Binjiang Police Affairs-Chapter 844 - 573: A Celebration Is a Must!

Binjiang Police 002, 003, Changhang Police 110, 112, Supervision 48, and Water Administration 010, although small in tonnage and not expensive, costing only over six hundred thousand yuan each, were born lucky. As "official vessels," they were adorned with lanterns and streamers upon their delivery from Hanwu Shipyard to Binjiang, with a grand induction ceremony.

City leaders and leaders from various law enforcement units on the river would attend, appearing on television and newspapers, basking in endless glory.

In contrast, Linggang Tuo 001 seemed like a child with a challenging fate.

Initially, its "family" background was promising. If it hadn’t experienced family changes, by now it would be the "flagship" of the Changhang Navigation Police Branch, and Changhang Police 110’s hull number would have been its own.

No one could take it away now, and for the foreseeable next twenty years, no one else would be able to either. After all, it’s so valuable; combined, the entire law enforcement vessels of the Changhang Police System might not be worth as much.

But it was unfortunate. It was sold by the Changhang Navigation Police Branch while still in the womb!

Now, it has become a civilian ship without a national status, with no glorious induction ceremony. In the future, it will have to work tirelessly in the wind and rain, either helping to tow cargo ships or to steady them...

Captain Huang said that President Qian of Linghai Port Co., Ltd knew the tug had returned, but only came to the Jianghai River Harbor to glance at it without any expression of interest.

Deputy Mayor Shen and Secretary Chen also knew the tug had returned but said they were too busy and would visit when they had time.

Jack Zhang, however, was quite interested, busily helping to "register" it, though his enthusiasm was because he wanted to put it to use and generate economic benefits.

Once they get a registration for Linggang Tuo 001 and complete all the formalities for Linghai Port Tug Company, if the tugs at Dacang Port, Shuzhou Port, or Binjiang Port Authority across the river are too busy, Linggang Tuo 001 can go out to earn money.

It’s worth mentioning that Linggang Tuo 001 will surely generate economic benefits in the future, as port tug companies enjoy a monopoly.

Once Linghai Port is operational, any cargo ship needing tug assistance for entering or exiting the port will have to seek help from Linghai Port’s tug company, and no one else.

In short, as the true "father" of Linggang Tuo 001, Han Yu didn’t want Linggang Tuo 001’s "birth" to be so lackluster.

After taking Linggang Tuo 001 for a spin on the river and returning to Jianghai River Harbor, before Captain Huang and his team could secure it, he called a transport boat using the walkie-talkie and took the Harbor Management Office’s transport boat ashore.

Deputy Mayor Shen and President Qian among other leaders were not very interested in Linggang Tuo 001, but there were people in Sanhe who were interested in such an advanced, beautiful, and powerful tugboat!

He called the responsible persons from Cosco Shipyard, Lingda Car Ferry, Changyu Shipbuilding Factory, and Linghai Shipyard to share the good news.

When he drove to Sanhe to buy a bundle of firecrackers and returned to the harbor, the responsible persons from Cosco Shipyard, Lingda Car Ferry, and the two local shipyards had already arrived.

Luo Wenjiang, Ma Jintao, Yang Yong, and others came as well, all bringing firecrackers.

After finishing work, Han Xiangning inquired via the high-frequency radio and realized that her junior was inviting people all around to celebrate Linggang Tuo 001, suddenly understanding that he was dissatisfied with the Development Zone Management Committee and Linghai Port Co., Ltd for not paying enough attention to this matter. She immediately called the Changhang Branch Linghai Police Station.

"Chief Han, any instructions?"

"Sis, stop joking, let’s get serious."

"What’s up?" Han Ning asked with a smile.

Han Xiangning looked at the river’s surface and said unhappily, "The Linghai Port bought a dual-purpose tug from your branch, which will assist your branch in carrying out water firefighting duties in the future, or even not just assist but become the main force. Now that the dual-purpose tug has returned, your branch can’t remain indifferent!"

Han Ning was taken aback and instinctively asked, "How should we show it?"

"Your branch leaders can’t just not come have a look, at the very least buy some firecrackers to set off."

"It’s raining outside now."

