Binjiang Police Affairs-Chapter 1097 - 3: Whom to Recommend? (Part 2)

Han Yu asked further, "How many for the 404th division?"

"Six."

"And for the Shajia Bang group?"

"Three."

"Just six for a division, and only three for a regiment, yet we have four for a battalion. That's a bit over the top!"

"It's not exaggerated." Master Xi paused and smiled, "People often say the eyes of the masses are sharp, but actually, so are the eyes of the superiors. The role your battalion played and the contributions you made during the flood rescue are all noted by the superiors, otherwise they wouldn't have decided to give you four spots."

It seems the more dangerous the place for flood rescue, the more "credit" you get.

Recalling the danger when dealing with the sub-dam breach at Diao Guan Pier and the massive piping crisis, where the entire battalion was risking their lives, Han Yu pondered, "Okay, I will discuss it with Uncle Ge, then hold a party branch meeting..."

Before Han Yu finished, Master Xi said, "Salted Fish, if we are talking about outstanding performance and significant achievements, everyone participating in the flood rescue performed extraordinarily. Choosing a model now is more about setting an example rather than picking the best. I think you can decide on these four candidates yourself, it doesn't require a democratic process, it's not about democracy this time."

"But..."

"There's no but. Actually, you only need to recommend one person."

"Master Xi, I'm not quite certain."

"First off, you definitely need to participate in the selection. The superiors are impressed with you, without your inclusion, the selection couldn't proceed. Then there's Hao Qiusheng, who the Yangtze Flood Control Headquarters, Beihu Province Flood Control Headquarters, Jingzhou Flood Control Command, and Changhang Bureau leaders all rate highly. He is fully qualified to be considered."

"And the third candidate?"

"As for the third candidate, our headquarters only suggests that you recommend Yao Lirong. He represents a significant role, being one of the earliest participants in flood control and having confronted the flood peaks eight times. He attended them all. While most of the civil soldiers faced the fourth or even fifth and sixth flood peaks, he was there from the beginning."

There were both early and late participants in the flood rescue efforts.

Excluding the Linghai Reserve Camp, the 404th division and the Armed Police force from Yangtze River Cities should have been the first on the embankments, with the latest arrivals on August 27th.

As early as the end of June, Yao Lirong accompanied 001 to assist the Yangtze River Commission Water Bureau in surveying water conditions upstream on the Yangtze River, much like the civilian soldiers from the Jingzhou Military District, missing none of the eight flood peaks. Considering this provides him a certain representativeness.

Han Yu was silent for a moment, then said, "Master Xi, let me think it over."

"Sure, once you have thought it through, give me a reply promptly."

"San'er, Master Xi is right; this is not about democracy."

Han Yu took a deep breath a few times, put down his phone, and said, "But we can't just recommend like this."

Old Ge stared at him and asked, "There are only four spots; how else can you recommend?"

"I've already earned First-level Merit, and I am already a Second-level Model; there's no need for me to participate in the selection again."

"Master Xi was very clear earlier, you must be included! Don't be silly, and do not be ungrateful; this is truly not a matter of showing style."

"Uncle Ge, I know you mean well for me, but we are a reserve unit; personnel, equipment, and funding come from various units, and the main work is done by others. If I participate in the selection, it would appear as if I am leveraging their people, money, equipment, and effort to boost my own political achievements."

"Nobody would think like that!"

"But I will. Because that's the truth, I can't convince myself otherwise." Han Yu took several deep breaths, with a bitter look on his face, "Uncle Ge, you might not believe this, but last time when I was awarded First-level Merit, I felt uncomfortable inside, as if I had stolen others' honor and money. I can't possibly participate in this Anti-flood Model selection, or I won't be able to sleep."

Everything belongs to others, but the achievements and honor are ultimately yours....

Old Ge pondered for a moment, realizing Han Yu's perspective had a point, and could only say, "Think it over again."

