Special Forces: At the beginning, An Ran pulled him to get his certificate.

Chen Jun had no recollection of the detailed divisions within the general ranks. In his previous understanding, the highest military rank currently held in China was undoubtedly that of a general.

Throughout his military career, the dignified and imposing image of the general had always represented the pinnacle of military honor and power, and he had never heard of any deeper hierarchical divisions.

Commander Long keenly noticed the doubt in Chen Jun's eyes, and explained in a calm yet solemn manner: "Chen Jun, in our army, there are actually three clear levels of generals: Level 1, Level 2, and a special level. You might think of it this way: Level 1 generals mostly shoulder the heavy responsibility of being the commander of a military region. They lead the military forces of their region and are the mainstay in protecting the country's various strategic areas."

Commander Long paused slightly, his gaze deep, as if recalling past military experiences, before continuing, "Second-level generals, like Elder Ye and Elder Dai, are such figures. These predecessors not only possessed outstanding talent in military command, but also made indelible contributions to many aspects, including national military strategic planning, military theory research, and army building. With their profound military expertise and rich experience, they laid a solid foundation for the nation's military cause and are undoubtedly the backbone of the army."

At this point, Commander Long's expression became exceptionally solemn, and his tone became increasingly steady and powerful: "And the special setting level is the command level I am in. This not only represents extremely high military command authority, but also means that we must shoulder the responsibility of controlling the entire country's military strategic direction and ensuring the country's security and stability. The responsibility is heavier than Mount Tai."

As he spoke, Commander Long's expression turned exceptionally serious, his gaze fixed intently on Chen Jun, his eyes filled with solemnity and expectation: "Comrade Chen Jun, after a long and comprehensive evaluation of you by the nation, we highly recognize your abilities and loyalty. In your past missions, you have demonstrated extraordinary wisdom, courage, and responsibility, making outstanding contributions to the country and the people. After careful study and repeated discussions by the General Headquarters, the final decision has been made..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jun's body instinctively straightened, and he stood up. His posture was ramrod straight, like a pine tree standing proudly in a storm, radiating the unique fortitude and authority of a soldier. His gaze was focused and resolute, fixed on Commander Long, awaiting that crucial decision.

"Comrade Chen Jun, through a special approval process, you are now officially promoted to the rank of Second-Class General." Commander Long's voice was steady and resonant, each word carrying immense weight, echoing in the quiet room. For Chen Jun, this voice was more than just a promotion notification; it was a high affirmation of his years of hard work and dedication from the nation, a weighty trust and responsibility.

Second tier… Chen Jun pondered silently. According to the commander's detailed explanation, this meant he had already entered the top ten of the core ranks of the national military force. Although Chen Jun had never had a particularly strong utilitarian desire for promotion, he joined the military primarily out of boundless loyalty to the country and its people, and a steadfast pursuit of his military mission.

But as a soldier, being able to climb the ranks step by step towards higher peaks of glory still fills him with an indescribable surge of pride and joy. It's a sense of satisfaction that his years of hard work have been recognized, and a firm determination to shoulder even greater responsibilities in the future.

"From now on, you'll be among the top ten in the country. This is the pinnacle of glory that every soldier dreams of. How do you feel right now?" Commander Long asked with a smile, his eyes full of expectation and encouragement.

"Yes, sir! I sincerely thank you for your careful guidance and am extremely grateful for the country's unwavering trust in me..."

"However... I'm only in my early twenties. Is it inappropriate for me to reach the same level as the senior military officers all at once? Will others have any opinions?" Chen Jun frowned slightly, still somewhat worried. He wasn't worried that he couldn't handle the position, but rather that his young age and high position would cause unnecessary gossip and misunderstandings.

Commander Long shook his head slightly, a confident and reassuring smile on his face: "You kid, you're so capable, yet you still lack a clear understanding of yourself. If those people want to be jealous of you, they'd better weigh their own abilities first and see if they can do what you've done. The outstanding abilities, decisive decisions, and fearless courage you've displayed in carrying out missions are unmatched by anyone. Don't even mention that you've been promoted to the second level now; even if you reached my level as a commander, no one would dare to say a word..."

