Empire Conquest
Chapter 258 - 254: Awarding Titles and Commendations

Chapter 258: Chapter 254: Awarding Titles and Commendations

"Bai Zhizhan has ceased fighting, awarded the title of White Dragon General, and promoted to Brave General."

Li Yunxiang stood at attention and saluted as Xue Yuanzheng approached, his eyes fixed straight ahead.

Subsequently, Xue Yuanzheng pinned the rank of major general on Bai Zhizhan’s shoulders.

The term "Major General" actually appeared before the last great war and was commonly used.

The title "White Dragon General" corresponds to a Navy Major General, while "Brave General" is a general term, combined they make "Brave White Dragon General". If it were an Army Major General, it would be General of Brave Tiger.

These traditional titles indeed are complex and somewhat awkward; not only common citizens but also soldiers easily got them confused, hence they were rarely used.

Indeed, the rank of "Major General" is more straightforward and easily understandable at a glance.

Moreover, major general is the lowest rank among generals.

Although both the Navy and the Army have the rank of Brigadier General, strictly speaking, a Brigadier General is not considered a general but a transition from colonel to general.

Not to mention, there is no formal commissioning for a Brigadier General.

In the past, especially during peace times, many colonels wouldn’t become generals by the time they retired, thus they were often promoted to Brigadier General before retirement.

According to the rules set by Emperor Shiwu, Major General is the minimum requirement for leading troops into battle.

That is why the Imperial Authority pays extra attention to the first commissioning of generals. In the past, the Emperor himself would award the commissions. After the constitutional amendment, it changed to the Grand Secretary, although the awarding ceremony always took place at the Privy Council where the new generals must swear allegiance to the Emperor.

After pinning the military ranks, Xue Yuanzheng gently patted Bai Zhizhan’s shoulder twice.

It was a small, yet profoundly meaningful gesture.

From a cultural perspective, this small act was essentially telling Bai Zhizhan that he was entrusting him with a very important task, which he must shoulder.

When it came to awarding Liu Xiangzhen, Xue Yuanzheng didn’t perform this small gesture.

Liu Xiangzhen was ranked before Bai Zhizhan not because his contributions were greater, but because he benefited from the order of strokes in their surnames—the second stroke of "Liu" is horizontal, while for "Bai" it is vertical. Unfortunately, in the Imperial language, horizontal strokes are ranked first and vertical second.

Indeed, Bai Zhizhan was the last one.

Army generals were ranked before him.

This made sense, as the Imperial Guard Army belongs to the Army, and since the Imperial Guard Army is a part of the Royal Guards, they naturally ranked ahead, incidentally placing the Army before the Navy.

As for the other Navy generals, none of their surnames begin with a dot.

The following was to commend and reward meritorious soldiers.

Although traditionally called soldiers, they were all from the grassroots level, usually officers from the Navy and a few soldiers from the Army.

At the Privy Council, it was the Grand Secretary himself who commended and rewarded these individuals, a practice intended to elevate the social status of the military personnel.

During war times, such commendation and award ceremonies were frequent. For example, during the last great war, they were held almost monthly, extensively publicized, allowing photographers to take pictures, and enabling all national newspapers to publish related reports and even organizing meritorious officers to tour the country and give speeches.

Had the last great war not ended after the "Watcher Strait Naval Battle," perhaps twenty years ago, Bai Zhizhan would have been awarded as a "meritorious soldier" and then traveled across the country by train, inspiring the public by sharing his firsthand battle experiences.

To Bai Zhizhan’s surprise, among the few grassroots officers sent back by the Special Mixed Group, there were several pilots he knew, including Jiang Haiyang and Wei Chengwen.

Not much to say about Wei Chengwen; he was originally a fighter pilot from the Second Shipborne Air Force Wing.

But Jiang Haiyang, originally a Bomber pilot from the First Shipborne Air Force Wing had, in the battles over Flame Sea, struck the "Jiahe" with his dive bomber, earning his first merit.

