After Being Reborn, I became a firefighter again?

Chapter 108: Chapter 66: The Higher the Status, the Less You Think

"Oh?"

Zhang Zhongting drew out the word.

It seemed as though he had fallen into thought.

Special Duty was also an important force within the Detachment.

Zhang Zhongting didn’t immediately express his opinion, but instead smiled and patted his arm, saying, "When I go back, I’ll ask around."

Then, looking at him with some admiration, he continued, "You old Non-commissioned officers, still fighting on the front line, it’s not easy.

Leading soldiers, police dispatch, even handling equipment, it’s all combat training work! I heard about your deeds during last year’s major training exercise, I was very moved!

Many soldiers of your same enlistment year are now driving for leadership or have become Logistics Officers, and I’ve also placed many older soldiers with injuries into logistics positions.

Moving you to the Special Service Squadron 2 is also because their current Logistics Officer is about to be discharged, you work there for another year and then take over, get some rest too.

You are the elite who inherit skills and soldier’s spirit; after many hard years, you should take care of your health and not just tough it out!"

Hao Chengbin suddenly understood.

There was emotion, and there was also a sense of loss.

So, the leadership was moving him to "enjoy the good life."

A Logistics Officer, in charge of a Squadron’s funds and soldiers’ livelihood, isn’t that living comfortably?

Indeed, it was a highly coveted position sought after by many, but he really didn’t need it.

Hao Chengbin immediately saluted, "Thank you, sir! However, I’m only twenty-eight years old, I can still do the work! If the troops need me, I can still serve on the front line until I’m thirty-eight, forty-eight!"

Zhang Zhongting immediately gave him a thumbs-up, "Good! Great soldier! Then I’ll ask around, and if there’s no special reason at the Second Squadron, you’ll take the position of acting Platoon Leader!

Several old soldiers in the Second Squadron have been discharged, and the style there is obviously not what it used to be. It just so happens, they need someone like you who’s driven and passionate to carry on the spirit!"

Hao Chengbin was instantly excited, "Thank you, sir!"

Gosh, the squad leader got a promotion!

Fang Huai couldn’t help but be astonished.

This wait, it was worth it!

Not just any Squadron has an acting Platoon Leader; at least in Fang Huai’s previous life, only one Squadron he’d been with had one.

The status is no lower than that of a Logistics Officer, and moreover, it’s focused on training, a model and benchmark for Squadron Sergeants.

Typically, this position is promoted from among the old Non-commissioned officers who have served a long time in the Squadron. It’s uncertain whether Hao Chengbin taking the role as acting Platoon Leader right after arriving would be accepted by everyone.

"By the way, Little Fang, you didn’t get this Deputy Squad Leader position because of my relationship, right? Otherwise, it would mean that Squad Leader Hao and I have engaged in mutual back-scratching!"

Zhang Zhongting seemed to remember something and started joking with Fang Huai.

Fang Huai cursed inwardly.

Damn, do I owe you something even for fighting for Deputy Squad Leader?

"Reporting to the sir! I don’t understand what you’re saying!"

That was the calmest response he could muster.

But the people around were still shocked.

Wow, that dialogue, one dares to ask and the other dares to answer.

Exchanging interests with the Regimental commander for an acting Platoon Leader position to swap for a new recruit group’s Deputy Squad Leader?

Detachment Captain Zhang really dares to say anything!

What exactly is the relationship between the two?

In the crowd, Liang Longhui was already dumbfounded.

He got to know who had squashed his disciplinary report.

Wang Jian, the guy is insidious! Fang Huai had such an impressive figure backing him, and he hadn’t mentioned a word about it to him!

This Detachment Captain Zhang seemed not to hide anything at all, saying so many things in front of so many people that didn’t fit the image of a senior officer!

The relationship doesn’t even need to be mentioned.

At this moment, Colonel Huang was also laughing heartily, pointing it out: "Captain Zhang, this nephew of yours is performing very well! I already asked around and learned the details, don’t say things that discourage others’ enthusiasm!"

The Chief of Staff also chuckled from the side, "Fang Huai is Squad Leader Hao’s treasure! I’ve observed this young man for a long time, he’s capable!"

