Chapter 1370: Chapter 181: Back to Where You Came From!

The Water Anti-Smuggling Department doesn’t have an anti-smuggling boat, and currently there’s no water anti-smuggling task, but that doesn’t mean Han Yu, as the lone department chief, doesn’t need to be on duty.

On the second day of the New Year, Han Yu arrived early at the branch, to be on duty together with Zhou Huixin.

Zhou Huixin didn’t go to the Political Commissioner’s office but just sat in the first-floor duty room with Salted Fish, drinking tea, cracking melon seeds, and watching TV while chatting leisurely.

"Where are you visiting for the New Year tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow, I’ll go to Sansing to visit my grandma and uncles and aunts. The day after tomorrow at noon, I’ll visit Ge Diao and my master’s wife. At night, I’ll have dinner at my sister-in-law’s house, and the day after that, I’ll go with my father-in-law and mother-in-law to Si Gang for New Year visits... Normally wanting to improve life, once the New Year comes, it’s feasting all day long, and I’m tired of banquets."

Zhou Huixin laughed and said, "Quite a tight schedule. By the way, are you hosting family and friends at home this year?"

Han Yu replied with a bit of embarrassment, "Not this year. First, family and friends all need to host gatherings, the schedule is too tight, can’t fit it all. Secondly, our family is financially constrained this year, so we’re saving wherever we can."

"Going to buy a house in East Sea again, of course, the finances are tight."

"It’s not me who’s buying; it’s Ningning and my mother-in-law who insist."

"Looks like they really like East Sea."

"I like it too; East Sea is truly a big city, who wouldn’t like it."

Zhou Huixin couldn’t help but touch his leather jacket, smiling, and said, "Even if finances are tight, you can’t always wear this leather jacket for New Year’s. I’ll tell Ningning later; for future New Year’s, you should buy new clothes."

This leather jacket has quite a history.

Han Yu didn’t feel embarrassed, smiling broadly, and said, "Commissioner, this is a pilot’s jacket, similar to a flyer’s leather jacket, it’s not something you can buy just because you have money. Even though I’ve worn it for many years, the actual wearing time isn’t much, only wearing it during New Year. And I clean it annually with leather cleaner and maintain it with conditioner!"

"Quality is indeed good; wearing it for so many years and it hasn’t peeled."

"I said it’s a pilot’s jacket, it’s real leather, sold for over a thousand more than a decade ago, when my monthly salary was less than a hundred!"

"High-end stuff."

"Commissioner, speaking of which, our Water Anti-Smuggling Department personnel need to fight smuggling on the river and even at sea, could you reflect to our superiors, helping us get issued leather jackets like the police in the capital?"

In the north, some local police departments do issue leather jackets to their officers, but not all. Leather jackets aren’t cheap; if police officers all get them, it requires quite a bit of funding.

Zhou Huixin didn’t believe the superiors would agree, couldn’t help but laugh, "Don’t bring up superiors to me, causing unnecessary concern by bothering superiors, they haven’t held you accountable yet."

"How am I bothering the superiors?"

"On New Year’s Eve, you spoke without restraint, questioning the flaws in their case handling and calling them heartless, don’t think I don’t know."

Han Yu laughed, tossed away the seed husk, asking, "Commissioner, how did you find out?"

"City Political Committee Secretary Xu called, giving me a heads-up, saying Deputy Dean Yang from Yungang Intermediate Court has quite a background, having worked in the Provincial Committee, and one leader from the Provincial Committee was his old superior."

"And then?"

"Provincial Committee probably won’t reach out to Jiangcheng Customs just for this matter; even if they contact Chief Xu or Director Hu, they won’t get much response, no need for much ’and then.’" Zhou Huixin laughed, then switched tones, "But you need to learn from this, take heed; in future similar situations, don’t speak without restraint."

Han Yu murmured, "Their case handling is subpar, yet they don’t allow anyone to talk about it. Get angry when criticized; do they have to be like that?"

"Don’t you also dislike it when others talk about you?" Zhou Huixin straightened his face, seriously and sternly said, "Salted Fish, being a veteran in this field, you know we can’t listen to hearsay or make biased opinions. According to what I know, if Gu Liugen is colluding with the hiding ship captain to transfer assets, refusing to comply with the ruling, what do we do?"

