Free Web NovelChapter 83: Chapter 41 Incident
Hao Chengbin followed Wang Jian to the Brigade Department and saw Jiang Peng’s disappointing face again, with Pan Zhaohui sitting beside him, holding a mobile phone, and tapping on the desk every couple of seconds.
"What’s wrong? A new recruit from Squad Eight causes trouble, and it’s not for me to deal with, right?"
Hao Chengbin directly pulled over a stool and sat down, adopting an attitude of indifference.
He’d seen plenty of ups and downs over the years.
From everyone’s demeanor, he’d almost guessed what was going on.
Pan Zhaohui moved his mouth, cursing filthily, the kind involving organs.
Wang Jian sighed.
"Jiang Peng stole Pan Zhaohui’s phone this morning to send a text message, and got a reply back. It was an internal short number, probably his uncle by marriage."
The firefighting cadres who often use mobile phones have short numbers from the Ministry of Public Security. Cadre’s short numbers are updated every year. The first three digits of the short number correspond to their detachment, and the last three correspond to their department and position ranking. Just by seeing the short number, one can tell which unit and which leader it is.
Soldiers who have worked in government agencies also have short numbers, so since Jiang Peng used Pan Zhaohui’s phone to send the message, the recipient also knew who it was.
Hao Chengbin suddenly stood up, his tone noticeably more serious.
"Pan Zhaohui, Wang Jian, you both are veterans. Do you still need my opinion on this? Or are you reluctant to take action, expecting me to do it?"
Jiang Peng hurriedly dodged to the side.
Wang Jian sighed again.
"Old Pan, just show Old Hao the message."
Pan Zhaohui stood up and handed his phone to Hao Chengbin.
"I can see now why this damned soldier is such that even you can’t handle him."
After speaking, he went outside to get some air.
Hao Chengbin picked up the phone, glanced at Jiang Peng, then looked down at the screen.
The message sent was: "Uncle, I am Jiang Peng. I really can’t stand it here anymore. The squad leader beats me every day. I changed squads, but the new squad leader also hits me. I want to go back to my original squad, but the original squad leader won’t let me return. Can you put me back in my original squad?"
The reply was: "You’re in the new recruit company, how can you use a mobile phone? Who gave it to you? Hand it over immediately, I’m coming over now!"
Hao Chengbin let out a cold snort as he read.
No wonder they hadn’t dealt with Jiang Peng.
The uncle spoke very skillfully, first pointing out Jiang Peng’s mistakes and then saying he would come over.
If he’s coming over soon, would it still be okay to deal with him harshly?
Though they meant to protect Jiang Peng with their words, nobody could find fault in that text message.
"Jiang Peng, you fucking disaster!" Hao Chengbin cursed, placing the mobile phone on the table.
Jiang Peng began to regret. Earlier, he thought that since he had already notified his uncle, he couldn’t possibly be in any trouble.
Little did he expect that Pan Zhaohui would show him the reply from his uncle.
As a fresh higher vocational education graduate, he completely failed to grasp the subtext of his uncle’s words, just feeling that his uncle was also about to settle scores with him.
Of course, if he had been able to comprehend the real meaning, he wouldn’t have ended up in this situation. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
Hao Chengbin gave Wang Jian a meaningful glance and walked towards the door.
Wang Jian followed.
They closed the door, and the three of them walked to a more distant place.
"What should we do?"
The first to speak was Pan Zhaohui, who was now the squad leader, and had also been the one to hit Jiang Peng yesterday.
The regimental commander had just issued an order yesterday. Putting up a fight now would not just be a defiance, but essentially like playing with fire.
Wang Jian rolled his eyes, "Brother, you’re so harsh. You hit someone right after the meeting, and now you’re asking me?"
"Goddamn it, Wang Jian, we’re same year soldiers!" Pan Zhaohui was also very anxious.
But Hao Chengbin waved his hand dismissively, "I think as long as someone is sensible, they won’t harp on this. Let’s first discuss how to deal with this new recruit."
