Chapter 1126

After Ye Yaodong returned home, the items in the courtyard had already been dealt with. Anything no one wanted was packed up and piled in the corner, to be brought back together when they returned.

He casually asked, "Did anyone ask about the food?"

"Of course they did. We just said that was all there was."

"It's already good enough that we could bring these back. It was only because of your connections that we could even get things out of the police station."

"Exactly. Being able to move so many things out of the police station is already awesome. It's enough to brag about when we get back, so what else is there to be dissatisfied about?"

"That's right."

"It's already Amitabha that we can get these miscellaneous items back after being able to walk out alive. We should be burning incense and thanking Buddha."

"Exactly..."

He nodded. As long as the food wasn't lost, this could be considered his service fee.

"Is the jellyfish blood all dry?"

"It's all dry. It's all been collected, and there are two more sacks from today."

He walked toward the four large sacks piled in the corner, took a rope to bundle two sacks together, then took a shoulder pole, hung the rope on both sides of the pole, wrapped it twice, and lifted it up.

"While it's not dark yet, I'll go sell these goods. You guys eat first, don't wait for me."

Selling these goods would be enough to pay the wages. Ah Guang had already gone back to call people to collect the goods, and he would take these over to sell along the way.

After selling all the goods, he would also settle the final accounts with him.

Yesterday, goods were collected directly at the beach. The entire town was working there, and the harvest was exceptionally impressive, almost equaling their previous daily catch.

If it weren't for the fact that the number of jellyfish washed up by the waves was small, the harvest would have been far more than this.

Just from the intermediary fees for yesterday alone, he took 215 yuan. The 212 jin of jellyfish blood in the evening also sold for over 2,400 yuan, and he also distributed 162 yuan in intermediary fees for everyone's jellyfish blood.

After selling the goods and settling the total accounts, he brought in another 2,794 in the evening. Added to the 3,151 earned yesterday, he had brought in nearly 6,000 yuan in just these two days.

As for the total share of 2,893 calculated with Ah Guang previously, Ah Guang also gave it all to him in the evening.

Counting it up, he now had over 9,000 in hand, including the surplus money left after buying the boats, which was completely enough to pay the wages.

After returning to the new house, he happily took out the ledger and revised the previously calculated wages.

Today is August 2nd. Seeing that the waves are still high today, he can temporarily delay the return until August 5th. They can stay for two more days, and the wages will be settled up to August 5th.

After writing and calculating for a while, he took the ledger and a stack of money and went out to pay everyone their wages.

"You guys calculate it yourselves too, see if it's correct. If it's not, come find me to talk about it. I'm going to eat first."

After everyone received their wages, they were already grinning from ear to ear.

Ye Yaodong exhorted them while eating, "It's because this trip was too dangerous that I paid your wages in advance, so you wouldn't risk your lives working to death without seeing any money. There are still two days before we go back. Don't gamble it all away. It won't be easy to explain when you get home if you lose it gambling."

"Hehe, no, no. We're going back soon, who has the heart to gamble at home? We'll definitely go out for a stroll every day."

"It's a pity it's dark. We'll have to wait until tomorrow to go out and buy things."

"I'm going out for a stroll..."

"Where are you going?"

"Someone moved a television out to watch, I'm going to join the fun..."

"Really?"

"We're going back soon, you guys remember to keep a low profile, don't cause trouble, and don't delay our return."

After Ye Yaodong finished exhorting them, he went to get 200 for his father after he finished eating.

"I'll give your wages to Mother when we get back. You can decide how to spend this to buy things."

Ye Fu happily took the money and counted it over and over again with his saliva, "Okay, this is mine, the wages are your mother's."

They were going back soon, and he actually felt a bit reluctant. He hadn't been here long, but he had earned so much money. This place could be considered a treasure land, and he had also purchased property. Where there is a house, there is a home.

The next day, others knew he had set the return date for about the 5th. Some were quite reluctant, and Zheng Shu, who came out with them, came over to ask if he could borrow his house to stay in.

Ye Yaodong asked hesitantly, "Are you sure you want to stay longer?"

"I haven't earned any money, so I have no choice. Although this trip saved the boats, the money for ransoming people and the wages took up a large chunk. I have to fill this hole before I can go back, otherwise, the trip was in vain."

"Fine, then you can borrow it to stay. Just don't break the house. I'll give you the key before I leave."

This face still had to be given.

Among the people who came out, besides those from their own village, some were from other villages, all having some kinship or connections with people from their village.

