Chapter 1122: Discussing Whether to Go Back?

Everyone watched Ye Yaodong keep pulling handfuls of money from his bag and counting them, their eyes wide open.

"How does he have so much money…"

"Didn't Adong send all the money he earned from bringing fish back then? You've all been fishing there these past few days, haven't you?"

"After we were arrested, you all kept fishing? No way?"

The others responded in affirmation.

Those people felt even more regretful, feeling they were out of luck to the extreme—no share in the good things, but not a single bad thing missed them.

"Holy shit, damn, are the catches there as plentiful as last year… what a pity…"

"Sigh, it's still raining outside now, otherwise if we head back in a bit, we might be able to fish some more, earn a little, and avoid going home empty-handed."

"After squatting in jail for a few days, you're still not in any hurry to go home, still thinking about catching jellyfish?"

"Sigh, it's miserable not earning money, and going back would be embarrassing too. Things are already like this, might as well stay a few more days and earn a bit, otherwise we can't even come up with the ransom money."

"It's all thanks to Old Pei, who helped cover it out of years of friendship, otherwise I still wouldn't have gotten out. My own 300 yuan is one thing, but the two boatmen on my boat were also arrested, and I have to compensate them 600. I can't possibly go out and come back losing money, right? This 900 yuan still has to be earned at sea to pay Old Pei back."

"Let's talk about that when we get back, we don't even know when the rain will stop."

The people in front were settling accounts, while those behind stood at the corner by the door whispering to each other, and incidentally asking about the situation at the seaside outside and their condition during the days they were locked up inside.

After Ye Yaodong paid six installments of 1800 one by one and got the cranks of each fishing boat in hand, it was the others' turn to pay.

Now the largest denomination of a single bill is only 10 yuan, so counting 1800 or 1500 takes quite a while. After he finished paying, he also went to the back, joining the crowd near the door to wait, and listened to everyone's chatter.

"We came out first, there's still a bunch of people inside. When they saw us being taken away earlier, they were told someone came to pay the ransom, and everyone else was frantic…"

"Yeah, the people inside are going crazy with worry…"

"We came over the moment we got the news, braving the heavy rain for several hours. Others thought it was too troublesome in the rain, and wanted to ask Adong to help pay the ransom for them, but ended up getting scolded."

Ye Yaodong happened to overhear this and explained, "Whoever's boat people are on, they come pay the ransom themselves. Otherwise, if it later gets said that I took the money and pocketed it. Besides, I don't have that much energy either, I have over a dozen people on my own side to ransom out."

"There are also plenty of boat owners inside, their relatives and friends need to come help pay the ransom, and the boatmen under these arrested boat owners—how should they be ransomed."

"Yeah, how to ransom them, their relevant people should go themselves. How can you entrust it to others? Old Pei helped pay my ransom, I definitely acknowledge that, I have to pay him back…"

"It's really inconvenient on a rainy day, and such heavy rain at that. Let the people inside wait a bit longer, the others should come running over to pay the ransom soon enough…"

"If it were me, I wouldn't want to stay a single extra moment, I'd rather run out and get soaked in the rain…"

While everyone was discussing animatedly, the people who went out to buy boats hadn't returned yet, when a policeman walked in through the back door and said.

"Your accomplices have been shouting non-stop out there asking you to help pay the ransom. When are you all going to pay for the rest?"

Ye Yaodong replied, "There are others who haven't arrived yet, probably coming tomorrow."

"Then they'll just stay locked up for now."

"They must be worried sick, furious…"

"Why haven't they run back yet?"

The two policemen weren't in any hurry either. As long as no one made them run outside to get soaked in the rain, they didn't care when the people outside came back to handle the paperwork, as long as it didn't delay getting off work.

Ye Yaodong, seeing the waiting gap, ran back inside through the door to ask the two policemen.

"Comrades, when we were boarding, we were attacked by locals and dropped a lot of daily necessities, miscellaneous items, and supplies like rice and grain. Now that the people have been ransomed out and the fishing boats returned to us, can these supplies be returned to us too?"

"We've already shown mercy by letting you ransom the people out, and the boats were returned without a fine, and you still want those supplies?"

He said with a smile: "They were originally things we dropped. Now that the people are released and the boats returned, there's no need to hold onto those few items, haha, the leader also said we can take them back."

The two looked at each other, then said impatiently: "Fine, fine, fine, go move them…"

"Then should I come back to get them when the rain stops? It's windy and rainy outside now, not great for moving things, and the rice and grain can't get wet."

"Mm."

