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

The rostrum of the Great Hall of the People.

The lights were as bright as day, and red flags fluttered everywhere.

The air seemed to freeze at that moment, so solemn that no one dared to breathe loudly.

He Yuzhu stood in the queue, glancing to his side out of the corner of his eye. Those founding fathers who would later be enshrined on a pedestal in history books were standing right next to him, shoulder to shoulder.

The national anthem was played.

The melody is stirring, each note like a heavy hammer, striking deep into the soul.

He Yuzhu sang very loudly, his voice was a little hoarse, and his eyes were burning.

It was like a movie playing in my mind.

Changjin Lake, Shangganling, and those brothers who fell on the charge and never returned home.

This honor is too heavy a burden.

It doesn't belong to He Yuzhu alone, but to all those who have shed blood and risked their lives for this country.

"Read out the order!"

Marshal Nie's voice resounded throughout the venue through the microphone, loud and clear, carrying a fierce and valiant air.

"...Comrade He Yuzhu is awarded the rank of General! And is also awarded the 'August 1st Medal,' 'Independence and Freedom Medal,' and 'Liberation Medal'..."

A barrage of titles rained down on the audience, leaving them feeling dazed and overwhelmed.

Especially when the names of "Meritorious Service to the Two Bombs and One Satellite" and "Special-Class Combat Hero" were read out, the applause erupted like thunder, almost lifting the dome off.

He Yuzhu marched in step towards the center of the rostrum.

Each step made a loud thud on the floor.

The great man himself came over. He held the golden general's epaulettes in his hands, his eyes lacking their usual majesty, filled only with the satisfaction of seeing his own son succeed.

"Pillar."

The great man didn't call me by my official title, but by my most down-to-earth nickname, saying, "This responsibility is no light one."

"Please rest assured, sir!"

He Yuzhu's chest puffed out as if it were about to explode, and his roar was like thunder: "As long as I am here, the nation's borders will stand! As long as I am here, truth will prevail!"

"Good! You've got guts!"

The great man nodded emphatically, personally hung the epaulettes on He Yuzhu's shoulders, and carefully smoothed out a wrinkle on his collar.

"Turn around and let everyone see."

He Yuzhu turned around.

Facing the sea of ​​people below the stage, and countless flashing camera lights.

At that moment, the gold star on my shoulder shone so brightly it was almost blinding.

He was the youngest general in the entire field.

It is also the toughest bone in this era.

A corner in the audience.

Several family members who were granted special permission to attend the ceremony were already in tears.

He Yushui covered her mouth, her makeup ruined from crying. Beside her, Lin Wanqiu stared intently at the radiant man on the stage.

He was the man who ate sand with her in the Gobi Desert, who shaped the core of an atomic bomb with his bare hands in the workshop, and who made the enemy on the other side of the ocean tremble at the mere mention of his name.

"He did it..." Lin Wanqiu murmured softly, her eyes sparkling, "You really did it."

……

After the conferment ceremony concluded, the state banquet began.

The lively atmosphere of the banquet hall was kept out by the heavy wooden doors.

The lounge was quiet, with only He Yuzhu and a few marshals present.

The great man sat on the sofa, a cigarette between his fingers, but he didn't light it. He looked at He Yuzhu with a complex expression—a mixture of kindness and entrustment.

"Pillar, sit down."

He Yuzhu sat down as instructed, his back still as straight as a javelin.

"Is this outfit comfortable to wear today?" the instructor suddenly asked, seemingly out of the blue.

"Reporting to the commander, things are a bit tight." He Yuzhu didn't use any fancy words and spoke the truth, "It's heavy on my shoulders, it's making me feel uneasy."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

The great man chuckled, pointing at He Yuzhu and saying to Marshal Nie, "Old Nie, listen to this! That's what you call speaking the truth! If this kid had tried to use fancy words like 'like a gentle breeze' with me, I would have slapped him across the face!"

As the laughter subsided, the great man's face slowly darkened; it was the calm before the storm.

"It's right that it's sinking. These three stars represent the safety of 600 million people and the peace of 9.6 million square kilometers."

The great man stood up and walked to He Yuzhu.

Just as He Yuzhu was about to jump up, a large hand pressed down on his shoulder.

"You did a great job in the South China Sea this time. But you also revealed our true capabilities." The great man's voice was deep. "The Americans backed down this time because they didn't expect us to actually have hydrogen bombs, and they certainly didn't expect us to be so willing to risk our lives. But next time, they won't be so careless."

"The lockdown will be tightened, and the wall will be built higher."

"Our time is running out."

The great man turned around, picked up a document from the table, and handed it to He Yuzhu.

"The Central Military Commission just approved the establishment of the 'Special Committee on Advanced National Defense Weapons,' with you serving as its deputy director and concurrently as the chief advisor on equipment for the three services."

He Yuzhu took the document, his hand trembling slightly.

This power is terrifyingly vast.

It's like handing him the sword that will shape the nation's future for decades.

"Sir, this..."

"Don't refuse!" The instructor waved his hand, interrupting him. "I know what you're trying to say. Are you suggesting we develop that large destroyer? Or missiles?"

"That's for doing the work. This position is for you to take the helm!"

The great man looked into He Yuzhu's eyes, and suddenly, he took a step back.

stand at attention.

Under He Yuzhu's shocked gaze, the giant who had carried the new Dragon Kingdom out of a hail of bullets slowly raised his right hand.

He gave the 36-year-old a standard military salute.

"Sir! You mustn't!!"

He Yuzhu was so frightened that he jumped up, completely at a loss, feeling like all the blood in his body was rushing to his head.

"Take it!"

The great man gave a sharp shout, and the salute remained perfectly still, as majestic as a mountain.

"This salute is not to you, He Yuzhu, as an individual. It is to pay tribute to the hope you brought to this country! It is to pay tribute to the scientists who worked anonymously and even gave their lives for the development of nuclear weapons and satellites!"

He Yuzhu's eyes instantly turned red.

He took a deep breath, stood up abruptly, and gave the most standard military salute he had ever given in his life.

Two generations.

At this moment, a silent handover was completed.

What is inheritance? This is inheritance!

At that moment, He Yuzhu felt the heavy pressure on his shoulders turn into a ball of fire.

A raging fire capable of burning any blockade or technological barrier to ashes!

"Go."

The great man lowered his hand, patted He Yuzhu on the shoulder, and his tone returned to its usual amiable tone, "Xiao Jingguang has been waiting for you outside for a long time. I heard that several shipyard directors almost came to blows over that Type 055 destroyer. Go and be the judge."

"yes!"

He Yuzhu turned around and strode out. His back view was resolute, carrying an aura of "killing gods if they can't stop him".

Watching his retreating figure, Marshal Nie couldn't help but sigh, "Isn't this burden too heavy for him?"

The great man sat back on the sofa, struck a match, lit the cigarette, and took a deep drag.

Amidst the swirling smoke, the old man's eyes remained resolute.

"Heavy? This kid's like a spring; the heavier you compress him, the higher he bounces. Just you watch, this kid can definitely build us a warship we've never even sailed before!"