Wang Jian immediately shook his head, "Discharging him is out of the question unless Jiang Peng’s family actively requests it, with this connection, it’s difficult.
I think... in the end, the Chief of Staff will have to decide."
"Anyway, don’t assign this new recruit to me again. I won’t lead him," said Hao Chengbin bluntly, knowing Wang Jian wanted to smooth things over and flatly negating the option.
Hao Chengbin was also apprehensive. After all, Wang Jian was a cadre and his perspective on issues was different from theirs as non-commissioned officers. They generally aimed for no trouble, and although Wang Jian could handle things normally, if something happened these days, he might become an example for the regiment to make.
Wang Jian, seeing Hao Chengbin’s guarded look, immediately put on an indifferent air.
"Ah, I couldn’t care less. If it really comes to it, just send me back! It’s almost Chinese New Year, and the squadron is very busy!
If it wasn’t for Old Pan, I truly wouldn’t want to bother!
But if the Chief of Staff orders him back, I really can’t interfere! Old Hao, you’ll have to talk to the Chief of Staff yourself!"
For someone like Wang Jian in his position, it was difficult to intervene. He had to be mindful of the leadership’s attitude and maintain unity among the old soldiers, while also occasionally accommodating colleagues with their issues, like the Instructor being in the hospital since the start of training, leaving him alone in charge of the Brigade Department, which also just had to be understood.
For an old soldier like Hao Chengbin, he couldn’t just issue orders without considering their feelings. He could only outwardly show solidarity, then speak of difficulties.
Life can’t be as passionate as a military movie, using no brains and just shouting at people to follow orders or get lost, unless one’s personal abilities were strong enough to completely overpower the old soldiers into compliance or had served a very long military term.
Hao Chengbin knew Wang Jian was trying to dodge responsibility.
"Heh, then let’s see what Old Black has to say! Leading a soldier is like coaxing a baby, tough indeed!"
Hao Chengbin, with his hands behind his back, walked toward Squad Nine, leaving Wang Jian and Pan Zhaohui behind.
"Can’t he really be discharged?" Pan Zhaohui frowned.
Wang Jian shook his head, "It’s tricky. It’s not that soldiers can’t be discharged, but discharging someone after just one week of training... The first time we discharge someone, it might be overlooked, but the second time, the higher-ups will definitely pursue it.
What do we do when there’s a real need to discharge someone in the future?
Moreover, discharging because of this sort of issue, and the soldier being a relative of the leadership, is just looking for trouble within the brigade. Even if we report it, it’s unlikely to be approved."
Pan Zhaohui couldn’t help but spit, "Mother’s Smelly Pussy, they said coming up here to lead a soldier was like taking a vacation back to the provincial city, but there’s no benefit to it at all, just a whole lot of trouble!"
Wang Jian, however, smiled and offered advice, "It’s not entirely bad. Since the leadership has already stepped in, if you stabilize this soldier and lead him well, maybe when it comes to your transfer to the Detachment, they could really help you out. At the very least, you’ve made a connection in the provincial city. Think of a way in Anshun Brigade, and it might just work out.
If because of this, you manage to get transferred to the provincial city, wouldn’t that be a blessing in disguise? Just be a bit gentler in your command; what’s so difficult about that?"
Seeing that it was no use persuading Hao Chengbin, Wang Jian could only try to find a solution with Pan Zhaohui.
Hearing this, Pan Zhaohui’s thoughts stirred, and his anger subsided by half.
But he still said with a look of disdain on his face, "Forget it, I’d rather have someone who doesn’t give me headaches! If you’re not strict when leading soldiers, what kind of soldiers can you produce? Don’t tell me you think Hao Chengbin’s past success in leading soldiers was because he was a nice guy?
You’re new to leading new recruits and don’t know the score. I’ve led soldiers with him before! He used to be known as a merciless trainer of new recruits!
Now that we have a Deputy Squad Leader who manages things in the squad, after several attempts he’s started to let go a little!"
