Chapter 95 - 53 The Chief of Staff Has A Message For Me!

"Report!" he said loudly.

"Fall Out!"

Hao Chengbin felt slightly relieved, the Colonel had arrived, and amidst the chaos, there was still someone who remembered the drill procedures at a critical time.

"Yes!" Fang Huai stepped forward, turned, and ran to the Chief of Staff, stopping after four steps.

The crisp sound of his boots garnered everyone’s attention.

Fang Huai exerted himself in that moment, but it caused him internal grimace as the training boots made that sound only at great effort.

"Greetings, Chief of Staff!" Fang Huai said loudly.

"Oh?" The Chief of Staff’s eyes widened.

"Young man, have you practiced that? Your running to a halt is quite standard!"

"Yes, Chief of Staff!" Fang Huai tried to appear spirited.

There was no helping it, the squad’s performance in the lineup today was simply too poor, and the reputation of Squad Nine was in a rather precarious state.

It would have been one thing for the Brigade to see it, but the Colonel had witnessed it as well.

As Fang Huai was considering this, the Colonel suddenly gestured to him.

"Young man, come here."

Fang Huai instinctively responded and glanced at the Chief of Staff.

The Chief of Staff waved his hand, "The Colonel is calling you, go quickly."

"Yes!"

Fang Huai immediately turned and ran to the Colonel.

Only then did the Colonel start walking, specifically in the direction of the playground exit.

Fang Huai hurried to keep up, walking beside the formation.

"Can you play the guitar and sing?" the Colonel asked.

"Yes, Colonel!"

"Good, I have a guitar over there, you can use it."

As soon as these words were uttered, everyone present was stunned.

The young man could write songs, everyone had heard it when the Chief of Staff mentioned it, but the Colonel’s guitar for him to use?

Was he that favored?

The Colonel could play the guitar?

Only Fang Huai had a vague idea of what was happening.

Perhaps his uncle had arrived.

...

At the entrance of the training ground, the Colonel sent everyone but the Chief of Staff away, and the two chatted as they led Fang Huai to the office building.

Behind them, they left a bunch of astonished and envious gazes.

Only Liang Longhui was somewhat anxious.

If he had known how much the Colonel valued songwriting, he really shouldn’t have taken the guitar yesterday!

...

Arriving at the Base Director’s Office, the door was ajar, and Colonel Huang pushed it open and entered.

No one was inside, which left Fang Huai slightly disappointed.

The Colonel went straight into the inner office and actually brought out a guitar case.

And a stack of books.

Getting straight to the point, he said with a smile, "Here, Fang... Fang Huai, right? Your uncle called to ask about you, he heard of your performance and is very happy! Today, he sent someone with a guitar and a set of Military Academy reference books for me to give you!"

Ah, you can hide from everyone, but not from an uncle’s phone call. When his uncle called, he was probably still worried about whether he could endure hardship.

Fang Huai immediately stood at attention and said with a smile, "Thank you, Colonel!"

The Chief of Staff also patted his shoulder from behind, his tone somewhat reproachful, "You’re quite the secretive one, aren’t you? Director Zhang is an old leader of our Base; with your nephew doing so well, you didn’t even say hello!"

Fang Huai chuckled, "Chief of Staff, you have already taken good care of me!"

"Oh? Hahaha... that’s what you deserve!" the Chief of Staff laughed heartily.

Colonel Huang looked at Fang Huai and also spoke with a satisfied smile.

"Your uncle... he’s busy with work and can’t make it for now, but if you have any requests, just tell me; it’s the same as telling your family.

You’re doing well, kid. We’ve had many from family connections this year, but you are the most outstanding.

Having connections doesn’t mean you have to hide; everything in the military is about proving one’s strength! With your ability, you’re definitely going to make your uncle proud! Very proud!

We need someone from the firefighter families to be a benchmark, and they should all learn from you!"

Fang Huai stood at attention with a smile, "Thank you, Colonel, for the encouragement!"

But internally, he scorned endlessly.

Not to hide... Heh.

You leaders are blind to the situation below.

That guy from Old Cao’s family almost got mocked as a fool, and he’s under ’special care’ from the squad leaders every day.

Colonel Huang waved his hand, "No need to be so formal; your uncle is our old leader and a good comrade! Seeing you excel is like seeing our own children excel!

But since you are like our own children, both the Chief of Staff and I will have higher expectations for you!

I’ve heard about your situation from the Chief of Staff! Fifteen pull-ups for practice, that’s poor. When we were in the Military Academy, we could easily do twenty or thirty!

Twenty! If you can do that, I’ll ask the Party Committee to give you a third-class merit!"

Fang Huai had a MMP in his mind that he didn’t know whether to say or not.

You studied at the Military Academy in the 80s, trained for four years, and twenty or thirty were no big deal? Wouldn’t that just mean you were a poor student?

The new recruit group is just three months old!

Give me four years, and I’ll do twenty one-handed pull-ups, believe it or not?

"Colonel... there’s no time for training now, and we’re even not allowed to do evening exercises. We’re too busy with formations all day. How is twenty possible?" Fang Huai said, troubled.

The Colonel paused for a moment, then smiled, "We indeed forgot about you top recruits!

No complaints! Training soldiers takes precedence, and ideological education comes first. It’s what your uncle advocated strongly.

When you spoke last time, I thought you were a thoughtful soldier, willing to train on your own initiative.

But in a group, you always need to take care of those lagging behind first—it’s also for stability. If you constantly push the last batch forward, can they take it?

Do you know how many people had a score of 0 for the first team physical test on the single and double bars?

277!

Their physical foundation is weak, and their thinking has not been transformed. Making them train from morning to night, do you know how many psychological issues that could cause?

