Chapter 504 - 404: Who’s The New Official with Three Fires?

"What else could we have problems with?"

Chen Zhenghai, upon hearing this, immediately felt some dissatisfaction.

Fang Huai returned and went straight to the Squadron Department—didn’t he defect?

"Since Instructor Huang arrived, we haven’t quarreled or made a fuss. Platoon Leader Hao even said that making trouble is not allowed."

When Fang Huai heard this, he tactically leaned back.

"That’s exactly your problem. You have the channels but don’t use them. Why are you holding it in? Waiting for me to come back, represent the squad leader, and go on a rampage? In terms of position, I’m just a squad leader. What authority do I have? Could I report him and get him transferred just because of my uncle, Detachment Captain Zhang? Even if we managed to transfer him, the Detachment is so short on cadres, and our Squadron is in even greater need. Who would replace him then?"

At this, everyone fell silent.

Fang Huai was right; not a single soldier didn’t think this way.

Instructor Huang was too oppressive, starting politics classes right after training exercises. New recruits were put straight to work, and old soldiers were targeted too. They demanded years of service, physical ability, leaving everyone feeling helpless—even some of the old soldiers couldn’t talk back firmly.

If it weren’t for everyone not wanting to cause trouble for the Squadron, some would even have lent their phones to Han Yong to make a call.

Hao Chengbin let out a long sigh: "It’s not that we haven’t used the channels. I’ve spoken to Old Cao about it. He said to wait for your return, and it seemed to me he had no intention of transferring Instructor Huang away. He was hoping you’d come back to take him on, then he’d negotiate... I think you should stay out of this offending business. You’re right. They plan to stay longer; there’s no need to strain relations."

"Heh," Fang Huai chuckled dryly.

That was some calculation.

Fang Huai pointed upstairs with his finger.

"Instructor Cao is dragging you guys along, but there is another way, isn’t there? How to restrict cadres? We need to make good use of our Party Branch meetings, comrades."

"Party Branch meetings?"

Everyone was baffled.

The Party Branch meeting—they had heard of it, but not seen it. When was the last time they had one? Anyway, it ended in less than five minutes.

Fang Huai moved closer and began to count on his fingers:

"Our Squadron originally had 12 Party members, right? With me, that’s 13, and with Instructor Huang, 14.

How many cadres are there?

Squad Leader Zhao... he’s the organization officer, right?

If more than half of the Party members demand, they can get him to report to the secretary and call a Party Branch meeting. Regardless of the resolution, whether it passes or not, or if the secretary uses his veto power, it all has to be recorded in the meeting minutes.

Once a formal meeting raises an issue formally, that’s serious business. Do you understand?

In the meeting, Party member soldiers can absolutely criticize him for physical punishment and his management attitude!

How serious are Party meetings? Would he dare to take them lightly?

This is legitimate—the rights of you soldiers, real democracy, and also the proper supervising mechanism. Don’t always think about making complaints. I suggest that all capable soldiers in our Squadron actively apply to join the Party and establish a bigger, more robust Party Branch."

Huang Yong straightened his back as he listened.

"You mean even I, as a Party member, can give him a lesson in politics?"

Fang Huai laughed: "That would require support from other Party members, and don’t spout nonsense. Once the meeting minutes are reported to the superiors, who said what will be crystal clear."

He had thought about this issue for a long time.

Troop management is divided into two parts—military and party-political. He had been working hard in his life and the military, but he had never thought about improving the party-political construction of the Squadron.

Mainly, it was because he had not been a Party member before.

But now, he was one.

And soon, he would hold a cadre status.

To improve Squadron management, party-political building is indispensable. However, how to raise the learning enthusiasm of these culturally indolent men was a dilemma.

This incident today had opened up his imagination.

He had to raise their enthusiasm for learning and participation by empowering them with the rights they should naturally possess.

This approach could strengthen the Squadron’s oversight to prevent anyone from messing around in the Squadron when he was not around. As the Second Squadron hadn’t started recruiting yet, and with future cadre movements unpredictable, it was vital to kick off democracy.

At the same time, it would also standardize party-political construction, enforcing the Party Branch’s daily operations and achieving accomplishments in this area.

The tough environment of Mount Tai Squadron couldn’t be replicated, but their solid ideology could be borrowed.

If they achieved major milestones in training and aimed to reach further, to win collective honors, this aspect was indispensable.

Building a firefighter special forces unit was his initial ambition.

With this issue at hand, he would mend that flaw!

As Fang Huai was excited internally, a voice drifted over.

"Wait, Fang Huai, what did you say just now?... The rights of you soldiers? Aren’t you a soldier?"

Squad Leader Hao’s gaze seemed a bit off.

Fang Huai was startled for a moment.

"Damn, just a slip of the tongue. Squad Leader, you’re not making a big deal out of it, are you?"

Now, the expressions of everyone else were off.

"Damn, what do you mean, Fang Huai?"

Fang Huai laughed and raised both hands, pressing down.

"Keep it down, keep it down. Wait for the official notice."

Hao Chengbin slapped the table and stood up, bellowing:

"Damn, did you get promoted?"

That shout pierced through half the Squadron.

"Platoon Leader Hao, what did you say just now?"

People from the Rescue Team began to move their stools dramatically, but because management was so strict, no one came out to check.

Fang Huai leaned back, looking helpless: "I told you to keep it down."

The eyes of the others began to show excitement: "Did you really get promoted?"

Fang Huai stood up, sighed, and said: "I’m heading to the regiment, I’ll discuss it later. Anything else? I’ll address it with the cadres."

No one was interested in raising more issues; Hao Chengbin immediately caught him, insisting urgently: "What are you talking about! Those little matters aren’t as important as this. Tell us first!"

