CHAPTER 499: CHAPTER 348: ARMED FORCES DEPARTMENT NEEDS MATERIALS

With a blink, October has arrived.

From Bailong Port to Linghai City District, golden paddies sway in the breeze. Arriving at the shipping company’s courtyard, two sweet osmanthus trees were planted, truly spreading a fragrance.

Captain Wang’s seventieth birthday invited people to set up tents in the courtyard of the shipping company, arranging twelve tables in total. They even spent hundreds of yuan to hire a projection team to show an outdoor movie after dark.

Han Xiang Ning received an invitation last year, and with San’er not at home, she could no longer afford to miss it.

Today, early in the morning, she ordered a large cake from Four Factory, left work an hour and a half early in the afternoon, and rode together with Old Liu, Old Ding, Old Zhang, Director Jin, Old Ge, Captain Fan, Zhu Baogen, and Xiao Yu’s parents in a van from Bailong Port Police Station and a jeep from the Port Supervision Bureau Third Team, rushing to celebrate Captain Wang’s birthday.

Frontier Yanjiang Police Station Instructor Li Weiguo arrived early and was playing cards with Manager Jiang and other leaders of the shipping company in an office on the first floor.

Upon entering, Han Xiang Ning greeted the elders and, overwhelmed by the cigarette smoke, quickly left the office. Outside, she discovered Xiao Mei, the childhood playmate of San’er and the prospective daughter-in-law of Manager Jiang of the shipping company.

"Sister Ningning, when did you arrive? Did Salted Fish come?"

"I just got here too. Salted Fish didn’t come; he’s on a business trip."

"Where did he go on a business trip?"

"You might not believe this, but I don’t know either."

Outside, many empty tables were set up. Captain Wang had prepared several sets of cards and was inviting Old Liu, Old Zhang, and others to start playing.

Han Xiang Ning, not familiar with the employees of the shipping company, felt somewhat embarrassed under the gaze of a group of older women. Seeing that a young lady like herself couldn’t possibly join the elders in playing cards, Xiao Mei, who appeared like a savior, was pulled aside and asked, "Why are you alone, where’s your significant other?"

"He’s in Jiangcheng for training. You need a license for water law enforcement on our side, and he needs one to inspect overloading and road maintenance fees. I heard after the training they must pass an exam or they won’t get the license."

Talking about her fiancé, Xiao Mei was full of pride.

Drawing Xiao Mei’s hand, Han Xiang Ning curiously asked, "What about Lin Xiaohui? Is Lin Xiaohui coming later?"

"She’s gone back to East Sea and can’t make it, but she asked her mom to buy a cake."

"Her mom is here?"

"She’s right there, laughing with Aunt Wang while looking at you."

Recognizing a few middle-aged women watching and quietly giggling to each other, Han Xiang Ning turned around in surprise.

"Why are they looking at me?"

"You don’t know them, but they know you!"

Xiao Mei waved her hand in greeting to the old neighbors of the shipping company, and with a giggle, said: "Just think about where we are. These women watched me, Xiaohui, and Salted Fish grow up. With the new bride of the Han family here, of course, they want to take a good look."

Almost forgot, this is Salted Fish’s hometown.

Han Xiang Ning thought she should represent not only San’er in wishing Captain Wang happy longevity today but also her in-laws to bless Captain Wang with fortune as vast as the East Sea and a life enduring like Mount Nan.

Xiao Mei, looking at Han Xiang Ning’s slightly bulging stomach, giggled and asked, "How many months are you now?"

"Five and a half months."

"That makes it quite soon. Have you had an ultrasound?"

Han Xiang Ning subconsciously covered her belly, saying with an embarrassed face: "I have. I went to the hospital several times."

Xiao Mei asked quietly, "Is it a boy or a girl?"

"I don’t know."

"Your mom works in the hospital, and your sister too. How could you possibly not know!"

"I could find out if I wanted, but there’s no need."

"Why not? It’s different from before—you can only have one child now. You and Salted Fish both work in public sectors, even if you take the penalty you can’t have a second child. Either no children, or you have to have a son if you do, otherwise how can you continue the family lineage?"

They all say it doesn’t matter if it’s a boy or a girl, but in reality, it does.

