Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 88: Chapter 48: The Second Medal

Bernadotte smiled and said to Tian Xingjian, ”Lieutenant, General Russell greatly admires your military talent. The President and General Mihailovich also want to meet our Federation Hero, so please come over and have a chat with everyone. Additionally...”

Bernadotte exchanged a glance with Admiral Mihailovich and smiled, ”In view of your contributions to the Federation, we would like to hear your opinion before making a decision on your award. Do you have any requests?”

Tian Xingjian felt a bit dazed for a moment, and Ann Lei’s words resurfaced in his mind.

”Tell me, why did you become a soldier?”

He used to think he knew why he joined the military, but now? Awards, promotions? Are these what he really wanted?

If he truly moved up in rank, reaching the level of Major or above, according to Federation regulations, unless there were physical or age-related issues, he would not be allowed to retire during the war!

He recalled the bustling streets of Gallipalan and really wanted to blurt out the word ”retirement,” but for some reason, he suddenly thought of Mr. Ann, a man who had been like a disappointed father to him.

Seeing the inquiring look from the Admiral, Tian Xingjian slightly shook his head and said, ”There is a question I haven’t figured out yet, one that has troubled me for a long time. I don’t want any awards or promotions. If you must give me something, I hope it’s just a random medal and some vacation time. I want to go back to the capital to see someone.”

Everyone was stunned. Even though this strange request from the lieutenant was not the first time, is there really anyone in this world who does not love power, fame, money, or status?

Especially someone who is such a talented military genius with more accomplishments than anyone else in the Federation! He is definitely a military genius, the future star of the Federation!

Was it a coincidence the first time he saw through Russell’s plan, but what about the second time?

Operating behind enemy lines, whether leading over two hundred Federation soldiers on a perilous journey to safety, or successfully rescuing Russell from the Mythical Army, how many Federation soldiers could accomplish that?

What is this military genius thinking? Why does it always feel like his heart is filled with contradictions? He has already received a Purple Freedom Medal; what other medal in the Federation is more honorable than that?

Can vacation be considered an award? Don’t make people laugh. Not to mention a period of time, even giving him a year or two off wouldn’t be a problem!

Bernadotte, the President, and Mihailovich exchanged glances and hesitated.

The Federation desperately needs heroes. Since the war began, the President’s office and the Supreme Command Department have set a strategy to create Federation heroes, and the person in front of them is undoubtedly the best candidate for a hero!

However, he just doesn’t want to cooperate! He seems very averse to being a hero, a hero in the spotlight. How can someone like this cooperate well with the propaganda? Forcing him into it would only lead to accusations of him being a fake!

The President smiled bitterly. Such a guy, whether you call him a military genius or a hero, yet hearing Bernadotte’s story about him begging for his life in fear is also quite laughable. If it weren’t for that, Bernadotte wouldn’t have relegated him to the front lines, and he wouldn’t have achieved such incredible feats.

The Propaganda Department has invested a significant amount of effort in promoting young talents with achievements, but these people are still far from Federation heroes, and some have even become fleeting figures, or tragically died on the battlefield!

In any case, they can’t give up. Whatever his issue is, they need to solve it! The mysterious platoon leader, the mysterious military genius, has already piqued the public’s interest. All they need to do is release his name, and it will cause a sensation!

The President and the two admirals stood by the window and had a hushed discussion for a long time before finally making a decision. Tian Xingjian will be a key cultivation target for the Military Department! This future star of the Federation will be given a special status. As a two-time recipient of the Purple Freedom Medal, he will be able to attend combat meetings of any level and access classified documents of any level! Once he actively reviews a top-secret file, whether or not he stays in the military is no longer his choice. This almost seems like a joke, but it was a move learned from Boswell.

Tian Xingjian had no idea he was being schemed against by these politicians. He accepted another Purple Freedom Medal. As for being able to access classified documents and attend high-level military meetings, Fatty had no interest at all, feeling it might be more practical if the two medals allowed him to receive two national subsidies after retirement.

Additionally, he got a month of leave.

As Tian Xingjian saluted and prepared to leave, Russell, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke: ”Wait!”

Russell looked at Tian Xingjian and said, ”I know what you are puzzled about! I can give you the answer, but I have one demand: you must become my student! I will teach you everything I know about military strategy without reservation! You have the potential to become the Federation’s greatest military strategist! Even surpassing me!”

The generals were ecstatic. Who was Russell? A great general! He was the only military strategist in the Federation credible enough to make a mark internationally! They had given him the Honorary Chief Professor title of the three major Military Academies to leverage this relationship so he could instruct the Federation’s military students!

Now, he had proactively offered! This was beyond unexpected joy.

Tian Xingjian looked at Russell, feeling more and more displeased. The feeling of natural camaraderie he had felt when first seeing Russell’s photo was long forgotten.

Fatty smiled and said, ”Are you excellent? I’m not interested in your stuff. What I want to learn, you can’t teach me! As for my question, I have to find my own answer!”

Fatty turned and opened the door to leave, leaving Russell speechless and a room full of annoyed generals.

Back in the dormitory, after washing his face with water, Tian Xingjian despondently looked at himself in the mirror. The person in the reflection seemed like a stranger, coldly smirking back at him.

Coming out from the group of generals, he once again received something he didn’t want.

At this moment, Tian Xingjian was lost. He had joined the military, fought in battles, and even received two Purple Freedom Medals. Does this mean he had found enough courage?

When Ann Lei asked why he joined the military, he was just as confused. Why? To find what he had lost. What did he lose, Ann Lei, courage?

Courage, had he found it?

The person in the mirror was coldly staring back at him. Can two medals justify facing Mr. Ann in the afterlife?

What is courage?

Tian Xingjian painfully buried his head in the sink.

He planned to return to the capital, to visit Mr. Ann’s grave, maybe there he could find the answer.