Free Web NovelChapter 405: Chapter 330 Hand over the Two-Way Radio!
The quiet noon had passed, and so had the rest period following the police dispatch.
Fang Huai glanced at the time, it was about right. He picked up his cell phone, ready to make good on a promise.
"Hello, Uncle."
"Hmm."
"You know, we had an emergency call yesterday, a wildfire."
"I know, the Command Center reported to me. You did well. There’s a patch of spinulose tree ferns near Wangmu Mountain, a first-class protected plant, close to the fire point. You protected it. Write up a brief report and send it up. No merit for this one, but the Forestry department has an award of thanks for you."
"...There were first-class protected plants, and you didn’t notify us?!"
"Forestry was off duty when the call came in yesterday, telling you wouldn’t make a difference, you wouldn’t have noticed them anyway as they’re under the big trees. They had a protected zone marked. I only received the call this morning too."
"Oh... I mean, the dispatch yesterday wasn’t exactly smooth."
"Speak directly."
"Um... didn’t you say to tell you everything? After coming back from the dispatch in the wee hours, our squadron deeply realized our shortcomings and is planning to make improvements."
"..."
"Uncle, say something."
"When it comes to money, refer to my position."
Fang Huai: ...
"Zhang Zhiwu... Regimental Commander! Our squadron is prepared to face the difficulties and scale new heights! We now propose to add a forest rescue sub-team to the plan! Everyone in the team, excluding the drivers, will join the forest rescue sub-team!"
"..."
Old Zhang remained silent, and Fang Huai panicked.
"It’s not expensive! Really not expensive! Let me give you a breakdown! A backpack-style wind force extinguisher is just 800 to 1100 yuan a set.
I’ll count the best ones! 55 sets, that’s just over sixty thousand!
The backpack-style three-level pump is also affordable! The imported ones cost between eight thousand and fifteen thousand!
I’ll count the best! 150 meters of lift, three sets, just forty-five thousand!
The 40 water hoses are even cheaper! I’ll count the best of them too!" fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
Finally, Old Zhang couldn’t hold back any longer.
"What do you consider the best? The best rescue helicopter, the Ka-32, do you want one? It can carry over five tons. The kind of wildfire you guys had yesterday, it could be put out with just two water drops. It’s not expensive, just 28 million!"
On hearing this, Fang Huai’s face lit up with excitement and a touch of drool.
You, how did you know I wanted it?
"Cough... 28 million is a bit much... but if there’s a cheaper option, it’s not out of the question..."
On the other end, there came a laugh, "28 million, US dollars, minimum order of 10 helicopters, delivery over three years in batches, and you have to deal with the Russian government."
The smile vanished from Fang Huai’s face.
Damn, a single helicopter is that expensive?
A minimum order of 10 helicopters, a cool three hundred million dollars.
Uncle, don’t force me to start a business. freeweɓnøvel.com
"I don’t want the helicopter anymore, okay? Just those things I mentioned before, the best will do, along with some fire evacuation grenades, we have everything else, no need to buy more, a few tens of thousands, that’s cheap enough, right?"
Fang Huai felt he had already compromised.
He was even forgoing the helicopter.
But Zhang Zhongting on the other end was clearly fed up, "A few tens of thousands is cheap? Do you know how much can be done with tens of thousands..."
"Cough." Fang Huai interrupted, "Didn’t you agree to buy Da Hong Pao during the training team period? That’s aged tea, not easily found. I asked my dad to get you a pound of 2002 Baihao Silver Needle, seventy-three thousand. A few tens of thousands can buy two pounds.
Two pounds of tea leaves, in exchange for the safety of lush mountains and clear waters, is too good a deal. If it were me, I’d definitely invest in that project."
"..."
"..."
"I don’t deserve such good tea with this mouth!!"
"If it’s too good for you, invite General Luo and Boss Wu to drink it."
"..."
Zhang Zhongting was already beside himself with anger, "Get Instructor Cao to call me!"
Fang Huai shook his head, "That won’t do, you’re angry now. If I get him to call you, you’ll scold him, and he’ll scold me. Better you just scold me directly, no need to pass it on."
