After Being Reborn, I became a firefighter again?

Chapter 84: Chapter 42 Why Isn’t Anyone Coaxing Me? (Seeking Collectible Monthly Tickets)

(Take it slow with these two Chapters; otherwise, the dialogue might feel a bit messy.)

Hao Chengbin thought for a long time before finally speaking.

"Then you shouldn’t have asked. I’m aware of what happened; it’s not your concern. I’ll handle it... Don’t tell Han Yong; he shouldn’t know either."

Fang Huai shook his head, "Squad Leader, I came to you because I have a way. Can you tell me what happened? Was it his uncle who made the call?"

Hao Chengbin sorted out his thoughts and felt that if the matter became a problem, the Regiment Department might still inquire Fang Huai. He pointed towards the other stairwell, signaling Fang Huai to talk in a more secluded spot.

...

After listening, Fang Huai was deeply impressed by Jiang Peng’s audacity.

Damn, to even tamper with the squad leader’s mobile phone by the pillow, and with a bunch of new recruits folding blankets in the corridor who might enter the room at any time, just thinking about it felt risky.

If this guy were in a unit with guns, he’d probably dare to take sneaky shots at the squad leader.

"Actually, it’s not that difficult," Fang Huai pondered and concluded, "Just mention that Han Yong’s performance in Squad Nine is not bad when the Group Leadership is around."

"What?" Hao Chengbin frowned, indicating that he didn’t understand.

Fang Huai bluntly stated, "Han Yong’s family also has connections, and from the whole corps no less. The Group Leadership is definitely aware and is unlikely to keep transferring him around."

Hao Chengbin had a sudden realization and couldn’t help but ruffle Fang Huai’s hair.

"You sly brain of yours, you’re paying attention to a lot of things! Very clever, you. Do you have any connections yourself?"

Fang Huai was startled, then quickly laughed and changed the subject, "Of course, I do! Squad Leader, my connection is you! If I ever get bullied outside, I’ll drop your name!"

"Hahahahaha..." Hao Chengbin laughed heartily.

...

When the two returned to the squad, they bumped straight into Wang Jian, who was coming out to go on weekend duty.

Holding Fang Huai’s shoulder, Hao Chengbin couldn’t hide the smile on his face.

"Company Leader, good!" Fang Huai stood at attention and shouted, following Hao Chengbin into the squad.

Wang Jian was utterly confused.

What trick had Fang Huai used to make Hao Chengbin so happy?

Why isn’t anyone cheering me up?

...

Around 10 a.m., a black Passat with a license plate starting with "WJ" entered the base.

The man who got out of the car was in casual clothes and headed straight for the Base Office Building.

...

The middle-aged, broad-faced man in a jacket, Vice-director Liu, saw the words "Director’s Office" and knocked on the door.

"Knock, knock."

"Old Yang! You still on duty today?"

Upon hearing the voice, Yang Yonghua turned his head, and a smile emerged on his dark face as he said aloud.

"Yes, sir! How could we compare with your Detachment? Here, with winter and summer training, my work at the Training Department never stops."

The Training Director was the Chief of Staff Yang Yonghua’s position at the base, responsible for arranging the details of various training matters.

"The Detachment is also quite busy," Vice-director Liu laughed a bit sheepishly.

I’m giving you more trouble while you’re so busy.

Yang Yonghua stood up, poured a cup of tea for him, and said, "It’s rare to see you. It’s good that your Detachment is busy; look, you’re getting promoted faster than us. Unlike us, slaving away and only waiting for year-end to maybe get recognized."

Vice-director Liu pointed at the position of his service ribbons on his chest, smiling, "You’re also a deputy regimental commander now, right? It’s just a matter of having one more star, aren’t you up for promotion this year too?"

"Pretty soon, in the first half of the year," Yang Yonghua took a sip of tea, no longer speaking, waiting for him to start talking.

He had been somewhat annoyed by this morning’s incident, which Wang Jian had already reported to him. While he was used to it, he was still a little angry.

It’s just the way of the world.

If someone comes asking for a favor, there’s bound to be a situation.

