Binjiang Police Affairs-Chapter 483 - 339: Consideration of Funding

Han Yu had taken a flight several years ago, flying directly from East Sea to Hong Kong, to replace the crew who had been ousted by the foreign Captain and shipowner at the Kowloon Wharf Container Terminal.

Hence, flying was not very novel to him; instead, he felt somewhat fearful.

This could be related to the industry he worked in. Although there were risks involved in navigating a ship on the river or at sea, as a senior crew member he could control the situation to some extent.

Flying was different. Once you board the plane, you entrust your life to someone else, similar to how drivers who are used to being behind the wheel are apprehensive about riding in cars driven by others.

But this was his first time going to the Capital, and the thought of seeing Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall—places he had seen countless times on TV and in textbooks—thrilled him.

It’s just that he was so tired and sleepy these days, and since it was a night flight, he dozed off as soon as he settled into his seat. It was only when a flight attendant woke him that he realized they were about to land, so he hurriedly stowed the tray table and returned his seat to its upright position.

At twenty-seven minutes past eleven at night, the plane landed safely.

He grabbed his carry-on baggage, disembarked, and took the shuttle bus to the arrival exit, where he saw Director Feng waiting outside, dressed in a white short-sleeved shirt.

"Director Feng, it’s so late, why have you come to pick me up yourself!"

"I still have to eat on my own." Feng Changzheng patted his arm and asked with a smile, "Just one bag? No other luggage?"

"No, I’m on a business trip to East Guang. It’s so hot in East Guang, I only needed to bring a few changes of clothes."

"The Capital isn’t much cooler." Director Feng snatched the bag and turned with a smile, "This isn’t a good place to talk. The car’s in the parking lot; let’s chat there."

"Alright, I can carry my own bag."

"I should help you carry it since I’ve asked you to come all the way here."

Han Yu hurriedly said, "But you’re the superior."

Director Feng laughed, "You don’t know how little money you have until you go to Shenzhen and how low your rank is until you come to the Capital. In the Capital, someone like me really can’t count as a superior. I wouldn’t have transferred here if it weren’t for my children being here."

His son had also served in the military but in the Army, and after demobilization, worked at a unit in the Capital. His son, daughter-in-law, and grandson were all here, so transferring allowed the whole family to reunite.

Han Yu genuinely felt happy for Director Feng and couldn’t resist asking, "Director Feng, what are you responsible for at Cosco?"

"Shipping companies are also considered a reserve force for national defense. My main job is to liaise with my old unit; it’s neither too busy nor too idle. Besides, I’m already fifty-seven and was transferred from the Ministry of Transport, so I shouldn’t hold back others."

"What about your salary and benefits?"

"The salary and benefits are decent, but I’m not quite used to the climate here. In the summer it’s scorching hot, and in the winter it’s freezing. Spring is full of drifting willow fluff, and autumn brings the wind and dust. The air is so dry. When it comes to climate and environment, there’s nothing like the cities along the Yangtze River."

The Capital was indeed hot, profuse sweat broke out as soon as he stepped outside.

The two arrived at the parking lot where a middle-aged driver promptly opened the car door.

Director Feng got into the sedan and, while signaling the driver to start the car, began to discuss official matters.

"Salted Fish, your passport has already been received; we’ll arrange for your visa first thing tomorrow morning. Cosco is different from other units, with so many branches, nearly every month someone goes abroad. At the latest, we can get it done by noon the day after tomorrow. Once the visa is ready, we’ll book your flight to Munich."

"To Munich?"

"There are no direct flights from the Capital to Helsinki. You have to fly through Munich or Frankfurt. Actually, you could also go to Moscow and change planes there. But it’s more convenient to transfer through Munich, and the tickets are a bit cheaper."

Han Yu pursued the matter, "How many people are going?"

Director Feng passed him a bottle of mineral water and casually said, "Just you. No one else."

"Just me alone?"

"Scared to travel far on your own?"

"It’s not that I’ve never been abroad. As long as I can speak English, it shouldn’t be a problem to transfer on my own. But is it appropriate for such an important task to be assigned to just me?"

The driver was politically reliable, so Director Feng wasn’t worried about a leak. He explained with a smile, "This is both a mission and a business matter. The General Staff Equipment Department and the Navy are effectively the shipper, and we at Cosco act as the shipping agent. The shipper is short on funds, so we have to consider costs and budget in everything we do."

Han Yu could hardly believe his ears and asked, skeptically, "So much has been spent already, and yet you still care about these little expenses?"

"We care."

"Really?"

"Truly, no lie. You might find it hard to believe, but to transport the submarines safely back, the General Staff Equipment Department, the Navy, and we at Cosco have formed a transport working group, which includes only four people in total—a translator from the General Staff included."

Han Yu asked in astonishment, "Only four people for such a major task?"

Director Feng nodded solemnly and said, "The comrade from the Navy was temporarily called up just like you. He was attending a defense exhibition in France half a month ago and rushed to St. Petersburg by himself as soon as he got the order. With such a tight budget, they have to save whenever they can, eating instant noodles rather than dining out, because dining out is not only expensive but also requires tipping.

