Gymnastics on the Bar

"Jumping Jacks, key points: push off with both legs at the same time, jump upward, and simultaneously spread your legs to either side, about 1.5 times shoulder width apart."

Squad Leader Six explained the warm-up exercises while demonstrating them, and the recruits followed along again and again.

They said anyone who could pull themselves up onto the horizontal bar could rest, but by the time they had finished teaching just one set of warm-up movements, more than an hour had already passed.

Everyone learned quite seriously.

Because the company commander had said that this new warm-up routine, along with some post-training relaxation methods, had just been updated by the provincial brigade. Many veterans in the various companies did not even know some of the movements, so once the recruits were assigned to their companies, they would be responsible for teaching them to the veterans there.

Firefighting companies were scattered across the province, with one in every county, two or three in urban districts, plus Special Services Teams. There were over a hundred companies in a province, and the farthest were four or five hundred kilometers from the provincial capital. Naturally, they could not pull people to the provincial brigade for centralized training just for a set of warm-up exercises. Some simple routines would be taught to trainees during centralized training events or province-wide competitions, so they could bring them back to their own companies.

Recruit training was also an important way for physical training routines to spread.

Learning them and then teaching the veterans after being assigned to a company was something every recruit could take pride in.

As Fang Huai reviewed this knowledge he had not practiced in a long time, he also pondered how he could trigger as many missions as possible.

He no longer had to worry about the Parallel Bars and Horizontal Bar, but there was still running!

Long-distance running, sprinting—there was far too much involved: leg strength, lung and heart capacity, endurance, and coordination between muscles in multiple areas.

How many missions would it take for him to reach an excellent level in Track and Field?

The strength of many muscles around the middle of the human torso was broadly classified as "core strength," but from Fang Huai's current understanding, the system would not reward something like "Core Strength."

He had only enlisted two days ago and had triggered many missions, but they clearly needed something to set them off. He had gradually figured out a pattern—probably "interaction."

Only by communicating and interacting with people could he possibly trigger more missions. He had to become more of a Social Butterfly.

And since this system had branches, like the Merit System, there might be other systems as well.

Though he was not exactly that weak anymore. In two days, he had at least gained arm and waist strength that ranked among the better recruits.

"Now, let's run through the whole routine together! After the warm-up, we'll begin the Parallel Bars and Horizontal Bar test!" Squad Leader Six shouted.

"Damn, they're testing both the parallel bars and horizontal bar? Twice?"

"I told you! There's no way we'd get to rest! Two rounds on the bars—how is that a test? If you can't pull yourself up in the first round, how could you possibly get up in the second?"

"Shut up! Later, I'll drag your ass out for some one-on-one training!"

As the recruits discussed it noisily, Squad Leader Pan, who had been sitting on the Flower Bed nearby resting, stood up and walked to the front of the formation. He chuckled and pointed toward a spot at the edge of the Training Ground.

"I told you! If you're too gentle with them, they won't learn their lesson, and they'll just keep talking! Fine, I'll take them away myself! It's open over there, so everyone can see who's slacking off! Make them lie prone for two hours, and they'll know what they did wrong!"

The entire formation fell silent.

The ferocious reputation of Pan Zhaohui, the Eighth Squad leader, had already spread throughout the morning, and everyone regarded him with a little extra awe.

That morning, Yue Tao had run upstairs and shouted "Hello, Squad Leader!" at Old Ghost Pan, earning himself a kick. The story had become increasingly distorted in retellings. By now, many people had heard a version where Yue Tao from Ninth Squad was so ugly that he had scared Squad Leader Pan when he said hello, so he got beaten up.

This was a living King Yama!

You could get slapped just for being ugly!

With that temper, if you fell into his hands, wouldn't you lose a layer of skin? Better to go with that Fourth Squad leader!

Just then, a loud voice rang out.

"Report, Squad Leader, we know we were wrong!"

