"What's the deal with the motorboat? Salted Fish's new boat does have a motorboat, but can his motorboat dare collide with our power boat?"

The power boat is made of steel and can be used for bridge construction; naturally, a motorboat can't compete with a power boat.

Chen Jian looked amused yet helpless, and more cheers erupted from the fishing boat ahead. He looked up and saw that the deck was indeed crowded with Army brothers.

When reserve Army officers encounter brothers from the active Army forces, Xiao Yu is definitely going to leave a memorable impression on them. Grasping the steering wheel, he repeated his antics, letting the Army personnel on the fishing boat upfront get a taste of sea water.

At first, they cheered when they saw them.

After being splashed with seawater, it turned into a chorus of curses.

Ma Jintao and Gao Jichun saw everything clearly and even heard it faintly, couldn't help but join Xiao Yu in joking with the Army brothers, thus having great fun on the sea.

Han Yu was also at sea, riding a fishing boat accompanying the freshly arrived observer to board the big 001. Seeing Xiao Yu and Ma Jintao not only driving recklessly but openly provoking the soldiers aboard, he found himself amused and helpless.

The observer's surname is Chen, slightly over forty and an Army Major.

Major Chen's first time at sea, didn't expect such "festivities," and couldn't help but ask, "Comrade Han Yu, what's going on here?"

Han Yu calmed down, acting thoughtful and said, "The soldiers have been staying on the sea overnight, and many are seasick, uncertain about how long they'll be offshore. The space on the fishing boat is small and conditions are harsh, so we can imagine how irritated they are, waiting like this affects morale."

Major Chen was momentarily stunned, looked far at Ma Jintao and Xiao Yu speeding in the distance, asked, "Is this your way to boost the troops' morale?"

"Well, given there's not much entertainment on the fishing boat."

"Your entertainment arrangement is rather inventive."

"Can't call it inventive, it's a solution out of necessity."

Chief of Staff Zhang, accompanying them, watched Han Yu speaking seriously, quickly turned his back against Major Chen, afraid he might laugh aloud.

The fishing boat first docked with Su Yu 628, bringing Commander Ding and other Field Battle Group leaders aboard, conveyed the order from the Military District to the Binjiang Reserve Corps to assign observers, introduced Major Chen to them, and then took them aboard the Linggang Tuo 001.

Director Qian, Teacher Xia, and Captain Huang were invited to prep accommodations for the main leaders of the Field Battle Group and set up the group headquarters, also prepared the crew cabins for Major Chen.

Major Chen, placing his luggage, put on a life jacket, accompanied by Han Yu, started to tour the "flagship" of the Binjiang Branch.

The tugboat has great horsepower, yet the front and rear decks are relatively small.

Touring to the rear deck, Major Chen saw the anti-aircraft gun team from the Chonggang District Civilian Corps on deck, surprisedly asked, "Comrade Han Yu, did you bring anti-aircraft guns on board?"

"Cross-sea combat, air defense is crucial; our Binjiang Reserve Forces have no missiles, only anti-aircraft guns, so they can only be brought aboard."

Han Yu smiled slightly, raised his arm, pointing to the training ship anchored at a distance: "On this ship, the anti-aircraft team is from Chonggang District Civilian Corps; on that ship, it is from the Development Zone Civilian Corps."

Major Chen pursued, "What about the ammunition, got any ammunition?"

"We're partaking in an exercise, not putting on a show; there's plenty of ammunition. Loaded onto ships two days ago, including blanks, live rounds, and flares."

Director Qian, accompanying the tour, smilingly supplemented, "Captain Chen, upon receiving orders, we brainstormed, organized the squad to study potential situations during the exercise, not only brought the militia anti-aircraft team aboard, but also prepared smoke bombs. Those power boats dispatched earlier were meant to fetch smoke bombs from the dock, distribute them to each vessel, use them if necessary for covering an evacuation."

Just while fetching Commander Ding and others from Jiangyu 628, Major Chen clearly saw the soldiers spending the night aboard, many severely seasick, still vomiting.

Meanwhile, Binjiang Military District had even brought anti-aircraft guns aboard and smoke bombs ready, silently marveled at some participating troops as the exercise was about to commence. Binjiang Branch was different; their maritime transport drill had indeed started since last night!

Major Chen is astounded by how the Reserve Forces operate thoroughly by real combat standards.

Han Yu, not knowing Major Chen's thoughts, curiously asked, "Captain Chen, when are we setting sail?"

"I'm an observer, not a commander; when to set sail, orders will directly be given to you by superiors, has nothing to do with me."

"You are a leader!"

"What sort of leader, as said, I'm merely an observer, duty-bound only to observe."

At this moment, personnel aboard big 001 had gathered entirely.

Han Yu, neither intending nor needing to gain prominence, invited Director Qian for introductions.

Major Chen had rushed here upon receiving temporary orders for observation tasks, hadn't interacted with the Binjiang Civilian Militia Reserve Force before, couldn't believe that the Binjiang Military District had not only brought militia anti-aircraft teams aboard, but also equipped repair units and diving squads.

