Binjiang Police Affairs-Chapter 1104 - 8: Boss Lu Is Not Convinced Either! (Part 2)

Secretary Chen is very pleased and has entrusted me to extend his warmest congratulations to you. Please make preparations promptly, and report to East China Hotel by noon on the 27th, then we'll fly to the Capital together."

"Thank you, Governor Jiang." Secretary Ye had never felt so proud, and couldn't help but ask, "Which are the other ten advanced groups?"

Deputy Governor Jiang, who is both the deputy governor overseeing water resources and the commander-in-chief of the provincial defense command, had reported those ten advanced groups without including Linghai City.

He hadn't expected Secretary Ye would ask this and, feeling a bit awkward, responded, "The Provincial Defense Office, Provincial Hydrological Resources Survey Bureau, Transportation Department Flood Office, Jiangcheng City Water Resources Bureau, Jiangnan City Health Bureau, Zhenjiang City Flood Office, Dujiang City Police Bureau, Dujiang City River Engineering Office, Jingjiang City Government, and Xinhua Daily Press."

Primarily, they are a few provincial departments, several units in the provincial capital, and cities like Zhenjiang and Jingjiang, which tend to align closely with the province. Dujiang City is a county-level city under Yangzhou, which also has close ties with Jiangcheng.

They enjoy the advantage of proximity.

In any selection, having nothing related to Binjiang is quite normal.

In fact, it's not only that Binjiang has nothing; similarly, nothing involved Guzhou across the Yangtze River. Places even further from Jiangcheng like Salt Sea and Yungang are even less worth mentioning.

In other words, whether it's Binjiang or Guzhou across the river, any honor is earned by themselves, with little help from the province in reporting.

This is partly due to the distance and their reluctance to frequently visit Jiangcheng.

After all, regardless of what selection or recommendation, the specific work is done by provincial directors. If you don't engage with them regularly and don't take them seriously, they naturally won't consider you when there are good opportunities.

Such matters are deeply felt by Secretary Lu, but he hadn't expected Linghai to have made a significant achievement this time. Whether advanced groups or anti-flood models, they were directly chosen by the National Flood Control Headquarters, independent of any need to solicit him.

Considering this, Secretary Lu smiled and asked, "Governor Jiang, regarding anti-flood models, how many do we have in the province?"

Deputy Governor Jiang hesitated for a moment and said, "Fourteen."

Secretary Lu pressed on, "Do brother cities like Guzhou, Wuxi, Salt Sea have any?"

Deputy Governor Jiang knew full well what Secretary Lu was truly asking. But now that people have made a significant achievement worthy of national attention, their reserve camp was even designated by the National Flood Control Headquarters as a national emergency rescue force for the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

Now they are dissatisfied, seeking an explanation from the province. What can the province say?

Deputy Governor Jiang was quite embarrassed and quickly explained, "Secretary Lu, although Binjiang was indeed affected by the floods, the impact was not severe. Linghai's achievements in anti-flooding and rescue were indeed remarkable and outstanding, but those achievements were accomplished at Beihu. We have to select within the province, and can't select achievements from outside."

"I see, but next time there are other selections, be sure to remember us and don't forget us."

…

While Secretary Lu was complaining to the provincial leaders, Deputy Director Yang of the Police Department walked in after a phone call, smiling at everyone, "Governor Jiang, Secretary Lu, the Ministry leadership has just informed us that after Friend Han Yu and Ma Jintao attend the commendation conference, they shouldn't hurry back. The Ministry plans to host a seminar where the leaders will meet with our police system's anti-flood models. After the seminar, they will also organize several reports on deeds for the Ministry's officers and Public University's students."

As Deputy Director Yang finished speaking, Deputy Governor Jiang laughed and said, "I almost forgot, the trip to the Capital involves not only the anti-flood advanced group and model representative delegation but also the rescue and report delegation. Friend Yong Guang and Friend Salted Fish, you need to prepare quickly, as the superiors will ask you to speak frankly when the time comes."

