"Third-class merit. Even if it was reported, it wouldn't be approved, right?" someone beside Shanta said.
"If it was anyone else, it might be approved, and the vetting wouldn't be too strict. In the past, as long as we made a decision and reported it, it would be approved. But Fang Zhao, there are too many people watching him. It's a little risky." Another person in the conference room chimed in. "If it was to guard a base, it would definitely not be a problem, but guarding an outpost is still a little insufficient. Of course, the most important thing is Fang Zhao's length of service. He just started his military service, so he doesn't have an advantage. He might be stuck. "
"Third-class merit should be approved, but for this promotion, the chances of it being approved are not high."
"Didn't he discover the Baiji ore? That's a big enough merit. "
"That can't be considered as a merit."
Shanta, who had been quietly listening to the discussion, knocked on the table and said, "I feel that if it is reported, the chances of it being approved are very high."
The others quietened down, waiting for Shanta's analysis.
Shanta rapped his fingers on the table and said, "Setting an example."
Setting an example!
Hearing this, the others understood.
Indeed, the attitude of the higher-ups was changing. In the past, they had looked down on the entertainment circles, but this year, hadn't they proposed Project Starlight? It was to let idols and celebrities attract attention.
Furthermore, the benefits of Project Starlight were so obvious. This time, it was a chance to set an example. In Shanta's opinion, the chances of it being approved were very high.
"Indeed, they need to find a role model. The power of a role model cannot be matched by words. In the past, so many publicity films have been shot, how many publicity slogans have been released, and how the effects have been. Otherwise, the higher-ups wouldn't have come up with Project Starlight."
"Now that you think about it, it really is true."
"This kid Fang Zhao's luck is really good! This is considered an exception to promote him. "
"But then again, ever since the military service reform, when two years were reduced to one year, the only one promoted so quickly is Fang Zhao."
...
Fang Zhao did not know about the discussion in the conference room after he left. He actually did not care much about the merit. He had killed those monsters and shot those terrorists not for the sake of military merit. That was an instinct that had been ingrained from living for close to a hundred years during the Period of Destruction.
Back in his dormitory, Fang Zhao once again picked up his little notebook and started composing. The matter had come to an end, and he could organize his inspiration with peace of mind.
However, Fang Zhao could not compose for too long. In the afternoon, Shanta looked for him for another chat. This time, it was not about business matters but a private conversation.
Shanta had looked for Fang Zhao to tell him two things. One was about the third-class military merit that had already been submitted and his promotion application. The other was to ask if Fang Zhao had any familiar people in the Yanzhou military district.
After this ambush, planet Baiji would definitely increase its military strength. This time, Shanta could not delay it any longer. The military districts of every continent would surely dispatch some people over. Since the increase in military strength was unavoidable, Shanta would definitely look for allies. Over at Yanzhou, he also did not have any particularly satisfactory partners. As long as the conditions were met, anyone would do. Therefore, Shanta also took this opportunity to owe Fang Zhao a favor. As long as the person Fang Zhao proposed did not displease him, he would immediately agree.
"Over at Yanzhou's military district, the only one I am familiar with is Major General Hong Lou. We have worked together before..."
Fang Zhao told him about Hong Lou. During military training, Hong Lou had helped Fang Zhao a little. In the past, he had even bought one of Fang Zhao's movements to be used as background music for a military district promotional video. Fang Zhao's impression of Hong Lou was pretty good. Hong Lou was a decent person, and with his relationship with Duan Qianji, Fang Zhao could only think of him as a general.
"Hong Lou?" Shanta searched for Hong Lou's information in his mind. He did not know much about Hong Lou, but he did not have any enmity with him. When he got back, he would do some research.
"Oh, right, a few other planets have asked for you. They have asked for you a few times already. They want you to take a look at their mining areas. If you do not have any other plans, take some time off and make a trip there," Shanta said.
In the past, a few planets that were on the same level as planet Baiji had been envious of planet Baiji's development progress. Even with the impetus of Project Starlight, how could it compare to grade A power ore and a position on the development sequence?
Now, many people from various places were looking for Fang Zhao, but during his military service, if he, as the highest ranking officer of the base, did not agree, nobody could even dream of sending Fang Zhao over. Borrowing people was fine, but transferring over was absolutely out of the question. Shanta still felt that keeping Fang Zhao here was safer.
"Actually, that side has already used the newest type of detector to scan and did not discover anything. They are still unwilling to give up and wish to borrow your 'Diting ears' for a bit." When Shanta mentioned this matter, he was still very proud of himself for choosing to be stationed on planet Baiji and not other planets back then.
"All right." Fang Zhao nodded. Making a trip over was also good. This was definitely something that could not be avoided. Even if he did not go now, in the future, those people would think of other ways to make him go over. Fang Zhao did not think that his ears were better than the newest type of detector, but letting others give up would save him a lot of trouble.
Shanta's actions were very swift. After talking to Fang Zhao, he went to investigate Yanzhou military district's Hong Lou. After analyzing this person with a few trusted aides, they felt that it was feasible and contacted Yanzhou military district.
When Hong Lou found out that Yanzhou military district was sending him to planet Baiji, he felt as if a huge rock had been lifted off his shoulders. Although his wife had told him that Fang Zhao would definitely help, who knew if Shanta would listen or not.
Now it seemed that Fang Zhao, that little fellow, was still rather reliable!
