Chapter 53 I'm Very Fast

As the commendation ceremony successfully drew to a close, a red-headed official document from the Commission for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense quietly arrived on the desks of leaders at all levels within the fire service sector.

[Notice on Accelerating the Localization and Replacement of Firefighting Equipment]

Prior to this, the Commission had issued documents on the same theme multiple times. However, most of them were issued in the form of "suggestions." This time, it went straight to the point—a mandatory notice. This meant that whether it was the end-users or the upstream manufacturers, everyone had to cooperate; there was no room for negotiation.

The national firefighting equipment market had a scale of approximately 150 billion RMB. Imports accounted for about twenty percent. However, in the fields of high-end and specialized equipment, the proportion of imports was as high as fifty percent. The localization and replacement plan vigorously promoted by higher authorities would focus precisely on these high-end sectors.

Nevertheless, although the document had been issued, the subordinate units each had their own difficulties. On the equipment manufacturing side, due to technological blockades, research and development costs had always remained stubbornly high. Meanwhile, grassroots fire brigades were forced to choose expensive imported products due to the distorted market supply and demand. Forcing them to suddenly accelerate localization right now felt somewhat like trying to help seedlings grow by pulling them upward.

"Section Chief Wu, have you read the document from the Commission?"

At the Linyang City Fire Detachment, facing the inquiry from Detachment Leader Qian Wei, Wu Xianghua from the Equipment Section nodded repeatedly.

"I've read it. We will resolutely execute the orders from our superiors!"

"Don't just shout slogans; the question is how to execute it?" Qian Wei waved his hand, signaling him to dispense with empty formalities.

Accelerating the replacement with domestic equipment, when boiled down to the Linyang Detachment, really only left one path: tilting equipment procurement and bidding more toward domestic manufacturers.

Easier said than done.

"Currently, our detachment is in urgent need of large-scale equipment for chemical and forest fires."

"There aren't many domestic choices for these types of equipment, and their cost-performance ratio isn't high either."

"Now that superiors are telling us to resolutely push forward the localization process, it somewhat goes against market laws."

After analyzing the current situation, Qian Wei furrowed his brow deeply. The order definitely had to be carried out, but the budget for bidding on equipment came out of their own pockets, and they couldn't afford to waste money on things that didn't matter.

Section Chief Wu also thought execution would be difficult, but he believed the superiors wouldn't push it blindly.

"Even a clever housewife cannot cook a meal without rice."

"Since the superiors want us to procure more domestic equipment, they must also be coordinating the research and development of the equipment providers."

"Just like today, I've already received notice that senior leaders from higher levels are coming to conduct a research inspection."

As he spoke, Wu Xianghua produced a red-headed document. It stated that the Commission had established a special task force composed of engineering experts. One of the groups would arrive at the Linyang Detachment within the next three days to investigate and inspect the needs of frontline fire rescue units.

Looking at the heading of the document, Qian Wei had no choice but to take it seriously. This thing was signed by the Commission, after all.

This was the highest-level document Qian Wei had ever received in his career.

"Goodness, why didn't you take this out sooner?"

Wu Xianghua hurriedly shifted the blame. "I just received it too."

"Hurry up and get things prepared! Notify the officers on leave to return to their posts immediately, and welcome them with the highest protocol!"

Wu Xianghua stood at attention and saluted. "Understood! Right on it."

"Wait!"

Just as the order was given, Qian Wei felt something wasn't quite right and called Wu Xianghua back.

"Why on earth did the experts choose our detachment?"

Hearing this, Wu Xianghua shook his head repeatedly, looking utterly innocent. Who could possibly know?

Generally speaking, for research inspections, they should select a provincial-level corps. Especially for a leadership expert group parachuted down from the highest levels, Linyang was merely a prefecture-level city detachment, ranking second to last in terms of administrative rank.

Thinking of this, Qian Wei suddenly felt a chill in his heart.

"Could it be that they think there's something wrong with our detachment?"

...

