The man who spoke was Li Weiguo, a lieutenant general and deputy head of the Operations Department.
He was a typical Academic School general: rigid and a stickler for rules.
"I admit Comrade Yue Xiaofei has rendered a great service this time."
Li Weiguo adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and spoke at an unhurried pace.
"But merit is merit, and wrongdoing is wrongdoing! One cannot cancel out the other!"
"As I understand it, Comrade Yue Xiaofei repeatedly violated military orders and ignored commands during previous operations!"
"In Eastern Japan especially, he took his team off on his own, beyond our control, and nearly triggered a full-scale war!"
"That kind of lone-hero behavior must not be tolerated!"
"And how old is he? Not even twenty! Awarding him the rank of major general at his age would be far too hasty!"
"It would not only make him arrogant and complacent, but also throw our entire promotion system into chaos!"
"Would that be fair to the veterans who have spent decades working their way up from the bottom?!"
Li Weiguo had laid out a reasoned case, and the conference room fell silent.
Many of the generals who had been about to voice their support fell into thought.
Li Weiguo did have a point.
The military prized discipline and obedience above all else.
Yue Xiaofei was too wild, like a horse that had never been broken in.
No one could say whether giving him such a high position would be a good thing or a bad thing.
"Fair? Hmph!"
Just then, Zhao Mengsheng, who had remained silent until now, gave a cold laugh.
He jerked his head up and fixed Li Weiguo with a sharp, hawklike stare.
"Minister Li, you want to talk to me about fairness?"
"When the entire Yue Family was shedding its