CHAPTER 501: CHAPTER 350: THEY ARE ALL BIG!

The waiting room for the ferry was crowded and noisy, not a place for conversation.

The first-class section of the high-speed ferry was also quite packed, making it inconvenient to talk.

Waves rolled in from the horizon, surging toward the ferry, causing it to sway. The waves crashed against the rocks on the dock, splashing like broken jade scattered around, resembling clusters of white plum blossoms from afar, falling like a light rain into the sea.

Facing this scene, Director Feng was filled with emotion.

In a few more hours, they would meet the "Big Shark," and he could imagine that with the "Big Shark" joining the fleet, the vast sea territories would no longer be places where others could come and go as they pleased.

Looking back at Han Xiangning, who was checking his phone, Director Feng felt a bit envious and inwardly reflected on the joy of youth. If he were twenty years younger, even if he had no chance to command the "Big Shark," he could still watch it patrol the sea territories.

Director He was from the Yangtze River Shipping Police, not the marine police, and was more familiar with the Yangtze River, especially the middle and upper reaches; this was his first time seeing the ocean.

He couldn’t help but turn around to look at several navy officers, nearly certain that Salted Fish’s task being temporarily assigned must be related to the military.

Yet, Salted Fish, capable as he was, was just a public security police officer who could handle boats and repairs, not a navy soldier. How could he be of any help to them...

And Director Feng, originally a Deputy Division Commander in the navy, had transferred careers so many years ago and had moved from the Port Supervision Bureau to the Marine Bureau, and then from there to Cosco, now a leader in a major central enterprise. What connection did he still have with his old unit?

He racked his brains but couldn’t figure it out, so he simply stopped thinking and leaned on the back of his chair to rest his eyes.

Perhaps it was the weariness from the long journey, but he dozed off and when he woke, the ferry had already arrived at the Ningbo Small Port Pier.

Carrying his luggage off the ship, there were several military vehicles parked on the dock.

There to greet them was a Navy Major General who not only recognized Director Feng but also showed great respect by standing at attention and saluting upon seeing him.

Just like when they boarded in East Sea, Director Feng did not introduce anyone. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he led Director He and Han Xiangning to the second military vehicle.

Seeing police cars clearing the way was common, but today it was military vehicles leading the way.

A military vehicle with flashing lights guided the convoy to a navy base, where armed sentinels stood at the gate, and within the base, there was a post every three steps and a guard every five.

Han Xiangning, who grew up in the military, could clearly feel the tense atmosphere and couldn’t help but ask, "Director Feng, is a commander coming here for inspection?"

"Yes."

"How high-ranking?"

Director Feng, smiling, asked, "Ningning, have you ever seen high-ranking commanders?"

Han Xiangning thought for a moment and giggled, "I grew up in the military. Both my parents were in the Air Force. I saw several Air Force chiefs when I was a kid."

"Your Air Force is so lax that you could see chiefs during inspections?"

"My family’s quarters were next to the military recruitment office. Whenever a superior came for inspections, I could see them just by standing at the doorway. Besides, my mom is a nurse. Whenever a commander came to check on work, my mom had to accompany the doctors with a medical kit for rounds."

It’s quite normal for a child who grew up in the military to have such experiences.

Of course, being mischievous is also normal.

Director Feng, reminded of his own son who also grew up in the military, smiled and said, "Later, you’ll not only see the Navy Chief but also the Chief of the General Staff."

"The General Staff!"

"What’s there to be so surprised about?"

"Oh."

Director He listened, stunned, thinking no wonder Han Xiangning was so unruly, having grown up on an Air Force base.

At that moment, the convoy slowly drove into the reception area of the base.

Two officers came up to greet Director Feng and others, saluting and exchanging pleasantries.

Director He and Han Xiangning didn’t dare to come forward, following others’ arrangements, they carried their luggage into the lobby to check in.

Though it was called checking in, it was more about registering to enter the navy base, requiring them to show their ID cards and work permits. The cellphones, including Director He’s and the one Director Feng had passed from Salted Fish to Han Xiangning during boarding, were handed over for safekeeping.

After taking their luggage to their rooms, as instructed by Director Feng, they returned to the lobby to gather.

Upon returning to the lobby, they found Director Feng had changed into naval combat clothes.

"Old leader, is everyone here?"

"My side is all here, just the three of us."

"Then let’s head over."

"Okay, when we’re here, we can only follow your lead."

"Old leader, don’t say that, let’s hurry to the car."

The officer assigned to receive Director Feng, Colonel Liu, invited the three onto a Coaster bus, and after driving for about ten minutes within the base, the scene suddenly opened up. The base was situated by the sea, very close to the ocean.

Colonel Liu took out several life jackets from the back seat, smiling, "Director Feng, put this on."

"You want me to wear this, are you kidding?"

"Old leader, I know you’re a good swimmer, but the wind is strong on the sea, at least it can block some wind."

"Alright, alright, I’ll listen to you."

Director Feng reluctantly put on a life vest. Director He, realizing they were about to board the boat, said thank you and hurriedly put it on.

Before her pregnancy, Han Xiangning patrolled the river and enforced the law almost every day. The fact that life vests had to be worn never bothered her. She deftly put it on and, along with Directors Feng and He, boarded a patrol boat under the lead of Colonel Liu.