Greeting and shaking hands with the officers, then switched to touring the supply ship by fishing boats.

Capable of executing staff transport, beach landings, even bridging float bridges, the Linghai Reserve Camp Third Company surely left Major Chen a profound impression. Additionally, two maritime machinery dealers tagging along, broadened Major Chen's view.

Returning to big 001, Major Chen quietly asked, "Comrade Han Yu, there should be a radiotelegraphist aboard, right?"

"Yes."

"I'll need to send a telegram shortly to report my arrival to superiors."

"No problem, I'll lead you to the radio room."

"The content of my telegram must be kept confidential." Major Chen opened his briefcase and took out a codebook.

How could Han Yu not catch the implication of Major Chen's words? He quickly said, "Our branch has three radiotelegraphists, one of whom is a teacher at the Binjiang Shipping College. He is both a reserve officer in our Binjiang Navy Rescue Ship Battalion and a politically reliable veteran party member. I will have him follow your command from now on."

"Thank you."

"No need for thanks, this is what we should do."

In fact, the Field Battle Group also has radios and radiotelegraphists, and each company participating in the exercise is equipped with radios; otherwise, they wouldn't set up the group command post on 001.

However, they need to maintain radio silence for now, and cannot turn on the radio.

They must wait until the transport fleet is near the exercise area before they can turn on the radio to report to the superior and receive further orders.

With over a thousand people at sea, the supply mission is quite heavy.

After all, the anchorage is not far from the Fish Port, and if the soldiers don't have to chew on compressed biscuits, we won't let them.

All six power boats of the Linghai Reserve Battalion were lowered into the ocean, and together with the five fishing boats performing the supply task, they incessantly shuttled across the sea.

Han Yu stood in the cockpit of the 001, overlooking the sea, contemplating whether Commander Wang and Vice Mayor Qin had returned when the duty crew suddenly shouted, "Secretary Han, emergency notice from the Maritime Bureau!"

"Turn on the speaker."

"Yes!"

"Now broadcasting the navigation warning from the National Maritime Bureau, the People's Liberation Army of China will conduct a military exercise from 11:00 on August 14th within the waters bounded by 28-53.00N 122-12.67E, 28-53.00N 122-15.67E, 28-50.50N 122-15.67E and 28-50.50N 122-12.67E in the East Sea. All vessels are prohibited from entering, all vessels are prohibited from entering..."

The notice only mentioned the start time of the exercise, not the end time!

Han Yu realized this was the main point and immediately turned around, saying, "Chief of Staff, notify the supply fleet and power boat squadron to cease supply and return immediately."

"Yes!"

"Political Commissioner Li, notify each transport squadron to be ready to set sail at any time."

"Yes!"

"Chief of Staff Zhang, monitor the radio and wait for orders from the superior."

As Han Yu anticipated, it was less than half an hour after the maritime department announced the navigation warning that Chief of Staff Zhang received an order from the superior.

Teacher Xia ordered the crew to raise the signal flags and sound the whistle according to the plan.

Fifty-five fishing boats weighed anchor one after another, sailing in formations of three or two as per the transport plan.

Linggang Tuo 001 was not leading from the front but followed the fishing boats from the left rear with the training ship.

Commander Ding mustered his energy to reach the bridge; in fact, he was the only one qualified in the whole group to be there. He looked over the sea with urgency and asked, "Captain Han, are we setting off now?"

"Yes."

"Approximately how long will it take to reach the exercise area?"

"By 10 a.m. tomorrow, we will definitely arrive. I'll notify you when we're close."

"Alright, thank you very much."

...

At 3:27 p.m., the leading fishing boat reported seeing many ships at sea, including fishing boats and freighters, all flying red flags.

Upon receiving the report, Han Yu returned to the bridge, looked at the formations displayed on the radar, and mused, "Village Chief Li, order each squadron to adjust course to maintain distance from the leading transport fleet. Our fishing boats should also maintain distance between each other, traveling in a fishing operation formation."

Li Mingsheng could imagine how spectacular the scene the leading ship captain saw. He hesitated and asked, "Shouldn't we join the big formation?"

"The superior did not instruct us to join the big formation."

"Jiangyu 301 just reported an aircraft overhead, possibly aerial photography. If we adjust our course and keep a distance from the big formation, won't the superior think we're off course?"

"We are navigating in coastal waters, not going to distant seas. The ship captains have run this route countless times; how could we possibly be off course?"

Han Yu turned back to look at Major Chen and straightforwardly said, "Crowding together looks nice, and it's impressive on TV, but what good is looking nice and impressive? We require safe navigation. Everything should be close to real combat. In case of an enemy air strike or shelling from enemy ships, they might be annihilated; if we stay further away and spread out a bit, at least we can preserve part of the active force."

"Yes, I'll notify them right now."

"Teacher Xia, signal Instructor Wang to organize the crew for lookout, mainly to observe the sky. Have the anti-aircraft gun squad ready for air defense, and our two boats must also maintain distance."

...

PS: Apologies for the late update, please bear with us.