Free Web NovelChapter 510: Chapter 408: An Unexpected Change in Uncle’s Path?_2
Fang Huai suddenly felt somewhat awkward.
Indeed.
Others might think that Zhang Zhongting felt he couldn’t do it himself, which is why he sought help from other leaders.
Once that line of thought opened up, Fang Huai started to panic.
Did I take initiative and end up hindering my uncle’s connections?
"Maybe... you could explain?"
It was then that Zhang Zhongting chuckled and scolded, "Explain what? He was just a teacher at the Military Academy, already retired. Stop overthinking it. I’ve gotten this far on my own merits."
Fang Huai was now far from convinced.
"Are you sure? From Chief of Staff to deputy head, I had no part in it?"
This time, Old Zhang clearly huffed with annoyance.
"It’s not that simple, nothing’s been decided yet, don’t worry about these rumors every day."
"Okay, I’m just asking. Are you planning to make a trip in September? If you’re going, I still have to ask Old Hu if he will open the door for you."
This matter was Fang Huai’s most pressing concern, as the day was drawing near.
Just one month away.
If he didn’t go, Fang Huai would have to come up with a plan to get him involved in some other activity.
After much thought, since he had been reborn, there really was no need to let his uncle go there and take that risk, only for him to have to figure out how to save him again, making it seem like a real-life "Speed".
The best course of action was to stay away from it entirely.
Thinking this, Fang Huai declared firmly, "You need to give me a definite answer today. I need to know what you’re thinking. Drop the officialese; it’s just between uncle and nephew right now."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhongting sighed.
"So far, I have never thought about ingratiating myself with anyone. You’re making this very difficult for me," he confessed.
Fang Huai felt that this was a clear stance and earnestly replied:
"It’s not about ingratiating oneself; it’s about securing resources. Uncle, I don’t expect you to become a high-ranking official or to take me under your protection. I just hope that you have more resources to do the things you want to do and to help me with what I want to do. If we both agree on a matter, we can work on it together. freewebnovel.cσ๓
Just pay a visit to a leader and start the conversation with this pilot project to see if we can find some common ground in our thinking.
Even if we can’t come to an agreement, we can simply continue as we were.
The National Martial Arts Competition is the perfect opportunity to make a joint trip to Tianjin. After the Paralympics end on September 17, it would be the ideal time for you to visit. What do you think? Let me tell you, there’s a high-speed train between Beijing and Tianjin now; it only takes an hour or so to make the round trip, very convenient."
Fang Huai anchored the time and mode of travel to ensure safety, planning to accompany him to Tianjin for the whole of the National Martial Arts Competition and watch over him throughout.
The Paralympics would end on September 17, and after the leaders were done with their busy schedules, the excuse and timing would be perfect, right on the day, September 18. With Uncle 2,000 kilometers away, he would definitely be safe.
Perhaps sensing more in Fang Huai’s outlined plan, Zhang Zhongting didn’t take long to make up his mind and firmly decided:
"Alright, I’ll talk to the Head of the Corps about this matter."
Fang Huai, upon hearing this, felt a bit more at ease and nodded slowly.
The Corps was, after all, his uncle’s base of operations. Getting along well with Boss Wu and General Luo was his top priority at the moment. He was confident in his own way of communicating with the Head of the Corps and preferred not to interfere.
Next came the sycophantic part.
"Hey, Uncle, about my situation... it’s going to be made public tomorrow."
"Mhm, keep a low profile, seize the opportunity, go to the academy and study hard."
"Ahem, that’s not it. Vice Bureau Chief Yu is offering me the privilege of taking leave; I don’t have to stay long at the academy, mainly I should focus on getting this Squadron pilot project right... I need a position, right?"
He emphasized the words "Vice Bureau Chief Yu" particularly strongly.
"Oh... since it’s settled, it’s certainly important. But you, as a Military Academy student, don’t have a rank yet. Without being commissioned, the word ’position’ doesn’t relate to you; it’s against the charter."
Fang Huai’s face fell: "Then how am I supposed to manage the Squadron as just a squad leader?"
"What’s the rush? There’s always a solution. I’ll discuss it with the leadership and get back to you after your announcement goes public tomorrow."
