Chapter 1365: Chapter 177: New Year’s Eve (Part 1)

Zhang Lan and her daughter have returned to their hometown for New Year and cannot stay in Binjiang all the time.

As soon as they went back to Linghai, Han Xiangning took her mom to East Sea to look at houses.

The arrangements made by Han Ning were all set, and it was until the 29th day of the last lunar month that they took a ride back with Zhang Erxiao and Master Gao, who were returning from a winter vacation in East Sea.

Many bosses from Linghai run businesses in East Sea, and Han Ning brought Dongdong back with the help of a fellow countryman’s car.

The new home at Bailong Port Passenger Pier is spacious, with two full rows of dormitories, all renovated by Zhang Jiangkun, so this year they will celebrate the New Year at Bailong Port.

Having his own "Mother Port," the ship is anchored right at the doorstep; Old Han is very pleased with his new home and spends his days and nights drinking and playing cards with Old Qian, Master Han, several village officials from Bailong Port Village, and the old accountant from Boss Wu’s shipyard!

Adjacent is the Bailong Port police office of the Changhang Branch Linghai Police Station, and astonishingly, they gambled openly right next to the police office. Han Yu really didn’t know what to say, so he pretended not to see it.

Director Xiang returned and immediately started bustling about the New Year’s Eve dinner with his mother-in-law.

The family used to have a hard time, always going to Xiao Yu’s house to mooch food and drinks.

Old Han felt very embarrassed and had arranged with Xiao Yu’s family for them all to come over for the New Year’s Eve dinner.

Xunxun, Han Han, Little Crocodile, plus Dongdong, who is even taller than Zhang Jiangkun, all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren returned, making it a genuine family reunion year, and Old Han and his wife couldn’t be happier.

What amused Han Yu was that Han Xiangning, who neither needed to work nor take care of the kids, joined Han Ning, Yu Zhen, and Ji Xiaohong in gambling; the four women sat together playing mahjong,

Isn’t New Year supposed to be about visiting, chatting, and catching up with long-unseen relatives? How did it turn into card playing?

Han Yu, having nothing to do, set up another table at Xiao Yu’s suggestion and played upgrades with his brother-in-law, elder brother, and Xiao Yu.

"San’er, it’s your turn to play."

"Don’t worry, Han Han, Dongdong is watching her; she won’t run off," Zhang Jiangkun looked up with a smile.

"Trump call," Han Yu tossed out a red two, smiling at Han Shen across the table: "Bro, did you and Dad go to Wujiang in the second half of the year?"

"No, we have big ships; running to Zhebei isn’t worth it," Han Shen organized his cards and then laughed: "San’er, since you tidied up the marine force in Wujiang, ships from Binjiang, especially those from Linghai, pass through freely as long as there are no major violations."

"What about ships from other places?"

"Better than before, but just a little better."

"Local maritime authorities only care about fines," Xiao Yu said animatedly after playing his cards: "Salted Fish, you might not believe it, but ship captains frequently traveling to East Sea, Guzhou, Xingjia, and Wuxi have been coming to Linghai to change their ships."

Han Yu, puzzled, asked, "Change what ships in Linghai?"

"Dock at the shipping company, get our Linghai certificates, taxes paid here; Boss Wu received orders for seven new ships in a row, business is so good that workers don’t take a break even during New Year."

Seeing Han Yu’s incredulous look, Xiao Yu laughed more: "Binjiang’s car driver’s licenses are described as very ’solid,’ but those are inflated by driving school bosses. Our Linghai’s ship names and numbers are truly ’solid,’ as long as there are no major violations, you won’t get fined in Wujiang, and even local maritime authorities running the Grand Canal to Yangzhou have to show some respect."

"Does Yangzhou treat Linghai’s ships differently too?"

"We used to catch water bandits there, the toll stations on the canal know a bit about us and thus show us respect."

How many would remember that from years ago?

Han Yu didn’t think it was that simple, secretly guessing Secretary Lu might have spoken with the transport department.

