Think Clearly, Why Did You Join the Army?

"Greetings, Commander!"

Han Yong was the first to react, his voice more impassioned than ever before.

Everyone quickly stood up as well.

"Greetings, Commander!"

The Colonel nodded, walked closer with his hands behind his back, and observed the situation in the squad.

"Hmm..."

"Your speech was insightful and well-spoken, but you need to pay more attention to your delivery.

Military songs carry the bloodline of the older generation of soldiers and contain many stories. They guide us soldiers forward, and their role is not just to stir up passion, but also to cleanse the soul.

However, one point you made is correct.

When soldiers carry out missions, they need absolute calmness. Life is the primary source of creativity and productivity. Every soldier's life is extremely precious, and we are also focusing on safe training...

Never mind, I won't say more. Young comrade, you have good insight.

Director Yang, you didn't deliberately arrange this, did you, knowing I was coming?"

The Colonel was about to launch into a summary of his work, but suddenly felt it wasn't quite appropriate. He stopped himself and made a half-joking remark.

The officers and squad leaders behind him laughed along obligingly.

Fang Huai's heart skipped a beat.

Deliberately arranged?

Regimental Commander Huang, if I had known you were coming, I would never have said that!

I would have praised the military songs to the heavens!

Fang Huai quickly composed himself and said loudly, "Reporting, Commander! My understanding was flawed, and my comprehension was not deep enough. Thank you for your correction!"

"Hahaha..." The Regimental Commander laughed and waved his hand.

"You young comrade, you have a way with words. This isn't a meeting, so don't be so serious."

The Director of Staff behind him quickly chimed in with a smile, "Regimental Commander, I only just found out you were coming. If it were a deliberate arrangement, there wouldn't have been enough time!

Young man, the Regimental Commander is praising you! Hao Chengbin is an experienced leader, and the soldiers he trains have some skill!"

Although the Director of Staff clearly knew Fang Huai, he was now an expert at playing dumb.

"Thank you, Director of Staff! Thank you, Regimental Commander!" Fang Huai stopped trying to be clever. The Regimental Commander had directly asked him, and he had to answer, but saying too much would be counterproductive.

"Hmm... not bad. This squad's internal affairs are well managed." The Regimental Commander looked around, but with all the new recruits standing up, they blocked a large portion of his view, so he couldn't see much.

"I inspected this place a couple of days ago. In terms of hygiene, this squad has done a very thorough job."

The Director of Staff also nodded, giving his full affirmation.

The Regimental Commander turned around, clearly knowing who Hao Chengbin was, and asked him directly, "There hasn't been any excessive management, has there?"

Excessive management.

The Regimental Commander's meaning was clear.

Was the significant difference between this squad and the others due to some special methods?

Hao Chengbin immediately stood at attention and said, "Regimental Commander, they are all very self-disciplined! Their ideological transformation has been rapid, and this is the most hassle-free squad I've ever led!"

As for who deserved the credit, Hao Chengbin didn't say. It was enough for the Director of Staff to know. Fang Huai, as a new recruit, didn't need the Regimental Commander's favor.

Hearing this, the new recruits couldn't help but straighten up a little.

Seeing that Hao Chengbin's expression was genuine, the Regimental Commander nodded with some admiration.

"Good, very good. This shows that new recruits can indeed develop under more scientific management!

Director of Staff, we must accelerate standardized and scientific training, and even more effort must be put into ideological development!"

The Regimental Commander said a few things that the new recruits didn't understand, waved goodbye to everyone again, and turned to leave Squad Nine.

This time, Fang Huai understood it again.

This "scientific" and "standardized" were leadership jargon. Translated, it meant: less hitting soldiers, less corporal punishment, and fewer problems for them in the future.

The most direct result would be an increased emphasis on political education.

Activities like singing military songs, reciting regulations, taking notes, group singing, and cultural events.

This was related to the reforms in the following years. By the Regimental Commander's level, he had already sensed the trend.

The fire department was a small force, currently less than 160,000 people nationwide, roughly two to three full armies. Yet, it had 31 general detachments (division, deputy army) and over 400 detachments (regiment, deputy division), spread very widely. Synchronizing their thinking was difficult. Units like new recruit regiments, which managed new recruits from an entire province in a concentrated manner, had a greater responsibility.

From every batch of new recruits, they would subtly change their thinking.

When Hao Chengbin returned, he couldn't hide the smile on his face. But as soon as he closed the door, he looked around nervously.

The Director of Staff had just said that Squad Nine would get five bonus points today!

Five bonus points in one go, what did that mean?

This means they're going to be the model squad for the entire regiment in December! As long as nothing goes wrong by the end of the month, Seventh Company, Ninth Squad will get the title!

He had a comrade visit last night, and they chatted at a barbecue stall outside the base until the early morning. He slept in today and took several naps at the company headquarters after waking up. Apart from handing out some documents, he basically hadn't paid attention to anything all morning.

Honestly, he still had no idea how they managed to get this "model squad for the entire regiment" designation.

After a quick check, it was actually clean!

"Who cleaned this morning?" Hao Chengbin asked, turning around.

Yue Tao excitedly raised his hand.

"Reporting! We all cleaned together!"

No matter how silly they were, they knew they were definitely going to be praised today.

Hao Chengbin frowned upon hearing this, "Why did you all clean together again? It should be whoever's turn it was! Fang Huai, who was responsible for cleaning today?"

Fang Huai couldn't help but chuckle. Yue Tao hadn't considered that the last person who said that was Jiang Peng.