"Dial tone."
The call ended.
Fang Huai glanced at the screen, laughed, and put away his phone, then picked up the book on the desk, carefully flipping through it again.
About half an hour later, Cao Yi’s voice came from the hallway, growing nearer.
"Yes, yes, yes!"
"Yes, Regimental Commander, we will make a real effort."
"Yes, I understand! I’m informing him now!"
The door opened, and Cao Yi’s voice had made its appearance in the room.
The ones lying outside resting didn’t move; over time they had gotten used to it. Whenever Instructor Cao had something, he’d come to discuss it with Fang Huai. The Special Duty Squad had somehow become like a second Squadron Department.
How strong Fang Huai was physically was uncertain to everyone by now, but what seemed even stronger was that brain of his.
"Platoon Leader Hao, where’s Fang Huai?"
"Inside." Fang Huai responded while still flipping through his book.
Cao Yi pushed the door and entered, his face showing a hint of speechlessness, about to reprimand Fang Huai.
Fang Huai immediately raised his hand, "Don’t scold me, okay? I did what I promised you. If you’re getting scolded, it’s on you. I already told Old Zhang to direct all his anger at me, but he insisted on phoning you to give you an earful. There was nothing I could do."
"Nonsense!" Cao Yi said irritably as he pulled out a chair and sat down, then looked at the book in Fang Huai’s hand and laughed:
"Are you going to tell me you’re not interested? ’Improvement of Economic Value Under the Forest.’ If you’re not into it, then why are you reading this? Where did you find these books, huh? Does the Squadron Department’s library even have these books?"
Fang Huai folded the page he was on, closed the book, stood up and placed it on a nearby bookshelf before raising his eyebrows and asking:
"So, how much is Old Zhang willing to offer?"
Only then Cao Yi smacked his lips, "You, you’ve never haggled with the Leadership before, have you? Asking for a Wind Force Extinguisher, Water Pump? Just straight up demand two Troop Carriers, then settle for less. Wouldn’t that make the price negotiations easier?"
"Heh."
Fang Huai smirked, "You really lack ambition, don’t you? I’m asking for helicopters."
Old Cao was taken aback: "Oh my god..."
"But it’s not about bargaining, I really want them."
Fang Huai sat back down, resting one hand on the back of the chair and tapping his fingers on the table before turning around and pointing at the book, and continued:
"Anyway, we should first address the issue of whether we can have them or not... Look, isn’t this me finding reasons for them? With the forest’s value being so high, why should our Firefighting team foot the bill?
The government should pay for it!
With the formation of this team, if a wildfire occurs, the government has personnel at its disposal; also, we can provide an objective basis for how much vegetation loss occurs in Guizhou’s wildfires every year and how much money we could save the local government.
We put our lives on the line, the Detachment provides the project, the government provides the funds,
Play your cards right, and even if we only get half, that would be more than enough to buy equipment and add a couple of Troop Carriers."
Cao Yi exclaimed in amazement, "Saving money for the government? Isn’t that a matter for the State?"
"Wow." Fang Huai stood up again, "Even you, Instructor, don’t understand. I think this afternoon I really need to school them properly, to let them know what exactly forming this team is all about, what they’re actually protecting."
Cao Yi raised his hand, "Let it be, you think about things more than the Regimental commander does in a single day. Let’s talk about your thing first. Get ready, because tomorrow, leaders from the Provincial GA Office and the Head of the Corps will come to announce the First-class Merit Order to you."
"Ah? So soon?" Fang Huai was stunned.
Cao Yi chuckled, "With Ye Jiahong and me busily working on expansion, you acting as the interim Squadron Leader, have you forgotten the time? Too early? It’s already the 18th, in a bit over ten days you’ll be leaving!"
Fang Huai laughed, "You don’t say, it’s actually rather pleasant. If you two would be willing to step down, I promise I’d get the Squadron’s physical and technical abilities up! Look at them now, every day they’re counting down to when I leave, waiting to set off firecrackers! It’s like I’m going away for good, even though I’ll be back in a month or so!"
