Chapter 82 - 40 Winning People Over with Virtue (Please Collect, Monthly Ticket)

"I want to transfer back to Squad Nine,"

Jiang Peng got straight to the point, fearing Fang Huai wouldn’t give him a chance to speak.

It was only when Fang Huai got a close look at Jiang Peng that he noticed a rather inconspicuous bruise on his face, and he couldn’t help but chuckle.

He wasn’t in a hurry to scold him, but instead made a teasing remark first.

"Got beat up by Old Pan? Finally realized the perks of Squad Nine? Did you think everyone would put up with your backtalk? Got a taste of your own medicine, huh?"

Fang Huai made a blind guess.

Yesterday when the whole corps showered, the commander arranged for someone to secretly film the old soldiers punishing the new recruits. During the meeting, all squad leaders were scolded by the commander, some even faced disciplinary action. Could those squad leaders be happy about it?

Old Pan from Squad Eight must have given them a good scolding when he got back, and Jiang Peng, unable to withstand the berating, talked back to Old Pan and ended up getting beaten.

This guess wasn’t baseless, considering the content of the conversations among the new recruits in the corridor just now; this incident certainly wasn’t isolated within the new recruit group last night.

Plus, Jiang Peng couldn’t report it for a second time too soon.

Having just transferred squads and then reporting the new squad leader, the Chief of Staff certainly wouldn’t entertain him anymore.

Then, seeing how harmonious Squad Nine was, he must have felt regret.

After hearing Fang Huai’s words, Jiang Peng was somewhat surprised.

He hadn’t explained yet, but Fang Huai had guessed it so accurately.

He wanted to argue, but realized it was pointless, so he softened his tone a bit and said,

"I know Hao Chengbin values you. If he agrees, I will speak well of him to my uncle when he visits."

Fang Huai, with a smile that was not quite a smile, responded, "Why didn’t you say that to Old Pan? I heard these past couple of days that he’s been taking leaves often, apparently he has a house in Guiyang, and he wants to transfer there even more, doesn’t he?

You tell him about your uncle’s connections and ask him to take care of you, wouldn’t that be more appropriate?"

Jiang Peng’s gaze immediately flared with anger, "I told him! He wouldn’t believe it! And he mocked me!"

Fang Huai laughed too.

I wouldn’t believe it either.

Sabotaging is easy, but accomplishing things is hard.

Transferring a soldier across detachments is not as simple as it may seem; both sides must agree, and there needs to be a reason.

His uncle’s position would require a lot of effort to influence, almost as much as if his own father were involved.

And Old Pan has been an old soldier in the whole corps for nearly ten years; who doesn’t have a few familiar leaders up their sleeves? Who would beg a new recruit to do something like that for them?

Not only would it likely not be accomplished, but it would also become a laughingstock.

Jiang Peng saw that Fang Huai did not reject his proposal outright and thought there might still be hope, so he continued, "Can’t you just pass along the message for me?"

Fang Huai had had enough fun and made a dismissive gesture,

"You’re dreaming! Han Yong is great, we all really like him. And why should I run errands for you? Where do you plan to transfer me to?" Fang Huai teased.

"You..." Jiang Peng found himself at a loss for words.

"What do you want..."

Fang Huai raised his hand to interrupt him again.

"Forget it, talk less backtalk, have fewer wild thoughts, and you’ll live longer. Also, call him Squad Leader Hao, not by his name. We’re in the troops now; I advise you to have some reverence for this place."

After he finished speaking, he didn’t wait for a response and turned to leave.

This guy... if he thinks he’s savvy, he hasn’t fully understood the principles yet.

If there was a feud between them, he still dared to ask Fang Huai to do something for him, not afraid that Fang Huai would report on him!

Even if both squad leaders agreed, who would dare to transfer him back against the orders of the Chief of Staff?

Moreover, even if Fang Huai truly wanted to help him, considering the entire process of his "plan," Fang Huai would have to risk angering the squad leaders by speaking up for him, bearing the greatest risk...

And he didn’t even prepare any benefits for Fang Huai?

