April 27, clear skies.
Han Yu unusually donned a Navy uniform, wearing the rank of Navy Reserve Major, carrying a briefcase, and accompanied leaders from the Nanjing Military Region Equipnt Departnt, the East Sea Fleet Equipnt Departnt, and the East Sea Defense Zone, visiting a large shipyard in the East Sea.
Plans always change—the original intention was to organize military training and political learning for the Reserve Soldiers of the Rescue Boat Team for a few days; however, the Military District sent an ergency order to attend the acceptance of the first cargo ship modified specifically for the Navy Reserve Transport Regint at the East Sea.
The leaders of the acceptance delegation were all division-level cadres, each holding the rank of Major General.
Without a military-level commander present, Han Yu felt at ease, seeing Director Feng and the shipyard’s military representative waiting at the entrance hall. He suppressed his inner excitent and only approached to salute and greet after the leaders finished greeting Director Feng.
"Salted Fish, why are you here too?"
"The superiors let co."
"Which superior?" Director Feng was genuinely pleased to see Salted Fish, from the bottom of his heart.
Han Yu was unsure how to explain when Director Yang from the Nanjing Military Region Equipnt Departnt turned around and laughed, saying, "Minister Feng, Salted Fish is specifically requested by the Military Region Commander to participate in the acceptance. He now represents our Equipnt Departnt. He understands the technical aspects that we don’t; if he points out any shortcomings later, please don’t be upset."
The Nanjing Military Region has an Air Force but does not have a Navy.
The Navy manages itself; it coordinates with the Military Region for communication and cooperation during combat, with the Fleet Commander doubling as the Military Region Deputy Commander.
In other words, the Military Region cannot manage the Navy.
The reason why the Military Region dispatched a director from the Equipnt Departnt for the acceptance is mainly because the four Reserve Transport Regints are jointly organized by the East Sea Defense Zone and the Navy, relying on two major mariti enterprises in the East Sea. Moreover, in future transport missions, they will primarily transport Army personnel and equipnt.
Director Feng is a genuine veteran of the Navy, with nurous forr subordinates now bearing the General Star, and he doesn’t care about the Army’s opinions. Besides, in his view, Director Yang is just a "rookie."
Director Feng laughed and pointed at Han Yu, saying, "Pointing out shortcomings in our work, what a joke! I’d like to see if he dares!"
"Salted Fish, keep your stance firm at critical monts."
"Director Yang, I... I promise to adhere strictly to the blueprint for acceptance."
"Minister Feng, did you hear that? I know Salted Fish is your old subordinate, but public and private matters should be separate."
"Director Yang, your intelligence work hasn’t been thorough. Salted Fish is not my old subordinate, but I’ve watched him grow up," Director Feng gestured for everyone to wear safety helts with a smile, adding, "Almost forgot, I’m his matchmaker, too. This is the only matchmaking I’ve ever done in my life, and it was very successful."
Director Yang laughed, patting Han Yu’s shoulder to tease, "Salted Fish, by the rules from our hotown, you must send annual gifts to matchmakers every year. Did you pay New Year’s respects to Minister Feng and send him gifts during New Year?"
"I did the year before, but was too busy last year and didn’t manage."
"That’s wrong of you; you can’t forget the matchmaker after marrying your wife. Make sure to compensate for last year’s gift after the acceptance."
"Yes!"
Though it was Director Shi’s first ti interacting with Han Yu, the director from the East Sea Fleet Equipnt Departnt had heard all about him and couldn’t resist joking as well: "The matchmaker is akin to an uncle; the standard for the annual gift shouldn’t be low. Simply bringing so fruit or a box of milk won’t cut it; it should at least be two bottles of good wine, two packs of cigarettes, and two pig legs."
As Han Yu struggled to respond to the teasing, Director Feng laughed, "Everyone, we’ll discuss the gifts later. Let’s get down to business now. Next, whether you want to listen to reports at the Military Representative Office or board the ship first?"