After getting their approval, Ye Yaodong walked out with a satisfied look on his face, just as the others ran back in from the wind and rain.

The downpour outside never stopped. By the time everyone finished the procedures and came out, it was already 5 o'clock, and the sky outside was frighteningly dark.

On a clear day, it only gets dark at 7 o'clock, but now on a rainy day, the sky is already gloomy at 5.

However, this didn't affect everyone's mood at all. Everyone had a smile on their face—joy at seeing the light of day again, happiness at picking up a bargain.

In this afternoon trip, Ye Yaodong bought the most, he bought 6 boats, all looking relatively new; Aguang bought 2, one slightly newer and one older; his Ye Erge and Xiao Xiao each bought one, both old; and a cousin who rented his fishing boat also excitedly bought one.

A'zheng, Ye Ye Yaosheng, and others had originally also picked up a bargain, but after Adong's reminder, when they ran back to the shore, they were a step too late—someone else beat them to it, so there were no local boats left to choose from.

Originally, the detained out-of-town boats would outnumber the local boats. Some of the arrested people were clever and didn't give up their boats. Those with quick relatives and friends hurriedly sailed the fishing boats to other docks for shelter, naturally avoiding being detained and sealed.

Those who didn't pick up a bargain didn't dare take the risk either, worried about getting entangled and causing trouble, so they had to give up.

Two of the boat owners who had just been ransomed out, because they hadn't earned money and had even lost money on the head fee, although they knew this was picking up a bargain, didn't have the money to buy. They hadn't even paid the head fee yet, so what would they use to buy a boat.

Although tempted, they hadn't thought about it from the start. They didn't even go compete for it, and when they reached the shore, they only went to check their own boats.

Most of his cousins were just out here working, they wanted to buy but didn't have the money. Some of those who rented his boat didn't come out in the afternoon to pay the ransom.

Two were arrested and taken in, and he helped ransom them out. After all, since they were renting his boat, he ransomed them out first, and this head fee would be put on account, deducted from the monthly dividends.

Speaking of which, being locked up for so many days and being able to come out again can be considered a happy outcome for everyone.

After everyone came out of the Gongan Bureau, they immediately headed to the shore. Although such heavy wind and rain wasn't suitable for sailing, they had to check the newly acquired fishing boats first, tear off the remaining seals, while it wasn't completely dark yet.

Although Ye Fu had suffered several days of imprisonment, seeing Ye Yaodong earn a lot of money again and acquire 6 boats at once, and Li Li Laoer also bought one, his previously dispirited look lifted considerably. Even in the wind and rain, a smile appeared on his face, and he actively helped check the newly acquired boats.

After they finished checking, they returned to the crowd waiting at the shore.

"Should we just leave the boats we just got docked at the pier for now?"

"That's not a good idea. The boats we got are all locals' boats after all. If the relatives and friends of these boats find out, there'll be trouble at the pier again, and it won't end well."

"That's true, can't leave them here."

Ye Yaodong had just finished checking and jumped ashore when he heard this, and immediately said: "Take them to the sheltered harbor, can't leave them here. Avoiding the locals is one thing, but looking at this windy and rainy weather lately, I feel there might be a typhoon."

"I think so too, the tail of a typhoon must have swept through these past few days, that's why it's been so windy and rainy for so many days."

"Then let's take them to the sheltered harbor first, wait until the rain lessens and there's no wind, then take the boats to the city. This also avoids the locals seeing them."

"That's settled then…"

"Let's go…"

Fortunately, he had ransomed quite a few people on this trip, so there was no worry about having no one to sail the boat.

Some people hadn't bought a boat and didn't need to sail to the sheltered harbor, so the few of them walked back first.

When Ye Yaodong and his group sailed the boat to the sheltered harbor and then slowly walked back, it was already 10 p. m. by the time they got home, and his hall was already packed with people.

The people who hadn't gone along in the afternoon had all gathered at his place too; a large crowd of people were standing around chatting, just waiting for them to come back.

There was also a burning brazier in the middle of the hall.

"Finally back…"

"They're back…"

"But I hadn't seen you come back yet and thought something had happened. Thank goodness, thank goodness…"

Ye Yaodong took off his straw raincoat, looked at everyone, and said, "Holding a meeting?"

"I should've gone with you this afternoon if I'd known. I didn't expect you could even buy fishing boats."

"Don't say anything more for now. Let them step over the brazier to get rid of the bad luck. Take off all the clothes you're wearing underneath too—don't keep any of them, throw them into the brazier and change into a new set."

"Right, let the ones who just got back step over the brazier first."