If it’s a girl, it might be difficult to hold your head up later on.

Han Xiang Ning had indeed considered the idea of having a checkup, and if it was a girl, to consider an abortion, but San’er firmly disagreed, saying that once there’s a conception, just birth it, regardless of a boy or girl, also mentioning that abortion is bad for health.

Thinking of these, Han Xiang Ning felt sweet inside, smiling said: "My family is different from others; we don’t have the notion of preferring boys over girls."

"Maybe you don’t, but what about your parents and his parents?"

"Really not, no."

"No... It’s normal. Your parents originally had you and your sister, and you both are living well; they naturally don’t care. As for Salted Fish’s family, his brother and sister-in-law have already had a boy, his parents don’t need to worry about continuing the family lineage."

"That’s possible."

Dropping the gossip, Xiao Mei suddenly remembered something: "Didn’t you ask last time when we would expand the factory? The big boss said the latest is next spring to start construction, not only to build two large factories but also a dormitory building."

Last time, Liangzhuang’s Secretary Lu had helped San’er a lot, and Han Xiang Ning always remembered helping Liangzhuang enterprises whenever possible and eagerly asked: "Has the contractor for the project been decided?"

"Not yet; the construction company you mentioned last time, if interested, can come and bid."

"Bid?"

"Xiaohui said this time it’s different; they are going to tender."

"Alright, I’ll contact Liangzhuang Construction Station after I get back."

While they were chatting, Director Lei from Four Factory Military Department arrived, pushing his bicycle.

Director Lei was also an old friend of Captain Wang, often visiting him on the Dunship for chess.

Han Xiang Ning stood up quickly to greet him.

Parking his bicycle, Director Lei, looking at Han Xiang Ning, said, "Ningning, even if I didn’t see you today, I planned to call you tomorrow."

"Uncle Lei, what’s up?"

"The Armed Forces Department asked me for Salted Fish’s Civilian Soldiers training records yesterday, and also wanted me to compile a document on Salted Fish’s deeds."

"San’er isn’t a cadre in your Armed Department. Why would the Armed Forces Department need these?"

"I was puzzled too. I asked at the department, and they said it was requested by the Military District, but even they are clueless about the specifics."

Han Xiangning turned to Captain Wang, who had just arrived, and asked with a smile, "He’s only participated in Civilian Soldiers training three times, what kind of deeds could he have accomplished at your place?"

Minister Lei shook hands with Captain Wang and smiled, "I was also unsure how to compile these documents. This morning I called the department, and the Political Commissioner said Salted Fish has plenty of deeds. Actively participating in Civilian Soldiers training, he was rated as an advanced individual the first time he participated. The next two times, not only was he an advanced individual, but he also served as a squad leader, and then there were the disaster relief efforts, which he participated in over the past two years."

Although Captain Wang wasn’t sure what was happening, he agreed with Minister Lei’s words and couldn’t help but laugh, "Disaster relief is indeed a deed, Salted Fish not only participated in disaster relief but also saved many people from drowning together with Xiao Yu."

"Exactly, exactly, saving people is a deed too, we should add that to the record."

"It’s normal for the Political Consultative Conference to inquire about these, after all, he is a member. But why would the Military District need these, he used to be a Civilian Soldier, but not anymore."

"Who says he isn’t a Civilian Soldier? I’m saying he is, and indeed he originally was!"

While they were chatting, Han Ning arrived with milk and fruits.

Compared to Han Xiangning, Han Ning was the real Han family member.

No sooner had she entered the shipping company, a bunch of aunts crowded around her. They asked why Zhang Jiangkun hadn’t returned, who was looking after the child back in Linghai, and how Old Comrade Han had been recently.

They asked all sorts of questions, and it was all the elders inquiring.

Han Ning was so overwhelmed by the questions that she hardly had time to wish Captain Wang for his birthday.

What made Han Xiangning both laugh and cry was that the curiosity of the aunts did not stop there. Previously worried about scaring her, the new bride of the Han family, now that Han Ning was back, they naturally wouldn’t pass up the chance to chat with her about family matters.

