Chapter 1097: Going to the City to Receive Rewards

The next evening, the two gathered together at the doorway to cool off after the meal, just waiting for it to get dark.

As soon as it got dark, they walked out together, heading straight for Chen Shuji's house.

Chen Shuji's whole family was sitting at the doorway. Seeing the two come over holding a big watermelon each, they were happy and stood up directly to greet them.

"What wind blew you two over, and still holding two big watermelons? For me? Just sitting there cooling off, talking until my mouth was dry. Having watermelon is just right to quench thirst."

Ye Yaodong smiled and handed it to his wife, "Just kill it and share it for everyone to eat. Otherwise, it won't be good to eat tomorrow if it's left overnight."

A-Guang also took the one in his hand to his doorway, "Keep this one and kill it tomorrow."

"Sit, sit, sit. What are you two here for? Fines have to wait until daytime to go to the Village Committee to pay."

"How much is the fine for twins?"

Someone on the side joined in the fun, "Can't still be 500, right?"

"Haha, how can that do? Wouldn't it be two hundred and fifty if shared on one head? This will be called for a lifetime."

"Nonsense, prices have risen this year. One has to be fined 800."

Ye Yaodong glared, "Damn, one needs 800, why not go rob? So easy to earn?"

"That's worth it. Some people secretly gave birth to a daughter, still have to be fined 800, almost vomited blood from anger, and turned around and sent the child away."

"That's true. A-Guang has twin sons at once, can afford a small car, where is he short of this few hundred."

A-Guang frowned, listening to the neighbors cooling off and discussing, "Then still short of this few hundred yuan. Short of a lot of money. This rise is too outrageous. Prices of things rise, and giving birth to children also has to rise?"

"That's what you said, Dongzi, right? One 800, two is 1600. Who earns so much money in minutes? You earn it, you compensate me?"

"Then how can that be called me compensating? Just joking, but it's also a fact. Your two families have earned a lot of money. Getting a few hundred yuan, what's that? The key is giving birth to two sons at once. Is this something that can come with just a fine? Others are willing to give fines but still can't give birth."

Ye Yaodong asked curiously to Chen Shuji, "Is it really 800 for a fine?"

"At least 800. Heard the town fines 1000, 1000-something, how much is fined depends. Rich ones will be fined a bit more, poor ones follow the basics. If it's a special situation like yours two years ago, that's a heavy fine."

He smiled awkwardly. It was indeed too thrilling when she gave birth to his daughter two years ago. People were at the doorway, and everyone was pinching a sweat. Only fined him 500, the same as everyone else. It was really the Village Committee giving face.

A-Guang immediately said: "My family has no money. The family is either crying for food or half-grown boys eating their father poor. Counting them, there are 6 children, 6 adults. Supporting the family is not easy. All are mouths. The ones who can earn money are just me and my father. Such a big family..."

"Alright, alright, no need to cry poor. Who doesn't know your family has several boats? Fining double for twins is certain. Bringing two watermelons over is also useless."

Ye Yaodong shook his head slightly, signaling him not to say more, business is important.

"Alright, double is double. Anyway, it's not 500 yuan."

"That's

"That's more like it. Eat some watermelon, eat some watermelon..."

Everyone cooling off at the entrance had a share, and they all happily started munching on the watermelon.

When Ye Yaodong saw that Chen Shuji had finished eating and was heading inside to wash his hands and wipe his mouth, he hurriedly followed.

Then, taking advantage of the fact that there was no one else in the room, he said, "Secretary, doesn't our village committee warehouse still have quite a few firearms and ammunition?"

Chen Shuji immediately shook his head in alert, "They're gone. Didn't you just take three last year?"

"Don't be like that. Anyway, leaving them in the warehouse is just leaving them there; what if they get ruined? Things have to be utilized to have value."

Ah Guang also said, "My dad said there are plenty in the warehouse. Don't try to lie to me."

"If your dad says there are, then ask your dad for them. Why are you asking me?"

