Nominal: Hou Liangping blocking the door? He was slapped away!

At the same time.

ZYJW office building.

Shen Zhong stood by the window, and the daily economic monitoring report of Handong popped up on the encrypted terminal.

The approval rate in Lüzhou has rebounded.

The credit line for the Lincheng project has been approved and implemented.

The business start-up index has rebounded.

Zhou Weiguo leaned over and took a look.

"Executive Qi's fire is burning brightly."

Shen Zhong stubbed out the cigarette he was holding into the ashtray.

He stubbed out the cigarette before it was even lit.

"He knew where to burn."

Footsteps approached in unison outside the door.

Zhou Weiguo immediately stood up straight, his cheeky expression completely gone.

There was a knock on the office door.

"Comrade Shen Zhong, please prepare for the conferment of your rank."

……

At 9:00 AM sharp, in the auditorium.

The auditorium was filled with rows of military uniforms, their epaulets pressed against the lights, and red flags hung on either side of the rostrum. Even the sound of turning over documents was quiet.

Shen Zhong stood on the outside of the first row.

His uniform was impeccably pressed, his top button fastened to the top, and his back was as straight as a steel stake driven into the ground. He had no cigarette in his hand, his right hand rested on the edge of his trousers, and there was none of the joy that should have been present before the awarding of his rank.

Zhou Weiguo stood in the back row, his new ID card hanging around his neck, his mouth tightly shut.

If he dared to make jokes in this situation, he could write a report that would take up to the next month.

Mr. Xu walked out from behind the podium.

Everyone in the auditorium stood up.

Without any further pleasantries, Mr. Xu picked up the red folder and spoke in a very steady voice.

"Order from the ZYJ Commission."

"In view of Comrade Shen Zhong's decisive command, effective execution, and outstanding achievements in the northern front's war preparedness and control, the frontline coordination group's crackdown, the investigation of the Q series of treasonous networks, and the recovery of war preparedness funds."

"After deliberation, it has been decided to promote Comrade Shen Zhong to the rank of ZJ."

Close the file.

Snapped.

All eyes were on Shen Zhong.

He stepped forward solemnly and saluted.

The movements were clean.

There was not a single unnecessary delay.

Old Xu walked up to him, personally removed the major general's shoulder insignia, and then steadily fastened the lieutenant general's shoulder insignia.

The two golden stars shone brightly under the light.

Old Xu smoothed out his shoulder line and whispered something.

"The burden is heavier now."

Shen Zhong looked ahead.

"Please rest assured, sir."

Old Xu took half a step back and raised his hand in return.

Below the stage, several veteran leaders stood up straight and raised their salutes in unison.

Then, a line of soldiers saluted in the auditorium.

Zhou Weiguo also raised his hand, his arm taut and straight, but the corner of his mouth couldn't help but twitch.

Shen Zhong glanced over at it.

Zhou Weiguo immediately suppressed his smile, his expression even more serious than the military discipline sign on the wall.

After the ceremony.

In the lounge.

Old Xu held his teacup, looking at the new epaulets Shen had changed.

"Qi Tongwei has gone up to Handong."

"He can handle it."

"Li Dakang went to a neighboring province."

"It can both resolve accounts and provide practical assistance."

Old Xu nodded.

"You're really at ease."

Shen Zhong placed the hat on the table.

"The local authorities have taken over, the large-scale network has been cleared, and the next step is to patch the holes in the military industrial line."

Old Xu stared at him for a long time.

"You, the awarding of ranks has just ended and you're already thinking about checking people up."

"Vulnerabilities won't wait until the celebration party is over."

Zhou Weiguo, standing to the side, couldn't help but speak up.

"Sir, you see, what did I tell you? Lieutenant General Shen's epaulets are barely warmed up, and he's already thinking about sealing off the treasury and auditing the accounts."

Old Xu glanced at him.

Zhou Weiguo immediately stood up straight.

"Report, I am simply providing an objective record of the leader's work status."

Old Xu was so angry he laughed.

"Go and complete the formalities."

"Yes."

Zhou Weiguo turned and left, walking much faster than usual.

Four o'clock in the afternoon.

At the entrance of the military dependents' compound.

As soon as the heavy car came to a stop, He Xia could be seen standing by the gate of the courtyard in the distance.

She wore a beige trench coat, her hair pulled back, and carried two bags of groceries, her posture very neat and efficient. The competence she had developed during her time at the Luzhou Industrial Park was still there, but her eyes and brows now held a touch of domesticity.

