Chapter 1388: Chapter 192: Waterborne Pursuit and Escape (Part 1)
Li Shugen, suspected of murder, was captured although it had little connection with the "CD chase", but the "CD chase" was indeed impressive.
On the second day after Li Shugen was escorted back by the Linghai Police Bureau, Xiao Yu used the fugitives CD issued by the superior to successfully identify a fugitive from Beihai, who had been on the run for three years for intentionally injuring someone, at the passenger pier of Binjiang Port.
Once again, Xiao Yu made a new achievement. At first, Han Yu genuinely felt happy for Xiao Yu, thinking that his past time playing computer games wasn’t wasted.
However, after few days, he learned that the Police Office at the long-distance bus station of the Binjiang Police Department Public Transport Branch had identified 6 fugitives within a week!
Police departments from Chonggang, Development Zone, Changzhou and Linghai’s various districts and counties also identified more than 30 fugitives at security checkpoints in bus stations, ferry piers, and main roads. Even the Linghai Police Bureau’s Development Zone Branch Lingda Car Ferry Police Station, which is the Linghai Police Bureau’s ferry security checkpoint, identified 4 fugitives among the passengers crossing the river on long-distance buses.
This is the power of technology.
With the 825 boat not in home port, serving as an isolated chief for so long, Han Yu became restless with inactivity and thought it was time to organize a on-water escape chase.
Considering he shouldn’t meddle with affairs outside his position, Han Yu decided to combine water anti-smuggling with on-water escape chasing.
After listening to Han Yu’s idea, Ma Guan teased, "You are still an officer of our branch, how come you’re starting to care about the Changhang Branch’s affairs. Salted Fish, you have your body in the Cao camp and your heart in the Han!"
"It’s uncomfortable to idle around, and we haven’t conducted an anti-smuggling operation on the river for several months. We can completely seize this opportunity to organize another joint water anti-smuggling operation with Changhang Branch and the Water Police Station."
Han Yu smiled and added, "Previously, I didn’t understand smuggling crimes, thinking that severe crackdown could eradicate them. After working on anti-smuggling for more than a year, I realized as long as the country implements foreign trade management and market price differences exist between domestic and foreign markets, smuggling is inevitable. Enforcement shouldn’t be sporadic, but should continually and persistently crack down!"
Regarding the issue of transferring Han Yu back to the Changhang Branch, Ma Guan was very agreeable, firstly because they previously promised to bring him over just to help build the water anti-smuggling team. Secondly, it was clear that even if Han Yu returned to the Changhang Branch, he’d continue helping with anti-smuggling as he does now.
Since the subordinate wanted to act, Ma Guan naturally didn’t oppose, and laughed, "Both myself and the Political Commissioner definitely support you, the problem is the bureau doesn’t have enough police force available for the action."
"It’s fine to have the Intelligence Department participate, furthermore I can request assistance from the Armed Police."
"Almost forgot, you can mobilize one Armed Police reinforcement class."
Compared to Han Yu’s planned on-water chase combined with water anti-smuggling operation, Zhou Huixin was more concerned about the Changhang Branch taking over the security of the Linghai Port District, thus curiously asked, "Salted Fish, did Zhang Yidong really agree to let the Changhang Branch manage security in the Linghai Port District?"
It’s normal for the old leader to ask about this, after all, he had been the Linghai Police Director for several years.
Han Yu confirmed with a bitter smile: "They said it’s the dowry for my imminent transfer back to Changhang Branch, but actually it was something done out of necessity."
Zhou Huixin asked softly: "What necessity did Zhang Yidong have?"
Han Yu briefly explained the sequence of events, and said helplessly, "Director Qi and Political Commissioner Jiang were worried that Zhang Yidong couldn’t explain things to everyone, so pushed me out to take the fall."
"Almost caused wrongful convictions!"
"I’ve looked into it and essentially, it was a coincidence. Chen Xiaodong, with numerous prior convictions, did indeed go to the fish shed near the sluice gate on the night of the crime, initially intending to steal the victim’s money. But found the fish shed lit in the middle of the night, and Old Man Zhang still awake, so he didn’t dare act and quietly left, leaving footprints outside the shed."
"Was the victim harmed at the time?"
"He was. Li Shugen had left the light on after committing the murder, inadvertently scaring Chen Xiaodong away. Had he turned off the light, Chen Xiaodong might have gone inside and the situation would be even harder to explain."
Ma Guan didn’t expect such a bizarre murder case to occur in Linghai, and couldn’t help but ask, "Now that it’s proven that Chen Xiaodong is innocent, is he going to be released?"
