Binjiang Police Affairs-Chapter 1199 - 58: The Final Ultimatum!

The fines imposed were somewhat excessive, and this has incited public outrage...

Vice Director Li realized the seriousness of the issue and wanted to call the director to report, but he didn't dare to take out his phone.

New Year's is coming soon, and relatives of several new colleagues have arrived. As a unit leader, you need to invite them for a meal, and tomorrow morning you must accompany them to the first real estate fair in Binjiang to help the new colleagues settle down quickly in Binjiang.

Han Yu didn't have much time and found it unnecessary to argue with them. He tapped on the table and spoke candidly: "Director Li, I won't make things difficult for you, but please deliver a message to your leaders for me."

Vice Director Li hurriedly replied, "Go ahead."

"Officially, I am still a committee member of the Party in the Binjiang City Police Department Water Police Branch. I have an obligation and a responsibility to safeguard the interests of our Binjiang shipmen! Privately, I am the son of shipmen. I was born and raised on a ship, worked on water since graduating from vocational school. No one knows better than me how difficult it is for shipmen."

Han Yu took a deep breath and declared firmly, "Now, as a committee member of the Party in the Binjiang City Police Department Water Police Branch and the Linghai City Development Zone Management Committee, I formally protest against the indiscriminate fines imposed by your local Maritime Department!

Next, our Water Police Branch will join forces with the Transportation Bureau Maritime Departments in each district and county of Binjiang to survey the situation of shipmen being fined by your local Maritime Departments. We accept necessary fines for actual overloading but reject any fines imposed where there was no overloading.

We will provide you with the results, related punishment decision documents, and fine receipts, and hope you will refund the improperly fined amounts to our shipmen by the end of February.

Considering shipmen have little time to defend their lawful rights, we will organize shipmen to entrust a shipping company to handle this matter specifically."

All fines are first handed over to the county treasury, which keeps thirty percent. Is the county willing to return them?

The portion returned to the bureau has been spent. Where will funds be found to refund you?

Vice Director Li was unsure how to respond when Han Yu added, "I am both a Binjiang native and a Binjiang official. Matters elsewhere are not my concern nor my responsibility; I only manage Binjiang affairs.

While I hope you will refund the unjust fines, I also wish for fair enforcement in the future, without arbitrarily punishing our Binjiang ships.

If similar situations occur again, I will apply to higher authorities to organize police forces to escort our Binjiang ships. I believe the higher authorities will agree, as we have successfully conducted similar operations before.

Our Water Police Branch and the Linghai Police Bureau escorted Binjiang ships through the Grand Canal, capturing over three hundred water bandits from Yangzhou to Xuzhou, unable to hand them over immediately to the Canal Police Department but detained them in ship cabins for later delivery, which earned commendations from the Police Department and Transportation Department."

He indeed is the "Binjiang Water Army Commander," truly imposing!

Director Tao stifled a laugh and reminded, "Secretary Han, local maritime law enforcement officers aren't water bandits."

"What law enforcement officers lack enforcement credentials? Arbitrarily issuing fines, detaining ships and certificates if shipmen don't cooperate, even dismantling the steering wheel or main engine; how is this any different from water bandits?"

Han Yu retorted with two consecutive questions, then slammed the table, saying, "I safeguard the interests of Binjiang Shipping Companies and Binjiang shipmen. I enforce the law impartially, why should I be afraid? I leave my words here: if there's another arbitrary penalty imposed on Binjiang shipmen, I will immediately organize forces to act, letting Guzhou Police Bureau come to fetch people!

If higher authorities believe Han Yu is wrong, they can punish me, even revoke my national second-level model public security system award!

I am also a national anti-flood model, with two first-level merits. If committing one mistake cancels one award, I have enough to make several mistakes."

That is strong!

No way higher authorities will revoke your honors, besides, the public security system doesn't have the authority to revoke first-level merits granted by General Politics and Guangzhou Military Region.

Director Tao laughed, pretending to be serious as he advised, "Secretary Han, don't be impulsive. I believe Wujiang Transportation Bureau will definitely provide an explanation, we're all family, there's no need for conflict."

"Precisely because we're family, I am sitting here discussing this with Director Li. Also, because family shame should not be publicized, I haven't invited the media to expose this. Wang Xiangguang, the director of Binjiang People's Broadcasting Station, is my uncle, who watched Ningning and me grow up. He has helped us expose unauthorized actions multiple times before—if I tell him about this, he'll definitely be interested."

Han Yu took a small sip of water and continued, "Of course, unless absolutely necessary, I won't employ the last resort of armed escort. Before doing that, I will first report the situation to Guzhou City leaders, Provincial Transportation Department, and even Ministry of Transport as a Party member!

Even though I am the Big Commander of the Navy Rescue Boat Team now, I was previously the Camp Commander of Linghai Reserve Camp, which is not only Linghai's reserve camp but also the Ministry of Transport's reserve camp.

