Cao Yi

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Cao Yi (曹毅)
Alias(es)	Director Cao; Political Instructor Cao
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Second Squadron; Special Services
Occupation/Role	Political Instructor and director of the Second Squadron
First Appearance	Chapter 90

Background / History

Cao Yi initially underestimates Fang Huai as a “cultural soldier,” but changes his position after learning of Fang Huai’s physical ability, leadership, and connections. He prevents the First Squadron from trading for Fang Huai, choosing to retain him within the Second Squadron. 90

As the Second Squadron’s political instructor, Cao Yi develops a strong investment in Fang Huai’s potential. He openly takes pride in the squadron’s new recruits, praises Fang Huai after his rescue of a drowning man, and considers him for a Special Operations Squad role. 118 123

He oversees the squadron’s increasingly demanding physical and professional training, including horizontal-bar contests, competition preparation, hose drills, rescue training, and formalized evening training for new recruits. 103 153 177 197 253

During emergency operations, Cao Yi prioritizes assessment and safety. At a restaurant fire involving LPG tanks, he directs the response, turns off the building’s main power, establishes control over the anxious owner, and coordinates the firefighting effort. 147

Personality

Cao Yi is competitive, pragmatic, and highly invested in the Second Squadron’s reputation. He treats inter-squadron contests as opportunities to develop discipline, teamwork, and morale, while also taking obvious pride in exceptional subordinates—particularly Fang Huai. 118 140 177

His leadership can be unconventional. He deliberately gives false hose-dragging times to provoke the training team into improving, then reveals the actual result and critiques each member’s performance. 197

Despite his ambition, Cao Yi shows concern for soldiers’ safety, welfare, and long-term development. He seeks preventive solutions after a dangerous electric-field incident, manages the squadron’s food shortage, supports Fang Huai’s career prospects, and ultimately sides with Fang Huai against overly restrictive troop management. 175 177 304 414

Abilities & Skills

Leadership and Training Management

Cao Yi organizes competitive training and uses targeted pressure to improve the Second Squadron’s performance.

• Encourages soldiers to surpass their personal records on the horizontal bar. 103
• Organizes a tire-flipping competition with the Provincial Training Team to reinforce discipline and teamwork. 177
• Keeps Fang Huai out of a competition lineup as a concealed “secret weapon.” 156
• Sets the goal for Fang Huai to surpass Huang Yong and Zhou Yong by June, while privately viewing him as a possible National Competition seed. 157
• Proposes record boards for parallel bars and horizontal bars. 165
• Leads formal evening training focused on tire-based leg, waist, and arm exercises. 253

Emergency Command

Cao Yi demonstrates tactical awareness during incidents and rescue operations.

• Assesses a restaurant fire’s risks, including LPG tanks inside the building, before committing the fire squad. 147
• Cuts the building’s main power and coordinates the extinguishing operation. 147
• Seeks ways to prevent future high-voltage emergencies through public education and improved preparedness. 175
• Shows concern for his team during flood rescue operations and expresses a desire to learn swimming to overcome his fear of water. 321

Personnel Judgment

Cao Yi recognizes talent and assigns responsibilities according to a soldier’s potential.

• Reverses his initial low opinion of Fang Huai and works to retain him in the Second Squadron. 90
• Praises Fang Huai following the drowning rescue and considers him for Special Operations. 123
• Entrusts Fang Huai with inspection duties before training involving veteran non-commissioned officers. 153
• Supports Fang Huai’s appointment as Assistant Squad Leader of the Fourth Squad and encourages him to think like a manager. 191
• Promotes Fang Huai to second lieutenant for a public fire-safety outreach event. 185

Relationships

• Fang Huai — Subordinate and favored talent. Cao Yi initially dismisses him, then becomes one of his strongest institutional supporters, using him strategically in training and competition while encouraging his leadership growth. 90 123 156 157 191
• Hao Chengbin — Fellow squadron leader and Fang Huai’s former squad leader. They jointly recognize Fang Huai’s potential and accelerate his training. 143
• Ye Jiahong — Squadron leader and leadership colleague. Cao Yi and Ye observe training together, collaborate on squadron matters, and both support Fang Huai’s position against Huang Chongjiu. 112 314 414
• Huang Chongjiu — Deputy political instructor whose restrictive management approach clashes with Fang Huai’s. Cao Yi attempts to preserve unity but ultimately supports Fang Huai’s proposed return to the prior system. 414
• Chen Zhechang — Training-team member who requests Fang Huai’s replacement as inspector; Cao Yi rejects the request because he intends to retain Fang Huai as a strategic asset. 156
• Captain Huang — First Squadron counterpart and friendly rival in the new-recruit showdown. 118
• Zhang Zhongting — Works alongside Cao Yi and Fang Huai on the First Squadron expansion proposal. 314

Story Role / Major Arcs

Recruiting and Retaining Fang Huai

Cao Yi’s first major role is deciding Fang Huai’s placement. After initially dismissing him, he learns of Fang Huai’s value and refuses a proposed exchange with the First Squadron, securing him for the Second Squadron. 90

Building the Second Squadron

He fosters an environment of competition, demanding training standards, and squadron pride. He promotes contests, supports Fang Huai’s development, and turns the latter’s abilities into a long-term competitive advantage for the unit. 103 118 140 156 157

Firefighting and Rescue Command

Cao Yi commands and supports operational responses, notably during the restaurant fire involving LPG tanks. His actions emphasize scene assessment, hazard control, coordination, and public safety. 147 175

Competition Preparation

As the detachment competition approaches, Cao Yi entrusts Fang Huai with inspection work, uses misleading performance reports to motivate trainees, and keeps Fang Huai’s full capabilities concealed until an advantageous moment. 153 156 197

Squadron Reform and Management Conflict

Cao Yi participates in the squadron’s modernization efforts and backs Fang Huai’s objection to Huang Chongjiu’s rigid daily-life controls. Although he attempts to balance the leadership dispute, he ultimately supports a management model more attentive to soldiers’ welfare and mental health. 314 414

Trivia

• Cao Yi uses the title “director” in several training and competition contexts, while later chapters identify him as the Second Squadron’s political instructor. 103 118 153
• He has a competitive relationship with Fang Huai during flood rescue work, though their rivalry coexists with mutual respect and cooperation. 321
• At the National Earthquake Relief Summary and Commendation Conference, Cao Yi is described as reliable and dedicated but feels overshadowed by Fang Huai’s growing achievements and recognition. 482