Free Web NovelChapter 145: Chapter 101: The Strongest Batch of New Recruits?!
A whistle blew, signaling the end of drill.
Three figures, seething with frustration, walked over from the parallel bars area. They passed by Fang Huai on their way to wash their hands at the water pipe beside the canteen.
As each of them walked past the fragrant roasting oven, they pointed at Fang Huai and left behind a word of "praise."
"Yikes... You beast!" exclaimed Han Yong.
"Animal!" Xiao Haishan said.
"Beast of burden!" Song Lin was the angriest.
Fang Huai knew that the three had just gone through a rough time and could only respond with a chuckling smile, "Just warming up, warming up." freeweɓnovel.cøm
"What warming up? You better head to the Squadron Department; Instructor Cao is calling for you. We’ll keep an eye on the oven for you!" Han Yong’s voice carried from afar.
"What’s the matter?"
"Don’t know!"
...
"Reporting!"
The Squadron Department was located in the two-story area; Fang Huai reached it just by climbing the stairs.
The Special Duty Squadron Department was not even on the same level as the New Recruit Company Department, spanning at least forty to fifty square meters. It was in the fan-shaped corner of the building, with a broad view.
Computer, coffee table, sofa, television, and even a tea-brewing station—everything was well equipped.
There were also partitions for the cadres’ bedrooms inside.
There were three cadres in the department, besides Cao Yi and Ye Jiahong, there was also a lieutenant who was typing away at a computer.
"Come in and take a seat," Cao Yi invited.
"Yes," Fang Huai walked over to the sofa and sat down properly.
Ye Hong grabbed a stool for himself, sat down sideways facing Fang Huai, and got straight to the point, "Little Fang, we wanted to ask you what plans you have for your personal development in the future?"
Fang Huai felt a sudden pang of anxiety.
He had thought about it countless times since his enlistment three months ago, but this was the first time the topic had come up.
"Reporting, Captain, I want to develop my career in the troops," Fang Huai stated outright.
Cao Yi and Ye Jiahong exchanged looks.
They hadn’t made any comment about Fang Huai’s excellent performance on the parallel bars today precisely because of Fang Huai’s special background.
It was unlikely that Captain Zhang had sent such an outstanding kid to the troops intending for him to be just an ordinary soldier.
Even if they appreciated his talent and wanted to plan a future for Fang Huai as a backbone non-commissioned officer of the squadron, his family might not agree.
"Are you looking to become a non-commissioned officer or considering further studies?" Cao Yi continued.
Fang Huai hesitated for a long time and didn’t speak out.
Seeing that the boy was rather shy, Ye Jiahong smiled and said, "Just say whatever you’re thinking. If you are considering further studies, we, the cadres of the squadron, will help you with your cultural studies in the future."
"So... Can I just say it?"
"Speak."
Fang Huai then chuckled, "Captain, if I were to receive commendation for my service, would I have a chance at an officer’s position?"
Ye Jiahong: ???
"Are you a college graduate?"
Cao Yi, too, was completely baffled, and even the lieutenant nearby paused to look at Fang Huai.
He had heard of soldiers being promoted to officers but had never seen it happen.
In October 2006, The Fourth Department of the People’s Liberation Army had issued the "Opinions on Further Strengthening the Construction of the Troops’ Grassroots Cadres," for the first time suggesting the selection of outstanding soldiers among those who had graduated from regular higher education institutions and enlisted afterwards to become grassroots officers.
The fire brigade had yet to start this process; at least until April of that year, there would be no officer positions available for college graduate soldiers.
Moreover, he had carefully reviewed Fang Huai’s records and knew the latter was only a high school graduate.
"You mean... Promotion through military merit?" Cao Yi asked, frowning.
Fang Huai finally nodded.
"Hmm..." Cao Yi rubbed his forehead, "That’s... hard. Promotion through military merit is extremely demanding. One needs a second-class meritorious service, or two third-class merits to even stand a chance, and even if you were commended, it’s not something the squadron can decide on; it’s ordered from above."
The implication was clear: unless the higher-ups took notice of you, we couldn’t decide. It wasn’t something the squadron could even get involved with.
Ye Jiahong was also somewhat shocked. A new recruit thinking about this was almost like a fool’s dream.
