Chapter 437: Commendation

After leaving Lin Ke Xin to organize the statement, Chen Yongren followed the boss back to the office.

The boss sat in the chair, staring at Chen Yongren without blinking.

Although he said nothing, his heart was already churning with shock.

【Lixing returned to Chongqing only two days ago, yet he has already shown such a stunning performance, capturing more enemy spies in two days than the Military Statistics Bureau did in two months.】

【Knowing that the higher-ups valued him, I never expected they would value him so much.】

「I finally understand why the higher-ups wanted to restore his Whampoa student identity. 」

【With his service years added, his achievements are fully sufficient for this rank.】

【The higher-ups are really good at calculating!】

【In that case, he is the youngest commissioned major general in the Military Statistics Bureau.】

【At this growth rate, I truly don't know how far he will rise…】

The boss originally thought the higher-ups were just going through the motions, but it turns out they really did mean it.

Hearing the boss's inner muttering, Chen Yongren felt somewhat surprised.

Damn it?

Giving him this much face?

Chen Yongren finally understood why the boss's tone had been so strange when they met in the interrogation room…

Knowing his rank was about to go up another notch, Chen Yongren kept his composure and patiently waited for the boss's next words.

Seeing Chen Yongren's calm expression, with no joy or pride over his great achievement, the boss grew ever more pleased with him.

The boss could tell that Chen Yongren wasn't feigning composure; it was simply his nature.

He's only twenty‑five!

At most, he's been in intelligence work for just a few years, and no one has deliberately trained him—where does he get such steadiness?

Capturing traitors, successfully protecting the safety of high officials within the National Government—any one of these is a major merit.

The boss asked himself, if he were as young as Chen Yongren and had achieved the same merits, he could never remain this composed.

「Lixing…」 the boss suddenly said.

「Please speak, boss. 」 Chen Yongren sat up straight.

「If I say that this time the higher-ups have neither reward nor commendation for you, how would you feel? 」 the boss asked deliberately.

「With the enemy at our gates, personal honor or disgrace, merits and fame are trivial—how could they be compared to the nation's future? 」 Chen Yongren said solemnly.

「This is precisely what Lixing ought to do and must do. 」

「Even without commendation, Lixing would not complain. 」

「The two words 'Lixing' also remind me to act earnestly and do my utmost—how could I cause needless emotions just because there's no commendation? 」

Isn't it just that he likes to hear nice words?

Here, I'll say it for you to hear!

Chen Yongren's attitude was sincere, his words carried integrity, and they were far from mere pleasantries,

The boss could personally feel that this junior schoolmate's every word was true, his speech coming straight from the heart!

This junior schoolmate speaks pleasantly; the boss nodded in satisfaction.

It is precisely because of Chen Yongren's performance that the higher-ups want to nurture him well.

A young person like Chen Yongren—connected to the higher-ups, extraordinarily capable, of clean background, and devoted to the country—is exactly what they need!

「Lixing, your words are too heavy! 」 the boss waved his hand: 「We will remember the nation's heroes; if we then pretended not to see, wouldn't that chill the hearts of the National Government's troops? 」

「The higher-ups have already formally issued your commendation. 」 The boss strained to control his tone, but it still trembled.

Damn it!

Think back to my own early path, then look at this Chen Yongren.

Envy!

「? 」 Chen Yongren feigned curiosity.

「After a meeting of the higher-ups, your commissioned major's rank has been formally promoted to commissioned major general! 」 the boss stared fixedly at Chen Yongren and said in a low voice.

「Ah? 」 Chen Yongren feigned surprise: 「Major general? 」

Promoted again.

He felt a bit embarrassed all over.

Although he already knew this, Chen Yongren still put on a surprised expression.

「What, you don't believe it? 」 Seeing Chen Yongren's shocked expression, the boss was delighted.

Without waiting for Chen Yongren to speak, the boss lifted a box, placed it on the table, opened it, and pushed it toward Chen Yongren.

「Your achievements in Nanjing, Songhu, and Chongqing fully deserve this reward! 」

「The higher-ups originally intended to suppress it a bit, but they didn't expect you to achieve another feat the very next day! 」

「You personally rescued them—you're more than qualified! 」

「This is your general's uniform and your new rank—see if you like it. 」

Three major's pips combined into one, ultimately forming a brilliant general's star.

Besides the new uniform and new rank, the attire also bears a fourth‑class Baoding medal.

And don't even get me started.

This star really looks much more pleasing to the eye.

「Is this my new uniform? 」 Chen Yongren asked.

Having just arrived in Chongqing, he already changed into a new uniform.

This outfit is even more valuable.

"Of course, who else could it be but yours?" the boss made an inviting gesture.

Chen Yongren picked up the major general insignia and lightly rubbed it.

The rank insignia feels good; it's more comfortable to touch than the colonel's rank insignia.

"Back in Chongqing for less than two days, you've already been promoted from colonel to major general—you're the first to do that!" the boss laughed happily.

"Don't just stand there, hurry to my lounge and change into it; the rank promotion is just an appetizer, and there are still rewards ahead."

"Yes!" Chen Yongren stood straight, picked up the box and went to the lounge, quickly changing into his uniform.

"Not bad, not bad, you look more spirited." The boss clapped satisfied: "No wonder you're the number one handsome man of our Military Statistics Bureau."

Chen Yongren in his new uniform looked even more upright, especially the gold star on his shoulder, which drew more attention.

"Senior, in front of you, I wouldn't dare say anything about being the number one handsome man." Chen Yongren flattered.

"Damn it, you still dare to tease me?" the boss cursed with a laugh, then said: "To match your position, the Special Service Brigade will be expanded into the Special Service First Division, and you will be the new director!"

"Continue to be responsible for protecting Chongqing's high-ranking officials and capturing enemy spies!"

"This is the letter of appointment personally signed by the superior."

The speed at which the letter of appointment was issued was so fast that it made the boss suspect the superior had intended this all along, merely waiting for Chen Yongren's merits to accumulate before producing it.

However.

Expanding the Special Service Brigade, the beneficiary is ultimately the Military Statistics Bureau.

The boss naturally wouldn't refuse to ask for more, and then said to Chen Yongren.

"I hope you will achieve further merits in the future, keep in mind the two words 'diligent practice,' and not disappoint our expectations of you!"

"Yes, I will keep diligent practice in mind!" Chen Yongren snapped to attention.

Next, the boss took out an anonymous deposit ticket and a badge from his pocket, placed them on the table, and said: "Besides these, to encourage you to achieve further merits..."

"So the superior has decided to reward you with 2,000 taels of gold!"

This deposit ticket was personally taken out by the superior from his pocket; the boss dare not have any dishonest thoughts about this money.

Upon seeing the deposit ticket, Chen Yongren's eyes lit up.

The superior really is willing to give money—1,000 taels of gold directly deposited into the bank account.

Although he now has money on him, who would complain about having too much money?

With the atmosphere having reached this point, Chen Yongren naturally would not decline, gladly accepting: "Please rest assured, senior, I will certainly keep in mind the teachings of diligent practice, never become arrogant or lax, and continue to progress!"