The twenty-odd trawlers were not just from their village; they also included those from nearby villages. Generally, there were only two or three fishing boats in a village. Their village had many fishing boats because of him and Ah Guang, so they accounted for the majority.

Zheng Shu was from a nearby village. When they came out, there were also two or three boats of relatives and friends from his side who came out together.

Since he had bought a house, letting them borrow it to stay after he left was nothing. It wasn't a new house, so he didn't feel embarrassed to refuse.

On the night of the 4th, everyone packed their luggage and everything that needed to be brought back, placing it in the courtyard.

As for the other fishing boats that were returning together, after packing their things, they all ran over to their place, as if they were holding a final grand meeting. The entire courtyard was full of people; one wouldn't know if they were a gang of thugs.

"You guys should be setting out at 3:00 AM to fish for jellyfish, right? We'll set out at the same time too. Good luck."

"Hope for good luck."

"I don't know when the submitted report will result in a fishing license. I feel uneasy without it."

"Exactly. They all say you need a license to fish. Now that we've just applied, I guess no one has a license. I don't know if it will be very chaotic."

"Such a big incident happened, they say they'll strengthen maritime patrols, so they definitely will. And everyone must have learned their lesson, so they shouldn't dare to cause trouble on purpose..."

"You guys are all going back, and half of us are left. I don't know how to feel at ease..."

A large crowd of people gathered in twos and threes to chat, some worried, some happy.

Ye Yaodong was full of joy. Although he felt a little reluctant, joy prevailed.

You have to be alive to spend the money you earn. It's better to go back after earning enough.

Ye Fu walked over at this time and said, "Except for Brother Brother Asheng, none of your other cousins from your second uncle's side are planning to go back."

"Ah Guo and the others?"

"Yes."

"Their boats are so small, don't they have to rely on Big Brother, Ye Erge, and Brother Brother Asheng to tow them back?"

"They teamed up with your neighbor Zhou Da and his brothers. They said they want to learn from you, towing several boats together to fish for jellyfish. Several boats teaming up, it seems like a 4-6 split."

"Their brains turn quite fast. They have quite a few fishing boats on their side, 5 of them. If they can really fish peacefully, it should be quite substantial."

"That's what they say, but who knows if it's peaceful? Those who stay are basically those who haven't earned money, or those who are too greedy and want to stay to earn more. Thinking that since they've come all this way, they are reluctant to leave without earning more."

"That's normal. After all, they earned so much last year. Those who have earned it are reluctant to let go of the meat in their mouths, and those who haven't earned it, after the sweetness of the previous period, are naturally reluctant."

"Anyway, we're going back, so the matters here have nothing to do with you. I told your Big Brother and Ye Erge that they must go back with you. It's safer to follow behind you. Otherwise, who knows what will happen if they stay here."

Ye Yaodong didn't say anything; let them follow their own wishes.

The people in the courtyard were sitting, standing, or squatting, chatting until it was late, and then they left one after another.

They locked the door, and those who slept, slept; those who laid out floor mats, laid out floor mats.

I don't know if it was because they were going back soon, but everyone was exceptionally excited. A large group of people laying out floor mats didn't sleep, but kept chatting, staying up until 2:00 AM, before excitedly climbing up to cook.

Perhaps it was because they had been resting for the past few days and hadn't worked, so everyone was full of energy and spirit, not tired at all.

After Ye Yaodong finished eating, he let everyone pack up. They moved everything that needed to be brought, and forty-five people emptied the courtyard and house in one trip, without needing to move things back and forth.

The pier was bustling, but it was mostly their people; the locals hadn't gotten up so early.

"I really envy you guys for being able to go back immediately. We still have to stay and work, sigh..."

"We were frightened in jail for more than 10 days, and now we have to be frightened after coming out..."

"We also want to go back immediately, but it's a pity..."

"It's still better to follow Adong..."

"Hehe, we're leaving, going home first. You guys take care, we'll report that you're safe when we get back."

The boatmen exchanged greetings and climbed onto the boats one after another. All 45 of Ye Yaodong's people boarded the Dongsheng, standing full on the deck.

And the others who were returning together also boarded their own boats.

After getting ready, they left first, leaving behind the envious gazes of others.

They had a bunch of boats hidden in the shelter. After leaving the pier, they first went to the shelter to bring out their respective boats.

Ye Yaodong had many people on hand, so he wasn't afraid of having no one to sail the boats. He just dispersed a few people to go over.