"What Imperial Commissioner! Minister Feng, you really went overboard with that joke. We’ll follow your arrangents."
"Then let’s go to the Military Representative Office first."
"Fine."
Modifying the cargo ship is a huge project; a single ship refurbishnt has cost over two million.
The deputy general manager of the China Ocean East Sea Company, the Ard Forces Minister, the person in charge of the shipyard, the shipyard’s chief engineer, and engineers from the modification design unit are all present.
To Han Yu’s surprise, his brother-in-law was present, also dressed in a Navy uniform with the Navy Reserve rank, just like him.
The Deputy Chief of Staff of the East Sea Defense Zone, who once led a visit to the Linghai Reserve Camp, presided over the eting, first introducing the attendees, then asking the modification design unit engineers to report first.
Next, the deputy general manager of China Ocean East Sea Company was asked to report.
...
Listening to reports and reviewing blueprints, even those unfamiliar with the trade can form a direct impression of the cargo ship modification project.
The shipyard’s chief engineer reported the problems encountered during the modification and how those issues were resolved.
Until the Deputy Chief of Staff Liu of the East Sea Defense Zone requested Jiang Kun to report, Han Yu realized his brother-in-law had been entrusted with significant responsibility, acting as the representative of the equipnt usage unit, overseeing the entire modification process of the cargo ship, akin to the military representative placed at the shipyard by the four Reserve Transport Regints.
This type of work had been done by Xiao Yu at Hanwu before, albeit not supervising ship modifications, but rather overseeing the construction of law enforcent vessels for a few river law enforcent units in Binjiang.
Once Jiang Kun finished reporting the supervision situation of the modification, the group, accompanied by the shipyard engineer, once again drove to the dock, boarded the modified cargo ship, and conducted detailed inspections according to the blueprints and design requirents, item by item.
Not everyone understands ship modifications; the leaders were just observing, while Han Yu and the three staff from the East Sea Fleet got down to work.
This ship is ant to execute personnel and equipnt transport missions in the future and assist the Navy in sea combat.
Han Yu dared not treat it lightly, inspecting it thoroughly from morning 9:30 until evening before wrapping up.
Returning to the hotel, he showered, changed into clean clothes, and arrived at the restaurant on ti for dinner.
Director Yang watched him with a smile and asked, "Salted Fish, how did the modification of that cargo ship turn out?"
"If it’s just following the design drawings, the modification work shouldn’t be a problem. But once the cargo ship is modified, it’s tasked with transporting personnel and equipnt. Whether it ets operational requirents, I think it should undergo a trial run according to the mariti departnt’s routine."
"ntion it to Minister Feng tomorrow."
"Director Yang, Director Shi, if conditions permit, I suggest conducting a small-scale landing exercise. It would be best to arrange for two tanks and two infantry fighting vehicles to board the ship."
If it’s only about transporting equipnt, an ordinary bulk carrier can handle the transfer.
But currently, the troops need a transport ship capable of conducting amphibious landing operations. Director Yang found Han Yu’s suggestion reasonable and pondered, "I’ll report to the superior first thing tomorrow morning. Two tanks and two infantry fighting vehicles shouldn’t be a problem."
The trial run must be equipped with a complete crew and coordinate with the mariti departnt, especially the ship inspection departnt.
After all, this newly modified cargo ship, like the Reserve Soldiers, has a dual identity. In warti, it’s similar to a warship, but in peaceti, it’s just a rchant ship. After modification, it requires inspection; otherwise, the mariti departnt will penalize it.
Mobilizing tanks and infantry fighting vehicles from active-duty units for the trial run also takes ti.
The next day, Han Yu thought there was nothing significant happening. He was thinking of taking a leave to check out the house his mother-in-law bought, when Director Feng called saying he was already downstairs at the hotel and asked him to co down quickly.
Without bothering to change into casual clothes, Han Yu took the elevator to the hotel lobby. A young Navy Lieutenant approached him: "Secretary Han, the car is outside, Minister Feng is waiting for you in the car."
