September 1st, the start of the school year.

Han Xiangning had been waiting eagerly for years, watching stars and moons, and finally, the day came for Han Han to go to school.

In the morning, she specifically took two hours off work to take Han Han to kindergarten with her mother. As expected, Han Han cried and fussed, not liking school, but she couldn't skip school just because she didn't like it.

Seeing Little Han Han cry like that, both mother and daughter were reluctant, but they steeled themselves and handed Little Han Han over to the teacher.

Throughout the day, she couldn't concentrate at work, constantly worried about Han Han.

The kindergarten finished early, and Director Xiang went to pick her up.

Han Xiangning managed to stay until the end of her work day, then rushed to the Navy Retirement Home on her light motorcycle. It wasn't until she saw Little Han Han sitting in the living room of Old Ge's dormitory, happily munching on snacks from Sister Wei, that Han Xiangning finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Han Han, were you well-behaved at kindergarten today?"

"..."

Being at the kindergarten all day, Little Han Han felt aggrieved and didn't want to see her mom or grandma, keeping her head down and continuing to eat.

On the first day of school, a child's unhappiness is quite normal.

Han Xiangning squatted beside her and asked as gently as possible, "Han Han, aren't there many kids at kindergarten? Isn't it fun?"

"Not fun." Little Han Han didn't want to say more, clutching her snacks and running off to see her "little aunt."

Feeling awkward, Han Xiangning followed into the bedroom and asked with a smile, "Master's wife, is Siqi asleep?"

"No, she's just staring blankly."

"Are her eyes better now? Can she see?"

Sister Wei laughed, "Seems like it."

Han Xiangning reached out and waved her hand in front of the little one on the small bed, and the little one indeed reacted.

Finding it funny, Sister Wei stroked Little Han Han's head and laughed, "Ningning, your mom's over at Sister Yao's helping with dinner. She's heading to the East Sea with Director Feng tomorrow morning and probably won't be back."

"What's Director Feng going to the East Sea for?"

"I didn't ask for details. Your dad and Old Ge are playing cards at Director Feng's. You can go ask."

"Okay."

Feeling uneasy, Han Xiangning specifically instructed Han Han to be good before hurrying to Director Feng's temporary dorm at Building No. 3.

As Master's wife said, Ge Diao, Master Han, and Director Zheng of the Retirement Home were playing cards with Director Feng, while her mom was in the kitchen preparing dinner with Director Feng's wife, Sister Yao.

Han Xiangning greeted the elders and curiously asked Old Han from behind, "Director Feng, are you going to the East Sea?"

"Yeah."

"What are you going to the East Sea for?"

"Cosco Container Transport Corporation and Zhonghai Group want to hire me as a consultant to guide them in forming a reserve transportation regiment. It's a job your Salted Fish got for me, I have to go."

"Don't kid around, old leader. He doesn't know the higher-ups at Cosco and Zhonghai, how could he get you such a job!"

Director Feng threw a ten of hearts, looked up, and laughed, "Not only did he get me a job, but he also got Cosco and Zhonghai a job. It was him who first proposed that these two shipping companies form a reserve transportation regiment. Since he worked for a few years at Zhonghai before its restructuring and executed tasks representing Cosco, when the leaders figured things out, their first thought was to transfer him over."

Han Xiangning couldn't help but laugh, "Transferring to work at the East Sea, that's great! As long as he can get transferred, I hope I can too. Then we can truly be East Sea people with my sister and brother-in-law!"

"Ningning, it's not as simple as you think."

Master Han motioned for Old Ge to play a card while explaining with a wry smile, "He keeps creating problems for other people. If he really gets transferred, do you think the leaders will treat him well?"

Han Xiangning puzzled, "Isn't it just forming a reserve transportation regiment? We've already formed a Regular Group Level Reserve Rescue Boat Team at Binjiang. For large enterprises like Cosco and Zhonghai, it's a piece of cake!"