It was only when Xiao Mei, the "Young Lady" of the shipping company, came to her aid that Han Xiangning and Han Ning could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

The fake document case had already been handed over to the Changhang Bureau. Han Xiangning and Director Dong had returned a month and a half ago and she had been staying in Bailong Port since then for her pregnancy, seldom returning to downtown.

Naturally, when seeing her sister, she had to ask about the progress of the case, especially about the several million collected legally, whether Director He would keep his promise.

Han Ning pulled her aside to a corner and laughed, "Rest assured, not only does Director He agree to construct a new ship, but he also very much supports it."

"Really?"

"Why would I lie to you?"

Han Xiangning thought she had heard wrong, her face skeptical.

Han Ning glanced around and explained with a smile, "Sister Liu said Director He initially didn’t want to build a new ship. Perhaps, trapped by your and Director Zhu’s arrangement, he decided to go with the flow."

"What do you mean by going with the flow?"

"San’er is an officer from the bureau, so if San’er wants to build a ship, it means the bureau wants to build a ship. For such a big issue, of course, the bureau has to come forward."

Han Ning pulled her sister-in-law to sit down, unable to suppress her laughter, "Didn’t you tell him that those few million were not enough, that you would strive for matching funds from the superiors and pull in sponsorships from several major enterprises along the river? Director He thinks that if we are building, we should build the most advanced, to fill the gaps in Binjiang Waters and even the entire Changhang System. Since we need to apply for matching funds and pull sponsorships, let’s apply and pull more.

He is transferred from Hanwu, familiar with the shipyards there. He invited experts from Changhang Public Security Bureau Fire Force and Hanwu Shipyard for a conference to discuss the design and construction of large water firefighting rescue ships.

He called leaders from Binjiang Fire Department and engineers from two local shipyards for the proof, and also invited leaders from Changhang Public Security Bureau, Binjiang City leaders, Port Authority leaders, leaders from Linghai City, Port Supervision Bureau leaders, and executives from several major enterprises along the river to attend."

Han Xiangning asked in confusion, "What exactly does Director He intend to do?"

"With such a large investment, of course, he wants to make it grand. Plus, he can apply for matching funds and get sponsorships."

"Is that possible?"

"They say it’s not a big problem, after all, the proof is comprehensive, starting with whether there’s a necessity to build."

"And is there?"

"Definitely necessary. In experts’ words, with so many harbors, docks, and ferries in Binjiang Waters and such significant firefighting risks, building an advanced firefighting rescue ship is urgent."

"Inviting so many leaders and experts over, and that’s the conclusion?"

"Of course not."

Han Ning laughed and said, "First, they prove whether there’s a need to build, then what type, how many tons, and what functions it should have. Based on the proven ship type, tonnage, and functionalities, they estimate how much it will cost."

Han Xiangning asked eagerly, "Approximately how much will it cost?"

"You’ll be shocked to hear, after the proof of three ship types by firefighting experts and ship experts, the cheapest would also be over twenty million!"

"Twenty million, is there that much money?"

"Of course not, but that’s just the preliminary proof. Once San’er returns, we need to further prove it. Sister Liu said Director He had already made up his mind, the bureau would contribute five million, and matching funds from the superiors and several major firms’ sponsorships should also be around five million!"

Director He wants to make an appearance, which is good news.

After all, for San’er, what mattered was getting the new ship built.

Han Xiangning was pleased and couldn’t help but laugh, "When Director Zhang was around, he took firefighting very seriously, I don’t know how many times he applied to the Port Authority and the city for increased firefighting funding. With this foundation, plus your bureau now throwing in five million, the city and the Port Authority can hardly refuse to contribute financially."

Han Ning nodded, "That’s probably what Director He is thinking."

"That’s great."

Han Xiangning thought again and laughed, "Actually, a leader like Director He is quite good. Although he was not very supportive at the beginning, he can adapt, unlike some leaders who are stubborn. Plus, the things that Director Zhang promised before he was transferred, others might not fulfill because Zhang is gone."

The bureau’s offices are so basic, changing directors would definitely allocate funds for unit construction.

That Director He could make this shift in thinking is indeed no small feat.

Han Ning said with emotion, "That’s why you and San’er should appreciate the kindness, and can no longer oppose Director He in the future."