Binjiang Police Affairs-Chapter 1159 - 35: Quitting While You’re Ahead!

Old Lu didn't wait for Han Yu at the Linghai Development Zone. After enjoying a hearty meal and drinks, he left with President Wang of the Liangzhuang Construction Group, who had just attended the foundation-laying ceremony banquet of Hailuo Cement.

He mentioned that he was now also serving as the chairman of the Liangzhuang Farmers' Cooperative Foundation, a role similar to a bank president, and he felt uneasy not overseeing things personally.

It seemed that there used to be a Farmers' Cooperative Foundation in Linghai as well, but it was dissolved long ago as per the superior's directives.

Han Xiangning was not well informed about why Liangzhuang's Farmers' Cooperative Foundation hadn't been dismantled yet, as he hadn't returned to his hometown of Liangzhuang for a long time. Even if he did return, he probably wouldn't be concerned with such matters, since, even though Dinghu had merged into Liangzhuang, there were still distinctions between them.

After seeing off Old Lu, Master Han went to the Linghai Reserve Camp to check on the progress of a project and to see his old radar stored in the emergency supplies reserve warehouse.

Old Zhang, having organized the affairs of Longgang Rice Industry, came along with him.

When it comes to playing cards, Old Ding could be described as "double-standard."

Hao Qiusheng, Zhang Erxiao, and the others wishing to play cards at the Martyr's Cemetery would certainly not be allowed.

Master Han, Old Zhang, and Liu Degui could, however, and they accompanied three old friends, playing in the reception area of the Martyr's Cemetery, with plans to play until the end of the workday. At that time, Master Han could catch the Port Supervision Department's commuter bus home with Han Xiangning.

"Master Han, I heard that housing prices in East Sea have gone up?"

"It's said to have gone up by more than two thousand per square meter, but since houses are for living in, not for selling, whether the price rises or falls doesn't really matter to us."

Although Old Han said this, he was secretly delighted.

This was equivalent to making over two hundred thousand in less than two years. The combined annual income of the entire family was only a fraction of that amount. Fortunately, they bought early; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to afford it now!

Old Ding couldn't believe that housing prices had risen so much; feeling both envious and astonished, he lamented while playing his card: "Housing prices in East Sea have risen so high, yet wages for East Sea's cadres and employees haven't increased much. How can East Sea people afford to buy?"

"Most of those buying houses aren't East Sea people." Master Han chuckled and added, "And there are cheaper ones. Ningning said that in Pudong there are several new developments selling for not too much, only three to four thousand per square meter."

"I almost forgot, your family bought an apartment with an elevator, in an upscale community."

"Don't laugh at us. Back then, Old Xiang and Ningning impulsively decided to buy, and although I didn't explicitly oppose it, I was reserved about it. Suddenly owing the bank several hundred thousand wasn't a joke, and I was so worried that I nearly lost sleep over it. Unexpectedly, what seemed an accidental buy turned out to be the right decision, hahaha!"

"It wasn't just about buying a house; it was about buying residency, so how could it be wrong?"

Old Zhang was genuinely happy for Master Han's family. After playing a pair of cards, he laughed and said, "Since there are ones for three or four thousand per square meter, later I'll have Zhang Jiangsheng help me check them out. If there's a suitable one, buy a place for my son's bride too."

"You've got the money, hurry up and buy, then you can be neighbors with Master Han in East Sea." Old Ding said enviously.

Buying a house in East Sea for his son's bride, so as to help her and their grandchild obtain a blue-stamped residence, was something Old Zhang wouldn't have dared to imagine in the past. But things aren't the same now.

He has a retirement pension and also earns a salary from Longgang Rice Industry. As its Deputy General Manager, he's drawing a high salary, so buying a commercial apartment in East Sea isn't a major burden for him.

Liu Degui's salary was very low when he was in the frontline units.

After transferring to the Linghai Armed Forces Department as a military consultant, his pay wasn't much better.

He subsequently switched to local government employment in towns when the Armed Forces Department came under local administration, and his salary remained unimpressive. Now he's been transferred to the Water Resources Bureau. Despite a promotion to Director, he still receives a modest salary.

Without money and therefore confidence, he didn't want to dwell on this topic. He looked up and asked, "Master Han, is Salted Fish really planning to step down from being the Camp Commander of the Linghai Reserve Camp?"

"He's about to transfer to Customs. Once there, he'll either work in the municipal area or join anti-smuggling missions on the Yangtze River or even the sea. It's impossible for him to stay in Sanhe every day like before. Moreover, he has to establish the Binjiang Naval Reserve Camp. A person's energy is limited, so to perform well in his primary duties while also building the Navy Reserve Camp, this current role of Camp Commander must be let go; it has to be resigned from."

"But this Camp Commander role isn't like the others. Master Han, others might not understand, but you surely do!"

The Linghai Reserve Camp is considered the positive example in the construction of reserve defense forces in Binjiang and even the entire province. If the son-in-law continues as Camp Commander, he can expect commendations over the next dozen or so years.

Master Han knew full well that his son-in-law was giving up more than just a side job and helplessly said, "You all watched him grow up; you're well aware of his temperament. Once he's made up his mind, nothing we say will change it."

"It's like burning one's bridges."

"In his own words, he doesn't want to, can't, and doesn't need to rest on past achievements."

"But the Navy Reserve Camp is different from the Army Reserve Camp. Achieving success there is difficult, and whether success can be achieved depends not only on hard work but also on luck."

Indeed, luck is very important.

If there hadn't been a flood this year, or if the Yangtze River Water Resources Commission and the Changhang Bureau hadn't requested higher authorities to deploy the Linghai Reserve Camp to Beihu for flood control and emergency rescue, no matter how well-prepared beforehand, the Linghai Reserve Camp couldn't have achieved its current level of success and might well be considered by the city as the "Strategic Reserve Team" always held in reserve!

Master Han also felt it a pity that his son-in-law resigned so hastily. He sighed softly, "Once he's made up his mind about something, there's no changing it, even with eight horses. He has already reported his decision to Mayor Qin and Mayor Shen."

Old Ding hadn't expected Salted Fish's resolve to be so strong, and curiously asked, "Did he say how he plans to set up the Navy Reserve Camp?"