Binjiang Police Affairs

At six in the evening, at the Port Authority Police Branch Department courtyard, eight large round tables were set up for a celebration banquet.

Due to their outstanding performance and significant achievements in the crackdown operation, the Economic Police Team had just been commended by the Municipal Political and Legal Committee. This morning, the Binjiang City Police Department also awarded the Economic Police Team with a collective third-level merit!

At the same time, seventeen economic police officers including the Security Director cum Economic Police Team Captain Chen Xiangyang and the Deputy Division Commander cum Fire Brigade Chief Fang Guoya, who performed exceptionally in the crackdown and firefighting efforts, were awarded individual second-class merits, third-level merits, or commendations.

Those who received awards were pleased, and the security guards who donned police uniforms to become economic police officers were just as happy. Everyone who was off duty tonight came to enjoy and drink heartily, creating a lively atmosphere of laughter and jovial conversation.

Chen Xiangyang was originally the director of the Port Authority's safety production department but was dismissed for leadership responsibility for the major fire at the No.3 Pier timber yard on New Year's Eve.

After resting at home for a few days, he was appointed as the Security Director.

Although he retained the director title, the newly reinstated Security Department was definitely ranked last among the departments, nowhere near the authority of the safety production department.

His accountability was due to a rectification notice issued by the Changhang Branch Binjiang Port Police Station before the festival's safety inspection. Therefore, after becoming the Security Director and the Economic Police Team Captain, he naturally wouldn't be polite with the Changhang Branch.

The rehired veteran comrades were very supportive, and his subordinates performed admirably. Against the backdrop of superiors' repeated demands to "solve major cases, capture fugitives, and bust gangs," he turned the tide by solving a dozen cases and arresting over forty suspects.

He went from table to table toasting, and after making a round, he returned to his own table, refilled his glass, and said spiritedly, "Director Shen, Director Yang, everyone, today we drink to celebrate our success, but achievements only represent the past. Moving forward, we must redouble our efforts and aim to solve a few more big cases to show He Bin and his team the combat strength of our Economic Police Team!"

Old Shen had long harbored dissatisfaction with He Bin for targeting his old comrades as soon as he took office. Holding his glass, he said with a smile, "Captain Chen, don't worry. We have already left him far behind in terms of hitting our targets. I've heard that as of yesterday afternoon, they've only solved a few minor cases and caught a petty thief."

"We can't let our guard down until the last moment. Director Shen, what moves are they making now?"

"In the Port District, they can't outdo us, so they're only trying to make a move at the piers and on passenger ships."

"What kind of move?"

"On the passenger pier side, they mainly focus on the ticket office and the waiting room. They used to only question suspicious individuals, but now they are checking identity cards for all passengers. Those pickpockets who used to operate at the passenger pier are now scared of being caught by us or them and dare not come back."

"What's happening on the passenger ships? Can they enforce the law on passenger ships?"

Before Old Shen could speak, the former Changhang Branch Security Department Deputy Director Yang put down his chopsticks and said with a smile, "Changhang Police Department followed the railway police's lead by establishing an anti-pickpocketing squad for the passengers ships and the dozens of passenger piers along Yanjiang. Salted Fish, along with Xiao Yu who was transferred to the branch office, and Director Yang's third son from the logistics department participated in the anti-pickpocketing squad.

He Bin might have realized that he couldn't beat us in the Port District, so he proactively volunteered to the superiors, drawing five officers from the Criminal Investigation Team and two police stations to form a small team that started pickpocket patrols on the passenger ships a few days ago."

Chen Xiangyang thought for a moment then sat down and asked, "So he's opening up a new battlefield because he can't beat us in the Port District?"

"Pretty much."

"Running away when defeated, what kind of skill is that!"

"Captain Chen, it's just the formation of an anti-pickpocketing squad; it doesn't affect us."

"They lost in the Port District, but if they can find success on the passenger ships, how can it not affect us?"

"The squad may be their initiative, but once aboard the passenger ships, they have to follow the command of the Changhang Police Department Criminal Investigation Corps. Even if they catch a few thieves, it's mainly the achievement of the Criminal Investigation Corps. Besides, last year Changhang Police Department already started selecting elite forces for anti-pickpocketing on the passenger ships, and the rampant gangs operating there have already been mostly dealt with. Now they're just picking up scraps."

"That's true. Besides, considering that others have already struck before them, and especially during a crackdown period, how many pickpockets would dare to commit crimes against the wind."

Captain Chen clinked glasses with some of the hardworking veteran comrades and asked with a smile, "Besides strengthening inspections and forming an anti-pickpocketing squad on the ships, what else are they doing?"

Only by knowing both oneself and the enemy can one win every battle.

Director Shen did not think Captain Chen's inquiries were too gossipy. Picking up some braised pork with his chopsticks, he said, "The only unsolved case in the Port District with a bad influence is the sailor club's murder case from a few years ago.

Nothing has come of the case so far; Director Jiang has been fixated on it and recently went on a business trip, probably still investigating. As for fugitives, there are a total of six in the Port District, and they have formed six fugitive pursuit teams and are trying various methods to capture them."

Having served as the Port Authority's safety production director for many years, Chen Xiangyang not only knew about the sailor club murder case but also the fugitives in the Port District.

