Great Power Technology

July 15, two weeks after the maritime standoff ended.

Medellin returned to Texas, where he received one of his warmest welcomes in years.

People sang about his deeds and invited him to participate in TV programs. Newspapers were full of news about him flying fighter planes to battle wits and courage with the enemy. Even his fiancée's eyes changed when he looked at him.

Before he left, the look in his fiancée's eyes was probably one of admiration, but now, it was more of... reverence?

He seemed to have really become a hero.

A crashed hero.

Medellin was sitting in the yard of his home in the bright sunshine, playing with an Air Force Cross in his hand.

This is a rare medal, but this is not the end. The highest honor awarded to him, the Medal of Honor awarded by the Supreme Commander, is already on the way.

He stroked the shining medal and felt an indescribable feeling in his heart.

He would have been excited for himself.

Even if you are not excited, you should feel proud, satisfied, and fulfilled.

But, none of them.

There was only emptiness, worry, and even fear.

When did this army begin to change?

Since when did pilots like me, who were manipulated by the enemy and even forced to abandon the plane and parachute without the help of any modern weapons, become combat heroes?

Medellin couldn't think of an answer.

He sighed deeply, the door behind him opened, and his fiancée Catherine came out, squatted down gently, touched his face and said:

"Look at your expression, poor thing, what's going on?"

Medellin shook his head and replied:

"It's not a big deal, I just feel uncomfortable."

"Not feeling well? Are you sunburned? You shouldn't lie here, the sun is too strong now."

"That's not the reason."

Medellin shook his head and did not continue to answer.

There was no way Catherine could understand her concerns, and there was no way she could break her confidentiality agreement and tell him.

——

In other words, even without a confidentiality agreement, it would be impossible for him to tell her.

Be a false fighting hero or a real coward?

This is an obvious choice.

After a pause, he said:

"Today's interview is scheduled for an hour later. I'd like you to come with me then, okay?"

Catherine's face showed excitement. She nodded heavily and replied:

"As long as you want!"

"Of course I do, because my contribution is half as much as yours..."

Medellin took Catherine into his arms and kissed her forehead deeply, but when he hugged her, the cold and blank expression reappeared on his face.

…

At 11 a.m., Medellin and Catherine appeared at the interview site on time. They sat cuddled on the sofa in the studio, like a couple.

The host first introduced the deeds of Medellin, and then asked:

"Captain, I heard that you single-handedly forced back three of the opponent's fighter jets in a battle with the opponent. Can you tell us how you did this?"

"I mean, wow, one-on-three! This isn't just a few decades ago, and everyone's aircraft are so advanced, right? It's almost impossible to do this, right?"

Upon hearing the host's question, Medellin coughed and replied:

"Actually, she's still great and does a very good job - I mean my F-35C fighter jet."

"You know, I have been with her through life and death many times. We have experienced many hardships together, so we have a tacit understanding."

"So, when facing the enemy, we cooperated very well."

"This time there are only three. Next time I soar into the sky with her, I will not be afraid even if there are 10 enemy planes."

Medellin's words were full of puns, and the host nodded with satisfaction.

He doesn't care how the other party forces the enemy back. He only cares about whether the other party's answer can arouse the emotions of the audience.

And obviously, at this point, Medellin is doing a great job.

After a burst of classic white laughter, the host continued to ask:

"You have already received a cross, right? There may be other rewards in the future, and Texas officials will also give you bonuses. What are your plans for how to use the bonuses in the future?"

Medellin pretended to think for a moment and then replied:

"I'll auction off the medal."

"auction?"

This time, the surprise on the host's face was not fake.

"Yes, I will auction it off and donate the funds to the Veterans Care Association. You know, many of our comrades are suffering from PTSD, and I think, although I don't have much energy - because I still To continue serving, but I can help them in this way.”

"A true patriot!"

The host took the lead in applauding, with a moved look on his face. Then he continued to ask:

"What about yourself? What are your own plans?"

"Well, me, I will have a big wedding with Catherine, we will renovate our house, dig a swimming pool, and buy a new car. You know, the Chevy I parked outside the studio is already a little old and looks bad. ”

"Hahahahaha, I think Chevrolet should just give you a new car! Also, maybe you guys can go on a trip around the world?"

"That's for the future. For now, I'll probably continue to serve in the Air Force - until we completely conquer the skies."

