Binjiang Police Affairs-Chapter 852 - 578: No Slacking Off (2)

Master Han looked at his son-in-law’s astonished expression and added, "Don’t think that the 711 radar is outdated, many meteorological bureaus didn’t start using it until ’85. Even now, it’s still the main observation equipment for many city and district-level meteorological stations!"

Han Yu asked skeptically, "Are there still many units using it now?"

"Do you know how expensive advanced meteorological radars are?"

"How expensive?"

"A U.S. company quoted over four million U.S. Dollars per set, which is over thirty million RMB. Hui’an had a company last year that negotiated with that American company to introduce the technology for production. They suggested buying parts back for assembly, but even buying parts for assembly is more expensive."

Seeing his son-in-law deep in thought, Master Han pondered and then said, "The 711 wasn’t cheap back then either; purchasing a set cost over seven hundred thousand. Think about what over seven hundred thousand meant in the seventies? So many places didn’t start using it until the eighties."

Watching the meteorological forecast program on the central station every day, it looks very advanced on TV.

But only those who have been to the meteorological station know how backward domestic meteorological observations, especially radar equipment, are.

"The 711 can at least measure clouds, distance, position, and height within two hundred kilometers. It can observe the thickness of clouds. With it, with my operational predictions, you can get firsthand meteorological information!"

Afraid that his son-in-law might not be interested, Master Han clenched his fist and emphasized.

Han Yu, fearing his father-in-law might hit him, laughed and asked, "Dad, will your unit’s leader agree to give me the old radar?"

Master Han said sadly, "The leader wants me to make room for others, called me in for a talk, tried to persuade me, and asked me to set my terms. What conditions could I set? Ultimately, I couldn’t bear to see that radar get sold as scrap metal. The leadership agreed, but it can’t be given to an individual, it can be donated to your battalion."

"If it’s free, why not take it? I’ll arrange for someone to bring it back. It’s quite big, even if sold as scrap metal, it’s worth a hundred yuan or so."

"What scrap metal? I’ve maintained that radar very well; once installed and debugged, it can work. Moreover, if you sell it as scrap, how will I help you with meteorological observations?"

"Right, right, right, can’t sell it! But where to install it?"

"It can be installed on top of the dunship, give me an office as an observation room. Once installed and debugged, I can start working."

"Install it on the ship?"

"It’s been installed on vehicles before; why not on a ship!"

The father-in-law truly has feelings for that radar, after all, in these years post-transition, he relied on it for his livelihood.

More importantly, the reason the father-in-law could rise from an ordinary farm boy to a technical officer in the army and even the deputy chief engineer at the Meteorological Bureau was because of that radar.

This is somewhat like the Four Factory Cinema’s projectionist, Old Chen.

Old Chen used to be a farmer too, but he went to elementary school for a few years and was interested in film projectors, so he was "promoted" to the projection team by the then Secretary of the Four Factory Commune, and later worked at the Four Factory Cinema showing films.

In recent years, not many people watch movies, domestic film studios haven’t put out many good films, and there are video halls everywhere showing Hong Kong and Taiwan movies all day, so the cinema couldn’t sustain and closed down.

Old Chen was laid off; he asked for nothing from the Four Factory Town, just that projector he used for many years and a pile of films that he didn’t know how many times he had screened.

In past years, people liked to invite him to show movies when there was a joyful event.

Later, it became fashionable to request songs at township radio stations or even the county TV station, and later on, to request movies on TV stations, so very few people would invite Old Chen to show outdoor films.

But Old Chen just liked showing movies, especially having an audience watch.

Recently he held a show in the development zone, for the construction site’s workers. No charge, not even for meals, just help him connect the power wires and set up the screen.

Thinking about who doesn’t have a bit of sentimentality, Han Yu nodded: "Alright, we’ll head over this afternoon to bring it back, and then we’ll install it together."