Vehicle owners use the roads where they pay the toll fees, never expected ship owners in water transportation to react the same way.

Why does this phenomenon occur?

What issues does this reflect?

As the son of a shipman, Han Yu genuinely feels that the factors restricting the development of water transport are not just waterway and water condition issues but also include water traffic departments imposing charges everywhere.

What is management? Management is charging fees. Han Yu was unsure what to say as Zhang Jiangkun suddenly asked, "San’er, when does the Yangtze River Bridge start construction?"

"The design drawings aren’t ready yet; even if ready next year, they need approval, it can’t be fast."

"Do you know how high the bridge will be built?"

For people in port and navigation systems, this is a very important issue.

Han Yu had already inquired, and without hesitation, replied: "The navigable clearance height is 62 meters."

"62 meters, that’s too low!"

"Yes, it can only accommodate container cargo ships up to 50,000 tons and fleets up to 48,000 tons. While the waterway depth between Binjiang and Jiangcheng hasn’t reached 12 meters, it doesn’t mean it can’t be achieved in the future. If the bridge is only built this high, 100,000-ton cargo ships can’t reach Jiangcheng anymore."

"Why don’t you propose to build it higher to the superiors?"

"Our river is too wide, the main bridge alone is 8 kilometers long, including the connecting projects on both shores, it’s said to be 30 kilometers in total; building it 62 meters high is already challenging, taller would require bigger investment and difficulty in technical realization."

"Does this mean 100,000-ton cargo ships can only reach Binjiang in the future?"

"Thus, it’s not entirely bad for Binjiang, especially Linghai Port and Shuzhou Port; once the bridge is done, they might be overwhelmed just handling unloading."

...

While chatting, the phone rang.

The nearest landline was in the police office; Han Yu didn’t want to dampen his brother, brother-in-law, and Xiao Yu’s spirits, so he reluctantly answered.

"Old Jiang, are you ashore today... going out to sea again after New Year’s Eve dinner, oh, those smugglers are so rampant, stay safe. She is playing mahjong next door, our home is stable, and I wish you all a Happy New Year, good health, and smooth work..."

Just after Han Yu hung up, Xiao Yu asked curiously, "Jiang Shengqi?"

"Yes, their ship docked yesterday, having New Year’s Eve dinner now, and heading out again for an anti-smuggling operation after dinner," Han Yu said while shuffling the cards, "They’re participating in fleet rotation, seeing bigger things; every trip brings results, the day before yesterday they confiscated a ’Speedboat,’ capturing electronics including mobile phones worth over six million yuan."

"Are there a lot of smugglers over there?"

"Yes, we can’t catch them all."

As soon as Han Yu finished speaking, his phone rang again. Seeing the caller ID, it was from Instructor Li.

He had to answer a call from an elder.

He quickly pressed the call button and held the phone to his ear, "Uncle Li, it’s Han Yu. I’m wishing you an early happy New Year, wishing you good health and getting younger every day!"

"Good, good, I also wish you success at work and a quick promotion." Li Weiguo watched the children playing and laughing outside, holding the phone and asked with a smile, "Salted Fish, do you have time on the third day of the New Year? I’m planning to invite everyone for dinner."

"Ningning and I need to visit my grandmother and uncle in Sansing on the third day."

"How about the evening of the third day?"

"At noon we’re at my eldest uncle’s house, and in the evening at my second uncle’s. My mother-in-law and Ningning want to buy another house in East Sea, and this time I’m reluctant to borrow money from Yu Zhen again, so I’ve thickened my skin to borrow from both of my uncles. We must pay our respects and have these meals."

Li Weiguo already heard Fang Zhiqiang mention Ningning wants to buy a house in East Sea.

Thinking that uncles come first above everything else, Li Weiguo couldn’t insist, and with a hint of regret said, "Niu Bin who worked in the Criminal Police Fourth Squad before has returned. He even came yesterday afternoon with his wife and child to pay respects, and he’ll be here on the third day too. It’s a pity you don’t have time, otherwise, we could have gathered."

"Niu Bin came to see you?"

