3:16 PM, Changhang Bureau.

Director Qi finished the call, staring intently at Political Commissioner Jiang, hesitant to speak.

Political Commissioner Jiang understood the director's mood at this moment, knowing well that the director couldn't voice his thoughts. He whispered, "The bureau leadership is quite something, the Salted Fish has been transferred for years and they want to involve him now. Moreover, considering the relationship, Zhang Junyan and Salted Fish are like brothers, why not have Zhang Junyan find Salted Fish instead of having us do it!"

"The bureau leadership only knows Salted Fish used to be an officer from our bureau, that he participated in the investigation of the China-Korea cargo ship collision, and supervised the salvage of a sunken ship."

"Salted Fish is not even Maritime."

"The bureau leadership wants Salted Fish to go to Jiangcheng, not to assist Huang Yuanchang in the investigation, but to help the Hanwu Passenger Transport Company with theirs."

"In what capacity should Salted Fish be involved in the investigation?"

"As a senior police officer from the Changhang Police System, or as a consultant for Hanwu Passenger Company. He has worked on both passenger and cargo ships, with rich maritime experience. Regardless of the capacity, the important thing is that the leadership wants him involved."

The Jiangcheng Maritime Bureau and the Yangtze River Maritime Bureau have separated, but the Changhang Police System has not.

The Changhang Police Bureau is under the management of the Changhang Bureau, and the Hanwu Changjiang Passenger Transport Company is a subsidiary of the Changhang Bureau. Now that a Changhang passenger ferry collided with a newly launched cargo ship, the Changhang System naturally wants an "insider" to participate in the investigation, and the findings of this "insider" should be convincing.

By rights, the Jiangcheng Maritime Bureau should help the Changhang Bureau, given the decades-long connection there, but as a law enforcement department handling traffic accidents, it must be impartial and just, not something the Jiangcheng Maritime Bureau can help with as they please.

More importantly, this is a collision between a passenger ferry and a cargo ship.

After the Jiangcheng Maritime Department's Traffic Control Center received the accident report, they reported it immediately to the Ministry of Transport Maritime Bureau and the Jiangnan City Government as per regulations. The main leaders of the Ministry of Transport, Jiangnan Province, and Jiangcheng City have placed great importance on the accident, commanding the search and rescue operations on site.

In summary, this is a major traffic accident, and the investigation is based on evidence.

Political Commissioner Jiang sighed silently, helplessly saying, "I'll make the call."

The superior is waiting for a reply, Director Qi pointed at the phone and said, "Quickly."

...

The senior sister went on a business trip to Jiangcheng, so Han Yu had to pack his own luggage.

As soon as he got home, he was rummaging through boxes and cupboards, busily occupied when his phone suddenly rang.

He took it out to check the caller ID and quickly walked to the living room to return the call using the landline.

"Political Commissioner, what made you think of calling me, is there something up?"

"Salted Fish, there was a ship collision in Jiangcheng."

"I know, Ningning was just reassigned to Jiangcheng to participate in the accident investigation."

"Ningning went to Jiangcheng?" Political Commissioner Jiang was greatly surprised.

Han Yu confirmed, "Although the collided cargo ship hasn't been delivered, it's still a foreign vessel. Possibly the superior considered that she had led an investigation into a Sino-foreign cargo ship collision before and has some experience, so they urgently reassigned her there."

The young man is set to go to the capital tomorrow, to attend the 50th-anniversary celebration of the founding of New China, to listen to the General Secretary's speech at Tian'anmen Square in person, to watch the grand parade!

Such an honor is not granted to just anyone.

At this time, it was really difficult for Political Commissioner Jiang to ask someone not to go to the capital but instead go to Jiangcheng to participate in the accident investigation, so he could only make small talk.

"Many people only know you are very capable, they don't know Ningning is also exceptional, having grown from a 'Fine Master' to the 'Hua Mulan of Safety Inspections', and now turning into an expert on foreign waterborne traffic accident investigations."

"Political Commissioner, you exaggerate."

Han Yu felt delighted inside and couldn't help but laugh, "Actually, accident investigation isn't hard; mainly, once it involves foreign crew or ship owners, communication may present obstacles. Also, one needs to understand laws, regulations, and international conventions, and the investigation results must convince both parties to accept them. Even if you can't make them verbally concede, you should make them accept it in their hearts."