He couldn’t help but add, "Plus, there are other requirements. You must be a Party member, have a squad leader position and be within the service age limit. As a conscript, it’s highly unlikely.
For a corps-level unit, there are only two or three available slots each year, and sometimes only one or two. Why set your sights on something so unlikely? frёewebnoѵēl.com
Such occurrences are rare. If you meet these conditions, why not just pursue normal academic studies?"
A moment ago, the two of them were discussing if Fang Huai wanted to study, they should consider assigning him to the role of a communication officer.
After all, communication officers generally have more time available for reading and reviewing.
There are quite a few conscripts who perform well in academic tests every year; they often apply to become regular students, with over a hundred applicants and a dozen or two being admitted.
Those with top academic scores go to the Langfang Military Academy for undergraduate studies.
Those who follow are admitted to the Kunming Fire Command College for associate degrees.
Graduating from these institutions means different rank levels.
For physical and skill tests, like the one Fang Huai was in, there was no question at all.
Academic performance is the most crucial part.
But officer promotion is different; there are no exams, and one doesn’t need to study for four years – just several months of training can lead to a commission.
However, the difficulty is akin to reaching the heavens.
At that moment, Fang Huai also realized the two officers’ difficulties and didn’t dwell on the issue any further. Instead, he turned his head and asked with a smile:
"Captain, Instructor, I understand the requirements. I just want to ask... if I can participate in the national Grand Martial Arts Competition and win a personal ranking, can the squadron help me apply for a Party membership spot?"
Both officers fell silent.
However, the lieutenant suddenly spoke up:
"If you can get a ranking, you won’t even need to ask the squadron for a Party membership spot; the Detachment will grant it to you.
Moreover, if you can secure a first or second place, you genuinely might have a chance for promotion, as the national champions from the past two years were promoted. However, none of them were conscripts."
Fang Huai’s eyes immediately lit up.
In his past life, he knew very little about this; with his level, there was no need to know.
As long as there was a chance, that was enough.
"Alright, I’ll give it my best," Fang Huai said eagerly.
Ye Jiahong began to scratch his head, "Young man, I’m telling you, these are two entirely different directions of effort. Regular student exams start next June, with only a handful of available spots.
Among regular students, there are many with strong high school academic knowledge, and many have connections, getting assigned to government agencies to start reading right away.
""
There are still several female soldiers inside who never have to train but spend their days reading books. Just think, how fierce must their cultural scores be?
Even if you’re exceptionally talented and actually get the chance to participate in the Grand Martial Arts Competition, if you don’t place, do you think you can outcompete them for a regular student spot?
To tell you the truth, kid, without your Uncle Captain Zhang here, we wouldn’t be having this talk with a new recruit like you.
He’s not only a leader but also a respected one, an exemplar in our hearts. We’re giving you a backdoor here, letting you make your own choice.
As a Communication Officer, you’ll have more time to read, so think carefully."
These were words from the heart.
But in Fang Huai’s mind, they could only be met with a laugh.
It was the same old line: you don’t understand my strength.
If he really wanted to, he could top the regular student rankings with just a bit more effort and earn some military merit points.
Fang Huai stood up, no longer the timid new recruit he was before, and when he spoke, there was a boldness to his voice:
"Captain, Instructor, I’ve made up my mind. I didn’t come to firefighting to take advantage of connections or to scrape together a living.
If that were what I wanted, I’d have gone straight to a government agency.
Coming here, I want to work on the front lines. Studying for a year and a half, then four years at the Military Academy, even if I become an officer, I’d still be away from the front-line work for nearly six years.
To me, those are years wasted. I don’t want to squander that time chasing personal advancement."
"Great ambition!" Ye Jiahong rarely serious, slapped the table in approval.
Cao Yi nodded, "With that mindset, our Squadron should support you even more. So train hard!
But since you aspire to be an officer, if by September your physical and professional skills aren’t up to the standard for the Grand Martial Arts Competition, I’ll transfer you to the Communication Squad to prepare for the culture exams.
I suggest you prepare for both.
Kid, I like your spirit.
With your current level, you could dominate among the new recruits, and training for a few more years, becoming an elite old soldier wouldn’t be a problem.
But if you want to compete in this year’s national competition, you’ll probably have to count every minute, sleeping two hours less if necessary.
