Chapter 141 - 119: Only Guests, No Leaders

Chapter 141: Chapter 119: Only Guests, No LeadersAt eight in the morning, learning that Director Wang had boarded ship 001 and unsure of when he would return, several leaders from the department hurried to the dunship stationed at Yanjiang Police Station. Three days earlier, the Criminal Investigation Team and the Traffic Police Team were upgraded to brigade status. Sёarᴄh the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Master Ding subsequently became Commissioner Ding. He was responsible for the construction of the dunship and was most familiar with it. Just after accompanying Zhang Junyan from Bailong Port Police Station to fetch a leader from Changhang Police East Sea Branch and three comrades from the onboard police squadron attending the commendation ceremony at the passenger terminal, he was leading the tour without a second thought. Leaders from the Port Supervision Bureau, Binjiang Customs, and Binjiang Police Department set off together, and it was about nine o’clock when they reached Bailong Port. The three were all at the Standard Department level. Director Yang, accompanied by Zhang Lan and Sister Zhu personally waited at the intersection in front of Bailong Port’s waiting hall. Li Weiguo got up very early, he was coordinating the reception aboard the dunship based on the modified plans and agenda meticulously adjusted by Sister Zhu. Han Xiangning was constantly answering phones and serving tea, extremely busy and stressed. Boss Wu and his partner, Boss Zhang, had arrived early, bringing two half-canopy fiberglass speedboats. One of the boats was thoughtfully labeled "Port and Navigation Supervision", while the other bore the sign "Binjiang Police Patrol 001", both fitted with police lights. The boats had a streamlined shape, just like the small yachts in the movies, and looked very pretty. Han Xiangning, who had been inspecting the river for more than half a month, knew that despite their attractive appearance and fast speed, these boats were essentially useless, and thus she wasn’t very interested. She took the walkie-talkie to Li Weiguo’s side with a grim face and said, "Commander Li, there’s a joyous occasion in your station, and several batches of leaders and guests have arrived, but why hasn’t Director Xu gotten up yet?" Xu Sanye had gone to sleep after three in the morning, he had barely slept well lately due to investigating local thugs and gangsters and was now deeply asleep in the dormitory. Old Zhang and four brats from the Water Police Fourth Squad had returned at four in the morning and were also sleeping soundly. Remembering Xu Sanye’s instructions from the night before, Li Weiguo raised his arm to check his watch: "What time is Director Feng expected to arrive?" "It’s already eight forty now, they should be arriving soon." "Let’s wait for Director Feng and then go knock on the door." "Alright." "Xiao Han, you’re working hard." "It’s nothing, you’re welcome." Finally, Han Xiangning realized that for the very stern station leader, today, only Director Feng, Chief Tang from Customs, and Director Chen from Binjiang Port Police Department were considered guests. The others were merely there to join the excitement. It was better to sleep a little longer and not wake up for those just there to join the bustle. As for the leadership, there was only one person that counted as such here—himself! Even when the Director and Political Commissioner of the Police Department arrived, he was too lazy to get up to greet them, let alone salute, greet, and report. At 9:12, Sister Zhu notified Li Weiguo over the walkie-talkie that Director Yang had received Director Feng, Chief Tang, and Director Chen from Binjiang Port Police Department. Li Weiguo promptly reported to Commissioner Ding. "Quick, go wake Sanye. Director Zhang, your department leaders have also arrived, let’s go ashore to greet them." "Okay, let’s go." ... Xu Sanye, awakened by Li Weiguo, dressed up and went to the water room on the first floor to wash up. "Director Xu, hurry up, Director Feng has already reached the river embankment." "What’s the hurry, I’ll be ready in a moment." Xu Sanye squeezing toothpaste, yawned and asked, "Any news from Salted Fish?" Li Weiguo peeked outside and said, "There were six crew members on the coal transport ship. Five were rescued and are on their way back now." "And the sixth?" "They searched the river for a few hours but couldn’t find him. With the high winds and rough seas, even Captain Wang couldn’t stand it anymore and they had to return." "When will they be home?" "This run took them far, and now they’re heading upstream. At the earliest, they’ll get home around twelve." "What about the five crew members who were rescued?" "Sister Zhu said the incident