Binjiang Police Affairs

At nine in the morning, in the office of the Four Factory Police Station.

Instructor Old Yao and Fang Zhiqiang, the squad leader of the Criminal Investigation Fourth Squad, gathered in the director's office, closed the door, and urged Shi Shengyong to hurry to the bureau to report to Director Zhou.

Shi Shengyong was truly unsettled, and after a moment of silence, he lifted his head: "The day before yesterday, the commendation conference was held, and just yesterday there was a meeting for heads of divisions and stations. All the necessary work reports were already presented. What's the point of going there now to report?"

Not only does the city want to elevate the Linghai Port project, but it also plans to build the deep-water port next to the Binjiang Development Zone and turn Sanhe Town that sits adjacent to it into Linghai Port Industrial Park (hereinafter referred to as the Port District).

The status of the Port District is on par with that of the Linghai Development Zone in East City, with even greater investment!

Very soon, the city will establish the Port District Party Working Committee and the Port District Management Committee. It is said that Deputy Mayor Shen, who was transferred from the Binjiang City Planning Committee just last year, will concurrently serve as the Party Secretary.

In addition, there will be the establishment of the Linghai Port Industrial Park Police Station.

As of yesterday afternoon, the city's administrative office has clarified that the Port District Bureau is to be set at the Deputy Director level, with twelve administrative staff members, including two at the Deputy Director level and three at the Standard Stock Level!

With the District County Police Department having many officers but few Director and Deputy Director positions, everyone is tempted by the rare opportunity presented by the two available Deputy Director positions.

In Linghai Police Bureau, such matters generally follow seniority; Shi Shengyong, like the Southern City Police Station Chief Yang Xihui and Sanxing Police Station Chief Li Guangming, is eligible for a promotion to Deputy Director.

Old Yao sincerely believes that Shi Shengyong missed one opportunity and cannot afford to miss another, chuckling: "If there's no work to report, you can report your thoughts."

Those who are eligible to compete include the chiefs of the three major police stations, the office director, and the commanders of Security, Criminal Investigation, Internal Security, and Political Security units.

An opportunity missed is an opportunity lost!

Fang Zhiqiang also believes that Shi Shengyong should not hesitate or overthink and reminds him with a meaningful tone: "Director Shi, I know it may seem a bit... a bit awkward to report your thoughts at this time, but if you don't go to report, others will!"

Justifying a visit to the bureau at this critical juncture to report your thoughts to Director Zhou—how is this any different from outright asking for a position…

Although Shi Shengyong has too much pride to make such a move, he finds Fang Zhiqiang's words to be logical. If others go and you don't, who knows what Director Zhou will think?

While he hesitates, Old Yao impatiently points to the phone on the desk: "Political Commissioner Sun is your former superior, why not give him a call first?"

"How should I even broach the subject with him?"

"Just call, and let's see. Political Commissioner Sun surely has an inkling."

"Yes, hurry up and call."

With age being a factor, missing this chance meant there would be no next time.

Shi Shengyong took several deep breaths and mustered the courage to dial the old leader's office number while the two watched.

After waiting for about twenty seconds, the call connected.

Only to hear Political Commissioner Sun ask through the phone: "Hello, who is this?"

"Commissioner, it's me, Shi Shengyong. Are you busy?"

"Not busy, what's up?"

Shi Shengyong felt embarrassed to inquire directly about his chances for advancement, so he feigned confusion: "Commissioner, the day before yesterday, we held the summary and commendation meeting for the strict enforcement campaign. They commended only the advanced groups and individuals from the strict enforcement, but there was no merit recognition. Our station participated in solving several major cases during the campaign, and the officers have worked very hard, especially Jianghai. To investigate the smuggling case, he was away for most of the year, staking out for that long. If there's no merit recognition for this, how can we boost morale? How am I supposed to lead this team?"

Sun Jiawen was well aware that he was inquiring about the upcoming selection for the chief and instructor of the new Port District Bureau but was embarrassed to ask directly.

As for the leadership of the division, especially the chief and instructor of the bureau, the bureau only has the right to recommend, not to decide. The organization department needs to conduct a review, which then has to be discussed in the meeting of the City Committee Members, as they would be appointing officials managed at the city level (county-level city).

In short, the current situation is quite delicate.

When it comes to the leadership composition for the Port District Police Bureau, the city must consider not only the security of the Port District but also its future development.

In other words, the selection criteria this time are different from before; no longer will it be based solely on seniority or one's ability to fight and solve cases.

Sun Jiawen pretends not to know and explains with a smile: "The day before yesterday's commendation was carried out by the city, not within our police system. Also, among the major cases your station was involved in solving, two occurred on the Yangtze River, and another was netted at sea."

"So when will it be? It's not that merit recognitions are no longer given, right?"

"These are major cases; how could they not award merit recognition? It should be soon."

Sun Jiawen laughed and added: "I inquired with the City Bureau's Political Office. Director Dong said that for those two major cases on the river, the awards will be given by the Changhang Police Bureau. The case that was supervised by the Ministry of Transport Police will be awarded by the Ministry of Police. As for that major smuggling case, it has been classified as a supervised case by our Jiangnan Provincial Department, which will award the merit recognition upon conclusion of the case."

Shi Shengyong chuckled: "That puts me at ease. Otherwise, I really wouldn't know how to explain it to our comrades."

His old subordinate was a man who cared about his dignity; making this call at such a critical time was not an easy thing to do.

Sun Jiawen hesitated for a moment, then said with a smile: "During this strict enforcement campaign, your Four Factory Police Station did well. In last night's Party Committee meeting, Director Zhou praised you for being proactive and cooperating with the Changhang Bureau, ultimately achieving such great results."

"Really?"

"Have I ever lied to you?"