Binjiang Police Affairs

At 4:16 p.m., the Coast Guard boat 3201 arrived at the area where the Fishery Administration ship and two unregistered fishing boats were drifting.

Captain Pei and Deputy Captain Lin led a military doctor and eight Coast Guard warriors aboard the fishing boats to assess the situation, examined the individuals suffering from heatstroke, discussed the escort plan for the return journey with Han Yu and Director Liu, and made the necessary preparations, setting sail back at 5:10 p.m.

The voyage lasted all night, and by 9:30 the next morning, they had successfully reached the waters off She Island.

Han Yu wanted to surprise Old Shi and hadn't contacted him beforehand. As they neared the small dock of She Island, they were astonished to find dozens of island-garrison soldiers sunbathing naked on several huge rocks!

The soldiers never expected the Fishery Administration ship to return, and in shock, they scrambled around clutching their crotches.

Xu Mingyuan, Fang Zhiqiang, Xiao Yu, and others had never seen such uninhibited behavior from the People's Liberation Army and had never witnessed such a spectacular scene. They jostled to peek through binoculars, nearly dying of laughter.

"Captain Fang, let me have a look!"

"Wait, I see Director Shi, hahaha."

"Where is he, is Director Shi also out there sunning his bare butt?"

"He is, but he ran so fast, he's hidden behind a rock now."

"They really know how to have fun. It's a pity we didn't bring a camera; otherwise, we could've taken a cheeky photo of Director Shi!"

While everyone was laughing, Captain Wu suddenly turned around: "There's nothing worth photographing, and nothing worth laughing at."

Confused, Xiao Yu asked, "Uncle Wu, I don't quite understand…"

Captain Wu, while watching Old Yu, the Chief Officer, direct the helmsman to dock the boat, explained: "The climate on the island is harsh, with high salt and humidity. For four to five months a year, clothes and bedding are damp. Over time, many soldiers develop jock rot, which is painful and itchy, making it difficult to walk or sleep."

"Ah!"

"What 'ah'? If you had jock rot, you'd understand how uncomfortable it is."

Captain Wu looked back at the crew and continued: "The sun's ultraviolet rays are a good remedy for treating jock rot, so as soon as the sun comes out, soldiers with the condition quickly find a place to sunbathe naked. Anyway, there are no female comrades on the island, not even outsiders, so who's going to laugh at whom?"

It turned out to be a treatment. Guarding the island had led to skin conditions like jock rot. The laughter suddenly faded, replaced by admiration.

The Fishery Administration ship safely docked, and as soon as the on-duty sailors had tied up the ropes, the artillery company's company commander arrived at the dock with Shi Shengyong, who had just put on his trousers and tank top.

Upon confirming that the two smuggler boats had been intercepted, Shi Shengyong's embarrassment from the earlier nudist activities vanished, and he eagerly asked, "Salted Fish, where are the two smuggling boats, and the smugglers?"

"They're waiting over there. The dock is too small; they didn't come over."

"That's great. Wait for me; I'll go get dressed."

"No hurry; we came here to pick you up."

Although there were many smugglers, they brought mineral water, instant noodles, sausages, bread, and biscuits on board, so there was no need for the Fishery Administration ship to provide supplies.

With about ten more hours to go, the escort fleet would reach Binjiang Port. The Fishery Administration ship still had plenty of fruits and vegetables left, and considering that the supply ship for the Wusong Port Coast Guard base had not yet arrived and the island was in need of supplies, Han Yu and Captain Wu called everyone to unload the excess supplies onto the island.

The army, navy, and air force on the island were as close as brothers, and the artillery company naturally wouldn't eat alone.

The commanding officers of the Air Force radar unit and the Navy signal station were notified by the Army artillery company and brought their warriors down to the dock to express their gratitude.

They exchanged contact information and agreed to gather again when the opportunity arose. The dock was abuzz with excitement; a true mingling of military and police.

After picking up Old Shi, the escort fleet set sail again.

At about 10:30 p.m., they entered the estuary of the Yangtze River North Branch.

Since 001 was an inland river tugboat that couldn't withstand strong winds and waves, the fleet sailed westward for more than ten kilometers until they finally saw 001.

Coast Guard boats rarely navigate the North Branch Channel, and the veteran civilian soldiers from San Zao Port steering the two unregistered fishing boats were just as unfamiliar with the Yangtze River Channel. Captain Fan, Chen Zikun, and Zhang Ping took the lead in guiding the entire fleet.

"Director Yu, Han is back, did you know?"

"I knew; Political Commissioner Jiang told me yesterday."

"I thought you didn't know. Speaking of which, you've got to treat us."

Now close enough, they could chat via walkie-talkies.

Captain Pei heard it all and, picking up the walkie-talkie, joined the group chat, laughing and asking, "Instructor Chen, I'm Pei Guangsheng. You just mentioned Salted Fish is treating; is there good news?"

Before Han Yu was transferred to the Changhang Bureau, the Binjiang Water Police was the real "Boss" of the Yangtze River waterfront.

Chen Zikun, who worked at the Water Police Station from squad leader to instructor and had dealt with the coast guard across the river more than once, chuckled: "Captain Pei, if we're talking about Director Yu's good news, there's plenty. What I was talking about was the Boss Lady's good news."

"The Boss Lady is pregnant again? Salted Fish, you're violating the family planning policy; don't you want to advance in your career?"

"How could that be? Having one child is good; I never thought about having a second."

"What joyous occasion is that?"

Before Han Yu could speak, Chen Zikun said with a smile, "The boss lady has advanced; she returned from training at Hanwu yesterday, and this morning Zhu, the director of Port Supervision Bureau, came to Bailong Port to announce the appointment. Previously, she was the acting deputy captain in charge, but now she's the real Big Commander."

