Chapter 230 - 175: The Scenery Along the Way is Also Important

"The great king commands me to patrol the mountains, yee-haw, careful of that Sun Wukong, yee-haw yee-haw..."

Fang Huai sang in the light rain as he descended the mountain.

Fortunately, the heavens were kind, and suddenly the weather changed, bringing a heavy downpour.

Rain washed away the dust, and all things were renewed.

Everyone was originally supposed to split up and inspect the mountain, but this rain saved them the effort.

Although the rain came a bit late, it did alleviate the worries in everyone’s hearts.

This mountain, you wouldn’t know if you didn’t climb it; once you reach the top and look around, the vegetation on several connected peaks, once on fire, what then?

In a past life’s Chongqing wildfire, tens of thousands of volunteers from all over came together so solidly that it took four full days for two districts to get the disaster under control, and in total, eight days to extinguish it.

Although it made everyone exclaim "Sichuan Army is alive again!" and the Sichuan and Chongqing people reclaimed their heroic spirit, the forest vegetation and natural environment suffered immense damage in that wildfire.

Better not to have it again.

Below the mountain, smoke curled up; some people cried, some consoled, some cursed the heavens for being blind, raining only after the fire was extinguished.

But who knows how long this lesson would keep those villagers without safety awareness on their toes.

The cause of the fire was still unclear, it was said it might be some child playing with fire, but indeed the stack of grass that caught fire in front of his house was the source of everyone’s woes in the village, he had to compensate.

When the Second Squadron and Baiyun Squad were preparing to return, the Village Secretary came running up to distribute a round of cigarettes.

"Commander Fang! I’m really sorry about before! That picture... can you delete it, please?"

People from Second Squadron all around heard this and laughed.

A few new recruits from Baiyun Squad, who initially joined the police dispatch to handle caution, were even more numbed by it.

Isn’t this the awesome same year soldier from the new recruit group? And he’s already a commander?!

The commanding officer of Baiyun Squad also began to inquire discreetly: Has Special Service Squadron 2 changed commanders?!

Cao Yi chuckled softly and said, "A recruit from our squadron, the future commander."

He had heard about Fang Huai’s actions earlier from Hao Chengbin and was very pleased.

He forestalled the wildfire promptly, and he got the Village Secretary to organize villagers to fight the fire on-site; although they couldn’t extinguish the burning house, they effectively stopped the fire from spreading to another home.

Such handling skills, nothing to say about it.

This kid really had leadership potential, and he would be a blessing to Second Squadron in the future.

Fang Huai, faced with the Secretary’s "request," didn’t spill the beans because he remembered his task for the week.

So he cheerfully said to the Village Secretary:

"No problem! For the matter of stopping cars earlier, I won’t let the leadership issue you a penalty notice!

But on Wednesday, our squadron has a Fire Protection Publicity event. Come over and talk about today’s events to everyone, okay?"

The Secretary’s forehead immediately creased with several wrinkles: "Do I have to talk about stopping cars?"

Fang Huai grinned, "Who stopped any cars? No one stopped cars; just talk about the fire, that’s all!"

The Secretary beamed, "Okay, okay."

The commanding officer from Baiyun Squad watched Fang Huai’s performance, slack-jawed.

This damn new recruit? Damn!

...

Return to the original car.

Car 1.

The two-way radio suddenly blared.

"Commander Fang, Commander Fang, it’s only four o’clock now. After we get back, how will the squadron arrange the afternoon?"

Cao Yi’s teasing voice came through the two-way radio, triggering an outburst of laughter among everyone.

"Damn, Commander Fang, you’re awesome! Can you arrange two days off for us?"

Liu Jianfeng chuckled and turned around from the co-driver’s seat, tugging hard on Fang Huai’s head.

My head is your plaything? That’s Squad Leader Hao’s privilege, okay!

Fang Huai chuckled and grabbed the two-way radio:

"Instructor Cao reporting, Squad Leader Liu said we should schedule two days off."