The murder case had a terrible impact. With the City Police Department investing so much manpower and resources and still failing to solve it, from the City Bureau to the Port District Bureau, and then to the Binjiang Port Police Station, many leaders were reassigned because of that case. Chen Xiangyang didn't think his Economic Police Team could solve it, and mused, "Director Shen, Director Yang, we cannot slacken our efforts to capture fugitives either."

"Those guys have been on the run for many years because of their crimes; they aren't easy to catch."

"I know, but we can't just not try because it's difficult. We have our advantages, and we can certainly start collecting clues from the Port District. We can even organize manpower to take turns on stakeout. I refuse to believe those bastards don't contact their families."

"Even if we find clues, we can't go to other places to arrest them."

"We can cooperate with the Port District Bureau. We don't have the authority to arrest outside our jurisdiction, but the Port District Bureau's Criminal Investigation Team can."

As they were speaking, an Economic Police officer ran over from the duty room.

"Captain Chen, the staff hospital called saying two young men came there to be bandaged; one has a head injury, and the other looks to have a knife wound on his arm!"

"Who's on duty today?"

"Zhang is on duty."

"Zhang Gui, put the drinking on hold for now. There's a situation at the hospital. Hurry and take a few people to check it out."

"Okay, right away!"

...

Mobilizing the masses is a basic operation for the Security Department and the Economic Police Team.

All subordinate units of the Port Authority, each pier, each yard, and several project sites, would report any sign of trouble as soon as possible, even if they just saw someone picking through rubbish.

It's no exaggeration to say that the several thousands of workers and their families of the Port Authority are the eyes of the Security Department and Economic Police Team. The Changhang Branch simply can't outdo the Economic Police Team.

Watching Second Company Captain Zhang Gui leading five Economic Police officers mounting their bicycles to "respond to the call," where the security guards looked more like police officers, Fang Guoya found everything absurd.

It's important to know that just one and a half months ago, this courtyard was the location of the Changhang Fire Department and the Binjiang Port Police Station Fire Brigade, but now the signs for the Changhang Public Security Bureau Binjiang Branch Fire Brigade and the Changhang Public Security Bureau Binjiang Port Police Station Fire Brigade have been taken down and discarded somewhere unknown.

What used to be one family has now ended up at odds with one another.

As he pondered over Director He's awareness of the celebration going on here, and how difficult it must be for Director He, his immediate superior suddenly said, "Guoya, the City Bureau leaders highly praised our branch's fire brigade; you have played a significant role. Come, this is for you."

"Thank you, Captain Chen."

"What's there to thank for? It is I who should thank you."

Chen Xiangyang clinked glasses with Fang Guoya, his tone rising and falling with emphasis, "Our branch has two main focuses: one is to combat illegal activities, the other is firefighting. Crackdown on crime is handled by me, Director Shen, and Director Yang, while firefighting training and assisting the City Bureau Fire Department in firefighting is all on you."

An upside to having a falling-out with your old boss, however, is the increased attention to fire safety from the Port Authority for the Port District afterward. Under the advocacy of the person right before him, the Port Authority decided to allocate two million to purchase a professional fire truck.

Fang Guoya, overwhelmed by emotions, quickly said, "Ensuring good firefighting training and organizing the team to combat fires is my job. Please rest assured, Captain Chen, our fire brigade will not let you down!"

"Alright, here's to that."

...

After three rounds of drinks and a multitude of dishes.

The group was enthusiastically discussing how to get the better of the Changhang Branch, when Secretary Miao and Deputy Director Liu arrived. They warmly congratulated the branch on its collective third-level merit and the individual awards of Chen Xiangyang and others, encouraging everyone to keep up the good work and achieve even more.

The Security Department and the Economic Police Team were under the operational leadership of the Changhang Branch, and both Director He and Political Commissioner Jiang were also brought over. Seeing the joyful spirits of a group of security guards, the two couldn't help but feel despondent.

They had to come, and not only could they not leave because Secretary Miao insisted, they had to sit down with a stiff upper lip.

"Comrade He Bin, Old Jiang, the achievements of the Security Department and the Economic Police Team ultimately come down to your effective leadership. Here's to you," Secretary Miao said, lifting his glass and smiling at both of them.

It's said that hitting someone is not the same as slapping their face, but this was a blatant slap in the face, and in front of so many people at that.

Suppressing the anger within him, Director He squeezed out a smile and held up his glass, "Secretary Miao, I dare not claim heavenly credit. The outstanding achievements of the Security Department and the Economic Police Team are due to Captain Chen's leadership and our comrades' hard work."

"Yeah, it's like the saying, a fast train relies on its locomotive. Let's all raise a glass to Comrade Xiangyang."

"All right, Captain Chen, congratulations."

Chen Xiangyang, delighted beyond measure, was just about to utter some modest words when Secretary Miao's expression turned serious, "Comrade Xiangyang, you have indeed succeeded in your first battle and have achieved certain results, but those accomplishments can only represent the past, not a resting on past laurels."

"Yes!"

"I haven't finished yet."

Secretary Miao clinked his glass again with a meaningful tone, "I mentioned that a fast train relies on its locomotive, but there's also a saying, 'A bear's soldiers are but a single bear; a bear's general makes a whole den.' Now that you are both the Security Director and Economic Police Team Captain, you must lead by example and absolutely must not be incompetent, not like those who have led a good unit into disarray."