"Does the big senior brother also have reception duties?"
"They are working on a case at someone’s place, and that person has been very helpful. If that person is passing through Linghai on a business trip, he surely should treat them to a meal, right?"
"Does this count as official reception?"
"Director Zhou says it doesn’t."
Having to investigate her own husband – what kind of situation is this?
Zhang Lan couldn’t be more depressed, sighing and saying, "He charged six meals to the account at Jindun Hotel, each time taking colleagues from other regions to dine or arranging their accommodations was approved by Director Wu, and Director Wu even attended the meals.
Without Director Wu’s approval, he, a mere squad leader, couldn’t have signed off on those charges. But it’s not appropriate to go to Director Wu now. Over 800 yuan, all from his own pocket; it’s as if he worked for half a year for nothing. Tell me, isn’t that unlucky?"
That the big brother racked up an over 800 yuan tab shows that the squad leaders and directors at the Jindun Hotel probably racked up even bigger tabs. No wonder the hotel isn’t making money.
Trying to hold back a laugh, Han Yu said, "That is seriously unlucky. Have him kneel on a washboard tonight, see if he dares to overextend himself again."
"And there goes half my salary; you’re still in the mood to joke."
"I’m not joking. So, what about that hotel building if it’s no longer running?"
Zhang Lan was packing up some stuff and explained, "Before Director Zhou came to Linghai, he was the chief of the Internal Security Division at the city bureau, dealing specifically with enterprises and institutions. I see it now; he already had plans to sell off the bureau’s assets before he even took his position here; the buyers were already lined up."
Curiously, Han Yu asked, "Sold to whom? Who would want it?"
Zhang Lan muttered, "Sold to an insurance company. Political Commissioner Sun had someone appraise its value first thing in the morning. Though they have to wait for the appraisal to finish before negotiating with the insurance company, it’s definitely being sold to an insurance company."
"The insurance company just transferred us half a million this morning, as a prepayment, to help our bureau out of a jam, otherwise, there wouldn’t have been money to pay the chefs and waitstaff at the hotel this afternoon."
"Speaking of which, Director Zhou is pretty impressive."
"Another thing, when I went to ask Secretary Wu about the audit, I happened to hear them clear up Li Shichang’s case."
"What’s the issue with him?"
"No major issues, but plenty of minor ones. Not only is he being disciplined, but he’s also being transferred to the Longyong Police Station."
Longyong is an enclave of Linghai.
If measured in a straight line, it’s not far from the Linghai city limits.
But the Yangtze River lies in between, making travel extremely inconvenient, and conditions on the island are harsh – transferring Li Shichang to Longyong Police Station is nearly like banishment.
Just as Han Yu was wondering what to initiate next, his pager suddenly beeped. Looking at the LCD display, he quickly said, "Sister Zhang Lan, Director Shi is calling me, I have to go."
"Okay, I should head back for dinner too."
Han Yu hung up and swiftly dialed the station’s number.
After about half a minute, Shi Shengyong’s voice came through the receiver.
"Salted Fish, just got the notice, Director Zhou who just took office yesterday, is coming to our station this afternoon to conduct a study, Xiao Xiao from the office said Director Zhou also wants to visit your place."
"Should I inform Director Liu and Director Jiang?"
"The bureau didn’t specify, we better not add to the affair, just clean up a bit and get ready."
Meanwhile, Sister Zhu was hosting Zhang Junyan and Wang Wenhong, her old neighbors, in a small meeting room on the third floor of the Port Supervision Bureau.
"Zhou Huixin is quite accommodating, or rather, he’s quite desperate for money. Agreed to sell the boat, and also agreed to releasing people. He plans to go to Bailong Port this afternoon for an inspection and then find someone to do the appraisal, aiming to finalize everything before the Spring Festival."
Sister Zhu smiled and continued, "Our bureau has also readied the funds, now it’s up to you two."
What the two men couldn’t accomplish, a female cadre managed quite easily.
Zhang Junyan felt a bit awkward, a bit shame-faced, he said, "No problem on my end, Salted Fish’s situation was reported to the Port Authority early on, several leaders from the Port Authority have a deep impression of Salted Fish, saying such a talent should have been transferred here sooner."
"What about his position? Salted Fish is a national officer, an administrative police officer. Although you wear police uniforms and are also police officers, you are not national officers. I’ve heard of transfers from industrial police to local police, but not the other way around. You’ll need to show some sincerity."
"Don’t worry, everything’s arranged on my end."
"How is it arranged?"
"We planned to make him the Deputy Director of Bailong Port Police Station, to take over Old Liu’s position when he steps back. Perhaps the prior application highlighted firefighting too much, or maybe several leaders at the Port Authority were scared by last year’s major fire at the Jiangcheng Chemical Factory, recommending strengthening the firefighting department."
"Are you planning to place Salted Fish in the firefighting department?"
"Deputy chief of the firefighting department and captain of the fire brigade."
"But Director Tang needs not only the ship but also police officers capable of joint law enforcement just like before."
"You can rest assured, a fire brigade is currently being formed, can start training at Bailong Port upon personnel arrival, and simultaneously conduct joint law enforcement with the Third Team of Harbor Patrol."
Currently, the Changhang Bureau is undergoing institutional reforms similar to the City Bureau: the Police Department is now labeled with the Police Team sign, the Criminal Investigation Department with the Criminal Investigation Team sign, and the firefighting department with the Water Fire Rescue Team sign.
Couldn’t help but smile, Wang Wenhong said, "So, as soon as Salted Fish transfers over, he’ll be the deputy commander of the Fire Brigade!"
Zhang Junyan laughed, "Our Water Fire Rescue Team can’t compare to your City Bureau’s Fire Brigade. Yours are active duty public security, part of the Armed Police."
"But it sounds impressive, Xu Sanye would be very pleased if he knew."