Cao Gang imdiately raised the cup in his hand and said, "Hey, don’t pour for , I’ve got one already!"
Old Lü, however, stood there, his face a picture of pain.
"That’s enough, this kid’s brought out what I’m usually too stingy to drink. He thinks the Maojian tea I make isn’t high-class enough! Drink this instead!"
Cao Gang burst into laughter: "Hahaha... Minister Lü, you’re not being honest! You’ve got good tea but don’t offer it. I only get a taste when your apprentice shows up!"
Fang Huai bowed respectfully as he sprinkled the tea leaves, musing softly,
"Teacher, although this tea is baked green, it’s still green tea, which doesn’t value age over freshness. It’s better fresh, and I was worried it might get damp, so better to enjoy it sooner rather than later! When I go on leave, I’ll get you a few pounds of Maojian tea from Xinyang itself, but the new tea before Qingming will only be available next April. You can drink this year’s batch, and I’ll get you the new one next year."
He didn’t understand tea nor had the ability to appreciate it, but to get on leaders’ good side, he learned a considerable amount in this life. The thing with tea was not just about its extravagance; it was also about the origin, the harvesting ti, and the selection of leaves. The cost fluctuated, but the thought was all in the details. Using tea that wasn’t outrageously expensive on the market, but rather a select new leaves that were difficult to co by, to show appreciation to leaders was a good choice.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Cao Gang beca envious again upon hearing this.
He was talking about several pounds of Xinyang Maojian tea before Qingming.
"Minister Lü, your disciple is really thoughtful!"
Lv Xianzhi laughed heartily, in front of friends who wouldn’t boast a little, especially scholars. That his student was willing to pay respect also reflected the success of his cultivation.
"Little Fang, don’t get anything too expensive for ! You might co from a wealthy family, but we soldiers can’t afford to make financial mistakes!"
As Fang Huai handed Lv Xianzhi the prepared tea, he smiled and said,
"Don’t worry, I still plan to devote my youth to firefighting!"
Only then did Lv Xianzhi, holding the teacup, walk over and sit down next to Cao Gang.
"Old Cao, this Little Fang isn’t just physically top-notch, he’s also extrely sharp. Even though I say he’s my apprentice, his expertise and vision are no less than mine, and with family investnts of tens of millions, a background like that and still willing to serve the country, compared to so impetuous youths out there, he’s way ahead of the ga."
This statent served to boast and to hint to Cao Gang to take note, subtly saying: Despite his youth, he cos from a resourceful family.
"Oh?" Cao Gang’s expression did indeed beco more serious.
Fang Huai, holding out the second cup of tea with both hands to Cao Gang, smiled and said,
"What family education? My dad’s a simple man, a soldier from Xinjiang who didn’t serve long enough and sent in too. Turns out the genes were too strong—I’ve beco addicted to being a soldier and am set on making a living out of firefighting!"
"Hahaha..."
The two of them laughed heartily.
Cao Gang also took this conversation as a lead-in to the main topic: "Little Fang, don’t underestimate yourself! I was amazed when I heard your thoughts from Minister Lü. You’ve set so big goals! Aiming at the "Fire Protection Law", how could a young person be managing sothing like that? Seeing your high starting point, it’s normal for you to have such a broad vision!"
Fang Huai laughed softly, surprised that his family wealth could provide a reasonable explanation for his reborn perspective, and chose not to argue.
But, what Cao Gang said next made him take the matter seriously.
"I heard you’re planning to reform the local firefighting work, with quite substantial changes, involving local expert databases and coordination with several key departnts for ergency response. That’s a big deal. I was surprised when I first heard about it. Do you have anyone in the departnt supporting you?"
Fang Huai sat down slowly, blinking, and said, "Um... This matter hasn’t been approved by the departnt yet, but I’ve got so support from the Provincial Leaders, and the Detachnt governnt agency has agreed to follow up with so work. I’m reporting it to the city... Does this matter require the departnt’s support?"
Upon hearing this, Cao Gang blew on his hot tea and stared at the ground.
"Well... it’s not that you must have the departnt’s support, but if you do have support from a leader in the departnt, it ans soone at the highest level is communicating for you.
Your plan is complicated. You have to consider that each cooperating unit is different—so are mainly managed horizontally, others vertically. Every unit has its regulations and operational authority. You’re attempting to change too much, and thus you’ll face nurous challenges. Frankly speaking, it’s easy to gather different departnts for a eting at the local level, but to implent the kind of prompt response you want is extrely difficult.
Making plans is one thing, but when it cos to actually needing people, unless the governnt is present, you won’t be able to mobilize them. They will either say they need to ask their vertical superiors or they’ll cite their organization’s rules.
Firefighting has been established for many years, and it’s not that there haven’t been good ideas and plans, but most of them have ultimately failed when it ca to implentation. Additionally, if you take on too much and your position keeps changing, it’s uncertain whether your successors will maintain the plan or to what extent."
The words were harsh, but they were true.
Fang Huai nodded seriously and said,
"To be honest, I don’t want to engage in futile work. I’ve thought about these issues more than once. I can guarantee the superiority of the plan. Once they get used to this efficiency, it’s unlikely they’ll regress. But yes, the workload is huge, and it’s exhausting. After the initial enthusiasm fades, there might be a slow-down in montum, but I won’t stand idly by.
Although I currently lack the capacity to secure firm support from upper levels, my goal of creating a successful model is to enter into their field of vision and thereby influence the "Fire Protection Law". However, once successful, there are channels for reporting upwards."
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