Chapter 311

In the auditorium of Changyang City Bureau, police officers in full dress uniforms came and went, bustling with activity.

The most distinctive feature of police dress uniforms is the long, lustrous sash across the chest, glowing softly and strikingly eye-catching.

But today's brightest stars were the officers wearing medals on their chests.

On Jiang Yuan's chest hung three medals: two Second-Class Merit medals and one Third-Class Merit medal.

He had been awarded merit four times total, with one additional commendation—only a certificate, no medal, so it couldn't be worn.

That's why commendations were unpopular among officers; if you couldn't wear it, you only got to enjoy it once on the day it was awarded. Only with a medal could you display it at every celebration. No matter what major life event occurred, those medals were more valuable than any other garment.

Compared to other officers attending the event, Jiang Yuan's chest still lacked enough medals.

The provincial criminal investigation brigade was full of hidden dragons and tigers; many had once been fearless, battle-hardened warriors, but over time, as they aged, their bodies weakened, injuries piled up, family responsibilities mounted, and their perspectives fell behind, they gradually lost that fierce vigor.

But the medals remembered all of it.

Just like Chu Tingjiang, head of the narcotics brigade in front of Jiang Yuan, clad in crisp armor with perhaps two or three dozen medals hanging from it—upon closer inspection, there were three First-Class Merit medals alone.

As Jiang Yuan knew, this Commander Chu had seized drugs measured in kilograms. He had repeatedly dismantled local contraband markets, only gradually stepping back to Erxian roles a decade ago.

Shannan Province's relatively mild drug problem was in part due to this Commander Chu.

"Jiang Yuan." Captain Ma Jiyang caught up from behind, clapped Jiang Yuan on the shoulder, glanced at his chest, and exclaimed: "Not bad—you've only been working a year, and already two Second-Class Merits?"

Jiang Yuan glanced back at Ma Jiyang, unsurprised—he had three Second-Class Merits and three Third-Class Merits: harmonious, unified, perfect.

"Would you like to tell the story behind these three Second-Class Merits?" Jiang Yuan knew exactly how to chat with this kind of spiritually fulfilled person. Like the old men in Jiang Village, some with only elementary education, after receiving compensation for over a dozen demolition houses, they'd still talk about central policies and speak of ideals and pursuits.

Ma Jiyang's expression grew heavy. He looked down at his own Second-Class Merit medal and fell silent for a long while.

Jiang Yuan realized—he must have touched on some brutal stories.

He was just thinking how to make amends when Ma Jiyang slowly spoke:

"This Second-Class Merit—I earned it while dating. Shortly after receiving it, I wore it to my wedding."

"This Second-Class Merit was the cause of my divorce. Because of it, I fought with my wife every day, until she finally scolded me."

"This Second-Class Merit completely drove us apart. That year, I was out arresting people while she was cheating at home—we both worked hard to destroy a perfectly good family."

After finishing his story, Ma Jiyang looked at Jiang Yuan's two Second-Class Merits and said: "You're lucky—you got two Second-Class Merits before marriage. That was smart."

Jiang Yuan looked at Captain Ma Jiyang: "Thank you."

Ma Jiyang smiled: "No need to thank me. Talk to more seniors—you'll find every officer with medals has a miserable middle age."

"But I'm not even middle-aged yet?"

"When I earned my first medal, I wasn't middle-aged either. Back then, I was so full of vigor—my wife married me for love…" Ma Jiyang smiled warmly, then his face darkened: "Middle age is unavoidable—you won't understand until you live it. Wife, children, elderly parents, work, pressure, young officers watching you with hungry eyes, rivals watching coldly… When reality crushes you, your inner world shatters with a single poke."

Listening to Ma Jiyang's words, Jiang Yuan suddenly felt lighter. He'd always understood hardship—he'd known it since childhood; it became harder to grasp as he grew older.

"Jiang Yuan." Yu Wenshu waved from the stage side, calling him over.

He went over—it was several leaders of Changyang City Bureau.