Over at Yanzhou's military district, Hong Lou was not the only one who had the rank, the ability, the background, and the connections. Baiji base's reply had become the deciding vote.
After receiving the notification from the top, Hong Lou excitedly called Duan Qianji. "Wifey, you were right. That little fellow really knows what to do!"
Duan Qianji was stunned when she heard this, but she quickly reacted to what Hong Lou had said and smiled. "Has the personnel been confirmed?"
"It has been confirmed, it has been confirmed! Let me make the necessary preparations and lead troops to planet Baiji! "Hong Lou's voice was filled with uncontrollable excitement.
After the people from the 12 continents went over, there would be news of planet Baiji establishing a large military district. The situation on Earth had already been set. For ambitious people like them, there was not much room for development on planet Baiji. Only when they were sent out would they be able to see a wider world.
"Don't forget to send a few more people to protect Fang Zhao when the time comes," Duan Qianji reminded him.
"You don't have to tell me! Of course! Definitely send elites! "Hong Lou guaranteed.
The various continents' military districts were getting restless, but this did not have much to do with Fang Zhao. He would only be serving on planet Baiji for a year and would leave after that. However, he was indeed happy for planet Baiji. Shanta had shown him a blueprint for planet Baiji's development. In the future, after it was built, humanity's living space would expand and there would be more choices. Even if something happened, they would not be trapped on a planet in a desperate battle to the death. The hellish life of the Period of Destruction would not happen again. This made Fang Zhao feel gratified.
A week later, Fang Zhao, who was participating in the reconstruction of Outpost 23, was called to the base, Shanta's office.
"There are too many things to do. Special times call for special measures. Everything will be simplified. There won't be any commendation ceremony or anything. This is yours. "As Shanta spoke, he handed over a box with the alliance's insignia.
Recently, he had been busy dealing with the people from the 12 continents' military districts, so Shanta had specially taken some time out to personally pass this to Fang Zhao to show how much he valued it.
Fang Zhao opened the box. Inside lay a third-class merit medal, a second lieutenant's epaulette, and a gun model similar to the ones Yan Biao and the others used.
"From now on, you have the legal right to carry a gun. However, the gun you used before can no longer be left on base." Shanta personally helped Fang Zhao put on the epaulette. "Work hard. Who knows, you might get a promotion when you retire."
When Shanta spoke, he did not speak with the attitude of a leader. Instead, he spoke with the attitude of a senior. This way, their relationship seemed closer. Originally, Shanta had intended to give Fang Zhao a few earnest words of advice and raise his hand to pat Fang Zhao on the shoulder to show his encouragement, but when he met Fang Zhao's pair of calm eyes, he did not know why he could not continue. His raised hand paused in the air and retracted it. Finally, he choked out a sentence. "Youngster, you have to be more energetic. Don't be too stuffy."
"Understood."
Fang Zhao saluted and left Shanta's office.
Shanta watched the door close once again and thought back to that strange feeling he had felt just now. He kept feeling a little weak. What was it?
Could it be that he had been too busy recently and it had affected his physical condition?
However, before Shanta could think too much, another call came in.
"I heard that there is another inspection team heading over?" the other party asked with a laugh.
"Inspection team? If I don't agree, can they still force their way in? "Shanta replied with a cold snort.
In the past, it had been them inspecting others. Now, they were being inspected. Shanta was choosing now.
With so many things on his plate, Shanta did not delve too deeply into that awkward feeling he had felt just now.
Meanwhile, after leaving Shanta's office, Fang Zhao returned to the dormitory allocated to him by the base and opened up another box.
Along with the medal box was the gun he had received from Great-Grandfather Fang. Shanta had returned it to him.
Fang Zhao packed up the box containing the medal and the box containing the gun. He wrote down the address, brought along Shanta's certificate, and handed it to the person in charge of delivering mail at the base.
Mail coming and going from the base had to go through many layers of checks. Without permission, things like guns could not be sent out.
Fang Zhao wrote down the address of Yanzhou's Yanbei retirement home for retired officials. The gun was no longer useful, so he would mail it back to Great-Grandfather Fang. The medal was also mailed over. The two elders liked it.
When Fang Zhao returned to Outpost 23 from the base, Kevin Lin was in the middle of a live broadcast.
Fan Lin and the others had reconstructed the experimental plots. After that round of attacks, many of the arrow sunflowers that had already sprouted had died, but there were also some that had luckily survived. Recently, Fan Lin had led people to rescue these experimental sprouts that had not "stopped breathing."
Since Fang Zhao was not around, Kevin Lin could only personally do the farm work. Given his physique, it did not take long for him to start panting. When he saw Fang Zhao return, it was as if he had seen his savior. "Fang Zhao, you are back... ha!"
Kevin Lin's eyes were sharp and saw Fang Zhao's epaulets. When he got closer and saw it clearly, he did not say much. Instead, he adjusted the camera to face Fang Zhao so that more people could see the epaulets clearly.
Many online viewers did not understand military rank epaulets, but with so many online viewers, there were bound to be people who recognized them. Then, the discussion forums exploded.
"The f * ck! Are my eyes playing tricks on me? "
"The epaulets on Fang Zhao's shoulders, hurry up and tell me I did not see wrong!"
"I specially flipped through it. It is indeed a second lieutenant epaulet. There is no mistake!"
"Second lieutenant. Although his rank is very low, he is still considered an officer, right?"
"The problem is how long has he been in service? Has it been a month? He was promoted just like that!? "
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