Binjiang Police Affairs-Chapter 1227 - 79: Investigator vs. Crew Member!

Just as Han Yu was asking various units to keep an eye out for smuggling clues, Wang Changjiang convened a meeting of all investigators and auxiliary police to announce that the Water Anti-Smuggling Department would also be handling cases.

Vice Director Gu attended the meeting, emphasizing that the Investigation Department is the main force against smuggling, and urged the department to take action so as not to be outdone by the Water Anti-Smuggling Department.

Wang Changjiang reiterated that this is a case-solving competition between investigators and crew members. If the investigators lose to a bunch of crew members, it would be a giant joke!

Deputy Director Guan Xuesong, Squad Leader Zhang Baoqing, and others were dumbfounded, secretly wondering if there was a mistake; is Salted Fish a crew member?

Competing with Salted Fish, isn't that courting boredom?

Xu Haoran was also dumbstruck, thinking that this isn't about anything else; to solve cases first requires clues. In terms of collecting smuggling crime clues on the rivers and seas, we altogether can't match up to Salted Fish.

Knowing this, back then I shouldn't have chosen to stay in the Investigation Department. I should have gone onboard with Salted Fish. But now it's too late to say anything, all I can do is watch the two leaders making a passionate and inspirational speech, feeling helpless yet amused.

After attending the motivational assembly, it was still two people in a group, everyone went out to seek clues.

Zhang Baoqing, holding the steering wheel, said with a wry smile: "Haoran, give Salted Fish a call."

"And then?"

"You call first."

"Alright."

Xu Haoran pulled out his phone and, with a forced smile, dialed Han Yu's number.

Sure enough, as soon as it was dialed, it was hung up.

After about two minutes, Han Yu called back.

"Brother Haoran, what's the matter?"

"Why would I have anything? Captain Zhang told me to call you. Captain Zhang is looking for you. Captain Zhang, you can talk to Salted Fish."

"Okay." Zhang Baoqing took the phone to his ear and chuckled: "Secretary Han, are you declaring war on our Investigation Department?"

Han Yu could easily recognize the underlying meaning in his words, laughing: "Why would I declare war on you guys? I'm declaring war on the smuggling criminals!"

"Secretary Han, it's you bigshots battling, and us little guys are suffering. Director Wang said that starting today, our bonuses will be tied to work results. Also, it uses your results as a reference; if the smuggling cases we solve aren't as many as your Water Anti-Smuggling Department, our bonuses will be canceled."

"Can Director Wang decide whether to issue bonuses?"

"Director Gu also said it at the meeting."

"If Director Gu supports Director Wang, then there's nothing to be done. But this doesn't concern our Water Anti-Smuggling Department. You work at the branch office, we work at Lang Mountain; we don't interfere with each other."

"Secretary Han, I know this doesn't concern you. We can only blame Director Wang for being ignorant, he keeps saying that investigators shouldn't be outdone by crew members. For Haoran's sake, could you show some mercy, otherwise we won't get through this."

"I'm not specifically targeting you, how can I show mercy? It's impossible to ignore clues or to know there are smugglers on the river and not capture them, right?"

Zhang Baoqing quickly said: "If there are clues, they need to be checked; if you know there are smugglers, they must be captured. I mean, if you have too many clues to handle, could you share some with us? Haoran and I can't go empty-handed; we must solve a few cases and capture some smugglers, otherwise, we can't give a satisfactory account."

Han Yu didn't expect Director Gu and Director Wang to push them to this point, chuckled: "Captain Zhang, you are a former subordinate of Captain Wei, I am younger watched over by Captain Wei, even without Haoran's relation, we are still good brothers. But the thing is, those with relations aren't just you and Haoran; the brothers in your department all have relations with me. I either help all, or help none, it's impossible just to help you without helping them."

"Secretary Han, can you really bear to see us criticized by Director Wang?"

"There is no collective guilt, why fear being scolded together by Director Wang? Director Wang surely can't fire you all?"

"Secretary Han, is this watching us suffer and not helping?"

"I don't even have clues right now; how do you expect me to help?"

"Alright, we'll try to think of something ourselves first, if there's really no way, we'll come back to you for help."

...

One call after another, all from old friends and former subordinates in the Investigation Department, leaving Han Yu half amused and half exasperated.

