After Being Reborn, I became a firefighter again?

Chapter 323: Chapter 257: Is Prohibiting Training Also a Punishment?

The next day, Hao Chengbin still returned Fang Huai’s card to him.

Bai Ling took out her savings of tens of thousands and went with Hao Chengbin to look at a small house of over 90 square meters.

After buying the house with a loan, there would still be money left for their wedding. After discussing it together, both agreed that they’d rather have a simple wedding than borrow money.

Armed with his fiancée’s directive, Hao Chengbin was suddenly emboldened. When he returned to the study room of his squad and slapped the card down in front of Fang Huai, his voice was robust.

"Thanks! But your sister-in-law said, a smaller house will do! The loan is manageable, and the house won’t be ready until one or two years later anyway. After we get married at the end of the year, I’ll save up for the renovation with her!"

His proud expression seemed as if the person hesitating in the lounge earlier wasn’t him.

Fang Huai didn’t refuse and took back his card, also offering a rolled eye and a sincere wish:

"Heh, buy a smaller one then, you two. When the house prices go up, you’ll both regret it!"

However, the card had already served most of its intended purpose. It had helped a man make a decision to rush toward a carefree life filled with happiness, preoccupied with a house loan, marriage, and the cost of his future child’s milk powder.

Today, another matter arose.

Yang Shaoqing left.

Not completely, he just went out to have fun with the old couple, still within Guizhou.

Fang Huai meticulously planned a travel route for his parents that started from Xingyi and ended in Y. Libo, Dragon Palace, Duyun...

He picked destinations that were spread out.

The total distance covered nearly 1300 kilometers.

Just the time spent on the road would be about two days, enough to keep them busy.

The reason given to his parents was: Yang Shaoqing wanted to go.

The reason given to Yang Shaoqing was: the old couple wanted to go.

It was still the same nesting doll logic.

If they were exposed on the road...

After all, the tourist spots given were quite far from the provincial city.

He had recently been reading various psychology books. According to the books, impulsive murders generally happen shortly after the motive arises, and by the time they returned, there would have been enough time for cooling off. Moreover, the age group for such crimes is usually between 12 to 17 years old. Among the three members of the group on this trip, the youngest, Yang Shaoqing, was already 18 years old.

His own life should still be secure.

This Labor Day, over the four days, everyone had their fill of delicious food and drinks, and they had played enough Dota. After lunch, Fang Huai had already been planning a squad meeting to refocus everyone.

...

At 7:30 pm.

Fang Huai finished a meeting at the squadron and returned to the study room.

Unlike Huang Yong, he didn’t need to bring a notebook to the meeting. He sat down, glanced at everyone, and began to speak.

"Um... this week, well, it’s a regular working week, five days of work. Aside from the usual training, there are a few other things to discuss."

Zhang Tianwang, watching the rank on Fang Huai’s shoulders, felt a bit out of place for a soldier to be presiding over the meeting, and shifted in his seat.

Zhou Tiannu was filled with curiosity about Fang Huai, but they hadn’t talked much in the past few days. He looked down, spun his pen, and listened attentively.

The others sat up straight.

"Platoon Leader Wu."

Nobody expected Fang Huai to call on someone who often wasn’t there first.

Wu Di looked up: "Hmm?"

Fang Huai continued: "Recently, like Team Zhang, you’ve also been frequently seconded by the Big Team to help with their work, and even when you’ve been back, you’ve hardly been involved in squad tasks. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

As an old soldier, you passed the military exam to attend Kun Zhi in your third year. It’s your sixth year now, so the squadron hasn’t been as strict with you as they are with intern cadres from the college.

But, your internship here in our squadron is ending at the beginning of June.

I’ve talked to the Instructor, and the Big Team doesn’t have a Chief of Staff position available. Your next step... you’re unlikely to be transferred to the Big Team, and you’ll remain at the grassroots level. I hope you’ll grasp the opportunity of the internship to train yourself. After your commissioning in June, you’ll be a proper Platoon Leader of our squadron.

If you stay in Special Duty, grassroots work will be the main focus of your next few years. Don’t neglect one thing for another."

Wu Di was thick-skinned and had no airs of an officer. After hearing this, he just scrunched his face up, looking like a bulldog with an upturned chin.

"It’s tiring, Squad Leader Fang! You don’t know how much work I’ve been doing with the Big Team lately! I study command, and they have me doing firefighting inspections every day, my feet are blistered!"

Fang Huai coughed and spoke frankly:

"You’re likable, and everyone prefers having you stay in Special Duty. Instructor He aims to train you in firefighting because he sees that you’re not very precise in grassroots work, especially in training.

If you put more effort into participating in grassroots management and training, Instructor He won’t make it difficult for you.

Firefighting may seem easier now, but many working in that area are cadres with bachelor’s degrees. You’re a command specialist with an associate degree, having not studied firefighting before; competing with them for positions will lead to major disadvantages later due to your lower education and mismatched specialty.

Give it some thought, and use the upcoming June commissioning as an opportunity to discuss and set a clear working direction with Instructor He."

Fang Huai did favors for Instructor He, which weren’t without reward. Little pieces of information, including future work arrangements and such, were shared with him by Instructor He as long as he asked.

Of course, there was also his uncle’s influence, and Instructor He quite liked him too.

After hearing this, Wu Di nodded seriously: "I understand, and I’ve been thinking about this issue lately. Thanks."

Moving up as an officer always required a dose of realism, and with Fang Huai’s ability and connections, his willingness to give this kind of advice was a clear sign of goodwill.

The others were somewhat shocked.

This Fang Huai, the things he thought about each day, had surpassed the level of a simple squad leader.

With Wu Di setting a shining example, Zhang Tianwang couldn’t help but sit up a bit straighter.