The people from Ninth Squad collectively turned around, staring at Fang Huai in bewilderment.

Fang Huai, meanwhile, kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart. After boldly showing off for a moment, he began to focus his mind.

Give me a mission! Give me a mission! Give me a mission!

Pan Zhaohui definitely could not beat him up. That morning, he had trained until the Chief of Staff, Old Hei, had personally come to check on him. The veterans had already formed an impression of him—there was no way Pan Zhaohui did not know who he was.

He had collapsed from exhaustion that very morning. Did Pan Zhaohui dare lay a hand on him? The Peng Yu case had only happened a year ago!

Did he want to get scammed?

Sure enough, Pan Zhaohui leaned to one side and laughed. Ninth Squad again.

Old Ghost Hao's squad really was incompatible with him.

Hao Chengbin noticed the situation and walked over from the Flower Bed.

Pan Zhaohui turned his head and met Hao Chengbin's gaze.

Pan Zhaohui was in his eighth year and about to enter his third term as an NCO, while Hao Chengbin was in his ninth year. Both belonged among the ranks of the Old Ghosts.

"Old Hao, this is the one from your squad who passed out doing push-ups this morning, right?" Pan Zhaohui asked with a smile.

As soon as he said that, everyone looked curiously at Fang Huai.

None of the veterans had dared spread the news that morning, afraid something might happen, and this was the first time the recruits had heard about it.

Damn, Ninth Squad really produced nothing but famous people!

Hao Chengbin folded his arms, nodded, and frowned at Fang Huai.

"Fang Huai, haven't I taught you formation discipline? Why are you talking out of turn?!"

With that, he stepped up and kicked Fang Huai in the ass.

That morning, Pan Zhaohui had kicked Yue Tao from his squad. Although Hao Chengbin felt embarrassed by it, he could not really say anything. After all, Yue Tao had indeed been at fault first—he had scared Pan Zhaohui face-to-face.

But the men in Hao Chengbin's squad shouldn't be lectured by another squad leader either.

Even though he was annoyed with Fang Huai right now, he couldn't let Pan Zhaohui keep schooling the new recruits in his squad.

Pan Zhaohui didn't actually dare hit Fang Huai, but his mouth was vicious and quick.

"Yo! A hero who gets dizzy from doing push-ups! What guidance do you have for us?"

Fang Huai didn't answer, only focused on the system.

Nothing's happening!

"Old Hao, your squad's men really aren't up to much! Nothing but trash like this! Got anyone who can compete with our Battalion Commander Zhang?"

That one sentence insulted both Yue Tao and Fang Huai—or rather, the entire Ninth Squad, Hao Chengbin included.

Pan Zhaohui really was something else. He'd given one of his men the nickname "Battalion Commander Zhang." If he had a battalion commander under him, didn't that make him a regimental commander?

Wouldn't that make it an independent regiment?

Do they have an Italian Cannon?

Mission: Defeat Zhang Yinzhang on the horizontal bar.

Mission: Defeat Zhang Yinzhang on the parallel bars.

Fang Huai's eyes widened.

What the hell, did the system go easy on me? Two missions at once?

Zhang Yinzhang... given that name, calling him Battalion Commander Zhang was understandable.

Fang Huai turned to look at Hao Chengbin, whose face had gone dark.

"Zhao Bing, go compete with Squad Leader Pan's men later!"

Although Fang Huai's performance that morning had been impressive, Hao Chengbin still chose a more reliable contender.

Now was the time to show off.

Fang Huai snapped to attention. "Report, Squad Leader! I can do it too!"

Even if their squad had someone awesome, there was only one. If Ninth Squad could send out two, that would count as winning back some pride, right?

After speaking, Fang Huai quickly swept his gaze over Eighth Squad beside them.

He roughly knew who this Battalion Commander Zhang was.

The dark, burly young man diagonally in front of him stood with noticeably more spirit than the others. He had probably served in the People's Armed Forces Department before.

