Chapter 702 - 481: They are soldier-receiving cadres, I am not!

"Nothing beats the high spirits brought on by a joyful event!"

The feeling of going home is really nice.

The familiar squadron, the delicious food in the canteen, the wailing teammates.

Captain Fang, who received the August First Medal, hadn’t changed a bit from before he left. Even after a week back at the squadron, nobody asked him much about it because they had all been involved in that matter.

However, Fang Huai’s eccentricity had become even more pronounced.

"Woah! Happy event? Captain Fang, got any good news?" Chen Zhenghai asked, patting his still portly belly through his casual clothes.

The Second Squadron gathering in the front yard was back to its full size; everyone who should be back, was back, and everyone who should have arrived, had arrived.

Yin Wen, Liu Jianfeng, Kong Xiangzhong, Zhang Yang, Jiang Yonghui, Han Shaofeng, Wang Feng, Luo Ye, Shen Danian.

And there was a team of seven discharged soldiers led by Lan Ling, standing in the last row of the formation, dressed in dark blue training uniforms.

Forty-something people in total.

I’ve never fought such a well-staffed battle in my life.

Fang Huai curled his lips into a smile, "What I want to emphasize is the next line! One snoozes a lot when idle! The winter training document has been sent down, and I see you all looking pretty idle!"

All faces fell.

"Big bro, it’s Saturday today!"

"Be human!"

Ye Jiahong even scratched his head, doubtful, "Isn’t the next line ’One snoozes a lot when bored’? You can fool these uneducated guys, but are you trying to fool me, a ’Poetry Saint’?"

"Heh, ’Poetry Saint,’ as if. Every time the suona plays I feel it’s you," Fang Huai remarked with a chuckle before continuing: "Instructor Huang, this afternoon you’re taking them to the sports field for laps! Armed ten kilometers! Same standards as always: light gear, 40 minutes. Those who think they can’t run it can do it with full gear, just finish the run! The professional team should follow their own program, light gear five kilometers, then work on the water hose!"

Now everyone’s face turned even darker.

"Damn..."

Firefighting didn’t have this "Armed X Kilometers" thing before.

In the week since Fang Huai had returned, he’d established a new standard: carrying an empty call was considered light gear; full combat uniform with empty call was heavy gear.

That freaking heavy gear was way too heavy.

pounds was bad enough, but it also wrapped up the entire body; after ten kilometers, it was killing.

However, it did offer a new choice for those in the squadron who were heavier and slower: if they couldn’t manage the pace, they could make up for it with weight.

But, someone was dissatisfied.

"Captain Fang, how come you’re never joining the training?" Jiang Yonghui asked, frowning.

Fang Huai smirked, hands on his hips, "What, you want to challenge me? Alright, go sign up with Instructor Cao and take a number. I’ll find some time for a one-on-one with you! Choose whatever subject you want, and if I lose, you can be captain!"

Everyone chuckled.

Damn, ever since Jiang Yonghui arrived, he’d been competing every day with the physically-strong ones, even more cocky than Demon King Fang.

Jiang Yonghui, however, said somewhat exasperatedly, "No, I mean, you promised to teach us specialized training when I came over, and you mentioned helicopter training. Isn’t that what you and Old Shen told everyone? Look at you, you’ve been back for days now, not joining in the training at all, if that’s not pure deception, what is?"

Shen Danian and Han Shaofeng immediately chimed in:

"Right!"

"We’ve been here for half a month waiting for you to come back, and when you do, it’s still all about physical training!"

"Tsk." Fang Huai was a bit short of breath now and scratched his head, "I’ve been busy! Just got back, and the Regimental commander had me at a commendation ceremony, then the city had a meeting they insisted I attend. These days, I also have to go to the Armed Forces Department for their review, and I’m the vice team leader of the regiment’s conscription working group. We’ve got some college graduate recruits coming in the next few days! According to policy, they must be given priority in troop assignment. There’s not much time left!

I tell you, the whole corps has reached a consensus now. This year, each regiment is pushing hard towards their respective Armed Forces Department. The regimental commander has ordered that if I manage to recruit five college students or high school athletes, our squadron gets an additional new recruit spot!

Next year, there’s so much going on in the squadron, and with fewer new recruits, old soldiers shouldn’t expect to rest from all the odd jobs!"

With that said, the crowd below quieted down.

Fang Huai showed a smile.

First, I had to give them a tall tale.

Heh, did they really think they’d have less work with more new recruits?

Dream on.

"Alright! Dismissed, prepare the equipment, get on the vehicles, let’s train!"

Just then, Old Cao, who had followed the squad for an armed ten kilometers yesterday and was struggling as a result, coughed and said, "Captain Ye, the regiment called yesterday. With so many people in our squadron, we must have two cadres leading training. You come too! I won’t join; I have to look after the installation of the crossing equipment that’s being delivered to the backyard later."

Ye Jiahong, who also fancied slacking off a bit, muttered to himself:

"Ah, busy, busy! It’s good to be busy..."

Fang Huai and Cao Yi paused a moment, glancing at each other.

Nowadays, that public service ad "Go Home More Often" wasn’t just a nostalgic memory; it had been on TV not too long ago.

"The f*cking Old Cao is taking advantage of us!"

Cao Yi also turned glum, but after cursing a couple of times, he said:

"You’re going to let that slide?"

Fang Huai gave a forced laugh, turned around, and said to everyone:

"Brothers! That f*cking Captain Ye is too much! Follow me and we’ll show him! Tomorrow, I’ll treat everyone to beef!"