When it came to matters within the Corps, his uncle was remarkably efficient.
But as Fang Huai started to smile, Zhang Zhongting’s next words followed swiftly.
"By the way, how much funding is allocated for the pilot project?"
Fang Huai’s heart tightened.
Here it came, the question that would test the strength of uncle-nephew ties.
There was no escaping it; the notice would be issued tomorrow.
"Ahem, around twenty million or so."
Fang Huai’s response was straightforward, much to the point.
"That money is for the whole corps to use."
Fang Huai’s mouth twitched: "How much do you want to borrow?"
Old Zhang laughed softly: "Stop trying to trap me with words. What borrow? The whole corps will just take it for use. Now, the Second Squadron’s funds are fully coordinated, all provided by the whole corps, with the Detachment also supplementing. Holding such a big lump of money, what are you planning to do with it?"
The relationship between uncle and nephew, instantly shattered.
Fang Huai glared and said, "Your Detachment, the funds provided by the whole corps, that’s called matched funding from all levels! I have a plan, and there are expenses everywhere; it will soon be reported. Don’t mess around with it!"
"Joke, what ’yours’ and ’ours’? Isn’t Special Service Squadron 2 under the jurisdiction of the whole corps? The whole corps doesn’t have money for matched funding; this money has been provided by the whole corps already. When the project funding arrives, it will be reimbursed."
Fang Huai clenched his teeth: "I have the right to supervise; don’t force me to report you guys!"
Zhang Zhongting laughed, blatantly threatening: "Go ahead and report. But be careful, when you come back from the Military Academy, the whole corps might not want you."
Fang Huai, too, was well-prepared with his words, speaking righteously:
"This is the first pilot project since leadership took office; we are the proposers of the plan, and also in horizontal comparison with Hunan General Team.
The outcome directly leads the direction of the Firefighting forces’ reform; it’s not just an issue of one whole corps. It concerns all the firefighting corps across the country, whether there should be such a pioneering squadron, and the question of the next step of professional reform!
You always talk about the big picture; this isn’t just about one Detachment’s game, nor one whole corps’ game, this is the entire national firefighting game!
Comrade Old Zhang, let your awareness not be too shallow!"
At this moment, a figure quietly approached behind him, but as they heard Fang Huai’s voice growing louder, they couldn’t help but stop in their tracks.
The topic of conversation forced him to take a step back.
"Are you sure this matter can be further developed?" Zhang Zhongting’s voice now carried some hesitation.
"Certain! This will not be just a pilot. At the very least, it won’t be just the two of us; otherwise, it’s a waste of money!
As long as we are successful, the next step is to explore the key directions of the grand corps in Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Tianjin, and Shenzhen. Due to the practicability and efficiency of this pilot squadron, these small jurisdictions with concentrated key areas are incomparably suited!
By then, we will be the pioneers!
Our small Class 3 General Team leading the way for them, would we have dared to imagine this before? This is a unique opportunity!
I will definitely do an excellent job with the Second Squadron; I have the capability. I implore the Head of the Corps to trust me!"
"Alright, wait for my message. We’ll talk tomorrow."
The call ended.
He looked down to see the call had lasted over a dozen minutes.
Fang Huai hadn’t made such a long call in a while; when he hung up, he let out a long, drawn-out sigh of relief.
Turning his head, Huang Zhongjiu was standing behind him, looking at his soldier epaulette, his expression complex.
Fang Huai asked in confusion: "Instructor Huang, what’s wrong?"
Huang Zhongjiu really wanted to say that he just couldn’t keep up with those soldiers.
But at that moment, he found himself unable to speak.
What Fang Huai had just mentioned, the talk of being pioneers, was blowing his mind.
"Uh... just stepped out for some fresh air."
Only then did Fang Huai smile, walking up to him and pulling him aside, saying:
"Just think of it as doing your job. Come on, let’s go upstairs together; I’ll show you how to have fun, to relax. Starting tonight, there’s a lot to do."
Huang Zhongjiu, with myriad thoughts swirling in his head, was woodenly led upstairs by Fang Huai.