Fang Huai said in resignation: "I did! This year! I have to take care of something first; the details can wait until I get back, okay?"

"Ah damn!"

Upon receiving a definite answer, Hao Chengbin burst into laughter:

"The first year, promoted in the first year! The soldiers I’ve led are going to become generals! Hahaha... Go on, get back to business!"

Fang Huai reluctantly smiled, stepped out, and made a beeline for the Squadron Department.

"Thump thump."

This time Fang Huai entered without calling out a report.

He had already made up his mind about his promotion, with the Detachment posting the notice and a 7-day public display period; those who should know couldn’t possibly be unaware.

Even with anonymous internet reports, the superiors could see the IP addresses.

Now that he had raised this big flag, it would be a test to see if anyone dared to cause trouble.

As soon as Fang Huai opened the door, Ye Jiahong started to joke around.

"Yo, has Judge Bao returned? My lord Judge, your subordinate has been wronged!"

Fang Huai chuckled, "Too late, I’m here to cure the likes of your dereliction of duty. Kneel towards the north and knock your head three times. Commit suicide to thank the nation’s grace."

Ye Jiahong had just faced another damn cold shoulder.

His expression suddenly changed, "Hey, you upstart citizen, I am the official..."

Huang Zhongjiu next to him was already showing a look of disdain, turning towards Cao Yi.

"See that? Such behavior, and he’s in charge of the Squadron, handling significant affairs? Which leader granted him such authority?"

Now, Old Cao couldn’t save face any longer.

"Ye Jiahong, Fang Huai, be serious! Fang Huai, what was all the commotion about just now in your squad?"

Fang Huai raised his hand, took out his cell phone, dialed a number, and put it on speaker.

"Beep."

With that sound, everyone quieted down.

Cao Yi was also stunned.

What, over such a small matter, are you going to call your uncle and have us transferred? Do you really think you own the Squadron?

"Beep."

Once the phone connected, a calm middle-aged man’s voice came through.

"Hmm, you’ve arrived?"

Fang Huai grinned, "Chief of Staff Hu, could you send over the training class’s information form?"

Fang Huai had prepared some eloquent remarks, building up his argument gradually, raising a big flag.

But to his surprise, the other party went straight to the point.

"No one’s around you, right?"

Now, the four people present felt rather awkward.

Fang Huai took a look around and still said,

"Uh, no one’s here, go ahead."

"Your promotion notice and the bureau’s documents will be published on the internal network the day after tomorrow. Like I said before, you better be cautious..."

"Cough, cough, cough..."

Fang Huai quickly interrupted, "I’ll be careful about that! Uh... is it the bureau’s internal network, or the department’s internal network?"

"Of course, it’s the bureau’s!"

"Hey, I was just thinking... since Leader Liu from our department suggested my promotion..."

"You’re overthinking it. Leader Liu doesn’t manage such trivial matters."

Fang Huai laughed awkwardly, "Leader Liu told me to take first place in the martial arts competition, and Bureau Chief Yu told me to score full marks on the exam. I’m under a lot of pressure."

"That’s their expectation of you! Handle Squadron affairs well! Alright, I’m busy here. Send me the email and the message..."

"Wait a second," Fang Huai hurriedly asked, "When the notice is issued, can you put my name as the person in charge?"

"What for?"

"I need to keep an eye on the money! If my name isn’t on the plan, and the Head of the Corps withholds it, without a special commission, how am I supposed to collect debts from Boss Wu?"

"Your name is already there! Your promotion notice will be sent out together, and the Leadership of the Corps will certainly understand! Let me tell you, treat this money seriously, it’s best to secure it promptly, manage the oversight account traceably. The Squadron construction, the bureau’s funds, there will eventually be an audit, and if there’s a problem, Bureau Chief Yu won’t hesitate to chop heads. I advise you to stay vigilant."

"Ah, got it... Now that I’m promoted, can I have my position appointed first? It would make my job easier!"

"That’s for your Corps to decide! Go to the Corps for that! That’s it, hanging up now."

"Beep beep."

As the call went on, Fang Huai became increasingly nervous, forgetting his original intent of calling, momentarily ignoring the three people around him as he pondered for a while.

Dead silence ensued.

After a long while, Fang Huai exhaled deeply.

Only then came a series of long, relieved breaths from the surroundings.

Fang Huai turned his head to see the three people all standing, staring at him, their faces stunned and not daring to speak, which made him smile and point at the phone.

"Heard that? The stakes are high. Not to mention you guys, the Big Team, Detachment, the whole... uh, guaranteed chop regardless."

Bureau Chief Yu’s reach probably couldn’t extend to the Head of the Corps just yet.

Cao Yi pondered for a while and felt relieved hearing this.

"You’ve been promoted?"

Fang Huai nodded, "Leader Liu from the department arranged it. The notice will be published on the internal network the day after tomorrow... but it’s Bureau Chief Yu managing the process, top secret, huh! If this leaks out, it can’t be anyone but you three, I won’t tell anyone else."

"Gulp."

"Damn... Leader Liu?"

Ye Jiahong swallowed a big gulp in his throat.

Fang Huai twisted his mouth into a grin, "Enough to behead you, isn’t it?"

Having said that, Fang Huai saw a document on the desk, walked over, took a look, and then said with a smile,

"Put this document away. The new national pilot document is about to be issued. Together with Hunan, our two Corps will participate. The new document and over twenty million will arrive soon."

"A national pilot?!"

The three of them just repeated the phrase.

Fang Huai turned to look at Huang Zhongjiu, who appeared flabbergasted, and laughed,

"Instructor Huang, you’ve had enough of making waves, right? If you’ve had enough, quiet down and concentrate on the big issues. I hope my first fires won’t spread to your head."