Han Yu was reluctant to leave his new boat, and Xiao Gong not only didn't want to leave but also felt uneasy. No matter how he was persuaded, he was unwilling to disembark.

Considering that Xiao Gong was an "Old Ghost," the most familiar with the engines of the two anti-smuggling boats, Han Yu did not insist further. At the same time, considering that resupplying the two anti-smuggling boats would take time, he simply asked Director Jiang to quickly arrange a car to send Xiao Gong to Changxing Island's health clinic, as his burn could not be ignored.

After introducing the "escort captain" arranged by the Maritime Bureau to the entire crew and making all the arrangements, Han Yu packed his luggage and transferred to an old sea patrol boat from Zhuangming Maritime Bureau to rush overnight to Lvsi Port in Dongqi with Political Commissioner Chen.

"Salted Fish, what's this here?"

"Crabs."

"Crabs?"

"Swimming crabs!" Han Yu said with accomplishment, smiling as he bent down to open the woven bag.

Political Commissioner Chen used his phone as a flashlight, benefiting from the screen's light to find that the woven bag Salted Fish brought from Boat 825 really contained swimming crabs, estimated to weigh thirty to forty catties, and they were quite large.

Political Commissioner Chen felt quite surprised and jokingly asked, "Where did you get them from?"

"We caught them ourselves."

"Caught them, is it possible to catch crabs too?"

"Yes, it is." Han Yu tied up the bag's opening and said spiritedly, "Catching swimming crabs is simple. Use an iron rod bent into a ring, the end wedged across the middle of the rod specifically for stringing bait. Chicken intestines, chicken frames, or pork can all be used as bait, the smellier the better."

Curious, Political Commissioner Chen asked, "And then?"

Han Yu recited proudly, "Use fishing line if you have it; if not, use rope. Drop the crab-catching ring into the sea and attach a float to the line; an empty bottled water can be used. As long as the float moves, it indicates a crab is biting the bait.

It's similar to fishing, but when you see the float submerging, and you're slowly lifting the rod, you can't let the crab leave the water like fishing. When you can see the crabs below the water with the naked eye, scoop quickly from below with a net!"

It seemed like someone mentioned before that there's an old comrade in Bailong Port who is excellent at fishing and shrimp catching.

Thinking further about Salted Fish's junior, Xiao Yu, who was originally a fisherman, Political Commissioner Chen realized that Salted Fish was an "expert" at these things too. He couldn't resist asking with a smile, "When did you catch these crabs, can you fish them while sailing?"

"In the morning, when 823's wooden raft drifted apart, we caught them while drifting nearby waiting for 823 to retrieve and secure the wood. You can't fish while sailing, only fish while en route, but it's hard to catch anything close to shore here, the marine resources aren't as good as abroad."

Dozens of catties of crabs, large and plump, would cost a lot if bought at the market.

The more Han Yu thought about it, the happier he got, and he gleefully added, "Almost forgot, there's a timing rule for crab fishing. You can only fish from 7 AM to noon, and 1 PM to around 5 PM. At other times, crabs won't bite."

The sea patrol boat had two pilots, and the younger pilot turned back with a smile, "Political Commissioner Chen, Secretary Han, you can also use crab cages to catch swimming crabs. Our boat has them, and we caught seven or eight catties yesterday, big and plump!" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Do you have a pot on the boat?"

"Yes, there's a rice cooker."

"Where is it?"

"In the cabinet."

"Let me borrow it, I'll cook a few now for Political Commissioner Chen to try."

"Sure."

...

Political Commissioner Chen didn't expect to get a free seafood meal while delivering orders.

Han Yu originally planned to cook with seawater, but considering it's not good for the rice cooker, he decided to use freshwater instead.

Even though there were no scallions, ginger, garlic, or soy sauce and it was just boiled and eaten like that, the taste was still delicious, and the crab meat was truly sweet in the mouth.

For people on land, seafood is a rarity, seldom eaten once a year. But for coastal dwellers, even big and fat swimming crabs might not be as tasty as pork head meat.