In these few days, Squad Nine’s Deputy Squad Leader’s abilities had been clear for all to see, from early inspections to maintaining order in the squad during regular times, all of which were praiseworthy. During his free time, however, Hao Chengbin was often absent from the squad.
Pan Zhaohui had to acknowledge Fang Huai’s capabilities as well.
Once reminded by Wang Jian, he finally remembered something and laughed, "This Fang Huai is truly a good soldier, a perfect fit for any position."
Pan Zhaohui saw through his thoughts and laughed mischievously, "It’s a pity he might be lured away to Guiyang!... Eh, Wang Lian, transfer that young fellow to our squad. I guarantee I’ll help you lure him to Anshun!"
It was then that Wang Jian burst into laughter, "I’ll be damned, Old Pan, you’re forcing Hao Chengbin to come after me with a vengeance! I’m more familiar with the troop allocation mechanism than you, and you’re trying to fool me? It’s not like new recruits can go wherever they want!
Let me tell you straight, I’ve already reported his name to Chief of Staff Huang of the Detachment! Once in Anshun, he’ll be part of our Development Zone Squadron!
With Hao Chengbin working so hard, in the end, it’s all for us to train them!"
"I’ll be damned, you’re the sly one!"
...
After breakfast, Hao Chengbin wandered around downstairs and didn’t run into the Chief of Staff. He was also somewhat undecided in his mind and decided not to go directly to the Chief of Staff’s office to find him.
Back in the squad, he touched his forehead.
The new recruits stood up and said in a low voice, "Good morning, squad leader!"
Hao Chengbin waved them off and, seeing the new recruits sit down and bend over to recite their materials, murmuring to themselves, he felt a little better.
These kids, at least, were obedient.
Fang Huai had actually been sneakily writing song lyrics on the study materials.
He couldn’t come up with the lyrics for "The Lonely Brave" no matter how hard he tried; he only remembered a few lines from the chorus and the tune. Despite hearing the verses countless times, he couldn’t recall the words. It seems he really needs to work on enhancing his memory.
This idea came to him when he heard Hao Chengbin say, "There are no artistic soldiers in firefighting."
If they could get this song out through firefighters and then promote it, it would be a perfect match for the theme and good for commendations and awards.
Studying at the Military Academy for four more years, by the time one graduates, the reforms might already be in place. What’s the point of messing around with this? If the promotion has good effects and meets the conditions, there might be a chance for promotion!
Moreover, with not many military achievements to his name, he couldn’t always be thinking about snatching opportunities from his comrades; he had to look for more ways from the outside!
That morning, from the Company Leader to the squad leader, and then to him as the Deputy Squad Leader, each was calculating their own schemes.
"Squad leader, why do you look so annoyed?" a voice came from the back row of the squad.
Hao Chengbin saw that it was Han Yong who spoke and quickly controlled his emotions, waving his hand.
"It’s nothing, just memorize your... make the squad proud!"
Fang Huai noticed something was off.
He wasn’t clairvoyant; whatever happened to Hao Chengbin outside, no one could guess.
But he had an information advantage and, upon reflection, he realized that the squad leader’s behavior after he came in was somewhat emotional.
He stood up decisively.
"Squad leader, there’s something I need to report to you in private."
Hao Chengbin frowned, but out of trust, he opened the door and stepped out of the squad room.
Fang Huai followed, closing the door behind him.
"What’s up?" Hao Chengbin looked toward the Brigade Department then walked a few steps farther away.
"Squad leader, did you go out just now because of Jiang Peng?" Fang Huai asked directly.
Hao Chengbin was taken aback, but before responding, he asked.
"What’s the situation? What have you learned?"
Fang Huai recounted the morning’s events.
After listening, Hao Chengbin was somewhat irritated, "Why didn’t you say something earlier?"
Fang Huai sighed, "If I had told you, wouldn’t that be the same as indirectly communicating his conditions to you?
Whether a squad leader is transferred or a new recruit changes squads is not for me to meddle in.
Not saying anything, that’s what I as a new recruit should do, right?"
Hao Chengbin was at a loss for words.