"It’s not just a month or so." Cao Yi corrected, "This first period is 45 days. You’ll return right in mid-August, just in time for the Army’s Big Contest on the 20th.
That Captain Hu is a capable person. I looked into it, he’s a Lieutenant Colonel, and has received a GWY Award; a capable person indeed. He’ll be your team’s Captain, so go there, learn something useful, and bring it back to teach your brothers."
Fang Huai couldn’t help but recall the buzz-cut middle-aged man with a sharp face and smiled.
"Alright, then I’ll teach them a lesson this afternoon.
If you really want to create a professional forest firefighting rescue team, you have to first make them understand what they are defending.
From what I see, they’re just going through the motions, half-asleep during yesterday’s Forest Fire Prevention Lecture, and by evening, they’re indignantly eager to do forest firefighting, purely out of a moment’s passion. Charging into a firefight, requires belief."
After listening, Cao Yi stroked his chin.
"Alright, you handle it."
Fang Huai said with a smile, "Sure, then I’ll go get ready. I suggest that you two main officers should also come to the class. This project is something we’re going to use to ask the government for funding."
...
The afternoon.
Two vehicles approached the Second Squadron quietly.
The Colonel and the Lieutenant Colonel on board chatted about work as they went.
From a distance, they saw the gate of the Squadron. Boss Wu glanced at his watch and then remarked:
"Central Court, Deputy Leader Xin from the Provincial Department has been frequently bringing up the issues of address disaster and secondary disaster at the Fire Protection Joint Working Conference lately. On the 23rd, he will even be going to Southwest Guizhou and Anshun for research.
Since he is in charge of firefighting, both Commissar Zou and I have committed to making this situation our main task for the month. It’s especially important for both the Southwest Guizhou and Anshun Detachment to organize drills separately, but as Guiyang is the provincial city and directly under the Leadership’s watchful eye, your Detachment still needs to keep pace with the workload."
Zhang Zhongting was surprised to hear this.
"Drills? There actually are some planned. Special Service Old He reported to me just last Monday that next Monday, Special Preparation is planning an Earthquake Pull drill. The plan was developed by the Second Squadron."
"Oh?" Boss Wu was surprised for a moment, then he laughed.
"Not bad at all, the organization in the Brigade and Squadron’s work is even ahead of us. We could really make a big deal out of this and have the Detachment manage it.
Next Monday... which is the 23rd, right? It’s just in time, covering Guiyang, Anshun, Southwest Guizhou... that’s a perfect line. There’s room to expand further; the only issue is the tight timeline."
"Expand further?" Zhang Zhongting immediately sat upright.
After pondering for a moment, he said, "If our Detachment takes the lead and I personally oversee it, I’m confident I can manage."
Boss Wu turned and looked at Zhang Zhongting’s eager expression and said with a smile, "You’re ready to take on a heavier burden. You should set your sights higher. Leave the charge into battle for the young ones to experience."
Zhang Zhongting laughed heartily, looking up.
Now why wasn’t he considered a young person?
From 18 to 44 years old, they’re all considered youth!
Then, with renewed confidence, he declared, "Boss Wu, I’ve wanted to manage a cross-Detachment operation for a while now. This time, you can’t shoot me down!"
Boss Wu laughed helplessly,
"Alright, alright, you take the lead then! You, you’re too extravagant with money, and our funds are limited. I’m just worried it won’t be enough for you to spend!"
At that moment, Zhang Zhongting’s face lit up with joy, and he also checked his watch before saying, "My nephew actually thought of a plan that might help the Corps raise some funds. Director Chen from the Department is arriving at three-thirty today; I asked you to come an hour early just to discuss this."
As they spoke, the vehicle arrived at the Squadron’s entrance.
The sentry, who was dozing at the Second Squadron gate, suddenly awoke to see the license plate number, drawing closer with a mix of surprise and alarm in his eyes.
Zhang Zhongting decisively got out of the car, strode through the open gate to the guard pavilion, raised his hand, knocked on the sentry box’s exterior glass, and pointed to the two-way radio on the sentry’s waist.
"Two-Way Radio, hand it over!"