Of course, Fang Huai would disdain them anyway. It just gave him another reason to mock him.

...

Back in Squad Nine’s area, Fang Huai continued teaching them how to make their beds, and Yue Tao and the others immediately gathered around.

"What did he want to talk about?"

Fang Huai waved his hand, "It’s nothing, just asked if I was participating in the ’Internal Affairs Regulations’ competition. Probably trying to gather military intelligence! They from Squad Eight probably want to compete with us! Could I tell him that?

You guys study hard! Beat them!"

Fang Huai thought of a serious reason and even took the opportunity to motivate everyone.

To everyone’s surprise, they got tensed up upon hearing this.

Zhao Bing was the first to pat Fang Huai’s shoulder, "We absolutely cannot lose then! We are all rooting for you, Squad Leader Fang!"

"Yes, yes, Deputy Squad Leader, do your best! Beat them! This, we’re really not good at!"

The members of Squad Nine continued grumbling about Squad Eight, feigning death, and got back to making their beds.

Fang Huai just smiled; he knew how to get them to do physical training, but reciting regulations was as hard for them as drinking poison.

"Squad Leader, I can recite! I did well in high school!" Han Yong, quite unusually, chimed in.

Fang Huai knew that the kid was smart but lazy; that he would volunteer to recite regulations was really touching.

"Great, if you could compete, the squad leader would be thrilled," Fang Huai said with an encouraging smile.

Han Yong nodded and became a lot more serious about making his bed, though he was clearly stalling.

Knowing that Han Yong had something to say, Fang Huai continued to teach him patiently.

When the slowest, Sun Lianhai and Liu Yue, had entered the squad room, leaving just Fang Huai and Han Yong in the corridor, Fang Huai patted his shoulder and said,

"Don’t think too much."

Han Yong turned, unusually serious, and asked, "How does he plan on getting rid of me?"

"His family has some connections, minor ones, nothing compared to yours. But this isn’t about connections," Fang Huai said with a smile.

Han Yong was surprised, "How did you know my family has connections?"

Fang Huai kept silent.

Without bluffing you with a few lies, how could I have known?

Seeing his look, Han Yong felt somewhat helpless and said, "My family... they know someone in the Provincial Group, but I can’t call home right now... could you help me?"

Fang Huai shook his head with a serious tone, "Don’t be the same kind of person he is, it’s annoying.

Your family sent you to be a soldier, certainly not just to lose some weight. Some habits need to change."

And do you think this is just any place? He comes when he wants and leaves when he says?

Your kind of relationship doesn’t need to use a cannon to hit mosquitoes.

He can’t change that.

"Don’t copy him, thinking day by day not about studying and training well, but only dreaming."

Han Yong listened with raised eyebrows and shook his head firmly.

Fang Huai was taken aback, "What, you don’t believe me?"

Han Yong shook his head, "No, it’s that your tone, it’s just too much like you’re spoiling me."

Fang Huai’s mouth twitched.

This kid must’ve never been at a loss for words since he was young.

Since you’ve put it that way, should I acknowledge you as my son or not?

Still, Fang Huai suppressed the impulse to be a dad and sighed.

"If I had as much money as your father, I’d never send my son to be a soldier."

...

During the morning check, Hao Chengbin carefully inspected every quilt, unusually not joking, and pointed out each one.

The quilts of Han Yong, Yue Tao, and Peng Yingqirui were gloriously identified as "If you don’t tidy properly again, the next step is to be thrown into the toilet."

Even Fang Huai felt a bit sorry for them. Those quilts must’ve been tidied for an hour or so, and the squad leader made it seem like they had been slacking off.

The thing is, it’s also not easy to teach this, as it really relates to aesthetics and personality. They can only slowly come to understand it.

From Hao Chengbin’s operation, Fang Huai also saw that the pressure given by the brigade commander at yesterday’s meeting must have been quite considerable.

Although Hao Chengbin didn’t vent his frustrations on them, he didn’t even feel like cracking a joke or teasing anyone.

After the inspection, the wake-up call sounded just right, and Hao Chengbin went out to check around before coming back to start giving orders.