The superior's commission for Han Xiangning obviously encompasses far beyond what Salted Fish described.

Firstly, Han Xiangning has always been a reserve cadre under focus cultivation within the maritime system; whenever there is an opportunity, of course, they want to let the focus-cultured reserve cadre gain experience.

Moreover, Han Xiangning is a female, also quite beautiful, possessing a natural affinity. In accident investigations, this gives her more advantage over male counterparts, at least in interaction with both parties involved in the accident, especially in communication with foreign ship owners, granting a natural superiority.

Political Commissioner Jiang genuinely felt that if one were to only consider career paths, Han Xiangning's future achievements would certainly surpass those of Salted Fish, he sighed, "Ningning has been working on the law enforcement frontline for over ten years, her experience in waterborne law enforcement is richer than yours and mine. With her taking charge, this accident should be quickly clarified."

"It was just a collision, no sinking, nor was there any casualty, the investigation should not be difficult, I estimate by the time I return from the capital, it should be nearly clarified."

"There have been casualties."

"What?" Han Yu thought he misheard, gripped the phone tightly, and asked, "Political Commissioner, what did you say just now?"

Political Commissioner Jiang took a deep breath, soberly saying, "We just received a bulletin, there have been three passenger fatalities and one missing, with two injured on Jiang Han 21."

"No way, that's impossible, Ningning said there were no casualties!"

"If there were no casualties, could Director Tang and Huang Yuanchang have urgently deployed her to join the accident investigation?"

Political Commissioner Jiang retorted and continued, "As soon as the Ministry of Transport Maritime Bureau leaders received the report, they flew to Jiangcheng, and as of this moment, the Ministry of Transport Maritime Bureau leaders are on the scene directing the rescue with the provincial and municipal leaders. Director Zhang has been busy conducting search and rescue on the river since the accident occurred and hasn't even had time to answer his phone."

With casualties involved, the nature of the accident changes.

In the past, there were also traffic accidents in Binjiang waters involving collisions between passenger ferries and inland river fleets. At the time, there were weak rescue forces, the Binjiang section broader than the one at Jiangcheng, and the accident occurred in the middle of the night, resulting in only six survivors out of over two hundred passengers on the ferry.

Han Yu recalled this with vivid memory and with lingering fear said, "Three people dead, another missing, the pressure on Huang Yuanchang must be immense."

"Not just on Huang Yuanchang, I reckon Director Tang didn't sleep last night either."

"The day after tomorrow is National Day, and with this accident happening at such a critical moment, Director Tang and Huang Yuanchang are definitely going to have a hard time."

"The leadership at Hanwu Passenger Transport Company will have an even tougher time."

"What are those captains and crew doing, how could such an accident happen!"

Time is urgent.

Political Commissioner Jiang didn't dare to beat around the bush and said in a slightly awkward and apologetic tone: "Salted Fish, the leaders of Changhang Police Bureau just called me and Director Qi. The bureau leadership didn't know you were invited to the Capital to attend the celebration of the 50th anniversary of New China's founding, and they want you to go to Jiangcheng to participate in the investigation of the Jianghan 21 accident."

"They want me to participate in the investigation?"

"You've worked on both passenger ferries and cargo ships, and the bureau leaders have a deep impression of you. When something happens, you're the first person they think of."

"But I'm not from the Maritime sector."

"Accident investigation isn't just the Maritime sector's responsibility." Political Commissioner Jiang thought and added: "The bureau leadership said this is also the intention of the Changhang Bureau leadership."

An accident on a Changhang System passenger ferry would certainly make the leadership of Changhang System anxious.

Han Yu suddenly realized, with a bitter face, "But I've already promised my superior to go to the Capital to observe the ceremony, and the bureau has booked the ticket for me."

"I know, you really can't get away, and that's exactly how Director Qi and I reported to the bureau leadership."

"Political Commissioner Jiang, wait a moment."

"What's wrong?"

"Can you ask the leadership of Changhang Police Bureau if they can help me take leave? If the superior agrees that I don't need to go to the Capital to observe the ceremony, I'll go to Jiangcheng to participate in the investigation of the Jianghan ferry accident."