The two pilots each shelled a crab and didn't want more, so Political Commissioner Chen and Han Yu didn't want to waste them and kept shelling crab after crab, eating joyfully.

"Salted Fish, thanks to you, I never thought we could indulge in eating swimming crab like this."

"Commissioner, if it's not enough, I'll cook more."

"Enough, enough, can't eat more." Political Commissioner Chen said while washing his hands and getting to business, "By 3 PM at the latest tomorrow, our side's 50 fishing boats need to be assembled. Considering potential faults in the fishing boats, this time we've requisitioned a total of 55."

Han Yu asked in a low voice, "How big are the fishing boats?"

"At this crucial moment, our Binjiang can't afford to mess up; in this task of requisitioning fishing boats, we can't just look at quantity without considering quality. Before issuing the requisition orders, we listened carefully to opinions from the Ocean Fishery Bureau, trying to requisition boats in better condition, newer in age, with larger horsepower and tonnage. "

Political Commissioner Chen smelled his hands, found they had a fishy smell, pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and continued, "A total of 22 trawlers of type 8105 with 198 gross tons and 400 horsepower were requisitioned, and the rest are all small fishing boats of fifty or sixty tons."

Han Yu was stunned, "22 trawlers with 400 horsepower were requisitioned!"

"What's the matter?"

"Our Binjiang is different from the East Sea, Binjiang's fishing boats are mostly individual boats, not many big fishing boats, quite a few small ones. If I remember correctly, the number of 400-horsepower fishing boats across several districts and counties combined doesn't exceed 50."

"I really didn't know that, but indeed our Binjiang fishermen are quite understanding of the bigger picture. They've been banned from fishing for several months, waiting for ages for the fishing season to reopen, relying on making some money in the next month or two, but upon hearing about an emergency task and needing to cooperate with naval operations, no one bargained or complained, everyone collected their nets and turned around without hesitation."

Humans are strangely peculiar creatures.

For example, the fishermen in the four coastal districts and counties of Binjiang, when the state requires the protection of offshore fishery resources, prohibiting fishing during the ban period, many don't comply with the national fishing ban, secretly going out to sea to fish, playing a game of cat and mouse with fishery enforcement officers.

Some fishermen illegally catch eel fry, setting fixed nets in the sea, making the waters outside the Yangtze River estuary like a "minefield," harming the eel fry resources and affecting maritime traffic safety, causing headaches for the East Sea Maritime Bureau.

But on the significant matter of safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, their attitude is exceptionally firm. When encountering foreign warships at sea, they immediately report to their superiors, tracking and monitoring foreign warship movements, even casting nets to pick up foreign warship-dropped detection equipment in the sea.

Han Yu was at a loss for words, and Political Commissioner Chen continued, "Deputy Commander Yang from the Provincial Military District is stationed at our Military District. He is not only overseeing the mobilization of fishing boats and the Sea Militia in our Binjiang Military District but also directing the mobilization efforts in Yungang, Salt Sea, and Guzhou."

"What happens after the fishing boats and Sea Militia have assembled?"

"It's said that the superiors are still investigating whether to let the units participating in the landing exercise board from several fishing ports or let the active-duty troops board from ports like East Sea and Zhehai."

Han Yu instinctively asked, "Field units, does the superior want to organize the Army to board?"

Political Commissioner Chen glanced back at the dark sea and said in a low voice, "For such a large-scale landing exercise, the Army not only participates but is the main force."

"Doesn't the Navy have a Marine Corps?"

"The Navy does have a Marine Corps, but do you know how many marines the East Sea Fleet has?"

"How many?"

"The East Sea Fleet only has one marine battalion, what can a battalion do!" Political Commissioner Chen extinguished his cigarette and said meaningfully, "In fact, you've already seen the main force of the Marine Corps — last year during the floods, almost all the Marines went to Beihu to fight the floods."

Han Yu realized and murmured, "Mainly rely on the Army?"

"At least at this stage, mainly rely on the Army."

"Commissioner, I am now the Branch Captain, right?"

"Yes."

"Can I propose suggestions to the superior?"