Moreover, for the sake of fair access to training resources, your same-year soldiers will have to endure hardship alongside you, intense hardship."
Fang Huai hesitated upon the last remark, "Instructor... actually, I can train on my own, there’s no need for the same-year soldiers to do that too, right? With Han Yong’s baseline, if he trained like me... I’m afraid he might die young."
These words ignited Cao Yi’s anger, recalling Han Yong struggling to do just five pull-ups that afternoon, his face turning red and still failing the last one, he was full of frustration.
Why did the Big Team insist on taking this soldier for special duty?
With that thought, he slammed his hand on the sofa armrest and said:
"A soldier who doesn’t train, just mooches off the army here? Especially Han Yong, he needs to train properly!"
Fang Huai lost his temper too but could only murmur:
"Train then, train. Just don’t blame me when you’re facing lawsuits later."
"What did you say?!" Cao Yi glared.
"Nothing much, I said Han Yong is a piece of good material. If he trains well, his family should really be thankful to you!"
...
That night, the bonfire blazed brightly.
Although the playground was a bit chilly in February and March, there weren’t any mosquitoes.
Everyone huddled around a bonfire set up on a patch of sand for warmth.
"Champion lamb legs coming through!"
Fang Huai brought two large iron platters filled with steaming-hot lamb legs, placing them above the fire on an iron stand to keep them warm.
"Ah, finally! I can’t wait for you guys; I’m taking a piece first!"
"I’m grabbing one too!"
Everyone reached out for the meat, flinching at the scorching heat.
Squad Leader Xiong, usually mild-mannered, somehow managed to procure a pair of white emergency rescue gloves and began tearing off a piece of lamb leg, putting it into his mouth.
With his mouth burning, "hissing and huffing," his face was smug:
"I’ve been craving this lamb leg for more than a day or two! With all this firefighting equipment around, you guys don’t even know how to use it!"
Everyone else turned to search for gloves.
Little Black alone, frowning, looked at the gloves in Xiong Jie’s hand and said, "Squad Leader Xiong, those gloves... they’re not the ones from the second shelf in the equipment room, are they?"
Xiong Jie was startled: "What’s wrong?"
Little Black looked like he was about to retch: "Those three pairs of gloves... they were used last time at the reservoir for retrieving that body that had been submerged for over a week, and I still haven’t washed them..."
"Yuck..." Xiong Jie began to gag.
Only then did Little Black slap his thigh and burst into laughter, with the others joining in.
The new recruits finally got it: Squad Leader Xiong had been played.
"Thwack!"
As the laughter hit its peak, Little Black took a smack on the forehead.
Xiong Jie had a sly look: "Dare to trick your squad leader? That move is one I’ve already discarded! This is my own emergency rescue glove from my pocket! It’s been cleaned a long time ago!"
...
Ten minutes later, everyone began to feast heartily.
"Eat up, eat, Han Yong, you’ve gotten so thin from hunger, have some more," Fang Huai said, cutting a piece of lamb for him with scissors and picking it up with chopsticks.
Han Yong frowned: "That’s enough, I can’t eat any more! Can you take it slow? We’ve all forgiven you for leaving us this afternoon!"
Fang Huai smacked his lips: "Not really, brothers, there’s something else I need you to forgive me for..."
Right then, Cao Yi across the fire clapped his hands, picked up a drink cup, and stood up to say:
"Comrades, I’ve got some good news! Our Squadron’s new recruit, Fang Huai, has volunteered to participate in the national selection for the Grand Martial Arts Competition, aiming high!
Therefore, all squad leaders, especially Squad Leaders Xiong and Liu, be relentless in training this year’s recruits. I also want to take this opportunity to cultivate the strongest batch of new recruits for the Squadron!
To the four new comrades, those who are confident, please raise your drink cups and drain them.
Those who lack confidence, no worries, I have a complete training plan to give you that confidence!"
As these words were spoken, everyone was shocked.
A new recruit participating in the national Grand Martial Arts Competition?
Han Yong, Xiao Haishan, and Song Lin were especially shaken.
What does this mean? If he... if he’s going to the national Grand Martial Arts Competition, what does that have to do with me?
The three were stunned.
"Reporting to the Instructor, we have confidence!"
Fang Huai grinned, lifted his drink, and stood up to respond loudly.
