Waiting is truly a torment.

One night passed and still no departure orders were received.

Han Yu didn't bother asking Chief of Staff Zhang anymore and instead asked each ship to pay attention to the Marine Bureau's notifications. As soon as the Bureau bans navigation in a certain sea area, it means the transport convoy is ready to depart.

Every year around mid-August, the astronomical high tides arrive.

Even without a typhoon, the ocean swells are still significant.

From the reports of each transport team, it appears that the Army's Old Brother did not rest well this night. From the Commander, Deputy Commander to the soldiers, every single one got seasick. The most severe case of seasickness started vomiting at 10 PM last night and hasn't stopped, and the previously distributed barf bags were simply not enough.

Although Army officers and soldiers "locked the barn after the horse is stolen," and asked to take seasickness medicine, the medicine was not very effective.

Five fishing boats without troop transport tasks became supply boats, frequently shuttling between the pier and the sea anchorage to deliver various supplies, while offloading the trash generated overnight.

Village Chief Li, as the brigade Political Commissioner and Militia Transport Captain, couldn't be as "ruthless" as Han Yu. While taking the supply boat to deliver breakfast to the officers and soldiers, he also conveyed the greetings from the Binjiang Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government and the Binjiang Military District to the Army officers and soldiers participating in the exercise.

Secretary Lu, dealing with a myriad of tasks daily, could not stay long at Lvsi Port and returned last night.

Vice Mayor Qin and Commander Wang from the Military District hadn't left. After finishing breakfast in a nearby hotel, they hurried to the command center onshore and asked as soon as they entered: "Salted Fish, how are the participating officers and soldiers?"

"Not too well, but it's normal. After all, it's their first time at sea."

"Setting afloat more than a thousand officers and soldiers on the sea, only a brat like you could pull that off."

"Commander Wang, what do you mean by that?"

"Deputy Commander Yang from the Provincial Military District went to Dacang overnight, arranged by Political Commissioner Chen. It's said that the Army unit planning to take the sea route for the exercise didn't board the ship last night."

"If they didn't board, where did they stay?"

"Liuhe Port is large; finding a place for the officers and soldiers to rest is simple."

Just as Commander Wang finished his words, Vice Mayor Qin, looking worriedly at the sea chart marking the positions of each transport unit's fishing boats, said: "Salted Fish, I know you want to mimic real combat, but you must also consider safety. What if something happens to those over a thousand men floating at sea?"

Commander Wang nodded in agreement and said: "You've never been a soldier and aren't familiar with the unit's situation. To the unit commander, it's indeed accident-prone. Suppose an Air Force unit's command, if they have bad luck and a plane crashes, their professional soldier career is essentially over. The same goes for the Navy, in short, nothing can go wrong!"

"What about the Army?"

"Pretty much the same for the Army."

"Scared of this, scared of that, how to fight a war like that!"

"Everyone understands that principle, especially in the Navy and Air Force, where training might lead to accidents, but it's not easy to take action."

Commander Wang was truly worried about letting so many float at sea and was preparing to order Han Yu to command all fishing boats back to port when an operations staff member quickly walked in.

"Report Commander Wang, there's an order from the military district."

"Okay."

Commander Wang took the order documents, glanced at them, and handed them to Vice Mayor Qin.

Han Yu curiously asked: "Time to depart?"

"Not to depart, but one comrade is coming."

"Who's coming?"

"An observer dispatched by the exercise director department, responsible for observing and evaluating the exercise process."

"Only bringing eyes and ears, just watching without speaking?"

"Probably." Commander Wang thought for a second and reminded: "But there is one thing you must be aware of, once the person arrives, every order you give and every word you say might be recorded and reported."

Han Yu laughed: "I'm not an active duty officer, so I have nothing to fear, besides, it's unlikely I would command indiscriminately."

"I'm just reminding you, kid, don't be like a dog biting Lu Dongbin, not recognizing a good heart."

Just as Commander Wang finished, a call came through the fishery radio station.

