Chapter 176: Two First-Class Merits

The individual second-class merits have all been awarded, so what could the next medal possibly be?

Every police officer present wore an expression of excitement and anticipation.

The moment Yu Dazhang stepped onto the stage, anyone who didn't know him was immediately drawn to look.

So young!

Even some of the city leaders on stage stared in astonishment.

That age, that build…

How did he earn his merit?

When Director Liu personally pinned the individual first-class merit medal on Yu Dazhang, he felt a wave of dizziness.

Happiness came so suddenly!

He couldn't believe it; he could only dig his nails hard into his palm to keep his blood flowing smoothly.

With a word of congratulations, Director Liu gave Yu Dazhang a standard military salute.

Yu Dazhang immediately snapped out of it, hastily straightened his body, and returned the salute.

It wasn't that he hadn't seen the world, but rather that this honor was something he had never expected.

A Ministry of Public Security individual first-class merit!

This was not only an affirmation of his personal ability, but also an honor for his unit and the entire Songhai public security system.

An individual second-class merit gives priority when being promoted in police rank, while a first-class merit directly fast-tracks the promotion.

This needs to be explained first.

Some friends may have no concept of police merits.

Most people have probably heard this saying: third-class merits you stand to receive, second-class merits you lie down to receive, first-class merits your family receives.

That refers to military merits.

It's a completely different thing from police merits.

Don't confuse the two.

In fact, military merits are harder to obtain than police merits.

In the armed forces, an individual first-class merit is the ceiling of military honors.

But that's not the case for police merits; above the first-class police merit there are two even higher honorary titles.

Even so, those who can earn an individual first-class merit from the Ministry of Public Security are few and far between.

Seeing Yu Dazhang turn to leave, Director Liu reached out to stop him and said softly:

"Don't rush, there's more."

Under Yu Dazhang's gaze, Director Liu picked up another box, took out the medal inside, and pinned it on him.

Another individual first-class merit medal!

Director Liu saluted him once more.

At that moment, Yu Dazhang's heart surged with emotion, and he raised his right arm to return the military salute.

Two first-class merits!

This was something he couldn't even dream of, yet it had happened in real life.

Before today, he had always assumed that at most he would receive another second-class merit.

He had never even dared to think about an individual first-class merit, let alone receiving two at once.

Taking a deep breath, Yu Dazhang held the citation and honorary certificate in his hands and faced the audience below.

With a "boom," every police officer below the stage stood up and gave a standard military salute toward the stage.

This was an affirmation, a recognition of his ability and contribution, and also a responsibility and a duty.

Originally, during the trafficking case, he could have received an individual first-class merit.

The branch bureau had submitted it upward accordingly.

But considering his age and seniority, they deliberately held it back by one level.

In this country, years of police service equal seniority, and people have long grown accustomed to the ingrained mindset of ranking by seniority.

Let me give you an analogy.

When you go to a hospital, do you choose an older doctor or a younger one?

Given the choice, I think most people would go to the older doctor.

Regardless of their actual skill, at the very least their age is right there, so people naturally assume they have plenty of experience too.

Yet these two first-class merits were something Yu Dazhang had stubbornly fought for through sheer personal ability.

They held it back once, but what about the second time?

The third time?

All special cases!

And each case was bigger than the last; under these circumstances, who could still hold it back?

If they really did hold it back, how would others feel?

Who would still be willing to risk their life going forward?

Age and seniority no longer mattered in the face of ability.

Yu Dazhang, in a manner that defied all reason, attained the pinnacle honor for his age group.

Twenty-three years old, less than a year in the force.

Two individual first-class merits, one individual second-class merit, five collective merits.

Looking across all of Songhai, there was absolutely no second young person more brilliant than him. At this moment, he was a model, a benchmark, and the role model and example for every police officer present.

Back at the detachment.

"Dazhang, you're buying!"

"This meal has to happen, and it's happening today."

"Yeah, let us share in your happiness too."

"Mainly want to catch some of your good luck."

Looking at the smiling faces of his colleagues one by one, and the medals on their chests, Yu Dazhang waved his hand grandly:

"Dream on!"

All the criminal investigators of the detachment received a collective Second-class merit, among which Ma Jian and two other officers additionally received individual Third-class merit.

Everyone got merit, so why fleece just me… Yu Dazhang wasn't short on money, he just felt this kind of bad habit should be curbed.

Besides, it's not like he's getting married, what good luck is there to catch?

Not a single mistake, not a single shot, not a single piece of content—take a look!

Hearing this, not one of them got angry; instead they laughed even louder.

"Two First-class merits—I'll be lucky to get one in my whole life. You really are something, kid."

"Saying I'm not jealous would be a lie, but I really am impressed."

Everyone crowded around Yu Dazhang, saying all sorts of things, except mockery or doubt.

"Light 'em up!"

Yu Dazhang took out a whole pack of Huazi from his pocket, but before he could hand them out, they were snatched away.

"Smoke the bastard's, don't leave him a single one."

"Haha, yeah, punish him for not treating."

"Oh, it's Huazi even."

At some unknown point, Li Jun had appeared at the detachment entrance, watching everyone inside with a smile on his face.

When his gaze landed on the only fatty in the room, the smile on his face grew even brighter.

A First-class police merit—he didn't dare dream of one in his whole life.

Even his individual Second-class merit was only obtained because of this fatty.

But it didn't matter—justice had been upheld, the evildoer brought to book, that was enough.

What else does being a cop aim for?

"Anyone who wants to smoke, go outside. Don't you know the office area is smoke-free?"

Everyone looked toward the door and saw Li Jun standing there with a stern face.

Everyone was a bit confused. Captain Li was never this stern normally—why was he suddenly like a different person today?

One of the officers explained with a smile:

"Don't worry, Captain Li. We're just beating the local tyrant, we won't smoke inside."

"I was afraid you'd all get too carried away." After saying that, the corner of Li Jun's mouth lifted, and his smile returned:

"But a celebration is still in order. I hereby announce: the detachment gathers for dinner tonight, my treat."

Seeing Li Jun deliberately pretending to be angry to tease everyone, the crowd burst into laughter again.

For a collective dinner like this, no alcohol could be drunk.

A buddy asked: even with prior approval, it's not allowed?

Yes, not allowed.

A criminal investigation detachment like this law-enforcement unit must, under normal circumstances, keep two-thirds of its police strength on standby without drinking.

If the unit has two main leaders, they may not both drink on the same day.

Rules are rules—no exceptions allowed.

So under collective dinner circumstances, everyone tacitly agrees to no drinking for the whole group.

After work, Li Jun specifically found a fairly decent restaurant and booked a large private room.

Although they weren't drinking, it didn't affect everyone's mood.

Everyone ate, drank, and chatted loudly with laughter.

Every circle talks about its own topics.

Like the aunties gathered at the village entrance—they're definitely chatting about family affairs.

People in finance must be talking about stocks and funds.

When a group of criminal investigators gathers for dinner, no matter what they talk about, it always comes back to cases in the end.

But in this relaxed atmosphere, talking about cases certainly couldn't be as solemn and serious as when on duty at the detachment.

And they weren't talking about cases from their own team either.

"Did you guys hear? Recently there's a case that even had the provincial bureau's experts dispatched. They say the perpetrator is really tough to deal with."

One officer deliberately said in a mysterious tone:

"If you ask me, at this rate it'll eventually be classified as a Level-1 criminal case."

No criminal investigator could hear such a topic without being curious.

Including Yu Dazhang, everyone's attention was immediately drawn to that officer.

(End of chapter)