Jiang Si recognized the voices; they belonged to Commander Yao and Political Commissar Li.
After just a few months apart, the two leaders had developed tanned faces resembling those of Bao Zheng (a famous judge in Chinese history).
When she looked up, Jiang Si almost didn't recognize her.
Seeing his wife's curious expression, Huo Tingzhou explained it to her while she went to the kitchen to make tea.
"The division commander and political commissar have been keeping a close eye on the farm's reconstruction for the past few months, and they go to the farm whenever they have time."
Construction on the farm began at the end of July, which is the hottest time of the year on Qiongzhou Island.
There was no such thing as sun protection back then.
With the sun shining and the sea breeze blowing, the two of them turned a tan in less than two months.
Upon hearing that the division commander and political commissar had actually gone to the site to supervise the construction, Jiang Si was filled with emotion.
In this era, leaders didn't act like leaders at all; they had no airs of authority whatsoever.
If this happened in later generations, he would probably have been surrounded by a large entourage and had his camera flashes clicking non-stop.
The tea was ready, and the two went to the living room.
However, the division commander and political commissar were clearly not in the mood for tea at the moment.
The two were holding the child and playing with him.
Just now, the two children woke up.
Before they arrived, the division commander and political commissar had already heard from their subordinates that these two little guys were recognized as the best-looking in the family compound.
Looking at it today, it's exactly as I expected.
The two children were fair-skinned and delicate, just like the dolls in New Year's paintings.
According to Huo's mother, the one on the left is the older brother, and the one on the right is the younger sister.
The older brother seemed to be stronger, and his legs kicked with extra power.
The younger sister is much more delicate, with big, bright eyes like black grapes soaking in water.
Babies who are two or three months old are more sensitive to dark colors.
When he woke up, he saw two dark, unfamiliar faces in the house.
The two little ones instantly perked up.
She neither cried nor made a fuss, but opened her round eyes and looked at this and that.
That innocent, bewildered look in his eyes instantly melted the hearts of the division commander and the political commissar.
It was only when Jiang Si sat down that she noticed the child was still holding several red envelopes in his hand.
The couple exchanged a glance.
Huo Tingzhou was about to speak when he was interrupted in unison by Division Commander Yao and Political Commissar Li.
"This is a gift for the child. It's not much money, just a small token of our appreciation. Don't try to refuse it."
Huo Tingzhou: "..."
He didn't mean to refuse; he just wanted to say thank you on behalf of the two children.
"Thank you, sir."
After saying that, Huo Tingzhou carefully put the red envelope into Jiang Si's hand, saying, "Wife, keep it safe."
He had already accepted it, so Jiang Si didn't stand on ceremony and thanked him as well.
The group talked for a while longer.
As the division commander and political commissar chatted, the topic turned to how the two children were good candidates for soldiers.
Huo Tingzhou cleared his throat twice. "Chief, didn't you say you needed to talk to my wife?"
"Yes, yes, yes."
Political Commissar Li reacted quickly, responding and immediately getting back to the main topic.
"Xiao Jiang, we've come today to offer our congratulations."
"Secondly, on behalf of the military, the farm, and the newly built Hope Primary School, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you."
As soon as he finished speaking, Political Commissar Li took out a certificate of honor wrapped in red silk and a folded banner from his briefcase.
Finally, it was solemnly handed over to Jiang Si.
Jiang Si was stunned for a moment.
At this moment, Commander Yao cleared his throat and looked over with a proud expression.
"Xiao Jiang, after deliberation by the Party Committee of the Military Region, you are hereby awarded the honorary title of 'Model of Patriotism and Support for the Military' and awarded a first-class merit by the Military Region."
Jiang Si was completely stunned when she heard the words "First-Class Merit".
"First-class merit?"
"right."
Jiang Si knew about the First-Class Merit Award.
It was precisely because she knew this that she was puzzled.
He had only invested 200,000 yuan in the farm and then donated another 80,000 yuan.
Based on this alone, she was awarded a first-class merit?
Isn't this a bit too hasty?
Also, she vaguely remembered that this medal was only awarded to active-duty military personnel.
That's what she thought, and that's what she asked.
Otherwise, I would feel strange accepting this medal without knowing the details.
"Honey, this is a first-class merit award from the military region. It's different in nature from the first-class merit award awarded to active-duty soldiers," Huo Tingzhou explained.
Simply put, a first-class merit award for military personnel is the highest national honor for military achievements, symbolizing the highest level of recognition.
The first-class merit of the military region is a spiritual commendation in the field of joint military-civilian construction.
It usually involves specific aspects such as scientific research, combat, and disaster relief.
"So that's how it is." Jiang Si understood now, and she realized that what she had done was far from enough.
That's not how you say it.
Commander Yao said in a deep voice, "These two medals are different, but they are equally weighty."
He paused, then added, "A soldier's first-class merit protects the country's territory; your first-class merit warms the hearts of soldiers and civilians."
"All honors are honors, regardless of their size!"
Jiang Si nodded.
However, the surprises from Commander Yao and Political Commissar Li were far less than these.
"Xiao Jiang, we have completed all your materials and have officially submitted an application to the General Political Department of the People's Liberation Army to nominate you as a national 'Model of Patriotism and Support for the Military'!"
The National Conference for Individuals Supporting the Military is held every four years, usually in mid-March each year.
If he really gets the award, it won't just be an honor for their Fourth Division; the entire military region will be proud of Comrade Jiang.
Commander Yao's voice was filled with barely concealed excitement, "Xiao Jiang, you need to be mentally prepared."
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