In terms of collective third-level merit, the Armed Forces Departments of each district and county suffered a loss.

Because the Binjiang Civilian Transport Team was temporarily assembled and not an established unit.

The people and ships came from each district and county, and the main work was done by the Armed Forces Departments, but the collective third-level merit banner and certificate of honor couldn't be split into pieces to be given to several districts and counties; they could only be kept by the Military District. It's imaginable that the leaders and Armed Forces Ministers of several districts and counties must be cursing Binjiang for picking their fruits!

Just as Han Yu was thinking about how to evaluate the awards without the Rescue Boat Team being included, Political Commissioner Chen invited Director Zheng of the Binjiang Navy Retirement House to read the order from the East Sea Fleet Political Department: to record collective second-class merit for the Binjiang Naval Reserve Rescue Ship Brigade, and personal second-class and third-level merits for Han Yu, Qin Weiquan, Qian Shiming, and others.

As long as the Navy Reserve Soldiers participated in the exercises, each and every one of them was credited with merit, at least third-level merit.

Han Yu was overjoyed, thinking the Navy is more generous than the Provincial Military District.

And considering that there were not many participating soldiers in the Rescue Boat Team, unlike the Civilian Transport Team which had hundreds of people, he understood the Provincial Military District's difficulties.

After all, merits serve as both spiritual and material rewards. If so many civilian soldiers were credited with third-level merit, the Provincial Military District wouldn't go bankrupt, but they would have to spend a large sum on bonuses.

Having fewer people is advantageous; that way, they got a great deal.

Just as the Rescue Boat Team was elated, Political Commissioner Chen invited Deputy Director Hu of Jiangcheng Customs to read the order from the General Administration of Customs: to record a collective third-level merit for China Customs 823 Boat and a collective second-class merit for China Customs 825 Boat, as well as personal second-class, third-level merits, and commendations for Gong Jian, Jiang Shengqi, and other crew members.

Xiao Gong risked getting his hands and arms burned while fixing a fault, and still insisted on continuing the task, deserving of the second-class merit!

Director Hu personally helped Xiao Gong wear the medal, firmly shook Xiao Gong's hand, and let the accompanying political work cadre take a photo.

Seeing Xiao Gong's excited expression, Han Yu felt very pleased and gratified, feeling that Xiao Gong had matured.

The ceremony was grand but brief, similar to last year's ceremony when the flood-fighting and disaster relief officers returned with honors, letting the heads of each unit take their participating personnel back, and it's imaginable that there will certainly be celebrations when they return.

The way they were taken out, that's the way they brought them back.

Having completed the task, Han Yu felt a weight lifted from his shoulders. Just as he was thinking to greet the local officials and return with Political Commissioner Zhou, Vice Mayor Qin called him over to the leaders' side.

"Salted Fish, you've made achievements and earned a bonus. You've never treated anyone before; it's time for you to treat this time, isn't it?" Secretary Lu smiled and asked.

Han Yu understood that "Boss Lu" was joking. Glancing at Ma Jintao and Xiao Yu, who were all excited, he feigned difficulty and said with a bitter smile, "Secretary Lu, leaders, they've received medals, certificates, and bonuses when they achieved merit and awards. I've neither seen bonuses nor certificates. How am I supposed to treat?"

"Director Zheng, you announced the merit order for Salted Fish. Where's the bonus, the certificate?"

"Reporting to Secretary Lu, I only received the merit order forwarded by the East Sea Base, but no certificate, medal, or bonus yet, possibly needing some time."

Fearing that the city leaders would be displeased, Director Zheng added, "I've heard that due to the rush, the superiors seem to have only evaluated and awarded the Civilian Militia Reserve Force participating in the exercises, and the regular forces haven't started their evaluation yet."

"Without the bonus in place, it seems Salted Fish's treat can't happen for now." Secretary Lu laughed heartily, pointed at Director Zheng, and instructed, "But about the medal, certificate, and bonus, you need to urge the superiors and let them speed it up."

"Yes."

Han Yu, quite embarrassed by the city leaders' teasing, was suddenly addressed by Director Chen who said: "Secretary Lu, if Salted Fish truly wants to treat, he still has the money for it."

Secretary Lu laughed, looking at Han Yu, "Salted Fish, how much money do you have on you?"

"Fifty."

Since "defecting" from the Binjiang Police System, Han Yu was somewhat afraid of seeing Director Chen. Unexpectedly, Director Chen added insult to injury. Seeing Director Chen's playful expression, Han Yu hastily said, "Secretary Lu, even though I have fifty on me, that fifty bucks needs to be donated."

"Donated where?"

"Didn't Taiwan have an earthquake? The Navy Chief asked us to donate."

"Everyone, it seems Salted Fish's treat can't happen. He only has fifty bucks on him and still wants to donate it. How can he treat?"

"Secretary Lu, I wasn't talking about the fifty he has on him."

"He has more money?"

"Yes, at our bureau." Director Chen patted Han Yu's arm, turned to face everyone, and explained with a laugh: "Earlier this year, for combating cults, Salted Fish played a major role and was credited with a personal third-level merit by the Provincial 610 Office in coordination with the Provincial Department. The medal and certificate are at our bureau, and the bonus is also in our bureau's account."

Han Yu instinctively asked, "Mayor Chen, what is the 610 Office?"

"It's the office for preventing and handling cult issues, established on June 10th this year, thus the abbreviation 610 Office. But what it's called isn't important; what's important is you have a thousand yuan bonus here."

