Binjiang Police Affairs
Chapter 301 - 216: How to Be a Leader

Chapter 301: Chapter 216: How to Be a Leader

Over the next half month, Han Yu remained very busy, but no matter how busy, he still made time to accompany his master.

Considering the work of the squad should not be affected, once again a division of labor was implemented, asking Director Jia Yongqiang to be responsible for the daily work of the squad and for communication and cooperation with colleagues on shore.

He asked Ma Jintao to be in charge of the water security checkpoint set up at the sluice and the public security on Bin Qi River and Kuzi Port River. He also made two trips to the branch, strongly suggesting to the bureau to consider appointing Ma Jintao as the deputy squad leader.

Han Yu himself was responsible for the security of the river anchorage, responsible for joint enforcement with the Fishery Administration and Port Supervision, and also responsible for assisting Port Supervision with water rescue.

Today at noon, the Water Police Team finally issued the appointment for Ma Jintao as the deputy squad leader.

If it were in Linghai Police Bureau, deputy squad leader would equate to deputy section chief.

There are no section ranks in the Water Police Team; becoming a deputy squad leader simply means an extra five yuan per month, but Ma Jintao was still very happy. After all, he was once a contract police officer, and neither Linghai Police Bureau nor the City Bureau had a precedent for promoting a batch of regularized police officers like them.

Han Yu accompanied Captain Zhao Hongxing, who specially came to Yingchuan Port to announce the appointment, and then rushed to the Water Rescue Center on his motorbike, parked his bike, and headed straight to the Floating Pier to board the ready vessel 001.

"Master, are you cold?"

"Dressed so warmly, and Ningning even brought a heater, not cold."

Xu Sanye originally wanted to spend his last days quietly in Bailong Port, but tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, and many old friends who heard about his cancer went to Bailong Port to visit.

His body was visibly wasting away at an alarming rate over this half month; he could no longer stand up, only sit in a wheelchair.

He neither wanted others to see his terminally ill condition, nor did he have the energy for pleasantries, so he simply had Old Zhang take him to Yingchuan Port on vessel 002, bringing along his bedding, clothes, and medication, planning to live on board 001.

Sister Wei came as well, but she gets seasick, so she could only move into Han Xiangning’s quarters to take care of him on shore.

Han Yu exchanged a look with the Master’s wife and asked, "Does it hurt a lot today?"

"Just had an injection, it’s much better now."

Xu Sanye was somewhat impatient, glanced down at the rubbish bin’s glass medicine vials, and urged, "Isn’t there an operation today? Hurry up and set out. Guangxia, Ningning, you both go onshore, Salted Fish and Xiao Yu are here, nothing to worry about."

"Alright, we’ll disembark."

Sister Wei gently patted his shoulder, pulling Han Xiangning out of the command cabin, and walked to the railings. Thinking twice, she turned back and said, "Salted Fish, the syringes and medications are in the box."

"I know."

"Then we’re getting off."

Bone cancer is too torturous; the Master is in so much pain that painkillers don’t work; he has to rely on morphine injections for pain relief.

Morphine is a controlled substance, and if abused, it becomes a narcotic.

For others, they would only be able to inject at a hospital and couldn’t get so many injections prescribed.

Han Yu went to check the medications and then turned to pick up the walkie-talkie to tell the waiting Yang Yong, Liang Xiaoyu, and Zhu Baogen to cast off the mooring and for Captain Wang in the second-floor control room to set sail.

Xu Sanye liked being on 001 very much, finding even the roar of the main engine pleasing to the ear, and if he could stand up, he would even go to the control room to steer the ship himself.

As the ship’s whistle sounded, 001 slowly left the Floating Pier.

Xu Sanye picked up binoculars for a look and asked curiously, "Salted Fish, what exactly is today’s operation?"

"The night before last in conjunction with the Fishery Administration, two boats illegally fishing for eel fry were apprehended. The fishermen who were apprehended said they originally fished at the estuary, but then they encountered a fishing boat without a name or number with a dozen brawny men on board, who forcibly bought their eel fry at extremely low prices. If they didn’t sell, those men would start a fight."

