After Being Reborn, I became a firefighter again?

We’ve arrived in the city.

It’s still the Big Capital City with its grand open doors, waiting with open arms for you.

There’s no room here for a bunch of wild men to set up camp as they please.

So, tonight we’re not staying in tents, but in a hotel... no, a guesthouse...

No, an inn.

This place can at best be considered an inn.

But for the soldiers, it’s already like a palace.

While they were checking in, a green-haired hipster was tangled up at the counter with the owner over two lighters. But when he saw them approaching, he didn’t want the lighters anymore and quickly went back to his room. In less than two minutes, a few small-time thugs came out from the same room and checked out.

Tonight, the owner of the BJ Shunyi Tiantian Hotel felt full of safety.

But in the palace of room 207, a voice was speaking very loudly and rudely.

"Yo!"

This inn has double rooms and single rooms, and today, with so many of them, they almost booked the whole place. Fang Huai got a single one, which made him quite happy.

"Who’s this... why are you calling me?"

Zhang Zhongting took two seconds to react but eventually recognized his troublesome nephew from that "yo".

Fang Huai laughed smugly, "I’ve made some achievements, can’t I show off to the folks back home?"

"What achievements?"

Fang Huai was taken aback, "You don’t know?"

Zhang Zhongting’s voice regained its authoritative leadership tone, "Speak your mind, I’m very busy."

Tsk tsk tsk.

Looks like the Guizhou Brigade isn’t very well-informed.

Well, it figures. The boss of Hu Peizhou, who came up from the Zhejiang General Squadron and only officially assumed his role in the ministry this year, is too far away and there has been no reinforcement between the two brigades. It’s normal not to be familiar with each other.

But that leader, in the future, he is likely to have a boundless future.

Today, when Fang Huai heard the name of the leader who would be present at tomorrow’s assessment, his heart surged with excitement.

That person has a significant background.

The successive leaders of the Firefighting Bureau had shuffled around only within the scope of forest, hydroelectric, firefighting, border control, and police and did not exceed these units. Only this one made it to the headquarters of the People’s Armed Police and held a real position.

Thinking of this, Fang Huai really wanted to nudge his uncle and spoke in a softer tone.

"The renovation plan of the Second Squadron might be chosen as a pilot reform project by the ministry, together with the Hunan General Team."

There was a noticeable silence on the other end, and the voice on the phone, along with the sound of a door closing, grew quieter.

"Are you sure? How much money are we talking about?"

Old Zhang’s first concern was money.

Fang Huai was speechless at his uncle’s obsession with money.

But before he heard the name of the leader today, all he thought about was money and people too.

"Did I mention it was about money? This is supported by the leadership! I think if the project comes through, as the person in charge, shouldn’t you take this chance to visit and express gratitude?"

As Fang Huai said this, his eyes suddenly lit up.

Isn’t this perfect?

In mid-September, shove him off!

Zhang Zhongting’s voice grew more serious after hearing this.

"...Which leader are we talking about?"

Fang Huai quickly responded with confidence, "Director Yu!"

"Oh... how did he agree?" Zhang Zhongting’s interest seemed to wane again.

That leader had recently arrived at the ministry and hadn’t taken over any specific duties yet.

Fang Huai shook his head inwardly at the tone of the response.

Tsk tsk tsk, can’t recognize Mount Tai! Too utilitarian!

"Our team leader, Deputy Chief of Staff Hu from Hunan, used to be with the Zhejiang General Squadron. He’s an old subordinate of someone there and agreed with my idea. He especially went to BJ to convince the leader. The specifics of the support and the conditions are not yet decided, but the matter is settled and the conditions will soon follow."

Zhang Zhongting fell silent again for a while, then spoke with a hint of emotion:

"If you had this idea, why didn’t you come to me?"

Fang Huai laughed inwardly when he heard this.

Come to you? Do you have as solid a backing as them?

No, do you even have a backing?