Those 10 small wooden boats were not easy to get onto the big boats on the sea, so he tied them directly behind the fishing boats. Although it would slow down the speed, it wasn't a big problem.

Anyway, the speed of the other fishing boats couldn't keep up with his Dongsheng, so they just traveled at their speed.

This trip back included not only his own fishing boats, but also his Big Brother's, Ye Erge's, his few childhood friends, and a few other villagers who earned money at the same time. Other boats from other villages also followed.

Everyone trusted him quite a bit. Since he said go back, everyone went back. Some hadn't come last year, and after coming this year and earning a few thousand yuan, they were very content and unwilling to take risks anymore.

Two cousins who rented his and his father's boats were reluctant to go back, saying they hadn't earned money, so he let them linger there.

Anyway, the fishing boats were rented to them, so they decided for themselves. He was just collecting rent, not asking them to take risks. The more they earned, the more money he could naturally take a cut of.

"Dong... Dong-ge... how... how many... boats do you have?"

Ye Yaodong stood on the sea blowing the sea breeze, Chen Shi asked curiously.

"How many? Let me count."

He looked up at the starry sky with empty eyes.

The factory had previously ordered 7, received 2, one was rented out, and there was another No. 002 now following behind. The factory still owed 5.

There were three originally at home, rented to Brother Brother Asheng, Big Cousin, and Second Cousin, that made 10.

And later, when they caught 110,000 jin of Meitong fish, after selling the goods, they were targeted. On the sea, they encountered robbers with the Fengshou. They used the fishing boats to ram the two boats, and later split one boat each. This boat was painted with 011.

His father's old boat was also rented to a cousin, but that boat didn't count as his, so it wasn't given a number.

And the 34-meter fresh-fish-collecting boat in the factory hadn't been received yet, waiting until the middle of next year. The big boat he partnered with his Big Brother and Ye Erge was also in the middle of next year.

The two boats partnered with Ah Zheng, Xiao Xiao, and Ah Guang would be until the end of next year.

How many did that make? They were all boats.

"Excluding these small boats, adding the few new ones bought later, there are probably 10 or so."

"Then... then these... boats..."

"You want one?"

He nodded, "For... my... father..."

"Fine, I'll rent you one, but you have to tell your family the rules, otherwise I'll take it back if you violate them."

Chen Shi nodded happily.

"Do you want the small wooden boat? I'll sell you one at a 20% discount. You know these are new boats, they haven't been in use for even a month."

Chen Shi shook his head with a smile, "No... enough..."

He originally planned to ask everyone if they wanted to buy when paying wages, but later thought that their wages hadn't even warmed up before being taken back by him, and they had to pay extra money, which wasn't very good.

Better to wait until they got back to talk about it, let them discuss with their wives and mothers at home before selling.

Since Chen Shi asked now, he simply told everyone about it at this opportunity.

"Uncles and brothers, I have 10 small wooden boats here. I plan to sell 8 of them when I get back. You all worked hard and risked your lives with me on this trip. If you want to buy, I'll give you a 20% discount, and sell to you first."

Some people in the crowd were surprised, some looked happy, some looked moved, and some looked conflicted.

He continued, "No rush, I'm just saying it in advance. We'll sell when we get home."

The crowd whispered and discussed, everyone saying that buying a boat was cost-effective, working alone...

Ye Yaodong turned to Chen Shi again, "You're quite filial. You haven't earned less money in the past year or two, and you can still think of getting one for your father."

Chen Shi scratched his head with a smile, "I... I am now... the... most... capable... in the family..."

"You can save some money to marry a wife."

He gave a silly smile.

"Go get some sleep, I'm going to sleep."

Anyway, his father was sailing the boat, and he had nothing to do. It was calm tonight.

After all, everyone was frightened this trip and suffered a few days of imprisonment. He had already earned tens of thousands of yuan anyway, so he was content and would send these people back safely first.

The remaining quantity wasn't that large, so they didn't need that many people. Going back early could also save on labor costs.

Then they could come again later, but if they came again, they wouldn't bring so many people.

Ye Fu looked at the whole table of people watching them and listening to them talk, "The people who were just released shouldn't be reconciled, right? They haven't earned any money and have to go back in a dejected manner. Some boat captains even owe several hundred, or even a thousand, in bail money."

"Then we won't worry about them. Anyway, I've done what I should do, and I've helped bail out everyone I should have. The rest depends on their own choices. Those who want to stay and continue fishing, then stay. Those who are willing to go back with me first, then go back."