"Squad leader, we really all cleaned together. It's the weekend, and everyone wanted to be in a good mood. We discussed it and did a big cleanup this morning. You just arrived, didn't you see?"

I was half-asleep, what could I have seen?

If the person downstairs hadn't called to inform Regimental Commander Wang Jian to come up just now, the Regimental Commander would have caught me red-handed!

Hao Chengbin felt a bit regretful himself. Ever since Fang Huai became the deputy squad leader, his vigilance had been declining day by day.

However, he would never admit that.

"Hmm... I deliberately didn't supervise you all today. I wanted to see if you would let your guard down on the weekend!

It seems like it's not bad! But the Chief of Staff said that our squad has a chance to get the 'model squad for the entire regiment' title this month! We need to strive for it, avoid arrogance and complacency!

Perform well, and earn more points for the squad!

I'm setting a rule! For anyone who earns points for the squad, if they want to eat something or drink something, as long as it's not against regulations, I can be like a genie and grant their wish!

For those who lose points, just you wait!"

Damn, now that's more like it! Something practical!

Chen Zhongqiang also got excited. He immediately patted Yue Tao and signaled his fellow villager with his eyes.

A Tao! It's time to charge! Cigarettes! Cigarettes!

Yue Tao turned his head, looking disdainful.

I don't smoke! I was just smoking for fun last time!

"Squad leader, are there any rewards this time?" Han Yong stood up, his face full of hope.

Hao Chengbin was a bit stunned. He pointed at Han Yong and looked at Fang Huai.

He... was involved too?

Fang Huai understood his meaning and nodded.

Han Yong immediately said, "Squad leader! I mopped the floor! I used a towel!"

"Ahem," Hao Chengbin said, hands behind his back.

"It's not appropriate with the Regimental Commander here this week! Next week, I'll pick a time and treat you all to a late-night snack! You can discuss what you want to eat yourselves! ...You can even smoke a cigarette!"

He couldn't fulfill the promise immediately. He was a master at using the "delayed gratification" tactic to appease children, having been a squad leader for so many years.

But Ninth Squad erupted in excitement.

"Long live the Squad Leader!"

The newly arrived Han Yong was even a bit choked up.

He had never seen such a scene in Eighth Company. Forget about late-night snacks, they had to fight for dishes even during meals!

Before he joined, his family had said the military food was good and plentiful, but it turned out only the staple food was plentiful!

That scumbag Zhang Yinzhang from Eighth Company, just because his family was rich, he looked down on Han Yong everywhere and even fought him for dishes during meals!

Fang Squad Leader is so good! Hao Squad Leader is so good! Socialism is so good!

"Shush! Keep it low-key! Understand?!" Hao Chengbin quickly stopped everyone's excitement, saying fiercely.

"And 'long live'? After the 80s, you can only shout 'long live' in the military when charging! Don't shout nonsense! From now on, if you eat, you eat, if you smoke, you smoke, but don't go blabbing outside!

If other squad leaders don't give you anything, and only I do, how can I live?

Alright! Go take a good shower this afternoon. This weekend, I won't give you any extra drills for now!"

With a bit of subtle emotional manipulation, everyone returned to a state of suppressed excitement.

The Squad Leader is so good! We are too fortunate!

Fang Huai smiled along with everyone else.

A good shower, no extra drills?

Not needed, really.

After a shower, there won't be a need for extra drills.

And these kids are way too easy to fool.

They all thought, "Do other squad leaders not give them out? They secretly do! They even use the exact same lines as Hao Chengbin!"

In the end, all the new recruits felt like they were the luckiest one.

Later, when they met up with their comrades from the same company and talked about the old days, everyone was stunned.

"Holy crap? Your squad leader gave you cigarettes too?"

"Holy crap! Your squad leader gave you late-night snacks too?"

Of course, Fang Huai was the one who had it rough. Back then, the damn squad leaders he had were the type who truly didn't give anything out.

At that time, he sat among his comrades who were sharing happy moments, envying them all by himself.

Afternoon.

He went to take a shower, all excited.

Zhao Bing deliberately changed his position, walking behind Fang Huai with a seemingly simple and honest smile.

"Hey, Fang Huai, what you told me today really touched me."

Fang Huai rolled his eyes.

"You're 'touched' again? You were 'touched' listening to a military song, you're 'touched' hearing a single sentence, you still don't get what I'm saying."

"Tell me! Tell me slowly, I'll listen to every word!" Zhao Bing said with utmost sincerity.

Fang Huai, who was outwardly tough but inwardly soft, couldn't handle such sincerity.

He sighed, thought for a moment, and turned his head.

"I've heard of many people who aspired to be soldiers since childhood and actually joined, but this is truly the first time I've met someone like you. If you're really that pure, honestly, I admire you.

But this isn't like what you see on TV. A TV show's shot can skip an entire year, and a naive young man can become a mature soldier in one episode, but in reality, you have to live day by day.

It's not easy to stick with anything.

If you really want to be a soldier, just do things diligently, don't overthink, and don't get overly hopeful or discouraged by one thing. If you learn things thoroughly and can become a top-notch soldier, then the passionate military life you desire won't be too far away.

But if you can only be an ordinary soldier, then... dedicate your youth well, and don't complain."

As he spoke, the Seventh Company's formation was already complete.

"Can you explain it a little more clearly?" Zhao Bing was still a bit confused.

Fang Huai sighed again. "The life of an ordinary soldier is inherently monotonous. I just don't want you to feel like you came here for nothing."

"Oh... you mean I shouldn't have joined the army?"

"You'd get full marks for reading comprehension with that."