The difficulties they face abroad are unimaginable. We spent over two hundred million US dollars to import two submarines, not only saving a shipyard but also an entire city. Yet during the acceptance, sea trials, and handover, they presented us with numerous obstacles, and even made things difficult for us."

Dealing with foreigners is no easy task.

But we have no choice but to purchase from them since our technology is not as advanced.

Han Yu fell silent for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "Has the handover been completed? Where is the submarine now?"

"The handover is done. We just got a tugboat to tow it out of the Lenin Waterway. But it wasn’t smooth sailing. St. Petersburg was holding a farewell event, yet their Port Supervision department was looking for all kinds of excuses to fine us. Comrades from the transfer team strongly protested at the farewell event, and fortunately, we settled the matter."

Director Feng took a deep breath and continued: "Taxis are too expensive over there, so to save on expenses, comrades from the transfer group rented a van to run between different departments to handle the paperwork for tugboat rental and for clearing the port, while also providing logistical support for the officers and experts aboard the submarine."

One could imagine that the personnel on the transfer team were leaders back home, but abroad they’re running around everywhere, protesting when they need to, bowing their heads to ask for help when necessary, in a totally unfamiliar place with scant funds, with every penny being stretched as far as it can go.

The more Han Yu thought about it, the more uncomfortable he felt. He asked in a low voice, "Do I go to meet up with the transfer team or report to the leader of the transfer team?"

"Go directly to the shipping company that is transporting the submarine. Comrades from the transfer team will also head there. Once the submarine is safely loaded onto the semi-submersible ship, they will take a flight back home."

"They’re returning first?"

"They have to report back to the superiors and prepare for the handover and acceptance of the second submarine."

"So I’ll return with the Navy crew on the ship?"

"Yes, along with two Russian experts and two of our domestic marine experts."

"What about Cosco?"

"Just you alone."

Director Feng rolled down the car window a crack, took out a cigarette, and smoked several puffs in succession, then continued: "Sending you alone was a decision made considering both the cost and the fact that sending too many people would not be welcomed by the captain and crew of the ship, who might even object.

After all, there are already dozens of Navy crew members, plus four experts from both countries, who will all need to eat, drink, and sleep on their ship.

Their ship is a semi-submersible that is almost like a specialized cargo vessel, not a passenger ship. We’ve already caused them a lot of trouble and can’t afford to give them any more inconvenience."

Semi-submersible ships are also a kind of cargo ship, with cabins for the crew, but those are intended for the senior officers and engineers of the cargo ship.

Suddenly having so many people on board, the Navy can make do and stay inside the submarine, but the four experts cannot, as the living conditions in a submarine are notoriously poor. Moreover, it’s certain that one cannot cook inside the submarine, requiring the use of the semi-submersible’s kitchen and even its cold storage.

It’s no exaggeration to say that even the toilets would have to be borrowed.

Facilities intended for a few people now have to serve many, undoubtedly causing inconvenience, and foreigners are particularly particular about these things.

The situation also involves a secrecy issue. If Cosco arranges for more personnel to go, they definitely can only stay outside the submarine. The superiors would never allow irrelevant personnel onto the submarine, including myself as the "safety officer."

Han Yu roughly understood that the main reason he, a police officer, was selected for the transfer was because, although he was not an expert in anything, he had a bit of knowledge in everything.

One person doing the work of several, causing no additional trouble for the ship’s crew and also saving on expenses.

Director Feng, unaware of what Salted Fish might be thinking, laughed and said: "Tomorrow morning, the leader from the General Staff Equipment Department wants to see you, and there’s nothing in the afternoon, so you can have a half-day rest. You brought too few clothes, and it’s cold out at sea. I’ll arrange for someone to take you shopping for some clothes tomorrow afternoon."

"I... I only brought a little over six hundred yuan with me."

"Don’t worry, even if the budget is tight, we won’t skimp on clothes. And what’s really tight is foreign currency. I almost forgot, you’re helping Cosco with this task. I’ve reported to the company leaders, and they said they’ll give you an allowance based on the standard of an ocean-going chief officer after the task is done."

No one would complain about having too much money, especially since this job isn’t easy.

Han Yu grinned and said, "Thank you, Director Feng."

"Is this your first time in the Capital?"

"Yes."

"Do you want to see Tian’anmen?"

"Yes, and I also want to watch the flag-raising ceremony."

"No problem, I’ll arrange for someone to take you to Tian’anmen Square early tomorrow to watch the flag-raising before heading to the General Staff Equipment Department."

Thinking that he is with the shipping police and had been seconded by the Ministry of Transport Police, Han Yu asked, "Director Feng, should I report to the bureau first?"

"No need, I’ll call your bureau first thing tomorrow morning to let them know you’ve arrived."

"Shouldn’t the company advance me some US dollars for my trip to Helsinki? I know the ticket agency will handle the booking, but I can’t go abroad without any money."

"Don’t worry, the superiors have thought of that and have prepared two thousand US dollars for you."

Two thousand US dollars, what could that do...

Han Yu was stunned, but thinking of how much the transfer team had scrimped and saved, he felt that two thousand dollars was not too little after all, especially since Cosco would take care of the plane ticket. Once he met up with the transfer team in Helsinki, he wouldn’t have to worry about finances. There wouldn’t be many opportunities to spend money along the way.