Chapter 541 - 424: What is the Ironman Quadrathlon?_2

Chen Zhechang suddenly shouted from behind, startling Fang Huai.

Fang Huai turned around.

"Staff Officer Chen, now that you’re getting promoted, do you really need to speak so loudly?"

These words were no joke.

Deputy Chief of Staff Qin had already been sent down to become an Instructor, and Chen Zhechang should be next in line soon.

The deputy position at the provincial city Firefighting Command Department was a deputy regimental-level post, and his rank as a full regimental commander meant he was just waiting for this spot; his time had nearly come.

Chen Zhechang was taken aback for a second, but he didn’t refute. He simply patted Fang Huai on the shoulder and laughed heartily.

"You kid, you still have such a sharp tongue. What, discussing some big issue with the Chief of Staff?"

Fang Huai chuckled and said, "I’m begging for food, while the Chief of Staff is dishing out disaster relief grain. Just the struggles of us poor folks, nothing much to talk about."

Chen Zhechang looked disbelieving: "You guys poor? Our Operations and Training Department is practically destitute, right? What, did the squadron’s renovation funds go over budget?"

Fang Huai sneered inwardly.

Come and see, here’s an honest man.

As someone about to become the Deputy Chief of Staff, he doesn’t even know the authorities of the Command Department.

The Chief of Staff already has a lot of power. If all financial powers were handed over to the Command Department, what would be left for the commander and deputy commander to do?

Talk about going over budget, I’ve got 20 million sitting in the whole corps’ funds and no idea how to spend it.

Little Chen, with your level of information, I’m afraid you’re still far from the real core circle of the Detachment.

Fang Huai said with a half smile:

"Yeah, we went over budget. I suggested we add constant temperature heating and bubble massage features to the 800-square-foot pool, but the Chief of Staff wouldn’t have it."

Only then did Chen Zhechang realize Fang Huai was pulling his leg.

"Hey, you’re pulling my leg? I was actually about to share some inside scoop about your Second Squadron with you. Don’t want to hear it, huh? Fine, never mind then."

Fang Huai turned around.

Oh, oh, oh? You’ve got inside information.

But his face also burst into a brilliant smile, and he moved in for a bear hug.

"Hey, Head Chen, I was just kidding with you! Long time no see, ah! I’ve really missed you!"

Chen Zhechang’s face darkened.

Are you pretending to have amnesia with me?

"Stop messing around. Did Cao Yi tell you about his thing?"

Fang Huai let go and stepped back a bit.

"What thing?"

"The Chief of Staff had a talk with him, suggesting he move to the Operations and Training Department. He said he’d prefer to continue with the Second Squadron for another two years."

Fang Huai nodded in realization.

"Oh... I know a bit about it, not much."

Chen Zhechang also had his doubts and immediately said, "Offering him a department head position at the end of the year, and he still doesn’t want it? Your Second Squadron must be quite magnetic."

Logically, by the end of the year, with improved specs and benefits enjoyed, Cao Yi’s position was supposed to be a stepping stone for him. He should have been eager to start, eager to leave the Second Squadron.

The position of department head is one where one can be both promoted and demoted. One can await the position of Deputy Chief of Staff or even become a deputy regiment-level or regiment-level Big Team captain.

No matter how significant a Squadron is, it’s still a Squadron. Can someone just go straight to commanding a Big Team without a transitional period?

Fang Huai’s lips curled into a smile.

It seems Old Cao is determined to get involved in something big with him, making such a grand statement.

"Head Chen, both a department head and a squadron leader are full regimental positions. How come it’s not feasible? There’s no rule that says you have to be a department head before you can be promoted to deputy regiment, right?"

Chen Zhechang couldn’t help but laugh: "The Detachment offers experience in government agency work. The Squadron, after all, is on the ground. You need experience at both levels to qualify for leadership positions. It seems both Cao Yi and you don’t understand this. Remember this when it’s time for your own promotion."

Fang Huai didn’t respond, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

You’ll understand in the future what true upper-level experience is all about.

Taking shortcuts can indeed be the fastest way.

Seeing Fang Huai’s silence, Chen Zhechang felt he had his answer, thinking Cao Yi just didn’t understand how to work in cadres’ roles. He didn’t want to embarrass himself further.

"Enough talk, can we start the training?"

Only then did Fang Huai smile.

Exactly, you simple Operations and Training cadre, don’t discuss deep topics with me; it makes me see you as a fool.

"Reporting! Ready for combat at any time!"

...

The Training Base, scorching under the blazing sun.

Training in this weather, the intensity doubles.

Chen Zhechang had received news that Fang Huai had been appointed as the upcoming captain of the National Martial Arts Contest Representative Team, so he brought his team to the Base and handed them over to Fang Huai for convenience, then grabbed a bottle of water for himself and sat aside to watch everyone practice.

After watching for a while, he started clicking his tongue.

Fang Huai was quite the demon.

The group was moving swiftly, yet Fang Huai still shook his head repeatedly, bursting out shouting.

"Yang Fengrui! Zhao Yi! Grab the rope!"

"Huang Yong, you released all the ropes, what are you hesitating for? What? Afraid of dying? If you’re scared to death, let Lian Xu take over the training!"

"It’s not me hesitating! Damn, the rope is stuck to the empty call!"

"Clumsy hands and feet, how could you not get stuck? Stop, stop, stop, let’s do it again! Second group, go to the side and get ready, come back when you’re ready! How can we compare if the first try doesn’t even yield a result? The more we compete, the worse it gets!"

Fang Huai raised both hands, gesturing a "STOP".

This underground rescue operation belonged to the assault group technique, a small team event, completed by four firefighters together.

On a 7.5-meter-high rescue platform, four firefighters fully equipped with emergency rescue suits, with two of them wearing air respirators, descend to the ground using a rappelling line, pass through a series of poles, and coordinate to rescue the victim to the platform below.

As always, each operation has a specific scenario where it applies.

The purpose of the operation is to enable the firefighters to master the use of ropes for rescue and self-rescue in underground areas, enhancing their lifesaving operational skills.

Fang Huai was dissatisfied because he considered this the simplest of exercises.