Shen Zhong got off the car.

He Xia's eyes lit up when she saw the two gold stars on his shoulders.

"General Shen, do I need to show you my pass to go home?"

Shen Zhong draped his casual coat over his arm.

"You're in charge here, right at your doorstep."

"Then let's hand over the vegetables."

She handed over the bag she was holding.

Shen Zhong answered naturally.

The guard stood by the car, keeping his eyes down and pretending not to see the lieutenant general carrying two bunches of green vegetables home.

After entering.

He Xia got him slippers and hung up his regular clothes.

Shen Zhong unbuttoned his top button, and the oppressive aura around him seemed to be half carried away by the wind outside the door.

He Xia stood in the entryway and looked at him for a long time.

"You've lost weight."

"The mission is proceeding as scheduled."

"I'll keep an eye on things if we live in the same city from now on."

Shen Zhong paused for a moment.

"Have you issued the transfer order?"

"I'm logging off."

He Xia took the transfer order out of her bag and waved it in front of him.

"The Luzhou New Energy Industrial Park has passed the acceptance inspection. The ministry asked me to report for duty next week to oversee industrial collaboration and the overall planning of major projects."

Shen Zhong took it and read it once.

"suitable."

"Just two words?"

"It suits you very well."

He Xia smiled and took the recall order.

"You praise people like you're approving documents."

"I can submit a formal opinion."

"No need, the kitchen is short-staffed. Lieutenant General Shen, prepare the vegetables."

The kitchen light was on.

On the cutting board were fish, green vegetables, tomatoes, and a bunch of scallions.

Shen Zhong took off his casual clothes, changed into a dark gray sweater, rolled up the sleeves to his forearms, and stood by the sink washing vegetables. His hands were still the same hands that had disassembled communication motherboards and pressed combat readiness control orders; now they were washing each vegetable leaf clean.

He Xia cuts tomatoes, her knife moving swiftly and decisively.

"From Handong to now, I sometimes feel like there's a huge distance between us."

"You've been guarding the Luzhou Industrial Park quite a bit too."

"The companies are pressuring me, the banks are pressuring me, the local governments are pressuring me, and there are even outsiders who want to turn the project into an empty shell. The pressure I'm under is nothing compared to your blowing up of the Xishan gate."

Shen Zhong put the vegetables into the basket.

"Don't compare like that."

He Xia stopped scalpel and looked at him.

"The day you went to Xishan, when I received the news, there was still soup simmering in the pot."

Shen Zhong did not respond.

The tap was running loudly.

He Xia turned the fire down.

"Later, the soup boiled away and the bottom of the pot turned black."

Shen Zhong dried his hands.

"I'll let you know I'm safe in advance from now on."

"Is it possible?"

"As much as possible."

"Is this considered a military order?"

"Calculate the family rules."

He Xia handed him the scallions.

"Then remember that. Shen Zhong, outside you're the sword of military law, but at home you're the person across the table from me. You need to eat, sleep, and wash the vegetables."

Shen Zhong took the scallion.

"Yes, ma'am."

He Xia was finally satisfied.

It was already dark when the food was served.

Two bowls of rice, a braised fish, a plate of green vegetables, and a bowl of tomato and egg soup.

He Xia picked up a piece of fish belly for him.

"With Qin Kewen sentenced, Handong can finally breathe a sigh of relief."

"With the Special Court's departure, the Q Group's main trunk has been severed."

"Where is Qi Tongwei?"

"Executive Vice President".

"Lu Yike?"

"Deputy Director-General"

He Xia smiled.

"These two finally paid off."

Shen Zhong picked up the soup bowl.

"Lu Yike can keep him in check."

How did you know?

"Qi Tongwei took over the management."

He Xia almost burst out laughing.

"You even know about this?"

Shen Zhong raised his eyes.

"Observation results".

The doorbell rang at that moment.

Ding dong.

He Xia glanced at the time.

"Who would pick this time to eat?"

Shen Zhong put down the bowl.

"Zhou Weiguo".

The door opened.

Zhou Weiguo stood at the door with his briefcase in his arms. His new military uniform was still crisp, and his rank badge on his shoulder had just been changed. He looked very energetic.

He first stood at attention and saluted.

"Reporting to the commander, Zhou Weiguo, the newly appointed commander of the Northern Special Operations Brigade, has come to freeload a meal... and also to report on his work."

(End of the book)