Chapter 556 - 431: The Shocking Scene of a Multi-Departmental Joint Operation_2

Despite the mockery, he could feel Secretary General Hao’s appreciation for him, which was different from the perfunctory encouragement from Leader Liu in the department.

The department ranks were too high, and far too distant from him. Secretary General Hao might just be the highest-level leader he could truly get close to.

The guarantee still had to be made.

"Reporting to the leadership! This year’s Grand Martial Arts Competition will not be easy. In an Olympics year, many whole corps are making strong efforts. Last month, at the Southwest training, I also saw many formidable opponents. The level of cruelty at this year’s competition may far exceed previous years! However, I am not weak! I aim to keep the third place and strive for the first! To win the championship, I will give it my all!"

"Good, very good."

Secretary General Hao nodded with a smile.

"Be pragmatic and strive for excellence! Boss Wu, Comrade Xiao Fang is very young. Your Fire Brigade Headquarters has a promising future with young cadres like him!"

Boss Wu smiled, looking at Fang Huai, his heart full of emotions.

He highly valued the training of young cadres and also hoped to see the young people he had cultivated shining in important positions for many years after his retirement.

Without such emphasis, the original "Instruction Team" plan for the Second Squadron would not have been proposed by him. The initial intention of transforming the Second Squadron was to make it a training place for the provincial young cadres.

And during this process, he found an outstanding young man.

Fang Huai was indeed the most promising young man he had seen in the whole corps.

Though not the highest in IQ.

He reached this conclusion because there were some calculation errors in the preliminary budgeting within the initial draft of the plan submitted by Fang Huai through He Yongjun, which the Logistics and Audit department found laughable when they reported it to him.

However, Fang Huai’s physical ability, skills, verbal aptitude, and vision for development were truly outstanding.

He possessed all the abilities required of an excellent cadre.

As a cadre, he could fully utilize his abilities. Such young people could be promoted exceptionally to shine on higher-level positions.

Boss Wu had indeed thought this way, but there was some regret regarding education. Promoting too early would always leave some criticisms. He needed to further his education step by step before thinking about advancing.

For an ordinary officer, this educational advancement might be a significant problem, but it wasn’t an insurmountable issue for a whole corps.

With thoughts racing, Boss Wu, hands clasped behind his back, asked:

"Xiao Fang, aren’t you under 20 years old? Did you join the military after high school graduation?"

Fang Huai was taken aback by the question.

What, asking about my education? Are you going to promote me?

My education is enough! Enough!

Fang Huai immediately stood at attention and responded, "Reporting to the Corps Captain! I am studying in the Computer Science major at the provincial Open University! I’m currently a sophomore. Upon graduation, I plan to take the graduate entrance exam for further studies in Computer Science!"

This remark stunned the leaders around him.

This kid’s audacious remarks are going all out today!

The Open University, with active-duty service, and a graduate entrance exam?

It sounds almost fantastical.

Given Xiao Fang’s physical strength, he must be training from morning till night. Does he even have the time to study and prepare for a graduate exam?

Colonel Liu, who had just praised Fang Huai, saw him boasting again and black lines formed on his face, contemplating a rebuke.

But Secretary General Hao burst into laughter.

"What a coincidence! It seems we’re fated. I graduated with a master’s degree in System Engineering from the Huazhong Institute of Technology, majoring in Control and Computer Science in ’83! We specialized in interdisciplinary training. I know a bit about computers! Since you want to do a graduate degree in Computer Science, have you read any professional books? Let me test you, how about that?"

He hadn’t expected such a coincidence; the young man actually harbored a dream of pursuing graduate studies in Computer Science.

A city leader beside him immediately joined in the jest:

"Secretary General Hao has worked for many years in the Bureau of Statistics and is a professional in computers. Xiao Fang, if you want to study computers, this is a true computer expert!"

Fang Huai inwardly curled his lips when he heard this.

Big brother, if you don’t understand, better not to speak up.

That’s the Systems Engineering major, dealing with national and regional economic development!

Large-scale projects, electricity markets, national economic mobilization, corporate production, public safety, public transportation, public resources!

Do you think it’s a computer system?

That’s an interdisciplinary subject. He already said he only knew a little, and you’re making him out as a "computer expert"? Can’t you see the awkwardness on his face?

Of course, since they’re all getting involved, and with Colonel Liu frowning heatedly, likely ready to scold me, I must show what I’ve got.

Computer Science knowledge (Advanced), 150 Military Merit Points.

Beginner level at 50 points, intermediate at 100 points, with the possibility to upgrade by paying the difference.

In the system... During the recent concentrated training, some minor rewards were given, totaling 51.3 Military Merit Points, just enough to exchange for a beginner level.

This subject will have to be tackled sooner or later.

But after the exchange, there were no Military Merit Points left. What if I need them?

... There’s still the First Class Merit.

Fang Huai made up his mind to exchange.

The moment knowledge entered his brain, he felt a surge of excitement; he finally had a specialty knowledge beyond firefighting!

And there was quite a lot to it!

Seeing the expectant look in Secretary General Hao’s eyes, he quickly suppressed his joy and said:

"I... have just read a few books. Just don’t ask too deeply, leader."

Wow, he really dared to take up the challenge!

Today was getting exciting!

At this moment, the focus of everyone’s attention had shifted a bit, from firefighting to individual career prospects.

But it didn’t matter. They had already seen the arduous nature of firefighting in Fang Huai. Now, the leaders were just looking for some entertainment.