Binjiang Police Affairs

At 3:30 PM, Han Yu, Chen Zikun, Zhang Ping, Xiao Gong, and Han Ning gathered in the second-floor meeting room on the Dunship.

Although Xiao Yu was not a police officer at the branch, he was no outsider and even brought Ma Jintao, Yang Yong, and Yang Yuan to attend the meeting.

As public security police officers, their ranks were different from others, and those who were not clear about it might really think they were fake police!

Finally, it was time to get new ranks. Han Yu, Chen Zikun, and Zhang Ping were visibly delighted, and Xiao Gong couldn't help but look at Political Commissioner Jiang, who had just put on his new rank in the last few days, and then at Ma Jintao and Yang Yong, who had changed to new ranks at the beginning of the year.

Political Commissioner Jiang, knowing that the young men were looking forward to it, didn't want to beat around the bush. He put down the ranks he brought, took out the order document from his briefcase, and read with intonation: "Comrades, I now announce the notice regarding the awarding of the People's Police rank to Comrade Gong Jian.

Each division, station, and squadron: According to the related directives of the People's Police Rank Regulations of the People's Republic of China, approved by Changhang Public Security Bureau Binjiang Branch, we award Comrade Gong Jian the rank of Second Level Police Officer, dated August 21, 1996!"

Han Yu didn't expect Gong Jian's award to be announced first, but quickly recovered.

Poor Gong Jian had bad luck; he interned at the Port Authority for a year before transferring to Changhang Bureau and had to intern for another year. The year he spent doing odd jobs at the Port Authority's docks counted towards his service years but not his police years, meaning his probation just ended, making today his first official rank award.

But then again, if one is working for less than four years, they are all Second Level Police Officers, all with one bar and two stars, all paid 1.2.

For Gong Jian, from this moment onwards he was officially a police officer, the young man was very excited and quickly stood at attention to salute.

Political Commissioner Jiang set down the notice document, picked up the rank badge, smiled, and said, "Comrade Gong Jian, congratulations, do well."

"Yes, thank you, Political Commissioner."

"Good, let's continue."

Political Commissioner Jiang picked up the second notice document and continued to read the order approved by Changhang Public Security Bureau, awarding Chen Zikun the rank of Second-level Police Chief.

Everyone was surprised as they had all assumed Chen Zikun was only going to be a Third-level Police Chief.

Then they remembered Chen Zikun had graduated from a normal university with a bachelor's degree, and his four years of college counted as police years, which made his initial rank award higher than many others and thus made sense.

Chen Zikun was also surprised and couldn't believe it was true. After all, although he met the conditions, whether he was reported upwards for promotion and whether he was given the rank of "two bars two stars" was up to the superiors.

If he was still at the Water Police Station, nine out of ten times he would only be awarded two bars one star.

He was thrilled and quickly went forward to thank the bureau leaders.

Political Commissioner Jiang handed over the new rank and encouraged him a few words before taking out the last notice document and smilingly read: "Comrades, I now announce the Ministry of Transport Police's order regarding the promotion of Han Yu's People's Police rank!"

Usually, the branches report to Changhang Public Security Bureau, which then approves the rank award or promotion, but Han Yu's promotion was directly issued by the Ministry.

Chen Zikun was dumbfounded.

Xiao Yu, Han Ning, Zhang Ping, and Xiao Gong were all incredulous.

Han Yu thought he heard wrong and subconsciously looked at the order document in the Political Commissioner's hands.

"Changhang Public Security Bureau: According to the regulations of the People's Police Rank Regulations of the People's Republic of China, after research and decision, we especially promote Comrade Han Yu of your bureau's Binjiang Branch to the rank of First-level Police Chief, Ministry of Transport Police, dated August 6, 1996."

Political Commissioner Jiang put down the document, took out a pair of ranks, and said, "Salted Fish, congratulations."

Han Yu recovered, took the ranks, and asked, "Political Commissioner, is there a mistake? I don't meet the criteria!"

"No mistake."

