Chapter 669 - 468 Earthquake Summary Meeting (Slightly Brief Today, Can Skip)

October 8th.

Number 1, Chang’an Street, Second Ring Gold Line.

The early morning was neither clear nor dark, the sunlight was pale white and not dazzling, and the temperature was a pleasant 17 degrees Celsius.

Fang Huai took a shower and changed into his spring and autumn uniform, picked up the briefcase issued by the troops, and walked out of the Oriental Grand Hyatt Hotel, where he had spent a fortune to stay.

Next to him was a fellow villager from Guizhou.

Cao Yi, representing the Squadron at the commendation ceremony.

On such a big day, he definitely couldn’t stay in a small hotel, so he chose one particularly close to Tiananmen Square, and even called Old Cao, who had arrived yesterday afternoon, insisting on treating him and arranging for his stay.

There had been a lot going on lately, and the two talked about school and the squadron matters until past three o’clock before they slept.

But upon waking up today, they were both in high spirits.

Once the two men stepped out in uniform, they immediately attracted a flurry of attention.

The focus of that attention was primarily on Fang Huai.

However, it wasn’t his handsome face that drew looks, but the Military Merit Medal on his chest.

The old citizens of Capital City knew their stuff, and one old man who glanced at his line of medals and his unexpectedly young face couldn’t help but smack his lips and say to the person next to him:

"He must be here for a meeting nearby. See that? Cadet shoulder boards, no service ribbons, he must have earned his stripes in Wenchuan, just got promoted! A people’s hero!"

The person next to him also admired, "Certainly! See that? Firefighting! I heard from a relative of mine that the firefighters really made their mark this time! Look at this kid, so young, with two second-class meritorious services and three third-class merits! Impressive!"

Fang Huai kept a straight face, but inside he felt extremely proud. It wasn’t until they had walked some distance that he whispered to Cao Yi with a laugh:

"Getting honor means coming to Capital City! The common people understand! Tsk, what a pity, my First Class Merit isn’t up yet, and there’s another second-class merit from the training class on the way! If they were up, hey."

Cao Yi looked a bit sullen, his gaze inadvertently glancing at his own chest where three Military Merit Medals hung, feeling somewhat shabby, and said with some annoyance:

"Boasting!"

Fang Huai remained unfazed, "I’m not after money, not after power, just for the sense of honor. Won’t you let me enjoy it? ...Hey, about what we discussed last night, you’d better take it to heart. I’ve already arranged things in Liaoning. Regulations are going to be implemented within at most half a year, specialized training is soon becoming our main focus, and physical training... you need to push it."

Cao Yi gave him a glance, "I know, I’ve never let it slide! These past few days I’ve been here, I arranged the training schedule; Old Huang is leading it, don’t you trust it? And could you not sound like you’re giving assignments? I’m the secretary! The Second Squadron is going to expand in a couple of months. I’ll be a full Lieutenant Colonel leading the unit! You’re just a deputy lieutenant. Is it fitting for you to step on my head?"

"Heh, you’re almost thirty and just getting to lead a battalion. You better climb up quickly and take advantage of opportunities to achieve something significant. If you don’t aim for exceptional promotion, you’ll be stuck at a deputy regimental level at most. I could catch up with you, believe it?"

"You’re dreaming. Firefighting forces are practically owned by your family. You’re wearing cadet shoulder boards? I’ve had them for ten years now. I studied in Langfang and transferred through three squadrons. It wasn’t until my wife made it that I started on this path. Getting promoted isn’t as easy as you think."

"Hey, don’t blink or you’ll miss how my shoulder boards change. Don’t say I did magic."

Chatting back and forth, they walked with heads high past East Chang’an Street, Tiananmen Square, and arrived at the People’s Great Hall.

They had arrived for the ten o’clock meeting at eight, but the doorway was already bustling with people.

In the past, meetings here were mostly attended by people in business attire, but today, the place was filled with uniforms.

The majority of attendees at this commendation ceremony were military personnel.

Here, Fang Huai didn’t stand out anymore.

Indeed, it was as if those with meritorious service were everywhere.

Those without at least three Military Merit Medals on their chest simply didn’t bother wearing them. Some had so many medals they filled up their uniforms.

Seeing this grand scene, Cao Yi couldn’t help but quietly laugh.

"Still feeling so boastful now?"

Fang Huai clicked his tongue, sounding a bit sour, "What’s there to be boastful about? You see those with a lot of Military Merit Medals? They are either from the fourth term or higher, or they are colonels. When I reach their military age, my uniform will have to be tucked in all around with medals! In the future, don’t ask me how many Military Merit Medals I have! If asked, it’s three pounds!"

Even though his voice wasn’t loud, the content was somewhat piercing, causing some nearby people to look over and size up Fang Huai.

Cao Yi twitched a little, "Can you keep it down a notch? Every troop from across the country is here; you’re representing the image of our firefighting forces!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Huai gave a dry laugh and kept silent, straightened his hat, and stood up a bit straighter.

But then, a hearty laugh came over, accompanied by a hand that patted Fang Huai on the shoulder.

"Fang Huai! Not bad, huh? You got promoted?"

Fang Huai knew who it was and turned around with a smile, "Division Commander Jin!"

Cao Yi also immediately saluted, "Commander!"

The former Major General Jin, now Division Commander Jin, nodded, took a serious look at Fang Huai’s cadre badge and Military Merit Medals, and said with some satisfaction:

"Hmm... this is only the beginning. Back then, I was worried that you would be discharged. But in less than a few months, you became a cadre and got two second-class merit awards; it seems you haven’t stopped progressing! How come you didn’t think to report to your Captain?"

Fang Huai really wanted to joke, "You haven’t called to check up on me either."

But facing this quickly promoted, only forty-two year old major general, Fang Huai dismissed the idea of joking around.