"Little Fang!" Colonel Huang also addressed Fang Huai using Zhang Zhongting’s term.

"Here!" Fang Huai’s voice was loud and clear, and his energy surged.

With the Regimental commander and the Chief of Staff’s praise, he could hold his head high and breathe easy.

Colonel Huang placed his hands behind his back, and with the tone of an elder, said, "Your uncle is still not convinced of your performance, so let’s do this: when you go down later, we’ll see the real deal on the parallel bars and show him!"

"Yes!" Fang Huai was confident when it came to this.

Uncle, nephew.

Wang Jian was also stunned.

With such a powerful figure behind him, and here he was worried that Fang Huai might be targeted!

About that disciplinary report, he and Liang Longhui had argued for a day, even enlisting the help of several Sergeants!

When Liang Longhui stubbornly wanted to submit it, he reluctantly resorted to his last move: asking Liang Longhui to sign under the party Chapter, indicating it was solely his decision.

Yet it didn’t deter Liang Longhui.

The man was confident, a Company Leader and several Sergeants couldn’t suppress him.

Now, he’s hit an iron plate, hasn’t he?

"Oh, Liang Longhui, what’s the deal with Fang Huai fighting?"

Within the crowd, not only Wang Jian thought of this incident, the Chief of Staff also spoke up.

The Chief of Staff directly pinned down Liang Longhui with a question, instead of asking Wang Jian, who hadn’t signed off on it.

Since you’re requesting to discipline Fang Huai, explain it clearly in front of so many people.

Liang Longhui was all messed up inside, took a deep breath, and said, "Chief of Staff, here’s what happened..."

The Chief of Staff interrupted, "I know very well what happened! Zhang Xing! Didn’t you say you took care of it right on the spot?"

Advisor Zhang popped his head out from the crowd, "Handled it, Chief of Staff! That day, Squad Leader Hao... he was there too! First, the team leaders were penalized, and afterwards, I conducted Ideological Education! Right? Fang Huai, didn’t I talk with you guys?"

Fang Huai quickly responded, "Yes! Advisor Zhang talked to us for almost... an hour! I felt like my thoughts had been purified!"

The people around burst into laughter.

The Chief of Staff, however, kept a stern face, "Who gets their thoughts purified just like that? Keep it serious!" freewebnøvel.coɱ

I am solving problems for you! And you’re slick-talking to me!

Fang Huai was also quite aggrieved!

That night was bitterly cold, the wind high, standing there listening to Monk Tang chant sutras for dozens of minutes, starting from Confucius to Lord Guan, sweat turning from steam to icy chill, even Battalion Commander Zhang’s eyelids were trembling from the chatter!

Whoever went, it was damn well a baptism of fire!

"Yes, Chief of Staff!" Fang Huai grimaced inwardly.

If you say it’s not a baptism, then it’s not a baptism, okay!

"Then I ask you, Liang Longhui," the Chief of Staff turned his head, "if the Regiment Department discovered the problem and dealt with it, why did it have to be dealt with again?"

"That issue... that problem is rather... Zhang Yizhang’s injury was quite serious at the time."

Liang Longhui had to insist now, as it was no longer a matter of whether Fang Huai was to be dealt with but rather that the Chief of Staff was finding fault with him. Once he admitted a mistake, it would be his turn to be dealt with.

When the Chief of Staff heard this, he finally signaled to Wang Jian.

"Call Zhang Yizhang over."

Both Colonels waited quietly for the Chief of Staff to deal with the problem—it was not appropriate for them to intervene in such matters.

Squad Eight was close by, and Zhang Yizhang quickly jogged over.

"Greetings, sir!"

The Chief of Staff wasted no time and asked directly, "Zhang Yizhang, the day you fought with Fang Huai, was your injury serious?"

If Zhang Yizhang said it was serious, he would have him sent for a medical examination right away.

Five days had passed since the incident, and if an injury could still be verified after five days, then Fang Huai truly would be responsible—not a matter of relationship anymore, but a matter of law.

However, Zhang Yizhang’s rhetoric returned, "Reporting to the Chief of Staff, I’ve already explained several times to the company! It was just a sparring match! I’ve studied martial arts before; those minor injuries are really nothing!"