The people who had just been released hurriedly stripped themselves, stepped over the brazier, and then took the boiled eggs handed to them by the others.

"Alright, alright, stepping over the brazier is enough. Everything will go smoothly from now on, safe and sound."

"You didn't go together to ransom people this afternoon. If you wait until tomorrow to go, you'll probably get scolded to death."

"I just thought it was inconvenient on a rainy day, figured I'd wait until the rain let up a bit…"

"What's there to scold about? They all have to wait for Laozi to bring money to ransom people, and they still dare to scold?"

"We all thought we were done for this time, that we'd have to go to jail, our hearts went cold."

"The guards inside even said we'd be sentenced to at least a year or two. Everyone was scared to death. We didn't expect to actually get out."

"This is all thanks to Ah Dong. He's been busy these few days over there pulling strings, that's how everyone could get out…"

"Originally it was 500 yuan per person to ransom, and the fishing boats also had to pay a ransom of several hundred yuan to be released. It was only because Dongzi pleaded and helped speak up that we got the same price as the locals, 300 yuan."

"Ah, the locals and us get two different prices?"

"Of course? Locals are locals after all. We're outsiders, so of course we'd be punished more heavily. Now we're all punished the same—it's all Dongzi's doing."

"Yeah, thanks to Ah Dong. Everyone should thank him properly…"

Ye Yaodong sneered inwardly. When they were arrested, they all turned on him. This afternoon they still had the nerve to ask him to help ransom them, taking everything he did for granted. Now they've all changed their tune and started blowing smoke up his ass.

Some people really are just cheap. If you're nice to them, they get cocky and push their luck. If you're a bit fierce with them, they'll turn around and flatter you with all kinds of nice words.

"Everyone mustn't forget where we came from. This time it's all thanks to Ah Dong that we could get out. From now on, whatever Ah Dong says, that's what we'll do. We all listen to him."

"Dongzi, if you need anything in the future, just call on us…"

"From now on, Ah Dong's business is our business…"

These people who had just been released were scared out of their wits inside, and now they really were genuinely grateful to him from the bottom of their hearts, speaking even more sincerely than the others.

Ye Yaodong smiled at everyone and said, "It's already past 10 p. m., so late. You all just got released, you must be exhausted, body and mind. Some of the uncles are older too—after all this, you should get some rest early tonight."

"We just walked back for several hours in the night and we're exhausted too, so we won't entertain you. We still need to take a shower in a bit, and eat something. We haven't eaten since this afternoon—we can't hold out any longer."

Someone immediately sensibly stood up and said, "Alright, alright, you all eat first, get some rest early tonight. We'll head back now and come over again tomorrow. Then everyone can discuss whether to wait until the rain stops before heading back? We were just chatting about it, and some people can't bear to go back without having earned any money."

"Then let's talk about it tomorrow. It's already past ten o'clock, and everyone just got back and is exhausted. I won't keep you any longer."

Once one person stood up, everyone else followed suit, very tactfully heading back first.

They also needed to go back and discuss the next steps.

After being rained on all day and walking the whole day, starving until now, many people's legs had gone soft long ago. Ye Yaodong had only just taken off his straw raincoat and sat down when he already sneezed several times.

The boatmen also brought out the food they'd set aside long ago. Everyone couldn't be bothered with showering and just sat down stark naked to wolf down their food.

Anyway, they were all grown men, no need for shyness.

Although some people had left the hall, more than half were still there. There had originally been 33 people, and he had ransomed 12 more back. Right now there were still 45 people in the hall, packed densely sitting in corners. Some had nowhere to sit and were standing against the wall, all watching them eat.

Ye Yaodong ate a bowl of rice, temporarily filling his stomach. He ate the second bowl a bit slower, then looked at the gazes of the people around him and mumbled, "Don't just stare at me. Figure out your own sleeping arrangements for tonight."

"There are only 4 rooms in total, plus a woodshed and a kitchen. Sort it out yourselves. If there's no room in the rooms for bedrolls, just lay down a mat anywhere on the floor of the hall here and sleep. In this kind of weather, having a place to shelter from the wind and rain while away from home is already pretty good. Everyone just make do."

"Don't go sleep on the boats tonight. It feels like these past few days it's been because of the typhoon that there's both wind and heavy rain. Safety first."

If it weren't so late right now, he'd want to sail the boat to the sheltered harbor right now. He could only wait until tomorrow to take the boat over.

"Also, we've got 15 extra people. Those of you who came back earlier should know too—when we head back, take them along and drop them off at the town. Consider this period as me having hired them as workers. Everyone get along peacefully."

