Chapter 3: The Conferment Ceremony, Promoted to Major General
Su Yuan didn't know what happened at home.
His parents' wish for him to succeed, he was also unaware of.
He also didn't know that his former brothers were all doing extremely well in the military.
Today was important for Su Yuan.
He got up, brushed his teeth, washed his face, and then went straight to the cafeteria.
After eating a bit, he received a call from Dean Mo Lei, who said that a car had been arranged to wait for him at the entrance.
The Gagarin Air Force Academy wasn't far from Mo City, it was only a one-hour drive away, so he could definitely make it to the conferment ceremony.
Besides, it was still early, he didn't need to hurry.
However, today was different, after all, the elderly leader himself would be conferring the title, it wouldn't be good to be late.
Su Yuan quickly walked along the tree-lined path, through the living area.
Accompanying him were other leaders of the academy.
After all, being promoted to Major General was no small matter.
For the Gagarin Air Force Academy, it was also an honor.
In Conference Room No. 1, almost all the high-ranking officials of the Bear military were present, and below them sat senior Bear military officers, the lowest rank being Major General.
When Su Yuan walked into the conference room, he was also shocked by the situation in Conference Room No. 1.
A gathering of stars, this was completely a high-level meeting!
If he hadn't walked in with Dean Mo Lei and some acquaintances from the Air Defense Command had nodded to him, Su Yuan would have doubted whether he had gone to the wrong place.
After about half an hour, while Su Yuan was quietly chatting with Mo Lei, he heard a commotion.
Not far away, the door was pushed open, and a few staff members walked in. Then Su Yuan saw an old man he had only seen from afar.
The Emperor, the highest authority of this country.
Was the Emperor really conferring the title himself?
Even though Su Yuan now held a high position and great authority, he was a little dazed at that moment, slightly out of sorts.
"You've all waited a long time, haven't you?"
The Emperor walked onto the stage, speaking casually, but there wasn't much of a smile on his face.
"I've called you all here today for one thing, I think you all know."
As he said this, his eyes fell on Su Yuan, who was sitting in the front row.
Seeing the Emperor's gaze, Mo Lei quickly urged, "Su, go up."
With a blank face, Su Yuan could only go up the stage with a stiff neck.
Looking at the Emperor above who was staring at him, Su Yuan felt his scalp tingle. He couldn't help but glance at Mo Lei below, "Are you sure you want me to go up?"
Mo Lei couldn't bear to look, feeling that this kid had gone crazy.
Today, you are the protagonist here.
"Su Yuan, you've waited a long time, haven't you?"
The Emperor seemed to have a serious expression, but his tone was very casual, without any deliberate posing.
"Hello!"
Su Yuan stepped forward, stood less than a meter from the Emperor, raised his hand and paid his highest respects.
The Emperor extended his hand and patted Su Yuan's shoulder: "Are you a little surprised by this sudden promotion? To be honest, your coming to study in the Bear was a pleasant surprise for the Bear."
He paused, then said with a smile, "Over the past four years, we've had a high opinion of the air force, and you've played a part in that effort and contribution."
Su Yuan was flattered.
He was overwhelmed by the old man's praise.
The atmosphere in the first conference room was a little tense, mainly because Su Yuan was a bit restrained.
This was the first time for Su Yuan to interact with the highest leader of the Bear at such close range.
"To be honest, I didn't know you were specially recruited into the Gagarin Air Force Academy back then, if I had known, I would have definitely opposed it."
Su Yuan pursed his lips and listened intently.
"However, when you first came into my sight, I knew it was the right decision. In the three years you've been a flight instructor, you've shown a strong sense of responsibility and have trained many excellent pilots for the Bear. This is very commendable."
The Emperor spoke eloquently, giving high praise to Su Yuan's work as a flight instructor, training high-level air force pilots.
Su Yuan was humble in his words, but his heart was filled with relief.
He felt guilty for keeping his family in the dark about serving the Bear military and training personnel for the Bear Air Force, but the Emperor's affirmation made him feel energized and passionate.
The Emperor's eyes were bright, his expression serious, and he said to Su Yuan in a low voice, "Su, after careful consideration, the military has decided to give you more responsibility. You will be fully responsible for the training of high-level air force pilots. In terms of aviation, we have complete confidence in your abilities."
Although he had known about his responsibility for this task yesterday, Su Yuan was still shocked when he heard it from the Emperor.
Su Yuan took a deep breath and said solemnly, "I have confidence!"
"That's good to hear!"
A pleased smile appeared on the Emperor's face. Only then did he pull out a document from the folder, his expression solemn and dignified. He stood at attention, his wise eyes fixed on Su Yuan as he issued the order:
"Comrade Su Yuan, stand at attention, at ease!"
Su Yuan, who had been a little nervous at first, subconsciously reacted when he heard this, stood at attention with his hands clasped behind his back, waiting quietly.
"Now, on behalf of the General Staff, I announce the decision and award. Su Yuan, a top pilot of the Gagarin Air Force Academy..."
The old man's voice was slow and powerful, clear and distinct.
"As Comrade Su Yuan has made great contributions to our Bear, the General Staff has decided to confer upon Su Yuan the title of Chief Instructor of the Bear Air Force and the rank of Major General!"
As soon as his voice fell, everyone in the conference room was stunned.
They looked at Su Yuan, who was receiving the conferment on stage, with shock.
Deep blue shoulder boards, a golden five-pointed star shone brightly.
Major General!
Obviously, the General Staff's promotion was a breach of regulations, shocking everyone.
Those who were able to sit here today and listen to the old man announce the merits and watch Su Yuan receive the conferment were all high-ranking officials of the Bear military, absolutely high-ranking officials. Major General was the lowest-ranking officer here.