Ye Yaodong smiled and hooked his arm around the man's shoulder, "Isn't it because you're more useful? Asking you is the only way it'll work. In such a big village, it's not like just anyone can call the shots, and not just anyone can be the Secretary. Do us a favor; they're just sitting there anyway, and we promise not to tell anyone."

"No, no. You've already taken quite a few."

"But I have a lot of boats too. If you sell a few more to me, it can also generate revenue for the village. Otherwise, they're just dead objects sitting there. What if in a few years the higher-ups demand that everything be handed over? Wouldn't you be shooting yourselves in the foot then? You keep them tightly guarded, unwilling to give them to anyone, and then with one order, they get confiscated directly."

"Who told you everything has to be handed over?"

"I'm just saying it's possible; I didn't say it's certain. But think about it, isn't it quite likely? Sell us a few more. You know we're about to set off to earn money, and we're taking villagers with us, so safety comes first. We won't mess around with what we buy; we're just using them for self-defense. With so many boats, it's only right to have a few more to ensure the safety of the villagers."

"That still won't do. The village committee isn't my personal domain..."

"There's no difference. Who would dare not respect what you say?" Ah Guang said.

"You guys aren't listening right now, are you? I already said there aren't any, and you're still going on about it."

Ye Yaodong said with a smile, "We're trying to persuade you, we're negotiating. Alright? We're old acquaintances; we definitely won't tell anyone or leak it out. If people ask, I'll just say we captured them while fighting pirates. Everyone knows we fought pirates a while ago."

Chen Shuji thought about it in silence.

He pressed on, "Didn't I say I'd donate two small boats to the village committee to develop kelp cultivation? This definitely requires me to return safely; having a few more thermal weapons for self-defense is the only way to ensure personal safety."

"Leaving them there to gather dust is just leaving them there. Dongzi said it's very likely the higher-ups will just take them back, so we should definitely make the best use of what we can."

"Alright, stop thinking about it. Since it's dark and windy tonight and no one can see, let's go get them now. Who knows when we'll set off; it's better to avoid long delays."

"Then let's go, let's go. It's just right for a walk alone; we just finished eating, walking will help digest..."

"If this kelp can really be grown, the whole village will benefit. The villagers will all increase their income, and our village will be truly incredible. By then, we'll definitely be an advanced, civilized, and wealthy village, and the higher-ups will surely give us commendations."

"I heard that in the village where those two people were invited from, they were very ambitious. After successfully growing it, they felt the earnings were too low, and most of the young people wouldn't listen to orders and went off to earn big money. Only the village elders followed the village committee's arrangements and farmed there. If we vigorously develop it, we'll definitely be the first to become a wealthy village."

"Right, it doesn't matter if the yield is low at the beginning. As long as we can grow it, we'll do more next year. Diligence leads to wealth..."

The two of them chimed in and dragged Chen Shuji outside.

Chen Shuji was half-reluctant but half-willing under their persuasion. His heart was also stirred by the vision of the glorious scene after successful cultivation and vigorous promotion.

"Are you guys really optimistic about this?"

"Definitely! How much can this wild stuff grow? It grows this year, doesn't grow next year, doesn't grow the year after—who knows if it will grow in the future? But with farming, you can control it yourself. If you farm more, you earn more. If there's a natural or man-made disaster, then there's nothing to say. When you encounter natural or man-made disasters, nothing works."

Chen Shuji nodded.

The three of them chatted along the way, and the atmosphere became increasingly harmonious.

Although the village committee had an old man guarding the gate, Chen Shuji definitely had the keys, so there was no need to call anyone to open the door; he opened it and went in himself.

When the old man asked, he just said he had left something behind and came in to look for it.

However, he definitely couldn't let Ye Yaodong and the others into the warehouse; he only let them wait in the office first.

When Ye Yaodong and Ah Guang arrived at the office and sat down, Ah Guang said, "I knew it would be more effective coming with you."