"How can this be? You're going to the Capital for the 50th anniversary celebration, to watch the grand parade of the century. Such a rare opportunity, how can you take leave!"

"I can watch it on TV, watching it on TV is even clearer than watching on site."

"Salted Fish, consider this big matter again."

"Human life is of utmost importance; three tourists have already died, and one is missing. Observing the ceremony is not as important as investigating the accident involving casualties."

"Think about it again."

"No need to think, Commissioner, please report for me. As long as the superior agrees, I'll immediately go to Jiangcheng!"

...

Han Yu hung up the phone and immediately called to report to Political Commissioner Zhou.

Zhou Huixin was taken aback, asking incredulously: "Are you kidding me? What does the collision in Jiangcheng have to do with Binjiang, or with you? Besides, Ningning is already there, what are you going to do, are you trying to start a husband-and-wife shop?"

"It's my business."

"What does it have to do with you?"

Han Yu understood his old leader's feelings and explained, "Commissioner, I grew up on a boat. When I was a child, my favorite thing was watching large passenger ferries, dreaming that one day I could sit on a big passenger ferry like them. In fact, not just me, but Xiao Yu too.

The first time I went far for work to East Sea, I took a passenger ferry. Later, my sister was transferred to work at Binjiang Passenger Terminal, dealing daily with tourists and onboard police from passenger ferries.

Later, I went to East Sea to learn to sail, always traveling back and forth by passenger ferry. And then, I went to Jiangcheng's self-study exam teaching point and visited Director Yu, all by passenger ferry. Even when returning from last year's flood rescue mission, it was by passenger ferry."

Zhou Huixin found it hard to understand Han Yu's affection for passenger ferries and probed: "And then what?"

"Yangtze River Passenger Transport is already not as good as it was before, especially after last year's flood; upstream travel was banned, with some banned periods lasting more than forty days, changing many travelers' habits."

Han Yu took several deep breaths and said gravely, "The suspension of the Bai Shen Line, do you know how sad it made me, Xiao Yu, and Ningning? I know Yangtze River Passenger Transport can't compete with rail transport or road transport. I know that Binjiang Passenger Terminal will close sooner or later. But if the suspension can be postponed by one day, I still hope it can be postponed."

Zhou Huixin abruptly came to a realization and instinctively asked, "You're worried the accident in Jiangcheng will cause Yangtze River Mainline Passenger Transport to be suspended like the Bai Shen Line?"

"If Jiang Shen or Jiang Han stop operations, what happens to all those officials and employees of the Passenger Transport Company? What about all those onboard police? I have many alumni and friends working at East Sea Yangtze River Passenger Company and Hanwu Changjiang Passenger Transport Company. If really suspended, they'd all be jobless like the Maritime Bureau employees!"

"But what role can you play if you go?"

"I can at least find out if the passenger ferry is really at fault."

Since starting work, he's been by the river, and over so many years, his main form of travel involves taking passenger ferries. When serving as Deputy Division Commander of Changhang Fire Department, his greatest worry was a passenger ferry fire. Later, as Acting Director of Bailong Port Police Station, his primary duty was ensuring Yangtze River passenger transport safety.

It's no exaggeration to say passenger ferries were already a part of his life.

Without seeing passenger ferries, he definitely feels something missing.

Moreover, he attended Binjiang Shipping School, he was part of the Port and Navigation System. He has more alumni and friends in the Port and Navigation System than in the police system.

And the collision accident in Jiangcheng, as he said, might very well directly lead to Yangtze River passenger transport becoming history!

Zhou Huixin realized the matter was indeed significant to him and could only say with considerable regret, "Alright, since you want to go to Jiangcheng, wait for news from the Changhang Bureau."

"Thank you, Commissioner."

"No need to thank me, as long as the Changhang Police Bureau can get you leave, I'll handle explanations with Ma Guan."

"Great, I'll first give Mayor Qin a call; such a big matter also needs reporting to Mayor Qin."

"Quickly report to Mayor Qin; Mayor Qin watched you and Ningning grow up in Bailong Port, he'll surely understand you." Thinking further, Zhou Huixin couldn't help but laugh, "Besides, not being able to attend the commendation ceremony and major celebrations isn't the first time for you."