As far as Bai Zhizhan knew, Jiang Haiyang had been injured during that battle and had been recuperating in a hospital since then.

As for when he returned to his unit, Bai Zhizhan was not quite sure.

It was surprising that Liu Xiangzhen would recommend a pilot from the First Shipborne Air Force Wing for commendation!

Apparently, he was also starting to poach talents.

In terms of importance, an elite pilot like Jiang Haiyang definitely held more value than an officer of the same rank from the Fleet, possessing irreplaceability.

Like the initial commissioning of generals, it was Xue Yuanzheng who personally awarded medals to the meritorious soldiers. However, this time, there would be journalists photographing the event.

Additionally, the officers would come forward by themselves, receive their medals, and then step away for the next person to come forward.

No matter how great the merit, they are still junior officers and soldiers.

"General Bai!" Jiang Haiyang had already noticed Bai Zhizhan.

"Are you healed?"

Jiang Haiyang nodded and said, "I came yesterday. The doctor said I need to be observed for a few more days. If there is no serious issue, I can be discharged."

"Do you have a place to go?"

"I will look for Li. He told me to go to the First Special Mixed Fleet. It’s just..."

"I’m now the Fleet Commander of the First Special Mixed Fleet."

Jiang Haiyang was startled at first, then he understood. "Commander, yes!"

This guy actually saluted Bai Zhizhan right in the hall, which made Bai Zhizhan a bit flustered because it was so abrupt.

Of course, it was deliberate; he wanted to show Liu Xiangzhen.

This "Commander" clearly marked his position.

He was telling Liu Xiangzhen that he was on Bai Zhizhan’s side, so don’t bother trying to poach him.

Unfortunately, this is the straightforwardness of someone from the Land Air Force, doing everything so bluntly, like a straight chopstick that reaches to the end.

Jiang Haiyang was not foolish; he was Li Yunxiang’s man, otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone to find Li Yunxiang, and naturally, he considered himself Bai Zhizhan’s confidant.

As for being recommended for recognition, he really wouldn’t care for it.

Fortunately, Zhou Yongtao had already accepted the recognition.

Recognition was according to the rank order; Jiang Haiyang had recently become a Major in the Navy Air Force while Zhou Yongtao was a Captain, which meant he ranked behind him.

"Let me introduce you; this is Major Jiang Haiyang, the squadron leader of the First Shipborne Air Force Wing. After rejoining, he fought alongside us. This is Captain Zhou Yongtao, a staff officer of the First Special Mixed Fleet Headquarters, who has made notable achievements in the battle against the Permanent Fleet."

"Major Jiang!"

"So, you are Zhou Yongtao? Li specifically mentioned to me that in the battle at West East Ocean, it was mainly through your strategies."

"This..."

"From now on, we are brothers; take care of each other."

Jiang Haiyang’s enthusiasm made Zhou Yongtao a bit uncomfortable.

At that moment, a young man resembling a secretary came over.

"General Bai?"

"Who are you..."

The young man didn’t say much, just showed his credentials. After seeing the credentials, Bai Zhizhan just nodded.

"Go on and talk, if I haven’t come back later, you take Major Jiang to the hotel. Tonight, we’ll have a good drink."

"Drink again?"

"Major Jiang has recovered and rejoined; we must celebrate."

"Commander Bai, this..."

"We’ll settle it like this."

Seeing Bai Zhizhan had business, Jiang Haiyang and Zhou Yongtao didn’t say much. Whether to drink in the evening or not would be decided then; discussing it now was pointless.

Besides, they were at the Privy Council, and both knew the rules well.

The one called away was not only Bai Zhizhan but also Liu Xiangzhen.

Indeed, another secretary had called Liu Xiangzhen and led him out through a different door, in a direction different from Bai Zhizhan’s.

It seemed like there would be a good show to watch later.