Binjiang Police Affairs

Chapter 1502: Chapter 276: Making Money!

The Binjiang Ship has already departed from the East Sea Base and will arrive in Binjiang around eight-thirty tomorrow morning.

As a member of the "Leadership Group" that will receive the Binjiang Ship, Han Yu can no longer just be a hands-off manager. He had a meeting at the "Command Center" temporarily set up at Pier 4 of Binjiang Port until half past eleven at night before returning home.

The Yangtze River Bridge construction project is progressing rapidly, and an expert team came yesterday to conduct some kind of review.

Han Xiangning, a member of the "Bridge Office," has to accompany the experts for on-site inspections along the riverbank, even on the river, returning very late as well.

"San’er, have you checked on Ai Tong and Red Plum?"

"Where would I find the time to go? I’m almost collapsing from being so busy!"

"Collapsing?"

He spent the whole night in a meeting with a bunch of "old smokers," and he’s covered in the smell of smoke.

Han Yu, feeling uncomfortable from the smell, found some clean clothes and walked into the bathroom, releasing some water while chuckling bitterly: "A provincial leader happened to be researching in Binjiang. Secretary Lu said the provincial leader will also go to the pier tomorrow, which we were only notified about at dusk. The previous agenda had to be adjusted. To ensure the welcoming ceremony goes smoothly, we had to study everything from start to finish item by item. Mayor Qin, City Committee Secretary Yang, and Commander Wang were all there; none of us dared to leave, and we’ve been busy until now."

"Isn’t it just Mayor Qin and Chief of Staff Qian? Even if Secretary Lu is there, what’s the big deal? If you say you have an emergency, do you think they can stop you from leaving?"

"Ningning, are you saying the Binjiang Ship’s homecoming to Binjiang isn’t as important as visiting Ai Tong and Red Plum?"

"Of course it is."

Han Xiangning chuckled, "You’re not even from Binjiang; what does the Binjiang Ship’s homecoming have to do with you? If the Linghai Boat returns to Linghai, it makes sense for you to be proactive. But for the Binjiang Ship’s return to Binjiang, you really don’t have to be so enthusiastic!"

The return of the Binjiang Ship is taken very seriously by the City Committee and Municipal Government, but ultimately, it’s just like shaving a single strand of hair off the head.

The Linghai people and the Dongqi people aren’t concerned at all, and the nearby Changzhou is just as disinterested. It’s even less worth mentioning for Sigang and Dongru, and even Gaoru, who’s typically eager to "flatter" Binjiang, remains unbothered.

Han Yu smiled, thought about it, and then said, "This matter actually has a bit to do with me; I must be proactive."

"How so?"

"It’s a rare opportunity; I need to seize it to help the Rescue Boat Team get some funds."

Han Xiangning caught on: "Are you saying to use the pretext of co-construction and have them help you do business? Commissar Fang and Director Qian have it all arranged; what are you worried about?"

Han Yu, changing clothes to prepare for a shower, explained with a smile: "While the Binjiang Ship’s return to Binjiang is a grand event for the Binjiang District, it is not for the whole of Binjiang. But just the Binjiang District is enough to keep us strained. From a business perspective, the more citizens come to visit in the coming days, the better; but from a safety and reception capacity perspective, we have to control the number of visitors."

"Aren’t you all distributing tickets everywhere? As long as the number of tickets is controlled, the number of visitors would naturally be controlled, right?"

"That’s what we initially thought and what we are doing. As of tonight, a total of fifty thousand tickets have been issued. But the district has so many people, and fifty thousand tickets are not nearly enough. The Military District, the Double Support Office, and even the City Committee and Municipal Government phones are practically ringing off the hook."

Han Yu paused, then continued: "Seeing how enthusiastic the citizens are, city leaders don’t want to disappoint them or miss this national defense and patriotic education opportunity, so they’ve changed their minds on how many citizens can visit, trying to allow as many as possible."

With leaders, it’s normal for them to have whims.

And, the leaders are always right.

Han Xiangning sympathetically, yet amusedly, asked about her junior’s predicament, "The Binjiang Ship is just a small frigate, not an aircraft carrier, and its deck is small with all the constructions and weapon equipment on it. How can you let all interested citizens visit?"

"That’s why we were being so narrow-minded previously."

"Narrow-minded in what way?"

"Visiting the Binjiang Ship doesn’t necessarily require boarding it." Han Yu smiled, looking elated, and said, "City leaders are more adaptable than we are; they decided to adjust the previous visit arrangements. Visiting is visiting, and boarding is boarding — they’re two different things and can’t be mixed up."

Han Xiangning paused and giggled, "Like with parks where having just the main entrance ticket isn’t enough, do you need to buy additional tickets for carousel rides or animal watching?"

"We are conducting national defense education; it’s not like those fee-charging parks are charging anyone!"

"But having people pay for education has happened before. Doesn’t the Seven Battles and Seven Victories Memorial Hall in Si Gang charge for tickets? Tickets there are actually pricey, thirty yuan each, and even now, if someone wants to visit, they still need to pay for a ticket."

"How do you know? Have you been to Si Gang?"

"I don’t have time to go back; Secretary Lu mentioned it during a phone call last time."

"It’s different with us compared to Si Gang; we can’t operate like that. We’ve re-planned the visiting route, making it wider and longer. By then, citizens can follow the visiting route and view the Binjiang Ship from the shore."

Han Xiangning could imagine the scene and laughed, "Just a quick walkthrough?"