"Water bandits!"

"They prey upon their own; they’re a gang of water bandits."

Han Yu pulled a chair next to his master and added, "After getting this information, I asked the personnel from the Fishery Administration and Port Supervision who joined the joint enforcement to help inquire with the licensed fishing enterprises and fishermen whether they encountered similar situations. It turns out it’s not just one eel fishing boat that suffered, and several fishermen were even injured by those bastards."

Xu Sanye suddenly felt no more pain and subconsciously asked, "How do you plan to strike back?"

"I only know they operate between the Dingba Waters in Dongqi and the nearby waters of She Mountain Island in the East Sea, but 001 is an inland river tugboat, it cannot withstand the high winds and waves at sea, and we are Water Police not Coast Guard, the sea is not within our jurisdiction. So we can only patrol as far as Jianghai Village in Dongqi, any further east we must rely on the Coast Guard."

"Have you contacted the Coast Guard?"

"They are the Border Police Coast Guard, different from our Binjiang Border Police; just a little squad leader like me running over won’t get their attention. I reported to Director Zhou, and he called President Yu to report, asking for help in communicating and coordinating with the Provincial Department’s Border Guard Main Corps."

The Border Police Coast Guard is the former Water Police patrol team, and even earlier was the Navy.

A few years ago, there was talk of setting up a team in Dongzao Port in Linghai, but it fell through for some reason. Now the nearest Border Police Coast Guard team to Binjiang is stationed across the river in Dacang, with several offshore patrol vessels.

Xu Sanye had never dealt with the Border Police Coast Guard and asked curiously, "Are they willing to join us in a joint operation?"

"They are willing, after all, the security and criminal cases in our regional waters are under their jurisdiction."

Han Yu poured a glass of water for him and then chuckled, "I didn’t know before, but after contacting them, I found out that they have business dealings with Binjiang Customs."

Xu Sanye laughed, "Cracking down on sea smuggling and preventing illegal immigration is also their duty; of course, they would cooperate with Customs."

Han Yu expressed, "Master, just think about it, how many police enforcement units we have in our waters. There’s the Changhang navigation police, the local Water Police from both banks, and also the Border Police Defense, Border Inspection, and Border Police Coast Guard."

"Indeed, there are quite a few issues; it does seem a bit chaotic."

Xu Sanye didn’t want to discuss those major issues and took the thermos cup, smiling as he asked, "Has Ma Jintao’s appointment as deputy squad leader been announced?"

"It has. Captain Zhao specifically came over to announce it. Captain Zhao wanted to come and see you, but I knew you’d find it bothersome, so I politely declined his kind offer on your behalf."

"What’s there to see."

Xu Sanye muttered, then followed up with, "Salted Fish, you’re patrolling the river every day, assisting with fishery law enforcement, aiding with port rescue operations, and now you’re also accompanying me. Aren’t you worried about your squad’s work?"

Han Yu replied without hesitation, "With Director Jia and Ma Jintao around, what do I have to worry about?"

"Thinking this way shows you’ve become wise."

"Master, what have I become wise about?"

"Whether you’re a squad leader, a director, or even a police chief, you have to trust your colleagues and subordinates. You need to learn to delegate authority; you can’t be distrustful and anxious all the time, and you definitely can’t take care of everything yourself."

"Master, what made you bring this up?"

"President Yu called me. He said on the phone that you’re apprehensive about taking on a leadership role. It’s not your fault; if anything, I’m to blame. Over the years, I’ve only taught you how to steer a boat, never how to lead. In reality, leading is the easiest thing in the world. It’s not as difficult as you imagine."

Betrayed by President Yu!

But on second thought, if President Yu didn’t make the call, others might accuse him of being ungrateful. Yet once the call was through, it’s hard to find something to say, after all, he doesn’t need anyone’s comfort or sympathy.

Talking about work isn’t appropriate either, so they can only talk about himself and Xiao Yu...

Han Yu felt somewhat embarrassed, not knowing how to explain, when Xu Sanye continued, "Why did Political Commissioner Wang not assign someone else to partner with you, instead insisting on having Old Jia serve as an advisor? He considered the unique situation of your squad’s jurisdiction.