"That works too. After all, we have so many people, and you also promised to take all those people from the town back. Have they passed the news back?"

"Not yet, this matter is too serious. People are gone, boats are gone, the 15 crew members staying with us probably won't have an easy time explaining when they go back. They haven't dared to call back during this time, and they haven't had time. These past two days they've been resting because the heavy rain stopped."

"Sigh, there's going to be a scene now. We are really too lucky, we picked up a life, let's go back early."

Ye Yaodong looked at the increasing number of people surrounding the dinner table and thought for a moment before saying to everyone, "We'll go back when the rain stops. Everyone's hearts have been hanging in the balance on this trip, let's go back early and be at ease early."

"The day before we plan to set off to go back, I'll settle your wages. If I give it to you now, you'll probably just go gamble it away in these few days. This trip was earned by risking our lives, it would be a pity to lose it gambling."

Everyone nodded along and echoed.

"Also, for the 300 yuan per person bail for those who were caught and bailed out today, I'll cover it for you. After all, you came out with me, and ended up suffering so much. The money I should pay, I won't make everyone else pay."

"And for these many days, your wages will be paid as usual. Although you didn't work, you were implicated, so your wages won't be a penny less. I'll also give you a big red envelope as usual, everyone gets one, as a thank you and also to calm your nerves."

"The 15 people from the town have wages but no red envelopes, after all, they were picked up halfway and didn't come out with me."

Smiles appeared on everyone's faces, their expressions relaxed, and they thanked him repeatedly.

Those 15 people were also very happy, it was already not bad to be able to earn wages halfway.

"Adong is still the most humane, he bailed us out the first time, and didn't skimp on what should be given."

"Followed the right person, just think about those who haven't been bailed out, and you'll know that following Dongzi is the right choice."

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

"Hope the rain stops quickly, let's go back quickly. If we stay any longer, our hearts will be hanging in the balance."

"It's better to go back early. Didn't they say we got the same price as the locals? When we were bailed out, the local onlookers must have been bailed out these past few days too. Many are also fishermen, there will definitely be a lot of people fishing then."

Upon hearing this, Ye Fu immediately said, "Tell your eldest brother and second brother to go back with us when the rain stops tomorrow, don't stay here and take risks again."

Having been in jail once, Ye Fu was scared.

"Hmm. It's also very late, everyone tidy up the table and rest quickly."

He also went to take a shower, and then followed the others to lay out a mat and sleep in the main hall.

When Ye Fu lay down beside him, he was still muttering about how terrified he was in the public security bureau, fearing he wouldn't be able to come back. When he got to the emotional part, he even quietly wiped away two tears.

"It's over, don't think about it. A narrow escape from death brings good fortune. And there will probably be a new policy coming out in two days. Those who have applied for the iron plates will be safer then, and patrols at sea will also be strengthened."

"They only think of corresponding policies when people die and big things happen. These people, really, what were they doing earlier? If they had made it formal earlier, there wouldn't have been so many deaths and injuries, and so many people wouldn't have been caught."

Ye Yaodong didn't answer. If nothing big happened, who would pay attention? What's more, these days it's chaotic everywhere, they can't even manage the land, let alone the sea.

Those who manage the sea are also going to catch smugglers, or escort... who cares about their fishermen fighting over such trivial matters? If no one dies, it's not a big deal to them.

Even if someone dies, in this era where communication is underdeveloped and legal management regulations are imperfect, it all depends on whether the local area attaches importance to it. If they don't, reporting less or not reporting at all isn't a big deal.

"How much money did you earn this trip?"

"Why ask? It's enough to bail people out and buy boats, it's about enough. In a few days when the rain stops, I still have to pay a large sum of wages, sleep early."

"Hmm."

After Ye Fu replied, he started snoring within a minute. The snoring sounds were also rising and falling all around. Those sleeping in the main hall were basically those released today. They were terrified inside, and hadn't slept a peaceful sleep while worrying, only after coming out could they sleep peacefully.

Ye Yaodong walked back and forth all day, was rained on all day, and was also very tired, so he fell asleep after a while.

The sound of the rain pattering continued all night, and even the morning sky was darker than usual.

The light of dawn didn't wake up the large group sleeping in the main hall, and it wasn't until the people inside the house got up that the people in the main hall followed suit.

Not long after they finished eating, the large group staying at the guesthouse also ran over one after another.