"Today’s the weekend, seize the time to memorize the materials well!"

Fang Huai took the opportunity to give Han Yong a boost.

"Squad Leader, Han Yong says his physical fitness isn’t great, but he has a good memory and is willing to memorize more and participate in the regulations competition!"

Hao Chengbin with a surprised face, "Oh? That so! Anyone else wants to participate?"

"Me!" Fang Huai raised his hand.

Hao Chengbin waved his hand, as if it was to be expected, "You’re definitely participating, are there any others? Come on, be proactive! This is to earn honor for the squad!"

Suddenly, Fang Huai no longer wanted to exchange military merits for regulations.

military merit points! What’s with the "definitely participating"?

"Squad Leader... Doesn’t one squad have to send only one person by default? We already have two signed up, isn’t that enough?"

Hao Chengbin explained somewhat adeptly.

"The more people prepared, the better we can pick for the competition, the more likely we can win a place! Over 800 new recruits, do you think it’s that easy to get a place?

For the competition, you can’t just memorize the key info sent by the Brigade Department, you need to take the regulations booklet to memorize!

Of course, the punishments corresponding to each level of issues have patterns! When the time comes, even if some areas are unclear, you might guess right on some parts by chance!"

Everyone began flipping through their materials.

Yue Tao started feeling amazed again, "Squad Leader! Look! Internal Affairs Rule No. 123 says, after hearing the noon rest signal, except for those on duty, all should rest in bed and keep quiet, not engaging in other activities. Even on-duty personnel should check the midday rest compliance of the entire squad!

We’re not following the regulations! Are there any punishments?"

While speaking, he looked around, trying to find a punishment for not taking a noon nap.

But Hao Chengbin wasn’t stumped and sneered, "You want to follow the regulations? Sure, from now on, you can join me. Get up with the whistle in the morning, half an hour for washing up and tidying the internal affairs.

If it’s not well done, see how I deal with you!

At noon you can also go to bed, but you must sleep with the quilt unfolded. After waking up, fold the quilt again!"

"No need, Squad Leader! I think new recruits shouldn’t nap at noon!" Yue Tao immediately chuckled and closed his materials.

Just kidding; It takes two hours every morning just to fold a quilt properly, and nap time is precisely two hours.

The timing is perfect.

Yue Tao admitted defeat, but Hao Chengbin turned his back, glanced at the new recruits, and took the opportunity to lecture.

"You probably all have the same thoughts, right?

But let me tell you! Regulations are the criteria that restrain soldiers, but there are exceptions!

Before you become qualified soldiers, don’t even think of trying to adapt your life to the minimum standard of the regulations!

Also, if you compared yourself against the regulations, how many could you match?

Starting next week, there will be random checks on military appearance and discipline! If any problems are discovered, points will be deducted, and then, heh!

A nail clipper I will place in the desk box later; clothes, caps, insignias, get them cleaned up!

Since nobody else volunteered to sign up for the competition, then the whole squad will participate! Fang Huai, you organize the memorization, and I’ll come check in the evening. I’ll ask each person ten items, if one question is unanswered, you do three sets of ten!

Since the corps wants to strengthen ideological education, then let’s combine ideological education with physical training!"

"Squad Leader... what’s three sets of ten?"

Hao Chengbin said with a smile, "The military workout combo: sit-ups, push-ups, and squats, three sets of ten means doing ten of each!"

As soon as the words dropped, the new recruits all began to lament.

Is this political education?

This is like Confucius armed with a sword—disciplining with virtue!

Naturally, Hao Chengbin saw what everyone was thinking.

"Political education? The great man once said that political power grows out of the barrel of a gun!"

Fang Huai inwardly shook his head.

Alas, one would have thought that as an old soldier, Hao Chengbin would quickly accept new ideas.

Sure enough, in just three sentences, he revealed his true colors; old soldiers are still accustomed to believing that strictness breeds filial piety.

Hao Chengbin was ready to lecture some more when the door opened.

Wang Jian appeared with a worried expression and beckoned to Hao Chengbin.

"Old Hao, come out for a bit, I need to tell you something!"