"Hahaha, Salted Fish, oh Salted Fish, there's no issue with the treat budget, it seems you'll have to treat."

"With a thousand yuan, it's enough."

"Five hundred per table, set two tables, about enough." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Vice Mayor Qin nodded, Chief Xu completely agreed, and Vice Director Hu chuckled without a word.

Han Yu felt overwhelmed and quickly said, "Leaders, how about treating in a few days? Today there's a celebration banquet, it'd be a waste not to attend."

"In a few days, you'll be heading to the Capital!"

"Why would I go to the Capital? In a few days, I promise I'll treat, as long as Mayor Chen gives me the bonus."

"To watch the grand parade in the Capital, of course," Secretary Lu said with a smile.

Han Yu asked with a confused look, "I'm going to the Capital to watch the grand parade?"

"Yes."

"How could I possibly go to the Capital to watch the grand parade...."

"Anything is possible."

As soon as Secretary Lu finished speaking, Commander Wang handed over an invitation.

Han Yu took it, opened it, and was suddenly taken aback.

The invitation clearly stated: "Comrade Han Yu: 1999 marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. To solemnly commemorate this significant historical moment, a ceremony for the 50th anniversary of the founding of new China will be held on October 1, 1999, at Tian'anmen Square."

Then it followed with "You are cordially invited to attend."

The signature was from the "Chinese Central Military Commission" and the "Office for the Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China!"

Director Chen leaned over to take a look and said with great envy, "Salted Fish, you must attend such a major event, there's no excuse not to go. We want to go but can't."

Vice Director Hu laughed and said, "Salted Fish, I called Chief Xu at the General Administration. They said many invitations like this were sent out, but mainly from the Central Committee, National Council, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, United Front Department, Taiwan Affairs Office, and Overseas Chinese Federation, with very few slots for each ministry. The General Administration only has five invitation slots."

"What about mine?"

"Yours is from the Central Military Commission. You are equivalent to a guest. The leadership from the General Administration and Headquarters said you could wear your police uniform to the ceremony. You can represent both the anti-smuggling crime investigation system and the police system."

Commander Wang smilingly added, "I also asked the superior. They said if you attend as an anti-smuggling police officer, you don't need to gather in Jiangcheng."

Being able to watch the grand parade, Han Yu felt honored and excited.

But thinking about the ceremony taking one day and two days for the round trip, he was a bit reluctant to go.

After all, he had just recently returned from receiving anti-smuggling boats, participated in exercises, assisted in investigating maritime traffic accidents, and then spent days commanding the salvage of a sunken ship. He hadn't had the chance to properly spend time with his family. Now that he was back, he really didn't want to go out again.

As he hesitated, Secretary Lu decisively said, "Salted Fish, you also represent Binjiang, so you must go. Take a flight in a few days. I'll have the Beijing Office arrange a car to pick you up at the airport, and you'll stay at the Beijing Office in the Capital."

"Yes, sir!" With the leaders speaking to this point, what else could Han Yu say? He smiled and said, "Thank you, Secretary Lu. Thank you, everyone."

"That's more like it. Now everyone knows about your 'one-shot drunk,' no one will try to get you drunk. There's nothing to fear."

"Commander Wang, I'm not scared of people making me drink, I... It's just that I need to oversee the ship remodeling at the shipyard, I don't feel at ease not being there."

They'd gone over the plans for the 825 boat's remodeling countless times, and the blueprints had been revised several times.

Realizing this was not a convincing reason, Han Yu awkwardly added, "And I have this urge to share good things with my wife and daughter. Without them by my side, even the most beautiful scenery seems less beautiful to me, and even the grandest occasions feel less interesting...."

Before Commander Wang could respond, Secretary Lu, touched, said, "That's perfectly normal. I used to be the same. Every time I went on a business trip, especially to scenic areas, I never went sightseeing because family wasn't with me, and it'd feel meaningless alone."

The young man is quite genuine.

Chief Xu couldn't help but turn back and say, "Director Xu, if your Maritime Bureau organizes trips for the staff in the future, could you save a spot for Salted Fish, so he can go with Comrade Han Xiangning?"

"No problem!"

"Old Zeng, Qianli, if you organize trips for your staff in the future, remember to save a spot for Comrade Han Xiangning."

Director Zeng was about to agree when Director Zheng interjected, "Upon hearing this, I remember that our Navy not only has a retirement home but also a sanatorium, and every year we organize pilots and submarine troops for retreats. I'll check with the superiors to see if we can arrange for Salted Fish to go and whether he can bring his family."

Secretary Lu, satisfied, smiled and said, "That's the way. Your Navy shouldn't just make Salted Fish work hard; he deserves as much of the benefits as possible when conditions allow."

"Secretary Lu is right. Should the opportunity arise, I'll do my best to help."

In this small territory of Binjiang, you have to respect "Boss Lu"!

Director Zheng, after considering it, laughed and added, "Actually, our retirement home organizes tours for retired comrades every year. If Salted Fish and Xiang Ning are willing, they can join the retirees for a trip in the spring next year."

What's the fun in hanging out with a bunch of retirees?

Finding this amusing, Secretary Lu observed as Han Yu quickly said, "Esteemed leaders, I was just saying, I never planned to go on a tour."

Vice Mayor Qin, tempted to say that the kid hadn't considered it due to a lack of funds, tapped his arm, and suggested, "Secretary Lu, Chief Xu, it's getting late. Shall we head to the restaurant and chat over food?"

"Alright, let's go have a celebratory drink first!"