"Where are we going?"
"You’ll know once you’re in the car."
"Is it appropriate for to go out dressed like this?"
"It’s fine. I’m in uniform too."
"We’re different, you’re regular army, I’m Reserve."
"Don’t worry, it’s really fine, no need to change into casual clothes."
"Alright then."
Not wanting to keep Director Feng waiting, Han Yu followed the Lieutenant out of the lobby and jumped into the military vehicle from the East Sea Base.
Director Feng put down his phone and asked with a smile: "How did you rest last night?"
"Alright, I don’t fuss over beds; I can sleep anywhere." Han Yu grinned and curiously asked, "Director Feng, where are we going?"
"Don’t you know what day it is today?"
"No idea."
"Your brother-in-law didn’t tell you?"
"He didn’t ntion a thing."
"Perhaps there were too many people yesterday, not convenient to talk." Director Feng gestured for the driver to start the car and explained with a smile, "Today’s the day Dongdong is participating in the flight cadet selection test. If he passes today’s tests, finishes his college entrance exams, and his results et the first-tier threshold, he’ll be able to go to the Aviation Institute for flight training."
Han Yu paused in surprise, then asked puzzledly: "Wasn’t the test completed last year?"
"Last October was the preliminary selection, today is equivalent to the re-examination."
"The flight selection is so troubleso."
"Becoming a pilot isn’t that easy. You as an uncle are quite irresponsible, not caring enough about your nephew."
Director Feng chided jokingly, then, thinking again, patiently explained: "The selection of flight cadets is conditional and procedural. It must be based on the principle of student volition and parental support. The class teacher first recomnds, then a dical examination is conducted at the hospital. After passing the physical exam, the school reviews and decides whether to recomnd. Only students recomnded by the school can fill out the flight college applicant registration form."
Han Yu curiously asked, "What happens next?"
"If you pass the preliminary selection, you go on to the re-selection. After the re-selection, there are final decisions and several other stages. The selection is extrely rigorous, with strict standards and conditions. One could say you need to overco nurous hurdles to beco a flight cadet!"
"Director Feng, do you think Dongdong has a chance to be selected?"
"Politically, Dongdong is fine. He loves the motherland, loves the people, loves the Chinese Communist Party, loves the People’s Army, and both he and his parents are supportive and ets the nation and military’s political requirents for flight selection."
Director Feng chuckled, then continued: "Dongdong’s physical condition isn’t an issue either; height and vision et the standards. He is neither nearsighted nor colorblind. Culturally, there shouldn’t be a major problem either. As long as he maintains his current academic performance, he should be able to reach the first-tier score."
Having aspirations is better than being aimless in life.
Han Yu wholeheartedly supported his nephew’s aspirations, smilingly asked: "Are there any other requirents?"
"Yes." Director Feng unscrewed his tea cup, took a sip of water, and said with a chuckle: "Although we’ve entered the twenty-first century, it’s said one shouldn’t judge by appearance, but as far as I know, flight selection does have image requirents; image and temperant must be good."
Han Yu laughed, "Fortunately, Dongdong has regular features. Though not extrely handso, he’s not unattractive; otherwise, he’d really stand no chance."
Director Feng nodded slightly, put down his tea cup, and said: "Besides having good image and temperant, one must have a strong interest and desire for flying, quick thinking, agile responses, coordinated movents, strong learning ability, an outgoing personality, stable emotions, and the courage to undertake challenges."
"Dongdong has all these; his personality isn’t just slightly outgoing."
"He grew up by the docks, has seen the big world, has even participated in the 1998 flood relief. His character and ntal resilience are truly unmatched by average children."
Director Feng smiled with satisfaction.
Han Yu noticed that Director Feng cared about Dongdong a lot, especially his expression when talking about Dongdong; it seed familiar, as if he was treated the sa way back in his own days with the senior students.
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