Binjiang Police Affairs-Chapter 1180 - 46: Smuggling Crime Investigation Bureau

Zhou Huixin tapped the ashes from her cigarette and added, "I heard that even the Hong Kong police are mobilizing their forces, searching the Hong Kong waters and its islands, conducting routine inspections at hundreds of shipyards and docks in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Flying Service has even dispatched helicopters for aerial search."

As the saying goes, it's like finding a needle in a haystack.

A bulk carrier of ten thousand tonnes may seem big, but on the vast ocean, it's really like a needle.

So many days have passed since that ship went missing. If it was indeed the work of pirates, the ship would have long been moved by them. Finding it in the boundless sea is easier said than done.

Han Yu was silent for a moment, furrowing his brow as he asked, "Did they just ask us to keep an eye out for clues?"

"What more can we do but keep an eye out."

Zhou Huixin sighed lightly and continued, "They not only notified Customs but also the City Bureau. Liu Guan and Director Wang have made arrangements; any sea vessel docking, be it foreign or domestic cargo, must be boarded and inspected."

The incident occurred far from Binjiang, and the possibility of any connection to Binjiang is minimal.

Plus, the Water Anti-Smuggling Team has just been established and is currently undergoing intensive training, so they really can't help at the moment.

Han Yu simply changed the subject, curiously asking, "Director Zhou, what's going on with forming the anti-smuggling police team? Why is there no progress?"

"Soon."

"You said the same thing last time."

"This time it's really soon."

Zhou Huixin opened a drawer and took out an internal document, "The upper levels have decided to establish the Smuggling Crime Investigation Bureau, which will be set up at Customs, under dual leadership from the Ministry of Police and Customs. It's different from the current Customs Investigation Bureau; it's not an internal unit of Customs, but rather a relatively independent enforcement body."

Han Yu took the document, reading it while asking, "So the anti-smuggling police are the same as the police?"

"Yes."

"When will it be officially established?"

"We have to wait for it to be officially established in the Capital. Only then can the Jiangnan Province Police Department Smuggling Crime Investigation Bureau be set up. The upper levels have instructed us to prepare quickly, at least to have personnel in place before the official establishment."

The old leader will once again don the police uniform for these tasks. He's already decided which officers to transfer from the City Bureau and district police stations.

Han Yu couldn't resist asking, "The Provincial Department calls it the Smuggling Crime Investigation Bureau. Does that mean we should call it the Jiangnan Province Police Department Smuggling Crime Investigation Bureau Binjiang Branch here in Binjiang?"

"No."

"Then what's it called?"

"Jiangnan Province Police Department Smuggling Crime Investigation Bureau Binjiang Branch Office."

"Branch Office..."

Han Yu paused, talking to himself, "I've only heard of banks having branches, never heard of police having branch offices. What kind of unit name is this? It sounds odd, somewhat mismatched."

"This is the decision of the upper levels—can we change the unit name for them?"

"Alright, a branch office is better than not being established at all. It's making me feel like I'm unemployed."

"Soon, you'll be back in uniform." Zhou Huixin had left the police system for some time due to illness, so she understood how Han Yu felt now.

Han Yu was genuinely pleased and curiously asked, "Director Zhou, do you know the administrative level of the branch office?"

"I know."

Discussing this made Zhou Huixin happier as she smiled and said, "The branch office is a standard department level unit. The City Bureau and Customs have submitted the formation plan in accordance with the upper levels' requirements, and in light of Binjiang's reality in combating smuggling crimes.

Once officially established, it will include four internal departments: Office, Legal, Investigation, and Water Anti-Smuggling, with Investigation and Water Anti-Smuggling having additional signs as Smuggling Crime Investigation Squad and Water Anti-Smuggling Squad, respectively. Then Ming Yuan will be the Investigation Department Director, while you'll be Water Anti-Smuggling Director."

"My senior is getting promoted again?"

"Is he not qualified?"

"Qualified!"

"You mainly are too young. As Director Chen and Director Zeng said, if you were a bit older, they'd directly recommend you for Deputy Director."

When recorded for First-level Merit by General Politics, he got a salary increase. This time evaluated as the national anti-flood model, another salary increase.

Currently being a Director, yet the salary treatment is somewhat like a Standard Department Level.

The soon-to-be-established Smuggling Crime Investigation Branch Office is relatively independent, yet likely similar to how Changhang navigation police eat port and shipping enterprises, eventually drawing wages from Customs.

Customs salaries are higher than local police; shifting formally to Smuggling Crime Investigation Branch Office, the wage treatment will improve.

It's all about money; being a leader isn't necessary.

Being a leader is troublesome, with frequent meetings, endless entertainment—the thought alone is daunting.

Han Yu didn't feel upset; instead, he laughed and asked, "Director Zhou, what about you?"

"What about me?"

"Once the branch office is established, what position will you hold?"

"Political Commissioner."

"Is Political Commissioner standard department level or deputy department level?"

"Seems to be standard department level."

"Director Zhou, you're getting promoted, congratulations!"

"Lucky, thanks to you after all."

"What's it got to do with me."

Zhou Huixin recalled her work experience in Linghai, sighed, "If not for you, I wouldn't have had the chance to meet Customs leaders. If not for Liu Guan and Director Zeng's strong recommendation, I wouldn't have had the chance to work again."

Han Yu chuckled and said, "It has little to do with me; you should thank Liu Guan and Director Zeng."

"Everyone deserves thanks."

