Binjiang is very close to East Sea, even claiming, or should accurately be self-proclaimed as "North East Sea," yet due to outdated transportation, it is quite far from East Sea.

Taking the Jiang Han, Jiang Shen passenger ferry to East Sea takes ten hours.

Although the high-speed ferry is fast, it is greatly affected by the weather, often delayed, and can only reach Wusong Pier, not the East Sea city center. As the number of ships on the river increases, waterway resources become increasingly scarce, making high-speed ferry travel unsafe.

Taking the large passenger bus to East Sea requires ferrying across the river, and ferry navigation is equally affected by the weather.

In strong wind and waves or heavy fog, to ensure safety, all ferries must be suspended, coupled with more and more cars, several ferries simply cannot handle the demand, often resulting in queues.

Both large and small vehicles can queue for one or two kilometers at the ferry on regular days, requiring at least half an hour of waiting. During the Spring Festival travel period, the queue for vehicles can stretch five to six kilometers, taking two to three hours to cross at the ferry.

With the Yangtze River Bridge, the divide will turn into a pathway, likely taking only fifteen to twenty minutes to cross the river!

Moreover, while the bridge is about to be constructed, the highway connecting to the Yangtze River Bridge is already under construction. By then, with a complete highway route to East Sea, it will likely take only three hours to reach East Sea.

On the way back to Binjiang, Han Xiangning, filled with excitement, leaned on the police car's backrest, envisioning a bright future, and said emotionally, "San'er, we've waited for so many years, finally the bridge is coming. With highways ready, the bridge built, next we look forward to the railways, hoping the trains will soon start running!"

Binjiang people have eagerly awaited the construction of the Yangtze River Bridge for several decades.

The aspiration of Binjiang people for railway construction is even longer, spanning a century.

Jiangnan has railways and a highly developed railway transportation system.

In Jiangbei, places like Binjiang, Yangzhou, Salt Sea, don't have even a kilometer of railway. Is building railways on a plain so difficult? One wonders what the superior's plan was, as if Jiangbei's many regions were forgotten.

A few years ago, the plans for railway construction were reportedly ready, prompting many vocational schools to start railway-related technical courses, yet construction hasn't started, causing multiple batches of "railway classes" students to graduate jobless, misleading the younger generation!

Han Yu recalled the past, envisioned the future, leaning by the window, with mixed emotions.

"Building the Yangtze River Bridge is certainly good, but it might be a case of some rejoice while others lament."

"What do you mean, who would lament?"

"Previously, without many ferries, few cars were on the shore, travelers had only the option of taking passenger ferries, making the Yangtze River Passenger Company flourish, and Bailong Port thrived for over a century. Later with Lingzhuang Ferry, Lingda Car Ferry, Bisha Ferry, more shore cars appeared, leading to fewer ferry travelers, causing Bailong Port to decline, turning into a mere village."

Han Yu took a deep breath and sighed, "Once the bridge and highway are completed, undoubtedly they will impact the ferries. If the railway indeed gets built, it might lead to the ferry companies facing closure, similar to Bailong Port Passenger Station's fate."

The junior colleague came to Jiangcheng specifically for the Yangtze River Passenger Company!

Han Xiangning suddenly realized why he felt uneasy, advising, "The era is advancing, society is progressing, in just over a month the 21st century will begin, some industries are affected, others rapidly evolving, it's natural."

Driver Old Liu of the Changhang Jiangcheng Branch agreed, gripping the steering wheel with a smile, "Secretary Han, the changes over the past decade are vast, some industries phased out, some units went bankrupt, unstoppable. Not to mention, the once thriving Cooperative Society and commercial companies, their sales clerks were more prestigious than government officials, but now, many face unemployment."

"Like us, we have feelings for Yangtze River Passenger Transport. If it were before, we'd surely take the ferry back. But now, to save time and return home sooner, we asked Master Liu to drive us. It's the trend, the current, beyond one's power to reverse."

"It's not about reversing the tide, but attempting the impossible."

"Indeed, using 'attempting the impossible' fits better."

"Enough of this chat, does your bureau have a lot of computers, was your bureau's 'Millennium Bug' issue resolved?"

Han Yu never paid much attention to this before, but with the 21st century approaching, couldn't help but be concerned. The Maritime Bureau's waterway traffic supervision and dispatch command highly depend on systems like VTS, and those system devices all use computers.

If the 'Millennium Bug' issue isn't resolved, river traffic will surely become chaotic, prone to marine accidents, making rescue efforts overwhelming, potentially leading to casualties!

Han Xiangning never thought he was interested in computers, yet unexpectedly asked about this, laughing, "Already resolved, Jiangnan Maritime Bureau's computer engineers and the equipment vendors' engineers handled it. The transportation center took advantage of the late night hours, when few ships passed through our jurisdiction, to conduct several tests." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"How was it resolved?" asked Han Yu, curious.

"How would I know, I've just learned to type."

"You can type now?"

"King next to blue head combines five one, earth soldier two dry ten inch rain, big dog three sheep ancient stone factory, wood nail west in one four mile, worker spear grass head right frame seven… Memorize the Wubi root system thoroughly, and typing isn't difficult. But it still needs practice, my current typing speed is too slow."

"I studied pinyin for so many years, only to be told to learn Wubi, isn't there pinyin input?"

"Yes, there's double pinyin, I tried it, more troublesome than Wubi."

Han Yu pursued further, "What about Intelligent ABC?"

"Using Intelligent ABC is even slower, you can only input one character or word at a time, yet a single pinyin combination corresponds to many characters or words, requiring much time in character selection." Han Xiangning raised his hand, full of calluses, smiled, "You have hands for machinery, not for typing, if you don't want to learn, then don't."