"Heh, how many times have you said this?" The Chief of Staff’s gaze turned toward Liang Longhui again, scoffing coldly, "It seems our instructors haven’t been listening at all!"

"Since it’s a misunderstanding, Chief of Staff, please return the disciplinary action to Squad Seven," Colonel Huang spoke up, sensing the situation was set.

Misunderstanding.

The Chief of Staff looked at the Colonel, feeling the matter was not quite settled; there were still ideology issues to be addressed.

What Liang Longhui did was problematic in his eyes personally.

But then, the Colonel cleared his throat.

It was a habitual motion, understood only by those who spent time together often.

It meant "let’s talk outside."

The Chief of Staff immediately let the matter drop, "Alright, Fang Huai, come here for a second."

Fang Huai knew it meant going downstairs and quickly turned around to pick up his guitar, afterwards, grabbing the books as well, looking rather strained. Then, freeing a finger, he pointed at a stack of documents on the table.

Just that small stack of documents, clearly he could have carried them with an extra finger.

Yet Fang Huai declared openly, "Squad Leader, can you help me with this? We’ll go down together... I’ve finished that song."

With so many people, he couldn’t directly ask Hao Chengbin to go down with him, as if there really was some kind of transaction, so he had to ask him to "help himself" with a small stack of documents.

Hao Chengbin nodded somewhat stiffly, understanding his intention, but feeling really embarrassed about carrying just that five-page report, so he reached out and took the few books from Fang Huai’s hands instead.

Those observing closely on the side were silently applauding in their hearts.

The kid was thick-skinned yet sharp-witted—definitely officer material.

Zhang Zhongting watched quietly as well.

...

Downstairs, the Chief of Staff waved his hand, and the cadres dispersed, returning to their posts.

As they left, they discussed the day’s events.

Fang Huai and Hao Chengbin walked at the end together.

The Chief of Staff and the Colonel were in the middle.

Zhang Zhongting, with hands clasped behind his back, led the way, admiring the scenery as they walked toward the training field.

Halfway there, the Chief of Staff inquired, "Colonel, this matter... as a cadre..."

Fang Huai and Hao Chengbin behind could only hear this much.

And that was enough.

The Colonel’s hoarse voice, in the empty winter afternoon, was quite pronounced.

"Don’t waste time, the new recruit survey hasn’t been done yet, right? Emphasize the sections about company cadres and include it in the review."

The two guys behind were somewhat shocked.

Fang Huai marveled inwardly.

This is mastery, this is true mastery.

Getting tangled in this affair, Liang Longhui would always have something to say, but one survey, that’s the unjust charge of Yue Fei—all unfounded.

The Colonel clearly knew Hao Chengbin was there, and by speaking so loudly, it at least suggested that in Hao Chengbin’s Squad Nine, there would be issues in those ten survey forms.

The Chief of Staff also descended into thought, and then nodded.

Perhaps from his perspective, the solution was different.

Witnessing this nod, Fang Huai suddenly felt that his assumptions probably fell short of the Colonel’s intention.

The Colonel’s true thoughts might just be to let the new recruits decide Liang Longhui’s fate.

The Colonel might not care about Liang Longhui’s conclusion at all.

As for the uncle up ahead, what would he be thinking?

Fang Huai suddenly thought that understanding human nature could be a hobby he enjoyed in his spare time.

Just then, Zhang Zhongting up front suddenly jumped in an attempt to touch a passing tree leaf.

He didn’t reach it.

Then turned back with a chuckle, "I’ve really put on weight, I could touch it before!"

Fang Huai was struck with incredulity, while Hao Chengbin tried hard not to laugh out loud.

Damn, my uncle is a goner.

What differentiates your thoughts from those of our squad’s new recruits?

All my speculations are worthless, might as well go back and ponder over Yue Tao!

The higher the position, the fewer the concerns!

To maintain your true self among the masses, to not overthink, to disregard the opinions of others, you must possess an exalted status!

Fang Huai gripped the guitar tightly in his hand, his resolve soaring again.

I will become an officer!