"It would be just as effective if your dad came. After all, your dad is now a famous boat captain in the whole village; he definitely deserves the respect. If your dad came, we wouldn't have to say so much and waste our breath; they're old folks and have a friendship."

"If we can solve it ourselves, let's solve it ourselves. It's not a big deal, and Dad will get old eventually."

"Hmm."

"What time are we going to the city tomorrow?"

"Better early than late. Setting off early isn't as hot, and besides, we still have to go to the village to talk about the land. Let's set off at 4 o'clock when the sky starts to brighten."

"Then I'll get up early tomorrow. Is our dad going too?"

"Hmm, he's going too."

"Are the things all bought?"

"Bought. Even the gifts for the village chief were bought. You can't go wrong with more gifts."

Ah Guang saw that he had even bought land in the city and was actually quite eager to try, but unfortunately, it was useless for his family to buy it, unlike Dongzi, who ran to the city every few days.

Just as they were chatting, Chen Shuji walked in with a sack.

"What you wanted is all here. There isn't any more. Three guns each, divide them yourselves. If you take too many, it won't be easy to explain when it comes time to count and there's too much missing. The ammunition is inside too; you can each have 200 rounds."

Both of them were overjoyed.

"Good, good. Three guns each is barely enough. Thank you, sorry for the trouble."

"Is it the same price as before?"

"Hmm." Chen Shuji nodded.

"I'll send it over in a while."

"No rush, tomorrow is fine too."

"I won't be home tomorrow; I have to go to the city. I'll send it over in a while, straight to your house."

"Alright."

"Then we'll be going now."

Ye Yaodong picked up the sack, threw it over his shoulder, and left immediately.

The items were in hand; if they didn't leave now, when would they?

"Remember to return the sack..."

"Just give it to me; my family is short of sacks right now." Ye Yaodong threw the sentence back without looking and walked straight out.

The two were extremely excited, but they didn't dare say much on the road. It wasn't until they walked back to Dongzi's house and went into his room that they dared to talk about it and take them out.

"One Type 56 semi-automatic, two homemade guns. Pretty stingy."

"It's not bad. Better than not being able to get anything from others."

"Hmm, small amounts, frequent trips. We'll go ask for more next time!"

"Right, we'll pester him for a few more next time."

"Divide them first..."

Ye Yaodong picked out his share first, then put Ah Guang's share back into the sack for him to carry back later.

"Remember to bring the sack over tomorrow."

Ah Guang was stunned, "The sack?"

"Right, this one is mine."

He rolled his eyes, twirled the sack around his wrist twice, threw it over his back, and left directly.

Ye Yaodong called out from behind, "Remember, remember to return it."

"What are you two doing? Running into the room all secretive-like and running out again. What's in that sack? What did you tell him to return?"

"Good stuff. I told him to remember to return the sack to me tomorrow. Our family is most in need of sacks; we have to buy a batch every so often."

"But doesn't that sack have red characters on it? It doesn't look like ours."

"Oh, that's true. It's not good to keep things with markings."

"Where did it come from?"

Ye Yaodong beckoned her over, called her back into the room, and told her to get some money.

Lin Xiuqing also saw the guns and ammunition laid out on the bed and instantly understood what was in that sack just now, and what the two of them had been doing going out arm-in-arm.

"You went to the village committee to buy them again?"

"Hmm, we have more boats this year, so we need to prepare more for emergencies."

"I see."

Ye Yaodong also locked these guns and ammunition in the cabinet for safekeeping, to avoid the children seeing them and having an accidental discharge, which would be terrible.

After getting everything done, he lay down on the bed with peace of mind, waiting for tomorrow when he returned from the city, and the day after tomorrow he would call a few people to move all the small boats onto the big boat.

Tomorrow happens to be the 15th of the lunar month, the astronomical high tide, and the day after is the 16th. Being off by one day is fine, or he could just tell his dad not to go to the city with him tomorrow. Anyway, having Ah Guang accompany him is enough. He could let his dad stay home and call people to move the boats onto the big boat; his dad going along wouldn't be of much use anyway.