"Too many people, so only a quick walkthrough is possible." Han Yu chuckled, then continued, "But the businesses of our partnering units shouldn’t be affected by this. I suggest setting up photography zones, souvenir sales areas, and dining areas at intervals of about ten meters along the viewing path, just like how we repaired the car park during the flood prevention and rescue."

"Aren’t you letting citizens board the ship for a tour?"

"We are, but they’ll have to queue."

"The Binjiang Ship isn’t big; not many people can go up at once. There are many who want to tour the ship, so how long will the line be?"

"That I don’t know, but if you want to tour the ship, you’ll have to queue. But we won’t make people stand on the pier to line up."

"How do you plan on arranging them?"

"First, we’re organizing a team to collect materials overnight at the Rescue Boat Team. We’ll make slight adjustments to the images and text introductions displayed in the honor room of the Rescue Boat Team, urgently print posters displaying the history of the People’s Navy and the connection between Binjiang and the People’s Navy. By 11 a.m. tomorrow at the latest, we need to set up exhibit booths in the relatively open area of Pier 4, where we can conduct exhibitions related to the Navy."

Han Xiangning could easily guess the well-meaning intentions of his junior, he smiled and asked, "Having people view the exhibition to pass the time?"

"Almost." Han Yu nodded, adding, "Also, we’ll requisition the Port Authority’s cinema to screen old Navy-themed films like ’Riders of the Sea,’ ’Chi Feng,’ ’To the Ocean,’ ’Sea Eagle,’ ’Ten-level Wave,’ and ’Sailor’s Story.’"

"That’s a good idea. It not only promotes patriotism but also helps people pass more time."

"Exhibits and movies alone aren’t enough."

While scrubbing, Han Yu proudly noted, "The veterans at the Navy Retirement Home are all old revolutionaries who came through gunfire and smoke. They’ve often complained that Director Zheng and Commissar Fang aren’t doing their jobs right by not arranging activities for them.

Now’s the chance. We’re organizing people to set up canopies at Pier 4 overnight and urgently purchasing plastic stools. At that time, we’ll ask the veterans to dress in old military uniforms, wear their military medals, and share their glorious revolutionary history and the growth of the People’s Navy from inception to expansion."

Those veterans have increasingly eccentric tempers.

His mother once worked at the retirement home, and Han Xiangning had been there more than once, knowing well how hard it was to please those veterans, so he couldn’t help but laugh and say, "For them, this is also an opportunity; they’ll definitely be very interested."

"Yes, indeed. On my way back, Commissar Fang sent me a message saying the veterans are very interested and excited, too excited to sleep. Some are searching for old military uniforms and medals, while others are revisiting memoirs written over the years but never published, burning the midnight oil to prepare tomorrow’s speeches."

"The veterans are a valuable asset to our Party and military. If they fall ill from preparing to speak to the public about revolutionary history, you guys will have to deal with the consequences!"

"I know, and Commissar Fang knows too. Efforts are being made to persuade the veterans to rest and not stay up late, after all, health is the foundation of the revolution."

Han Yu put the washcloth aside and immediately shifted topics, "In short, since citizens are coming, I want them to stay on the pier as long as possible. With the exhibition area, cinema, and revolutionary history sharing zone, I can allow our Rescue Boat Team’s partnering units to set up more photo booths and sales points."

Ultimately, it’s all about making money!

Han Xiangning found the situation both amusing and awkward, couldn’t help but laugh and ask, "San’er, with your business acumen in helping the Rescue Boat Team make money, why not think about how to rejuvenate your own family’s economy?"

"It’s different; doing business requires capital."

"Are you saying I don’t give you money?"

"No, don’t misunderstand." Han Yu quickly explained, "The capital I mean is multifaceted. For example, with this venture, without the Binjiang Ship, without the strong support from the City Committee, Municipal Government, and the Military District, could I pull it off?"

"Good that you know."

"Also, I don’t come across as a business person. To put it bluntly, even if I wore the dragon robe, I wouldn’t look like a crown prince." Han Yu couldn’t help but think of Old Ge, and reflectively said, "For instance, Uncle Ge went to a Hong Kong-funded company as a deputy general manager, with an annual salary of over two hundred thousand. Working one year equals working decades for us, and I really envy him, but with my lack of experience, no one would hire me."

The suggestion to Mr. Bao to hire a consultant specifically for dealing with government departments wasn’t made lightly; work was too busy to circle around the Hong Kong Industrial Park every day, and I was also thinking of helping Old Ge find a job so he could earn a bit to supplement the family expenses, as his family seemed to be doing well, but in fact, weren’t economically sound.

Who would have expected the Hong Kong boss to value Old Ge so highly, offering a high salary of 240,000 a year!

That’s 240,000! As my junior said, Old Ge working one month equals me working two years.

Han Xiangning also felt envious and said somewhat sourly, "It’s not just you; even I, as a Vice Mayor, am seen as too young and unreliable by the big bosses in Hong Kong in terms of speaking and doing things. Very likely, in their eyes, even Secretary Wei and Mayor Hou are unreliable."

"How are Secretary Wei and Mayor Hou unreliable?"

"Ironclad institutions with changing officials, Secretary Wei can’t always be the City Secretary of Changzhou City, and Mayor Hou can’t work in Changzhou forever. They’ll eventually be transferred or promoted, and once they’re gone, won’t the influence they brought fade?"

Han Xiangning took a deep breath and lamented, "Uncle Ge is different, he’s retired and doesn’t have the problem of fading influence. Now that he’s given respect, he’ll continue to be respected. Hiring Uncle Ge as a deputy general manager for a high salary of vice president by the Hong Kong big bosses is a great choice, as it guarantees the ’sustainability’ of government and business relations."