Han Yu indeed wasn't interested in computers, not remembering how he passed the computer professional exam in self-study.

Moreover, presently, numerous computer training courses focus solely on typing, feeling learning computers equates to learning to type and photocopy, wondering what high-tech that is, does failing to type mean lagging behind the times?

...

While Han Yu and Han Xiangning hurriedly headed back, Xiao Yu was enthusiastically gaming with Guo Weitao and Xiao Gong at a newly opened computer room in Linghai Development Zone.

This computer room was opened by a family member of a friend from Linghai Reserve Camp.

It wasn't large, only about thirty square meters.

There weren't many computers either, only six.

Previously, computers were considered high-tech, kept in dust-free computer rooms, requiring entry similar to doctors changing into lab coats and slippers, regular folks could only see them in typing and photocopying stores. Being too expensive, they were out of reach for common families.

The computer room meant specifically for gaming wasn't managed by any department, didn't even need a license to open.

When it opened, Xiao Gong came by, but didn't play, or rather, couldn't play.

Because the computer room is not far from the Changyu Shipbuilding Factory, Xiao Gong, who was watching over the refit of the 825 boat at the shipyard, came to play with his comrades at night when there was nothing else to do.

Unexpectedly, not only did he start playing, but he also got addicted.

Then it was Guo Weitao, followed by Xiao Yu, who came after hearing about it.

"Come on, come on, let's do another round!"

Xiao Yu learned after them and wasn't as skilled. He just lost the battle and clicked the mouse indignantly, "This time I'm choosing the Soviet Union. No sneak attacks. Develop for ten minutes and then fight!"

Guo Weitao looked up and asked with a smile, "Director Yu, how are we fighting this time?"

"We'll fight however we should. This time I won't go easy on you!"

"But there are three of us. Who's teaming up against whom?"

"A three-way free-for-all!"

"Three against one isn't fun." Xiao Gong turned and asked, "Sis, when is Brother Qian coming back?"

The Boss Lady knew they wanted to ally in pairs for the battle, so she walked over with a smile and said, "He's on duty today, you guys just play for now."

"That won't work. If people come later, we'll have to give up our spots. We can't delay your business."

"Director Yu, Captain Guo, why don't you two play first? I'll chat for a bit."

"Chat about what?"

"Typing chat, with friends from all over."

"How do you chat? Teach me."

"It's very simple. Click this, register an account, and then... then find friends, add them, and you can chat."

...

Even though there were only six computers in the computer room owned by a comrade's family, they could access the internet!

Xiao Gong was already interested in computers, subscribing to "China Computer News," and through reading the newspaper, he became "self-taught," talking about hardware and software with ease and even knowing the market prices of various hardware. He was saving money to assemble his own computer.

The chat software that became popular this year was something he was very familiar with. He came over to help Xiao Yu, this old leader, register an account, and then helped Guo Weitao register.

Once he helped the two register, he returned to his computer to add them as friends, and upon adding them, he sent text messages.

"Amazing, it really works!" Xiao Yu exclaimed in excitement.

Guo Weitao looked at the "Hello Captain Guo" sent by Xiao Gong and found it interesting as well. Holding the mouse, he asked with a smile, "Xiao Gong, I can't type. How do I reply?"

"Typing is easy. It's all about speed."

"Teach me."

"No problem."

Xiao Gong taught them hand-in-hand, and Xiao Yu and Guo Weitao learned very seriously. Soon, they could clumsily type out their names.

Especially Xiao Yu, seeing the words Liang Xiaoyu that he typed himself on the computer filled him with a sense of accomplishment. He just sat there at the computer, typing and chatting face to face with Xiao Gong and Guo Weitao.

So this is "surfing the internet," this is what high-tech is!

Xiao Yu felt like he had entered the 21st century early, having a lot of fun until the young folks from nearby factories got off work. Only then did he reluctantly give up his computer, as he couldn't delay his comrade's business.

Back home, he saw that Yu Zhen was back.

He picked up Little Crocodile and grinned, "Yu Zhen, how about we go to the factory tonight?"

"I just got back, what are we going to the factory for?"

"You said last time that the factory's computers can access the internet and receive emails."

"That's true, why?"

"I want to get on the internet."

"You can browse the web?" Yu Zhen looked incredulous.

"Just learned, Xiao Gong taught me." Xiao Yu held his son proudly and said, "The 21st century is almost here, everyone has to learn about computers. If you don't, you'll be left behind by the times. I'm not busy now, and there are computers at the factory, so I want to practice there."

There are no passenger ships at Bailong Port Pier anymore.

The Bailong Port Police Station has moved to Sanhe, leaving just a police office here.

He's pretty much like a security guard now. If there's something on the river, he takes the small 001 boat to enforce the law and perform rescues. If not, he helps Binjiang Port Group Co., Ltd. watch over old buildings on the shore.

Thinking carefully, he really hasn't much to do now.

Then thinking about how his father-in-law, mother-in-law, grandpa, and son are all at home, wanting to be intimate at night feels like sneaking around. Yu Zhen couldn't help but laugh, "Alright, just go tell your dad."

"Okay, I'll tell him, and if it's alright, we'll drive to the factory."

As soon as Xiao Yu finished speaking, Little Crocodile struggled and shouted, "Mom, I want Mom, hug me mom."

"Mom doesn't have time, Dad will take you to find Grandma." Yu Zhen couldn't bother with her son, so she patted Little Crocodile's cheek and hurried upstairs to pack a change of clothes.