happened in Dacang Waters, so Dacang Port Supervision Station should handle it, and the subsequent rescue of Hexiang 9 was also organized by Dacang Port Supervision Station. Logically, they should be taken to Dacang Port. But Salted Fish and Captain Wang are too tired, so Director Jin allowed them to come straight back." Xu Sanye inquired further, "Were any of the rescued crew injured?" Li Weiguo explained, "No one was injured, but they were cold and frightened after drifting on the river for seven or eight hours. I’ve already contacted Bailong Port Health Center to arrange a few medical staff to come over at twelve." "Six crew members, only five rescued... alas, rescuing five is already fortunate." "..." The topic, involving a life, was too heavy. During the last rescue of a runaway ship, Li Weiguo truly felt a sense of achievement. Now, having rescued five people and even saving a 6,000-ton vessel, he didn’t feel the same sense of accomplishment. Xu Sanye finished brushing his teeth and washing his face, and just as he stepped out of the water room with a towel in hand, he was surprised to see Secretary Chen from the county committee present, standing on the river embankment chatting merrily with several leaders he hadn’t met before, accompanied by Old Ge and others from the Transportation Bureau. "Director Xu, the tallest person there is our Director Feng." "I figured it out." "You haven’t even met him, how did you know?" Han Xiangning curiously asked. Xu Sanye handed the towel and teacup to Li Weiguo with a smile, "One can tell he’s been a soldier, and the one on the left probably came from the military as well." Old Liu from Bailong Port Police Station approached with a laugh, "Director Xu, that’s our Director Chen." "So the one in the middle must be Chief Tang?" "Likely so." "They are all prominent figures, I’ll go greet them." The pontoon bridge was narrow, Xu Sanye strode vigorously to meet them. Secretary Chen, who was accompanying Director Feng and Chief Tang, was unexpectedly blocked by him and had to stop. "Director Feng, Chief Tang, Director Chen, welcome!" "Director Xu, hello, hello." "I apologize for having you travel this far in such cold weather." Director Feng gripped his hand tightly and said, "Director Xu, Chief Tang and Director Chen are here to congratulate, unlike them, my primary purpose is to thank you for your support to our Port Supervision work, and then to congratulate you on your new office." Xu Sanye laughed heartily: "We are already working together in the same office, the cooperation has been delightful, and there’s no need for us to speak as if we are from two different families." "Although we’re one family, gratitude is still needed. Without your help at the critical moment, we couldn’t know how many would have perished tonight, even the waterway might have been blocked." "Director Feng, did you know Salted Fish and Director Jin went for the rescue?" "Such a major event, I was instantly informed. I admit, I instructed the Traffic Control Center to inquire whether your 001 could be deployed." "We didn’t disappoint you, right? Your Water Depth Detector sponsorship was worthwhile, wasn’t it?" "Not at all, they say the best steel should be used on the blade’s edge, installing the Water Depth Detector on 001 is exactly that." Director Feng let go of Xu Sanye’s hand, turned to smile, and said: "Director Chen, the kids at the Port Authority are also impressive. Director Xu had a major operation last night, not on the Dunship. Little Salted Fish knew there was a collision incident in Dacang Waters, and despite the high winds, heavy fog, and adversity, he organized the crew to set out without hesitation. Realizing the colliding ship had severe water ingress due to damages and knowing 001 had too small engine power for the rescue, he immediately thought to use the advanced electronic equipment on 001 to navigate the large tug from Taicang Port. This morning before coming here, I went to the Traffic Control Center and listened to last night’s command recordings. If you didn’t know he was only seventeen years old, judging only by his commands, you would think he was an experienced Captain." The children of the Port Authority made Director Chen very proud, and he couldn’t help but smile: "Little Salted Fish graduated from the Shipping School, his major was Water Transport Management, but he’s also proficient in piloting and engine management." Customs have law enforcement vessels too, and plans to build another this year. Chief Tang, well aware of the importance of pilots and crew, lamented: "The Shipping School produces talents, it’s a pity that since the Shipping School belongs to the Transportation Department, even if we submit a plan, they won’t allocate graduates to us." Little Salted Fish was