Binjiang Police Affairs-Chapter 1173 - 41: A Comfortable Life and Productive Work!

Chapter 1173: Chapter 41: A Comfortable Life and Productive Work!

"Lang Mountain Foot" consists of five mountains.

Among the five mountains, Lang Mountain is in the middle, with Jun Mountain and Jianshan to the left, and Yellow Mud Mountain and Ma’an Mountain to the right. The five mountains together rise prominently from the Jianghai Plain.

Although Lang Mountain is only 104 meters high, with the tallest Jun Mountain at just 108 meters, and the shortest Yellow Mud Mountain at only 29 meters, the rugged stone bones, the vast river, the rich culture, and the towering forests lend the "Lang Mountain Foot" an aura far exceeding that of mere hills.

The former Navy Radar Group was located at the highest peak, Jun Mountain.

The camp is built midway up the mountain, comprising a two-story office building, four rows of barracks, and several abandoned caves. Close to the camp are two small villas hidden among the trees, and along the mountain path, one can climb to the summit, where there is an abandoned radar station.

Jiang Shengqi has been reporting in for three days.

During these past three days, he and the comrades and old subordinates who came to report, as well as several colleagues from the "Linghai Boat," have explored the entire Lang Mountain Scenic Spot.

The scenery is indeed beautiful; although it’s already November, the trees in the mountains are still lush, and even wildflowers can be seen, truly making it a paradise of birdsong and fragrant flowers, somewhat akin to the legendary sanatorium.

The accommodation conditions are also quite good.

Each person has a single room, freshly painted inside and out, equipped with complete furniture like a bed, desk, chair, and wardrobe. Considering that some comrades may be married and bring their families, the superior even converted the last row of barracks into a family area.

The canteen looks as if it has just been renovated.

It uses diesel stoves, and they’re brand new, as are the large electric rice cookers.

The old unit’s cook, Xiao Song, started working as soon as he reported in. The food still has the original taste, and the meals are even better than what they had in the unit.

The only discomfort everyone feels is that it’s too far from the city, and there are no households in the mountains. Although there are many buildings in the mountains, they’re either historical sites or facilities of some units, including the under-construction camp of the Binjiang Reserve Group.

Not only is it quiet, but doing anything is inconvenient.

Fortunately, the young superior brought two people and a vehicle.

One is surnamed Guo, named Guo Weitao, currently a squad leader at the Binjiang Police Bureau Water Police Branch, soon to be transferred to Customs. He looks as young as Secretary Han but is a true veteran, with twenty years of military service, surpassing all the active cadre and retired warriors who have reported in.

The other is surnamed Gong, single named Jian, even younger than Secretary Han and Guo Weitao, currently a police officer at the Changhang Binjiang Police Station, soon to be transferred to Customs.

The young man is very capable, able to drive both boats and cars, driving daily to send Xiao Song to Lang Mountain Town to buy vegetables. Everyone often catches a ride with him to the bus stop at the mountain’s foot, to take the bus into the city for excursions.

It’s said that both of them flooded North Lake alongside Secretary Han and both received merit.

Now, one is responsible for logistics, and the other helps communicate with either the Customs’ political and personnel section or the Port Supervision Bureau’s personnel section. You can find either of them regardless of the issue.

The environment is good, and the food is good, but they rushed to Binjiang to work, not for convalescence.

The constant idleness makes Jiang Shengqi a bit agitated; he wanted to go to the office and ask Guo Weitao how the superiors intended to arrange work when he saw Gong Jian driving the Customs’ jeep back.

Several soldiers from the "Linghai Boat" immediately welcomed him, each more excited than the last.

No need to ask, they’re undoubtedly reporting in for the "Linghai Boat."

Jiang Shengqi couldn’t help but think the "Linghai Boat" is merely a minesweeper compared to the "Binjiang Ship," but according to international practice, regardless of the size of a vessel, it should whistle when encountering a minesweeper.

In case of conflict, the minesweepers must clear obstacles for the entire fleet, and mine clearance is dangerous. The brothers on the minesweeper deserve such respect and courtesy.

While indulging in these thoughts, Guo Weitao walked out of the office to warmly welcome the two navy officers who just arrived.