Just from the outline of his jaw, Fang Huai could tell the guy had plenty of muscle.

"You can do it too?" Pan Zhaohui raised an amused brow with his hands behind his back. "Old Hao, your squad's men... not only are their voices loud, their mouths are pretty big too!"

Hao Chengbin glanced at Fang Huai. Not backing down either, he nodded.

"Fang Huai isn't bad either."

Hearing that, Pan Zhaohui turned back to look over his own men, preparing to pick someone to compete with Fang Huai.

But they had only arrived yesterday, and he wasn't sure who ranked second in physical fitness in his squad. After thinking it over, he said, "Oh? Fine then! How about... our two squads compare total scores?"

"Bring it on! You think your squad can handle it? Don't embarrass yourselves later!" Hao Chengbin seemed to have had his temper provoked and started speaking sarcastically as well.

Pan Zhaohui refused to give up the initiative. Turning toward Eighth Squad, he shouted, "Did you hear that? Squad Leader Hao says you can't cut it! Can a man say he can't?"

"No!" Eighth Squad answered with such force that their voices rang like steel.

"Ninth Squad! Did you hear that? Can you do it or not?"

"Yes!!"

Ninth Squad got fired up too, with Yue Tao shouting the loudest.

Fang Huai cursed inwardly.

Those two old bastards only know one trick—using provocation to rile up children—and they still managed to stuff both squads' new recruits full of it.

The Sixth Squad Leader at the command position seized the chance to stir things up too.

"What about everyone else? Is our company only Eighth Squad and Ninth Squad?"

This age-old military method of manipulation might have seemed childish to elementary school students, but it was just right for this bunch of raw recruits.

"Squad Leader, we want to compete too!"

"Take them down!"

When it came to motivational tactics, the old hands were still the best.

Seeing the atmosphere heat up, the other squad leaders stopped bragging and began acting as cheerleaders.

"Fine, Third Squad will work hard to take first place in the whole company!"

"Do you think Fifth Squad is just here for decoration?"

The new recruits were excited too, shouting themselves hoarse, nearly turning it into a song contest on the spot.

Wang Jian hadn't gotten up at all. He sat by the flower bed, grinning so hard his mouth stretched wide.

They'd taught warm-ups, emphasized formation discipline, gotten to mess around on the parallel bars and horizontal bar, shouted themselves hoarse, and had a lesson on collective honor. This afternoon had been pretty full.

"Alright, cut the crap! Train till you drop, train till you're injured, train till you're useless! Warm-up exercise, wrist joints! Begin!"

The recruits were fired up like wolves and tigers, cracking their fingers as they warmed up their wrists.

Ten minutes later, the whole unit had been brought to the parallel bars and horizontal bar, standing at ease and ready.

The Sixth Squad Leader stood beneath the bar, demonstrating as he explained.

"Horizontal bar Exercise One! When preparing to get on the bar, first walk to the end of the bar, raise your right hand and shout 'Okay'! Assume a half-squat jumping stance, straighten both arms behind you, and when the instructor calls 'Mount the bar,' jump up and grab the horizontal bar firmly, with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart! Pull yourself up until your chin reaches the bar—that counts as one complete Exercise One! When getting off the bar, raise your hand and shout 'Okay' as well!"

"Now, I'll teach you the swinging motion for Exercise One!"

The Sixth Squad Leader stepped down, then mounted the bar again without seeming to exert himself at all.

They had probably chosen the Sixth Squad Leader to teach today because his horizontal bar skills were the most impressive.

"The horizontal bar swing requires the coordinated use of your arms and body, so first, you must maintain the correct posture!

When you begin swinging, both arms must be fully extended. Don't shake around. The movement should be smooth and natural, and the swing shouldn't be too large!"

The Sixth Squad Leader gave his legs a slight kick forward, and his body began to sway.

"Use the inertia of your body—mount the bar!"

He pulled himself up with ease, then paused at the highest point.

