Chapter 64: Third-Class Merit

Shen Xiaoyu finished inserting the needle for the big brother, and should have gotten up to leave, but she suddenly wanted to stay and listen: what business do the department leaders have to discuss with Lu Cheng?

She immediately pulled the needle out, changed the big brother's arm, and needled him again.

The big brother winced in pain and twitched again.

Director Zhang walked to the bedside and said, "Comrade Lu Cheng, let me introduce you: this is Minister Hu of the Coal Department, this is Director Gao of the Metallurgical Department, and this one…"

Tang Qiusheng waved his hand, "No need for me to introduce, Xiao Lu; we've spoken on the phone before."

Tang Qiusheng's voice was distinctive, and Lu Cheng immediately rose to greet, "Hello Director Tang, Minister Hu, Director Gao…"

"Don't get up, don't get up."

Tang Qiusheng looked at the foot hanging in midair and asked concernedly, "Director Zhang, is his foot injury serious?"

Director Zhang replied immediately, "Doctor Sun has reported to me; Comrade Lu Cheng's foot may be fractured, so we put a cast on it for stabilization."

Tang Qiusheng nodded, "We must use the best medicine, sparing no expense, to heal our comrade."

"Umm, umm, ummm…" MummyBigBrother raised his arm again.

The big brother wants to report, the big brother wants to complain.

Tang Qiusheng heard the voice and glanced, "This ward is too noisy; give Xiao Lu a private room so he can recover peacefully."

Director Zhang replied, "Very well, Director Tang; I'll arrange it right away."

Tang Qiusheng had a guard bring over a few jin of Guoguang Apples, took one and handed it to Lu Cheng, "Xiao Lu, we came in a hurry and didn't bring much; don't be picky about the old folk's gift."

Lu Cheng took the apple and looked at the three senior leaders, "Has the Masses eaten?"

The three old men exchanged glances and instantly felt a solemn respect.

Tang Qiusheng patted his arm, "Young comrade, eat first; the Masses will get theirs later."

Lu Cheng nodded gravely, "Then could Nurse Shen please peel it for me?"

"Ah, I'll peel it for you?" Shen Xiaoyu pointed at herself.

Director Zhang looked over, "Comrade Lu Cheng is a hero; peeling the apple for him is your honor—go quickly."

Peeling a skin is called an honor! Shen Xiaoyu pursed her lips, looking at the man as completely unserious—how could he be a hero?

Minister Hu laughed heartily, "Old Tang, your Railway Department has a fine soldier; this youngster's awareness even makes me feel inferior—absolutely red and professional."

Tang Qiusheng wore a proud expression, "Of course, our Railway Department has no cowards. Xiao Lu, this time you earned a great Merit, rescuing a huge loss for the country; the Three Ministries have resolved to jointly issue you a Commendation Order."

A Commendation Order? This is a document the agency issues for individuals with major achievements, publicly honoring them, and it's not easy to refuse.

Lu Cheng held the Commendation Order, feeling a faint excitement; at least this time it wasn't like the last time he captured a thief, when Director Tang kept the credit to himself for the moment.

This is a concrete document with legal effect; its authority and solemnity need no explanation.

But Lu Cheng pretended humility, saying, "Director Tang, this Commendation is a bit excessive; I haven't done enough."

Lu Cheng's modesty pleased Tang Qiusheng; it's rare for a young man to receive such honor without becoming arrogant or restless.

"Young comrade, don't be modest; achievements should be praised, otherwise it only chills the hearts of comrades who wish to improve," Tang Qiusheng paused briefly, then continued.

"Anything else? Minister Hu, you speak."

Lu Cheng tried to stand, but Minister Hu quickly held him down, "Don't get up, don't get up."

I've heard Captain Lei say the young comrade is brave and clever; otherwise letting the enemy agents return would cost more than just slag—it would jeopardize the entire mineral vein of our country.

This incident has sounded a warning for our Coal Department; iron ore contains precious metals, not an isolated case, and we are determined to conduct a large‑scale survey of all mineral veins…

Tang Qiusheng glared, "What work your Coal Department will do next is your own business; our Railway Department's mission is already finished—can you stick to something useful?"

