Chapter 1 - First Class Military Bravery Medal, Head Instructor of the Russian Air Force
Year 4719 of the Kaiyuan Era.
Russia.
Gagarin Air Force Academy tarmac.
Ground crew members held red and yellow flags, signaling a Su-35 fighter jet to enter the hangar.
Su Yuan nodded in understanding and, with everyone watching, expertly steered the deep green warbird into the hangar. After traveling a few dozen meters, he smoothly parked in the center takeoff area.
A group of ground crew members, led by Liu, immediately surrounded the aircraft, ready to assist.
“Buzz!”
With the two AL-41F-1S thrust vectoring engines, each generating 31,970 pounds of thrust, shut down, the glass canopy slowly opened.
“Colonel Su, the Dean wants you to see him immediately. It’s important.”
Standing on the ground, the group leader, seeing Su Yuan, ignored the sweat on his forehead and yelled to the busy Su Yuan.
Important?
Su Yuan was slightly puzzled, “Okay, I’ll be right there.”
He then picked up his tactical tablet and flight backpack, exited the narrow yet advanced cockpit, and went down the boarding ladder to the hangar floor.
Another pilot, who had disembarked and was waiting, shook his head, somewhat helpless, and said, "I don't know what Dean Morey wants you for, Su. I'm going to eat. If there's an urgent mission, message me on the tablet.”
“Okay, thanks.”
Confused, Su Yuan nodded in response and smiled at the ground crew leader, expressing his gratitude, “Group Leader Alie, I’ll be on my way. The rest is up to you guys.”
“Trouble? What trouble? That's our job. Go ahead, we’ll make sure the plane is well maintained. Don’t worry.”
Group Leader Alie wiped the sweat from his cheek, picked up his portable detection equipment, and resumed his busy work.
“Off I go.”
Soon, Su Yuan, who had not yet had time to change his clothes, went through the passage, crossed the base camp, and left the heavily guarded base command. He was escorted by a soldier to the headquarters of the Gagarin Air Force Academy.
“Knock, knock!”
Standing at the door, Su Yuan reached out and lightly knocked on the door.
The knock echoed through the room, and soon a deep and powerful voice rang out, “Come in.”
“Dean, Su Yuan reports for duty. Please give me your instructions!”
Receiving a response, Su Yuan didn’t hesitate. He pushed open the door, walked in, closed the door behind him, and looked at the quiet Dean Morey, who was sitting behind his desk and waiting for him. He was slightly stunned, saluted, and reported.
“I called you today for one thing: an award from the Second Air Defense Command.”
Morey was wearing the standard uniform of a Russian Air Force General, with a military cap bearing the emblem of wheat stalks and the Russian Air Force logo. He looked at the towering Su Yuan, his eyes filled with warmth and a sense of profound emotion.
As he spoke, he reached into a drawer and pulled out a confidential official document bearing a red seal.
Award?
Upon hearing this, Su Yuan realized what was going on. He stood tall, his chest held high, his backpack and tactical tablet firmly in his grasp. A solemn look came over his face.
“After research and discussion by the Central Military District’s highest operational command center and the Second Air Defense Command, it has been decided that, in consideration of...”
Morey’s eyes locked on Su Yuan, his face, etched with the passage of time, wore a solemn and serious expression. He held the top-secret official document, which was already recorded in Su Yuan’s personal file, tightly in his hands. He cleared his throat and read aloud in a formal tone:
“Since the Kaiyuan Year 4717, fighter ace pilot Su Yuan of the Gagarin Air Force Academy has…”
“At the young age of less than 20, taken on a critical mission and served as the head instructor of the Second Air Defense Command, cultivating several first-class fighter pilots and multiple second-class and above fighter pilots for our military. He excels in teaching, possesses exceptional flying skills, and has made extraordinary contributions. Therefore, he is awarded a first-class merit, and a First Class Military Bravery Medal is hereby conferred upon him.”
First Class Military Bravery Medal!
A dazzling and brilliant First Class Military Bravery Medal!
The ultimate honor in the realm of Russian Military Bravery Medals, the highest level of recognition!
“It’s actually a First Class Military Bravery Medal?”
Su Yuan was startled, taken aback. He never imagined he would be awarded a First Class Military Bravery Medal.
Seeing Su Yuan’s reaction, Morey held the top-secret official document and smiled faintly, “What, surprised?”
“A little, or rather, I never even thought about it.”
Su Yuan nodded seriously, not hiding his thoughts. At the same time, he looked extremely serious.
After all, in Russia, the First Class Military Bravery Medal wasn’t easy to obtain.
Without a Second Class Military Bravery Medal, no matter how much merit one had achieved, one couldn’t directly receive this medal, which represents the highest honor in the Russian military.