Vice-director Liu was also tactful, leaning in a bit more, elbow propped on the desk, and took the initiative to say.

"This morning... did a report from the new recruit group reach your office?"

Yang Yonghua feigned realization, "Oh, are you talking about your nephew? It’s not a big deal; I had already met him a few days ago."

"Oh?" Vice-director Liu seemed surprised, "What do you mean?"

Yang Yonghua waved his hand, "He was a bit disobedient, so I gave him a little lecture. He said he wanted to change squads, so I arranged it for him."

Vice-director Liu looked a bit reproachful, "How can he change squads whenever he wants? This year’s new recruit group leader, Director Huang, is my old boss. What if he finds out? Won’t he scold me?"

Changing squads like that wasn’t proper in the first place, they should have changed it back!

Yang Yonghua shook his head, "No worries, but if he wants to change squads again, it’s not going to be easy now. Director Huang held a meeting yesterday, saying new recruits’ ideological issues require accountability. Squad leaders will be held responsible for problems. Just last night, I arranged for the Group Staff to submit the accountability forms."

"You see, I had just changed Jiang Peng’s squad and even had someone specially replace the form to avoid mistakes."

As he spoke, Yang Yonghua took out a form from his desk and deliberately placed it in front of Vice-director Liu.

Vice-director Liu took it, pretending to look it over seriously, chuckling to himself.

Thanks for your trouble, Old Yang, taking time out of your busy schedule to make a new recruit class list just to appease me.

But he knew Yang Yonghua’s character; some things, Old Yang didn’t tolerate.

After some thought, shifting his approach, he said.

"Could I meet those two squad leaders to get an understanding of young Jiang’s situation? Don’t worry, I won’t cause you any trouble."

Yang Yonghua didn’t make excuses this time but directly took out his phone.

"I’ll call them for you."

This Pan Zhaohui, stirring up all this trouble at a crucial time, deserves a good scolding too.

Vice-director Liu revealed an apologetic smile.

"Then I’ll have to trouble you! By the way, what happened... that day?"

... freёwebnovel.com

Twenty minutes later, Wang Jian, Pan Zhaohui, Hao Chengbin, and Jiang Peng appeared at the door.

"Report!" Wang Jian took the lead, knocking on the door.

Jiang Peng nearly burst into tears when he saw the person sitting inside.

It felt like an eternity! The person who had his back had finally arrived!

Vice-director Liu frowned at the sight of Jiang Peng about to cry and, without a subject, asked sternly.

"Were you disciplined by the squad leader?"

That was the first sentence, bringing up the matter of hitting soldiers right away.

Tears fell from Jiang Peng’s eyes: "Yes... uncle."

"Deserved! Who told you to secretly use someone else’s phone? Do you know what this means?"

That was the second sentence, about Pan Zhaohui in the new recruit group using a mobile phone.

Vice-director Liu, in two sentences, directly dragged Pan Zhaohui into it.

Internally, Pan Zhaohui cursed a blue streak.

Why be so transparent? Does he want the Chief of Staff to discipline me?

But Yang Yonghua heard something else.

First, he talked about being disciplined, then about "who told you to steal the phone?" as if stealing the phone was the cause and being disciplined was the effect, reversing the cause and effect of the two matters.

Clearly, it was because he was disciplined that Jiang Peng stole the phone.

The right and wrong can be flipped at any time, meaning the matter can have different outcomes.

To put it in a bigger picture, first the beatings, then the stolen phone call, suggests Pan Zhaohui intentionally beat up the new recruit, causing him unbearable distress and leading him to steal a phone to tell his family.

To put it trivially, the new recruit stole a phone call and got chewed out by the squad leader.

This Old Liu is giving Pan Zhaohui a warning.

Concerned, Yang Yonghua had to remind him, tapping the table, "Jiang Peng, is this new squad not suitable? Isn’t that what you requested? We met your requirements, so why are there still issues? Did you call your uncle over because you’re dissatisfied with my arrangements?"

The squad was what Jiang Peng had vehemently requested to change, his choice of squad leader, and still unsatisfied?

Seeing the Chief of Staff annoyed, Jiang Peng became flustered: "No... it’s not dissatisfaction, but Squad Leader Pan hit..."

