Binjiang Police Affairs
Chapter 271 - 197: Three Years in a Flash

Chapter 271: Chapter 197: Three Years in a Flash

Sailing is tough and lonely, especially when thinking of the girlfriend and family onshore; it truly feels like each day is an eternity.

But in the blink of an eye, three years have passed.

Han Yu has transformed from the green and ignorant trainee he once was to an apprentice chief officer who sails in unlimited navigational zones.

Although only twenty-one years old, his words, actions, and mindset carry the vicissitudes of time.

Sailing is also a courageous career, for only those who have seen the vastness of the sea understand their own insignificance.

In the past seventeen months, Han Yu witnessed a volcanic eruption in the Sunda Strait, encountered a category 14 super typhoon in the depths of the Indian Ocean, and faced 13-meter-high waves in Biscay Bay.

He weathered thunderstorms in the Pacific Ocean, crossed the Mariana Trench that spanned thousands of meters, braved the Roaring West Wind Zone, watched the aurora through starlight, broke through ice in minus 48 degrees Celsius in Alaska Bay, and even stumbled upon a sky full of twilight in Cape Horn...

Exotic anchorages and the joy of bartering goods in a primitive way.

Catching fish and large crabs while moored, eating until one wanted to throw up.

All of these were experiences one could never have onshore, as the saying goes, "Traveling thousands of miles beats reading thousands of books."

Standing on the deck, watching the last traces of the sunset slowly sink below the horizon, Han Yu is filled with myriad emotions.

Because in two hours’ time, the cargo ship will dock at East Sea Port, and his four-year seafaring career will come to an end.

No smoking was allowed in the pilot house, but the bearded captain approached with a cigarette in his mouth and asked, "Han, are you sure you want to change jobs?"

"Yes."

"What a pity, you’re a thoughtful chief officer. It’s not too late to change your mind now. Believe me, you could definitely become a good captain."

Han Yu originally had no chance to sail on ocean-going routes. According to Director Yu and Director Zhang’s plan, he was to sail in coastal waters for four years, get his competence certificate for coastal navigation, and then return.

Unexpectedly, in March of the previous year, both the captain and the owner of the container ship, chartered by the Marine Bureau, called to say that the previously assigned "half team" couldn’t speak English, and the captain and chief officer were unable to communicate with them.

Although the container ship was chartered by the Marine Bureau, it sailed long international routes, and the crew members were still considered expatriates.

Expatriate crew members had high wages and plenty of allowances, and even bought some imported goods when they returned to the country; everyone was eager to go.

Since the Marine Bureau was a state-owned enterprise, the people responsible for logistics support onshore outnumbered those on the ship. It was said that one needed connections for anything, and those connected people who didn’t understand English ended up on the ship.

After the captain and the shipowner protested, the leaders of the Marine Bureau realized the gravity of the issue and immediately demanded an examination, with only those proficient in English allowed to go.

The captain of the coastal cargo ship that Han Yu previously served didn’t know Han Yu’s real identity. Thinking it was an opportunity for Han Yu, he signed him up and allowed him to take the exam.

Han Yu thought it was just a routine exam, after all his certificates were deposited at the Marine Bureau, and training and certificate exchanges were organized by the Marine Bureau; unexpectedly, he passed with outstanding results.

Then, the Marine Bureau processed his passport for him, and together with the newly assembled "half team," they flew to Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, they boarded the ship and replaced the previous "half team" who couldn’t speak English.

That stint on the ship lasted seventeen months, during which many ports were visited, but never did he truly take a vacation.

Communication was inconvenient, and Han Yu couldn’t express how much he missed home, so he couldn’t help asking: "Captain, do you miss your wife and kids?"

The bearded captain shrugged his shoulders helplessly, "Who doesn’t? But if I went ashore like you, how would I pay all those bills?"

"Your salary is so high."

"Kid, my salary is considerable indeed, but my expenses are even larger..."

The bearded captain once again envisioned a beautiful life in the future; he wanted to move and live in a pretty seaside city, wanted to buy a big villa built on a cliff, even thought about buying a sailboat.

He was British, with a high salary, and the cost of living rose correspondingly.

But, when it came to taking care of the family, he was no different from the Chinese crew members on board; they all hoped their families could lead good lives.

Han Yu silently reflected that the shoulders of a seaman are the broadest, bearing the responsibility of the family, fighting to retain prosperity for their loved ones, yet having to stay away from prosperity themselves.

...

Meanwhile, Xu Sanye personally drove a jeep, bringing Han Ning and Han Xiangning to the dock at Wusong Port to wait for Han Yu’s return.

This area was under the jurisdiction of the East Sea Port Police Bureau, and Zhang Junyan, along with the leaders of the Marine Police Bureau, had asked for a favor, otherwise, the car wouldn’t have been allowed in.

Nearly two years apart, Han Xiangning couldn’t say how much she missed him. Leaning on the car window, she murmured while staring at the river, "Didn’t they say they would dock at six-thirty in the evening? It’s dark now, why haven’t we seen their ship?"

Han Ning understood her feelings and gently opened the car door, "Director Xu, I’ll go and ask around. The people on the dock must know."

"Sure, go ahead. It’s cold outside, put on your coat."

No smoking was allowed on the dock. Xu Sanye put down the cigarette he had just picked up and turned around to smile, "Ningning, Salted Fish has been out at sea for quite a while this time, but it’s the last time, and the rewards are great."

It was agreed to only sail in coastal waters, returning every four months for self-study exams, and to take a two-month break each year, but it turned out to be a seventeen-month absence out of the blue.

Getting the keys to the newly built dormitory of the Water Police Station, buying furniture...

Not only to manage his matters but also to take care of his father and mother.

Han Xiangning thought the more wronged she felt, with tears in her eyes, "What rewards could there be?"

Xu Sanye felt it necessary to talk to his apprentice’s girlfriend, smiling, "First of all, your love has stood the test of time and space. You will definitely be very happy in the future, and no matter what setbacks and hardships you encounter, you can overcome them together."