Chapter 296: Strengthening the Military‑Civilian Bond

"Chief of Staff, what wind blew you here?"

"Welcome, welcome, welcome Chief of Staff to our Special Third Regiment for your visit and guidance!"

Wang Zhongxi warmly invited Xiong Yao into the office and brewed a good cup of tea.

He sat on the chair opposite the desk, while his own Regiment Commander's chair was given to Xiong Yao.

Xiong Yao casually flipped through the Work Log on the desk and praised, "Lao Wang, you as a Regiment Commander are truly responsible. You personally attend to all matters of the regiment, and the entries in the Work Log are meticulous."

"If the other Regiment Commanders were all like you, the division would be much more at ease."

Wang Zhongxi chuckled, "I bear this responsibility, it's all within my duties. For someone as senior as Chief of Staff, you still come down personally to convey work; that's true dedication."

The two exchanged mutual praise, clearly both seasoned veterans.

Xiong Yao stopped with the formalities and went straight to the work matters.

"Division Commander sent me down mainly to give face‑to‑face instructions on certain work matters and precautions."

"Also, knowing that each of your regiments has heavy training duties lately, we won't summon you to the Division Headquarters for a meeting."

Wang Zhongxi nodded, flipped through a notebook at hand, and took up a pen to start noting.

Xiong Yao raised a finger: "First, the confidentiality issue we have constantly emphasized remains; at any time there must be no slack. i"

"Second, training; the division's intention is that each regiment, while following the training syllabus plan, should also implement innovations better suited to their own units."

Wang Zhongxi's pen paused, and he looked up to ask, "Chief of Staff, what exactly does this innovation mean?"

Xiong Yao explained, "The division holds the overall direction, but the control of specific details and how to expand advantages depends on you."

He gave an example: "For instance, previously your Sixth Company proactively strengthened the study of military theory, enriching the cultural mindset of rank‑and‑file soldiers; that was a great innovation, and the results were very satisfying."

Wang Zhongxi nodded, indicating understanding, and made a proper note in the book.

Xiong Yao continued, "Third, strengthen the welfare work for veterans, especially families of martyrs and decorated disabled veterans; we must never let anyone feel that after taking off the uniform and leaving the unit they are forgotten."

"In the past, this was always the work of the local militia and civil affairs departments; now it is a mandatory, hard requirement."

"It's not only our division; all other divisions are the same, and henceforth this will be a political assessment task for you regiment heads."

"Understood."

Wang Zhongxi gave a vigorous nod.

Tan Yuanzhou went out on business.

This task should be his focus and also falls under the duties of the regiment's Political Commissar.

Of course, the Division Chief of Staff's meaning was also clear: if any unit's veteran support encounters problems, the original unit also bears joint responsibility.

And this chain of reactions was something Lu Yang never anticipated, which is why he dared not readily reveal the truth.

Wang Zhongxi asked, "What about Lao Fang, who runs the foot‑massage shop in the neighboring city—does he now belong to our Special Third Regiment or the Division Zhencha Daitui...?"

Xiong Yao waved his hand: "Lao Fang belongs to the Zhencha Daitui, you don't need to worry about that; we'll handle his welfare work. Of course, if later you organize a company to go there for card processing and boost his performance, I have no objection."

"That's not a violation, right? Don't let the Military Police catch you."

"Taking care of disabled veterans' livelihood and helping improve their lives—what kind of violation is that?"

"Then who gets to decide?"

Xiong Yao said authoritatively, "As long as you stay away from those chaotic, debauched places, the Military Police won't be idle looking for trouble."

"Moreover, last time the division's political department received a report and dealt severely with violations by the Military Police Squadron, even stripping some of their military status; I'm sure they won't be so short‑sighted now."

Wang Zhongxi nodded and wrote in his notebook: 'Convene a company to go to Lao Fang's foot‑massage shop for a foot soak;'

"Chief of Staff, any other instructions?"

"Nothing else."

Xiong Yao quickly finished his briefing and prepared to leave.