"Lvsi Port Coordination, Linghai Tuo 001 calling Lvsi Port Coordination!"

"Coordination received; Linghai Tuo 001 please proceed."

"Secretary Han!"

"Director Qian, this is the Fishery Administration's traffic control frequency." Han Yu smiled and raised the communicator for a reminder.

Deputy Director of Customs Qian Shimin, now serving as the Chief of Staff for the Binjiang Reserve Rescue Boat Team, suddenly realized he was executing a military task and quickly changed his tone: "Coordination, coordination, Linghai Tuo 001 requests entry into the port."

The big ship has come!

Han Yu was extremely excited, quickly leaned over to look at the radar, found the location of Linghai Tuo 001, and replied: "The waterway here is very shallow, and the tide has just gone out, so the water depth is insufficient. Please adjust your course, sail two nautical miles due east, and anchor there."

Qian Shimin looked down at the sea and said: "There are many fishing boats on the sea."

"I know, they are from our fishing fleet."

"All fishing boats from the fishing fleet have left the port?"

"Yes, your timing is perfect, quickly sail to their outer zone for guard and protection."

"Received!"

"Wait, where has the Bin Xun reached?"

"Bin Xun is also approaching, they are about four nautical miles from us."

"Why haven't they sailed in formation?"

"There were many cargo ships waiting to enter the port while passing through the Wusong Water Area. To ensure navigational safety, they had to follow Wusong Traffic Control instructions. When heading out to sea, they encountered two fishing boats cutting across the waterway, intercepting their course, which further delayed them."

The school's training ship is large, and the North Channel and South Channel at Wusong are very busy. Entering the sea requires following traffic control instructions.

Han Yu realized and laughed: "Please keep in contact with Bin Xun and have them anchor over at your place once they arrive."

"Received, over."

...

The two ships from the Rescue Boat Team have arrived; now everything is ready, just waiting for the order.

Vice Mayor Qin was also feeling a bit anxious, pulled out a cigarette and asked, "Commander Wang, when exactly are we setting off?"

Commander Wang accepted the cigarette, lit it, and took several puffs, exhaling clouds of smoke, saying: "Organizing an exercise is extraordinarily complex. It requires repeated organization and coordination, even down to individual soldiers and vehicles. The timing for when to start shooting, when to stop, what targets to hit, how many shells and bullets to fire, the timing and direction of equipment movement, all have strict regulations.

Furthermore, exercises can result in friendly fire incidents, so meticulous planning and thorough preparation are necessary. Various safety measures need to be established to ensure the effectiveness of the exercise while preventing accidents."

Seeing thoughtful expressions on Vice Mayor Qin and Han Yu's faces, Commander Wang continued: "What I just mentioned was only the army's exercise. But what follows is a cross-district, cross-fleet, multi-arm joint exercise. The organization, coordination, and collaborative work involved are more demanding than imagined.

Under normal circumstances, a large-scale joint military exercise like this would require at least three to six months of preparation. However, what's about to be conducted is a 'ready-to-go' 'combat-oriented' three-real exercise, involving numerous units and troops. Completing preparations within a week is already quite an accomplishment."

Han Yu instinctively asked: "Three-real exercise?"

"Real soldiers, real bullets, real explosions—pretty much like the real thing!"

"Understood. I'll board as soon as the observer arrives."

...

Plans always fall short of changes.

Ma Jintao, Xiao Yu, Chen Jian, and others originally thought Han Yu wouldn't be able to participate in the exercise, only standing guard outside the exercise area. Unexpectedly, when departing Binjiang last night, Director Qian announced that Han Yu would participate and have full command over the Binjiang Reserve Corps, composed of Linghai Reserve Battalion Third Company, Rescue Boat Team, and Sea Militia.

Upon reaching about five nautical miles outside Lvsi Port aboard the Shipping Academy's training ship, he stood on the deck and gazed into the distance at dozens of various fishing boats anchored nearby.

Professor Wang Hongbing from the Shipping Academy's Marine Department is currently captain of the training ship, standing at the helm directing the crew to anchor.

