Jiang Si recognized the voices. They were Division Commander Yao and Political Commissar Li.
It had only been a few months since she last saw them, but the two leaders had gotten so tanned that they looked like Lord Bao from the opera.
When she looked up, Jiang Si almost failed to recognize them.
Seeing the curiosity on his wife's face, Huo Tingzhou explained to her while making tea in the kitchen.
"The division commander and the political commissar have been overseeing the reconstruction of the farm for the past few months. They go to the farm whenever they have time."
The construction of the farm started at the end of July, which was the hottest time of the year on Qiongzhou Island.
In those days, there was no such thing as sun protection.
After being exposed to the sun and sea breeze for less than two months, they had turned as dark as soy sauce.
Hearing that the division commander and the political commissar had gone to the site to supervise the work in person, Jiang Si couldn't help but feel admiration.
It was only in that era that leaders didn't act like leaders and didn't put on any airs.
If it were in later times, they would probably have been surrounded by a large entourage and the flashlights would have been clicking non - stop.
When the tea was ready, they went to the living room.
However, the division commander and the political commissar didn't seem to be in the mood for tea at the moment.
They were holding the children and playing with them.
Just then, the two children had woken up.
Before coming here, the division commander and the political commissar had heard from their subordinates that these two little ones were recognized as the cutest in the family compound.
Now that they saw them in person, they found it was indeed true.
The two children were fair and tender, just like the dolls in the New Year paintings.
According to Mother Huo's introduction, the one on the left was the elder brother and the one on the right was the younger sister.
The elder brother seemed sturdier, and his little legs kicked with great strength.
The younger sister was much more delicate, with big, bright eyes like black grapes soaked in water.
Babies of two or three months old are more sensitive to dark colors.
After waking up, seeing two dark and unfamiliar faces in the house, the two little ones instantly perked up.
They neither cried nor fussed, but stared with their round eyes, looking from one to the other.
Their innocent looks melted the hearts of the division commander and the political commissar.
It was only when Jiang Si sat down that she noticed the red envelopes in the children's hands.
The couple exchanged a look.
Just as Huo Tingzhou was about to say something, he was interrupted by Division Commander Yao and Political Commissar Li in unison.
"This is a gift for the children. It's not much money, just a little token of our affection. Don't decline it, young man."
Huo Tingzhou: "..."
He didn't intend to decline. He just wanted to say thank you on behalf of the two children.
"Thank you, sir."
After saying that, Huo Tingzhou put the red envelopes in Jiang Si's hand. "Wife, put these away properly."
Since he had already accepted them, Jiang Si didn't stand on ceremony and thanked them along with him.
They chatted for a while.
Seeing that as the conversation went on, the division commander and the political commissar started talking about how the two children would make good soldiers in the future, Huo Tingzhou cleared his throat. "Sir, didn't you say you had something to talk to my wife about?"
"Yes, yes, yes."
It was Political Commissar Li who reacted quickly. After answering, he immediately got back to the main topic.
"Miss Jiang, we've come today, firstly, to congratulate you."
"Secondly, on behalf of the army, the farm, and the newly - built Hope Primary School, we'd like to express our sincere gratitude to you."
After saying that, Political Commissar Li took out a certificate of honor wrapped in red silk and a folded flag from his briefcase, and then solemnly handed them to Jiang Si.
Jiang Si was stunned for a moment.
At this time, Division Commander Yao cleared his throat and looked at her with a proud expression.
"Miss Jiang, after deliberation by the military region party committee, you are now awarded the title of 'Model of Loving the Country and Supporting the Army' and given a first - class merit in the military region."
As soon as the words "first - class merit" came out, Jiang Si was completely dumbfounded.
"First - class merit?"
"Yes."
Jiang Si knew what a first - class merit was.
Precisely because she knew, she felt puzzled.
All she had done was invest 200,000 yuan in the farm and donate 80,000 yuan.
Based on this, they gave her a first - class merit?
Wasn't this too hasty?
Moreover, she remembered that it seemed only active - duty military personnel were eligible to receive this medal.
That's what she thought, and that's what she asked.
Otherwise, it would feel strange to accept this medal without knowing the details.
"Wife, this is a first - class merit in the military region, which is different in nature from the first - class merit awarded to active - duty military personnel," Huo Tingzhou explained.
Simply put, the first - class merit for military personnel is the highest commendation for military achievements by the country, symbolizing the highest honor.
The first - class merit in the military region is a spiritual recognition in the field of military - civilian co - construction.
It usually involves specific aspects such as scientific research, combat, and disaster relief.
"So that's how it is," Jiang Si understood now. She thought what she had done seemed far from enough.
"You can't say that," Division Commander Yao said seriously.
"Although the two medals are different, they carry the same weight."
After a pause, he added, "The first - class merit for military personnel protects the country's territory, and your first - class merit warms the hearts of the military and the civilians."
"All honors are equal!"
Jiang Si nodded.
However, the surprises from Division Commander Yao and Political Commissar Li were far from over.
"Xiao Jiang, we've finished organizing all your materials. We've officially submitted an application to the General Political Department of the People's Liberation Army to nominate you as a national 'Model for Loving the Army and Supporting the Country'!"
The National Conference for Individuals Loving the Army is held once every four years, mostly around the Spring Festival Eve.
If she really gets this honor, it'll not only be a glory for their Fourth Division but also make the entire military region proud of Comrade Jiang.
Division Commander Yao couldn't hide his excitement in his tone. "Xiao Jiang, you should be mentally prepared."
These words were rather puzzling, and Jiang Si didn't understand them right away.
"What kind of mental preparation?"
Finally, Huo Tingzhou helped her solve the mystery. Currently, there are only eleven military regions in the whole country.
Each military region selects one candidate.
It's a competition among eleven candidates, so the probability of his wife winning the award is quite high.
If this honor really falls on his wife.
Then the person presenting the medal to her will most likely be... a top leader.
Mother Huo obviously also realized this, but it wasn't the time to get overly excited yet.
In the end, she could only hold the faces of her two lovely grandchildren and kiss them again and again.
In contrast, Jiang Si's reaction was quite calm.
To be precise, she still couldn't figure it out.
She had just donated a little money. How did all these honors come pouring in?
Perhaps the surprise on her face was too obvious. Division Commander Yao said, "Donating money and investing in the farm are just one of the reasons. You'll know the second reason when you look at this."
With that, he took out a document from his bag.
The document was dozens of pages thick. Jiang Si flipped through it briefly. The content of the document was about the reconstruction of the farm.
Apart from the design drawings, there was also a feasibility report on using shear walls in high - rise buildings.
To Jiang Si's surprise, her name was actually among the signatories of this report.
"This..."
"This is Dean Gao's idea," Division Commander Yao said with a smile. "Not only this report, but your name is also among the signatories of the entire farm's design drawings."
To be honest, Division Commander Yao was also very surprised when he first heard this news.
He even made a special phone call to Dean Gao about it.
"Dean Gao said that the suggestions you gave were very pertinent, and these honors are what you deserve. He told you not to have any psychological burdens."
"By the way, I haven't finished talking about what happened just now."
Jiang Si: "There's more?"
Division Commander Yao nodded. "This morning, we just received an official letter from the General Logistics Department."
"Xiao Jiang, your deeds have been included in the national advanced case library for military - civilian co - construction!"
"The Military News and the National Daily also called. They want to make an appointment with you for a publicity interview."
Speaking of which, they really owed this to Political Commissar Li.
If he hadn't reminded him, he wouldn't have thought of submitting the materials to multiple places at once.
Anyway, the result was good in the end.
