National Forensic Doctor
Chapter 352 - 352 319 Medal

352: Chapter 319: Medal 352: Chapter 319: Medal The auditorium of the Changyang City Bureau bustled with activity as officers, clad in their formal police uniforms, came and went.

The most prominent feature of the police dress uniform was a long, shiny ribbon on the chest, eye-catchingly gleaming in the soft light.

Yet, the stars of the day were still the officers adorned with medals on their chests.

Jiang Yuan’s chest sported three medals, among which were two second-class merit medals and one third-class merit medal.

He had been commended for meritorious service four times in total, with one additional commendation lacking a medal, thus unwearable.

That’s why simple commendations weren’t held in high regard by the officers; if you couldn’t display it, then the joy was limited to the day of issuance.

With a medal, you could wear it proudly at every ceremony.

No matter what significant event occurred in life, those decorations were always more precious than any other attire.

Compared with other officers attending the event, the number of medals on Jiang Yuan’s chest was not as substantial.

The Criminal Police Detachment of the provincial capital was full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, many of whom had once experienced periods of unmatchable bravery and overflowing combative spirit.

It was only with increasing age, physical decline, accumulating injuries, familial responsibilities, and outdated understandings that they gradually lost their vigor.

But the medals remembered these deeds.

Take, for instance, Chu Tingjiang, the chief of the Narcotics Detachment, standing before Jiang Yuan.

He wore his sleek armor, which was likely adorned with twenty or thirty medals; on closer inspection, you’d find that among them were three first-class merit medals.

To Jiang Yuan’s knowledge, the volume of drugs seized by this Chu Detachment Chief was always measured in kilograms.

He had also repeatedly destroyed local illegal markets, gradually stepping back from front-line duties ten years ago.

The drug problem in Shannan Province had never been severe, partially thanks to Chief Chu’s efforts.

“Jiang Yuan,” the squad leader Ma Jiyang caught up from behind, patted Jiang Yuan on the shoulder, and upon examining his chest, clicked his tongue and said, “Not bad at all.

You’ve only been on the job for a year, right?

And you’ve got two second-class merits already.”

Giving Ma Jiyang a glance, Jiang Yuan was unsurprised to see, as expected, three second-class merit medals, complemented by three third-class medals, harmoniously unified, flawlessly perfect.

“Would you care to share the stories behind these three second-class merits?” Jiang Yuan knew all too well how to engage in conversation with individuals rich in spirit.

Like the old men in Jiang Village, some might only have an elementary education, but after being compensated with more than a dozen apartment units for relocation, they would discuss national policies, ideals, and aspirations.

Ma Jiyang’s expression grew grave as he gazed at his own second-class merit medals, silent for a long while.

Jiang Yuan realized something was wrong.

Had he inadvertently mentioned some brutal tales?

As he was considering how to remedy the situation, Ma Jiyang began to speak slowly:

“I received this second-class merit while I was in a relationship.

Shortly after the commendation, I married wearing it.”

“This second-class merit was the cause of my divorce.

I argued with my wife over it every day until her complaints finally took their toll.”

“This second-class merit ultimately led us to part ways.

That year, as I was out arresting people, she was at home betraying me.

Together, we put forth great effort and destroyed a perfectly good home.”

Having shared his story, Ma Jiyang looked at the two second-class merits on Jiang Yuan’s chest and said, “You’re quite lucky, earning two second-class merits before marriage—that’s very smart.”

Jiang Yuan glanced at Squad Leader Ma Jiyang and said, “Thank you for that.”

Ma Jiyang smiled, “No need for formalities.

You’ll understand if you talk more with your seniors.

Almost every officer with medals has had a rough middle age.”

“What if I don’t reach middle age?”

“I wasn’t middle-aged when I got my first medal,” Ma Jiyang said with a contented smile.

“I was so full of vigor then, and my wife married me for love…” His smile then faded as he continued, “You’ll only know once you reach middle age unavoidably—dealing with a wife, children, the elderly, work and stress, as well as the eager eyes of the younger generation and the cold indifference of competitors… When reality closes in, the realm of the spirit bursts at the slightest touch.”

Listening to Ma Jiyang’s description, Jiang Yuan suddenly felt at ease.

Talking about the struggles of reality, he had experienced them since childhood.

It was only after growing up that these pressures seemed to lessen.

“Jiang Yuan,” Yu Wenshu called out from the direction of the stage, summoning Jiang Yuan.

He was heading toward several leaders from the Changyang City Bureau.