Thinking this, he immediately got up and went to his old home to find his dad, but Ye's father wouldn't hear of it.

Visiting leaders and incidentally receiving a banner and rewards—this is a good thing, how could he not go and see?

Besides, buying land is a major event. He worried that Ye Yaodong was too young and would be cheated, so he had to go and personally oversee it.

Although he couldn't speak Mandarin, having an extra person, especially an elder, watching was better than two wet-behind-the-ears boys; the impression it gave the other party would be different.

As the saying goes, "No hair on the lips, no steadiness in handling affairs."

Ye Yaodong had no choice. If he wanted to go, let him go. It wasn't like one day made a difference. He incidentally told his dad what time they were setting off, and after agreeing, he returned home and continued to lie down, preparing to sleep early and wake up early.

Since he had to wake up early the next day, he specifically didn't sleep in his own room for fear of being woken up by Ye Xiaoxi.

The unused room downstairs was used as a storage room. After being emptied out last month, the room finally aired out a bit and didn't have such a heavy fishy smell.

It was just that in the last two days, it had been filled to the brim with dried fish again, and his nose was surrounded by a thick, lingering smell of salted fish; he even dreamed about it.

He dreamed that the hundred-yuan bills were issued, and he took all the money in the house to exchange for several sacks of hundred-yuan bills, and even brought back a whole tractor-load.

But when he got home and joyfully opened the sack in the tractor cab, he found it was all dried fish. Where were the hundred-yuan bills?

After waking up in a start, he was still thinking about where his money went.

Then he instantly realized he was dreaming. With the savings in his house, how could he exchange for several sacks of hundred-yuan bills? And bring back a whole tractor-load?

It couldn't even fill a briefcase—no, it couldn't even fill a handbag.

He muttered, "Dreams are the opposite of reality. It will definitely be a tractor-load of money, not dried fish. Dried fish turning into money, not money turning into dried fish."

After calming down, he looked out the window. It was already starting to get a little bright. He turned on the light and looked at his watch, finding it was already 4:30, so he got up immediately.

At this time, the old lady also knocked on the door, afraid he would oversleep, and specifically came to wake him up.

"I know, I'm up."

Ye's father and Ah Guang were already helping to load the cargo at the workshop. He simply washed up, put the gifts he had bought in advance a few days ago into a basket, and carried it to the workshop.

He didn't buy anything special. Supplies were scarce these days, and there were very few varieties, so after walking around for a long time, he bought two bottles of Moutai, two cartons of Zhonghua cigarettes, and some Taiwanese products unique to their area.

By now, a full basket was packed, which was quite presentable.

When they arrived in the city, he would pick out a few different varieties of dried fish and shrimp to fill another basket, and then carry them into the house with a shoulder pole.

According to local customs, on the day of moving, one must carry auspicious items into the house with a shoulder pole; it's said to be a good omen.

He was just doing it for fun and to seek a good omen.

As for the village chief of the village near the market, he just bought some Taiwanese products. The pile of traditional characters and English on the packaging was especially good at bluffing people.

In this day and age, worshiping foreign things wasn't just talk. As long as it could be associated with foreigners, everyone felt it was good stuff, even if it was just some very ordinary biscuits or snacks.

After the tractor was loaded to the brim with cargo, they prepared to set off. This was also to avoid an empty vehicle and make the best use of everything. Anyway, they had to make the trip, and loading more cargo meant not wasting the fuel money for the trip.

Amidst the clattering roar of the tractor, they made sure the ropes tied on top were secure and were ready to set off. The old lady called out for them to wait, then walked a few quick steps with her cane and gave Ye Yaodong a cloth bag of eggs.

"Seeing you in such a rush, you didn't have time to eat. I just boiled a few eggs for you to eat on the road."