Pei instinctively asked, "Promoted to full department level?"

"Mhm, a genuine full department level!"

"Salted Fish, congratulations, congratulations, with such great news, you should be treating us."

"Sure, sure, sure, I'm only afraid that you, Captain Pei, won't grace us with your presence."

"That depends on when you invite me."

The senior sister is now a mother. During her time training at Hanwu, although her body was there, her heart was at Bailong Port, calling home every day, uneasy without hearing Han Han's voice.

Because of this, how could she just stay in Binjiang and wait?

She returned to Bailong Port yesterday and had just chatted over the high-frequency radio.

Thinking about the delicious food the senior sister and mom had prepared, waiting on the dunship, and especially the thought of seeing his daughter in a few hours, Han Yu grinned and said, "I'll treat you to a late-night snack tonight with Director Lin."

...

Meanwhile, Director He and Political Commissioner Jiang, who had hurried back to Binjiang from Linghai just yesterday, were at the Sailor Club accompanying the leaders from Changhang Police Bureau.

The Deputy Director of the Agricultural Bureau, Zhou Hong, was also in attendance. He wasn't just the former director of the Water Police Division but was also the former deputy chief of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Binjiang Port Police Station. Although he never worked in the Changhang Police System, he emerged from the police system under the Ministry of Transport.

Master Han provided meteorological support for the operation, a commendable and arduous task, so he was also invited by Director He to accompany the leaders.

Old Comrade Han had served so many years in the army but had never been a leader. He was genuinely surprised and flattered. While playing cards with the leaders, he couldn't help but ask, "Director He, what's Salted Fish's current position?"

Vice Director Ding of the Changhang Police Bureau casually tossed a pair of twos and smiled as he asked, "Comrade He Bin, they should have entered the Yangtze River by now, right?"

"They entered the Yangtze long ago; '001' has already received them and is guiding them."

"'001' is the Law Enforcement Rescue Boat that the Binjiang Port Supervision Bureau bought from the local police?"

"Mhm."

Director He smiled a little and took the opportunity to introduce the past and present of '001'.

Realizing the situation, Vice Director Ding turned and couldn't help but exclaim, "Master Han, your son-in-law is very capable and outstanding. To have Salted Fish as a son-in-law, you're really perceptive and blessed."

Old Comrade Han was overjoyed and hurriedly replied with a smile, "They courted on their own; it has little to do with me."

Zhou Hong laughed, "Vice Director Ding, Salted Fish and Master Han's daughter Han Xiangning are classmates from Binjiang Shipping School. They have known each other for a long time. Binjiang Shipping School was recently upgraded to a Shipping Academy, and Han Xiangning has also progressed quickly. She just returned from training at Hanwu and is now the full department level leader of the third team of Port Patrol."

How could Director He not understand Zhou's underlying goodwill? Pretending to be surprised, he asked, "Han Xiangning was promoted to full department level?"

"The appointment was announced this morning, just promoted this morning."

"This doesn't seem to be equivalent now."

"Comrade He Bin, what do you mean by that? These days, gender equality prevails, female comrades can hold up half the sky. What's wrong with Salted Fish's partner having a higher administrative rank than Salted Fish? That's a good thing."

"Right, right, right, it is indeed a good thing, but that's not what I meant by not being equivalent."

The assignments at Changhang Bureau used to be influenced by the Port Authority, but now they follow the directions of the Changhang Police Bureau. Especially for full department level cadres, the Bureau only has a say in recommendations, not decisions.

Vice Director Ding was very aware that these two were taking turns to speak well of that Salted Fish, who indeed is outstanding and capable, but ultimately too young. Having not been at deputy level for very long, he played dumb and asked, "Then what do you mean?"

"Although Salted Fish and Xiangning are a couple, they must separate public duties from private interests. Previously, the person in charge of the 'First Post of the Ten Thousand Miles of the Yangtze River' were both at the deputy level, both Salted Fish and Xiangning. Now that Xiangning has been promoted, wouldn't Salted Fish have to follow her orders? Should he step down as the temporary Party committee secretary?"

"Vice Director Ding, Director He's concern is reasonable. At home, Salted Fish can listen to Xiangning, but not on the dunship. He represents our Changhang Police, our Bureau. If he really follows Xiangning's orders, wouldn't that mean our Changhang Police has to follow the commands of Port Supervision?"

"Administrative rank is administrative rank, administrative duties are administrative duties; those are two separate matters."

But Vice Director Ding wasn't going to be fooled by them, as he urged Zhou Hong to play his hand and continued with a smile, "Right now, Salted Fish is the Acting Director of Bailong Port Police Station; his duty is on par with Master Han's daughter, there is no issue of one ordering the other."

Leaders can be petty. With so many achievements, is it that hard to grant Salted Fish a promotion to full department level?

Nevertheless, Director He wasn't too disappointed since the young man was indeed quite young, and the police system values seniority. At 24, a promotion to full department level would indeed be a bit excessive. Although he didn't achieve his goal tonight, at least he had put in a good word for the young man with their superiors.

Master Han, though he had never been a leader and was no fool, clearly understood that Directors He, Jiang, and Zhou were speaking well of his son-in-law in front of the leaders. Genuinely grateful, he played cards even more earnestly than before.

...

PS: I had an emergency yesterday afternoon and couldn't update, missing one chapter, which I'll make up for today. The chapters I owe will be made up gradually.

After reaching middle age, the body and the energy are not what they used to be, with the elder to take care of and youngsters to attend to, not to mention numerous matters. In terms of updating frequency, I truly cannot compare with those younger authors. I hope my brothers and sisters will forgive me.