Wang Changjiang was not just encouraging them or assigning tasks. Just after sending his subordinates out to find clues, he closed the door, pulled out his business card holder and phone directory, and started calling colleagues from the Binjiang and Guzhou police systems he knew from his time at the Local Police Bureau.

"Director Qian, it's Wang Changjiang, I've been transferred to Binjiang, only a few days ago, and now to the newly established Smuggling Crime Investigation Bureau Binjiang Branch. I'd like to ask for a favor…"

In the past, when others went to his jurisdiction for cases, he'd helped them; now asking them for help, they quickly agree.

After a round of calls, Wang Changjiang was quietly feeling thankful, realizing helping others is helping oneself, as Director Gu knocked on the door and entered.

"Changjiang, what are you busy with?"

"I'm new here, unfamiliar with everything, so I'm asking friends I knew previously to keep an eye out for smuggling clues."

"What a coincidence, I've just made calls to my old unit too."

"Thank you, Director Gu."

"No need to thank, since I'm in charge of investigations, I can't just stand by as you struggle with nothing to work with." Vice Director Gu smiled, sat down saying: "I've already talked to the Eastru Police Bureau, and Xinba Port Border Patrol Station, they said they'll call us as soon as they have any clues."

"Fantastic, if it wasn't for you, Director Gu, I wouldn't even know where to begin." Deep down, Wang Changjiang was grateful for such assistance from his superior, hurriedly opening the drawer to pull out cigarettes.

Director Gu politely declined his kind gesture, stood up and smilingly asked: "Have you finished making all your calls? If you're done, come with me to visit a few friends."

Wang Changjiang quickly stood up: "I've finished. Who are we visiting?"

"The other day, Director Ma and the Political Commissioner visited the smuggling offices in various districts and counties; we're going to visit a few District County Police Departments along the river."

"Okay, I'll drive."

The first stop for Vice Director Gu and Wang Changjiang's visit was the Changhang Bureau.

Director Qi had gone to Hanwu for a meeting, and was received by Xiao Yu's mentor, Director Liu, who understood their intentions, thought of the Water Fire Fighting Association third council meeting that morning, and said while holding back laughter: "No problem, our Changhang Bureau is already a member of the anti-smuggling office, once smuggling clues are found, I'll immediately call your branch."

"Director Liu, we'd really appreciate it."

"It's no trouble at all; this is our job."

When they arrived at the Water Police Station, Director Wang personally received them and agreed readily.

Vice Director Gu and Wang Changjiang didn't expect them to be so agreeable, and it boosted their confidence. They rushed to visit the Port District Bureau immediately after.

Turns out, Zhang Baoqing had just been there!

Vice Director Gu then remembered that the Port District Bureau was Zhang Baoqing's old unit. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

If they truly had any leads, notifying Zhang Baoqing would be just as effective. After expressing their gratitude, they hurried towards the Development Zone Branch.

…

What they didn't know was, as soon as they left, the people there immediately called Han Yu.

When Han Yu received the call from Linghai Police Bureau's Deputy Director Shi Shengyong, he couldn't help but laugh and ask, "Did Director Gu also ask for your help?"

"They must not realize from where you originated as an official; they just come to us empty-handed asking for our assistance. Who do they think they are? It's easy for anyone to make empty promises!"

"Director Shi, that's not the way to say things. Now, any smuggling case should be handled by our branch, and you should be assisting us."

"But they don't represent your branch. Director Zhang and Political Commissioner Sun have stated that our Linghai Police Bureau only recognizes Political Commissioner Zhou and you. Even if there were leads, we would only inform you and Political Commissioner Zhou."

It's nice to have people from your hometown who are loyal.

Han Yu was truly touched and quickly said, "Director Shi, if there really are leads, it's still better for you to call Director Gu. Director Gu oversees investigations, and Wang Changjiang is the director of the Investigation Department. Our Water Anti-Smuggling Department only handles cases incidentally; conducting investigations is neither our primary task nor do we have the resources to manage it."

Shi Shengyong asked dubiously, "Transfer the leads to them?"

"Yes."

"Then what about you and Wei Tao?"

"Currently, our main focus is training, plus I have my own sources for leads."