Just as he stood up, he thought of something else and added.

"Oh right, a supplement to the last point: the holidays are near, you can visit the local elders near your station more often to show your concern."

"Soldiers come from the masses and must be rooted among them; wash the elders' clothes, cook meals, sweep floors, especially for the five‑guarantee households in nearby villages."

"Send some rice, flour, oil, eggs, soap, towels, labor‑protective shoes, and the like, so the elders feel a bit of warm care…"

"Got it," Wang Zhongxi nodded. "Immediately help the locals solve difficulties and troubles; strengthen the military‑civilian bond so that when civilians encounter problems they think of the PLA first."

"Exactly, that's the idea!"

Xiong Yao gave a look that said 'you get it, I get it, everyone gets it.'

Since the last time, having personally witnessed a widowed martyr of the Armed Police kneeling before the military district, his worldview was brutally reshaped.

In the past, they treated other divisions as rivals, competing with the Army, Navy, and Air Force on the field.

But after this incident, he realized he was still superficial.

Those internal 'conflicts' could be shifted outward.

After that day's events, the high‑ranking leaders of the Navy, Army, and Air Force present wore surprisingly identical expressions, even their onlookers' faces were exactly the same.

The purpose of strengthening the military‑civilian bond is not only to establish the PLA's glorious image in the people's hearts, but also to tangibly help civilians solve daily troubles and difficulties.

While stabilizing local security, it can also snatch the nearby precinct's KPI.

Division Commander Luo, drawing inspiration from earlier military district meetings and the speech of senior leader Gu Political Commissar, carefully contemplated the guiding thought and reached a new conclusion.

"What the Armed Police and police cannot handle, we will; what they can handle, we will also handle!"

"Although it's all for a harmonious society and a prosperous, strong nation, whoever contributes the most is the undisputed big brother!"

Having finished the necessary briefing, Xiong Yao took a sip of tea to lubricate his throat and prepared to leave.

But just as he opened the door, a captain rushed in from outside, breathless.

"Report, Regiment…"

"Chief of Staff, hello!"

"Regiment Commander, hello!"

Ma Qing'an stood at attention and saluted at the doorway.

Xiong Yao turned, glanced at Wang Zhongxi, and nodded at him: "If you have other business, I'll leave now; no need to see me off."

Wang Zhongxi had intended to be courteous, but since the other party insisted, he simply gave a symbolic escort to the stairwell.

"What business?"

"He broke the record—Lu Yang, he broke the record!"

"???"

Having just descended a floor, Xiong Yao's steps involuntarily halted upon hearing Lu Yang's name.

That name has been appearing quite frequently lately.

No, it's more like the past half‑year's appearance rate—consistently high.

So Xiong Yao turned back again and learned the details.

"You're saying your team's Lu Yang broke the Division's three‑kilometer fastest record in training?"

"This isn't a joke; that record has stood for five or six years without being broken."

"It's true, it's true! Lu Yang ran three full laps, each time crossing the line; even his worst time was only half a second slower. I've brought the footage; if you don't believe it, you can watch it yourself!"

Wang Zhongxi was delighted but did not react immediately, instead fixing his gaze on Xiong Yao.

Xiong Yao wore a thoughtful expression, seeming not entirely convinced.

Strictly speaking, it's not that he doubts Lu Yang can break the record, but that the record has stood for many years.

Indeed, even Cheng Jun, who set the record, barely made it from the fourth to the fifth phase thanks to that performance, and the approval seal for staying in the unit was personally stamped by Xiong Yao.

Every year, as discharge season approaches, one batch after another of veterans, unwilling to give up, try to challenge the Division's records to earn a chance to remain in the unit.

But without exception, everyone fails.

A record is called a record precisely because it is revered by everyone.

Lu Yang had just returned from a family‑visit leave, even picking up an injury during the break; for someone in that condition to smash the record makes people wonder whether the Stopwatch is faulty.

"How about we go take a look?" Wang Zhongxi asked tentatively.

"Let's go, see for ourselves!"