CHAPTER 489: CHAPTER 342: ONLY ADVANTAGES, NO DISADVANTAGES_2

So, going from a principal position to a deputy is not a demotion but a promotion.

Chen Zikun couldn’t believe it was true, nervously saying, "Director Liu, it’s not something I can just ask to be transferred for."

There’s no need to beat around the bush with someone who’s one of us.

Liu Xinmin lit up a cigarette and said through clouds of smoke, "Salted Fish has been called away on a mission by the headquarters, and who knows when he’ll be back. Even if he returns after two or three months, it’s hard to say whether he will be pulled away by the superiors again in the future. Me, just as Chief Ding just mentioned, even if I don’t retire early, I won’t be working many more years.

The leadership believes we need someone to partner with Salted Fish, someone who can take the lead when Salted Fish is on a trip. But it’s rare to find a police officer who is familiar with Bailong Port or even the North Branch Waters, understands security and firefighting, has work experience, and is young and educated.

Political Commissioner Jiang recommended you to Director He, and after reviewing your resume, he believes you are competent and even appreciates you a lot. After all, you are a bachelor’s degree graduate from a standard institution, and our Changhang Bureau is currently working on improving the quality of police and institutionalization; we need high-educated talents like you."

I thought that with the adjustments in the leadership team of the Changhang Bureau, my transfer there was off the table, but unexpectedly another chance blossomed in the darkness.

Chen Zikun was overjoyed, and with an embarrassed face he asked, "Director He agreed?"

"He agreed. He called at noon, asked me to talk to you first. If you’re willing to transfer, he’ll arrange for the Political Office to coordinate with your City Bureau’s Political Office to help you with the transfer procedures."

"I’m willing."

"Good to hear, but do remember that once you’re transferred, the responsibility on your shoulders will be heavy."

Old Liu tapped off his cigarette ash, continuing, "The affairs of Liu Wenju, Guo Zhengguo, and others being reassigned to our bureau have pretty much settled down. Considering that Binjiang Port Main Fire Brigade and Gaoru Port Fire Brigade need more people, they’ll be moving there in a few days.

This side of Bailong Port will then only have Salted Fish, you, Zhang Ping, and Xiao Gong—four officers, along with Captain Fan, Old Zhu, and Old Hu from our Changhang Bureau—three auxiliary police. And since Salted Fish often has lots to do, it’s hard to say whether he will be pulled away by the superiors to take on this or that task in the future."

The more capable one is, the more things naturally fall into their lap.

Chen Zikun finally reaped the fruits of his labor and quickly said, "I understand, please rest assured, Director Liu. I will definitely adopt the right attitude, cooperate with Director Yu’s work, and help Director Yu take care of things at home."

"Actually, there was no need to mention all this to you; you and Salted Fish have been friends for many years. You started fighting side by side many years ago; many good friends and comrades, you will certainly work well together. It’s mainl because the leadership asked me to mention it, and I have to say what they tell me to say."

"Thank you, Director Liu."

"Don’t thank me. If you want to thank someone, thank Salted Fish. He’s so busy that the leadership is looking for someone to partner with him, to help him look after things at home."

Speaking of Salted Fish, Chen Zikun couldn’t help asking, "Director Liu, where exactly has he gone?"

Liu Xinmin shook his head: "I don’t know."

"What about Xiang Ning? Do you know where Xiang Ning has gone?"

"Didn’t you ask Director Jin?"

"I asked, but Director Jin said that Director Zhu just asked him to oversee the team’s work and didn’t mention where Xiang Ning has gone."

Liu Xinmin knew where Han Xiangning had gone but couldn’t say, so he simply fobbed off with: "Probably to find Salted Fish."

...

Meanwhile, Zhu Chunmiao, who rushed to Ba Yi Hotel as soon as work ended, was listening to Xiao Kong, who stayed in the hotel, reporting on the investigation progress of several groups.

"Director Han and Director Dong arrived at South Sea Marine Supervision Bureau at three-thirty this afternoon, but as soon as they got there, they encountered a new situation."

"What new situation?"

"Some mischief maker in the dark messed up and failed to intercept the correspondence from South Sea that was meant for Hui’an Port Supervision Bureau. They received two replies—one real and one fake! For the South Sea colleagues, this was evidence, and they reported it immediately to the Ministry of Transport."

Sister Zhu said softly, "We reported it too."

Xiao Kong hurriedly explained, "Reporting is fine, but this means jurisdiction over the case will become an issue, especially for the police side. Apparently, the Ministry of Transport is having the Ministry of Transport Police study which police bureau should be in charge of the investigation."

Binjiang has its own Changhang Navigation Police Branch, and East Sea not only has a Changhang Navigation Police Branch but also the East Sea Port Police Bureau and the Marine Police Bureau.

Before South Sea became its own province, it was under the administration of East Guang, so South Sea’s transportation-related cases are generally overseen by the East Guang Maritime Public Security Bureau, which also reports to the Ministry of Transport Police.

Thinking of this, Sister Zhu instinctively asked, "What did Xiang Ning say?"

"Director Han said that the Changhang Bureau has jurisdiction as well, and we can’t miss a chance at victory; we must seize the opportunity. After discussing with Director Jiang, they decided to ask Director Shen who was leading the team to Xiguang to immediately summon the people responsible for the two shipping companies that provided the fake documents and organized the crew to take the exam in South Sea, to clarify the source of the fake credentials."

Xiao Kong glanced at the phone record, adding, "She introduced Director Jiang to the South Sea counterparts, and then set off for Xiguang with Director Dong. They’re on their way to Xiguang right now."

"How did they get there?"

"There’s a direct ship from South Sea to North Branch in Xiguang, and those two shipping companies are located in North Branch."

That girl is really determined to help Salted Fish raise funds for the new ship.

Sister Zhu nodded slightly and continued listening to the report.

After understanding the progress and confirming that it was unlikely there was an internal traitor in the bureau, she finally relaxed, walked into the office, took out her cellphone, and dialed her former superior’s number.

Director Feng answered the call, asking reflexively, "Why did you think to call me?"

"You’re my former superior. Can’t I make a call to say hello when I have the chance?"

"It’s not as simple as saying hello, is it?"

Sister Zhu turned back to look behind her and asked with a smile, "Former superior, did you run off with Salted Fish?"