"There's no need to think. I definitely won't participate."

"Then, what about the remaining two spots?"

"There should be three."

"Are you excluding Hao Qiusheng or Yao Lirong?"

"Our rescue relied on earthworks, and the Road and Bridge Company could be said to be the main force of our battalion in rescue. President Hao's role and contributions are evident and must be recommended."

Han Yu thought for a moment, and continued, "As for Master Yao, I might have to trouble him slightly and explain it to him after the selection results are out."

Old Ge continued to probe, "Who do you want to recommend?"

"We have four companies in total; we should nominate one from each company." Han Yu weighed the options and continued, "Since our battalion personnel mainly come from Linghai, Changhang System, Port and Shipping Enterprises, and the police, consideration of the originating units is also essential."

Old Ge paused, then pointed at him with a laugh, "That's a good recommendation. Maybe I haven't received many major honors, and earlier I was a bit small-minded, only considering you shouldn't miss this opportunity. From a long-term perspective and considering future work, whether or not you participate really doesn't matter—it does need to be balanced as you said earlier, ensuring fairness!"

The wisdom of the old—the ginger gets spicier with age.

Han Yu silently praised and smiled, "Choosing to recommend President Hao means there is a representative from the first company, giving us a representative from Linghai as well."

Old Ge nodded, understanding and extrapolating further, "For the second company, we could consider recommending Wu Hai Li or Gu Pengfei."

"The second company can only recommend one."

"Then Gu Pengfei, since the Port Authority has provided floating cranes and transport teams to help us move equipment, they must have a representative."

"What about the third company?"

"Ma Jintao, Xiao Ma can represent the police."

"Who to recommend for the fourth company?" Han Yu asked.

Old Ge sat down, and without hesitation said, "Recommend Zhang Erxiao for the fourth company, he can represent the 'Boss Officer'."

Han Yu pondered, "Recommending Zhang Erxiao works too, but in doing so, the Changhang System won't have a representative."

Old Ge thought for a while, smiling, "The Changhang System doesn't need to worry; remember, we were requested by the Changhang Bureau to assist in flood relief. They are the hosts, and the hosts don't need to participate in these selections. Moreover, we are a reserve camp within the transportation system, with only four spots in total; not recommending someone from the Changhang System won't upset Director Liao."

...

Meanwhile, Huang Yuanchang was on a call with his superior in his room.

"Recommend me, Director Liao? Are you joking?"

"I'm not joking with you; the Ministry is waiting for a reply. The board members unanimously suggested recommending you."

"Director Liao, thanks to you and all the board members for your trust. I'm okay with being recommended for other roles, but for the national Anti-flood Model selection, I'm truly not qualified. Compared to other comrades participating in the flood rescue, what I did was insignificant."

Director Liao didn't expect Huang Yuanchang to decline, and pondered, "There's only one spot for the bureau. If not recommending you, who should we recommend?"

Huang Yuanchang, who aspired to become a high-ranking official, was not concerned about becoming a model and asked quietly, "Director Liao, did you say the Ministry requested the recommendation just now?"

"Yes, the spot is valuable, and our transportation system doesn't have many in total."

"So, is it sufficient just to represent the transportation system?"

"Pretty much."

"Recommending me is truly not as compelling as recommending Master Ge. Think about it, an old director retired to the second line, leading a self-established Road and Bridge Company to support flood rescue, and aiding in disaster relief at the same time. Isn't the story inspiring? Moreover, the Linghai Reserve Camp is a transportation system reserve camp, recommending Master Ge is more representative than recommending me."

"True, how could I forget about him."

"Director Liao, then let's recommend Master Ge. I'll organize the material; he indeed did substantial work, and if it weren't for him, the Linghai Reserve Camp wouldn't have achieved such remarkable success."

"Okay, but let's act fast."

"Understood, I'll start organizing right away and strive to send the material back to the office before tomorrow afternoon's work."

"Good, it's settled then!"