In the afternoon, at the main gate of the Linyang City Fire Detachment, guard Shen Bao looked at Wei Xiu with a puzzled expression.

"Chief, why are we coming here for a research inspection?"

"Because it's close to home." Wei Xiu blurted out without even thinking. "Also, don't call me Chief."

Shen Bao insisted, "No can do. According to rank, you are my chief."

"Fine then. Now your chief orders you to call me Brother from now on."

"Got it! Chief Brother!"

"Just Brother! Did you donate your brain since you never use it?"

Looking at this cute and somewhat foolish guard, Wei Xiu was slightly speechless. When leaving the capital, Wei Xiu had repeatedly declined, saying there was no need to send a guard since there was no real danger. The leaders, however, seemed unwilling to agree, claiming that if even a single hair on his head fell, the nation would feel the ache. In the end, Wei Xiu compromised, reducing the number of guards from two to one.

"Brother, should I go inside and report? The documents from the higher-ups should have arrived by now..."

Before Shen Bao could finish, Wei Xiu waved his hand. "No need. I'm familiar with this place; it's not my first time here."

With that, he walked straight into the detachment.

Shen Bao thought he was just bragging, but it turned out to be true. Because as soon as they reached the duty room, two soldiers called out Wei Xiu's name directly.

"Brother Wei is here?"

"Just in time!"

"Our water pump is acting up again."

A county-level city wasn't very big to begin with, and the interpersonal network was quite narrow. Moreover, Wei Xiu had previously repaired things for the fire brigade, making his face familiar to them. Ever since their last cooperation, whenever the detachment's equipment had minor issues, they would call Wei Xiu to come and fix it.

Seeing Wei Xiu mingling so naturally with the detachment soldiers, Shen Bao felt an overwhelming sense of disbelief.

You must know that Wei Xiu was now a high-level talent enjoying top-tier security protection; he was no ordinary person. He had come to the fire brigade on official business with proper paperwork filed. Logically speaking, the top leader of the Linyang Detachment should have been the one to receive him. Yet, the Chief went against convention and blended right in with the grassroots. How truly approachable.

"So... Brother? You knew these guys beforehand, right?"

While the soldiers went to fetch the broken equipment, Shen Bao leaned close to Wei Xiu's ear and asked quietly.

"Yeah, I fixed some things for them before. Before that, I was rescued by them."

Shen Bao: "???"

"It wasn't a big deal. I just wanted to find out whether a lightbulb can be taken out once you put it in your mouth."

Shen Bao looked confused. "So, was it taken out?"

"What do you think?"

Wei Xiu was utterly defeated. He thought to himself: *Since you're so naive and clueless, why don't you put your brain up on an online secondhand marketplace? Brand-new ones fetch a higher price.*

A moment later, two soldiers carried over the broken water pump. Wei Xiu took just one glance and spotted the problem.

"The coil is burned out."

The soldier asked, "Is it easy to fix?"

"As long as I have a screwdriver, it's easy." Wei Xiu thought to himself that it only required a pair of hands.

So the soldiers immediately fetched the tool box from the barracks. In less than three minutes, Wei Xiu had completely dismantled the water pump. Just as he was about to remove the coil, a voice interrupted.

"Who told you to fix things here?"

Detachment Leader Qian Wei wore a displeased look on his face.

One soldier immediately explained, "Reporting to the Leader, this is a kind-hearted citizen. He's the one who fixed our team's truck last time, so I figured..."

"Repairing it is fine," Qian Wei nodded. "Just not here. The superiors are coming for an inspection soon. Take it inside."

Wei Xiu quickly explained, "I've already taken it apart. Moving it inside is too much trouble, and I'll be very quick."

"Young man, please understand. We're about to welcome the leaders, and we at least need to put on a show." Qian Wei wasn't trying to make things difficult for Wei Xiu; he was doing it for appearances. If the leaders arrived and saw a duty room littered with screws and engine oil, their first impression would be terrible.

Wei Xiu understood, but he really didn't want to move.

"Alright then. No more pretending, I'm laying my cards on the table—I am that leader."