Political Commissioner Jiang patted his arm and smiled, "The last time you were urgently pulled by the ministry to carry out a mission, you were honored with First-level Merit. The ministry not only decided to exceptionally promote your police rank but also issued a directive to raise your salary level."

"First-level Merit! Salted Fish, when did you earn First-level Merit?" Xiao Yu exclaimed in surprise.

Chen Zikun reacted, unable not to ask, "Yes, how come we didn't know?"

Han Ning was about to speak when Han Yu turned around and smiled, "It was during the last business trip, because it was a confidential mission, so it wasn't publicly commended."

Zhang Ping curiously asked, "Director Yu, what confidential mission?"

"If I tell you, it won't be a secret anymore."

"A First-level Merit, was that mission very dangerous?"

"Not very dangerous, just lucky."

A twenty-four-year-old First-level Police Chief, you could hardly find a few in the entire national police system!

Political Commissioner Jiang was genuinely happy for Han Yu and smiled at everyone, saying, "Even I don't know; don't ask what shouldn't be asked, let's not ask any further."

Ma Jintao, not being from Changhang Police, unlike Zhang Ping and Xiao Gong who were a bit afraid of Political Commissioner Jiang, couldn't help but joke, "Director Yu, we might not ask, but earning First-level Merit is such a big occasion, you can't not treat us!"

"Yes, not only did you earn First-level Merit, but you were also awarded two bars three stars, double happiness has arrived; you must treat us!"

As soon as Yang Yong's words ended, Xiao Yu also chuckled, "You should treat us, but I have a birthday drink tonight, Salted Fish, can we do it tomorrow?"

Seeing this bunch of naughty kids making a fuss, Political Commissioner Jiang felt younger, standing aside with a smile and not speaking.

Han Yu wasn't going to fall for their tricks, felt his pockets, and said with a resigned face, "I'd like to treat, but I have no money. How about we wait for Ningning to come back? She runs the household, she has the money, whether to treat or not, she decides."

Mentioning money, Ma Jintao laughed and asked, "Did you spend all thirty yuan?"

"Not all, still have sixteen, but sixteen is not enough for treating."

"You can borrow from Sister Han."

His brother has become a Deputy Division Commander and is still so stingy.

Han Ning, unable to suppress a smile, said, "If Ningning doesn't give the word, how dare I lend him money!"

"Wife controls tightly, Director Yu, can't you be a bit tough?"

"No problem with other things, but when it comes to money, I can't stand firm."

"Brother Han is really well-raised; I admire!"

"Less money, fewer worries, more money, more troubles."

In this regard, Salted Fish has always taken no shame and has even been proud of the backward marriage situation. Now things are much better than before, as in past years he even took pride in this backward practice.

Ma Jintao had known all along that it was impossible to pluck feathers from a miser, but he was just teasing.

Chen Zikun and Zhang Ping had long gotten used to it, and under Han Yu's influence, Xiao Gong had even become a little miser himself.

Political Commissioner Jiang, considering the heaps of issues at the police bureau, encouraged a few words and repeatedly urged that they must ensure safety when assisting the Port Supervision Bureau and Linghai City Flood Control Command during the typhoon rescue operation. He was just about to call Han Ning to head back to the city when Han Yu's cellphone suddenly rang.

"Political Commissioner, wait a moment before leaving."

"What happened?"

"It's a call from Director Jiang!"

Political Commissioner Jiang was stunned for a moment but soon realized and immediately stopped in his tracks.

Han Yu steadied his mind, pressed the call button in front of everyone, and raised the phone to his ear: "Uncle Jiang, it's Han Yu, is there any movement on your side?"

Jiang Xiaojun and Deputy Director Jianghai of the Four Factory Police Station were sitting in a van, watching a coach bus in front, and anxiously said, "The smugglers have moved, just carrying large backpacks and smaller bags onto a long-distance bus heading to East Sea!"

"Wouldn't it be more convenient to go from Ningbo to East Sea by ferry?"

"The coach goes to East Sea, but he might not actually go to East Sea."

"What should we do now?"

"How should I know what to do? If we knew what to do, we wouldn't have called you!"

