Binjiang Police Affairs
Chapter 184 - 146: What Great Comrades!

Chapter 184: Chapter 146: What Great Comrades!

Now it’s the poorer you are, the more right you have.

Scholar Yu didn’t care about being laughed at by the leaders; after hesitating for a moment, he mustered up his courage and said, "Mayor Cao, Director Zhong, I have an important matter to report to you two, and only to you two."

Assisting in cleaning up the Tiansheng Port waters was about to cease; how was this different from abandoning the task at a crucial moment?

However, this "bare-stick commander" really wasn’t easy to deal with; not only should he not be criticized, but he needed to be praised instead, since there are too few comrades like him who are willing to take action.

Besides, what right do you have, a person who even went home for the New Year to accompany your family, to talk about a police officer who has been busy since the 25th of the last lunar month all the way up to this moment...

Mayor Cao came to his senses and asked in a low voice, "What situation is so important?"

"An extremely important one."

"Alright, let’s go to the command cabin."

"Mayor Cao, please."

Everything was going so well, what kind of mess was this about to stir up now?

Muttering to himself, Director Zhong shot Scholar Yu a glance and followed Mayor Cao towards the command cabin.

Zhang Lan was blocked inside the command cabin and couldn’t come out; she could only stand in a corner.

Scholar Yu didn’t ask her to leave; he closed the door and reported, "Mayor Cao, Director Zhong, actually, from the moment the eel fishing boats entered the Bailong Port waters, our Binjiang Water Police have been studying how to strike against them."

Mayor Cao glanced at Zhang Lan and subconsciously asked, "Have you come up with anything?"

"Since our police do not have enforcement authority against illegal fishing, we seriously studied the corresponding laws and regulations and simultaneously investigated the distribution channels following the catching of baby eels. Ultimately, we decided to approach it from two aspects."

"Which two aspects?"

"First, according to regulations about public order punishments, we target actions that disrupt the order of ports, ferries, and docks for investigation; if navigation markers and buoys are damaged, we have the authority to manage them. Therefore, starting from the 25th of the last lunar month, we have collaborated with the Port Supervision to detain two ships and more than a dozen people."

Steadying his mind, Scholar Yu continued, "Second, we worked with the Industrial and Commercial Bureaus and Customs to strike against the illegal purchasing and smuggling of baby eels. After nearly twenty days of covert investigations, we have gathered evidence against a group of lawbreakers involved in the buying and selling of baby eels and have located three purchasing and potentially smuggling dens."

No wonder he needed to "step aside" to talk; he was worried about the risk of leaking information.

Mayor Cao realized that the head of the under-resourced Water Police Division had done more than he had imagined. He intensely looked at him and asked, "When do you plan to make your move?"

Scholar Yu peeked outside, then explained, "We are withdrawing now because, first, the comrades indeed can’t hold out any longer and urgently need to rest. Second, we are organizing a crackdown operation tonight."

Director Zhong exclaimed, "A crackdown!"

"Our comrade Xu Mingyuan, seconded from the Linghai Police Bureau Criminal Investigation Team, who is also Comrade Zhang Lan’s fiancé, started investigating from the fishermen who illegally fish for baby eels and has traced the chain up step by step, eventually locating a smuggling den."

Scholar Yu spread out the chart of the waters and pointed to the location: "This den is about five kilometers east of Lang Mountain, on a small uninhabited sandbar between the Main and Secondary Channel of the Yangtze River.

Since the eel fishing craze erupted in the Yangtze River at the end of January, some lawbreakers from Jiangbei, East Guang, and other provinces built straw huts there, taking advantage of the night and low tide, to carry out rampant smuggling activities!"

A group of lawbreakers has quietly occupied a sandbar!

They are smuggling baby eels today, who knows what they’ll do there tomorrow.

Director Zhong was taken aback, thinking that using "crackdown" was appropriate; in fact, it had to be a crackdown.