Thus, Jiang Yuan straightened up, his chest adorned with medals, and faced the inquiries of the officials with a smile.

His time at the Changyang City Criminal Police Detachment had been quite enjoyable, and now he was here to receive an award, so his spirits were well in hand.

Soon, the master of ceremonies took the stage and rehearsals officially began.

The itinerary was conveyed, including when to go on stage, and instructions on… when to clap and cheer.

By then, Jiang Yuan had almost confirmed that he would be receiving a first-class merit.

As the last to ascend the stage and occupying the center position, it would not fit the protocol for him to stand there given his rank, even if he were to receive another second-class merit.

Of course, Jiang Yuan’s recent string of breakthroughs in solving cold cases and active murder investigations, particularly his crucial role in the search for Liu Jinghui, indeed merited a first-class medal.

Compared to a first-class merit in the military, the difficulty of obtaining a first-class merit in the police system is somewhat lower.

Perhaps it’s because of the adage “maintain an army for a thousand days to use it for one,” without the premise of war, police officers, especially criminal detectives, naturally have more opportunities to be commended for their achievements.

Despite this, a first-class merit is still very rare.

The recognition of a second-class merit is for significant contributions, while the recognition of a first-class merit is for significant contributions with a major impact.

Even at the Changyang City year-end commendation ceremony, there were no more than five police officers in the same row as Jiang Yuan.

The next day.

Officers from various units of the Changyang City Bureau gradually arrived at the auditorium.

Those who didn’t participate in the rehearsal and came for the meeting were there mainly for the ceremonial value.

This included several leaders as well.

Sometimes, leaders are also part of the background.

Often, even if the meeting’s agenda is irrelevant and offers them no benefit, to show their importance, they too must gingerly shift their precious behinds and sit stiffly in their chairs for hours on end.

When Jiang Yuan went on stage, the flashes from the cameras below and above the stage joined in a continuous stream.

For the reporters, covering the stories of young people is always more attractive.

In many pre-designed stories by the journalists, Jiang Yuan’s part was considered an interesting aspect to flesh out the articles.

The host intentionally used Jiang Yuan to liven up the atmosphere, his voice loud and clear, and swapping to a more casual style of speaking, he said, “Third-grade police inspector Jiang Yuan, whose original post was as a forensic doctor.

In just his first year after joining the force though, he solved over 20 murder cases through fingerprinting, crime scene investigation, bloodstain analysis, footprint analysis, and other methods.

Comrades, 20 murder cases, in one year’s time!

And furthermore, more than half of them were cold cases!”

At this time, the audience below the stage was somewhat attracted.

Police officers are all too aware of the power of unresolved murder cases.

If one fails to solve a current murder case, they risk their reputation, and if someone else solves a case that you couldn’t during its active investigation, now a cold case, you’d really have to feel embarrassed to claim they lack ability.

However, solving 20 murder cases was quite an exaggeration and some officers who didn’t know the details couldn’t help but quietly start asking around.

The auditorium was buzzing with whispers.

“Everyone, don’t be anxious, I’ll now introduce the cold murder cases and active murder cases solved by Comrade Jiang Yuan…” The host, while speaking, waved his hand and the screen behind him began to quickly flash through the names and images of the cases.

Several of these cases caused a stir among the audience.

After all, these were cases that the detectives of the Changyang City Criminal Police Detachment had not solved, and a few of them were quite famous.

Take the 513 Stabbing Case for example; it was once wildly spread as a perfect crime.

It was then that the host switched to a more formal tone, smiling widely as he said:

“Comrade Jiang Yuan, within just a few months, has successively solved numerous cold murder cases and active murder cases…”

“He has powerfully struck and deterred criminals, greatly improving the case closure rate for murders in Changyang City…”

“Jiang Yuan—honored with a first-class merit!”

Spontaneous applause broke out, rumbling through the room.

The onsite director, as if finding a treasure, hurriedly filmed and collected the scene.

Jiang Yuan took a deep breath and walked up to the podium.

Yu Wenshu personally pinned the first-class merit medal on him.

The medal on Jiang Yuan’s chest finally took its place in the second row.

There was still a gap from donning full armor, but now the chances of collecting a Breastplate seemed promising.

At the same time, the system prompted a notification.

Reward: Individual first-class merit

Reward content: One skill selection

Jiang Yuan didn’t make a choice immediately and used his mind to dismiss the half-transparent system interface.

His plan was to decide on the skill selection based on the upcoming cases.