Han Yu pondered for a moment and touching the corner of his mouth said, "If he really goes to East Sea, it could be easier to handle. Uncle Jiang, you guys keep an eye on him, I'll call Director Shi right now."

At present, they only knew the smugglers intended to flee the country but had no idea from where or by what means.

Having watched for over half a year, they couldn't let their previous efforts go to waste.

Jiang Xiaojun, anxious, gripped his phone and said, "You need to quickly discuss with Director Shi how to handle this, and we will inform you immediately if anything happens on our side."

"Alright, be careful. You need to ensure safety without startling the snake."

"Don't worry about us here, you better figure out quickly how to handle this; we need fast action!"

In fact, this smuggling case had been under surveillance for so long that both Changhang Bureau and the Four Factory Police Station were almost ready to give up.

Since it had been watched for so long, it seemed too wasteful to just give up now.

It was indeed like a chicken rib, tasteless to eat but a pity to discard.

Now, finally there was progress, Political Commissioner Jiang felt relieved and couldn't help asking: "Salted Fish, what should we do now?"

"The typhoon is coming, and the smugglers are going out at this critical moment, what does this imply?"

"What does it imply?"

"It implies that Snake Head wants to organize a smuggling operation by sea!"

Political Commissioner Jiang fixed his gaze on him, asking, "The most dangerous time for them is actually the safest?"

"Pretty much." Han Yu thought for a moment, and immediately turned back and said: "Instructor Chen, Xiao Gong, Brother Ma, I leave home matters to you from now on. The Political Commissioner and I are heading to the Four Factory Police Station and might also need to go to Linghai Police Bureau."

Xiao Yu eagerly said, "Salted Fish, take me with you when catching the smugglers!"

"Okay, you come with us."

"Salted Fish, I want to go too!"

"Brother Ma, the typhoon is coming soon, we can't leave the Dunship unmanned, and besides, we still don't know from where Snake Head plans to organize the smuggling."

Who wouldn't want to join a major operation?

Han Yu could understand the feelings of Ma Jintao and others, thought for a while, and then said, "Moreover, we have no jurisdiction at sea, the following actions depend mainly on the border police or even the Coast Guard."

Political Commissioner Jiang didn't want to delay the chance, definitively said, "Comrades, obey commands and follow orders. Xiao Ma, you can drive, help me take Comrade Han Ning to report at Binjiang Port Police Station."

"Yes!"

"Salted Fish, let's go."

"Political Commissioner, I don't know when we'll be back from this trip; I need to pack some changes of clothes."

"Hurry up."

"San'er, I'll pack for you; you better contact Director Shi first."

"That works."

Han Yu glanced at his older sister, intending to contact Shi Shengyong first, but decided to first call Zhou Hong, the former Water Police Station Chief and now Deputy Director of the Agricultural Bureau.

After waiting around ten seconds, the call connected.

Han Yu briefly explained the situation and with an apologetic face said, "Director Zhou, I wouldn't ask to borrow a boat at this critical time if it weren't absolutely necessary. Rest assured, I am not an inland guy; I understand what a typhoon implies, and I will ensure the safety of the crew and the law enforcement vessel."

As the typhoon was approaching, all vessels were required to enter the harbor for shelter.

If it were anyone else asking to borrow a ship at this time, Zhou Hong would definitely not lend it.

But Han Yu was different; he grew up under his watch, understood marine matters, and was an experienced Chief Officer who had been through heavy storms in unrestricted navigation areas.

Zhou Hong weighed the situation, spoke in a low voice, "I know you will ensure the safety of the vessels and the crew, but sending the law enforcement vessel out to sea at this critical moment isn't up to me alone. You'd better ask Director He to contact our Director Liu as soon as possible."

"OK, I'll report to Director He right away."

"Director He's influence may not be enough alone since you're involving the border police in the operation. Better let your Director He and Zhou from Linghai go through the City Bureau to communicate and coordinate with our Director Liu. When the time comes, Director Liu will definitely ask for my opinion, and I should be able to agree if I say there's no issue."

"Okay, thank you Director Zhou."

"Hurry up and contact them; I'll instruct the Fishery Administration Brigade to prepare in the meantime."