With the arrival of Deputy Chief of Staff Jiang, the "Linghai Hotel" is officially open for business!

General Lu of the 105th Army came to the ship for inspection the night before last. General Meng of the 402nd Army quickly received the news and brought a few subordinates who had fought alongside the Linghai Reserve Camp to the ship for inspection last night as well.

Seeing two General Rank officers coming to the Salted Fish ship in succession, Vice Commander Yu also brought Captain Fang, who is in charge of troop transport and logistics support, to the ship for inspection tonight.

"The conditions are not bad, having a small hotpot and a few drinks. No wonder the two generals from the 105th and 402nd Armies like coming here."

"Captain Fang, General Lu is our old commander. We were under his command during last year's flood relief operations."

"And General Meng?"

"We fought side by side."

"You know so many high-level commanders, covering land, sea, and air. You've got quite the connections."

"Mainly because the commanders are approachable and have a high regard for us little soldiers."

Enjoying the air conditioning, eating spicy hotpot, and drinking ice-cold beer, this life is really sweet, much better than being onshore.

Captain Fang took a big gulp of beer, turned around, and laughed: "Vice Commander Yu, I'm enjoying this thanks to you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be able to experience this."

Tonight is different from last night. Both commanders are from the Navy and have never interacted before. Yang Jianbo and Ma Jintao, among others, didn't dare to join in, having a "private meal," with only Han Yu accompanying them.

No outsiders, or more precisely, no subordinates around.

Vice Commander Yu had nothing to hold back, holding his beer with a smile: "I should be thankful to the old leadership. If it weren't for Chief of Staff Feng, we wouldn't have the chance to know Salted Fish."

"That's true." Captain Fang put down his glass and curiously asked: "Salted Fish, what is Chief of Staff Feng busy with? Is he doing well now?"

"He's doing quite well." Han Yu quickly said: "After Director Feng retired, Cosco planned to hire him as a consultant. Our Binjiang Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government also wanted to hire him, but he declined them all. He said he already has a pension, and since he's retired, he shouldn't just go around taking money for having his name out there."

"After all these years, his temperament hasn't changed a bit."

"He served as the Port Supervision Director in Binjiang for many years, never accepting gifts or taking advantage, and has earned a lot of respect up and down the ranks."

As soon as Han Yu finished speaking, Vice Commander Yu smiled and introduced: "Captain Fang, not only did Chief of Staff Feng watch Salted Fish grow up, but he also played matchmaker for him. Salted Fish's wife works at the Binjiang Port Supervision Bureau, and the fact that they got together was due to Chief of Staff Feng's matchmaking."

Captain Fang laughed and asked: "Is that so?"

"Yes," Han Yu replied with an embarrassed smile: "Director Feng has always cared about me and supported our unit's work. I used to work in the local police, which was underfunded. A significant portion of our equipment and funding at the Yanjiang Police Station came from the Binjiang Port Supervision Bureau."

Old Comrade Feng was once quite a figure in the army, once being the Navy's youngest ship captain and youngest Standard Camp officer.

Thinking about these, Captain Fang sighed and said: "If Old Feng hadn't transferred back then, he might very well be a Vice Admiral now."

"Let's not talk about this, let's drink."

Vice Commander Yu, not wanting to say in front of his "junior" that the old leader might have made the wrong choice back then, raised his glass to clink with Captain Fang.

After drinking, Captain Fang looked at Han Yu with a smile and said: "Salted Fish, the suggestions you made at the Observation Team meeting a few days ago were all adopted by the superiors. They have added three Marine battalions to the East Sea Fleet, and with the National Council's approval, four Reserve transport regiments have been set up at Cosco and Zhonghai."

Han Yu asked in astonishment: "Did the superiors agree so quickly?"

"This time we not only want to deter Taiwan independence forces but also aim to identify and solve problems during the drill. So the adopted suggestions were not just the two you proposed."

"Salted Fish, do you want to know what other suggestions were adopted by the superiors?"

"I don't want to know, Vice Commander Yu. I don't understand military matters; telling me is useless."

"Really don't want to know?"

"I don't."

"You sly guy, you've learned to keep yourself out of trouble!"

"It's not about keeping out of trouble; it's mainly because I truly don't understand." Seeing the two commanders giving amused looks, Han Yu could only say awkwardly: "I really can't be a soldier. I owe hundreds of thousands in debt; if enlisted specially, the salary wouldn't cover my loan repayments."

Vice Commander Yu, knowing he bought a house in the East Sea, laughed and asked: "Are you afraid of being a soldier just because of financial reasons?"

"It's not just financial reasons."

"What other reasons?"

"I've gotten used to being free; the army has strict rules, and I definitely wouldn't adapt."

"The Smuggling Crime Investigation Bureau is part of the Ministry of Police, much like the local police, and operates with semi-military management. Doesn't the Smuggling Crime Investigation Bureau have its own rules and regulations?"

"Yes, but my situation is quite unique. Let's put it this way, I'm not just a public security police officer. Whenever something happens on the river, I have to manage, or more accurately, assist in or coordinate enforcement."

"No wonder people say you're the 'Binjiang Water Army Commander.' I understand, everyone has their own aspirations, and we won't force you. However, you can't stay out of the matter of forming the reserve transportation group."

"That's Cosco and Zhonghai; I'm in no position to meddle in their affairs."

