428: Inauguration Conference

Before long, Li Yang and He Dong arrived at the division headquarters, walking into a magnificent auditorium.

The auditorium was extremely spacious, with a high-domed ceiling and walls inlaid with exquisite interstellar patterns, exuding a mysterious and solemn atmosphere.

At this time, the hall was already packed, with Military Officers in neat military uniforms sitting in their respective positions, the atmosphere a bit solemn yet tinged with anticipation.

When Li Yang and his group walked in with firm steps, the Military Officers, who had been conversing in low voices, instantly fell silent, turning their curious gazes towards them.

Their eyes were a mix of doubt, surprise, and inquiry, as they had already heard the news that the Division Commander and Deputy Division Commander had been replaced.

"Oh my, it really is a Lieutenant colonel!"

Among the crowd, a young Military Officer couldn't help but exclaim softly, his voice full of disbelief.

"I heard them say earlier that our new Division Commander was only a Lieutenant colonel, and I thought it was a joke. I didn't expect it to be true."

His eyes were wide, and his mouth slightly agape, as if he was still immersed in this astonishing fact.

Another Military Officer frowned, muttering with a puzzled expression.

"What were the higher-ups thinking, to let a Lieutenant colonel serve as Division Commander? Even if our Homeland Security Force's work is relatively simple and not too dangerous, it shouldn't be so hasty."

His tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction and questioning, seemingly quite resistant to this arrangement.

However, some Military Officers, with more active minds, their eyes glinting shrewdly, quietly advised.

"This person clearly has a powerful background. Instead of discussing useless things here, it's better to think about how to curry favor with this new Division Commander. Perhaps by clinging to this big tree, our future will be easier."

His voice, though not loud, was clearly audible in the quiet atmosphere.

For a time, the Military Officers whispered amongst themselves, their murmuring echoing through the auditorium.

Some Military Officers exchanged doubtful glances, some thoughtfully stroked their chins, while others' eyes flickered, seemingly plotting something.

Facing the discussions and strange looks from the crowd, Li Yang remained exceptionally calm.

His expression was composed and self-assured, his gaze firm and steady, completely unaffected by the discussions.

He knew very well that if he were in the position of these Military Officers, facing a situation where a Lieutenant colonel was appointed Division Commander, he would also inevitably feel surprised and unexpected.

He understood that to win the recognition and respect of these Military Officers, he couldn't rely solely on his military rank and identity; he needed to prove his ability and worth through concrete actions.

Thus, he walked with confident strides, calmly heading towards the podium.

Under the focused gazes of everyone, He Dong accompanied Li Yang as they slowly ascended the high platform of the auditorium.

Their steps were steady and powerful, each one seeming to land on the hearts of the crowd, gradually quieting the previously noisy discussions.

The seats on the stage were solemn and grand. He Dong and Li Yang calmly took their places, directly facing the neatly seated Military Officers below.

He Dong stood up, his posture tall and straight, with a confident and approachable smile on his face, and began to speak.

"Hello, comrades, my name is He Dong. I once served as the Deputy Division Commander of the 75th Division. Now, the Empire trusts me and has sent me to the 19th Division to serve as Division Commander. I know that since we are all in the Homeland Security Force, everyone has some understanding of the situation in each other's divisions, and I'm sure my relevant information is accessible to all of you, so I won't go into further detail."

His voice was loud and clear, echoing through the auditorium.

Then, He Dong turned and gestured towards Li Yang beside him, continuing.

"Now, I want to solemnly introduce to everyone our new Division Commander of the 19th Division, Comrade Li Yang. I'm sure you all saw just now that our new Division Commander's current military rank is only Lieutenant colonel. To some, a Lieutenant colonel serving as Division Commander might seem a bit low in rank. But I want to say that military rank is not the only criterion for measuring whether a person can competently fill the important position of Division Commander; ability is the most important."

No sooner had He Dong finished speaking than some Military Officers below showed expressions of disdain.

One young Military Officer slightly curled his lip and quietly grumbled.

"He says ability is the most important thing. If that's the case, I can also proudly say I can be a Division Commander..."

Although his voice was low, in the quiet atmosphere, it was still heard by those around him, prompting some to nod in agreement.

He Dong naturally keenly sensed the emotions and reactions of these Military Officers below.

He knew that merely relying on words to persuade everyone was far from enough; he had to present something substantial.

So, he skillfully operated the control equipment on the stage, and a huge light screen slowly unfolded before everyone's eyes.

On the light screen, Li Yang's life information and a series of astonishing deeds were clearly recorded.

"This is the detailed information of our Comrade Division Commander. Every achievement and every deed recorded above is the best proof of his ability. Everyone, please take a good look for yourselves."

He Dong's tone was firm and confident, his gaze sweeping over the Military Officers below, as if silently telling them that this Lieutenant colonel Division Commander was no ordinary person.

The Military Officers below all turned their gazes to the huge light screen, their eyes, which had initially held some disdain and doubt, gradually replaced by shock as the content of the information was presented.

Their eyes widened, and their breathing quickened, as if they were seeing a legend beyond imagination on the light screen.

"He's only been in the army for less than ten years... and he's risen from Lieutenant to Lieutenant colonel?"

An elderly Military Officer's eyes widened, his mouth slightly agape, as he murmured in disbelief.

He had been toiling in the army for hundreds of years, and he deeply knew the difficulty of being promoted from a subaltern to a field officer. Each level required countless efforts and sweat, along with certain opportunities.

And this new Division Commander had achieved such a leap in less than ten years; this speed was simply like interstellar superluminal travel, leaving him utterly shocked.

"Damn it, he's also a Galaxy's Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission and supervision director, and he was transferred here because of disciplinary action for lax supervision?"

A hot-tempered Military Officer couldn't help but curse.

"Even the Discipline Inspection Commission and supervision committees, and the crackdown campaign, came from his hands..."

Another Military Officer said softly, his tone filled with admiration.

He realized that this new Division Commander not only had an excellent promotion speed but also possessed powerful abilities and immense potential.

He was capable of making the Empire establish the Discipline Inspection Commission and supervision departments, and launch a crackdown campaign, all because of him.