Counterfeit Hero

This is a grand era. This war that swept through all of human society destined this era to be tumultuous and magnificent, and it also destined that one after another military strategist would rise from the horizon to the stars with dazzling brilliance. In chaotic times, heroes emerge, and Qian Bolin has no doubts that countless soldiers, including himself, will become the most dazzling stars of this era, and even become legends.

However, no matter how many people there are on the list of great generals, there is only one who can be called the Military God.

Aside from this plain-looking old man, as dull and ancient as the desk in front of him, no one deserves this title! Perhaps Sobel might have a chance to challenge him, but absolutely no one can look down on him from above.

Thirty years ago, he single-handedly elevated Feiyang to the throne of the first superpower. From that moment, he had already surpassed all military accomplishments.

”Well done.”

A faint voice from Hastings came to his ear.

The heart that had leaped to his throat immediately returned to his chest, and the taut string of tension relaxed. This four-word comment made Qian Bolin feel electrified.

As he sat down on the soft sofa, all of Qian Bolin’s fatigue was swept away.

”I’ve seen several battles of the 5th Group Fleet.” Hastings gestured to the other staff officers of the Supreme Command General Staff to sit down as well, while looking at the document in his hand and saying to Qian Bolin, ”Using troops with flexibility, capable of both attacking and defending, it’s not easy to meld the six A-level fleets of the 5th Group Fleet, originally from different military districts, in such a short time.”

He raised his head and nodded slightly to Qian Bolin, ”General Qian Bolin, you’ve worked hard.”

Qian Bolin suppressed his inner excitement and respectfully said, ”Your Excellency Marshal, the 5th Group Fleet has long been a battle-hardened division. I’ve just been acting prudently, according to your guidance.”

”No need for humility.” A gentle smile emerged on Hastings’ stern face, ”Among the Feiyang Generals, few surpass your prudence and caution, your steadiness in command. I already wrote this in your command study evaluation twenty years ago.”

”Yes, Your Excellency Marshal!” Qian Bolin couldn’t help feeling moved.

At forty-eight years old, when he first entered the Military Academy, he was just a small platoon leader. Serving first, then being recommended to enter the academy, his journey took a longer path than most. However, the discerning Hastings noted such an evaluation on his command study transcript twenty years ago, paving a meteoric path for him.

From eighteen to twenty-eight, he took ten years to cover the distance others took five years to travel. And from twenty-eight to forty-eight, he covered a journey in twenty years that others might not complete in forty years, if ever.

To be recognized in this way is the greatest grace.

The most remarkable and moving part is that Hastings still remembers the evaluation he wrote for a lackluster little lieutenant twenty years ago. As someone directly involved, Qian Bolin talks with Hastings numerous times yet never heard him mention it. He thought this little detail would remain buried in his own heart forever, but unexpectedly, Hastings did not forget either.

In the academy, there were no less than a hundred thousand students fortunate enough to hear his teachings; one could say the entire backbone of the Feiyang Army seems to be his pupils. As one of them, to be noticed by him and have one’s life path completely altered is something that Qian Bolin feels indebted to an extent that cannot be fully repaid.

”This student’s achievements today are entirely thanks to you.”

”The Republic’s Five Tiger Generals...” Hastings said with a smile, ”Leefer, Qian Bolin, McKinley, Glasier, Fiscella... This title wasn’t given by me. Without ability, no one could earn this name even by plea.”

Qian Bolin was at a loss for words, feeling embarrassed.

The title of the Five Tiger Generals was given by those who love excitement based on the achievements of Feiyang Generals, their rankings in the Great Generals Record, and their position in the Leray Military. Although this title has existed for nearly ten years, being mentioned now by the always serious Hastings, left Qian Bolin somewhat flustered. He heard that recently, with Feiyang fully entering war, there were evaluations of little Five Tiger Admirals like Douglas, Marlon, Whitney, Spencer, Conrad.

And all of these people were, without exception, either Hastings’ students or had heard his lectures. Each, more or less, inherited Hastings’ military thought. The influence of this Military God on Feiyang is indeed profound.

Hastings beckoned to Qian Bolin, ”Come, take a look at this.”

Saying so, he pressed a button on the desktop, opening an electronic map. Moments later, a star map of the Southeast Star Domain appeared before Qian Bolin.

This is... Qian Bolin’s eyes widened. The star map in front of him was filled with dense arrows and annotations. This is a battle plan diagram personally made by Hastings!

The two Vice Admirals and one Major General on the sofa couldn’t help but stir. They belonged to the Supreme Command General Staff, being with Hastings all day and yet have never seen a battle plan made personally by Hastings.