Director Zheng folded his cards and looked at Han Xiangning with a smile, "Your family's Salted Fish didn't suggest forming one reserve transportation regiment, he suggested forming four to six. The higher-ups adopted his suggestion and ultimately decided to let Cosco and Zhonghai each form two regiments."

Han Xiangning suddenly understood, laughing and crying, "Suggesting others to form four to six regiments, what was he thinking? Isn't he being generous with other people's resources?"

"Forget about how many cargo ships need retrofitting or how much funding is needed, just setting up the framework for four regiments is no easy task." Old Ge chuckled after playing his card.

Director Feng said helplessly, "I can't take the first step for him, if I don't go, how will it get done? I was already retired, hoping to enjoy a peaceful life, and now I have to clean up his mess. What do you call this!"

"Director Feng, being a consultant for the East Sea is different from consulting for the Rescue Boat Team. Cosco and Zhonghai will definitely pay consultancy fees."

"It's not about the money."

"This is the trust of the higher-ups. Master Han and I don't even have the qualifications to go."

It must be admitted, this indeed is the trust of the higher-ups, and these aren't just any higher-ups!

While shuffling the cards, Director Feng laughed, "I can't take the job alone. Ge Diao, you're more familiar with Linghai Reserve Camp than I am; recommend some people to me."

"You can take Sun Yongtao, Liu Jinlong, Gu Ming, and Chu Guitu. But I can only speak for Linghai Reserve Camp, not for Cosco Shipyard."

Old Ge thought for a moment, then continued, "Only Cosco Shipyard has staff serving in our reserve, Zhonghai doesn't, we haven't even interacted with Zhonghai."

Director Feng pondered, "Since they're all from Cosco, internal transfers aren't too difficult. But forming four regiments, just four people is not enough."

"I can't help with that. Maybe wait until Salted Fish returns and ask him. He worked at the Marine Bureau and should know who's capable and who isn't."

"Ningning, can you call your brother-in-law for me?"

"Ask about what?"

"Ask if he's willing to transfer to Zhonghai."

"He's doing well at the Salvage Bureau, and he hasn't been there for long."

"Just call and ask him."

Building four regiments from scratch without capable subordinates is truly impossible.

Director Feng took a deep breath and smiled as he added, "Explain it clearly to your brother-in-law, as long as he's willing to transfer to Zhonghai, his position and salary will be higher than now, definitely not lower. He's currently a Reserve Captain. If he's willing to transfer, I'll promote him to Major Camp Commander!"

What's the difference between a Reserve Major and a Reserve Captain?

As for salary, brother-in-law's already being paid well at the Salvage Bureau, how much higher can it be at Zhonghai?

Han Xiangning didn't think it was a good idea; after all, who wants to make such a fuss when things are going well? Just as she was about to speak but hesitated, Director Feng meaningfully added, "This was originally a task for your family's Salted Fish. I'm cleaning up after your family's Salted Fish."

The old leader had spoken this far, so what could Han Xiangning say? She could only brace herself and go make the call.

This call was unexpected in ways she hadn't anticipated.

Zhang Jiangkun figured out the cause and effect, and he hesitated for a moment before asking, "Ningning, can you ask Director Feng if transferring to Zhonghai would allow me to go on a ship?"

"Brother-in-law, you want to sail?"

"I have a Seaman's Certificate and a Second Chief Engineer Competence Certificate."

"You are currently the Deputy Director of the Ship Machinery Department and doing well, why go on a ship?"

"I'm not well-educated and can't sit in an office. If I can go on a ship, I still want to go."

Han Xiangning couldn't believe her ears and asked in shock, "Such a big decision, shouldn't you discuss it with my sister first? Sailing isn't like other jobs; once you're at sea, it's for seven or eight months. Moreover, have you had it easy to reach where you are today, and the salary at the Salvage Bureau isn't low."

"Your sister will definitely agree."

"Impossible."

"It's not impossible. If you don't believe me, you can call her."

Han Xiangning grew more curious and asked, "Brother-in-law, are you not happy at the Salvage Bureau?"