Deputy Director Qin Weiquan from Binjiang Maritime Bureau's Inspection Division, now both the political office director of the Rescue Boat Team and the top leader on the supply ship, used the ship's loudspeaker to remind: "Attention all personnel, attention all personnel, superior orders indicate our vessel should anchor here awaiting orders and continue radio silence; do not use the walkie-talkie without authorization..."

Xiao Yu glanced back at the helm and quietly asked: "Old Ma, which fishing boat do you think Salted Fish is on?"

"You ask me, who am I supposed to ask?"

"Do you know how to signal with flags?"

"I'm not a seaman, nor have I served in the Navy, so how would I know flag signals."

"I don't know either. If I did, it'd be great, then I could ask using flag signals."

Chen Jian couldn't help but laugh: "Director Yu, even if you know how, it might not be useful; you need the people on the fishing boat to know flag signals too for communication."

Xiao Yu muttered, "Thinking about it, that's true."

Gao Jichun, gazing at a small fishing boat darting across the sea, said: "Secretary Han definitely knows we've arrived, probably coming over soon."

"Old Gao, are you saying Salted Fish will come aboard our ship?"

"He's the Branch Captain, the overall commander. Since he's the overall commander, he needs a flagship. Our ship is the largest and has the best conditions, there's nowhere else he'd rather go."

Xiao Yu, knowing Salted Fish too well, said without hesitation: "Salted Fish won't come aboard our ship, he'll only go to Big 001, and only considers Big 001 as the flagship."

Just as they were chatting, a sudden notification came through the loudspeakers.

"Attention deck crew and Water Rescue Team, the branch command orders the deployment of two power boats for port visits to execute materials replenishment and personnel transportation tasks."

The Duty Chief Officer immediately raised his hand, indicating the command was received.

Ma Jintao realized and hurriedly rushed over to put on a life jacket, preparing to assist crew members in hoisting the power boat as per the plan.

Xiao Yu wouldn't miss the opportunity, excitedly shouted: "Hoist my 001, my 001 is on top!"

...

The Su Yu 628's anchoring spot is about 800 meters from the training ship.

During the past night, Commander Ding didn't know how he managed through; the seasickness was extremely uncomfortable, he practically vomited his guts out. It wasn't until around 4:30 AM that he finally fell asleep, only to wake up to the sound of cheering outside.

He forced himself up, walked out of the crew cabin, and saw the weary subordinates crowded at the ship's edge watching the sea.

Following their gaze, he saw a camouflage-painted and an olive-green-painted military ship looking somewhat like landing craft speeding toward the Fish Port, leaving two long white waves behind.

The Chief of Staff saw him emerge and, excitedly pointing at the sea, said: "Commander, the boat is run by the Army!"

"Commander, the pilot is waving at us!"

"What kind of ship is this? Does our Army have landing crafts?"

"No idea what the ship is, they're driving it fast."

Rarely had a chance to speed on the sea, Xiao Yu wouldn't miss the chance to show off, steering straight toward Jiangyu 628. Ma Jintao was equally thrilled, driving a power boat with the Red Flag toward the nearby Jiangyu 731.

The ship captain noticed and was taken aback. Quickly turned on the speaker and shouted: "Attention the small boat ahead, you're moving too fast and too close to us; if you hit my ship, I'll have your head!"

Xiao Yu heard it clearly and thought they don't trust his driving skills, shouted "Hold tight!" and immediately sharply turned the wheel.

Under his control, the power boat veered sharply about ten meters away from the fishing boat, crossing by less than four meters from the left side, sweeping up waves high enough to splash all over the soldiers leaning over the railings to watch.

"Commander, he really is Army, he's Lieutenant!"

"Nearly crashed, scared me to death."

...

With his own power boat unavailable to enter the water, Chen Jian, aboard Xiao Yu's power boat, also got a fright. Holding onto the helm to steady himself, he griped: "Xiao Yu, why speed up like that? Planning to throw me into the ocean?" 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Just joking with them."

"This is a power boat, not a speedboat!"