"It's impractical to give a tribute now; the island is probably under lockdown. Let's wait until the comrades return, then we'll celebrate their achievements."

"Political Commissioner, do you think Salted Fish and the others might collectively earn a second-class merit this time?"

"I don't really know, but we should report Xiao Gong's actions. Even if the troops don't record merit for Xiao Gong, we must request our superiors to acknowledge his merits."

The young man fearlessly eliminated the anti-smuggling boat's malfunction, burning his hand and right arm, yet he insisted on carrying out the task, which is indeed moving.

Vice Port Director Ma nodded, put down the newspaper, and said, "Once Xiao Gong returns, have the office compile his deeds. If the troops don't report, we will!"

"I estimate the troops won't report it, as strictly speaking, the 823 and 825 boats didn't participate in the military exercises. They're not under the command of the troops; they merely assisted the maritime department with peripheral vigilance in the exercise area."

"Political Commissioner, please find some time to meet Director Xu and Director Zhu. We've provided manpower and anti-smuggling boats to assist their work; our men are injured on duty, and the maritime department should give some recognition."

"The 823 and 825 boats were not requisitioned by the Binjiang Maritime Bureau for vigilance tasks. What Director Xu and Director Zhu say doesn't count."

"They can help us reflect this to the superiors."

"Alright, I'll visit the Maritime Bureau this afternoon."

...

Meanwhile, Han Yu is donning the observer's red armband and heading towards a naval sea training base on the island with four fishing boats executing search and rescue missions.

The so-called sea training base is actually just a yard with some low buildings a few hundred meters from the seashore.

The parking is in the yard, and people sleep in the houses. A cadet team from a naval academy is participating in the exercise here.

They sleep on bunk beds. Despite the heat by the sea and no fans in the houses, having spent days and nights on trains, tired from the journey, you can see they slept soundly last night.

The school's leadership announced the sea training discipline and led the team to the seashore.

The azure seawater gently kissed the white sandy beach, and the sea breeze brought along a salty scent, lifting spirits. The cadets are a mixed land-sea team, and many have never seen the ocean before, feeling indescribable excitement.

Seeing their joyous appearance, Han Yu couldn't help but think that the seemingly quiet and gentle ocean will soon challenge them harshly.

The sun beams directly, and the reflection off the sea and diffuse reflection off the sand make everyone feel the fierce sunlight by the sea, heating their skin.

Yet, the sea training ground is finely chosen, facing an eastern bay, with flat terrain, calm waters, gradually deepening sea bed, no cliffs or rocks, and clean, fine sand. Tiny hermit crabs are crawling out of holes towards the sea.

The cadet team is divided into A, B, and C groups. Among the cadets, aside from a few warriors who've previously undergone sea training from the military academy, most are heading into the ocean for the first time.

Who'll successfully kick off the first shot of sea training has become the academy leadership's greatest concern.

After comprehensive consideration, the school leadership decided on the sixth district team to be first in the ocean. Four people per group, a total of ten groups forming the first team, under the instructor's organization, prepared to head into the deep sea hand in hand.

Four fishing boats lingered on the distant sea surface, civilian soldiers on board keeping a close eye, ready to rescue at any time.

An academy leader, wearing glasses, was unaware that Han Yu is solely observing the civilian militia reserve force, only knowing Han Yu is the observer sent by the superiors, approached for chit-chat.

"Most of our cadets are landlubbers, Comrade Xiao Han, you're an expert; how many days of training do you think it takes to form combat power?"

The academy leader is a Navy Rear Admiral.

However, Rear Admirals on the island are "common"; yesterday, an observation team "colleague" mentioned there might be a hundred Rear Admirals on the island now!

In comparison, observers are rather formidable.

Though observers are generally young with not very high ranks, they're well-educated, mostly undergraduates, and many hold master's or even doctoral degrees. They're either from military academy combat research offices or seconded from the two major military regions and fleet command headquarters, including staff officers from the four headquarters and the army, navy, and air force headquarters.

In short, observers are somewhat akin to military inspectors; wherever they go, they're seen as "a rank higher."

Han Yu could tell that this general in front of him is also a landlubber and said with a smile, "Director Liu, swimming in the sea is very different from swimming in a reservoir; even when it's calm, there's the wind and waves, and the seemingly calm sea is not calm at all.

Because seawater consists of both waves and swells. Waves slam down on you, and the swells make you bob up and down, helplessly. Actually, waves and swells aren't a big deal; the main concern is how to make the cadets' taste buds acclimate to the taste of the sea."

Director Liu was startled, puzzled, and asked, "Acclimate to the taste of the sea?"

"Tiny droplets of seawater flowing from the nose into the throat create a bitter and astringent taste that's unforgettable for those who've never been to the sea. The more you resist that taste, the more sensitive your taste becomes."

Han Yu paused, then continued, "Then there's the fear from within. Think about it: below you lies an endless sea, and you're as insignificant as a leaf floating on the ocean surface; fear arises spontaneously.

Fortunately, there are many cadets in sea training; at least you can see your fellow soldiers ahead and even chat while swimming. You have a life buoy, and fishing boats are providing escort, allowing for more courage. Without these, merely conquering fear isn't an easy task."

Choking on water while swimming in the sea is perfectly normal.

Just then, a wave crashed over the first batch of cadets who had just rushed into the sea.

The cadets were overturned by the waves, many of them choking on water. Choking on seawater is painful; even a little bit flowing to the throat is uncomfortable, and the cadets quickly spit it out.

The instructor glanced at the observer speaking with the academy leader on the shore and immediately roared, "If you choke on water, drink it down boldly instead of constantly spitting it out! The more you think about spitting it out, the more uncomfortable it is; it disrupts your swimming rhythm!"

Another instructor, worried about being noted by the observer, hurriedly shouted, "No spitting allowed! Look ahead, align the formation, swim!"

The academy leader clearly saw and heard everything and didn't expect what the observer said about cadets needing to acclimate to the taste of the sea to immediately become reality. Quickly, he changed the topic: "Comrade Xiao Han, are you in the Reserve?"

"Yes."

"Are you a veteran?"

"No, I've never been a soldier."

How could one who hasn't been a soldier become a Reserve Major?

The academy leader was pondering this, when a Navy helicopter flew overhead, clearly seeing a Major on the helicopter waving greetings to Han Yu.

"Xiao Han, does the one on the helicopter know you?"

"A colleague from the observation team. Yesterday, we performed an observation task together."

"Are there many Reserve Officers like you in the observation team?"

"Not many, only me."

Just then, the fishing boats lowered some small dinghies, and the crew piloted dinghies resembling iron boats approaching the sides of the cadet team on the sea, ensuring their safety during sea training.

The cadets are future Navy officers; no accidents must occur.

Han Yu watched for a while, feeling assured, because as an observer, he only needs his ears and eyes without the authority to command civilians performing sea search and rescue, he seamlessly made excuses to hitch a ride on a vessel heading to the Hai Xun base region to observe other civilian transport teams.

The academy leader watched Han Yu leave, quickly entered the tent that had just been set up, and relieved said, "Vice Dean Li, the observer left."

Vice Dean, holding binoculars, observing the sea while softly responding, "It's good. Him leaving makes us feel relieved."