Chapter 1381: Chapter 188: Selected!
At nine o’clock in the morning, Vice Mayor Qin received a notice from the City Committee Office and hurried to Secretary Lu’s office.
Upon knocking and entering, he found Mayor Wang, Commander Wang of the Military District, and Vice Mayor Li, who was in charge of civil affairs work, sitting with Secretary Lu, engaged in lively conversation around the tea table.
"Secretary Lu, Mayor Wang, is there good news?" Vice Mayor Qin asked curiously.
"Take a look at this, just received this notice." Secretary Lu, beaming with delight, handed over a document.
Vice Mayor Qin took it and, to his astonishment, found that it was a notification from the provincial Double Support Office, forwarding an invitation from the National Double Support Work Leadership Group and the General Political Department of the PLA, inviting the main leaders and Double Support Office leaders of Binjiang City and Linghai City to attend the national Double Support Model City (County) Naming Conference in the Capital.
National Double Support Model Cities are those cities recognized for outstanding achievements in Double Support work. Initially, only deputy provincial-level and prefecture-level cities nationwide were considered, but it later expanded to include counties and districts. It is a national-level city brand jointly awarded by the military and local government, and is one of the significant city brands in the country.
Vice Mayor Qin realized this and asked excitedly, "Did we make it?"
"We made it!" Secretary Lu waved his hand energetically and said, "If even our Binjiang doesn’t make it, then there’s no point in this National Double Support Model City selection; any chosen cities would have no credibility!"
Binjiang’s achievements in Double Support work in recent years are impressive, with notable highlights in supporting the military, resettling transferred and retired soldiers, and building national defense reserve forces.
If even Binjiang doesn’t make it, then surely there’s some shady business in the selection.
Vice Mayor Qin laughed, sat down, and said, "It’s rare to see both city and county levels selected nationwide."
Secretary Lu nodded with a smile, while Mayor Wang, with a hint of regret, said, "Getting selected is good news, even great news, but we seem to be out of time compared to previous times."
"How did we lose out?"
"This time, they’re holding the National Double Support Model City Naming Conference, only recognizing the selected cities. In ’97, not only did they recognize the 197 selected cities and counties as National Double Support Model Cities, but they also awarded ten outstanding individuals in Double Support work with the ’Patriotic Supporting Army’ honorary title, recognizing 227 Double Support Model Units and 126 Double Support Model individuals."
Commander Wang agreed, sighing lightly, "If individual and unit Double Support Models were also selected this time, Binjiang could have at least been recognized two or three times, and Salted Fish might have gained another honorary title."
Salted Fish already has plenty of honors.
Secretary Lu didn’t think there was any regret in it and laughed, "This term didn’t select Double Support Model Units and individuals. Maybe they will organize such a selection next term, and we can apply again then."
"The next term will be in four years, and we don’t know if individual models will be selected then."
"Commander Wang, how many times has it been selected before?" Vice Mayor Li asked with a smile.
Commander Wang replied without hesitation, "The Double Support Model City selection started in ’91, selected annually from ’91 to ’94, and again in ’97, making it five times in total. Starting this year, it is determined to be held every four years from now on. Only the ’97 selection awarded the ’Patriotic Supporting Army’ model, and selected Double Support Model Units and individuals. Whether such selections will be organized in the future is unknown."
Vice Mayor Qin didn’t think Salted Fish was interested in this either, smiling, "There’s nothing we can do if we missed it, and besides, does Salted Fish need more honors?"
"He may not, but others do."
"That’s true."
Binjiang’s recognition as a National Double Support Model City this time is largely due to Salted Fish’s immense contribution.
When organizing and reviewing the materials, Salted Fish’s contributions filled eight pages, from participating in Cosco’s big shark transfer mission as a representative to escorting the naval submarine that went into and out of the sea for major repairs from the Yangtze River, leading the Linghai Reserve Camp to Jingjiang for flood fighting and rescue, to forming the Navy’s first reserve unit...
Secretary Lu, often busy with work, wouldn’t think of Salted Fish unless reminded.
Now that Binjiang has been recognized as a National Double Support Model City, he will be leading the city’s Double Support Office director and Linghai’s Secretary Qian and others to the Capital for the naming and recognition conference the day after tomorrow, making him naturally think of Salted Fish. Smiling, he asked, "Old Qin, what’s Salted Fish busy with these days?"
"I haven’t seen him for over a month; he seems to be busy preparing to accompany the navy fleet on a visit."
"He’s been selected and will indeed serve as the escort captain for the visiting fleet?"
"The navy specifically named him, and the Ministry of Transport leadership gave the word; how could he not be selected?"
Discussing Salted Fish, Vice Mayor Qin felt he needed to report something, hesitated, and said, "Secretary Lu, Mayor Wang, back when Salted Fish led the team to Beihu for flood rescue, it left a lasting impression on the Changhang Bureau leadership. The Ministry of Transport has already submitted an application to the National Council, seeking to reclassify the Changhang Police Bureau to an administrative status.
If approved, the Changhang Police System will embark on a new round of orderly construction. This means some older comrades will have to step back or even transfer, and some policemen not meeting the criteria will also have to leave the police force, leaving many positions vacant."
Secretary Lu understood that Vice Mayor Qin wouldn’t mention this just out of nowhere and instinctively asked, "Changhang Bureau wants to poach Salted Fish?"
"It’s not really poaching since Salted Fish was originally a Changhang public security officer, and it was in the Changhang Bureau that he was promoted to Deputy Director."
"Can they solve his Vice Director position this time?"
"It seems so."
What Changhang Bureau can offer, Binjiang cannot.
