Binjiang Police Affairs

Ah Sheng and Ru Lan left.

Before leaving, Ru Lan, in front of Xiao Jun, said to Han Yu, "Sister doesn't blame you. You were young then, didn't realize how dark society could be, only being used by others." Her words were filled with resistance, bitterness, and strong dissatisfaction with the past experiences at the Binjiang Port Police Bureau.

Xiao Jun, having been in the police force for so many years, had offended many people, but this was the first time a former offender pointed at his nose and cursed like this, angering him to the point where he almost had Han Yu locate an excuse to detain them for twenty-four hours.

Zikun could feel Old Jiang's anger, quickly offering him a cigarette, "Director Jiang, calm down, they're just petty people getting smug, don't stoop to their level."

"This is way too arrogant! Think they're great just because they have money? What do they think this place is, come and go as they please?

Xiao Jun lit the cigarette, and with gritted teeth said: "Speculating and turning a net of foul money and then forgetting their own roots, what with immigrating to Canada, this is nothing but fawning over foreign things, it's defection! If this were twenty years ago, people like them would either face execution or life imprisonment even if they weren't shot!"

Zikun also felt a bit down, bitterly saying, "Catching the good times, made some money and now they want to leave the country, boasting that it's all thanks to Friend Xiaoping."

"Uncle Jiang, there aren't many people or things to attend to at the dock this afternoon, let's go to the Dunship. You seldom come back, let's have dinner before you go."

"No need for the trouble."

"It's no trouble, let's go together with Ningning tonight when we head back." Han Yu thought for a moment, then turned and said, "Brother Chen, use the walkie-talkie to call Chief Ding and Director Liu, ask them to join us for dinner at the Dunship after their shift."

"Alright!"

Everyone returned to the Dunship and first made a call to report the situation to the bureau leaders.

It was only in the car ride back to Bailong Port at noon that Han Xiangning learned about today's numerous events.

She made Xiao Jun a cup of tea, sat down and asked, "Uncle Jiang, what's the meaning behind that couple coming all this way to stage such a scene?"

"Just to provoke us, primarily targeting Salted Fish at your home."

"San'er, did they manage to upset you?"

"How could they succeed when you know what I do?"

Han Yu, resting his chin in his hands, sighed softly, "You can see, they feel unjust about their fate but they're even disappointed in this country. Being targeted by us was one aspect, it probably also has something to do with their past experiences."

Xiao Jun didn't expect Han Yu to say that, and subconsciously asked, "Their past experiences?"

"Ah Sheng used to work on ships, Ru Lan is self-taught in English and became a translator early on. They had dealt with foreigners and seen the world way earlier. They knew just how behind we were and the gap between us and them."

Han Yu paused for a moment, then solemnly said, "As Chinese people, we shouldn't idolize or pander to the West. But the real impact and shock when we do face it, are enormous, and the psychological contrast even more."

"Salted Fish, you're a Party cadre, you can't afford to think recklessly!"

"Uncle Jiang, please don't misunderstand, I'm just saying. And as Party cadres, we must face reality and acknowledge our gaps."

Han Yu took several deep breaths, then continued, "I grew up on ships and went to many places with my parents when I was very young. Among people my age, I'm considered worldly. Even though I had been to many places, the first time I went to East Sea City and saw the night scene at Bund, I was so shocked I couldn't believe that China had such amazing places.

Later, when I went to Hong Kong and saw the night scene at Victoria Bay, I was deeply shocked once again. That kind of shock and impact made me feel like I had lived the past decade in vain.

Then, after visiting many countries, I realized just how developed they were. Working there for a month could equal our year or even more. The items they used were considered luxury goods to us. The lives they led were something we might never experience in our lifetimes."

Han Xiangning had heard her junior speak about foreign countries more than once, but it was the first time she heard him speak about these experiences.

Xiao Jun also stared at him, hesitating to speak.

"Those developed countries are well-built, their standard of living is indeed high. Back then, I admired it, but no matter how good, that's their place. My family and friends are all in China, if I just stayed abroad for the sake of better earnings, I think I would live a lonely and unfulfilled life."

"San'er, are you saying that couple had long wanted to go abroad?"

"Yes, I actually saw the signs when I was on docking duty back then. It's understandable for people to aim higher, much like water flowing downwards. It's just unexpected that they are almost leaving, yet they still harbor resentment towards us and even the country."

"After all, they were targeted."

"They were targeted, but who would target them if they didn't commit crimes?"

Han Yu asked rhetorically, continuing, "And all they see are the shortcomings domestically, forgetting the country's good features. If it weren't for the reform and opening-up, if it weren't for catching the period when East Sea Municipal Government issued stock subscription warrants, could they have made a fortune within a few months?"

