Binjiang Police Affairs-Chapter 1189 - 52: Speaking Out Against Injustice

Han Yu, Xiao Yu, and Zhu Baogen docked the boat and climbed ashore. Just as they were about to eat the boxed meals provided by Cosco, Han Xiangning came over holding Little Han Han and said that the family's boat had been seized by Wujiang Maritime.

"They're acting lawlessly!" Xiao Yu was unsettled and turned around saying, "Salted Fish, if they can seize your family's boat, we can go arrest them and bring them all back!"

Wujiang Maritime is really out of line.

They act like they planted the trees and dug the river, demanding a toll from anyone passing through.

Although Han Yu was frustrated, he didn't act impulsively. He quietly asked, "Should we go after the local Maritime, or conduct an out-of-town arrest?"

"What kind of Maritime are they? They're worse than water bandits, ruining the reputation of the Maritime!" Xiao Yu cursed and, after thinking for a moment, added, "We're here to catch water bandits. Besides, it's not like we haven't done this before; we caught so many on the Grand Canal back in the day!"

If Master were still alive, he might really go and arrest them.

But times have changed; you can't do it like that now.

Han Yu knew how sensitive the issue was, so he took out his phone and dialed Han Shen's number.

"Brother, it's Han Yu. What's going on right now?"

"The boat is stopped by the riverbank. They took all our documentation and told us to report for processing tomorrow morning at eight."

Han Shen wasn't on the boat; he was onshore.

He glanced back at the small store he had bought cigarettes from earlier and said bitterly, "They took off, and then the scalper showed up. Pretending to be generous, suggesting we 'understand the situation' and give them some money. If we pay a two-thousand-yuan fine tomorrow, we'll be let go."

The same situation exists on the Grand Canal; it's said that many boats don't dare to run the canal anymore.

It's surprising that even the economically developed areas suffer from illegal fines; this isn't just about illegal fines, it's bribery!

Han Yu took a deep breath and asked, "What about Dad?"

"He's having lunch on the boat. He told you not to worry; he won't lay a finger on those bastards. He said he'd listen to everything you and Xiangning say."

"Alright then, don't rush. I'll figure something out."

"Okay, I'll be waiting for your call."

Han Yu weighed his options and asked, "Ningning, does the local Maritime Department in Linghai have issues with illegal fines or charges?"

Han Xiangning didn't expect him to ask this and replied without hesitation, "The local Maritime Department in Linghai is small, and Linghai is developing its port economy. Secretary Ye, Mayor Qian, and Mayor Shen are all heavily focused on the investment environment, so the Linghai Maritime Department rarely fines unauthorized ships, and they even turn a blind eye to some violations."

The city leaders have never been satisfied with Sister Zhu's strict enforcement, so they wouldn't allow the Linghai Maritime Department to strictly fine offending ships passing through Linghai.

After confirming that there are no issues with illegal fines or charges back home, Han Yu nodded slightly.

Xiao Yu anxiously asked, "What do we do now?"

"Ningning, do you have any ideas?"

"I just reported to Director Zhu, and he said this matter is quite sensitive."

Before Han Yu could speak, Xiao Yu asked puzzledly, "Quite sensitive?"

"We are under the vertical management of the Ministry of Transport Maritime, and they are local Maritime. Not only are we unable to control them, but it's also inappropriate for us to even inquire."

Han Xiangning sighed and reluctantly added, "Not just us; even the Guzhou Transportation Bureau can only guide them in business matters. They are Wujiang County officials; only the Wujiang County Transportation Bureau can manage them."

Xiao Yu clenched his fist and said, "We have time today; let's go to the Wujiang County Transportation Bureau and see what their director says!"

"Xiao Yu, it's not as simple as you think."

"They're acting like robbers doing as they please; I can't believe the Wujiang County Transportation Bureau leaders would ignore this!"

"They really might not intervene."

"Ah..."

"Ah, what? Do you know what local protectionism is?"

Han Yu took several deep breaths and explained with a gloomy face, "They even want to pre-charge a quarter's worth of overloading fines. This is not just a violation; it's illegal. Without support or tacit approval from their superiors, would they dare to do this?

With the way they're fining, they could collect tens of millions in a year. If seventy percent is returned, they could reclaim hundreds of thousands or even millions. How many people can their local Maritime Department have—do they need that much budget?

I dare say, most of the overcharged fine revenues flow into the Wujiang County Transportation Bureau."

It proves that the junior is not ignorant of worldly affairs; he just doesn't like to play tricks.

Han Xiangning agreed wholeheartedly and said, "The county finances claim at least thirty percent, so there's no use in going to Wujiang to complain. If you request an administrative review, they will definitely be biased. If you file an administrative lawsuit, the Wujiang County Court might not even accept it."

Xiao Yu, unconvinced, said, "Then let's find a higher authority!"

"It would be just as useless; they'd have a hundred reasons to send you back."

"How would they send us back?"

"Their superiors demand they maintain water traffic safety without giving them funds, so they rely on fines to support themselves."

"Then what do we do?"

Most people don't know the difference between vertically-managed Maritime and local Maritime; they just know that Maritime fines people randomly.

Han Xiangning immensely resented those who tarnished the Maritime's reputation, but as Sister Zhu said, this issue is too sensitive, so she could only force a bitter smile and say, "The urgent matter is getting the documents back, so my dad, mom, elder brother, and sister-in-law can move the boat."

Xiao Yu pressed, "How do we get the documents back?"

With a bit of awkwardness, Han Xiangning said, "On the other side, some Maritime offices frequently communicate with the local transportation bureau. Sister Zhu helped by calling the Zhangjia Port Maritime Office, asking Director Liu to talk to Guzhou City's transportation bureau leaders, and then requesting the Guzhou Transportation Bureau to notify the Wujiang County Transportation Bureau."