Minister Hu hurriedly shut his mouth, "Hehe, that's getting off‑topic; I'm doing this to highlight Comrade Xiao Lu's contribution, so on behalf of the department I applied for you a Third‑Class Merit."

Lu Cheng became excited again; it's not a wartime era nor the army, and ordinary people rarely have a chance to earn a Third‑Class Merit, making it extremely difficult.

With this recognition, it's like gaining an extra talisman.

The Third‑Class Merit house's plaque will be hung on Lin Qingyan's Separate Courtyard, ensuring the Street Office will never dare plot to demolish the building again.

"Thank you, Minister Hu, and… anything else?"

There's only a spiritual reward; it still feels like something's missing.

Minister Hu clearly hesitated, but Tang Qiusheng was the first to react, hurriedly having a guard bring over a dozen Great Unity.

"Given your injury, to compensate, the General Bureau has resolved to give you a 500‑yuan consolation."

Shen Xiaoyu, who was peeling the apple, visibly shivered at the mention of five hundred yuan.

"My goodness, this person earned such a huge merit—both a Commendation Order and a Third‑Class Merit, and now a 500‑yuan reward."

With her current salary, even without eating or drinking, she'd have to work for nearly two years.

And it has to be the Railway Department; they're generous, but money without a ticket (receipt) still doesn't work.

Tang Qiusheng still thought Lu Cheng would get excited and stand up after receiving the 500‑yuan windfall, but Lu Cheng remained expressionlessly calm.

Director Gao of the Metallurgical Department spoke up, "Young comrade, does your family have any difficulties? Since you earned a great Merit, feel free to voice any needs."

All three seniors were present; this was a rare chance—if you don't bring it up now, future opportunities will be hard to come by.

Even just hoping to see them again would be difficult.

Lu Cheng's face turned mournful, and he sighed, "Sigh, it's just a small family matter; I'll keep it to myself."

The point is, if you don't mention it, don't bring it up; if you start and the three of them just walk away, it won't matter much.

Tang Qiusheng gestured, "Go ahead and speak; even if you don't have a merit, you're already one of our Railway Department people—any difficulty you have can be appealed to the Railway General Bureau."

Lu Cheng nodded, his voice becoming impassioned, "If I tell this, you'll probably all laugh at me…"

The three seniors exchanged a glance.

"It's not that the weather's cold; the house is severely short of coal. I have a sister whose three toes froze last year; now she walks like a duck and can't get married."

My father wants to find her a live‑in son‑in‑law, but the groom's side demands huge dowries—bicycle tickets, watch tickets, radio tickets, grain tickets, oil tickets, meat tickets…

Lu Cheng counted on his fingers as he spoke, rattling off more than a dozen kinds of tickets in one breath.

Tang Qiusheng slapped his thigh, "You don't need to continue! Minister Hu, could your Coal Department issue some Coal Tickets? That shouldn't be a problem."

"What else is there to say, what more Coal Ticket do you want, I'll send someone to Xiao Lu to deliver ten tons of coal later."

The Coal Department is the least short of coal; these ten tons of coal would keep Lu Cheng's household burning for several years.

Tang Qiusheng said again, "Director Gao, your Metallurgical Department also has to pitch in, right?"

Director Gao smiled, "No problem, the other industrial tickets are up to me. Xiao Lu, if there are any other difficulties at home, I'll take care of them for you as well."

Lu Cheng hurriedly replied, "Nothing, nothing. That's already more than enough to make me feel embarrassed."

Shen Xiaoyu listened, pursed her lips, and couldn't see that this person was embarrassed.

Clearly they've given so many rewards; even pulling out any one of them would be enough to make her laugh awake in her dreams.

That person is still thick‑skinned, rushing forward to demand it.

It seemed as if he had been scolded; Lu Cheng turned his head and said, "Nurse Shen, if you keep cutting, only the apple core will be left."

"Ah, ah!" Shen Xiaoyu looked down and indeed, she had been too absorbed earlier.

It turned out to be the Metallurgical Department's director; after agreeing, he quickly sent someone to deliver the relevant industrial tickets.

In the evening, three more people were standing at the ward entrance.

Lu Cheng was leisurely gnawing an apple, enjoying a rare paid‑vacation day, but when he saw the newcomers clearly, he immediately exclaimed that it was bad.