Afraid that the two commanders wouldn't believe him, Han Yu put down his chopsticks and explained, "Cosco is our 'financial backer.' When the Binjiang Water Firefighting Association was established, Cosco Shipyard was a member and has been paying the membership fee until now. Later, when the Linghai Reserve Camp was formed, they provided personnel and funds to help us co-build it.

As for Zhonghai, before restructuring, it was the Marine Bureau, which can be considered my old unit. I boarded their ship at seventeen, occupied their crew training program, worked from the third officer to apprentice chief officer, and also earned tens of thousands in service fees and voyage bonuses from them."

Vice Commander Yu laughed, "We're not asking you to meddle; we're giving you an opportunity to repay them by helping them form their reserve forces."

Refitting cargo ships costs money, and it's not just about refitting one or two ships.

Forming the four reserve transportation groups requires training, which not only occupies their cargo ships and crew but also needs funding.

Cosco has developed very well in recent years, while Zhonghai's development after restructuring has been less ideal.

Many of the Marine Bureau's crew have been laid off, and asking them to form a reserve transportation force at this time is adding a burden on them.

Han Yu wouldn't dare to go even if you beat him to death, fearing they'd find out this suggestion was his. He quickly said, "The two of you, Cosco and Zhonghai have plenty of retired military personnel. If you don't believe me, you can inquire; over the years, they've settled countless transferred and retired military personnel. Without me, they would still do a great job."

"Are you scared?"

"It's not that I'm scared; mainly, I don't have the energy. I'm currently an anti-smuggling police officer. After completing my current task, I'll have to combat smuggling not just on the river but also at sea. I may even have to follow the General Administration's and Headquarters' arrangements to deploy to Bohai or even the South Sea for rotational duty. I really can't spare the time."

One has to admit, human energy is limited.

Vice Commander Yu paused for a moment, then said, "You're familiar with Cosco and Zhonghai; can you recommend someone capable of taking the lead?"

"Commander, you're overestimating me. While I'm quite familiar with Cosco and Zhonghai, it's mainly with the engineers from Cosco Shipyard and some captains, political commissioners, and crew from Zhonghai. I've never interacted with Cosco or Zhonghai's leadership, let alone their CEOs and vice presidents."

Han Yu thought for a moment and added, "Actually, we could invite Director Feng. Before retiring, Director Feng at Cosco was responsible for this kind of work."

Vice Commander Yu instinctively looked at Captain Fang.

Captain Fang nodded and sighed, "It seems we can only invite Old Feng; I'll report this to my superiors tomorrow."

Vice Commander Yu thought it over and still felt a bit regretful. Looking at Han Yu earnestly, he said, "Salted Fish, yesterday afternoon, the fleet commanders were chatting with the Nanjing Military Region commanders about you. They said if you ever want to join the military, you could be specially recruited to the Nanjing Military Region or our Fleet Command to focus on the Civilian Militia Reserve Force construction."

Captain Fang deeply agreed, set down his chopsticks, and said, "Whether you're transferred to the Military Region Command or the Fleet Command, at least you will be appointed to a standard camp. Work well for two or three years, and getting promoted to deputy regiment is quite easy."

"Thank you, commanders, but as I said, my situation is quite special, and my conditions don't allow me to join the military."

"Alright then, if not in the military, you can still accomplish great things locally."

Captain Fang no longer insisted, put down his wine glass, and changed the topic, "Get ashore early tomorrow. It's best if you come ashore with us later. In the morning, I'll take you somewhere to meet an old friend of yours."

"Where are we going, and to see whom?" Han Yu asked instinctively.

Captain Fang didn't answer him but dipped his finger in beer and drew a submarine on the table.

Han Yu realized and excitedly asked, "Captain Fang, are you saying we're going to see the Big Shark I helped transport back then?"

"Yes."

"Thank you, Captain Fang. Once we arrive, I'll just take a look from the shore. I won't go inside."

"…"

"Captain Fang, don't get me wrong. I know this isn't a 'trap.' I just feel that I don't know much about it. Even if I went in, I wouldn't understand anything. Just seeing it from the outside is enough for me."

This kid, he's so cautious. He's afraid of joining the military right to his bones!

Captain Fang was both amused and helpless, weighed the situation, and laughed, "Alright, just look from the shore, but I'll give you a grand introduction to the whole crew and ask you to talk about how challenging it was to transport the submarine back then."

"Captain Fang, Salted Fish is an anti-flood hero. We should take this opportunity to let Salted Fish hold a flood-rescue-and-relief report meeting."

"Yes, the opportunity is rare. Tomorrow you must speak, talk first about the transportation process and then about the flood rescue!"

"Captain Fang, Vice Commander Yu, my Mandarin isn't standard; I can't speak well or effectively."

"What's there to fear about not having standard Mandarin? Just chat casually as if talking to the boat captain and crew. As long as you complete this task, I'll take you to see the modern-class destroyer that will soon be equipped by our navy next year!"

The modern-class destroyer, formerly the Soviet Union's most advanced destroyer.

Having only seen it in magazines before, Han Yu was very interested and happily said, "Alright, I'll speak tomorrow."

"Junior" rarely gets the chance to participate in a military exercise. The unit doesn't often gather like this, so Vice Commander Yu wouldn't miss this opportunity.

He secretly decided to report to the Fleet Commander after ashore, to see if during their downtime in field exercises, they could have "Junior," this anti-flood model, hold multiple report meetings to motivate the officers and soldiers participating in the exercise.