There was warm applause in the studio, and Medellin and Catherine looked at each other and smiled, saying nothing.

….

While Ugly Country promoted Medellin as a hero, gave him various preferential treatment, and helped him embark on the path of a winner in life, on the other side, Gao Fei did not seem to receive any preferential treatment-except for a full three months of vacation.

He took back his autographed letter from the political commissar, tore it up on the train home, and then scattered it in the river in his hometown. Then he went to Huayu Flower Shop to pick up flowers in person and went to Fulai Supermarket. I bought snacks and went to the flower and bird market to buy fertilizer specifically for growing flowers.

After doing all this, he returned home.

His wife Liu Yiran had already prepared a meal and was waiting for him at home, and his parents had also gathered together. When Gao Fei got home, they were chatting happily on the sofa.

When they saw Gao Fei coming back, everyone had a look of surprise on their faces. They greeted him with greetings. One moment they said that the food on the aircraft carrier was so fattening, the other moment they said that the sea breeze was so salty that their faces were rough. But in the end, everyone Still came to a common conclusion:

Just come back.

At the dinner table, Gao Fei's father-in-law poured him a full glass of wine, and then asked:

"I heard that the J-20 you flew at sea this time was?"

Gao Fei smiled and replied:

"What! Dad, this is not a joke. We were just fighting peacefully."

"Really? Then how did I hear about them? It wasn't you who did it?"

"no no."

Goofy shook his head and replied.

There was a look of disappointment on the father-in-law's face, but in the blink of an eye, he suddenly became excited again.

"Oh, I understand, you can't say that! Hey, look at my mouth, I just can't control it and I want to ask questions. Come on, come on, drink and drink!"

Gao Fei picked up the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp, giving his father-in-law an expression that said, "God knows and earth knows, you know and I know."

After finishing the glass, his father poured him some wine, but his questions were much more down-to-earth.

"You have three months of vacation this time? Are you taking this opportunity to have the child? You two are not young anymore. In two years, you will be old and dangerous."

"Don't take it seriously. Your mother and I suffered this loss back then. You still have to hurry up!"

Gao Fei nodded solemnly and replied:

"This is our plan. When we take vacation next year, we will give birth to a little pilot."

"That's great!"

The father clapped his hands suddenly, and everyone at the table toasted together.

"Then this is the last drink. After that, you will close the mountains and cultivate forests, so that we can succeed as soon as possible - no, we have to have another meal tomorrow. Tomorrow the town said they are sending something to our hometown, and we need you to go back."

"Send something? What to give?"

Goofy asked confused.

"I don't know. You don't know how I know. Your leader didn't inform you?"

Gao Fei thought for a moment and replied hesitantly:

"I did mention it, but I didn't listen carefully...forget it, I'll call and ask later."

After hearing his words, the people at the table stopped pursuing him. After finishing the meal, Gao Fei picked up the phone and called his direct superior.

After learning about his problem, his superiors scolded him vigorously and finally said:

"Since you didn't listen at the time, then don't listen and watch it for yourself tomorrow!"

So, he had no choice but to sleep with doubts.

The next morning, the group returned to the small village in their hometown. After burning incense in the ancestral hall, they sat at the entrance of the village and waited quietly.

The people in the town arrived in the village strictly according to the agreed time, but the leader was not the town leader, but the city leader.

The secretary recognized Gao Fei at a glance. He held Gao Fei's hand and pulled him aside, explained the situation in detail, and finally concluded:

"Anyway, this is the situation now. It's really not suitable for you to make a big deal about this matter. However, your superiors have also told me everything. Everything that should be done will be done in the future. Now it is up to us to step in on their behalf."

Gao Fei nodded in understanding and looked curiously at the three things held by someone behind him.

The secretary smiled, but did not reveal the answer immediately.

After they walked back to the ancestral hall, he spoke to a limited number of people. After a simple ceremony, he directed everyone to uncover the red cloth.

Gao Fei looked intently and saw two plaques and a piece of calligraphy.

"The pillar of the country".

"Warriors of sea and air".

"make persistent efforts".

The name signed above is familiar to everyone.

Several people hung the plaque on the door, and Gao Fei noticed that they seemed to have left a blank space intentionally.

Seeing this scene, everyone onlookers felt relieved.

One day in the future, a gilded plaque will be hung at that location.

First class hero.