The "Linghai Boat" was busy welcoming their old leaders; Jiang Shengqi couldn’t squeeze through or get a word in, so he saluted the two who just reported in from afar, then pulled out cigarettes to pass around to some old subordinates who were watching the excitement, chatting casually in the camp.

"Deputy Captain, Xiao Gong said there’s a meeting this afternoon."

"What Deputy Captain, although I haven’t yet retired, I’m as good as retired."

"Almost forgot, Brother Jiang, Xiao Gong said there’s a meeting this afternoon, so don’t go out after lunch."

"What kind of meeting?"

"I don’t know."

"You usually have your ear to the ground; how come you don’t know about the meeting?"

"Xiao Gong probably doesn’t know either, just that leaders from Customs and the Maritime Bureau are coming."

Jiang Shengqi pondered: "Looks like everyone is gathered."

The radar soldier Xiao Wu looked back at the office building and said quietly: "They say it’s 24 people, but it looks more than that."

Guo Weitao mentioned earlier that the upcoming training for maritime law enforcement might include personnel from other units.

Jiang Shengqi wasn’t very concerned about the current headcount, curiously asked: "Has Secretary Han come?"

"No."

"He didn’t come yesterday either."

"Brother Jiang, I asked Xiao Gong, Xiao Gong said Secretary Han isn’t just the Political and Legal Committee Secretary of Linghai Development Zone, he’s also the Military Minister of Linghai Development Zone. He’s busy sending recruits away these days, and won’t attend to us here until they’re dispatched."

"So young and already a Military Minister?" The sonar operator Xiao Gu came yesterday afternoon and wasn’t very familiar with the future superior.

The squad leader of the engine room, Old Lv, glared at him: "What’s wrong with being young? Aspiration has nothing to do with age. He’s both a model in the police system and an anti-flood model. He attended the All-Army Anti-Flood Commendation Conference at the People’s Hall, and he’s been awarded first-level merit twice, once by the General Politics and once by the Guangzhou Military Region!"

What’s wrong with being police, police are only formidable on the shore,

The sonar operator Xiao Gu said, unconvinced: "We’re here for maritime anti-smuggling; has he been on a ship or been out at sea?"

"Haha."

"Squad leader, what are you chuckling about?"

"Just because you’ve worked onboard a ship doesn’t make you great. How many days have you actually sailed, if you add them all up?"

"Squad leader, what exactly are you trying to say?"

Old Lv and Xiao Gong were in the same line of work and had been around for a while. Having had many conversations with Xiao Gong, he was worried the comrade wouldn’t respect leadership. Very seriously, he said, "Even though Secretary Han hasn’t been on a boat, he’s worked on coastal passenger ships, coastal cargo ships, and ocean-going cargo ships. He is a Chief Officer with an unlimited navigation area license and a pilot certificate. His time at sea is longer than yours and mine, and he’s visited more places than us."

Xiao Gu asked in astonishment, "Secretary Han is a Chief Officer on sea ships!"

"Yes."

"Then how did he become the Political and Legal Committee Secretary of Linghai Development Zone?"

"He has been with the Water Police since joining the workforce, and he’s also a party committee member of the Binjiang Water Police Branch."

Just then, a Santana car with navy plates slowly drove up the mountain road.

The car didn’t stop at the camp gate but headed straight to a nearby mountain villa.

This military car often came by. Jiang Shengqi not only knew it was a car from the Navy Retirement Home, but he also knew that an old commander was inside. As he pondered whether the commander would attend the afternoon meeting, Guo Weitao approached, carrying a folder.

Jiang Shengqi was a Deputy Captain of a frigate at the deputy battalion level in the military, but he was nothing locally. He quickly stood at attention and saluted, "Hello, Captain Guo!"

"There’s no one else around, no need to be so formal." Guo Weitao raised his arm in return and smiled, "Old Jiang, did you hear about the meeting this afternoon?"

"Yes, I did. We’re staying in."

"Good to know. The dozen or so newcomers who arrived yesterday evening are new colleagues from Jiangcheng Customs. Binjiang Customs is under Jiangcheng Customs. In August next year, they will be receiving two anti-smuggling boats, one for us and one for them. The higher-ups want them to train with us."