After thinking it over, he said:

"Would it have been any use coming to you? You only see me as a junior. They recognize my intelligence! If I spoke to you about it, you would probably have been tangled up trying to convince the head of the corps, then thinking of how to find connections higher up, right?

By the time you slowly secure the policies, the Squadron will have already finished its renovations, right?

Can that even be considered a pilot project established with leadership attention?

Even if it succeeds, could it gain strong support?

Look at them! Once a decision is made, they immediately head to the Capital City. That kind of initiative only belongs to the pacesetters of our time!"

Zhang Zhongting clicked his tongue and grew more earnest, "Boss Wu and I are the overall leaders here, how do you know we haven’t taken it seriously? If we didn’t take it seriously, where would the renovation plan come from? Matters must be prioritized! Where are you now? In BJ?"

Fang Huai, upon hearing Old Zhang ask his whereabouts, immediately coughed, "I’m not in BJ! I’m climbing Mount Everest! My location isn’t important! What matters is, we don’t have time to waste! I advise you to make a trip there, pay your respects. After the Olympics end... no, after the Paralympics on September 17th, it would be perfect timing! The national Grand Martial Arts Competition starts in Tianjin mid-September. If you are leading the team there, wouldn’t it be perfect to visit the leader?"

The national Grand Martial Arts Competition in Tianjin, the Paralympics ending on September 17th, and coincidentally, the day his uncle sacrificed his life in his previous life was September 18th. If he could divert him to Tianjin and then to visit the leader, he wouldn’t be able to come back.

From then on, his uncle might even be able to enter a significant dockyard.

But Zhang Zhongting seemed very serious as he said:

"Work hard, strengthen yourself, don’t get caught up in factionalism. That’s not something you should be concerned with. In life, you need to learn to be your own dockyard."

Fang Huai’s face scrunched up in annoyance.

What foreign language are you speaking? You, as a leader at your level, saying this to me?

No matter how hard a person works, without leadership attention, can they climb up the ranks?

With 31 provincial corps and only one ministry, Director Yu has a bright future with the attention of important leaders. There’s a world of difference between having their support or not. Old Zhang’s future prospects could change dramatically.

"Uncle, if you still think of me as a kid, I’m hanging up now, and won’t share these things with you anymore. You go on and be a proud dockyard, and I wish you the best in becoming a large port with an annual throughput of 30 million tons."

"Tsk, you know nothing!"

Zhang Zhongting sounded a bit exasperated. Fang Huai was stubborn indeed.

Yet he had to acknowledge the abilities his nephew was displaying, which were growing by the day. Now he was even able to find allies on his own, forcing Zhang to take him seriously.

With this in mind, he dropped the act. After mulling it over, he said:

"Some things are not so casual, the stock market has risks, investment must be prudent!"

Fang Huai laughed.

That’s more like it, I get you a ticket for a big ship, and you talk to me in official jargon?

"This is official business! Paying a visit would be entirely appropriate."

Zhang Zhongting was obviously giving it some serious thought, and he pondered slowly:

"I’ll consider it, but I’m finding it harder and harder to understand your mind. What are you thinking about all day long?"

"I’m thinking of doing great things! I’ve notified you in advance, our squadron is going to admit two people, I’ll have Cao Yi send you the list after I get back."

Zhang Zhongting seemed much more relaxed about this matter, simply admonishing:

"Don’t just shuffle people around at will, the whole regiment is one chess game."

"I know, they want to come themselves, what can I do? Gotta go, off to climb a mountain."

"Climbing a mountain? Really off to Mount Everest? What kind of training have you arranged? Did you call your parents..."

As soon as Fang Huai heard this, he immediately hung up the phone.

Sometimes, he too felt like a junior, wanting to really communicate with his uncle, the caring uncle and the filial nephew, working together towards the future.

But the more deferential he was in front of his elders. the more he felt that they should listen to everything they said.

After all, the tolerance of family is vast; why not be bold? Once they calmed their attitude and truly reaped benefits from his words, communication would actually become more effective.