"Even if it’s raining knives, you have to come have a look; that tug is worth over ten million yuan. Even San’er, such a frugal person, gritted his teeth to go buy twenty yuan’s worth of firecrackers in Sanhe. Your branch manages firefighting on the river; you can’t take it lightly."

"San’er bought a twenty yuan worth of firecrackers?"

"Yes."

"Out of his own pocket?"

"Why would I lie to you? This is very important to him. I’ve said my piece; whether your branch leaders come or not is up to them. I’m going to call our branch leaders now; I’m sure our branch leaders will definitely come."

Even San’er, such a stingy person, bought firecrackers to celebrate, showing how important this is to him.

No one understands her brother better than his sister.

Han Ning knew well that San’er was not only stingy and miserly but also very resentful!

If the Changhang Branch didn’t take it seriously, San’er wouldn’t refuse to fight a fire on the river, but if a superior came to inspect the firefighting work, San’er certainly wouldn’t be as cooperative as before with the branch.

The branch couldn’t do without his support and cooperation because river firefighting is different from land firefighting, and if a major river fire occurs, no single entity can handle it alone; it relies on coordination and mobilizing all potential forces of enterprises and institutions along the shoreline.

Han Ning didn’t dare take it lightly and immediately called Political Commissioner Jiang to report.

After the call, she quickly went to buy firecrackers and had Xiao Gong drive her in the rain to Sanhe to help with the celebration.

As Han Xiangning mentioned, the leadership of the Port Supervision Bureau took it very seriously, as they equally have water firefighting management duties.

Director Tang came personally and didn’t have time to make a plaque, so he simply gave a thousand-yuan red envelope to Linggang Tuo 001.

After a tour with Han Yu, as soon as everyone finished setting off firecrackers in the rain on the shore, Director Tang warmly invited all the unit heads participating in the celebration and all the crew members except those on duty, to dine at the fourth-floor restaurant of the Linghai Port Supervision Department.

By the time Director Qi and Director Liu from the Changhang Branch arrived, everyone was sitting around two large round tables, enjoying the appetizers and chatting cheerfully.

Upon entering, Director Qi immediately apologized, "Sorry, everyone, sorry, we had a meeting this afternoon, so we’re late."

Director Tang pointed to the two empty seats on his left side and looked up with a smile, "It’s okay, as long as you’re here, I’ve already saved your spots."

After Director Qi and Director Liu put down the firecrackers, they walked over and curiously asked, "Director Tang, who are those seats for?"

Director Tang looked back at the two empty seats on the right and smiled, "They’re reserved for Mayor Shen of Linghai and President Qian of Linghai Port, they’ll be here soon."

"So, we aren’t the last to arrive?"

"But you are indeed late. We’ve already toured the tug, and when the banquet starts, you’ll have to drink three penalty shots; otherwise, Salted Fish certainly won’t forgive you."

"Director Tang, that’s not what I meant. I didn’t say Director Qi and Director Liu were late."

"Salted Fish, Director Tang is right, we really are late, and I apologize to you." Director Qi chuckled, then shifted the tone, "But you can’t entirely blame me and Director Liu; you’re also partially responsible. The tug’s return is such a big deal; shouldn’t you have let us know in advance?"

Han Yu laughed and said, "I only found out this afternoon."

"How could you only find out in the afternoon?"

"I’ve been busy with flood prevention lately, and I took leave just to have this meal!"

"The tide is higher than in previous years, but it shouldn’t have much impact on Binjiang, and even less on your Linghai."

Director Qi wasn’t being thoughtless, just speaking candidly.

The river levee along Binjiang was just fully repaired, built so solid and high, and with more than two months left until the annual astronomical tide, as long as the sea tide doesn’t block the river from discharging into the sea, even if there are several consecutive days of heavy rain, the Yangtze River levee can withstand it.

But if there really are several days of heavy rain, it will definitely cause severe flooding.

Han Yu smiled and explained, "Even though we have confidence in the levee we repaired, we can’t let down our guard. There are requirements from the province for flood prevention, instructions from the city, and people from the provincial, city, and county levels will come down for inspection. Mayor Shen and Secretary Chen are so busy, so the flood prevention work along the river falls to me."