Han Yu didn’t think he was wrong, confidently replied, "First, I trust Gu Liugen and his wife. Secondly, I later had Xiao Yu investigate, and had Ningning check the port entry and exit visa records; that ship indeed was bought by them with real money two years ago, and they’ve been engaging in waterway transport since then.

Even if Gu Liugen and his wife are suspected of colluding with the original ship owner to transfer assets, the Yungang Intermediate Court shouldn’t just come and enforce without prior notice."

"Why not?"

"Ships aren’t just vehicles; they aren’t just transport tools for making a living; they’re practically a family home. On New Year’s Eve, seizing their ship, where can their whole family go?"

His family being shipmen, naturally he empathized deeply with such situations.

Zhou Huixin pondered a moment, then asked, "Salted Fish, where did that ship go?"

"Bailong Port."

"Ah!"

"Don’t worry, I didn’t tell Gu Liugen and his wife to sail there; they went on their own, anchored slightly away from Bailong Port Passenger Pier."

Zhou Huixin stared at him, saying, "You openly protect the enforcement target; looks like they’ve accused the right person, this is local protectionism!"

"What do you mean by openly? I’ve already said I didn’t tell Gu Liugen and his wife to sail there." Han Yu chuckled, adding, "They know that area falls under Xiao Yu’s supervision; maybe they think anchoring the ship where Xiao Yu can see it is safer."

"Salted Fish, I know you sympathize with them, but hiding like this isn’t a solution either."

"Those judges and police officers spend an extra day in Binjiang, they incur extra travel costs, they won’t stay in Binjiang for long, I suspect they’ll soon head back."

"And then?"

"No ’and then’ left."

"Reckless!"

"Commissioner, I’m seriously not being reckless."

Han Yu raised his head and solemnly said, "I know you’re going to say that since the court has already ruled, and there are procedures for forced execution, it should be executed first. If you disagree, you can explain to the judge, and you might be able to appeal or even sue at that time. But have you thought about how high the cost of defending their rights is for the couple Gu Liugen, who have little education or money and can only buy a second-hand boat for transporting goods?"

Zhou Huixin didn’t expect him to really protect that couple and reminded him, "This cannot be used as an excuse to break the law knowingly."

"Did I break the law knowingly? Are we obligated to help the Yungang Court seize the boat?"

Han Yu asked two consecutive rhetorical questions and then continued, "Those judges are being negligent. In situations like this, they should conduct a courtroom investigation first, understand the ins and outs before deciding whether to enforce coercion. But what about them? They did nothing and rushed to enforce judgment without distinguishing right from wrong.

If they really succeed, where will the Gu Liugen family spend New Year’s Eve? Who will bear the economic losses caused by the boat being seized? It’s not easy running a boat; you have to pay so many taxes and fees, even anchoring on the river incurs costs. We need to put ourselves in their shoes and empathize!"

If you think about it, hiding might really be the best choice for the Gu Liugen couple at the moment.

If the boat is forcibly executed by the Yungang Intermediate Court, leaving aside other things, just running back and forth to the Yungang Intermediate Court will exhaust someone. And given the court’s efficiency, it’s even unclear when this matter will end.

Considering the shipmen as much as possible is also the tradition of the Yanjiang Police Station.

Zhou Huixin couldn’t say anything more, only reminded, "I heard the Deputy Dean of the Yungang Intermediate Court didn’t seek assistance from the Water Police Station or the Changhang Bureau but went to the Maritime Bureau."

"I know, Director Zhu called and told me."

Being the Binjiang Water Army Commander is not just a nickname. Han Yu made up his mind to handle this matter, picked up an orange, peeled it, and smiled nonchalantly, "That ship is anchored to the east of the Bailong Port Passenger Pier, which belongs to the jurisdiction of the Zhuangming Maritime Bureau. Our Binjiang Maritime Bureau’s patrol boats don’t even go to the North Branch Channel often, let alone patrol and enforce the law in someone else’s jurisdiction."

"The ship isn’t in our Binjiang section?"

"No, it’s not."

"That’s good."

...

At the same time, Deputy Dean Yang, accompanied by Vice Dean Li of the Binjiang Intermediate People’s Court, rushed to the Chonggang District Court, intending to entrust the Chonggang District Court to execute on their behalf. After all, being unfamiliar with the Binjiang area and with so many political and legal police officers stationed there would require significant funding.