After all, Salted Fish is too young, and promoting him to Vice Director in Binjiang’s political and legal system is unrealistic. The only way would have been to transfer him to the City Youth League Committee. But Salted Fish is the ’Binjiang Water Army Commander,’ mainly skilled in water-based work, so bringing him ashore isn’t suitable.
Secretary Lu was silent for a moment and said with emotion, "People strive upward; water flows downward. If he wants to transfer back, let him transfer back; we cannot hinder his future."
"But there is one condition," Mayor Wang suddenly raised his head and said, "Old Qin, go back and make it clear to your wife that Salted Fish can transfer back to the Changhang Police System, but he can only transfer to the Changhang Binjiang Branch, he cannot leave Binjiang."
"Mayor Wang is right; he is the Binjiang Water Army Commander. If anything happens on the river, whom can we look for if he’s gone? Plus, if he leaves, what about the Navy Reserve Rescue Boat Brigade?"
"Secretary Lu, Mayor Wang, you can say these things to those from Customs or that colleague from the Changhang Police Branch Office, but why should I say it to my wife?"
"Others may not know, but we’re well aware that on the matter of Salted Fish’s work transfer, your spouse is equivalent to an unofficial Organizational Minister, and she has the biggest say, hahahaha."
As soon as Secretary Lu finished speaking, Commander Wang laughed and said, "Mayor Qin, Salted Fish is now part of Customs, not a Binjiang cadre, so this matter can only be handed over to you."
All along, Salted Fish was hardly considered a Binjiang cadre, even though he had worked at the Water Police Station and Linghai Police Bureau.
Mayor Wang knew very well that Salted Fish was cultivated by several vertically managed law enforcement units on the river, and couldn’t help but say: "This is a political task, go back and work on your spouse’s mindset."
Fearing that Comrade Old Qin might not take it seriously, Secretary Lu said very earnestly and seriously: "I’m not rushing back after my meeting in the Capital this time; I’ll take this opportunity to visit a few departments. The construction of the Yangtze River Bridge has been Binjiang’s wish for decades, and the river transportation safety during the bridge’s construction has Han Xiangning on it; the firefighting and especially security on the river will need Salted Fish to take the lead."
"Are they going to have another husband-and-wife shop?"
"As long as the construction of the Yangtze River Bridge benefits, what’s wrong with a husband-and-wife shop."
"Alright, I don’t think Salted Fish will leave Binjiang."
...
Meanwhile, the special operation organized by Binjiang City Police Department to pursue fugitives officially kicked off.
At long-distance bus stations, Binjiang Port Passenger Pier, Binjiang Airport, Bisha Ferry, and the main roads entering and leaving the city, everywhere with heavy foot traffic and a high number of outsiders, had a desk set up, with a computer on top.
Police and auxiliary police participating in the operation were all checking IDs.
A man in his fifties carrying a travel bag was about to enter the waiting room. Seeing police checks ahead, he instinctively wanted to turn around, but there was a long line behind him, and auxiliary police were maintaining order at the side, making it easy to arouse suspicion if he left. So he had no choice but to reluctantly take out his ID card.
"Don’t rush, one at a time, it’ll be quick."
"Prepare your ID card and ferry ticket; if you didn’t bring an ID, report your ID number, and if you can’t remember your ID number, report your name and home address..."
Old Xu, a police officer from Binjiang Police Station of Changhang Bureau, couldn’t operate the computer and didn’t believe the computer was that miraculous, standing beside with a portable speaker constantly reminding and maintaining order.
The man in his fifties followed the person in front of him to the waiting room door, trying to look calm while handing over his ID card.
Not many officers or auxiliary police at Changhang Bureau knew how to use computers, and Binjiang Port had daytime passenger flights and nighttime ones, so the typist in the bureau couldn’t handle it alone.
The Police Team of the bureau had to pick a general from among the dwarfs and transferred Xiao Yu, who learned a bit about using computers from playing games, from Linghai Police Station, because there were no ferries at Bailong Port now anyway.
Xiao Yu took the ID and found that the person was actually a fellow townsman, so he couldn’t help but look up at him.
The man felt scared when looked at, instinctively avoiding Xiao Yu’s gaze.
Though Xiao Yu hadn’t attended formal schooling much and knew nothing about math, physics, or chemistry, after working for over ten years and capturing countless offenders, he had developed Eyes of Golden Flame to read people’s expressions.
He realized that the fellow townsman before him either had a very small courage and was afraid of police, or he probably had an issue.
"What’s your name?"
"Li Shuren."
Xiao Yu looked at the ID card, quickly typed the ID number on the keyboard, hit the enter key, and discovered the "homeboy" standing at the desk for check wasn’t a fugitive, then picked up the ID card again to compare the photo with the "homeboy."
The ferry would start checking tickets in fifteen minutes, and many travelers outside hadn’t entered the waiting room yet, so efficiency was essential for the check.
Old Xu came over just about to ask what was going on, Xiao Yu noticed the "homeboy" with flickering eyes and asked: "Where’s your home?"
"I’m a Linghai person."
"I’m asking for your home address?"
"Linghai City Four Factory Town Jiangfeng Village Fifth Group."
Xiao Yu pursued further: "Where are you going?"
Li Shuren was scared out of his wits and said tremblingly: "To East Sea."
"What are you going to East Sea for?"
"Work."
The "homeboy" got more flustered, Xiao Yu noticed sweat beads appearing on his forehead and his hands trembling involuntarily, coldly asking: "Whose ID card is this?"
Li Shuren didn’t expect the police before him to be so sharp-eyed, cautiously said: "Mine."
"Say it again?"
"It really... really is mine."
"Uncle Xu, this ID card is not his, check his bag."
Old Xu also realized the seemingly honest man before him had issues and immediately brought him with Xiao Sun to the police station office.