Morey let out a slow sigh, his voice steady and powerful, "Su, this task may seem simple, but it's actually of great importance. To cultivate an air force pilot, the country needs to invest a lot. To cultivate a first-class air force pilot is even more difficult. I won't say more. Just know that this First Class Military Bravery Medal is well-deserved.”
Several first-class air force pilots, multiple second-class air force pilots, and the training of a quasi-ace for Russia…
For all this, the honor of receiving the First Class Military Bravery Medal was indeed well-deserved.
What is an air force ace?
Fighter jets are valuable, but pilots are priceless!
Excellent pilots are even more so.
For any country, such a strategically significant air force ace is beyond monetary value.
If it hadn’t been for Su Yuan’s fortuitous entry into the Gagarin Air Force Academy four years ago, their air force strength wouldn’t have seen such a significant improvement.
“Thank you to the superiors!”
Su Yuan heard this, didn’t think any further, took a deep breath, his face serious, and saluted.
“Also, due to confidentiality and special requirements, the First Class Military Bravery Medal will not be publicly announced, a commendation ceremony will not be held, and there will be no external news coverage. Hope you don’t mind,” Morey gazed at Su Yuan and said directly.
Confidentiality!
This First Class Military Bravery Medal could only be recorded in top-secret files, symbolized only by a brilliant Military Bravery Medal representing the highest honor.
Silence.
Except for those who have the qualifications and authority to know, no one will know why Su Yuan received the First Class Military Bravery Medal, including his comrades at the Gagarin Air Force Academy and those on the Russian frontline.
“I follow all orders from my superiors!” Su Yuan’s eyes were bright and energetic, like the scorching sun.
Su Yuan tilted his head slightly, smiling wryly, "Dean, you know me. No publicity is the best option for me."
There was absolutely no need for it, and he didn’t care about any of that.
Most importantly…
Hearing this, Morey was startled. His eyes flashed with a subtle concern before he forced a smile, “Su, you haven't decided to tell your family about this yet, have you?”
Su Yuan fell silent.
Tell them?
How to tell them?
He was born into a military family in Daxia. Besides his mother, everyone else in the family was a member of the Daxia military.
His grandfather, before retiring, was a Lieutenant General. His father, now in his forties, is already a Colonel, one step away from becoming a General.
His elder brother is also highly accomplished. At less than thirty years old, he’s already a Major with the rank of battalion commander.
His mother is worth over a hundred million. Such a background made him a spoiled rich kid, and he chose to slack off.
Seeing Su Yuan not only neglecting his studies but also wasting his time with his frivolous friends, his grandfather, in a fit of anger, sent him to Russia to study, cutting off his communication with his home country.
Soon after arriving in Russia, he heard that those "frivolous friends" of his had been sent by their families to train in the military. He was quite relieved to be studying in Russia.
Although he was far from home, and hadn’t even gone back in years, it was definitely better than being in the military.
However, plans never go as smoothly as expected. By chance, he activated the Ultimate Pilot System and entered the Gagarin Air Force Academy.
In just one year, he graduated from the Gagarin Air Force Academy with outstanding results.
And upon graduation, he was exceptionally awarded the rank of Major, as well as appointed as a school instructor. Over the next three years, he trained a large number of talented air force pilots for the Russian air force.
How could he tell his family about such things?
How could he explain to his grandfather?
He was supposed to be studying abroad, but ended up joining the Russian military.
Joining the military wasn’t the issue. If he were just a regular soldier, his family would be happy.
But the reality was, he had already become a Colonel in Russia. (Russia doesn’t have the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After Colonel comes Major General.)
If his grandfather found out about this, he could already imagine how enraged he would be.
Morey, with his extensive experience and high position, was a master of social skills. He understood Su Yuan's thoughts and didn’t mention it again. Instead, he changed the topic and continued,
“There’s another good news to tell you… ”
A smile appeared on Morey’s serious and tense face. He read aloud, “After research and discussion by the General Staff, the First Air Defense Department, and the Academy Committee, in consideration of air force ace pilot Su Yuan’s…”
“…repeated outstanding contributions to Russia’s national defense, including the award of a First Class Military Bravery Medal and multiple Second Class Military Bravery Medals… “
“…it has been decided to grant him an exceptional promotion. He is to be promoted to the rank of Major General on August 1, 4719 of the Kaiyuan Era, and appointed as the head instructor of the Russian Air Force.”
His words were powerful and authoritative, resonating through the rather small office.
Hearing Morey read the contents of the document, Su Yuan was struck like lightning, jolted to the core, and completely stunned, unable to believe what he was hearing.
If the First Class Military Bravery Medal was a pleasant surprise, then this document granting him an exceptional promotion was a true joy.
The rank of Major General!
In Russia, there were many Major Generals, so there was nothing strange or surprising about it.
But if you consider Su Yuan’s age…
A 22-year-old Air Force Major General, an air force ace!
This would be a shock to anyone.
If this news were to spread, the first reaction of anyone who heard it would probably be disbelief.