Recalling the instructions from the leaders before coming, Jiang Shengqi asked curiously, "Captain Guo, are they going to serve in the reserve, join the rescue boat team under construction?"

"I don’t know if they will serve in the reserve, but I can confirm they won’t join our rescue boat team. Once they receive the anti-smuggling boats, they’ll return to Jiangcheng and only join us for major operations."

"What subjects will we train on next?"

"There’s a lot, including psychological preparation for everyone, starting from scratch."

"Starting from scratch?"

The things you learned in the military may not apply locally, and they might even be outdated.

Guo Weitao thought for a moment and then explained with a smile, "All Binjiang water law enforcement officers must undergo systematic water firefighting and rescue training. That means in the future, we won’t just be customs anti-smuggling personnel, we will also be water firefighters and rescue team members."

"Oh."

"Additionally, for water law enforcement, you must understand maritime traffic laws and regulations. Military driver’s licenses need to be exchanged locally, and the same applies to you. Next, you’ll need to attend mariner training and various professional technical training, including attending exams organized by the Maritime Bureau – to get the necessary Certificates of Competence."

"Is there anything more?"

"Secretary Han said, considering that most comrades have a low cultural level, we will organize cultural knowledge learning and improve educational qualifications."

"Everyone?"

"Everyone!" Afraid that Jiang Shengqi might not understand, Guo Weitao emphasized, "Local areas are different from the military. Customs and maritime departments have high requirements for the education level of their staff. Officers must have a college degree or above, and staff must have at least a high school or technical secondary school education."

Jiang Shengqi turned to look at a few of his old subordinates, not surprised to see them all looking worried.

If they can’t pass self-taught exams, they can attend correspondence courses.

But this cannot be told to them, or they’ll all sign up for correspondence courses.

Guo Weitao chuckled and continued, "This afternoon is not only the opening ceremony for maritime law enforcement training for customs and maritime but also the first preparatory meeting for the rescue boat team. It starts at two o’clock. It is best to be in the meeting room fifteen minutes early."

"Yes!"

"Almost forgot, the higher-ups want to know which of you are married. Procedures for the transfer and discharge of officers and volunteer soldiers will wait until next year, but family members who meet the resettlement conditions need to start job contacts early."

The thing Jiang Shengqi was most concerned about was this, so he couldn’t help but ask, "Are the higher-ups helping with that?"

"The higher-ups are very busy; they’ll refer you to the military transfer office. Secretary Han believes we can’t rely entirely on the military transfer office and will help you make contacts."

"That’s great. Secretary Han is truly helping us a lot."

"Chief Guo, what about us?" radar soldier Xiao Gu couldn’t help but ask.

"Are you married?"

"Yes, we got married last year."

A soldier is different from an officer and also different from a volunteer soldier who has served for more than ten years. The military transfer office and civil affairs department won’t help a soldier’s spouse find work, but a long-distance couple can affect work performance.

Han Yu had addressed this issue early on.

Guo Weitao looked at everyone with a smile and said, "Secretary Han said that as long as you’re married, you can bring your spouse here. He will find a way to help solve the household registration issue and also help make job connections. However, getting into government departments is difficult; only companies are possible."

"It’s fine, as long as there’s work!"

"Furthermore, housing is different now than before. With the ongoing housing reforms, welfare housing no longer exists. Customs is expanding, and the maritime bureau has just been established, with many new staff this year. Customs and the maritime bureau leaders are considering new staff’s housing issues and are in talks with the city’s housing guarantee company.

If you want to buy a house, you can sign up. The more people that sign up, the easier it is for the higher-ups to negotiate. If a whole building is bought at once, the price can certainly be cheaper. Moreover, you can get a mortgage loan, so you don’t need to pay a lot of money upfront, just a down payment. The exact cost per square meter depends on location and floor, generally ranging from 550 to 650 yuan."

Seeing everyone deep in thought, Guo Weitao added meaningfully, "A stable home is essential for a happy work life. If you’re interested, when time permits, I can take you to look at some of the under-construction areas."