At their level, they naturally knew that Su Yuan was an air force pilot who had graduated from the Gagarin Air Force Academy less than three years ago.
From the first conferment of Lieutenant to now, it hadn't been three years yet.
Normally, it would be impossible to go from Lieutenant to Major General in just three years. The gap between them was like a chasm.
Ordinary people couldn't cross it.
Such an award, such a promotion, was unprecedented.
Despite their shock, they were also in awe of the Emperor's boldness.
To promote a 22-year-old air force pilot who had graduated less than three years ago to Major General and give him such an important position as Chief Instructor, besides the General Staff, besides this old man in front of them, probably no one else sitting here would have the guts.
If they were to discuss it, their authority might be increased, but their rank wouldn't be promoted all at once.
From the Colonel level to the General level.
But, to be fair, no one thought Su Yuan's promotion was too fast this time.
There was no other reason, Su Yuan's merits this time fully met the standards for promotion.
At this time, they had nothing to say.
Because, Su Yuan deserved this high honor, he deserved the promotion.
When they looked away from the old man and saw Su Yuan's face, which was too young, they were even more shocked.
A 22-year-old Major General?
A 22-year-old top pilot?
If this news were to spread, all the countries in the world would be shocked.
After all, there had been 22-year-old Colonels, but there had never been a 22-year-old Major General.
"Congratulations, Su Yuan, I hope you can continue to make progress and strive for excellence."
After the old man made the announcement, he quickly said, "Due to confidentiality, this announcement is limited to the high-level officials, it will not be announced to the entire army, nor will it be publicized."
"Yes!"
Su Yuan quickly stood at attention and saluted. He didn't care about not publicizing it, not announcing it to the entire army, he really didn't care.
He didn't come to be an air force pilot for those things.
If he had only been seeking fame, he could have told his family about his status in the Bear long ago, that would have been even more shocking.
"Su Yuan, you are currently the youngest top pilot in the Bear, and now you are also the youngest Major General!
Being able to create this youngest record shows that you have advantages that others don't have. I hope you can maintain this attitude and spirit!
I hope you can do even better and more outstandingly in your new position!"
"Thank you, Emperor, I will definitely be strict with myself and live up to your expectations!"
Su Yuan was serious and sincere in his attitude.
The Emperor nodded slightly and said, "I heard that your family has a very high status in the Summer military. For the past four years, the military has been covering for you. Have you thought about going back to see them?"
Su Yuan was silent, but soon he raised his head, "I do have this idea. After all, it's been four years since I've been back, and I have to explain this to my grandfather in person. I can't keep it a secret forever."
"You should go back and make it clear."
"I'm just afraid..."
"Afraid that once you go back, you won't be able to come back?"
Seeming to see what Su Yuan was thinking, he smiled.
Su Yuan looked embarrassed and nodded, "Yeah."
The Emperor pondered for a moment, "No matter what, you have to go back and make it clear, the bridge will appear when you get to the river."
Su Yuan nodded solemnly. There was nothing else he could do right now.
The conferment ceremony ended there. The restaurant was not far from here, and the Emperor cordially invited Su Yuan to dinner.
However, they didn't talk about anything about work.
Not talking about work, the Emperor appeared to be very knowledgeable, from ancient times to the present, from Chinese to foreign history, he knew it all.
In casual conversation, he even showed his astonishing grasp of Summer history.
The more the Emperor was like this, the more conflicted Su Yuan felt.
...
Su Yuan's appointment as Chief Instructor and promotion to Major General didn't cause much of a stir in the public, but it had a huge impact within the Gagarin Air Force Academy and the Bear Air Force.
No one had expected that Su Yuan, who was still a Colonel a few days ago, had already been promoted to Major General.
Time passed, and a week went by.
Su Yuan made arrangements in the Bear and prepared to return to his country.
At this moment.
In an office.
A middle-aged man hurried in, glanced at the Emperor who was working diligently, and reported, "Your Majesty, your schedule for next week has been arranged. You will be accepting the invitation from the Summer side and will be visiting Summer for a week."
"Okay."
The Emperor didn't look up, but responded with a single word, then went back to his work.
However, the middle-aged man didn't leave, but continued, "The accompanying personnel have been decided, now it's just the security. The Ministry of Defense is preparing to dispatch two top pilots to fly two S-35 fighters to follow you, to protect your safety. We've already consulted with the Summer officials, and they've agreed."
"Our fighters and pilots can land at the Summer Capital Air Base."
"The Ministry of Defense asked if you have any other arrangements."
Hearing this, the Emperor suddenly looked up, pondering, "Top pilots are strategic forces, we shouldn't mobilize too many. Besides, our border with Summer is close, and safety shouldn't be too much of a concern. One person is enough..."
As he spoke, a figure flashed in his mind, and a smile appeared on the Emperor's face, "There's no need for anyone else. Just let Su follow. He's going back to Summer anyway."
"Ah!"
The middle-aged man opened his mouth wide.
"What's the matter, why, is Su not good enough?" The Emperor frowned.
The middle-aged man chuckled.
How could he not be good enough.
He was more than good enough!
If Su wasn't going back to his country, Su Yuan would definitely be one of the pilots flying this time.
There was no other reason, Su Yuan, who was flying the S-35, was fully capable of taking on a whole flight squadron on his own. That young man's strength had already spread throughout the Bear Air Force.
It was no exaggeration to call him a prodigy.
He would be a hundred percent at ease with Su Yuan accompanying him.
"Yes!"
The middle-aged man responded loudly, excited to leave.