"Perhaps, then, we'll stay here for two days and head back the day after tomorrow. You know, there are still many matters to attend to at the provincial department. However, I've already handed over the concluding remarks to Director Zhang. He said this time we'll definitely be properly commended, and we can look forward to promotions and raises upon our return."
"Great!"
Two days later, we returned to the provincial department and immediately participated in a commendation ceremony personally hosted by Director Zhang. On that day, all police officers were in their formal uniforms. Liu Yuning and I were already seated below the stage. Members of the Sin-Punishment Unit, the Criminal Investigation Team, and the Forensic Science Team were all present.
Approximately a thousand police officers and forensic scientists filled the venue, all sitting upright and waiting for Director Zhang to speak. He seemed a bit nervous himself that day.
Holding his manuscript, he began to recount the matters our police force had handled this time. I had initially thought it was just a commendation ceremony, but as Director Zhang was halfway through his speech, I noticed that even more people had appeared in the surrounding venue.
These weren't citizens from Guangming City, were they?
It seemed unlikely they would come here at such a time. However, I observed that there were still many vacant seats around.
At this moment, I understood why Director Zhang had chosen the Athena Water City Plaza in Guangming City for this commendation ceremony. It was so that everyone could come and listen.
From the initial trickle of people approaching, more and more arrived in groups, gradually filling the seats. The number of citizens present was nearly tens of thousands. Fortunately, the area was vast, and the surroundings were illuminated with vibrant colors. Behind us, the plaza building featured a giant waterfall, its water cascading into the azure blue of the water. Numerous yachts floated nearby, and the bright sunlight bathed each of us, enveloping our bodies in a layer of profound warmth.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Director Zhang, for reasons unknown, addressed a certain direction in the audience and said, "Officer He Sheng, I'll leave the rest of the speech to you!"
"Me?" This guy, he really didn't tell me beforehand. However, since I was invited, I supposed I couldn't refuse.
Everyone's necks craned towards me, seemingly waiting for me to stand up.
I took a deep breath. It was important to remember that tens of thousands of people were gathered here. Speaking in front of such a crowd would be an immense pressure, truly enormous.
But then again, what was there to be afraid of? I could say whatever I wanted.
Stepping onto the vast stage, countless provincial department leaders were now behind me. The Minister himself was also present today. The scene was grand, perhaps the most solemn of my career as a police officer.
I took Director Zhang's microphone and, facing the tens of thousands of citizens and police officers on the stage, began my speech...
"Since the establishment of the Sin-Punishment Unit, we have been fiercely counterattacking against the organization. Currently, we have apprehended many key individuals involved with the criminal organization Polaris. Although I know that more terrifying forces may still be lurking behind them, and our work might continue for several years, decades, a lifetime, or even longer, we, the Chinese People's Police, will not falter. Centered around the Sin-Punishment Unit, we will continue to strive for the welfare of the lives and property of people throughout the city and even the entire nation, protecting everyone's material and spiritual lives, and allowing the future society to flourish in an environment of peace and prosperity!"
As soon as I finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted from the audience. Citizens and colleagues alike clapped enthusiastically, their excitement palpable. After a while, I continued, "In fact, justice is not something only we, the People's Police, need to uphold. It is not confined solely to the Sin-Punishment Unit. Justice belongs to everyone. The ideals in our hearts, the beliefs in our hearts, allow us to have faith in eternal prosperity and flourishing. This spirit should not only be in our China but should be deeply ingrained in the hearts of everyone. May all people in the world receive the warmth of the light of justice, may evil and darkness completely disappear, and may evil forces be forever shattered..."
As I spoke, I saw even more people arriving at the Athena Water City Plaza. The original crowd of tens of thousands gradually swelled to over a hundred thousand. I even spotted friends from abroad joining this awards ceremony.
At its peak, virtually every corner was filled with people. It was the first time I had ever seen so many individuals, a sight I had never witnessed in my life. It made me wonder if I was dreaming.
Has my fame spread abroad already...
More and more people arrived, and I gradually became more serious in my speech. In my peripheral vision, I caught glimpses of Liu Yuning and He Xin, among others. They were looking at me with conviction. When I glanced at Director Zhang, he also gave me a slight nod.
I tightened my grip on the microphone, steadied myself, and declared with renewed solemnity, "I am deeply grateful to all our friends from foreign countries for attending this assembly. It makes me, He Sheng, feel incredibly honored. We just spoke about the light of justice. In our hearts, everyone holds a firm belief in justice. However, due to the threat of criminals, many people choose to compromise for their own interests. The number of police officers lying in the police cemetery over the years is countless. Yet, we resolutely continue to persist in the great cause of criminal investigation. As long as there is even one criminal in this world, we, the People's Police, cannot rest. Any country in the world profoundly detests heinous criminals. Therefore, upholding justice is everyone's duty. Justice does not belong to a single country, nor to a single team, but to the entire world!"
The stage below once again erupted in even more enthusiastic applause, this time more impactful than before. Imagine tens of thousands of people clapping together; the scene was likely more fervent than at the Great Hall of the People.
I even saw many reporters from around the world below, busily taking pictures. I had originally thought only a few colleagues would be here today. It seemed Director Zhang had anticipated this all along, though I was unaware.
Fortunately, my adaptability was quite good. Faced with the enthusiasm of so many friends from around the world, I remained composed.
When the applause from the audience momentarily subsided, I continued with solemnity, "Over the years, the Polaris criminal organization has spread across the world, causing destruction and pollution in many regions. However, starting from today, we will live together in peace. When you witness criminal acts, you must strike back and cooperate with our police, providing us with frontline intelligence so that we can quickly eradicate the Polaris organization, this tumor of global crime. I believe that as long as everyone is willing to make an effort, this tumor will one day be completely eradicated. On that day, if we can gather again at Athena Water City to celebrate and reminisce about our past experiences, I believe everyone will drink the sweetest wine and talk about the great achievements we have established. When our next generation learns of the immense contributions we have made to the world, they too will feel immensely proud!"