Jiang Yuan stood tall, medals gleaming on his chest, smiling as he answered their questions. He'd had a fairly pleasant time in the Changyang City Criminal Investigation Brigade, and now he was here to receive an award—his emotions were well in control.

Soon, the host took the stage and the rehearsal officially began. They simply explained the procession route, when to go on stage, and… when to clap.

At this point, Jiang Yuan was already certain he would receive a First-Class Merit.

Because he was the last to take the stage and occupied the central position. If it were based on seniority, even another Second-Class Merit wouldn't have earned him the center spot.

Of course, Jiang Yuan had recently cracked multiple cold cases and active homicides, especially playing a crucial role in the search for Liu Jinghui—deserving of a First-Class Merit medal.

Compared to the military's First-Class Merit, the police system's version was somewhat easier to earn. Perhaps due to the principle of "maintaining troops for a thousand days," without war, officers fulfilling their duties—especially criminal investigators—naturally had more opportunities to earn merit.

Even so, a First-Class Merit remained extremely rare.

A Second-Class Merit recognized major contributions; a First-Class Merit required major contributions with major impact.

Even at Changyang City's annual commendation ceremony, no more than five officers stood alongside Jiang Yuan.

The next day.

Officers from all units of Changyang City Bureau gradually arrived at the grand auditorium.

Those who hadn't attended rehearsal but came to the meeting were mainly there for ceremonial value—including several leaders.

Sometimes, leaders were just part of the backdrop. Even when the meeting's agenda had nothing to do with them or benefited them, they still had to shift their noble buttocks and sit stiffly in their chairs for hours to show respect.

When Jiang Yuan stepped on stage, flashbulbs from both stage and audience blazed into a single sea of light.

For reporters, stories about young people were far more appealing. Many had pre-planned their articles to feature Jiang Yuan as the compelling core, fleshing out their pieces with his story.

The host deliberately used Jiang Yuan to energize the crowd, raising his voice and switching to casual phrasing: "Third-Class Police Officer Jiang Yuan began his career as a forensic expert. Yet within his first year, using fingerprints, crime scene investigation, bloodstain analysis, footprint analysis, and other methods, he cracked over twenty homicide cases—twenty homicide cases in one year! And more than half were cold cases!"

At this, the audience below began to stir slightly.

Police officers knew better than anyone the power of cold homicide cases.

Failing to solve an active homicide case meant blame. But if you solved a cold case that others had failed to crack during its active phase, anyone who doubted your ability would feel ashamed themselves.

Still, twenty homicide cases sounded exaggerated. Some officers unfamiliar with the details couldn't help whispering among themselves.

The grand auditorium buzzed with murmurs.

"Don't rush—I'll now introduce the homicide cold cases and active cases Jiang Yuan cracked…" The host waved his hand, and the screen behind him rapidly flashed case names and images.

Several of these cases triggered commotion below.

After all, these were cases Changyang City's detectives had failed to solve, some of them quite famous.

For instance, the May 13th Doorway Assassination Case had once been widely circulated as a "perfect crime."

Only then did the host switch to more formal language, smiling broadly:

"Comrade Jiang Yuan, within just a few months, cracked multiple homicide cold cases and active cases…"

"Effectively striking and deterring criminals, significantly raising Changyang City's homicide case resolution rate…"

"Jiang Yuan—awarded First-Class Merit!"

Spontaneous applause erupted in a thunderous wave.

The stage director, thrilled, rushed to film and capture it.

Jiang Yuan took a deep breath,

stepped onto the stage,

and Yu Wenshu personally pinned the First-Class Merit medal onto his chest.

Jiang Yuan's chest now displayed medals in a second row.

Still far from a full armor suit, but if he got one breastplate, he'd be well on his way.

At the same time, the system popped up a notification:

Reward: Personal First-Class Merit

Reward Content: One skill selection

Jiang Yuan did not choose immediately. First, he mentally dismissed the semi-transparent system interface. His plan was to decide on the skill based on the next case.