"Second, the two new comrades.

Squad Leader Zhang... based on your experience, your position will temporarily be as a combatant. For driving, particularly the aerial ladder truck, you should study more. You may be reassigned in the next step.

Then there’s the issue of integration. You’re an old squad leader now, don’t just focus on Wang Peng’s training. Our Special Duty Team is training-oriented, but that doesn’t mean we don’t work. Your own job is much more important than developing Wang Peng!

Try to blend in with everyone’s lives more, engage in more exchanges. Although your living habits are your own affair, unity is everyone’s business."

Zhang Tianwang nodded perfunctorily.

Fang Huai glanced at Huang Yong.

Huang Yong, the hands-off deputy squad leader, finally spoke up:

"Squad Leader Zhang, please take this seriously. Our Special Duty Squad has to respond to fire alarms and emergencies. Losing touch with your comrades can be deadly!"

Zhang Tianwang had no choice but to nod again: "I get it... It’s just that I can’t get into the topics you all chat about."

Fang Huai tapped the table: "It’s about participation; the main issue is your own rejection. Can a single army have two heavens above it?"

With that, he turned to Zhou Tiannu with a smile:

"Squad Leader Zhou, you’ve integrated too quickly. You’re practically up for replacing our squad’s awesome king, Squad Leader Chen, as his back-up. You should rein it in a bit. When you’re free, spend more time learning about the equipment and familiarizing yourself with the squadron’s standby procedures, okay?"

Zhou Tiannu nodded with a smile as well.

Chen Zhenghai, however, angrily slapped the table: "Fang Huai, if you keep making up nicknames for me, demeaning my personality, I’ll hold you legally accountable!"

Yet, Fang Huai’s smile didn’t wane, and he waved it off: "Okay, my lawyer is coming to the squadron tomorrow to discuss suing that woman, and you can discuss it with him then."

Chen Zhenghai was taken aback.

He had been bragging, and only then remembered that Fang Huai was actually about to file a lawsuit.

He clenched his fist in regret: "Bro, my apologies. I was too loud just now."

"Hahaha..."

Fang Huai laughed as well, and continued:

"Another thing, on Tuesday, there’s a disciplinary inspection double-regulation site; the squadron needs two people to assist in the watch. Anyone want to volunteer?"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately looked at each other.

Chen Zhenghai was excited again: "This welfare... do we even need to sign up? I’m in! Isn’t this basically a vacation?"

Zhou Tiannu looked puzzled: "... What watch?"

"It’s like being a door guard," Fang Huai said with a smile. "Double-regulation is for some cadres who’ve broken the law, involving indeterminate isolation and review. These places are quite hidden, usually remote hotels. Those on duty switch between two posts. Don’t think it’s an easy task; if anything goes wrong, you’ll be held accountable."

Chen Zhenghai waved it off: "Scared? There are plenty of people living in that building. Usually, we just deliver meals and watch the door. During the day, we sit on watch; at night, we stay in the hotel. It’s so comfortable.

Last time, someone did escape, but I caught them. They tried to run, so I punched them twice to make them behave. I heard he used to be a pretty high-ranking cadre. When he was taken back, oh, the crying...

In that building, it’s a bit terrifying at night; you always hear people crying. Tsk tsk, it’s quite a sad sight.

They used to be so prestigious, but when they start crying, they’re even louder than little kids.

I don’t get why they’d embezzle so much money. When they get caught, they lose their freedom, can’t leave without confessing everything, and after confessing, they still go to jail."

Fang Huai laughed: "They’re just hoping to get lucky. Since you have the experience, you’ll go. Another squad will choose one more."

Chen Zhenghai immediately beamed with joy: "Understood!"

It was then that Fang Huai rubbed his head and said:

"During these few days of vacation, I took the time to look into several cases of landslides and was deeply moved. Considering our Guizhou’s mountainous terrain, I’ve compiled some information. It’s on how our equipment should be applied in situations of landslides and collapses. I’ve submitted it to the Squadron Department for printing.

I hope everyone will read it, especially Squad Leader Huang and Squad Leader Zhou. Training is our main job, but rescue is just as important. On this point, I suggest you learn from Squad Leader Zhang Tianwang. Visit the equipment depot more often, familiarize yourself with it.

Don’t end up in a crucial moment where you only know the names of some rescue equipment but can’t use it. Having strength but not being able to exert it can delay the rescue."

At these words, Zhang Tianwang sat up a bit straighter.

This guy, sometimes, he does speak sensibly!

"Hmm... What Squad Leader Fang said is very true. On the firefighting front, learning and mastering the equipment is even more critical than training."

"That’s not possible!" Huang Yong bristled at this: "When have I ever fallen out of line in a rescue? Even if I have to dig with my hands and prop with my body, I will save people! There’s no way I’d delay!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Huai became serious: "What are you talking about? Are all the firefighting equipment funds going into your muscles?

I don’t care! Those of you in the squadron, with muscles for brains, you must memorize! By Friday, anyone who can’t recite will have additional training on the weekend... no, additional drilling. The training ground, the gym, will be off-limits for you. You’ll stay in the squad and memorize the textbook until you finish. Then, and only then, will you be allowed to train!

Don’t think I can’t enforce this. Instructor Cao has already agreed to it!"

At this, the two newcomers, Zhang and Zhou, were at a loss.

The thought of training for another five days made everyone’s heart sink. Not being allowed to train... what sort of punishment was that?

This was practically a reward!

But then, Huang Yong cursed: "Memorize, memorize, memorize! Happy now?"

Damn.

The two were shocked.

He really did fall for it! All that muscle was indeed not for nothing.

... How could this kind of freak not be outdone by Fang Huai?