Binjiang Police Affairs

Chapter 1442 - 233: Safety First!

There are twenty days until Ba Yi Army Day, but the City Committee has too many tasks, and Secretary Lu is worried that it will be too busy by then, so he convened the annual military meeting in advance.Mayor Wang, Vice Mayor Qin, Military District Commander Wang, Political Commissioner Chen, and the heads of various units stationed in Binjiang attended as usual.

Considering that this year’s recruitment work is about to commence, Secretary Lu first conveyed and studied the "Recruitment Work Regulations" and the superior’s opinions on strengthening and improving national defense education in the new era, then listened to reports on work situations from the Military District and Binjiang Reserve Group, among others.

Besides recruitment, other aspects were mainly theoretical.

After the meeting, Mayor Wang smiled while walking and said, "Old Qin, if Salted Fish wasn’t on a business trip, he would have come to the meeting today."

"Yes, he is the Big Commander of the Rescue Boat Team and also the head of the troops stationed in Binjiang."

As soon as Vice Mayor Qin finished speaking, Secretary Lu curiously asked, "Where is he now; has the visiting fleet set sail?"

"They are currently at sea, and the fleet set sail yesterday."

Vice Mayor Qin stopped, speaking excitedly, "They first head south to the Western Pacific, with their first visit to Malaysia, then through the Malacca Strait, crossing the Indian Ocean directly to Africa, turning south in Tanzania’s capital, Dar es Salaam, passing through the world-famous ’Storm Cape’ Cape Horn and entering the Atlantic Ocean, reaching Africa’s southernmost major city, Cape Town in South Africa. After visiting South Africa, they will return, covering a total of more than 16,000 nautical miles. This is the first time the People’s Navy has ventured across three vast oceans and also their first visit to the African continent since its formation."

Being able to participate in such a historically significant operation, Secretary Lu was both pleased and somewhat regretful, complaining, "Since you knew, why didn’t you say earlier? If you told me sooner, I would have included it in my speech material, and I could have spoken about it at the meeting."

"Secretary Lu, I only found out last night."

"Found out last night?"

"Yesterday, the Zhejiang Wenzhou Reserve Regiment came to visit and learn. A Vice Mayor from Wenzhou led the delegation. Political Commissioner Chen and I accompanied them to visit the Linghai Reserve Camp first, and on the way back from Linghai, we stopped by the Rescue Boat Team. Commissar Fang from the Navy Retirement Home was present to host, and we had dinner together; it was Commissar Fang who told me all this at the table."

"And how did Commissar Fang know?"

"He has been very interested in Salted Fish’s visit with the naval fleet, besides, he himself is a naval officer."

Vice Mayor Qin chuckled, adding, "Almost forgot, Commissar Fang said Salted Fish is not just the ’escort captain’ of the visiting fleet but also an observer for this mission, appointed by the Navy Headquarters!"

Mayor Wang asked reflexively, "Observer?"

"Equivalent to a supervisor, holding a position of prestige. Even the visiting fleet commander and political commissioner have to show him some respect."

"Is the commander the ship captain?"

"No, the captain is the captain, only a regimental-level officer." Seeing the child he watched grow up be so accomplished, Vice Mayor Qin was sincerely joyous, smiling as he explained, "The visiting fleet consists of a missile destroyer and a supply ship, and for command convenience, a command post was set up with the South Sea Fleet’s Chief of Staff as the General Commander, and a Lieutenant General from Navy Headquarters as the Political Commissioner."

Secretary Lu pondered, "What is the fleet chief of staff’s rank?"

"Deputy army-level, Lieutenant General."

"So Salted Fish is interacting with a general every day."

"Yes, they will be together day and night for more than two months."

"That kid is doing better than you and me; too bad he didn’t join the army. But then again, if he had joined the army, he wouldn’t have been this valued."

"That’s the way it goes sometimes," Mayor Wang agreed heartily, laughing.

After chatting for a while, Vice Mayor Qin was about to leave when Secretary Lu suddenly remembered something and asked him to come to his office.

Vice Mayor Qin realized that "Boss Lu" had work to discuss, so he followed into the secretary’s office.

Just as he closed the door, Secretary Lu gestured for him to sit while smiling, "Old Qin, Commander Wang mentioned in his work report a few days ago that the 105th Army, which managed Salted Fish Camp during the 1998 flood relief, plans to organize their Special Warfare Group for training at our Binjiang seaside. The order has come down, and the Military District requires us to fully assist."

Vice Mayor Qin was unaware of this matter and asked softly, "How do we assist?"

"The Military District’s side has set up a logistical support group and has already made contact with the 105th Army. The specifics of the assistance are handled by the Military District. Vice Army Commander Lu, who attended the commendation conference at Linghai two years ago, has been promoted and is now the Army Commander of the 105th Army. He called me yesterday afternoon, mentioning they would be relying on us in the future."

Secretary Lu laughed lightly and continued, "He is now a military commander, so he can’t come personally for one regiment like two years ago. Their Chief of Staff may come instead; the Chief of Staff is also a Lieutenant General. When he arrives, you are in charge of the reception. After all, they are coming for Linghai Reserve Camp, and you are the Deputy Political Commissioner of the Jiangnan Reserve Division and Political Commissioner of the Binjiang Reserve Group."

"Alright, I will handle the reception when the time comes."

"If I am free and at home, I will definitely host a meal. If I am busy or need to travel, then Mayor Wang will host instead."

"Okay, that’s settled then."

...

At the same time, Han Yu and Adviser Wu stood on the third-floor platform of the Nancang Supply Ship, gazing at the Shenzhen Ship sailing on the left-front and chatting.

Just after setting sail, theoretically, this area belongs to the Chinese territorial sea.

The ship captain and crew are very familiar with this sea area, the weather these past two days has been fine, and there are not many foreign ships in transit, so the "escort captain" is temporarily not needed.