Deputy Dean Wu, who was on duty today at the Chonggang District Court, understood the situation and instinctively looked at Vice Dean Li of the Middle Court, thinking, are they kidding by bringing them to me? Isn’t this creating trouble for us?

Vice Dean Li was very aware that this matter was tricky, but according to regulations, they could entrust the local court to execute on their behalf, and they had significant backing, having not only worked at the High Court but also at the Provincial Party Committee.

"Old Wu, you guys are most familiar with the situation on the river, and Dean Yang has come in person. Please think of a way to help."

"Dean Wu, please, we have no choice but to trouble you."

To find a ship on the river, first, you need to have a ship.

If the "Binjiang Water Army Commander" decides not to let you find it, then you’ll never find it in Binjiang!

The Chonggang District Court is thinking of building cooperation with the Linghai Reserve Camp. Deputy Dean Wu wouldn’t be foolish enough to assist in this matter, and he said helplessly, "Dean Yang, don’t be fooled by how close our court is to the riverbank. We in Binjiang are close to the river but not familiar with it. We really don’t know the situation on the river."

"Dean Wu, stop joking. If you’re not familiar, then who is?"

"The Binjiang Maritime Court is familiar, as they handle all maritime disputes on the river. We only manage issues on land and inland rivers, and we’re not responsible for cases on the river. However, they are a court sent by the East Sea Maritime Court, so if you want them to execute on your behalf, you might have to go to the East Sea first."

"Why do the maritime disputes happening in Binjiang fall under the jurisdiction of the East Sea Maritime Court?" Deputy Dean Yang asked, puzzled.

If there’s any substance, it becomes evident as soon as one speaks.

As a Deputy Dean from a Middle Court who has worked at the High Court, to not know how the jurisdiction of the major maritime courts is divided indicates that he probably worked administratively at the High Court; otherwise, he wouldn’t be unaware of this.

Deputy Dean Wu thought privately, patiently explaining, "The jurisdiction on the river is divided by the Bisha Ferry; eastwards belongs to the East Sea Maritime Court, while westwards all the way to Mountain City belongs to the Hanwu Maritime Court."

Going to the East Sea Maritime Court for a second-hand boat that’s not worth much is unrealistic, and more importantly, they’re not familiar with the leadership at the East Sea Maritime Court.

Deputy Dean Yang realized that hoping for the local court to execute on their behalf was impossible, and he could only leave regretfully.

As soon as he left, Deputy Dean Wu quickly called the Dean.

The Dean, understanding the situation, immediately called the District Party Committee Secretary to report.

The Chonggang District not only has staff serving as reserves in the Linghai Reserve Camp, but there are even civilian soldiers who participated in last year’s joint amphibious exercise with Han Yu. The District Party Committee Secretary knows Han Yu, although he doesn’t have Han Yu’s phone number, he does have Old Ge’s number, and he immediately called Old Ge.

"Ge Diao, is Salted Fish in trouble? I remember his family is in the shipping business. Is there something wrong with their boat?"

"What trouble can he be in? His family’s boat is in good shape, nothing’s wrong."

"But I heard that the Yungang City Intermediate People’s Court is coming over to forcibly execute a boat, and they want to entrust our district court to execute it on their behalf."

Old Ge laughed heartily, "Secretary Hu, I know about this. Not only I know, but Mayor Chen knows too, even City Political and Legal Committee Secretary Xu knows!"

Secretary Hu was stunned for a moment, then asked in disbelief, "Forcing an execution with all this fuss during the New Year, what’s going on?"

Old Ge briefly explained the situation, thought for a moment, and laughed again, "They ignore the people’s difficulties, didn’t understand the situation, and rushed over to forcibly execute, Salted Fish kindly saved them, and they bit back. Do you think Mayor Chen or Secretary Xu would help them?"

"Got it, it seems like our district court was right not to agree to their execution request."

"Did they go to the Chonggang Court?"

"Director Li of the Middle Court brought them over. Because it involves Salted Fish and executing a river-running boat, our Wu from the Chonggang Court was cautious and used the unfamiliarity of the river’s situation as an excuse not to agree."

"That’s exactly how it should be done, let them go back where they came from!"