Binjiang Police Affairs-Chapter 1194 - 55: Came Knocking! (Part 2)

"If you have money, does that mean you can travel around?"

"Going to the First Congress Venue and Jinggang Mountain is for learning, not for leisure."

As the father and son were talking, Han Xiangning came home from work and immediately asked how much salary and bonuses were paid.

Han Yu quickly opened his briefcase, took out his bank card and pay slip.

"Eight thousand six hundred thirty-five, much less than last year."

"This year there's no commission from attracting investment, and we didn't help anyone with piloting either. Mainly it's the year-end bonus. Getting this much is not bad. Over at Beihu, those officials are lucky to get their salaries in time for the New Year; they probably don't even think about bonuses."

"Alright, I'll go to the bank and withdraw it tomorrow."

Thinking about the officials in Beihu, Han Xiangning suddenly felt very fortunate, smiling as she pocketed the bank card.

Han Yu was about to ask if she would accompany her mother-in-law back to Xichuan this year when Han Xiangning sat down, munching on candy, and said, "San'er, I met President Wu from the Yangtze River Passenger Company today. Wu said there are fewer and fewer passengers going to Bailong Port, and the silt in the North Branch Channel is getting worse. The Bai Shen Line might stop running in the next few months."

This time it's different from before; once they say it's stopped, it won't operate again.

This means that future trips to East Sea will only be by car, and although cars are a bit faster, the tickets are expensive.

Han Yu was stunned for a moment, then asked, "In the next few months, does that mean it will stop after the spring travel rush?"

"It should be."

"What about the people at the passenger pier?"

"They'll be transferred back to the city."

"What about Chen Zikun and the others?"

"They'll probably go to Sanhe." Han Xiangning finished the candy in her mouth, adding, "The development zone has allocated land for the Changhang Bureau to build the Linghai Police Station. Once funding is approved, they'll start construction."

"A passenger line that ran for more than a century just stops like that; it's a pity."

"Actually, what I wanted to talk to you about isn't this."

"What is it that you wanted to talk about?"

Han Xiangning went over, poured herself a glass of water, took a small sip, and turned back, "The houses of Bailong Port State-owned Inn and Bailong Port Health Center have been up for sale but never sold. Once the Bai Shen stops running, the old houses at Bailong Port Passenger Pier will likely be put up for sale too."

"It's normal they don't sell; with no passenger ships, who would go to Bailong Port?" Han Yu thought and asked again, "What does this have to do with us?"

"Your mom and dad quite like Bailong Port. Although the ship has everything, they can't not have a home onshore. Also, the current ship is big, unlike before when they could sail the boat to your sister-in-law's riverside home for the New Year."

Han Xiangning smiled and continued, "I called your dad this afternoon. He said if the dorms at Bailong Port Passenger Pier do go up for sale and aren't expensive, he'd like to buy a few units. Once they have a place onshore, they can dock the ship there too."

Even though the Bai Shen hasn't stopped yet, they're already thinking about buying property at Bailong Port Passenger Pier.

Han Yu didn't quite know what to say.

Master Han thought it was a good idea, after all, it's like having a big truck at home but no place to park it, and he couldn't help but laugh: "I estimate it won't be too expensive, otherwise the properties of Bailong Port Health Center and Bailong Port State-owned Inn, and those warehouses of Linghai Commercial Company wouldn't have been sitting unsold till now."

If the Bai Shen does stop, Bailong Port will become a real village.

The villagers already have houses, so they definitely wouldn't buy.

The urban folks wouldn't consider buying there either.

Because village properties are not valuable, the buildings of Bailong Port Health Center have been unmanaged for years, overgrown with weeds, and some walls have collapsed. It's dilapidated enough to be a horror film set.

Thinking of all the memories associated with Bailong Port, you could say it's truly home. Han Yu nodded: "If they do sell, let's have Dad buy a few units. When he can no longer run the ship, he can come ashore and keep Uncle Liang company."

Han Xiangning laughed: "That's exactly what I think too. It's close to Xiao Yu's place, so they can visit each other and watch out for one another, and we can also visit frequently in the future."

Just as they were chatting, Han Xiangning's phone suddenly rang.

She took it out, glanced at the caller ID, pressed the call button, and smiled: "Director Guan, you're so busy, how come you thought of calling me?"

"We're old colleagues and neighbors; can't I call you for no reason?"

"I didn't mean it that way, I ought to call you to greet you; you're my old boss!"

Han Yu could hear it clearly, realizing it was Director Guan from Shuzhou Maritime Bureau, who used to work at Binjiang Port Supervision Bureau.

He was pondering whether to greet Director Guan when he heard him asking over the phone, "Xiangning, is Salted Fish busy these days? Is he home?"

"He's not very busy, he's at home. Do you need him for something?"

"It's been a while since we last met. With the New Year approaching, I wanted to invite you both to dinner before the year ends."

"No need to be so formal, we're not outsiders!"

"Xiangning, I won't beat around the bush. Someone from the Wujiang Transportation Bureau asked Shuzhou Local Maritime Bureau's Deputy Director Wang to find me, hoping to invite you both to dinner."

"Wujiang Transportation Bureau?"

"I know you don't like these kinds of dinners, but I am in Shuzhou, dealing daily with the Shuzhou Transportation Bureau, and I can't ignore their request. I know it's a hassle to cross the river, so this dinner can be arranged at Binjiang, we'll come over to meet you."

No need to guess, it was someone from the Wujiang Local Maritime Office feeling afraid.

Han Xiangning instinctively looked at Han Yu.

Remembering that Dad had just arranged to return the cigarettes and alcohol sent by Wujiang Local Maritime Office yesterday, Han Yu nodded slightly.

Han Xiangning held up her phone and said, "Alright, meeting at Binjiang is fine, no need for dinner, we can just meet."

"Shall we arrange it for tomorrow then?"

"No problem, tomorrow happens to be the weekend; we're both off."

"Where should we meet, how about the Wushan Hotel?"

"Director Guan, as I said, there's no need to eat; no need to go to such a high-end place as the Wushan Hotel."

"Then how about the Sailor Club?"

"Director Guan, even though you've been promoted, you haven't come back to our old unit to see us, your old subordinates. The Sailor Club closed down long ago, and you didn't know."

"Closed down? When did that happen?"

"Nearly half a year ago; it changed hands several times, but none of the contractors made any money, and they all left."

Han Xiangning knew her junior brother wanted to deal with those corrupt officials and would never share a meal with them. Realizing this could be an opportunity to show them a lesson, she thought and smiled, "Director Guan, Salted Fish is about to transfer to Customs, why not meet at Lang Mountain? The Customs Anti-Smuggling Base is there."

Director Guan, thinking he just needed to bridge the contact, agreed readily, "Alright, Lang Mountain it is."