We faced a lot of pressure in making this decision, but its fundamental purpose is to protect the new recruits!"

The Colonel’s words did indeed complete what had been left unsaid at the doorstep of Squad Nine last time.

It seems in the Colonel’s eyes, Fang Huai now qualified to listen in.

Fang Huai understood this perfectly and expressed complete understanding... but with these training conditions, don’t give me additional tasks!

This pie is getting bigger and bigger, from outstanding soldiers to third-class merit. It’s just like a saying in Guizhou: turning a bike into a motorcycle, a motorcycle into an Alto, and an Alto into nothing left (not even hair)!

Don’t turn all the outstanding soldiers into nothing!

Seeing his anxious face, the Colonel laughed again and said, "However, we should provide conditions for soldiers with the desire to train! How about this—in the spirit of schools, we’ll start an honor class in the Base!

Chief of Staff! Have each company sign up voluntarily; those willing to do extra drills and train physically can get together after half past nine each evening. A squad leader will organize and give them one hour of additional training!

The lights on the playground can be turned on for them to facilitate their training!

But there has to be a minimum physical requirement! At least they should be able to do pull-ups... 5 of them!

This class will be entirely aimed at the voluntary training of new recruits. The squad leader is only responsible for managing order and providing guidance. Don’t let the squad leaders force people in and impose extra training!

"Yes! I’ll arrange it right away!" The Chief of Staff nodded.

With that, he patted Fang Huai, smiling and said, "See, the Colonel is so good to you, especially making an exception just for you!"

The Chief of Staff was all smiles. For personnel with special relationships, it’s different from the leadership’s family and colleagues’ families; those who stand out are even more different.

"Thank you, Colonel. Thank you, Chief of Staff!" Fang Huai could only express his gratitude.

This special treatment, after finishing it, there’s not even a late-night snack—I’m actually not very satisfied!

To carry on the style and to establish an image of not taking petty advantages, typically someone would take care of this or that; in the evening, he would watch new recruits from his squad smoke away in the Brigade Department office, eating snacks till their mouths glistened with oil, and he could only turn his head with a smile, gaze at the sky at 45 degrees, and stop the tears from falling.

The Company Leader and Squad Leader Huang both say Fang Huai isn’t greedy—that’s all an act!

That day, he even longed for a sip from Han Yong’s bowl of beef noodles.

An adult’s self-discipline is all to avoid paying a higher price.

The Colonel saw that Fang Huai had picked up his things and waved him off, smiling and encouraging him once more.

"Alright, off you go! Little Fang, your uncle is an even bigger role model than you, a standard for the whole corps in training soldiers! Make him proud! Train hard!

The propaganda song, I heard from the Chief of Staff, it’s very good! Write it well and let me listen! If it’s really good, I will recommend a reward for you!"

Immediately, Fang Huai puffed out his chest: "Yes, Colonel!"

This left and right recommendation for a reward, the standard is either very high, or you don’t even mention it, only saying, "if it’s really good."

This kind of pie in the sky, ordinary people simply can’t handle it, Colonel!

"Oh yes!" The Chief of Staff picked out one book from a pile of documents, thought for a moment, then took out another and handed them to Fang Huai.

"This, is what your company produced for the seven books, five thin, three forms one volume—what a mess! As messy as a pile of shit!

Last week’s Party branch meeting wasn’t even held! You didn’t make any supplementary notes afterward!

Take this back, tell them to revise it following the standards of the Fifth Company!"

Fang Huai couldn’t help but smile.

The Party branch secretary was on leave last week—what meeting could there be?

Never mind, I won’t snitch on this one; the Seventh Company’s honor cannot be tarnished by Liang Longhui.

"Yes, Chief of Staff! I’ll make sure it is delivered!"

...

At the Seventh Company, Brigade Department.

Liang Longhui, Wang Jian, Clerk Huang, Fang Huai.

"What exactly did the Chief of Staff say?" Wang Jian asked, frowning.

"The Chief of Staff... exactly, it doesn’t sound nice; you better not listen, Company Leader," Fang Huai hesitated.

"Just say it! If the leadership wants you to pass on a message and you don’t make it clear, how are we supposed to know what issues the Chief of Staff is pointing out?" Liang Longhui’s temper flared.

In fact, Liang Longhui wanted to ask Fang Huai if he had mentioned to the Colonel about him confiscating the guitar. After all, the leadership won’t care about your intentions when they want achievements.

But he was too embarrassed to ask, especially from a new recruit.

Fang Huai just smiled.

This is what you "forced" me to say.

No more beating around the bush, he picked up the two documents again, then slammed them down on the desk.

"The Seventh Company’s seven books, five thin, three forms one volume, a complete mess, look like what! Instructor, that Liang Longhui, always taking leave! Not even a Party branch meeting held, no supplementary notes made!

The document format, like a pile of shit!

They’ve got to learn from the Fifth Company, see how they do it!"

After delivering a barrage of punches, Fang Huai then reverted to his "yesman" demeanor, eyes downcast, nose to the heart, back to his compliant self.

So damn satisfying.

Although... maybe a bit exaggerated.

Wang Jian’s mouth hung open halfway.

Listening... it does sound like the Chief of Staff’s tone, but you’ve learned it a little too well, haven’t you?

Why do I feel like I’ve been scolded by the Chief of Staff in person?

Wang Jian couldn’t help but glance at Liang Longhui.

Now, the responsibility is clear, right? It’s all your fault.

Liang Longhui was furious.

This guy definitely took the chance to cuss him out, but he had no evidence!

But the Party branch meeting... such targeted content couldn’t be made up.

Liang Longhui was also adamant.

He owned up to this problem.

"Fine, I’ll make up the content of the Party branch meeting. Clerk Huang, you’re in charge of redoing the documents."