Siheyuan: I, Shazhu, started out as an army and became a general.

The next morning, before the fog had completely dissipated, Beijing looked like a giant just awakening.

Martial law has been imposed on Chang'an Avenue.

One after another, Hongqi sedans with military license plates, like black swimming fish, silently but majestically glided toward that sacred place—the Great Hall of the People.

He Yuzhu got up very early, or rather, he didn't sleep much at all.

The blueprint for the Type 055 destroyer in his system space was practically worn smooth by his mental image. Every parameter, every screw, had been processed countless times in his mind.

The awarding of ranks is just a formality; the real battles are yet to come.

"Bro, this outfit...it's amazing!"

Yu Shui held the brand-new Type 55 general's uniform in her hands, her eyes shining like two small light bulbs.

The deep-sea-blue fabric, crisp and clean, with gold buttons gleaming coldly under the light. The most striking element, however, was the epaulettes on the tray.

Gold background with three stars.

General.

He Yuzhu spread his arms wide, letting the rain wash over him as he put on his "battle robe".

The physical attributes produced by the system are impeccable; he looks slim in clothes but muscular when undressed. Wearing this suit, he is the epitome of "walking hormones."

He Yuzhu buttoned up his top and stood in front of the full-length mirror.

The person in the mirror had long lost the earthy charm of the courtyard house. The murderous aura that had been forged in the crucible of death was now perfectly accentuated by this formal attire.

But in his eyes lay the composure of someone who had lived two lives.

"Let's go."

He Yuzhu put on his peaked cap, pulled down the brim, and strode out the door.

Zhang Xiaowu was already waiting outside the door.

The young man was also wearing a brand-new officer's uniform today, which was specially approved by He Yuzhu. As He Yuzhu's personal bodyguard who would be risking his life for him in the future, he also benefited from the honor and was promoted to the rank of colonel in one fell swoop.

"Greetings, sir!"

As soon as He Yuzhu appeared, the entire guard platoon at the gate stood at attention and roared.

The sparrows in the trees were so frightened by the murderous aura that they scattered in a flurry. He Yuzhu returned the greeting with a clean, effortless movement, as precise as slicing tofu with a knife.

Once inside the car, the Hongqi sedan smoothly entered the traffic flow on Chang'an Avenue.

The carriage was so quiet that only the low hum of the engine could be heard. He Yuzhu leaned back in his seat, watching the red walls and yellow tiles flash by outside the window. This peaceful and prosperous era was something he had fought for with his life, and the lives of countless comrades.

"Sir, aren't you... nervous?"

Zhang Xiaowu, sitting in the passenger seat, couldn't help but turn around, his Adam's apple bobbing.

Having followed He Yuzhu for so long, this was the first time he had ever witnessed such a grand occasion. He had heard that this conferment of ranks was a special exception made specifically for General He, and that several veteran marshals who had served as patrons of the nation were to be present.

"nervous?"

He Yuzhu chuckled, pulled a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes from his pocket, put it in his mouth without lighting it, and his roguish air slightly diluted the seriousness in the car.

"Xiao Wu, have you ever seen an atomic bomb grow mushrooms up close?"

"No...I haven't seen it." Zhang Xiaowu honestly shook his head.

"Have you ever seen hundreds of heavy artillery pieces fire simultaneously, leveling a mountaintop?"

"No, not really..."

"Have you ever seen someone carrying a hydrogen bomb playing a 'whoever backs down is a coward' game with an American carrier strike group tens of thousands of meters in the air?"

Zhang Xiaowu swallowed hard, cold sweat broke out, and he shook his head like a rattle drum.

"I've eaten this kind of stuff before, what's there to be nervous about in this situation?"

He Yuzhu took the cigarette down, sniffed it, and the faint smell of tobacco completely relaxed his tense nerves.

There aren't many things in this world that can make my heart race.

His tone was calm, yet it sent chills down Zhang Xiaowu's spine.

That's vision, that's presence!

"Commander, we've arrived."

The car was parked at the side entrance of the Great Hall of the People.

He Yuzhu pushed open the car door and got out, his leather boots making a crisp sound on the solid cement floor. Looking up at the majestic building and the national emblem hanging high, a surge of emotion instantly rushed to the top of his head.

That's a man's ultimate romance.

Upon entering the lounge, it was already packed with people.

Looking around, all you see are big shots with Venus on their shoulders. Any one of them could be a war god worthy of being written into textbooks and hung on the wall for future generations to worship.

The moment He Yuzhu stepped in, the originally noisy lounge instantly seemed to be muted.

Dozens of eyes swept over like searchlights.

There was curiosity, admiration, and scrutiny. Of course, there were also a few gazes that carried a hint of resentment and skepticism.

After all, among a group of gray-haired veterans, He Yuzhu's excessively youthful face was simply an anomaly.

"Hey, so this must be our legendary 'Tiger He'?"

A burly lieutenant general with a full beard strode over, his eyes looking at a newly weaned tiger cub, his voice as loud as a bronze bell.

"You look quite presentable! I heard you scared away an entire American carrier strike group by yourself in the South China Sea? What, do you know magic?"

This sounds like a joke, but upon closer inspection, it's full of barbs.

The atmosphere suddenly became a little tense.

He Yuzhu smiled slightly, gave a respectful salute with composure, and stood ramrod straight.

"Reporting to the commander, they weren't scared away."

"Oh?" The lieutenant general raised an eyebrow. "What's going on then?"

"They left on their own."

He Yuzhu's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a metallic quality that resonated throughout the entire hall.

"Because they know that if they don't roll, they'll just stay on the seabed and become coral reefs."

Quiet.

A deathly silence.

Immediately afterwards, a burst of uproarious laughter erupted, enough to lift the roof off.

"Hahaha! Good lad! You're arrogant enough! I like it!"

The lieutenant general slapped He Yuzhu hard on the shoulder, his grip so strong it felt like an iron clamp, almost making He Yuzhu stumble. "I was a fierce fighter back in the day, but compared to you, I'm still lacking! Well done! You deserve to be a general!"

That smile instantly dispelled any remaining misunderstanding.

Soldiers don't play games.

Qualifications and age are all meaningless in the face of solid achievements.

If you can subdue the Americans, then you're the boss! You're a war god!

Just then, the hall's loudspeaker blared, its voice solemn and dignified.

"Please take your seats, esteemed leaders. The conferment ceremony will begin shortly."

He Yuzhu straightened his collar, took a deep breath, and strode confidently toward the door leading to glory.

Every step we take is a pivotal moment in history.