"Mayor Cao, Comrade Zhang Lan’s fiancé Xu Mingyuan is the squad leader of the fourth company of the Linghai Criminal Police Team, while investigating this thread, he organized a few other investigators from the squad to conduct nearly twenty days of meticulous investigations, uncovering that Zhanghuang Port in Gaoru County is an important den."

Scholar Yu clenched his fists, gritting his teeth as he spoke: "The activities of purchasing baby eels in Zhanghuang Port have almost been made public. Since the beginning of the year, a large number of smugglers from East Guang, Jianfu, and other places have been using its strategic position as one of the main routes for ships from various Jiangbei counties and cities to enter the Yangtze River. They rent houses from farmers at high prices, hire staff, establish bases, and locally purchase and smuggle baby eels.

Our secret investigation revealed that, tempted by money, there are thousands of people engaged in illegal fishing for baby eels in the Yangtze River and land-based smuggling. For the sake of wealth, they not only resist checks by the Fishery Administration and the Industrial and Commercial Bureaus but also boldly assault law enforcement officers."

The heads of the Agricultural and Industrial and Commercial Bureaus reported in the morning, but they only knew about the superficial situation, which wasn’t as detailed as the police’s.

In the face of such a dedicated public security police like Scholar Yu, Mayor Cao felt much better and asked, "With simultaneous crackdowns, is the force sufficient?"

"Mayor Cao, the Linghai County Government takes the issue of illegal fishing for baby eels very seriously. As early as December, Secretary Chen of the county committee inspected the riverside and requested related departments and cadres from towns along the river to go down to villages to advocate and dissuade villagers from eel fishing in the Yangtze. The county also gave Linghai Water Police Team 20,000 yuan to ensure the smooth operation of passenger transport at Bailong Port."

Scholar Yu glanced at the city leaders and added, "The Linghai Police Bureau is very supportive of our work too; Political Commissioner Ding has already rushed to Bailong Port.

He is helping us organize our forces, plus these fifty Basic Civilian Soldiers on the river, and the law enforcement personnel from the Industrial and Commercial Bureaus and Customs, we are confident in taking down these dens."

The county has done better than the city, which is quite embarrassing upon reflection.

But then again, this is a Binjiang tradition; each county fights on its own, doing its own thing...

As Mayor Cao felt a myriad of emotions, considering that if tonight’s operation is successful, when the provincial leaders arrive tomorrow, the city could better explain to superiors, Director Zhong couldn’t help but remember Xu Sanye.

He could almost be certain that the reason the Linghai County Government took it so seriously, working ahead of others, was mostly driven by Xu Sanye’s pressure.

"Friend Xiang Qian, you have done a great job, your Binjiang Water Police have achieved a lot, and your spirit of diligence has moved me. With the battle imminent, and your director here as well, what support do you need from the city and your bureau?"

"Mayor Cao, Director Zhong, with the current strength of our Water Police, we can only maintain the security of the Yangtze River North Branch Channel. Here in Binjiang we lack everything, we need comprehensive support from the city and the bureau."

"Be more specific."

"I don’t have people, staffing positions, funds, a place for office and case handling, law enforcement vessels, or law enforcement vehicles."

Just now Linghai County Government and Linghai County Party Committee both contributed twenty thousand yuan; it’s time to give the city leaders a hint.

Director Zhong touched his nose and pretended to be displeased as he asked, "Didn’t the Port Supervision Bureau sponsor a squad for you?"

"Director Zhong, Director Feng only helped me solve the issue of wages for three contract police officers."

"What about the Customs? Didn’t you go there to ask for support?"

"We are currently negotiating with them, and I’m trying to secure their support. It’s almost like begging; whether they give or not is up to their discretion, and I can’t just pester them about it."

Seeing the city leader’s astonishment, Scholar Yu explained with a touch of embarrassment, "Mayor Cao, not to make you laugh, but all the electronic equipment on this boat was acquired by shamelessly seeking support from the Port Authority, Port Supervision Bureau, and Customs."