"As the saying goes, 'The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind,' but you are already a towering tree, and others can only look up to you. Comrade Chen Jun, although we haven't met many times, I know you very well. Your bravery on the battlefield, your strategic foresight, and your absolute loyalty to the country and the people all make me firmly believe that you are fully capable of this position. Now that you're in this position, there's no need to care too much about what others think. In fact, in terms of your contributions, in the long river of history, you are like the war god Huo Qubing. Huo Qubing was also in his early twenties, and the position he achieved was much higher than yours is now..."

"When Huo Qubing was young, he led the Han army deep into enemy territory many times, defeating the Xiongnu and expanding the territory of the Han Dynasty, thus protecting the peace of the country. His achievements are recorded in history and he became a role model for soldiers of later generations. The potential and achievements you have shown today are no less than those of Huo Qubing back then. You have also made great contributions to the security and dignity of the country and are an outstanding representative of contemporary soldiers."

"Today, Yan is like a rising star, at a crucial stage of vigorous development. We urgently need more young people like you who are young and full of drive. This world ultimately belongs to you young people, and we older generations are willing to give way to you to help the country develop better."

"Chen Jun, you are an outstanding role model for young people today. Therefore, you should not limit your perspective to that of an ordinary soldier in the future. Whatever honor or position the country bestows upon you, accept it with equanimity."

These heartfelt and sincere words brought tears to Chen Jun's eyes. He never imagined that the commander-in-chief valued and trusted him so much, and that the commander-in-chief understood him so thoroughly.

Chen Jun is a person who values ​​relationships and loyalty, and he often feels anxious and insecure.

His actions—leaving his position as chief designer, withdrawing from the hacker base, and leaving the military academy—demonstrate that he didn't want to rest on his laurels and enjoy the fruits of his labor; he was always striving to pursue his original aspirations. He longed to realize his life's value and fulfill his oath as a soldier through continuous challenges and dedication.

His frank expression of his ideals to Commander Long resonated strongly with the commander. Otherwise, he wouldn't have suddenly received a promotion. Upon reflection, this meeting with the commander was truly a unique and significant "interview," and he successfully passed the test!

"Thank you, Commander! I will resolutely accept any arrangements made by the nation and will always be fully prepared!" Chen Jun's tone was firm, his eyes revealing unwavering determination. He knew that this was not only a promise to the Commander-in-Chief, but also a solemn oath to the nation and its people. He would meet every future challenge with even greater enthusiasm and unwavering faith, dedicating his life to the nation's military cause.

“That’s right! After a young person becomes famous, they should be full of vigor and forge ahead. Don’t forget, you are at the age of youthful vigor, just like the ancients said, ‘Holding a falcon on the left and leading a yellow dog on the right’…” Long Shuai said with a smile, his eyes full of earnest expectations for Chen Jun.

As he spoke, in front of Chen Jun, Long Shuai took out an exquisite red square box from the drawer. The box was made of a warm and delicate material, radiating a soft luster under the light, as if bearing countless honors and missions. Long Shuai gently opened the box, and inside lay a two-lined medal with the rank of General. The medal was exquisitely crafted, every detail showcasing its unique nobility and majesty.

Without careful observation, it would be difficult to discern the subtle differences between this medal and other ordinary general ranks.

This is the symbol of a second-class general! It is not merely a symbol of honor, but also a weighty responsibility and mission. It represents the nation's high trust in the recipient, and also means that the recipient must shoulder greater responsibilities than ever before, contributing more wisdom and strength to the nation's security and development.

Afterwards, Marshal Long personally replaced Chen Jun's rank medal. His movements were solemn and slow, every subtle gesture filled with expectations and blessings for Chen Jun. Marshal Long carefully removed Chen Jun's original rank medal, gently wiped it, and then pinned the medal, symbolizing the second-class general, on Chen Jun's shoulder. At that moment, time seemed to stand still, and the entire room was filled with a solemn and sacred atmosphere.