"Liu Jianfeng, you want two days off?" came Cao Yi’s suddenly stern voice through the two-way radio.

Liu Jianfeng instantly went stiff, staring at Fang Huai, wanting to explode but then noticing Hao Chengbin beside him giving him a glare.

With a bitter face, he picked up the radio: "Instructor, I was just joking! After the dispatch, we definitely have to wash the vehicles, right?"

"Alright, you said it! Once we get back, you and the new recruit will wash the vehicles."

Liu Jianfeng deflated instantly, muttering resignedly, "Yes!"

After putting down the two-way radio, Liu Jianfeng glared resentfully at Fang Huai.

Only then did Fang Huai say, "Hey, Squad Leader Liu, it was just a joke. We won’t really make you wash the vehicles when we get back. Just sit beside us and supervise, okay?"

"Heh, you know what’s good for you, kid! But that girlfriend I promised to introduce you to, she’s off the table now!" Liu Jianfeng said ruthlessly.

Fang Huai couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

Thanks a bunch.

Zhang Yang remained silent beside him, staring out the window.

Fang Huai had only been in the squad for a month, but he had received treatment that Zhang Yang hadn’t experienced to this day.

Protected by a Non-commissioned officer platoon leader, the usually stern Cao Yi was voluntarily joking with him, and even Zhao Jinchen, known for his stern face, was quite fond of Fang Huai.

Ability, the kind of ability that commands respect.

Zhang Yang clenched his fists tightly.

At that instant, Fang Huai’s vision brightened.

[Task Completion.]

[Please choose your reward.]

[1. Increase in waist strength]

[2. Slight increase in leg strength]

[3. Spleen enhancement]

2222222...!

If there had been a keyboard, Fang Huai would have been furiously pounding it by now.

Damn, finally an increase in leg strength!

The prompt disappeared.

Fang Huai’s hand pressed tightly on his thigh, controlling the urge to jiggle his leg.

It was not a conditioned response, but rather one caused by excitement.

But soon, the system popped up another notification.

[Police Dispatch: B Level evaluation.]

[Reward: 3 points of military merit.]

[Serious Deficiencies (Major Deduction): Failed to conserve water output according to the vehicle’s water supply. Without rain and given the wind conditions, this could have led to a major wildfire hazard.]

[Recommendation: Water output should be conserved based on the on-site wind and water supply, and a judgment should be made on whether it is appropriate to proceed with forcible entry.]

When Fang Huai saw those lines, his feeling of pride from just before getting on the vehicle vanished, leaving a chill down his back.

Major wildfire hazard...

Does that mean, if not for that torrential rain, there would have been a major wildfire today?

This was the first time the system made a recommendation.

Upon closer thought, he realized that he indeed let the high temperatures muddle his judgment, becoming somewhat irritable and only fixating on tearing down that house immediately to eliminate the danger.

This, in turn, led to some risks, and he knew about the fierce mountain winds, but he didn’t consider them at all.

An open fire in strong winds, wasn’t that just like Old Zhao’s haystack?

If Fang Huai had told Squad Leader Hao to slow down the pressure, or not to spray water, they could have waited just a few minutes for backup from Car 3 to break in from the front of the house, while he took charge of putting out any sparks that rose up high.

The more Fang Huai thought about it, the more he felt that he had made a huge mistake.

The wildfire had been so close to him.

Moreover, as a firefighter, it was his reliance on empiricism and decision to demolish the house without considering the situation on the ground that led to this hazard.

The outcome was even worse than if the house had been burned to ashes uncontrolled.

Fang Huai clenched his fists tightly.

Calmness, he must remain calm in the future.

...

Back at the squadron, Fang Huai asked Meng Qiang for a few photos taken on site today.

... (skipping a boring night)

... (and a boring Tuesday)

Wednesday, 8 o’clock in the morning.

Cao Yi came downstairs with a notebook, just as Fang Huai was preparing to place a large metal frame and a can of petrol onto the emergency vehicle. Cao Yi smiled and said,

"Commander Fang, how’s the preparation for this afternoon’s program?"