"The little speedboat that just brought me ashore was also sponsored by a shipyard in Linghai, after I shamelessly asked them for it."

What an excellent comrade!

Regardless, as an official at the Full Department Level, he creates conditions where there are none for his work, humbly asking others for help, and has achieved so much.

Mayor Cao was deeply moved and pondered, "As for staffing issues, let’s wait for Secretary Li to return and report to him. I think the problem shouldn’t be too big.

Regarding personnel, since the Port Supervision Bureau has sponsored a squad, and Customs is interested in sponsoring one, then the Fishery Administration should also sponsor one."

"Mayor Cao, I’m not afraid of losing face. As long as it benefits the work, I’m willing to ask anyone, but it’s not certain they will agree."

"This time you don’t have to ask anyone. I will speak on your behalf soon."

"Thank you, Mayor Cao."

"Director Zhong, a case handling unit cannot be entirely made up of contract police officers. As a bureau chief by convention, Friend Xiang Qian should have a Political Commissioner. And there should be a deputy director and clerical staff. You’re always crying to me about not having money, but you should have some people at least."

"Alright, I’ll convene the leadership team for discussion after I get back."

"Make it quick. The issues on the river are urgent and we can’t afford to miss the opportunity."

"Yes!"

After a moment’s thought, Mayor Cao continued, "As for funds, if Linghai can provide twenty thousand, the city will provide sixty thousand. We can’t let you have boats but no money for fuel. Although the city can’t immediately solve the issue with law enforcement vessels, we might be able to work something out for vehicles."

"Thank you, Mayor Cao. With your support..."

"Don’t be too quick to thank me. I haven’t finished."

Mayor Cao took a cigarette from Director Zhong and continued, "You’ve caught so many criminals but have no place to interrogate them, and there’s another big operation tonight which might result in even more arrests. Not having an office and case handling space is indeed an urgent issue.

The city will solve this issue too. With the ongoing institutional reforms, the Aquatic Bureau has been merged into the Agricultural Bureau, which should leave them with quite a few spare buildings. I’ll ask about it later and have them free up a building for you before it gets dark, preferably one by the river."

Once the city leader speaks, everything is possible.

Just as Xu San Ye said, once you’re onshore you can be a real director!

Scholar Yu was too excited to speak when Mayor Cao turned to Zhang Lan in the corner and asked with a smile, "Bride, how long has it been since you’ve seen your groom?"

Zhang Lan was stunned and replied embarrassingly, "I haven’t seen him since the 25th of December."

"Were you originally planning to get married on the 26th of December?"

"Yes."

"Comrade Zhang Lan, on behalf of the Binjiang Municipal Government, I want to thank you for your service. You and Comrade Xu Mingyuan are both great police officers of Binjiang."

The mayor himself, lively and animated!

Zhang Lan never thought she would have the day to be commended by the mayor. Her heart raced nervously as she stood at attention and saluted, "Reporting to Mayor Cao, we are public security police officers. Combating illegal and criminal activities, maintaining social order, and protecting the lives and property of the state and the public is our duty.

"Well said, keep up the good work."

Mayor Cao smiled faintly and turned to say, "Director Zhong, these are your officers. The couple hasn’t even been able to get married because of their work; you, as the director, must show some appreciation."

Director Zhong asked with a smile, "How should I show it? I have no money."

Mayor Cao patted his arm, "Who’s asking you for money? I’m going to give you an order in the name of the Binjiang Municipal Government."

"What order?"

"Order you to attend the wedding of Comrade Xu Mingyuan and Comrade Zhang Lan to drink a wedding toast on their behalf and to be their marriage witness, while also delivering my most sincere blessings."

"That’s an order I can follow. Mayor Cao, I will obey resolutely and complete the mission!"

...

PS: Heartfelt thanks to the generous rewards from the book friend ’Midnight Moor’; we have another alliance leader!

Midnight Moor is an old book friend of Old Zhuo’s, always supporting Old Zhuo. Thank you and much appreciated.