649: Appointment letter from the three parties

The warm afterglow of the commendation ceremony had not yet faded, and the soldiers' sonorous cheers and salutes still echoed inside and outside the auditorium.

Li Yang personally oversaw the situation, methodically handling various wrap-up matters after the troops returned to their units.

Battle damage reports, personnel rest arrangements, inventory verification and write-offs, and subsequent defense deployments—every single matter was finalized one by one. It wasn't until the twilight spread over the alloy dome of the Longlan Star Cluster station that he finally shed the tension of his military uniform and slowly returned to his own office as the Division Commander.

This office, located in the core area of the Nineteenth Division's Division Headquarters, was spacious and solemn. The walls were embedded with a pale blue Star Domain holographic sand table, and military files were neatly stacked on the desk. Only a warm indicator light in the corner slightly softened the cold hardness of interstellar military life.

Just as Li Yang sat down, before his fingertips could even touch the desk, a message with the Military Department's encrypted identification popped up on the light screen on the desk without warning.

"The Military Department's special mission for this cross-Galaxy operation has successfully achieved its intended strategic goals. Commendations are now officially issued: ten thousand points of military merit, and the military rank of the participating commanding officer is promoted by three levels, while the deputy's is promoted by two levels."

The light screen shimmered, and an invisible authorization beam swept across Li Yang's shoulder. The third-rank Major General star emblem and patterns originally worn on his epaulettes instantly glowed. The metal patterns reorganized, and the star levels increased, settling firmly into the standard identification of a sixth-rank Major General in a flash.

Li Yang raised his hand and gently brushed over the brand-new rank on his shoulder. His fingertips touched the cool alloy patterns, but a trace of imperceptible disappointment flickered in his heart.

"Only three levels..."

He whispered to himself, his tone carrying a hint of melancholy that he hadn't even noticed.

"I suppose so. Now that I am in the General Officer sequence, I naturally cannot be like during the Field Officer or Company Officer periods, where a single major achievement could leap several levels. The evaluation standards and promotion thresholds are no longer comparable."

To be fair, this mission was the highest-risk, most volatile, and most complex environment he had handled since joining the military. If not for that key subconscious influence strategy breaking the deadlock, it remained unknown whether the mission could have reached Perfection.

After all, if it had come down to a real fight, to be honest, his people might not have necessarily been able to win.

But compared to the magnitude of rewards from previous missions, this three-level promotion seemed a bit small in his eyes.

However, he never imagined that if any other General Officer of the same rank heard this slightly regretful self-muttering, they would be shocked senseless on the spot, calling him a total humblebragger.

The rank of General Officer was the peak of the military pyramid. The barrier of each level was as deep as a chasm. An ordinary Major General might spend half their life's effort just to steadily rise one level within a few years, which would be a stroke of immense luck, enough to make them ecstatic and lose sleep. Let alone rising three levels in a single mission.

At the previous top-tier auction, a General-level training qualification that only guaranteed a Major General a two-level promotion was bought by Martin for the astronomical price of 350 million star coins, and that was even without the auction item being leaked in advance.

If the news of the major auction items had been made public before the auction started, it would have likely triggered a bidding war among various Galaxy powers, and the price would probably have been much higher. This was enough to see how difficult and expensive General-level promotion was.

Li Yang took a deep breath, gently shook his head, and pushed that bit of untimely disappointment back into his heart.

As a Division Commander, he knew the importance of contentment and propriety. The Military Department's commendation was already an exceptional treatment; there was no need for further excessive demands.

He focused his mind, and his fingertips landed on the terminal again, preparing to dive into the subsequent military deployments. But just then, another message suddenly popped up.

This time, the top of the message did not bear the Military Department's logo, but rather represented the Supreme Political Council, the core of power for the entire Empire.

Li Yang's pupils suddenly constricted, his breathing instantly became rapid, and his fingertips even trembled slightly.

Messages from the Supreme Political Council were never sent lightly. Each one signified earth-shattering events or heavyweight appointments capable of changing one's destiny.

Recalling the contents of the messages he received from the Supreme Political Council after each previous mission, several thoughts flashed through his mind instantly. His heart beat uncontrollably, and he almost impatiently raised his hand to click on this message from the pinnacle of power.

"Position Adjustment Appointment Letter"

"Number: [0208]"

"Upon joint review, collective study, and official approval by the Imperial Supreme Political Council, the Imperial Military Department, the Imperial Guard Army Headquarters, and the Guard Army, and in accordance with the 'Xili Empire Official Management Law,' the 'Xili Empire Inspection and Supervision Regulations,' and the statutory procedures for Imperial administrative decision-making, this order is hereby officially issued regarding the appointment and removal of Comrade Li Yang and the adjustment of related troop sequences."

"Comrade Li Yang (ID Number: XXX) is appointed as the leader of the The 33rd Inspection Team of the Second National Comprehensive Inspection Task Force of the Xili Empire Discipline Inspection Commission for Officials and Cadres, with an administrative level established at C5."

"To ensure that the inspection work is carried out in accordance with laws and regulations, safely and efficiently, it has been jointly approved by the Imperial Military Department, the Imperial Guard Division Headquarters, and the Guard Army."

"The original Nineteenth Division of the Imperial Homeland Security Force is temporarily transferred as a whole into the Imperial Guard Army sequence. The designation is adjusted to the Security Division of the The 33rd Inspection Team of the Imperial Guard Army, assuming the responsibilities of full-process security, emergency response, field support, and specialized defense for this inspection mission."

"Comrade Li Yang is appointed to concurrently serve as the Division Commander of the Security Division of the The 33rd Inspection Team of the Imperial Guard Army, with full responsibility for the unit's combat command, administrative management, and mission coordination."

"It is hoped that Comrade Li Yang will keep the Empire's mission in mind, strictly abide by military and political discipline, uphold the principles of fairness, integrity, and seeking truth from facts, and give full play to his professional capabilities in military command, overall coordination, and risk control. With a high degree of political awareness and responsibility, he shall fully promote the implementation and effectiveness of the Empire's major strategic deployments for anti-corruption, integrity, and the rectification of conduct and discipline, maintaining the smooth flow of Imperial government orders, clean governance, stable political power, and overall security and stability."

"This appointment order shall take effect immediately upon its issuance by the Xili Empire Supreme Political Council and shall have statutory binding force."

"Relevant units must unconditionally execute the organizational adjustments, personnel transfers, granting of authority, and logistical support matters."

"The Imperial Supreme Political Council, the Imperial Military Department, the Imperial Guard Division Headquarters, and the Guard Army are confident that Comrade Li Yang will perform his duties faithfully, shoulder heavy responsibilities, achieve new successes in his new position, and make due contributions to the long-term peace, stability, prosperity, and strength of the Xili Empire."

"Issuing Authority: Xili Empire Supreme Political Council"

"Co-signing Authorities: Imperial Military Department, Imperial Guard Division Headquarters"

"Date of Issue: XXX"

"[Seal of the Xili Empire Supreme Political Council], [Seal of the Imperial Military Department], [Seal of the Imperial Guard Division Headquarters]"