"You can."

"I suggest that our branch's responsible unit board the ships from Lvsi Port."

Political Commissioner Chen asked in a low voice, "Reason?"

Han Yu took a deep breath and explained, "We see through the radar at sea that many fishing boats are returning. It's imaginable that the fishing boats participating in troop transport are no less than four or five hundred. If all units participating in the exercise board from the East Sea and Zhehai port terminals, how can so many fishing boats dock, how to dispatch them, it will surely be chaotic."

"Makes sense."

"Moreover, the Army officers and soldiers are not marines; many have never even seen the sea. The ships they will take are fishing boats that will be very bumpy when sailing at sea. Many will definitely become seasick. If they board from the East Sea and Zhehai port terminals and immediately feel terribly sick, making them weak and dizzy, how can they execute battle missions?"

Han Yu paused and continued, "Letting them board from our Binjiang port extends the time sailing at sea. This way, participating officers can experience what seasickness is like, and when they've adjusted, they can engage in combat."

"Okay, when we reach Lvsi Port, I'll help you report to the superior."

"Also, didn't the Military District mobilize 55 fishing boats? Regardless of the situation of other fishing boats, those additional 5 must participate in the operation."

"Why?"

"Last year, during the flood fight, we first considered logistical supplies, so as not to trouble the disaster area's party committee and government. This operation is the same; we need to carry enough fuel, fresh water, and dry food."

Aware of the importance, Han Yu added, "I don't know how many naval vessels will participate, but there are hundreds of fishing boats for troop transport. The exercise is held at sea.

I know the island. The island's materials need to be shipped from ashore. With so many troops arriving, the logistical supply pressure is immense. If mishandled, there could be hunger issues."

"Okay, you're the Branch Captain, you have the decision-making power on this matter."

"Furthermore, we must urgently mobilize the Rescue Boat Team's diving squadron to participate in the operation."

"What for?"

"Zhehai has the most fishing boats, and the Zhedong Sea Area has the most seabed fishing nets."

Han Yu pointed to a woven bag containing pike crabs and explained, "The pike crabs on the market are almost all caught using gill nets, which is why many crabs we see have thin fishing nets tangled around them. In short, there are many damaged and abandoned fishing nets on the seabed.

Fishery Administration experts estimate that for every kilogram of pike crab caught, nearly a fifth of a kilogram of fishing nets is left in the sea. This could directly lead to fishing boats' propellers getting tangled and sometimes result in anchors not being able to be retrieved.

Due to the complex seabed conditions, Zhehai has 'Water Ghosts' that help fishermen solve these problems. Clearing faults underwater is dangerous and thus very expensive, costing thousands for a single dive.

With so many fishing boats involved in this operation, such a situation is likely to occur. Without divers, if the propeller gets tangled, or the anchor can't be raised, what would we do then? Where would we find 'Water Ghosts' for help?"

The young man's considerations are comprehensive, truly the right person to lead.

Political Commissioner Chen nodded and asked, "Anything else?"

"Logistical supply is crucial, which not only requires preparing more heavy fuel, light oil, lubricants, fresh water, food, and fruits and vegetables but also spare parts for the main and auxiliary engines of fishing boats, especially commonly used components. We must fully utilize the Shipping Academy's training ship and focus on procurement at daylight."

"This involves funding. Even with funding, what if the purchased items are not used up?"

"We could adopt a different approach."

"What approach?"

"Many farmers now buy Japanese-imported harvesters to harvest wheat and rice nationwide. Some who trade in harvester parts carry parts in trucks and sell as they travel with the harvester army, selling along the way."

Han Yu smiled and continued, "We don't need to apply for funding. We can contact businesses that sell marine engine parts to bring parts onto our training ship to sell at sea. With so many fishing boats working with active-duty units, this market is substantial, he surely won't incur losses."

Amused yet helpless, Political Commissioner Chen asked, "You're suggesting taking business owners selling marine engine parts to the exercise area for business?"

"We don't have to, but then we must apply for funding to purchase parts."

"Alright, then let's bring them along."