"Is it very tiring?"

"It’s not that tiring, mainly can’t leave unattended, need to keep patrolling."

As soon as Han Yu finished speaking, Han Xiangning looked up and said, "Not tiring? Running along the river levee every day, it’s been over a week since he was home."

Just then, a familiar voice came from behind her.

"Xiang Ning, are you saying I don’t care for your salted fish at home? Are you saying our management committee has division of labor issues?"

"Mayor Shen, I wouldn’t dare say that about you, and I didn’t say that."

"If there’s an issue, you should speak up. It was indeed thoughtless of Secretary Chen and me."

Deputy Mayor Shen walked over quickly to shake hands and greet Director Tang, Director Qi, Director Liu, and other leaders, then turned to pat Han Yu’s arm, "Salted Fish, you’ve worked hard during this period. Hang in there for two more days, after which you won’t have to manage the river levee."

Han Yu curiously asked, "Who will manage it then?"

Deputy Mayor Shen laughed as he handed out cigarettes, "Tomorrow I’ll report to Secretary Ye and Mayor Qian, organizing retired section-level cadres to participate in flood prevention. They not only have rich work experience but also rich flood prevention experience; we’ll have them come back to exert their residual heat."

When we first started land acquisitions and infrastructure construction, that’s how we organized the retired old cadres to exert their residual heat.

Last summer, during flood prevention, there weren’t enough cadres, so we brought out the retired old ones.

Now for flood prevention again, still organizing the retired old cadres to step up.

Han Yu suddenly realized how unlucky the retired section-level cadres in Linghai are. In other districts and counties, they can stay home, not clock in, and wait for retirement while getting paid.

But not in Linghai; when there’s nothing, you’re not allowed at your former unit, but when something comes up, you must come.

Once you’re here, you need to do a good job; if not, you’ll get criticized.

Han Yu was just thinking that Director Ge’s good days were ending when Deputy Mayor Shen asked with a smile, "Director Tang, have you gone to see the new ship? How is it?"

"We visited it; the new ship’s construction is excellent—didn’t expect the waterway shipyard’s construction level to be so high!"

"Really? I’ll make time to see it tomorrow."

...

While the leaders were discussing the new ship, Han Ning gently tugged Han Yu’s sleeve and asked skeptically, "San’er, did you go to Sanhe to buy firecrackers?"

Han Yu covered his mouth and subtly said, "Yes, I bought twenty yuan worth."

"Did you pay with your own money?"

"Of course, who else would pay if not me? Who can I ask for reimbursement for firecrackers?"

"You’re really generous; how much money do you have left now?"

Sitting at the table behind them, Senior Sister seemed amused, prompting Han Yu to glance back and chuckle, "A hundred and twenty."

Han Ning froze, then asked in surprise, "No way; didn’t you only have fifty? How did spending increase it?"

Leaning closer, Han Yu whispered into her ear with a grin, "During the New Year, while helping Han Han change clothes, a red envelope dropped out, containing a hundred yuan. I don’t know who gave it to her, so I’m just keeping it for her."

"You’re using the lucky money meant for Han Han!"

"Keep it down, don’t let Ningning hear."

Han Ning couldn’t help but laugh, contemplating before asking curiously, "Where did the other ten yuan spent this afternoon go?"

Han Yu grumbled, "Don’t I have any privacy left? Even you’re auditing my expenses?"

"I’m just curious."

"Last time I went back to the city and took Han Han out to play, she wanted candied fruit and some snacks, so I bought them for her."

"Not a cent spent on yourself?"

"I don’t smoke or drink, and meals are usually at home or work; there’s not much to spend on."

In reality, there are plenty of things to spend money on, like wanting a subscription to a ship journal, but it’s too expensive to justify.

Han Yu didn’t want to continue discussing this, so he promptly changed the topic, "Dongdong’s about to take the high school entrance exam; it’s a critical time. You should visit East Sea when you have time; after all, taking a boat doesn’t cost anything."

"I’ll go this weekend; I’ve already discussed it with your brother-in-law."

"That’s good."

...

PS: Here’s the third Chapter.

There are only three Chapters today; age waits for no one, and I really can’t keep up.