After hearing his instructions, everyone immediately got moving.

Those who had come back a few hours earlier had only eaten a meal; sleeping arrangements hadn't been made yet, so they just sat around chatting with the group.

After Ye's father ate three big bowls of rice, he finally let out a satisfied burp, turned his head and asked him, "Tell us about what happened these past few days?"

"Okay."

Ye Yaodong had also eaten his fill, and told everyone about what had happened over the past half month or so.

The people who had just returned at the dinner table listened in silence for a long time before someone spoke up.

"It's a shame we got caught. Otherwise we might've caught even more…"

"Yeah, both sides had so many boats and people caught. The rest all went cheap to the people who didn't get caught."

Ye's father also said with feeling, "This can be considered better than others. Everyone else is still sitting in jail, and you all are already earning money."

"How did you get caught?"

Speaking of this, Ye's father got angry. "I just got on one of the boats you rented out. I had barely stepped on and was about to untie the rope to leave the shore when the public security officers who came running climbed onto the boat and caught me. I'm so angry I could die. I was just a little bit away from getting away, and it cost me being locked up for so many days for nothing."

"Well, anyway, as long as you got out safely and weren't hurt, that's good enough."

"Don't tell your mother when we get back, save her the worry."

"Save her the scolding, more like?"

Ye Fu glared at him and changed the subject, "Shall we head back once the rain stops?"

"That's the plan. Go back early and get all these people on the boat sent home first."

After all, everyone on this trip had been frightened and had endured several days behind bars. He had earned several tens of thousands of yuan anyway and was content. Best to get these people home safely first.

The remaining quantity wasn't that much either, so they didn't need that many people. Going back early would also save a sum in wages.

Then, when the time came, they could come back a bit later, and if they did, they wouldn't bring so many people.

Ye Fu glanced at the people around the table who were all watching them and listening to their conversation. "The ones just released probably won't be willing to accept it, right? They haven't earned any money yet, and now they have to slink back. Some of the boat bosses even owe several hundred, even over a thousand, in ransom head fees."

"Then we won't bother with them. Anyway, I've done what I should, and I've helped rescue everyone I should. The rest depends on each person's own choice. Anyone who wants to stay and continue salvaging can stay; anyone willing to come back with me first, then we'll go back."

"That's fine too. After all, we have so many people, and you also promised to bring back all those people from town. Have they sent word back?"

"Not yet. This matter is too serious — people are gone, boats are gone. The fifteen boatmen staying with us probably won't have a good explanation when they go back. They haven't dared to call home during this time, and they haven't had the chance. Only in the last two days, with the heavy rain pausing, did they get a bit of rest."

"Sigh, this is going to cause a stir now. We're really too lucky, we got our lives back. Let's head back early."

Ye Yaodong saw that more and more people were gathering around the dinner table. He thought for a moment and said to everyone, "Once the rain stops, we'll head back. On this trip, everyone's hearts have been hanging in suspense. Go back early, settle your minds early."

"The day before we plan to set off back, I'll settle your wages for you. If I settle with you now, you'll probably just gamble it away in the next few days. This trip was earned with your lives strapped to your waist — it'd be a shame to lose it all gambling."

Everyone nodded along and chimed in agreement.

"Also, for the ones who were arrested and then ransomed out today, three hundred per head — I covered it for you. After all, you came out with me, and then suffered such a great ordeal. The money I should pay, I won't ask you to chip in."

"And for all these days, your wages will be paid as usual. Even though you didn't work, you were implicated. The wages owed to you won't be short by a single cent. When the time comes, I'll also give you all a big red envelope — everyone gets a share. Consider it thanks, and also a way to calm the nerves."

"Those fifteen people from town get wages but no red envelope. After all, they were picked up halfway, they didn't come out with me."

Smiles broke out on everyone's faces, their expressions relaxed, and they thanked him profusely.

Those fifteen people were also very happy — earning wages after being picked up halfway was already pretty good.

"Ah Dong really has a human touch. He ransomed us out the first moment, and he doesn't short us on anything we should get."

"We followed the right person. Just think about the ones who weren't ransomed out, and you'll know following Dongzi was the right call."

"This trip had its scares and its dangers, but at least everyone got out."

"Hope the rain stops soon, and we can get back quickly. Staying any longer, our hearts are just hanging in suspense."

"Better to go back early. Isn't it true we're being charged the same price as the locals? We were ransomed out, and the locals watching will probably also be ransomed out in the next few days — many of them are fishermen too. When the time comes, there'll definitely be more people salvaging."

