words were as heavy as a thousand jun. Jiang Xin's throat moved slightly, and his gaze became even more determined.

After speaking, Qin Guoqiang's expression turned stern. He took half a step back, stood at attention in the most standard posture facing Jiang Xin, raised his right hand, and gave an incredibly solemn military salute! At the same time, his resonant voice, like a great bronze bell, echoed through the sky:

"Comrade Jiang Xin! In view of your outstanding contributions to protecting the lives and property of the people, recovering lost territory, and restoring order during the apocalyptic crisis, by resolution of the Supreme Meeting of the National Government and with the approval of the National Military Commission—I, Qin Guoqiang, representing the nation and the people's army, officially confer upon you—the rank of Major General!"

"Swish!" Almost at the same moment, Jiang Xin stood at attention with even more rapid and powerful movements. His chest out and head held high, eyes like torches, he returned the most standard military salute to Qin Guoqiang and to the flag representing the will of the nation! The entire movement was as smooth as flowing water and full of power.

Qin Guoqiang lowered his arm and solemnly took the shoulder boards shimmering with general stars from the tray held by Yang Tian. He first gently removed the Senior Colonel shoulder boards Jiang Xin was originally wearing, as if taking off the past of a journey; then, with steady and extremely meticulous hands, he pinned the Major General star emblems, symbolizing the glory of a general, onto the shoulder boards of Jiang Xin's ceremonial uniform. His movements were slow, as if performing a sacred ritual. The moment the golden general stars were firmly attached to the uniform, the sunlight happened to sweep across them, and the emblems burst forth with brilliant light!

At this moment, Jiang Xin officially became one of the youngest generals in the history of the Republic! His shoulders carried not just the general stars, but the life-and-death trust of tens of millions of people in Xijiang, and the heaven-supporting responsibility bestowed by the nation in a time of peril!

"Boom—!!!"

After a brief silence, the venue completely erupted! Applause, cheers, and shouts were like a volcano that had been building up for ten thousand years, exploding and soaring straight into the ninth heaven!

Countless people stood up excitedly, clapping their hands so hard they didn't even notice their palms turning red.

Many people had tears in their eyes, especially the viewing representatives and citizens from Yongjiang County, who were crying uncontrollably. They had personally witnessed how the youth who left their hometown had grown into a pillar of the heavens during the apocalypse, and how at this moment, he had received recognition and glory from the highest levels of the nation! This was a heroic epic sufficient to bring glory to one's ancestors, be written into the county annals, have monuments erected, and be passed down through the ages! Their tears were of pride, of being moved, and the ultimate happiness of sharing in the honor.

Qin Guoqiang accepted the applause dedicated to Jiang Xin and to this moment with a smile. Then, he moved in front of Zhang Lei. Facing this sharp-edged "ice fire divine lord" whose combat power was unsurpassed in the country, Qin Guoqiang's encouragement contained a bit more appreciation and entrustment for a peerless blade: "Comrade Zhang Lei, your bravery and your battle achievements are known throughout the nation. I hope that after donning this rank, you will not forget your original intention and continue to use the fire in your hand and the ice in your palm to forge more victories for my China and freeze all incoming enemies!"

The sharpness and arrogance in Zhang Lei's eyes turned entirely into rock-solid determination at this solemn moment. He replied in a deep voice, "I will not fail the nation, nor the expectations of the Commander-in-Chief!"

After the same solemn exchange of military salutes, Qin Guoqiang took another pair of Major General shoulder boards from Ye Qingwen's hands and pinned them on Zhang Lei. When the second general star lit up on Zhang Lei's shoulder, the waves of cheers at the scene reached a new high! The Twin Stars of Xijiang, shining together in the sky!

With the conferment of ranks for the two core generals completed, the assembly entered its final phase—the official appointment announcements for the Red Alert Legion and the newly established power structures.