"Good, I know."

The city had everything. They set off so early that it would only be 9 o'clock when they arrived in the city, and it would be perfectly fine to eat breakfast after arriving. However, he didn't say anything; it was the old lady's kind heart.

Director Chen had also calculated the time. He had said half a month before, and he had calculated it to be around the 2nd. Anyway, both before and after were workdays, so it didn't affect him.

At the time, they were in a hurry, and both of them had come and gone in a rush, forgetting to leave a phone number. So Ye Yaodong couldn't call in advance, but at least he knew the unit. After unloading the cargo, he drove the tractor straight to the Ocean Bureau.

It just so happened that when they arrived, it was almost time to get off work, and people were still in the unit.

When Director Chen saw him arrive, he led them to his office to talk first.

"I guessed you would come over in these two days. If you didn't come yesterday, it would be today or tomorrow. I forgot to leave a phone number at the time. I'll write one for you; save it in your phone book."

"Good, good. I originally intended to call in advance to inform you, but I only remembered temporarily that I forgot to leave a number at the time, so I calculated the time and came exactly half a month later today."

"No problem. Anyway, I'm at work every day; as long as you come, you can find me. Your reward has already been issued and is in the bureau. Wait here, I'll go get it for you."

Everyone's mouths broke into smiles. Although they had long thought there would be a reward, it hadn't been certain, and now it was confirmed.

Director Chen went out for a while and came back in shortly after, holding a thick black notebook, a red book on top of it, and a long box that looked like it contained a fountain pen.

"This is the reward from the higher-ups for you salvaging the naval mine. It's quite generous. Take it home and keep it well; this is a symbol of glory."

Ye Yaodong was also very happy. Finally, it wasn't an enamel mug, a red and green washbasin, or a thermos. His house already had many of these; he even had enough washbasins for everyone to have one, and he had specifically built a wooden washbasin stand, otherwise there would be no place to put them.

"Thank you, I will definitely keep it well. When I'm old and take it out to look at, this will be the honor earned from fishing."

"Hahaha, you're really not wrong. How could an ordinary person have your luck when fishing?"

"In every trade, there is a master. You can also become a master at fishing."

"Right, exactly. As long as you are diligent and willing to work, you can make a name for yourself in any industry."

Ye Yaodong bowed to him happily, "This is all thanks to your support. It's also because I know you that I've had such smooth sailing, changing to bigger and bigger boats, and opening up new fishing grounds faster and faster."

"Keep up the good work. You're still so young, the future is promising, and your prospects are boundless. You can also get rich and move toward a moderately prosperous life by fishing."

"That's what I think too. There is no noble or lowly industry; if you can do it well, it's a good trade. Doing anything is not shameful, as long as the money is earned through your own hard work. That's why I've been thick-skinned enough to visit you from time to time, knowing you wouldn't look down on me just because I'm a fisherman."

Director Chen instantly straightened his face, "What's wrong with being a fisherman? Being a fisherman is also a good trade. As long as you can support your family, you're a real man. Besides, relying on the mountains to eat from the mountains, and relying on the sea to eat from the sea, the towns in our surrounding area all rely on the sea. We all rely on the ocean's gifts to support the local people."

"Right, right..."

Everyone had smiles on their faces, full of joy.

After Director Chen spoke, he also had a smile on his face. He looked at his watch and found that it was already time to get off work, and the people outside had almost all left, so he led them to his home.

He rode a bicycle to and from work every day. When leading Ye Yaodong and the others back, he put the bicycle directly into the cargo bed in the back, and then sat with Ye Yaodong in the front of the tractor.

Today, the tractor cab was loaded with a full load of cargo, so there were no stools put up, and there was no place to sit, which was why he had to sit in the front.

The staff dormitory wasn't far, but it wasn't close either; it was in the urban area. There were more pedestrians on the road, so the speed was relatively slow. It took more than 20 minutes to reach the destination.