Director Li, you might not have read the Yangtze River Shipping News, but you should be familiar with China Transportation News and China Water Transport News, which feature reports on Linghai Reserve Camp. Our senior expert, Comrade Ge Weidong, even attended the National Flood Control Summary and Commendation Conference as a model representative from the Ministry of Transport.

In another week, Ministry of Transport leaders will come to Linghai Reserve Camp for inspection and guidance. I expect a prompt response from you, otherwise, I'll have to report the situation to Ministry of Transport leaders!"

Linghai Reserve Camp is indeed very renowned.

In September and October, China Transportation News and China Water Transport News frequently reported the flood-fighting deeds of reserve soldiers from the transport system.

Reporter Wang from Binjiang People's Broadcasting Station is also well-known, specializes in public opinion supervision, not limited to Binjiang.

What's even more troubling is this "Binjiang Water Army Commander" is very young.

Young men are full of vigor; if he dares to speak, he likely dares to act. If he really goes to arrest people in Wujiang, things will escalate since you were at fault initially.

As for him, higher authorities certainly won't really punish him.

He possesses dual identities as public security police and reserve officer, being simultaneously established as positive models by both the police system and the military.

As long as such people do not engage in corruption or bribery, their superiors will only praise them, not criticize or penalize them.

In fact, precisely because of his detached identity, although his administrative level is just a Director level, his influence and actual power are almost equivalent to that of a Director, otherwise, it would be impossible for him to call the Transportation Bureau directors of two districts and counties over with just one phone call.

Vice Director Li realized he had run into a tough nut to crack, and hurriedly said, "Secretary Han, I've noted everything you've said. As soon as I return, I'll report to the Director and ensure to provide you a satisfactory response promptly."

"Not to me, but to the Binjiang Shipping Companies and individual transport operators."

"Yes, exactly as you said."

"Well, that's all for today. I have something else to attend to later, so I won't see you two off."

"Secretary Han, how about having lunch together at noon?"

"Let's skip the meal. As long as things get done, that's all that matters."

After delivering his "final ultimatum," Han Yu thought for a moment and turned back, saying, "Xiao Gong."

"Present!"

"Director Li and Chief Ding came in Director Guan's car. Director Guan and Director Wang went to the Maritime Bureau. Since Director Li and Chief Ding can't go back, would you drive them to the long-distance bus station?"

"Understood!"

This was an eviction order...

Vice Director Li came to his senses, hurriedly packed his briefcase, and stood up.

Chief Ding, who had never attended such a "meeting," was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat. Following Vice Director Li out of the meeting room, he didn't dare to lift his head, let alone look at Han Yu.

"Wait, Chief Ding, take your cigarettes and liquor with you."

"Ah..."

"What do you mean 'Ah'? These were left on my family's boat. My father didn't know what to do with them, so he entrusted someone to bring them to me, asking me to return them to you. He's just an ordinary shipman; he doesn't dare to drink the alcohol you gave or smoke the cigarettes you gifted."

"Secretary Han..."

"Take it away quickly, unless you don't want to leave!"

"I'll go, I'll take them."

Chief Ding hurriedly picked up the two bags of cigarettes and liquor, chasing after Vice Director Li as if fleeing.

After sending off the two unwelcome guests, Director Tao couldn't help but chuckle and asked, "Secretary Han, will they really refund the money to our Binjiang shipmen?"

"I don't know."

"If they don't refund it, will you really go arrest them?"

Han Yu pondered for a moment and smiled bitterly, "Things are different now compared to before. Our public security team is managed more strictly, so going to arrest people isn't very feasible. Moreover, their situation is different from back then on the canal; although their coordinators are essentially like water bandits, legally they are different from water bandits, so you can't just arrest them."

Director Shen of the Changzhou Transportation Bureau knew there would be a spectacle today but didn't expect the "Binjiang Water Army Commander" to be so ruthless. He couldn't help but admire the trip to Lang Mountain, chuckling and asking, "If they don't refund, what will you do then?"

"Make a complaint, go to their superiors. I do know Mayor Chen."

"What if Mayor Chen of Guzhou doesn't handle it?"

Before Han Yu could respond, Han Xiangning stood up and said, "We'll report it to the Provincial Transportation Department, and if necessary, escalate it to the Ministry of Transport. I refuse to believe no one will handle it!"

"Admire you both."

"Director Tao, Director Shen, please don't make fun of us. This is the only way left."

"We're not making fun of you. We mean it. We should thank you for working on our behalf."

Director Tao chuckled and sighed, "If this matter gets resolved, it would be like pulling a tiger's teeth and could be a highlight of our Transportation Bureau's achievements this year for serving the people."

Han Yu couldn't help but laugh, "That's why you all need to be my strong supporters. Without your powerful backing, this lawsuit would be tough to win, and I alone surely can't handle it."

Director Shen firmly clasped Han Yu's hand and said, smiling, "Don't worry, we're united on this issue. A fine of two hundred million a year, and these two hundred million are merely fines on the shipmen in Hu Zhou region. What kind of concept is this! It's a disgrace to our transportation system, severely tarnishing its reputation!"