There were no outsiders on the boat, so Director Feng had fewer reservations. He took a pair of binoculars from Colonel Liu and asked, "How far are we from the port?"

"Three nautical miles, the water is deeper there."

"Is this area of the sea closed off?"

"It has been closed off early. The Marine Supervision Bureau’s enforcement boats are patrolling nearby."

"What about yours?"

"The Marine Supervision Bureau is responsible for the outer perimeter, we handle the interior."

Director Feng looked at his watch and asked further, "Have they started unloading?"

"The Dutch semi-submersible just began taking on water," Colonel Liu thought for a moment and added, "The weather’s good today, we could have started unloading first thing in the morning. But the semi-submersible is foreign, and with so many foreign crew members on board, it concerns national sovereignty. The Marine Supervision, Customs, Border Inspection, and Health Inspection need to conduct checks onboard."

Director He roughly understood the situation now; Salted Fish must have helped the Navy transport some equipment back from abroad.

Han Xiangning couldn’t help but ask, "Director Feng, where’s Salted Fish?"

Director Feng didn’t answer, instead, he turned to introduce, "Colonel Liu, this is Comrade Han Xiangning, the wife of Comrade Salted Fish, both share the last name Han."

"It’s a pleasure, Comrade Han Xiangning, your husband has been a great help to us this time."

"Where is he?"

"He’s on the ship ahead, but you will only be able to see him from afar with the binoculars in a little bit, none of us can board that ship," Colonel Liu said with a smile, then apologetically added, "He is familiar with the situation and will be assisting with the unloading next. We can’t get on that ship, and for now, he can’t come ashore either."

"How long will the unloading take?"

"Comrade Xiao Han, I’m not knowledgeable in this area, but I’ve heard it won’t be quick."

Before Han Xiangning could speak, Director Feng introduced, "Colonel Liu, this gentleman is the leader at Comrade Salted Fish’s workplace, Director He Bin of the Changhang Public Security Bureau Binjiang Branch."

Colonel Liu saluted, "Greetings Director He, thank you for your support of our operations."

"That’s the least we can do, contributing manpower and efforts to national defense is our branch’s honor," Director He hastily saluted back, then added with a smile, "Actually, I often dealt with your Navy before."

"Really?"

"I transferred to Binjiang this year, previously I was at the Hanwu Branch. Many of your Navy’s submarines are built and undergo major repairs in Hanwu, whenever submerged or returning for repairs, not only do we need to ensure navigation security with Port Supervision, but we also handle safety protections."

To the people by the river, submarines were not an uncommon sight; they saw them frequently.

Han Xiangning also couldn’t help but smile, "Speaking of which, I have escorted your Navy submarines many times too. When I was in the Traffic Control Center, every time your submarines entered or left the Yangtze River, we barely slept for days and nights."

Seeing his subordinate’s surprised face, Director Feng chuckled, "Xiao Han is also my old subordinate, she worked at the Binjiang Port Supervision Bureau."

"So, you’re my junior, Director He, Xiao Han, I must salute you again, grateful for your support to our Navy!"

Colonel Liu raised his arm in salute, but Director Feng quickly picked up his binoculars and laughed towards the distant sea, "Director He, Ningning, the submarine you’ll see shortly isn’t like any you’ve seen before, and it’s highly unlikely to enter the Yangtze River or go to Hanwu."

Director He was momentarily stunned and in shock, he asked, "Director Feng, are you saying Salted Fish is unloading a submarine?"

Colonel Liu smiled reassuringly, "Imported from Russia, it’s also the most advanced conventional submarine."

Han Xiangning often browsed through maritime journals collected by Salted Fish and although not very interested in naval equipment, she inquired in surprise as someone who knew more than most from Port Supervision, "A Kilo-class submarine?"

"Ningning, I didn’t see that coming, you know about that too."

"Director Feng, you trained me."

"Yes, I love hearing that."

Laughing heartily, Director Feng handed her the binoculars, "Take a look first, see if you can spot Salted Fish."

San’er went to Russia to receive a submarine, truly impressive and glorious!

Being unable to contain her excitement, Han Xiangning took the binoculars eagerly.

Director He was utterly overwhelmed, staring intensely at the distant spot, unable to believe it was true.

The patrol boat sped across the sea, soon reaching the semi-submersible’s anchorage. Though they were unable to enter the operational area, they could clearly see a huge submarine sitting atop an even larger semi-submersible.

Dozens of people were busy at the front and rear of the semi-submersible.

Two naval vessels and three tugs flanked the semi-submersible on either side, and one vessel had its bridge crowded with people.

From the hands of Han Xiangning, Director He took the binoculars, adjusted the focus, and was greatly astonished. Director Feng and Colonel Liu, in full uniform, walked to the port side and saluted from afar toward the commanders on the naval ship.

"It’s huge!"

"Director He, are you saying the commander is big, or the submarine?"

"Both are big, it’s eye-opening, gained a lot of insights. Xiao Han, staying in Salted Fish’s shadow is indeed enlightening!"

Now do you see how incredible my San’er is—it pays to have skills in fixing ships, managing ships, and understanding shipping...

Han Xiangning leaned forward and observed Director Feng, who was tearful from excitement, and remarked, "What do you mean staying in Salted Fish’s shadow? Including Salted Fish, we all are in Director Feng’s shadow."