"When you get here, raise your head as much as possible! Lift your chin line! The passing line is right here! If your chin can't reach this line even when you raise your head, it doesn't count! This is the requirement for you recruits! In formal assessments, especially competitions, it's all Straight Up, Straight Down hard pulls! No veteran pulls like this!

That'd be embarrassing!

But you're recruits, so I'm teaching you the standard requirements for Exercise One! If you pull yourself up, it counts!

As for swinging, as long as you master the method and make use of inertia, even a beginner can easily do three to five!"

Fang Huai listened and smiled.

Bullshit.

During NCO assessments, plenty of those with lousy fitness used swinging.

If swinging weren't allowed, what were all those physically weak administrative soldiers and fat guys supposed to do?

How would his past self have passed?

Hehehehe...

Thinking about it now, he was honestly a little fucking embarrassed.

In this life, he couldn't let people laugh at him like that.

"Squad Leader, this is only Horizontal Bar Exercise One. How many exercises are there in total?"

"Eight Exercises," the Sixth Squad Leader replied casually.

"Squad Leader, can you do Exercises Two through Eight?" Sure enough, a recruit immediately asked the question.

The Sixth Squad Leader curled his mouth into a crooked smile.

What else? Why did they have him teach today?

The Sixth Squad Leader walked to the bar and said confidently, facing it, "Watch closely! Some of the squad leaders in your company might not even know how to do some of these moves!"

The Sixth Squad Leader sprang onto the bar.

"Horizontal bar Exercise Two, Abdominal Curl-up!"

"Horizontal bar Exercise Three, Muscle-up!"

"Horizontal bar Exercise Four, Leg Raise to Bar!"

"Horizontal bar Exercise Five, bent-body mount!"

When his abdomen rested against the horizontal bar, the Sixth Squad Leader extended both hands. "We also call this a Handstand Push-up! There's another extended move—the one you were all chattering about just now..."

As he spoke, the Sixth Squad Leader tensed his entire body and sprang up. He stood above the horizontal bar and gave a salute!

"Salute on the Bar!"

The recruits' eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

For a moment, at least several different pronunciations of "holy shit" erupted from the crowd.

"That's fucking awesome..."

The Sixth Squad Leader bent over, gripped the horizontal bar, spun around it once, and dismounted. He raised a hand, caught his breath, then jumped back up.

"Exercise Six, also known as Mounting the Bar!"

"Exercise Seven, Backswing Mount!"

"These aren't commonly used! The last one, Giant Swing!... Forget it, I didn't bring gloves today. I'll demonstrate it another day! This move needs to start with hanging swing practice, and the bar should preferably be high enough! Wear Protective Gear, or it'll be very dangerous!"

Fang Huai watched with all kinds of envy.

This was the Gymnastics on the Bar he wanted!

In the company, no matter how old the veterans were or whether they could still run, as long as they put you through a full set of these moves, the rookies had no choice but to bow down!

When it came to physical fitness, this was what veterans lived on.

Of course, that was also because firefighting callouts took up so much time. They said the People's Liberation Army trained every day, and that many Private First Class soldiers could complete Exercises One through Eight.

Who knew if it was true? Maybe it was just a rumor that had gotten distorted along the way.

Firefighting assessments consisted of Exercise One and Exercise Two. For conscripts and first- and second-term NCOs, there were more than a dozen items in Exercise One and eight in Exercise Two, and the failure rate was far from low.

The Mess Hall Squad and Communications Squad in the fire service were not like the People's Liberation Army rumor that only experts could get in. They were usually the hardest-hit areas for physical fitness. Especially as generations passed, with fewer veterans and more recruits, more people ended up there in their second or third year. Expecting them to have any kind of solid foundation was simply impossible.

Sixth Squad Leader's voice pulled Fang Huai back to reality.

"Alright, that's enough for the demonstration! Now let's see whether you're mules or horses!"