"No, he wasn’t released."
Han Yu took a sip of water and explained: "After initially apprehending Chen Xiaodong as the murderer, the Linghai Police Bureau Criminal Police Team did extensive work. In the investigation, they found that Chen Xiaodong showed no remorse since his release from prison and committed multiple thefts. With conclusive evidence, he was charged under another case and has been formally arrested."
Zhou Huixin thought for a moment and asked perplexedly, "Murder is different from theft, why did Chen Xiaodong claim he committed the murder after being captured?"
"Initially, he didn’t confess until Wang Yan presented the footprint identification report from the crime scene. He realized he couldn’t clear himself even if he took a dive in the Yellow River. Moreover, Wang Yan and his team, though they didn’t coerce him, used ’relay interrogation’ and kept him from sleeping, repeatedly questioned him until he couldn’t bear it and simply confessed, but his testimonies were inconsistent."
"This guy was lucky, in times of strict policy, cases like his could possibly... possibly end in wrongful conviction."
"The likelihood wasn’t high, as my second brother was in charge of pretrial."
"Fang Zhiqiang is indeed admirable."
Ma Guan, who had never served as the Linghai Polic Director, didn’t know who Fang Zhiqiang was, and once Zhou Huixin spoke, Ma Guan curiously asked, "How does the Changhang Branch plan to take over the security in the Linghai Port District?"
Han Yu replied with a smile, "Following the model of the Binjiang Port District, only managing security and not household registration. Meaning, in terms of security, the Linghai Port District in the future will be under dual management, like Binjiang Port District, by both Changhang Branch Linghai Police Station and Linghai Police Bureau Development Zone Branch."
"But it’s significant for the Changhang Branch."
"Indeed, the Changhang Police Bureau has always been very conscious about jurisdiction."
While chatting, Zhou Huixin suddenly recalled something: "Salted Fish, both Binjiang and Linghai have been recognized as national models of Double Support cities. The City Committee Office sent a notice early this morning, inviting Ma Guan and you to attend the city’s Double Support work meeting at Wenfeng Hotel tomorrow afternoon."
Han Yu already heard about Binjiang and Linghai finally being established as national Double Support model cities, and even knew that Secretary Lu and Linghai’s Secretary Qian received central commendation in the People’s Hall, so he reflexively asked: "Communicating the spirit of the central Double Support work?"
"Not just conveying the spirit of the national Double Support work meeting, but also to commend advanced units and individuals of the city’s Double Support work."
Zhou Huixin slightly smiled and continued, "Customs, Maritime Bureau, Changhang Branch, Water Police Station, and our branch have been recognized by the city as advanced units in Double Support work, while you and your comrades have been recognized as advanced individuals in Double Support work."
"Does that mean many units and individuals will be commended?"
"Reportedly, quite a number, so only representatives of those awarded as advanced individuals in Double Support are invited to attend."
"Bulk awards?"
"Hahaha, well, awards don’t cost much, just a matter of filling in names and stamping, yet it’s still an honor, having a certificate is better than not having one."
Initially, receiving certificates and honorary diplomas was very exciting; getting too many made spiritual rewards less meaningful.
...
After chatting with his two superiors for a while, Han Yu returned to the Intelligence Department office.
The term "returned" is quite fitting, as his role as Water Anti-smuggling Director doesn’t have a dedicated office in the bureau, so he has to temporarily share an office with Xu Haoran in the Intelligence Department.
As soon as Xu Haoran saw him, he eagerly asked, "Did Ma Guan and the Political Commissioner agree?"
"They agreed."
"Great, quickly call Director Qi and Director Wang."
"Alright."
Han Yu pulled out a chair, sat down, and started making phone calls.
Director Qi is definitely an "action-oriented person." Three days ago, they finalized the jurisdictional rights of Linghai Port’s security with the Linghai Police Bureau, and today he led a team to visit the Linghai District Procuratorate, knowing that after taking over Linghai Port’s security, interaction with the Linghai District Procuratorate is inevitable, requiring coordination.
While Director Qi was having a discussion with several leaders of the Linghai District Procuratorate, he smiled apologetically, stood up, and stepped out of the meeting room to take the call.
"Salted Fish, what’s the matter?"
"Director Qi, I feel that just using computers and CDs in the waiting room for manhunt isn’t enough. Nowadays, fewer travelers use ferries, and since this is a special manhunt operation, we can’t leave any blind spots. If possible, I’d like to organize a joint operation, move the computers onto law enforcement boats, and check the crew on the Yangtze River."