Secretary Ye was very pleased, but Han Yu was troubled.

The thought of a deeds report meeting was intimidating—what deeds do you have, and what can you say on stage?

While Han Yu was complaining to himself, Political Commissioner Miao from the Provincial Military District hurried in after finishing a phone call and said, "Friend Han Yu, your concerns have some merit. You are rushing back because you need to participate in the anti-smuggling fight, and this matter is known by the Central Military Commission. People have returned now, so not participating in the anti-smuggling action and going to the Capital for the commendation conference would be inconsistent."

Secretary Lu hoped Salted Fish would go, as having one more person from Binjiang would mean more honor.

What surprised Secretary Lu more was that Political Commissioner Miao suddenly changed his tone: "I just called to ask the Commander of Nanjing Military Region, who said that quite a few anti-flood models would not attend the commendation conference, so the attendees are actually representatives of the anti-flood models."

Deputy Governor Jiang was equally surprised and couldn't help asking, "Isn't it the case that being selected as a model lets you attend the conference?"

"To adapt to modern warfare under high-tech conditions, the entire military is undergoing reform. Many units that participated in flood relief are being restructured or disbanded. Anti-flood heroes in key positions must prioritize their work, so they certainly cannot attend the commendation conference."

Political Commissioner Miao took a deep breath and solemnly said, "Some comrades were injured during flood relief and are receiving treatment in hospitals, so they cannot attend either. Furthermore, some comrades sacrificed themselves during flood relief, and their anti-flood model is essentially posthumous. Being already deceased, they cannot possibly attend."

It's okay not to go, Han Yu finally felt relieved.

The unwillingness to go is not only because of the need to unite several law enforcement units on the river to combat smuggling but also because, during the two months of flood relief, he witnessed too many heroes.

Take, for instance, the thousands of Civilian Soldiers and Reserve Soldiers from Jingzhou Military District.

They were the first to go to the embankment and, until this moment, continue to hold vigil on the high ground! Many of them had their homes flooded; compared to them, what he did was insignificant. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Moreover, the reason the Linghai Reserve Camp achieved success was not due to him as Camp Commander but thanks to the robust support from many co-organizing units.

In summary, attending the commendation conference just like that would indeed incur a sense of guilt.

Moreover, after being away from home for more than two months, he was eager to be reunited with his academic peers and daughter at last, who would want to travel far again? As for honor, there's already enough; any more would truly become a burden.

Han Yu felt relieved, preparing to thank the Military District Commander, when Political Commissioner Miao suddenly shifted tone again: "You can skip the National Flood Control Summary and Commendation Conference, but you must attend the subsequent All-Army Flood Control Commendation Conference. The Commander of the Military Region just said over the phone that you represent not only the Linghai Reserve Camp but also the Reserve Forces of Jiangnan Province Military District and Nanjing Military Region!"

"Commander, is there another upcoming All-Army Flood Control Commendation Conference?"

"Yes, the superiors just received notification. In fact, it's not only the Central Military Commission planning to hold the All-Army Flood Control Commendation Conference, but Nanjing Military Region and our Provincial Military District are also planning to hold one afterwards."

Secretary Lu quietly asked, "Political Commissioner Miao, if Salted Fish doesn't attend the National Flood Control Summary and Commendation Conference, who will receive the honor for Linghai Reserve Camp being awarded the National Flood Control Advanced Group?"

Without the support of Linghai Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government, Linghai Reserve Camp wouldn't have existed.

Without Linghai Reserve Camp, the Provincial Military District wouldn't have the current achievements.

Political Commissioner Miao deliberated a moment and smiled, "Isn't there a First Secretary in Linghai Reserve Camp? He can attend the conference."

"But the superiors haven't invited Shen Fan."

"It doesn't matter, I'll explain it to the superiors later. In fact, at such conferences, the attendees include not just the responsible people from related units and representatives of anti-flood heroes but also staff from each provincial delegation and military district who need to report to the Capital a few days in advance."

"Alright, thank you, Political Commissioner Miao!"