Both the river and the two inland rivers as well as the land must be accounted for; it’s impossible for anyone to cover all bases as squad leader. Therefore, the members of the squad must divide their work. You, however, took charge of everything after taking office, keeping yourself so busy you’re spinning in circles, and yet you might not manage everything well."

"Master, I..."

"I know you’re worried that people might say you’re just there to gain experience, aspiring to be a real squad leader. You’re concerned that people will think you’re too young and incapable, and you want to prove through your actions that you are competent."

Xu Sanye paused, then gently persuaded, "But can you handle managing everything? Rather than trying to do everything, trusting your colleagues, delegating authority to them and your subordinates will actually demonstrate your capability, which is the very essence of leadership ability."

Han Yu nodded sheepishly.

Xu Sanye patted his arm and laughed, "You’ve certainly heard the term ’taking the lead and coordinating’ countless times. As long as you do that well, you’re a qualified leader. You know best how I run the office; when did I ever micromanage?"

Han Yu couldn’t help but think back to when he was at the station; his master truly trusted him.

Whenever he went out on cases or mishaps, his master let him look after the place, entrusting the dunship and 001 to him when he was just sixteen, still a child.

Later on, when he went to the East Sea to learn boat steering, and he wasn’t at the station, his master let Xiao Yu look after the place. Xiao Yu was not only still a child but was also uneducated...

"You are different from others; you not only need to take the lead and coordinate, but you also should use the opportunity of serving as a squad leader in Yingchuan Port to learn piloting and strive to get the pilot license as soon as possible."

"Yes."

"Don’t be hasty with your ’yes’, I haven’t finished."

Xu Sanye put down the thermos and pointed at the river, "President Yu said on the phone yesterday that there are often provincial leaders, and even central leaders, who come to the Yangtze River for inspections and visits. Especially during the flood season, commanders would board ships to get a firsthand understanding of the flood situation."

Han Yu asked instinctively, "Master, are the commanders coming here for inspection?"

"I didn’t say the commanders were coming for an inspection. I meant that whenever commanders come to the river by boat for work inspections or to direct flood control, the Provincial Department must consider the commanders’ safety. President Yu mentioned you to the department leaders in charge of security, and they’re quite interested in you. They plan to arrange for someone to come to Linghai and check your files after the Spring Festival."

"Why check my files?"

"It’s like a political background check."

"And then?"

"In the future, if there’s a water patrol mission, superiors will assign you to pilot the boat."

Han Yu suddenly realized and smiled bitterly, "Master, I know how to pilot, but to carry out such a task, it’s not enough to just know how to steer; you also need to understand the waterway conditions. If I’m not familiar with the waterways, and I don’t understand the water conditions, I won’t be able to pilot well."

This kid, always struggling to get his head around it.

Xu Sanye couldn’t help but laugh, "As for knowing how to steer, there are many experienced captains available. What the superiors currently need are politically reliable and skilled officers. And when the superiors assign you to a security detail, it’s not necessarily for you to take the helm."

Han Yu asked, puzzled, "Then why assign me?"

"To inspect the condition of the boat, the main engine, auxiliary engines, and the helm to ensure they are functioning properly. To participate in planning the navigation according to the commander’s itinerary, developing emergency contingencies in case of unforeseen situations. You don’t necessarily have to take the helm after boarding; you just need to stand behind the captain and helmsman."

Fearing his apprentice might still not understand, Xu Sanye said meaningfully, "Security work is all about ensuring the safety of the commander. Having a knowledgeable officer standing guard in the cockpit puts the superiors at ease. Such missions won’t be frequent, but whenever they occur and you take part, you’ll have the chance to meet the kind of commanders you only see on TV."

"I understand."

"What do you understand?"

Seeing his apprentice somewhat perplexed, Xu Sanye sighed and said, "The higher the commander, the more approachable they are. You’ll understand once you take part in a few security details; after the mission, the commander will definitely shake hands with you warmly, and might even take a photo with you and the other staff involved in the security and navigation tasks."