"Yes, he came yesterday, bringing a lot of stuff. I felt quite embarrassed."

"Uncle Li, I really can’t make it on the third day."

"No problem, you guys handle your things. We live close, we’ll gather often."

Niu Bin, that sneaky fellow!

In the morning, Chief Ding said that two days ago Niu Bin went to Sanhe Heroes’ Cemetery to see him, bringing things as well. Chief Ding even introduced him to Liu Degui, who accompanied him to visit the Linghai Reserve Camp.

The guy even went, through Shi Shengyong, to Binjiang to visit Director Yang.

Director Yang was indeed his old leader, but he resigned many years ago, and Director Yang had long been transferred to the Binjiang Judicial Bureau.

Those unaware might really think he’s a sentimental person, never forgetting his old leaders and colleagues after getting ahead.

The more Han Yu thought about it, the more he felt uncomfortable, muttering as he put down the phone, "Is selling phones really that lucrative?"

Jiang Kun was startled for a moment and said, "If it’s just selling legitimate phones, even as a sole distributor, I estimate you might earn three to four hundred bucks per phone at most. A colleague’s spouse also sells phones and said sometimes you only earn tens of bucks per phone."

Little Fish had disliked Niu Bin early on, putting down his cards and saying, "He used to work in construction with his father-in-law and switched to selling phones just a few years ago. Suddenly, he became prosperous, buying cars and houses. Is money really that easy to earn? There must be something fishy!"

Han Shen didn’t know Niu Bin and didn’t dare comment on this matter.

Han Yu pondered for a moment and chuckled, "I bet he’s not selling legitimate phones."

Little Fish asked in a low voice, "Are you going to deal with him?"

"I’m still an Anti-Smuggling Police."

"But he’s pulling connections everywhere, dealing with him might offend people."

"Do you think I’m afraid of offending people?"

"Well, that’s true, hahahaha."

"Little Fish, you have more friends in Linghai than I do. Ask your friends to keep an eye on what Niu Bin is up to."

"Okay!"

Indeed, Little Fish had more friends in Linghai than Han Yu.

To be precise, Yu Zhen had many friends, and they were all big business entrepreneurs.

While the four of them changed topics and continued chatting and playing cards, Xu Haoran’s family arrived. With Junjun joining, there were even more children, making the yard more lively.

It’s the New Year; it should be lively.

Han Yu just gave his seat to Xu Haoran and was about to go out when Yu Xiangqian unexpectedly called.

"Director Yu, I didn’t have time to call you to wish you a happy New Year, you called me first..."

Han Yu felt quite embarrassed when Yu Xiangqian chuckled and said, "Don’t flatter yourself, I’m not calling to wish you a happy New Year but to ask for a favor."

"What’s up?"

"A couple of judges and a few judicial police from our side went to Binjiang to confiscate a ship, but were blocked by shipmen. They reported to the police, but the Water Police Station hasn’t come to help them out. The director called me; if you’re not too busy, could you go and check it out?"

"Sure, where are they located?"

"Bin Qi River Lock."

When did the court become so efficient and dedicated, confiscating ships during the New Year’s Eve?

Considering cargo ships normally transport goods here and there, finding a specific ship can be challenging. It’s indeed easier during the New Year when ships are stationary, it seemed normal. After all, debts are usually settled at the end of the year. I heard several bosses in Linghai contracting projects outside have homes packed with workers demanding pay while Southern City Police Station feared incidents and had to send officers to maintain order.

What puzzled Han Yu more was, everyone at the Water Police Station knew Director Yu was the first chief there, and knew he is now the Vice Mayor and Police Chief of Yungang City. Encountering fellow officers from Yungang surely meant they’d assist fully; how could they possibly delay?

But judicial police are not police, not considered colleagues. Carrying out tasks of confiscating ships, they’re just bystanders; the judges are the main actors.

Yet, Director Yu had spoken, Han Yu could not ignore it, so he immediately called Little Fish, got the Changhang Bureau police car, and headed to the Bin Qi River Lock.