Xiao Gong's home is also by the river, and his father is the person in charge of the sand and gravel terminal at the township transportation station. Otherwise, Xiao Gong wouldn't have applied to Binjiang Shipping School back then.

In Binjiang, Xiao Gong is just a police officer in the Water Anti-Smuggling Department of the Smuggling Crime Investigation Branch.

But back in his hometown, Xiao Gong is the most successful kid in the township these years!

After graduating from the technical school, he was assigned to the Binjiang Port Authority, transferred from there to the Changhang Binjiang Police Branch, and now to the Smuggling Crime Investigation Bureau, becoming an anti-smuggling police officer you only see on TV.

In '98, he went to Beihu Province to participate in flood rescue and made a great contribution.

A few months ago, he also participated in the naval landing exercises on the Southeast Coast and was again commended.

Especially during the flood rescue, the commendation was sent to the County Armed Forces Department, and the county leaders along with the armed forces leaders brought the commendation with drums and gongs to his home.

Old Gong was so proud, always bragging about how accomplished his son is whenever he met someone.

The township party secretary W, the village chief, the deputy village chief, and the directors of the seven stations and eight offices were so envious of Old Gong; his status in the township even surpassed his immediate superior, the transport station director!

Xiao Gong brought his girlfriend back this time, truly returning in glory.

Three days ago at home, six tables were set up. The county armed forces minister, township leaders, heads of the seven stations and eight offices, principals from elementary and middle schools, teachers who had taught Xiao Gong, and relatives and friends—everyone who could be invited was invited.

These past two days have been busy with banquets.

Uncle, uncle, grandparents, uncle, aunt—relatives took turns inviting him and his girlfriend, who was visiting for the first time.

Tonight, it's at his aunt's house. She sells solar water heaters in the township, with her shop right across from the police station.

Director Huang and Instructor Liu from the police station had been drinking at his home three days ago and were invited by his aunt tonight to have dinner together. Seeing him with his girlfriend, they naturally asked him to come by the station.

"Xiao Gong, where's your girlfriend?"

"She's across the street chatting with my aunt."

"Your girlfriend's so pretty, you're lucky. Tell us, how did you meet and woo her?" Director Huang poured him a glass of water and sat down curiously.

Instructor Liu asked the secretary to quickly buy some fruits and sunflower seeds, then pulled out a chair in the director's office and sat down.

Xiao Gong said, a bit embarrassed, "A friend introduced us."

"Is her workplace far from your unit?"

"She used to be at Four Factory Town Health Center. After I transferred to the Smuggling Crime Investigation Bureau, our leader helped me find a connection to get her transferred to Binjiang Development Zone Hospital, which is very close to our unit, only about seven or eight kilometers."

Director Huang exclaimed, "Your leader is good to you, helping transfer your girlfriend from a township health center to the city's development zone hospital!"

"Our leader is both my senior and my old leader."

"Your leader is also a graduate of the Binjiang Shipping School?"

"Yes," Xiao Gong said proudly, hugging his cup. "When I transferred from the Port Authority to the Changhang Branch, our leader was the deputy division commander of the Changhang Branch Fire Department. From then on, I started following him."

Instructor Liu asked in surprise, "So it was your leader who brought you into the Smuggling Crime Investigation Bureau?"

"Yes, it was a new unit, and I was confirmed to join from the planning stage."

"You were really lucky to have met a benefactor!"

"In Binjiang, it didn't feel like much. But thinking about it now, really, if not for Secretary Han, I might still be working at the Binjiang Port Pier. Without him, I wouldn't be where I am today."

In government work, whether you have someone to support you is really important.

Director Huang envied Xiao Gong, and recollecting what a leader from the county armed forces department mentioned during the drinking session at Xiao Gong's home three days ago, he curiously asked, "Xiao Gong, have you really met Mayor Ye?"

"I have, many times."

Recalling his days working in Linghai, Xiao Gong chuckled, "Mayor Ye, when he was the city secretary in Linghai, often went to the riverbank to inspect work."

Director Huang asked eagerly, "Did Mayor Ye ever speak to you, and if he saw you, would he recognize you?"

"He did speak to me; of course he'd recognize me."

"Mayor Ye spoke to you?"

"Yes, he really did."

Xiao Gong hadn't expected their interest in Secretary Ye, and with a smile, he explained, "I worked at the Changhang Branch Bailong Port Police Station. Back then, the ferry from Bailong Port to East Sea was still in operation. During the Spring Festival travel rush, Secretary Ye would always come to our Bailong Port to inspect the Spring Festival travel work. During flood seasons, the city had flood control and drainage operations, and every time Secretary Ye inspected flood control, it was our law enforcement boat that took him to the river for inspection."

That was a Yangzhou Municipal Standing Committee member and Vice Mayor!

Director Huang couldn't believe that Xiao Gong actually knew him, so he asked with a smile, "Was there any other contact beyond that?"

"Not really contact, I'm just an ordinary police officer, not qualified to interact with Secretary Ye, but I've seen him many times. I'm both a police officer and served in the reserves. When we went to Beihu to fight the floods, Secretary Ye personally came to see us off. When we finished the flood rescue, Secretary Ye held a celebration for us and toasted us."

Xiao Gong chuckled as he recalled, "Secretary Ye's driver when he was in Linghai, Chen Jian, also went to Beihu for flood control. Chen Jian is my comrade, and he also participated in the recent military exercises on the Southeast Coast."

"You know Mayor Ye's driver!"

"That's normal. Secretary Ye has a great relationship with our Secretary Han. Even now, Linghai people still say Secretary Ye was sent to the People's Hall to attend the National Flood Control Summary and Commendation Conference by our Secretary Han."

"Is Secretary Han your current leader?"

"Yes."

Xiao Gong recounted his experiences over the years in detail with the leaders at his hometown police station.