"By the way, who's the appointed director?"

"Director Zeng," Zhou Huixin took a small sip of water and added with a smile, "Director Zeng will assume a dual identity as both Deputy Director of Binjiang Customs and Director of the Smuggling Crime Investigation Branch."

"What about the Investigation Bureau?"

"It's been abolished; some of the previous personnel will be integrated into the Smuggling Crime Investigation Branch. Customs officers will become police officers, and at that time, we might organize new police training for members of the Investigation Bureau, as police work differs quite a bit from their previous jobs."

"They should learn from us, and we equally need to learn from them."

"You're right, mutual learning is necessary," Zhou Huixin considered for a moment and pointed to Han Yu, "I will arrange for two colleagues from the Investigation Bureau to join the Water Anti-Smuggling Department."

"Why wait? We can arrange for them to attend our training now."

"That works too. I'll discuss it with Director Zeng tomorrow and see which two colleagues to assign."

Just at this moment, the phone rang.

Han Yu took out his phone, glanced at the caller ID, and said it was Zhang Erxiao calling, then pressed the talk button.

After figuring out what it was all about, Han Yu couldn't help but laugh and ask, "Mr. Zhang, are you just worried that your comrades are too busy during New Year's Day to attend your wedding and drink your celebratory wine?"

"Everyone's busier than ever; it's hard to get all the comrades together!"

"You want to get married in military uniform, right."

"I asked Minister Yang, and he said there's no problem."

"Minister Yang said there's no problem, so there won't be a problem. Having the celebratory wine the night after tomorrow is great; it ensures that not only the comrades can attend, but also the city leaders from the commendation conference. Mayor Qin is definitely going, and if Mayor Qin attends, Secretary Lu, Mayor Qian, Mayor Shen, and Minister Yang will all have to attend too.

Mr. Zhang, your wedding is pretty high-profile, with Binjiang City leaders attending, as well as the leadership from Linghai's four principal councils. Not attending your wedding would mean disrespecting your role as an anti-flood model, and it would also be disrespectful to Mayor Qin and Secretary Lu!"

That's exactly what Zhang Erxiao had in mind.

Actually, it wasn't his idea first, but rather his father-in-law, Principal Gao's.

Seeing his little scheme exposed by Han Yu, Zhang Erxiao laughed heartily, "It's a wedding, once in a lifetime. If there's a chance to make it lively, of course, you do it ahead of time."

He's been with Master Gao for so many years, and now they finally reached fruition.

Han Yu was genuinely happy for him and jokingly asked, "Did you report this to Mayor Qin?"

"No, I didn't dare."

"What's there not to dare?"

"Salted Fish, give me a hand and ask Mayor Qin for me."

"What about Secretary Lu and Mayor Qian?"

"I've asked Mayor Shen, and he's reaching out for me."

"Alright."

A good friend wants a grand event; he should be supported, especially since he indeed made significant contributions in flood relief.

Han Yu gave Zhou Huixin an apologetic smile and borrowed the office landline to call Vice Mayor Qin.

After understanding the situation, Vice Mayor Qin laughed, "President Zhang is trying to help Linghai's Municipal Committee and Municipal Government save money!"

"He's mainly worried that the leaders and comrades are too busy, plus he already extended the invitation during the Beihu flood relief."

"Using this opportunity for a big reunion is good, but you should have him prepare a couple of extra tables."

"Are you saying more leaders are coming, Mayor Qin?"

"When you were at Beihu, you were operating under the emergency mobile flood relief assault team. Secretary Ye has asked Shen Fan to invite leaders from the 105th Army and Naval Engineering College, including Vice Army Commander Lu and Political Commissioner Wu, who both agreed to come."

"You invited two generals!"

"Not just two; think about it, when two generals come, wouldn't the Provincial Military District Commander join them?"

"Three of them!"

"Yes."

Vice Mayor Qin laughed lightly and continued, "Secretary Ye has also invited leaders from the Changhang Bureau, Jiangcheng Customs, and Jiangnan Border Guard Corps.

The new camp area of the Linghai Reserve Camp is completed; I went to see it yesterday. It's quite impressive, so Secretary Ye might want to take this chance to invite the commanders for a tour."

The importance lies not in the tour, but in Zhang Erxiao's wedding banquet.

Han Yu regained his composure and asked in surprise, "Mayor Qin, is it appropriate to invite so many commanders to drink Zhang Erxiao's celebratory wine?"

Inviting so many leaders to Zhang Erxiao's celebratory wine is indeed a bit inappropriate, but not inviting them is equally inappropriate.

After all, Linghai's Municipal Committee and Government are planning a celebratory banquet, and having all the flood relief soldiers go drink Zhang Erxiao's wine, how would the celebratory banquet go?

Vice Mayor Qin considered for a while and nonchalantly said, "Just explain clearly to President Zhang; his wedding is not moved forward but postponed."

Han Yu was puzzled and asked, "Postponed?"

Vice Mayor Qin laughed, "He originally planned to get married in August, but the flood relief delayed it."

Our veteran and Sister Zhang Lan delayed their wedding due to involvement in combating illegal elver fishing.

The city leaders at that time took it seriously and even sent the Deputy Secretary-General of the city government to drink wine at their wedding, and gifted Sister Zhang Lan a color TV in the name of the Binjiang Municipal Government.

Han Yu suddenly realized and laughed, "Yes, yes, their wedding was postponed, truly due to the flood relief. I'll call him and explain!"