Chapter 363: Crayfish Hatchery Construction

Fine, fine, we don't have to worry now; just be careful when going out to sea—if you can't, then don't go out—running this farm together with your two brothers isn't bad either.

Jiang Yunxiang said that, and Ye Guowei was also moved.

Exactly, A Cheng, this farm is enough for us to live on—why still go out to sea? It's too dangerous; people say your boat is just a point away from sinking; this time it was just luck.

Not going out to sea? How could that be?

Going out to sea makes more money, and besides, I have an early-warning system—I'm not afraid at all.

I can also dive; even in the sea it's hard to die.

This time it was also because I was too reckless; otherwise I wouldn't have gotten into danger.

After properly comforting his older brother and sister-in-law, Ye Cheng ate his fill and went home.

When passing the village entrance, he happened to run into Duan Chunsheng and a few acquaintances chatting there, so he went over.

"Yo, Lao Er's here—heard you almost had an accident last night? Take it easy next time." Duan Chunsheng said half-jokingly.

Ye Cheng smoked a round of cigarettes,

"Hmm, last night I didn't see clearly and bumped into something; without Brother Duan holding the fort, us youngsters get nervous."

"Hahaha, others being nervous is fine, but you get nervous." Duan Chunsheng teased.

"Let me tell you," Yuan MazI? interjected, "the Chen family heard you hit your boat and are delighted, saying your luck has finally run out."

"Heh," Ye Cheng couldn't be bothered to speak; the Chen family truly can't stand seeing him do well.

"It's fine, let them be happy; I'm fine anyway, I'll keep going out to sea next time."

"Right." Duan Chunsheng patted Ye Cheng, "Next time bring Brother Duan along, or how about we go tomorrow?"

"Brother Duan, my boat still needs a few days of repairs; you over there, go enjoy yourself."

"You kid, fine—Brother Duan himself has already gone out to sea; these two days, if you have time, go check on Duan Yong; the crayfish hatchery is almost done, you should go take a look."

"That fast?" Ye Cheng was startled—this speed is a bit quick.

Yuan MazI? came over,

"Lao Er, my son Jiansheng also put in effort."

Duan Chunsheng gave him a sideways glance,

"I know, I know—I didn't say your son didn't put in effort."

Yuan MazI? gave an honest smile,

"This kid is now diligent—completely different from before; it's still good to follow Lao Er."

Ye Cheng knew this was Yuan MazI? trying to claim credit for his son; after all, he isn't that close to Ye Cheng, unlike Duan Chunsheng, so he could only rely on himself to say a few words.

"Uncle Yuan, rest assured—I won't shortchange them what they're due; I'll go check tomorrow and then get started."

If the hatchery is already done, Ye Cheng will go buy equipment and start spending money.

Nothing happened overnight.

Early the next morning, Ye Cheng took Duan Yong and Yuan Jiansheng to look at the hatchery.

The building sits beside the small river, nearly a hundred square meters; inside there's nothing yet, just divided into several ponds as Ye Cheng requested.

One of the ponds has already been filled with water, holding dozens of sturdy crayfish.

"Brother Cheng, these are the broodstock; I plan to let them mate and hatch here."

Ye Cheng casually scooped up a few; these crayfish are indeed strong and full of vigor.

"What's the male-to-female ratio?" Ye Cheng asked casually.

"Huh?" Upon hearing Ye Cheng ask about the ratio, Duan Yong scratched his head, "Brother Cheng, I just grabbed them at random—I don't know the count; is there even a requirement?"

"No problem; first time's normal—pick a few more in there, aim for roughly one male to three females, and jot it down in your notebook."

"Oh." The two pulled out notebooks and started recording like elementary school students.

"Then when feeding, give them some high-protein food, plus some earthworms and snail meat—this will help with that, got it?"

"Got it, bro, that thing."

"Then the water temperature also needs control, between 22 and 28 degrees, and the water must be changed daily.

"You guys divert river water in, keep a slight flow, but the water still needs to be changed."

Duan Yong and Yuan Jiansheng listened, frowning repeatedly—this stuff is really hard to manage.

Ye Cheng looked at them,

"Don't have you lug buckets to change water—buy a machine, including temperature control via machine; otherwise how would you manage? In a bit, Duan Yong and I will go get money—first take 30,000 yuan; we can't skimp where money should be spent."

Duan Yong pursed his lips—he'd already said there was money.

Ye Cheng continued pointing at the other ponds and said,

"Then create a few more ponds—once the females are berried, move them to the big pond so they aren't attacked. Also, once the larvae hatch, they need to be moved to a separate pond; the mothers will eat the young, and that would be wasted effort."

"Fine, we've memorized all that." Duan Yong and Yuan Jiansheng were both taking notes—these things are just a little to remember, but actually doing them could involve more work.

Seeing the two focused, Ye Cheng felt greatly relieved.

"While you're working on this, Duan Yong, you also need to find people to start digging ponds—outside there are two total: one for the hatchery, that is for the juveniles; one for the adults. Got it?"

"Okay, Brother Cheng, we'll find people to dig the ponds as soon as possible."

Saying this, Duan Yong suddenly stopped his pen and said,

"Brother Cheng, I see the Chen family side has already started digging; should we add some money to get people to work faster?"

"No need." Ye Cheng shook his head firmly, "No need—farming is a long-term process; they keep theirs outdoors and can't really sustain them."

"Then, these packets are insecticide powder—just sprinkle some when you have nothing else to do; if it runs out, ask me for more."

Before coming, Ye Cheng exchanged for some all-purpose insecticide powder from the system.

"Okay." Duan Yong took it and put it away.

Duan Yong stopped, and Yuan Jiansheng continued, "Brother Cheng, there's another matter—A Yong is currently in charge of the hatchery affairs; collecting the crayfish is mainly my job."

"Hmm, Duan Yong's been busy lately, thanks for your hard work." Ye Cheng casually tossed him a cigarette.

Giving subordinates a bit of spiritual encouragement at the right time costs nothing and can boost morale—this is a common tactic bosses use.

Yuan Jiansheng obviously hasn't experienced the workplace yet; Ye Cheng's simple comfort left him utterly moved.

"Brother Cheng, it's fine if I work a bit harder, but the purchase price for small lobsters keeps going up; sometimes I have to pay 3 yuan to get them—should we still buy them at this price?"

It's already three yuan per catty.

Ye Cheng was a bit surprised; although he knew prices would rise, the increase was happening faster than expected.

How long has it been? At this rate, it could suddenly reach five yuan.

That would greatly raise our costs, and the most helpless part is that we can't possibly raise our selling price by the same amount.

Because Boss Qian had told him that Donghai Shi already had several shops selling small lobsters.