Ye Yaodong also told them about his plan to go back when the rain stopped, which made them all frown with worry.

"Are we really going back like this? We just got released, and haven't earned any money yet..."

"Make your own plans. I have too many people here now, and before the rain, the quantity of jellyfish wasn't enough for all-day fishing, and local fishing boats are also increasing there."

"Didn't they say we need to apply for fishing qualifications from the Ocean Bureau now, and hang an iron plate before we can catch jellyfish? That should be safer, and we won't fight again, right?"

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

Everyone whispered and discussed with each other.

"Now we don't know when the rain will stop, it's been raining for four or five days. Should we take a look first, don't be so decisive? There are still people inside who haven't been bailed out. Should we all go bail them out later and then talk together?"

"That's better, let's bail everyone else out together, and then talk together. In case there are some who don't want to go back, everyone can huddle together."

"That's true, those who weren't caught and earned money want to go back, we who didn't earn money, of course don't want to go back. Money wasn't earned, and both face and substance are gone."

Ye Yaodong let them discuss it themselves, because some close relatives were also surrounding him, all asking him for confirmation.

He also gave his own opinion.

"Although we can apply for fishing iron plates, those locations are now public. After the rain stops, there will be even more boats going, and the quantity is decreasing. I don't think it's worth taking the risk anymore. My crew members are also inclined to go back quickly."

Ye Fu also helped speak, "Let's all go back. You've all earned money, don't be greedy. You're already better than many people. It's already Amitabha that you could earn money safely on this trip."

"Amitabha, Mazu bless us, otherwise who knows if we'd still be squatting inside, or be as miserable as that group of people."

"Then Dongzi, we'll go back with you first. As for the others, let them discuss it themselves. If they want to go, they go. If they don't want to go, let them stay here and continue earning money."

"Then let's go back. We also earned several thousand yuan this trip, it's only been a month, it's very good."

Aguang hesitated for a moment, "I'm still working as an intermediary there..."

"Stop doing it, no matter if the quantity is large or not, let them sell directly to the dock."

"How come only these few boats of yours came back? What about the other boats?"

"Exactly, why didn't the other boats come back? I thought everyone was coming back together."

"I heard something happened on this trip. What happened? Did something happen to the others since they didn't come back?"

"No way? Did something really happen?"

The day before returning, everyone took turns calling home to notify them in advance, simply stating their recent situation, but they didn't dare to directly say on the phone that they had been caught and jailed.

This was a huge matter; if it were said, the village wouldn't be peaceful.

That's why the villagers at the pier were still asking, not knowing why only these few boats came back and the others didn't.

Some didn't know how to say it, after all, this matter was a long story, and so many days had passed.

Ye Mu also pulled them to ask the same question.

Ye Fu was full of shame and didn't dare to mention it, just saying, "We'll talk when we get back. We can't talk about it outside."

"Why can't you talk about it? Why can't you talk about why the others didn't come back?"

Of course, it was because it was shameful, and it was embarrassing to talk about it outside.

Others were also prevaricating there, at most saying they still wanted to stay there to earn money and were reluctant to come back.

"Then why are the others earning money there, and you guys want to come back early?"

"I said something happened on this trip."

"What happened?"

Ye Fu was so annoyed by the questioning that he jumped in anger, walked home first, and ignored them.

Ye Yaodong also said, "We'll talk when we get back. I'm exhausted from sailing for a day. Let's talk when we get home. Some things on the boat will be moved and organized tomorrow. This isn't the time to deal with this."

Everyone had a tacit understanding.

Those who had been caught were all afraid of losing face and didn't say a word, and those who hadn't been caught were very polite and didn't expose them in front of so many people.

"We'll talk when we get home. I'm exhausted and starving."

"It's not something that can be said in a few words. We'll talk when we get back."

Everyone was curious, but they could only follow behind first and inquire after getting home. However, they whispered on the way, their curiosity piqued to the maximum.

"Did those people die? Can't they come back?"

"I spit... you damn crow's mouth, what are you talking about? Say it again and I'll tear your mouth."

"Then why haven't they called back for ten days or half a month? Why don't these people who came back mention what happened?"

"Something must have happened, otherwise how could half come back and half not?"

"Didn't they say they were still earning money there? They came back first, how could so many die?"

"We'll know in a while..."

Ye Yaodong frowned.

Others silently thought in their hearts that although not so many died, there were indeed so many who were caught and couldn't come out. Fortunately, it wasn't their village.

The town didn't know what kind of chaos it was in now.