Qin Guoqiang faced the audience again and announced the National Government's further appointments: "By decision of the National Government and the Supreme United Front Work Department, it is hereby appointed: Major General Jiang Xin is the Commander of the Xiang-Gan-E Joint Military Region! Major General Zhang Lei is the Deputy Commander of the Joint Military Region! Simultaneously, Comrade Jiang Xin is appointed as the Chief Executive/Governor of Xijiang Province, holding a third-level national official rank!"

This meant that Jiang Xin had officially become the highest military Commander in the Central China region and held full military and political power over Xijiang Province, his status and influence having already entered the sequence of the nation's highest power.

Subsequently, the high-level appointments within the Red Alert Legion and the new agencies, read by Jiang Feifei on his behalf, clearly outlined the power structure and formidable foundation of this rising giant to the whole country:

· Zhang Long: Appointed as Executive of Longxing City and Chief of General Staff of the Red Alert Legion, with the rank of Senior Colonel. Overseeing the rear and strategic planning.

· Jiang Feifei: Appointed as Executive of Lujiang and concurrently City Lord of the Lujiang Aerospace City, and Chief Logistics Officer of the Red Alert Legion, with the rank of Senior Colonel. In charge of internal affairs and the logistical lifeline.

· Natasha: Appointed as Deputy Commander of the Evolver Legion, with the rank of Senior Colonel. Assisting Zhang Lei in commanding the Evolver forces.

· Chen Hao: Appointed as Commander of the Second Army Group, with the rank of Senior Colonel.

· Li Ang: Appointed as Commander of the Third Army Group, with the rank of Senior Colonel.

· Li Wei: Appointed as Commander of the Fourth Army Group and concurrently President of the Hunter Association, with the rank of Senior Colonel.

· Li Yi: Appointed as Air Force Commander, with the rank of Senior Colonel.

· Liu Jiang: Appointed as Navy Commander, with the rank of Senior Colonel.

· Yang Yi: Appointed as Commander-in-Chief of the Mecha Corps, with the rank of Senior Colonel; Blaze Ash is appointed as Deputy Commander-in-Chief, with the rank of Senior Colonel.

· Zhao 剛: Appointed as Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Missile Support Force and concurrently Director of the Nuclear Weapons Base, overseeing the nuclear arsenal, with the rank of Colonel.

· Other core generals such as Zhu Yan (blaze Mecha Squad), Lei Xin (thunderbolt Mecha Squad), Yang Ning (destroyer Mecha Squad), and Yang Wen, the Executive of Qianzhou Base and Vice President of the Hunter Association. As well as the deputy Commanders and chiefs of staff of the four major army groups—Chen Xiao, Lin Yufei, Su Jin, Lu Hang, Shen Nan, Zhou Lie, Zhang Lin, Li Hong, and others—all received official appointments and the rank of Colonel. (In this book, the 1st to 3rd military leaders are the Commander, Deputy Commander, and Chief of Staff respectively, with the Political Commissar ranked further back.)

Finally, there were the appointments of generals not directly affiliated with the Red Alert Legion. Besides Lu Qinian, Commander of the Hongdu Independent Division, who had already received an official Major General appointment from the National Government, there were Tang Qi, Li Mu, Yan Shi, and the Logistics Officer of Mixed Brigade One. Luo Chen and others of Mixed Brigade Two. Yao Ke and Huangfu Yao of the Divine Sword Brigade. The Commanders of these three mixed units, which were primarily composed of civilian forces, all received official Colonel appointments.

As the last appointment was read, long and enthusiastic applause rang out in the square. This applause was a congratulation to all the appointees, a recognition of the Red Alert Legion, and even more, an infinite expectation for the future.

Jiang Feifei finally stepped forward and announced in a clear and hopeful voice: "The Hongdu Parade and Rank Conferment Ceremony has successfully concluded!"

Amidst the grand closing music, the national and military flags flew high, and sunlight flooded Hero Square.

This grand ceremony, which integrated a display of force, the conferment of glory, and the construction of power, was like an immortal monument, marking the complete end of an old era for Xijiang and even the Central China region.

A new era led by the Red Alert Legion, full of power and order, officially began its brilliant prelude.