Old Jiang liked hearing this, tapping the table, "That's a typical case of ingratitude!"

Han Yu nodded thoughtfully, then added, "They are upset and wanted to vent before leaving, but they don't know where to direct it, so they came to find me. Actually, they didn't tell me everything, but I roughly get what they meant."

Zikun curiously asked, "What didn't they fully say?"

"They know the channels for illegal immigration, might even know some Snake Heads, but they wouldn't tell me. They made a lot of money by flipping stocks and stock subscription warrants_ICON and are about to immigrate to Canada, and they can also transfer that money out."

"Is it hard to legally transfer assets?"

"Very hard."

"How did they transfer the money?"

"Definitely through illegal channels, like underground money houses, or through fake international trade."

Old Jiang's spirit perked up, staring closely at Han Yu, "These two situations are very important, Salted Fish, I think it's worth investigating."

Han Yu said helplessly, "They dare to tell us these things, which shows they are not afraid of our investigation. As for their plans to smuggle themselves out, if we take it seriously, they would say it was just bragging. As for moving assets, that money has likely long been transferred out."

Old Jiang frowned and asked, "Are we really helpless against them?"

"We don't have jurisdiction, and there are many cases like theirs. They told us this to emphasize their belief that the law does not hold the majority accountable, with that premise they reasoned that our previous actions against them were wrong, that we wronged and persecuted them."

"Damn it, they even justify their crimes!"

"Finding out how they transferred the money is difficult, but there might be a chance to figure out the smuggling channels they know."

"Will they tell you?"

"I don't know, but I can try."

"How will you try?"

Han Yu took out his phone, smiled bitterly, and said, "Just give them a call. They've suffered so much and hold deep grudges against me, this 'heartless traitor', even harboring some resentments, just wanting to hear me apologize, hoping I would express my regret to them."

Han Xiangning exclaimed, "Apologize to them?"

"They are about to leave the country, what's the harm in apologizing? Besides, this is for work."

"Right, right, right, this is for work, give them a call quickly."

A lead given on a silver platter should not be disregarded, Jiang Xiaojun fully supported it.

Chen Zikun couldn't help but laugh, "Ningning, Salted Fish is just putting on an act, he's not truly apologizing."

"Stop talking, I'll first gauge their mood."

Han Yu straightened his thoughts, picked up his phone, took out the business card Zhang Asheng had given him at the Bailong Port Police Station, and dialed the number on it.

After about twenty seconds, the call went through.

"This is Zhang Asheng, may I know who's calling?"

"Brother Zhang, it's Salted Fish. Where are you and Sister Shen?"

Zhang Asheng, not expecting a call from Han Yu, unconsciously pulled the car over, jokingly holding his phone he asked, "Salted Fish, trying to catch us again?"

Shen Rulan reacted quickly, grabbed the phone, and said, "If catching us needed so much trouble, we could just turn ourselves in. Last time because of pregnancy, I missed jail food, now I can make up for it."

"Sister Shen, it was crowded in the station before, some things weren't convenient to say. I'm genuinely happy for you two now. You and Brother Zhang coming to Binjiang to see me, I… I'm also very pleased. When do you plan to return to East Sea, could you give me a chance to play the host?"

"You want to invite us to eat?"

"You have invited me before, not just for a meal but also for a real coffee, which was my first time."

"Salted Fish, you aren't planning to set a trap are you?"

"Sister Shen, since you and Brother Zhang are already here, would you still be afraid of my setting a trap?"

It seemed the guy knew he was wrong, with a guilty conscience, he wanted to invite them to a meal as a way of apology…

Shen Rulan thought more and more happily, couldn't help but laugh, "Actually, we just came to have a meal with you and catch up. How much can you earn in public security in a month? Let us treat you instead."

"No, no, this meal is on me!"

"Don't argue with me, you don't have to worry we will ask who betrayed us back then, that's all in the past, no point in asking now."

"Sister Shen, you really are magnanimous."

"After going through so many tribulations, one has to be magnanimous."

Han Yu making this call filled Shen Rulan with a tremendous sense of achievement. She exchanged glances with her husband, then smiled, "We are staying at the Sailor Club, do you have time tonight? If you're free, we can meet there tonight."

"I'll be free tonight, I will try to arrive before six."

Seeing his senior classmate insisting with hand gestures, thinking about showing sincerity to get the couple willingly to provide leads, Han Yu quickly said, "Sister Shen, Brother Zhang, I got married."

Now that he had succeeded, there was no harm in letting those who once looked down on him see his true situation.

Shen Rulan responded without hesitation, "Bring your spouse along, we haven't met her yet, and more people means more fun."