"...Instructor Cao, can you not call me Commander Fang? They all follow your lead, and yesterday Captain Ye said I was conspiring for a coup, revoking my status as the head of the guard squad!" Fang Huai complained with rolled eyes.

"Damn, you’re not willing to be a reserve commander, why be a squad leader?" Hao Chengbin also descended from upstairs, admonishing Fang Huai.

Cao Yi put his hands behind his back and said, "You’re about to be a squad leader, the deputy leader of Squad Four.

I asked several members of Squad Four last night and they all agreed. Once this week’s work is done, we’ll hold a meeting to announce your appointment as the deputy squad leader."

Fang Huai immediately stood straight and smiled, "Thank you for the leadership’s trust! I will do my best!"

Hao Chengbin and Huang Yong had already informed Fang Huai of this appointment the night before. The position of deputy leader of the Special Duty Squad gave Fang Huai a momentary symbolic thrill.

Seeing Fang Huai was not excited, Hao Chengbin came up and patted his head:

"Not bad, kid! You’re a new recruit and already becoming a deputy squad leader, yet here you are pretending to be unperturbed!"

Fang Huai chuckled, "Deputy squad leader is just a title. If I want to get things done, I have to work hard to change my status."

"Hahaha... Right, work hard! I’m waiting for you to become a general!"

Cao Yi also said earnestly, "Putting you forward as a deputy squad leader early on is for your future squad leader appointment! Do your current duties well, and the squadron will consider a year of squad leader qualification for you! As for becoming a Party member, that’s something you have to strive for yourself!"

Hao Chengbin also stepped forward and touched Fang Huai’s head,

"Remember, the most important thing is the Grand Martial Arts Competition. Fang Huai, you still have a full half year to train, so you must focus on improving your leg.

If you are to compete in the national competition, even your best upper body strength will be average.

So, you must also find time to broaden your horizons."

Fang Huai nodded solemnly, "I understand."

In fact, he had a third-class merit in hand and was hesitating which way to redeem it.

Core strength is very important, but immunity is also vital for survival on duty calls.

Fang Huai had been thinking, if he had enhanced immunity, would his reaction to high temperatures have been better in the fire that day.

Fortunately, he could take his time to decide, so he was not in a hurry.

But Hao Chengbin couldn’t keep his eyes off Cao Yi.

With the Corps Martial Arts Competition approaching, he wanted to suggest Fang Huai participate as a way to broaden his horizons, but, as acting platoon leader, it seemed too frivolous to do so.

Cao Yi noticed Hao Chengbin’s gaze.

He understood what Hao Chengbin meant, but simply cleared his throat and said,

"Fang Huai’s horizons will inevitably improve!

Political Commissar Cheng said so, the Chief of Staff has registered him for a training class in the Southwest region, where he’ll train with top talents and get plenty of opportunities to understand the national elite level!

Alright, it’s almost time; let’s set off first to take a look at the proud students of our provincial city’s No.1 Middle School on their battlefield for college entrance exams!

The school’s educational tasks are very busy!

If it weren’t for the annual safety education task, they wouldn’t even want us to disturb the students’ studies!"

With that said, he promptly got on Car 1.

Hao Chengbin stood still, somewhat relieved that Fang Huai could participate in the prestigious training.

Still, he leaned towards Fang Huai and asked quietly,

"Aren’t you really going to regret not participating in the Corps Martial Arts Competition?"

Fang Huai raised an eyebrow, pondered for a moment, and smiled,

"Let’s follow the squadron’s arrangements, squad leader. Don’t worry about these things all the time; I’m not even concerned.

While goals are important, don’t just live for one thing! The scenery on the way to your goal is also important!

Today we’re heading to Guiyang No.1 Middle School! The best high school in the province. Aren’t you interested in having more material for when you educate your children in the future?"

With that, he walked towards Car 2.

Hao Chengbin was speechless at his response, then shook his head, laughing,

"This kid, he understands life better than anyone."