Master Han didn’t think of himself as an old meteorologist who couldn’t keep up with the times, nor did he think of himself as a reserve forces meteorological expert who couldn’t play his role.

Seeing his son-in-law nod, he couldn’t help but smile, "Now that’s right, in fact, we could consider forming a meteorological support team, and I could be the team leader."

"Dad, do we have anyone who understands meteorology in our two battalions? Even if a meteorological support team is formed, you’d still be a one-man command."

"A one-man command is a one-man command."

"Alright, anyway, some teams have just as few people."

Master Han got what he wished for, and seeing his son-in-law’s phone ring, he stood up and said, "You take the call, I’ll head to the dunship to see where’s the best place to install the radar."

"Dad, Ningning just called asking about you."

"Why ask about me? You take care of your business."

As Master Han said he was heading to the dunship, he walked out of the office, and Han Yu quickly took out his phone, glanced at the caller ID, and promptly pressed the call button to answer.

The call was from Master Xi. As soon as Han Yu answered, he heard Master Xi say on the other end, "Salted Fish, can we discuss something?"

"What’s up?"

"I just received an urgent notice; the superiors want me back in Hanwu. The underwater survey system for 001 is ready, and the surveying software has been upgraded. When applying for funding, Director Zou assured the superiors of its effectiveness, and now the superiors hope 001 can assist upstream in surveys."

"Right now?"

"Yes, help me out; I didn’t expect this, neither did Director Zou. Salted Fish, we can borrow it for a month at most; we can cover the salaries of a few crew members for this month."

They invested over a hundred thousand in 001, so it’s really hard to refuse.

Han Yu was reluctant but paused and asked, "Master Xi, the plum rain season is just around the corner, and after that comes the summer flood season. You’re the senior expert from the Yangtze River Water Resources Commission in our area. If you return to Hanwu now, who will guide the flood control efforts for the Yanjiang cities if there’s a flood?"

The Yangtze River Water Resources Commission also has a flood and drought control command center, and its flood control command is highly prestigious, with the superior being the National Flood Control Headquarters!

Whenever the media reports news related to Yangtze River flood control, their command center comes before Beihu, Nanhu Xijiang, Hui’an, and Jiangnan’s provincial commands.

Last year, during a major flood, Master Xi, as an expert from the Yangtze River Water Resources Commission, reported to Jiangnan Province’s Secretary W Chen and represented the flood control command, guiding flood control in Guzhou and Binjiang.

Surprisingly, Master Xi said, "This year is different from last year. I just received notification from the superiors that this year’s Yangtze River flood control in Jiangnan Province will be managed by experts from the Taihu Basin Administration."

The Taihu Basin Administration, like the Yangtze River Committee, is under the Ministry of Water Resources, but it manages the Taihu Basin.

Han Yu found it very strange and was about to ask what was going on when he heard Master Xi’s grave words, "Salted Fish, the climate is quite abnormal this year. The preparations you’ve made might be needed. I advise you to remain vigilant and be prepared for emergency flood control and rescue tasks at any time."

"Master Xi, are you saying there might be a major flood this year?"

"Yes."

"But the rain has stopped, and the tide has dropped!"

"The weather is unpredictable; you cannot afford to be complacent. I’m not trying to scare you, but what I’m about to tell you is not to be shared: the superiors, having gathered opinions from all quarters, believe there could be a more severe flood disaster than that of ’54 this year."

"That can’t be."

"Your father-in-law is the deputy chief engineer of the Binjiang Meteorological Bureau; he might know something. You can ask him."

This likely isn’t just alarmist talk, or the superiors wouldn’t have asked Master Xi to borrow 001 for upstream surveys...

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Han Yu quickly asked, "Master Xi, when do you plan for 001 to set sail?"

Without hesitation, Master Xi replied, "As soon as possible."

Han Yu took a deep breath and said, "Alright, I’ll arrange for the crew right away, and have them report to you across the river, follow your orders, and accept your command!"