"That’s a good idea. You lead, you draft the plan, and I’ll have the Police Team and all Police Stations fully cooperate!"
"Relying solely on our two departments isn’t sufficient. Such an operation needs to be thorough. If we’re going to do it, we should do it thoroughly. I’d like to invite the Water Police Station to participate."
"No problem, but we need to delineate the search areas; otherwise, when we report achievements, it’ll be unclear who gets credit."
"Alright."
The Changhang Bureau is interested, and the Water Police Station is even more intrigued.
After several phone calls, the outline of the action plan was formed.
The Changhang Bureau mainly checks the waters of Binjiang Port, Linghai Port, Gaoru Port, and Dongqi Port, while the Water Police Station mainly checks waters outside the port areas, particularly the crew near various ship locks.
Although Han Yu and Xu Haoran are the only police officers from the Smuggling Crime Investigation Branch involved in the operation on their side, they can mobilize the Armed Police for assistance.
When the time comes, the forces will be divided into two paths: one led by Han Yu, alongside the Changhang Bureau, to check for fugitives on the river and simultaneously inspect for vessels and crew members suspected of smuggling; the other led by Xu Haoran, alongside the Water Police Station, to conduct checks on the river.
While Han Yu was busy deploying resources and strategizing, Linghai Mayor Shen Fan finally learned about Zhang Yidong intending to transfer the security jurisdiction of Linghai Port as Han Yu’s "dowry" to the Changhang Bureau.
Having two police agencies for one port, and if the Water Police Station is included, there would be three.
Shen Fan felt this wouldn’t work well, and he didn’t rush to call Han Yu, but instead contacted Sister Zhu first.
"Director Zhu, it’s Shen Fan. Is Salted Fish being transferred back to the Changhang Bureau?"
"Yes, that’s the case. What’s wrong?"
"He’s doing well at Customs, so why transfer him back?"
Sister Zhu put down her work, simply explained, and then half-jokingly said: "If you can help Salted Fish achieve Deputy Director rank, you could transfer him back to Linghai."
"I can’t do that."
"That’s it then, people aspire to higher positions, and water flows to lower places. With such an opportunity, it cannot be missed."
As long as Salted Fish stays in Binjiang, it doesn’t matter how many police agencies are overseeing Linghai Port District. Shen Fan thought of a message he heard on the phone with a leader at the Changhang Bureau a few days ago, hesitated for a moment, and said: "Director Zhu, logically, I shouldn’t block Salted Fish’s career path, but I still feel Salted Fish being transferred back to the Changhang Bureau is inappropriate."
Sister Zhu chuckled and asked: "Why is it inappropriate?"
"You are currently under the jurisdiction of Jiangnan Maritime Bureau, not Yangtze River Maritime Bureau, and you’re not as familiar with Hanwu’s situation as before."
"What’s wrong with Hanwu?"
"It’s said that the leadership team of the Changhang Bureau is going to be adjusted, and it’s a significant adjustment. Once the Changhang Bureau’s leadership team is adjusted, they’ll surely adjust the Changhang Police Bureau’s leadership team."
In recent years, local political and party leadership changes have been frequent, but the leadership team of the Changhang Bureau hasn’t changed much.
Inside the situation, it’s hard to see clearly, but outside observers can.
After hearing Shen Fan’s words, Sister Zhu suddenly realized that the current leadership team of the Changhang Bureau is the second leadership team since the bureau’s establishment in 1984. Key leaders like Director Liao have been in their positions at least eight years.
In recent years, railway, highway, air transportation have developed rapidly, having a major impact on Yangtze River Shipping, which is currently in a difficult period. Adjusting the Changhang Bureau leadership team is normal; it’s reached a point where it can’t be left unadjusted.
Sister Zhu was silent for a moment and asked: "Are you worried that once the leaders who value Salted Fish are transferred or step down, Salted Fish’s prospects will be affected?"
"It definitely will be!"
"There’s not much to worry about; at worst, we’ll transfer him back then."
"..."
Sister Zhu whispered: "Why aren’t you speaking? Did I say something wrong?"
Shen Fan came to his senses, smiled holding the phone, and said: "You didn’t say anything wrong. I’m just worrying unnecessarily. With Mayor Qin around, there’s no need for me to worry about Salted Fish."
"Even without my old Qin, Salted Fish doesn’t need worry from you or me." Sister Zhu laughed, confidently saying: "There’re plenty of units that want Salted Fish, and he’s already on the Transportation Ministry’s radar; regardless of how the Changhang Bureau leadership adjusts, it won’t affect him."