Zhang Jiangkun realized he had to explain clearly and could only smile bitterly, saying, "What does the Ship Machinery Department do? It's responsible for purchasing ship machinery equipment and arranging engineering ships for major overhauls. The Salvage Fleet has so many engineering ships, with maintenance and overhaul costs amounting to millions each year.

Although I'm just a Deputy Director, if something happens in the future, I will definitely be held accountable. I'm timid and can't bear this responsibility. Even if you hadn't made this call, I would have requested from the leadership for a position change these days. I have skills and certification, I can work on a ship!"

Han Xiangning hesitated a moment, and then softly asked, "Brother-in-law, are you saying there are issues with your department?"

"You can't talk recklessly about things without evidence. Anyway, I don't want to stay in the Ship Machinery Department for a single day."

"Instead of requesting a position change, why not take this opportunity to transfer to Zhonghai? Otherwise, your colleagues in your department will surely have thoughts, maybe even think you 'sold them out.'"

"What do you mean by selling out? I don't have evidence; if I did, I would have reported them long ago, and I would do it in my real name too!"

"Got it, I'll go ask Director Feng for you."

You can imagine how complex the department responsible for ship machinery parts procurement and ship overhaul can be.

Han Xiangning didn't want to see her brother-in-law dragged down by pests, nor did she want him targeted by those pests. Pretending to be relaxed, she returned to the living room after hanging up the phone.

Director Feng was elated to confirm Zhang Jiangkun's willingness to transfer to Zhonghai and couldn't help but smile, "It seems that in critical moments you still have to rely on family, but your brother-in-law doesn't need to go sailing. If he really goes on a ship, he would be at sea for more than half the year, and if a task arises from above, there's no way to recall him in time."

"Then what's the point of transferring my brother-in-law to Zhonghai?"

"Zhonghai is now engaged in multi-industry operations, spreading its wings wide, even doing real estate. Rest assured, there are plenty of positions for him. As for salary, he won't lose out, nor will he be separated from your sister."

Suddenly needing to form two reserve transport regiments, and this is a political task.

Zhonghai will certainly implement and execute decisively, and forming two regiments can't be done without knowledgeable talent. Brother-in-law isn't just a Reserve Officer; he's a Reserve Officer who has made meritorious contributions in flood control and disaster relief, transferring him from the Salvage Bureau to Zhonghai is equivalent to introducing talent!

Han Xiangning believed Zhonghai wouldn't treat her brother-in-law poorly, and couldn't help but laugh and ask, "Director Feng, what has San'er been busy with lately? When is he coming back?"

"What a coincidence, I just spoke with their leader on the phone this morning. Their leader said he's been busy presenting reports on flood control and disaster relief, giving one talk after another, specifically to the officers participating in military exercises. He's being welcomed everywhere, living quite a life better than yours and mine."

"Impossible."

"Why not?"

"He doesn't like speaking about these things."

"Dislikes but does are two different things. Zhonghai and Zhonghai forming reserve forces is a political task. Him going on stage to talk about flood control and disaster relief is also a political task, and requested by Nanjing Military Region and East Sea Fleet Commanders. Does he dare not to speak?"

Director Feng also didn't expect Salted Fish to be hauled in by the Commanders to do this. After thinking, he smiled and added, "He's not the only hero model; there are participants from all units. Reportedly, they've temporarily formed a 'Battlefield Hero Report Group,' mainly comprising hero models from active units, while there are only him and Ma Jintao from the reserve units."

While picturing the junior's look as he presented to the officers, Han Xiangning asked with a smile, "How long will he be giving these talks?"

"That I don't know, maybe not even the Military Region or Fleet Commanders know. Because they will continue until the exercise ends, which in turn depends on the attitude of Li D-Hui and other Taiwan independence activists."

"I thought they'd just participate in exercises, which would last three or four days at most, and once over they'd come back."

"It's not as simple as you think. This isn't a routine military exercise, but a pre-war cross-regional, cross-service joint sea landing exercise."