Binjiang Police Affairs
Chapter 117 - 102: He Who Stays Near Vermilion Gets Stained Red

Chapter 117: Chapter 102: He Who Stays Near Vermilion Gets Stained Red

The weather forecast was accurate, with heavy snow resembling goose feathers falling during the night.

When I woke up, snowflakes were still floating in the sky, and all I could see was a vast expanse of white.

After returning from the East Sea, the major shoreline patrol had concluded, and the station became particularly busy. The director and instructors left early and returned late every day. Sometimes they were out of sight for a day or two, and it was unclear what they were busy with.

Old Zhang was in charge of daily tasks, staying at the station every day, and had been on duty for eight consecutive days.

Han Yu was responsible for all work related to the ships, while Captain Wang, Zhu Baogen, and Liang Xiaoyu were officially assigned to the Yanjiang Police Station’s Law Enforcement Rescue Boat team.

The four needed to make final preparations for entering the Yangtze River, taking time to familiarize themselves with the Dunship’s mechanical and electrical equipment, lighting signals, and alarm systems, and also to maintain vessels 001 and 002.

In short, to keep the three boats in optimal condition, there were daily tasks to be done.

But this morning’s first task was snow cleaning; we started by sweeping the snow from the courtyard and the main entrance, then splitting into two groups.

Captain Wang and Zhu Baogen were responsible for clearing the snow from vessels 001 and 002, while Han Yu and Liang Xiaoyu took care of the Dunship.

Considering the freezing cold weather and the slippery ice on the deck, we had purchased many straw mats from Bailong Port Village a few days ago.

Villagers used these mats to cover pigpens and sheep pens, while Yanjiang Police Station used them to prevent slipping on the deck.

By the time Han Yu and Liang Xiaoyu, carrying the straw mats, reached the small dock of the shipyard, Han Xiangning, who had moved here the day before yesterday, had already cleared the snow from the first and second deck floors.

Speaking of decks, these were actually the walkways around the upper and lower floors. They shoveled the snow directly into the river and swept it with a broom, so the workload was not substantial.

"Good morning, Sister Xiang Ning!"

"Well, you’re up earlier than we are. What time did you get up?"

Director Yu has also been elusive these past few days. Han Yu was somewhat worried since she was living alone on the Dunship. The other two dorms on the first deck were temporarily unoccupied, and he had already moved next door to her for two nights.

Han Yu signaled her to go first to the Dunship’s central corridor and, while laying the straw mats, he laughed, "We got up at six, not too early."

Han Xiangning, wearing her mother’s old military coat and holding a hot water bottle, asked, "Six o’clock is not early!"

"We used to get up at five in the morning."

"Why get up so early?"

"For the major shoreline patrol; it’s both physical exercise and a way to measure our jurisdiction by foot. If it weren’t for the cold weather and Director Xu being busy, we would still be doing it."

"It sounds like a border patrol. You’re police, not border troops."

Other police stations wouldn’t do this; it’s a specialty of the Yanjiang Police Station.

Han Yu didn’t know how to explain and simply laughed, "Sister Xiang Ning, breakfast is ready. Uncle Qian steamed some buns. You go eat first."

Han Xiangning smiled and asked, "Have you eaten?"

"We’ll go eat after clearing the snow from the top of the Dunship."

"Don’t rush; wait for us to finish and go together."

"Alright."

Han Yu took the tools from the storeroom and, with Liang Xiaoyu, climbed to the top of the Dunship. They carefully cleaned the radar antennas, radio antennas, signal lights, and loudspeakers from the biting cold wind. Then they cleared the mast and finally the "roof."

Han Xiangning stood on the walkway of the first level, watching the swirling snowflakes and asked, "Salted Fish, aren’t you cold at night?"

"Not cold, what about you?"

"I’m not cold either; I have a heater."

She indeed had a heater, the same brand as the radio sponsored by the Binjiang Port Police Station, both made by Sanyo.

Using kerosene, once lit, its interior resembled the reflective metal used in construction site tungsten lamps, reflecting heat, capable of warming the air and even drying shoes and clothes.

Thinking of how cold the weather was and that little Xunxun’s diapers surely weren’t enough, Han Yu asked, "Sister Xiang Ning, where did you buy that heater? I want to buy one too."

"It wasn’t me who bought it; it’s from the station. If you want one, I can call your station later and ask."

"I want to buy it for my sister-in-law."

"You really care about your sister-in-law."

"My brother is not at home; she is at home alone with the child, and the child is so young."

Valiant and responsible at work, yet so caring for his family, just as Han Xiangning was reflecting on this, Boss Wu, wearing a leather jacket, hurried over.

"Good morning, Director Han, aren’t you cold?"

"Manager Wu, I’m not a director, I’m just a clerk."

Boss Wu believed that anyone working in a government department must be titled "Director" to avoid confusion, and he chuckled, "Director Han, the electrical installation company just called me. They said they’ll come this afternoon to repair some lines and plan to connect our power as well."

Han Xiangning, not being a police officer of Yanjiang, didn’t understand the significance of connecting power.

Han Yu was pleased and asked while bending down, "Manager Wu, does that mean we can tow the Dunship over later?"

"Salted Fish, for such a big event, shouldn’t you ask Director Xu first?"

"No need to ask; Director Xu instructed the other day that as long as the water and electricity are ready, we can tow the Dunship to the riverside."

"That’s best. The pontoon bridge has been up for several days now; it’s mostly steel, worth thousands, and I fear theft. In this cold weather, I still have to arrange for someone to watch it."

"Once the Dunship is towed over, you won’t need to arrange for someone to guard it."

"Then I’ll go find someone to arrange the ship. Once the Dunship is towed over, we need to install the collision piles immediately; the work must be finished before dark."

"Okay." Han Yu thought for a moment and smiled, asking, "What time is it now?"

Before Boss Wu could speak, Han Xiangning lifted her arm to check her watch: "It’s seven forty-six."