Shi Shengyong was momentarily taken aback but then realized sharply, "Almost forgot, you're the Binjiang Water Army Commander, with many contacts on the river and sea. You're not concerned about whether there are leads onshore."

Han Yu laughed and said, "It's not that I'm unconcerned. It's more that I'm worried about having too many leads to handle."

"We can collaborate. I'll call Yang Xihui and Wang Yan; if you're overwhelmed, I can send people over!"

"No rush, let's discuss when there are leads."

"Alright, but don't forget us when there's good news; we're your homies!"

"I understand."

Everyone is busy with work, so when there's a rare opportunity for a call, of course, there's some other conversation.

Shi Shengyong glanced up at Political Commissioner Sun, gripping the phone tightly, and curiously asked, "Salted Fish, how are Ming Yuan and Zhang Lan doing? Have they called you recently?"

"They're doing well. They called Ningning just yesterday."

"What do you mean by 'doing well'? Can you be more specific?"

"Liu Guan is now the Deputy Director of Shenzhen Customs and head of the Shenzhen Smuggling Crime Investigation Bureau, which is on par with our Jiangnan Province Smuggling Crime Investigation Bureau, and is a deputy bureau-level unit with an internal Investigation Department. My senior brother is now a section chief in the Investigation Department of the Shenzhen Smuggling Crime Investigation Bureau, specializing in major smuggling cases."

"What about Zhang Lan?"

"She's working in her old job at the Shenzhen Customs Logistics Department, still in accounting. The salary in the special zone is higher than ours, but so is the cost of living."

"So it seems like Ming Yuan has a promising future!"

"His job isn't easy either; barely a few days in, he uncovered two rotten apples!"

In areas with severe smuggling issues, customs officials might get pulled into the smuggling networks. Uncovering bad apples is common when tackling smuggling.

Even though Xu Mingyuan has great potential, Shi Shengyong wasn't envious, as Xu Mingyuan's work often offends people and can be dangerous.

Han Yu suddenly remembered something Zhou Huixin mentioned during a call at noon and quickly changed the topic: "I almost forgot, our branch plans to establish an Intelligence Department and is short of a chief familiar with river conditions. The leadership asked me to recommend someone. Director Shi, do we have a suitable candidate in the Linghai Police Bureau?"

"Will it be a full department level?"

"Our branch is a standard department-level unit, and all internal departments are full department level."

A leader who doesn't consider their subordinates isn't a good leader. Without hesitation, Shi Shengyong said, "Of course, we have suitable candidates! What about Yang Xihui? He would definitely be willing to transfer over."

Han Yu quickly said, "Director Yang has a lot of work experience, but he's a bit older. Our leadership mentioned they prefer someone younger."

"That makes it a bit more difficult. You know how things are in the local police department; making it to police station chief at forty is quite young already. Most Deputy Directors, besides Wang Yan, are over fifty!"

"That's true."

"Chen Zikun is quite young, but he was already promoted to full department level last year and can manage on his own. The Changhang Bureau's leadership holds him in high regard; I doubt he'd want to transfer."

Han Yu had considered Chen Zikun, but as Old Shi said, Chen Zikun is now a priority developing reserve cadre in the Changhang Police Bureau. No matter how high the salary at the Smuggling Crime Investigation Branch is, Chen Zikun wouldn't switch jobs.

As he pondered whom to recommend, Shi Shengyong chuckled, "Salted Fish, what do you think of Zhao Hongxing? He has extensive experience in water-based work, is very familiar with river conditions, and at under forty, he's considered a relatively young cadre in our police system."

"But in the Water Division, he's akin to an executive vice director, and he's fully qualified to succeed Director Wang as the director. He might not be willing to transfer to our branch to take on the role of department chief."

"True, he likely prefers being a leader in a smaller setting rather than subordinate in a larger one."

Han Yu contemplated, "I might be overthinking it. It doesn't necessarily have to be a deputy director transferring over; we could recommend a standard stock-level cadre, who could then transition to a deputy director position and advance the Intelligence Department's work."

Shi Shengyong laughed, "If your leadership thinks that's feasible, then there are many eligible candidates. When it comes to familiarity with river conditions, Ma Jintao and Yang Yong are both well-versed."

The more Han Yu thought about it, the more sense it made, and he grinned widely, "I'll call them first, and if they're willing, I'll phone Director Wang."