Ye Yaodong thought that in the urban area, a bicycle was more convenient and faster. For daily riding, it would take at most ten minutes, and there wouldn't be any traffic jams at all.

They had met Director Chen's wife many times and were familiar with each other. Seeing him visit, she wasn't surprised, but after smiling and exchanging a few polite words, she immediately went back to the kitchen to prepare to add a few more dishes.

Director Chen had probably told them in advance that they would be visiting in these last two days.

They exchanged a few polite words, and after no result, they could only sit down and wait for the meal, chatting along the way.

Ye Yaodong and the others' rural customs were no different from those in the county. They were from the same place, so Director Chen also knew about the sense of ritual in moving. Seeing them carry a shoulder pole of items to visit, he happily accepted them without any polite refusal.

"You've moved to the city now, so what about the house in the city?"

"It's already been rented out to other faculty members. Anyway, it's empty, and having someone to take care of the house is even better."

"That's true. A house is easily dilapidated if no one lives in it; having people living in it brings vitality. You're in the city now, and you'll keep rising in the future; you definitely won't go back."

Director Chen's face was full of smiles, "You really know how to talk."

"I'm telling the truth. I also plan to buy a piece of land in the city and settle down, so it's convenient to travel back and forth from time to time."

Ye Yaodong talked about his idea of buying a piece of land in the village around the market to build a house, and if possible, to check if he could build a warehouse to store dried fish.

Director Chen had eaten so much of his dried fish and knew that he was now opening a shop in the city to sell it, so he nodded along.

"That's definitely necessary to buy one for a convenient place to stay. You can just greet the village cadres in the village and say you want to settle in their village; they will all approve it."

"That's what I think too."

"Is business at the wholesale market good? I heard it was just set up in the last two years."

"It's quite good, and it will definitely be better in the future. After all, it's just starting, the surroundings haven't developed, and the flow of people only relies on word of mouth."

"Was it in the newspaper? I remember seeing the wholesale market published in the newspaper these past two days."

Ye Yaodong's eyes lit up, "Really? Was the newspaper the Daily?"

"Right. That area will definitely be lively in the future. Just like we said, relying on the sea to eat from the sea, we are a coastal city, so there must be a lot of fish products. The trading market there will definitely become more and more lively."

"Hey, good, good. Then I've taken a reassurance pill. As long as it develops, it's fine. I also subscribed to the newspaper, but it hasn't been delivered in the last two days. I'll take a look when I get home."

"Hmm, roads are being repaired everywhere around the city now."

"Repairing roads is good. If you want to be rich, you must first repair the roads."

His idea was really not wrong. He had to go to Xinghua Middle Village and settle it quickly. He didn't dare to think about large pieces of land in that village yet, but he could think about the ones in the village. He would proceed step by step.

At least buy a piece first to build a house and a warehouse.

"If you can settle in the city, that's really impressive. You've walked straight out of the small fishing village."

"Where? I'm still a person from the small fishing village. Of course, I still live in the small fishing village. It's just that when going out to sea, having a place to rest when selling goods in the city is more convenient. My father-in-law is watching the shop there now, and I have to settle them down properly. Building a house for them to live in is also quite necessary."

"That's also walking out of the small fishing village, taking a big step forward. The younger generation is formidable."

"You flatter me, haha. I'll still have to rely on you for many things in the future."

"It's me who is blessed by you, haha..."

"Where? Two years ago, it was also your help that allowed me to have an extra boat, and the speed of earning money became faster. Only now can I have the opportunity to stand here and talk; otherwise, I would probably still be in the small fishing village."

"It would be the same without me. You are so smart and diligent; you definitely wouldn't be limited to a small fishing village. It's quite good as it is now."

Director Chen's wife brought out two bowls of dishes, interrupting their discussion, "Come, come... eat first. The dishes are all ready. I originally cooked extra rice, even for the evening. It's a good thing I cooked more; it's a coincidence, otherwise we wouldn't be able to start eating right now..."