praised so highly that Xu Sanye was delighted, peering at Old Ge from the Transportation Bureau following behind, laughing, "Chief Tang, it’s not as difficult as you think. Director Feng and Director Chen just mentioned Little Salted Fish, and yet he was assigned to our police system." "Really now, Director Xu, how exactly was Little Salted Fish assigned to your unit, which channels did you use?" "I really don’t know, he just got assigned here. I will ask around for you to figure out how it happened. Since Little Salted Fish could be assigned to our police department, other graduates from the Shipping School can certainly be allocated to your Customs." "Director Xu, please take this matter seriously, I’m not joking with you." "Rest assured, leave it to me!" Director Ge felt a shiver run down his spine, spooked by Xu Sanye’s scrutinizing look, and quickly ducked behind Director Yang. Three important bosses were here, and they needed a warm reception. Xu Sanye at this moment could not afford to deal with Old Ge, escorting the three wealthy and influential "bosses" onto the Dunship while joking and laughing, deliberately walking very slowly. Secretary Chen from the county committee was completely ignored, following like an escort, his face wore a smile, but anyone discerning could see it was forced. Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee Li was soon to retire, indifferent to whether Secretary Chen was pleased, merely followed silently, smiling without a word. By not giving Secretary Chen face, it was as if the police department wasn’t giving him respect either. Director Yang was very embarrassed, hastily pointing to the two speedboats moored opposite to 002, making up conversation to introduce them. Commissioner Ding thought there was nothing to worry about; Xu Sanye wasn’t disregarding Secretary Chen for the first time, and since there was a reason behind it. It was their "private enmity", and given Xu Sanye’s external reputation, even if Secretary Chen was displeased, he couldn’t blame the police department. Comparatively, Xu Sanye intentionally sidelining Secretary Chen was more concerned with what his friends from the Transportation Department were thinking, deliberately slowing his pace, asking indistinctly: "Director Ge, listening to Chief Tang just now made me wonder, the Shipping School belongs to the Transportation Department, graduates should be assigned to the transport system, how did Little Salted Fish end up in our police department?" Director Ge recovered his senses, feigned calmness, and said: "I also don’t know." "Really don’t know or pretending not to know?" "Really don’t know." "It’s alright not to know, we will find out soon enough." "What will we find out soon?" "Didn’t you hear just now? Xu Sanye will help Chief Tang investigate. Is there anything in Linghai he couldn’t find out?" It was very cold outside, yet Director Ge broke out in a sweat. Thinking back to Xu Sanye’s expression just then, he pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his forehead, grabbing hold of Commissioner Ding: "Old Ding, it’s cramped on the Dunship, with so many people we can’t fit, let’s go ashore for a smoke." You surely never expected Little Salted Fish to end up under Xu Sanye’s command, nor could you have imagined Xu Sanye would make Yanjiang Police Station this overblown. Now, the Port Supervision that belongs to the Ministry of Transport Police, even the vertically managed Customs, knows that Little Salted Fish, who was supposed to be assigned to the Transport system, was unbelievably assigned to the police department. You must be frightened now. Commissioner Ding found it increasingly amusing, gently pushing Director Ge’s hand away: "I dare not smoke your cigarettes." "Old Ding, what do you mean by that?" "Xu Sanye was looking at you again just now." "So what if he looks, I’m not afraid of his gaze!" "I’m scared though, I’ve been Commissioner for only three days. If he goes mad over this and I can’t defend myself against it, how embarrassing would that be." "Because of what?" "Don’t pretend to be confused." Commissioner Ding looked toward the walkway of the Dunship, thought for a moment, and then with a sympathetic face said: "You’ve known him for so many years, I’ve only known him for a few years; you know his temper better than I do. Plus, now he’s only dealing with scholarly people and doesn’t bother with the county committee or government." Although Xu Sanye was wild before, he only acted wildly in Linghai. Who could have anticipated he could turn the tide, create such a big scene, cooperating with the Port Supervision Bureau, Customs, and Binjiang Port Police Station, not even considering Secretary Chen... Director Ge, aware Commissioner Ding was not exaggerating, grew even more anxious.