"Cough!" Vice-director Liu coughed loudly.

You foolish kid, when everything’s already laid out, what’s the point of talking more!

He then reprimanded Jiang Peng: "Jiang Peng, do you think you shouldn’t have been disciplined? How serious must the offense be for you? Does the ’Internal Affairs Regulations’ allow new recruits to use mobile phones?"

As soon as he said this, even Hao Chengbin stuffed his hand into his pocket, pressing hard on the power off button for a while.

Damn, not allowed for new recruits? Old soldiers aren’t allowed either!

Mobile phone use in firefighting units is quite special because their readiness levels differ from the usual "one two three four" states of readiness of other troops.

There are only three readiness states for firefighting: first level, second level, and the regular readiness state unique to firefighting.

"Usually regular readiness, often at second level," is the norm for firefighting.

Only in firefighting would you see squadron leaders occasionally shouting "Second level readiness is over" in the courtyard and then a bunch of people rushing into the computer room to play games like mad.

In other troops, a "second level readiness" would indicate a serious situation, where all personnel on leave would need to stop their vacation, and troop deployment might need to change.

Under such readiness conditions, as long as someone is in the squadron, having the "official mobile phone" often switched on isn’t a problem.

Hao Chengbin and Pan Zhaohui’s phones were reported, but strictly speaking, they were supposed to be used for official purposes during duty readiness periods.

But having joined the new recruit group, and neither being dispatched nor on duty-ready, they shouldn’t carry them. freeweɓnøvel.com

Mentioning this was to start making a big deal out of it.

I’m not bringing up the incident of beating soldiers three times to give the new recruit group face, but the text message sent from this phone is still on my mobile.

If the squad leader was following the rules and not carrying a mobile phone, how could Jiang Peng have sent a text message? Whose fault is it?

If we were to seriously investigate mobile phone usage, could these old soldiers with families handle it?

Crafty fox.

The Chief of Staff usually turns a blind eye to mobile phone control, but that won’t stop someone from forcefully prying your eyes open, right?

Jiang Peng finally sensed the odd atmosphere and kept his mouth shut, thankfully not causing more trouble for his uncle.

Pan Zhaohui finally felt the gap between a mature cadre and himself and, gritting his teeth, took out his phone, saying, "Chief of Staff, I..."

But Vice-director Liu interrupted with a laugh: "Squad Leader Hao and Squad Leader Pan, right?"

"Yes," Hao Chengbin responded proactively.

Pan Zhaohui was too proud to answer a question from a man in casual clothes, so Hao Chengbin helped him out of the predicament.

Vice-director Liu clapped and laughed, "Squad Leader Hao, you’re quite famous in the whole corps. I saw you last year during military training, you and Chen Bin from the Qiannan Brigade were both exceptional with the hook ladder up to the fourth floor!

Old non-commissioned officer, you’re not less impressive than the fifth year’s Chen Bin! And that Chen Bin, he too wants to join the Provincial Special Duty Team, but still falls short compared to you!"

Hao Chengbin chuckled: "It’s because Detachment Captain Zhang favors me."

"Right, right, right, I called the Command Department especially to inquire, and your paperwork is being signed. I expect we will see you at the detachment soon! Congratulations!"

Vice-director Liu had no authority to decide on this matter but lightly warned several times before turning the conversation to Pan Zhaohui.

"Squad Leader Pan, Captain Wang, I’m really sorry about this situation. It’s my fault for not educating him well before sending him to the troops to cause trouble. As a family member, I ask you to discipline him properly!

Your Chief of Staff Huang is also a classmate of Old Yang and me. Next time I come to Anshun to interview him, I’ll definitely invite you all out for a meal!"

Yang Yonghua had watched from the side, feeling that although Old Liu hadn’t said anything out of line, he was overshadowing the host a bit, and he coughed lightly to remind him.

"Let’s follow the system of the new recruit group, shall we? You’re an old cadre yourself, and yet you came here personally to say a thing or two. Do you think I’m not doing my job as the Chief of Staff? Don’t worry! There won’t be any injustice!"