At 4:12 PM, Director Qi called personally, saying the leadership of Changhang Bureau had helped arrange leave through the Ministry of Transport.

Soon after, Han Yu received a call from Commander Wang of the Military District.

Commander Wang expressed his disappointment over the phone, severely criticizing before eventually conveying the Military District's approval for his leave.

At 4:31 PM, the police car arranged by Director Qi arrived at the Meteorological Bureau residential area.

Han Yu picked up his luggage, got into the police car, and hurriedly set off towards Jiangcheng.

Han Xiangning, who had left first, was also the first to arrive in Jiangcheng.

Switching to a Jiangcheng Maritime Bureau vehicle to reach the riverside, then transferring to a traffic boat to report on a tugboat.

As expected, former leaders Director Tang and Huang Yuanchang were on the tugboat, but now they were no longer considered leaders. Provincial and municipal safety leaders and Ministry of Transport Maritime Bureau leaders were present; they could only stand aside.

"Director Ren, Director Mei, Comrade Han Xiangning has arrived."

"Hello leaders, Han Xiangning from Binjiang Maritime Bureau reporting for duty, please instruct!" Han Xiangning composed herself and saluted.

Not her subordinate, hard to give orders.

Vice Minister Ren nodded and turned to Vice Director Mei of the Ministry of Transport Maritime Bureau.

Vice Director Mei had reviewed the accident investigation report of the major collision between Korean and Chinese cargo ships submitted by Binjiang Maritime Bureau. He was impressed by Han Xiangning's role in leading the investigation but hadn't expected her to be so young and strikingly attractive, to the point where it was awkward to stare.

"Comrade Han Xiangning, you've arrived just in time. The search and rescue operation is nearing completion, and the accident investigation needs to commence immediately. Please proceed to the investigation team to report."

"Yes!"

"Old Tang, take Comrade Han Xiangning to the investigation team."

Han Xiangning returned to shore with the elder leader onboard the traffic boat, heading to the brightly lit pier office, only then realizing that the Jiangcheng investigation team was far larger than the one in Binjiang.

The members came from several agencies.

Not only were there cadres from the Jiangnan Maritime System, but also those from the Provincial Transportation Department and Jiangcheng City, with police from both Jiangcheng Police Bureau Water Division and Changhang Public Security Bureau Jiangcheng Branch participating in the investigation.

Director Tang cleared his throat and announced: "Comrades, let me introduce, this is Comrade Han Xiangning, Director of Safety Inspection from Binjiang Maritime Bureau. After upper-level review, it has been decided that I will concurrently serve as the head of the accident investigation team, and Comrade Han Xiangning will be the deputy head."

The leader takes overall responsibility but does not manage specific tasks.

It's evident that the ensuing investigation will be led by this young and beautiful female comrade from Binjiang.

Everyone exchanged looks, surprised this was true.

Director Tang didn't care if the crowd was convinced; the accident investigation wasn't a competition. He sternly stated, "Time is pressing, now is not the time for courtesy. Everyone, please introduce yourselves and then we must quickly formulate an investigation plan."

"Yes!" Responded Han Xiangning, turning to the middle-aged cadre at the front.

The middle-aged cadre reacted promptly, saying: "Comrade Xiangning, my name is Li Yongjun from the Jiangcheng Maritime Bureau. Our Director Huang often speaks of you, and during a meeting not long ago, he mentioned he would take us to visit and learn from you."

A familiar figure squeezed out from the corner and chuckled, "Leader, we meet again. How shall we proceed with the investigation, please direct us."

"Director Jiang, is Leader Han your class leader?"

"We attended training together in Hanwu several years ago, Xiangning was our class leader."

"Leader Han, long time no see." A police officer from the Changhang Bureau walked over, smiled, and saluted.

She had some impression of him.

She'd seen him years ago when visiting Director Zhang in Jiangcheng with San'er. Han Xiangning hurriedly returned the salute: "Hello, Director Yang. Is Director Zhang well?"

"Director Zhang is on the river doing search and rescue; a passenger is missing, upper-level demands to find them dead or alive."

The moment Deputy Team Leader Yang from Changhang Jiangcheng Branch's Police Team finished his sentence, a woman in her early forties approached with a smile, "Xiao Han, do you remember me?"

"You look familiar, but I can't recall." Han Xiangning felt awkward.

"It's normal to forget, a few years ago in summer, I attended an on-site meeting at your unit. There were so many leaders there; you were busy hosting and explaining, it would be hard to remember a small role like me."

"I apologize…"

"No worries, my surname is Wang, my name is Wang Meili, I used to work at Zhenjiang Port Supervision Bureau, recently transferred to Jiangnan Maritime Bureau."

The Jiangnan Maritime System isn't big; a few chats quickly establish connections.

Local cadres, unfamiliar with the Maritime System, seeing that the system's cadres recognized Han Xiangning as deputy head, immediately stepped forward introducing themselves, shaking hands, and greeting.

Seeing Director Tang had stepped out to take a call, Han Xiangning dared not continue chatting with the crowd. She asked: "Director Jiang, Director Wang, where are the two ships?"

"One was towed to a shipyard, the other to the Number Four Pier at Jiangcheng Port."

"And the crew?"

"They're all on board." Deputy Chief Liu from Changhang Bureau paused then added: "According to instructions from above, we've arranged police to guard the ships."

Han Xiangning weighed up the situation, suggesting in a consultative tone: "Everyone, how about we split into five groups? One group inspects the damage on the two ships at the two piers; one group retrieves archived recordings from the Traffic Control Center; two other groups verify the vessels and seamen's certificates and interview the crew about the accident's circumstances."

"What about the fifth group?" A local cadre raised their hand, asking.

"The passengers transferred ashore likely haven't all left; listen to both sides, we shouldn't only listen to the crew of the two ships but also ask the passengers who took the ferry about what happened." Han Xiangning paused, adding: "At that time other ships might have passed through the accident waters; if we can locate those passing ships, we should also get information from their crew."