Ye Fu, hearing this, immediately said, "Tomorrow, call your eldest brother and Ye Ye Erge to come back with us once the rain stops. Don't stay here and take any more risks."

Having been locked up in a big jail once, Ye Fu was scared.

"Mm. It's late now too. Everyone clear the table and get some rest."

He also went to take a shower, then laid out a mat with the others and slept in Ye Ye Datang.

Ye Fu, once he lay down beside him, was still muttering about how scared and worried he had been at the Gongan Bureau, afraid he wouldn't make it back. When he got emotional, he even quietly wiped his eyes a couple of times.

"It's over, don't think about it. A great disaster survived means great fortune to come. And in a couple of days, there'll probably be new policies coming out. Apply for the iron plate, and when the time comes things will be a bit safer. Patrols at sea will also be strengthened."

"No deaths, no major incident, and they can't come up with corresponding policies. These people, really — what were they doing earlier? If they'd made things proper sooner, it wouldn't have come to so many dead and injured, so many arrested."

Ye Yaodong didn't respond. Without a major incident, who would pay attention? Especially in these chaotic times, they can't even manage things on land, let alone out at sea.

Those managing the sea go to catch smugglers, or to escort… Who would bother with the trivial matter of fishermen fighting? If no lives are lost, to them it doesn't even count as a big deal.

Even when lives are lost, in this era of underdeveloped communications and imperfect laws and regulations, it all depends on whether the local authorities take it seriously. If they don't, under-reporting or not reporting at all doesn't count as a big deal either.

"How much money did you make on this trip?"

"Why do you ask? Having money to ransom people and buy boats is good enough. It's about right. In a few days when the rain stops, I still have to pay out a big sum in wages. Let's get some sleep."

"Mm."

Ye Fu responded, and within a minute he was snoring. All around, snoring rose and fell in waves. Those sleeping in the main hall were basically all released today — they had been terrified inside, worried and scared, and hadn't slept a single peaceful night. Only after getting out could they sleep with peace of mind.

Ye Yaodong had been on his feet all day, soaked in rain all day, and was very tired. It didn't take long before he was asleep too.

The pitter-patter of rain fell all night again, and even the dawn sky was darker than usual.

The light of daybreak didn't wake the large patch of people sleeping in the main hall either. Only after the people inside the house got up did those in the main hall crawl up as well.

Not long after they finished eating, a large group of people staying at the guesthouse came running over one after another.

Ye Yaodong told them his plan to head back once the rain stopped, which made each and every one of them knit their brows in worry.

"Really going back just like that? We just got released, and we haven't even earned any money yet…"

"Decide for yourselves. I have too many people on my side now, and before the rain, the quantity of jellyfish wasn't enough for all-day fishing either. Local fishing boats are also increasing out there."

"Isn't it said that now you have to apply to the Haiyang Bureau for fishing qualifications and hang up the iron plate before you can fish for jellyfish? Then it should be a bit safer, and they won't fight again, right?"

"Who can say for sure about this? Whether it's peaceful or not isn't for us to say, nor for them to say. You decide for yourselves."

Everyone whispered among themselves, discussing back and forth.

"Now we don't know when the rain will stop — it's been raining for four or five days. Why don't everyone take a look first, don't be so decisive? There are still people inside who haven't been ransomed out. How about we go ransom them out first and then talk together?"

"Then let's ransom everyone else out first, and then talk together. In case some people don't want to go back, we can also band together."

"That's true. The ones who weren't arrested and have earned money want to go back. For us who haven't earned any money, of course we don't want to go back. Money not earned, and both face and substance are gone."

Ye Yaodong let them discuss it on their own, because some of the people closer to him had also gathered around, all asking him to confirm.

He also shared his own view.

"Although we can apply for the fishing iron plate, those spots are already public now. Once the rain stops, even more boats will go, and the quantity is decreasing. I don't think it's worth the risk anymore. My boatmen here are also inclined to head back quickly."

Ye Fu also helped speak up, "All of you, go back. You've all earned money, don't be greedy. You're already doing better than a lot of people. Being able to earn money safely on this trip is already a blessing from the Buddha."

"Amitabha, blessed by Goddess Mazu. Otherwise, we'd still be squatting inside, or suffering like that bunch."

"Then Dongzi, we'll just follow you back first. The others can discuss it among themselves. If they want to go back, they go back; if not, let them stay here and keep earning money."

"Then let's go back. We earned several thousand on this trip — that's a month's wage, pretty good already."

Ah Guang hesitated, "I'm still doing the middleman work over there…"

"Stop doing it. Whether the volume is big or small, just let them sell directly to the dock."