Thinking this, Fang Huai opened the door to return Hu Peizhou’s cell phone.

But as he opened the door, he found Hu Peizhou standing there with an inscrutable smile.

"Captain Hu... lurking by the wall, isn’t that bad?"

Hu Peizhou didn’t pick up on that comment, his hands clasped behind his back, appearing quite righteous and confident.

"Thanks for the praise earlier but, when speaking with elders, it’s still better to be polite. Regimental commander Zhang is a respectable leader; listen more to what he says."

Fang Huai’s mouth twitched, and he pointed to the now dark screen of the cell phone, passing it back.

"The call’s been hung up; even if you praise him, he can’t hear it."

As he spoke, the phone lit up again.

Hu Peizhou looked at the incoming call on the screen and gave it a shake toward Fang Huai.

"Your uncle?"

Fang Huai glanced at it and nodded.

To Fang Huai’s surprise, Hu Peizhou turned and answered the call, heading straight into his own room.

"Detachment Captain Zhang, hello, hello."

"Yes, this is Hu Peizhou."

"...Haha, no, Mount Everest was training from Period One. This kid was lying to you."

"Yes, that’s right, I think this plan..."

"Bang."

The door closed.

Fang Huai was left standing there, stunned.

Damn it, how did these two get to chatting?

How come, at the crucial moment, it feels like these two will ditch me?

Ha, they play the first move, I’ll play the fifteenth!

Quietly, Fang Huai tiptoed over to the door of Hu’s room 201.

Just as he was getting into eavesdropping position, the door suddenly opened.

"Yes, the leadership’s idea is to act first and verify later, to boldly try. Our training class was also established based on this idea."

While Hu Peizhou spoke in an affable manner, he fiercely pointed at Fang Huai, who stood awkwardly at the door, and swept his finger aside.

Scram.

Fang Huai turned and walked away, cursing under his breath.

Damn it, you can lurk by the wall, but I can’t?

Where the hell is there democracy and fairness in this world?

What Fang Huai didn’t know was, once Hu Peizhou closed the door, he was very flattering about Fang Huai, agreeing vehemently with his ideas.

Because the words Hu Peizhou had just overheard were as sweet as honey in his heart.

Hu’s old leader was not yet involved in any substantive management. Although he was holding a post at the Ministry, his military rank was still Colonel, and yet Fang Huai couldn’t wait to have his uncle, a real power figure at the level of Head of the Corps, pay him a visit, which pleased him greatly.

Quite good.

This kid is not only capable but also has good vision!

...

The next day.

Everyone, dressed in summer camouflage and carrying backpacks, gathered on the roadside in front of the hotel.

Having slept in proper beds for a night and taken showers with bath gel, they all looked spirited.

Hu Peizhou, too, was full of energy, standing in front of the formation and shouting:

"Now that we’re in the Capital City, show your spirit! Be civilized, be disciplined! Do you understand?"

"Loud and clear!"

"Turn right! Board the bus, heading to the assessment site!"

Everyone turned in unison, their spirits high as they boarded.

They all seemed to be in a good mood.

Only the hotel owner peered out of the upstairs window, his eyes full of regret, watching these military men leave.

Why leave so soon?

Need to be civilized? How much more civilized could they be?

If only these troops could stay a few more days; he’d be willing to offer half-price!

With the hotel’s safety assured and the local riffraff gone, these military guests were of good quality! They cleared out their own trash when checking out in the morning and even tidied up the bed sheets and blankets before leaving!

But in the middle of the night, someone came asking if he had instant noodles or biscuits for sale.

Troops’ meals, why so irregular? 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Such trivial things, of course, he said were free, but they refused to accept any favor, scraping together fifteen yuan to pay him!

A few people barely managed to scrape together fifteen yuan. They were so poor, yet they refused to take advantage.

Truly the People’s soldiers!

Tsk, tsk, from now on, People’s Liberation Army staying here will get a thirty percent discount!

The military, wherever they go, leave a lasting impression.