Chapter 1195

He had docked at the city pier countless times and was very familiar with it. There were also a few people who were familiar with him, such as those who drove tractors to haul cargo; those who frequently docked in the city generally recognized him.

As soon as he went ashore, he found an empty spot, had someone bring over a scale, and then called the few people he brought with him to start shouting.

"Buying up unwanted trash fish—"

"Buying unwanted trash fish for 5 li, we'll take them no matter how big or small they are..."

It was already noon when they arrived at the pier. Although it was noon and not that lively, this was the city pier, and with a wholesale market nearby, there were boats docking all day long, so there were still people coming and going.

Their shouting immediately attracted a large group of people to come over and ask questions; some were likely just curious, while others were boat captains.

Ye Yaodong used his silver tongue to explain things to everyone.

"Don't dump the small trash fish you catch back into the sea if you don't want them. Bring them all back to us; starting today, we will be buying them at the pier long-term."

"It's good to have a few extra dollars in income. A large boat can drag thousands of jin in a single net, only to have to dump half of it back into the sea. Bringing it back can at least trade for some money."

"How much are you paying?"

"5 li."

The trash fish kept by the Fengshou are also currently being bought at this price.

"5 li... 100 jin is only 5 mao, a ton is only ten yuan, 10,000 jin is only 50 yuan. What a load of crap."

Ye Yaodong explained with a smile, "That can still subsidize some fuel money. You bring it back while you're at it. Some small boats that stay close don't even need fuel at all. Having a few extra mao or a yuan is good too, and you can buy a jin or half a jin of meat for your family."

"Powered boats are going to consume fuel on the way back anyway. Where does that few hundred jin of cargo make a difference? It's not like you won't consume fuel if you have a few hundred jin less. For those boats, having a few hundred jin more or less doesn't make much difference."

"There's plenty of cheap goods in the wholesale market for two fen. It's not bad to be able to sell this trash fish for 5 li. You can at least sell it for some money; it's better than dumping it back into the sea."

"If those large boats didn't dump cargo back into the sea every day, they could have this much trash fish. Keeping 10,000 jin of trash fish to bring back just happens to subsidize the fuel money. Isn't that pretty good?"

"A trip back for a large boat costs about that much in fuel anyway, and smaller boats aren't that fuel-hungry either, so you can still earn a little. Not to mention small wooden boats; it's a guaranteed profit."

Everyone whispered to each other and felt it made some sense. Although they didn't think they could earn much money, it could at least subsidize the fuel money, and they wouldn't lose money.

A trip back for a large boat consumes that much fuel anyway; having 10,000 jin more cargo doesn't cost much more in fuel, and it can subsidize the fuel money for the trip back. Calculated, it's earning the fuel money.

"You've calculated this all out..."

"Indeed, it just happens to earn people their fuel money..."

"It is all calculated well, but it can only subsidize the fuel money. It's impossible to want to earn more money..."

"Although that's the case, it's not bad to be able to subsidize the fuel money. The boat costs that much money just to move; bringing back a bit more cargo doesn't consume much more."

Ye Yaodong said to everyone again: "We came here temporarily today, and many boats have already gone out to sea. The boat captains haven't received the news, so I'll have to trouble everyone to help spread the word. It's friendly to the fishermen to be able to sell for a few more dollars, haha."

"Are you coming back tomorrow?"

"Yes, we will need it every day from now on, and we will be buying cargo at the pier every day."

"Then I'll tell the others later... let them calculate for themselves if it's worth it..."

There were many people coming and going at the pier, and news was the easiest to spread. In less than 5 minutes, everyone in the surrounding area knew that a group of people had come to the pier specifically to buy unwanted small trash fish, and even more people gathered around.

Ye Yaodong let the other younger brothers deal with these people first, while he went to find something to eat nearby. It was already noon, and everyone had just arrived and was still hungry.

After filling his stomach, he looked at the time; it was still midday, and there were no fishing boats docking. If fishing boats were to return, they would have to wait until evening.

Thinking that being idle is still being idle, he left those younger brothers at the pier to deal with the people who came to ask.

He also left 10 yuan, just in case a fishing boat returned to sell cargo.

Then he patted his butt and left, hailed a rickshaw, and took the basket of fish sauce he had specifically brought this morning, preparing to go find Chen Juzhang to curry favor.

Chen Juzhang was quite curious about the bagged fish sauce. He asked about it and only praised him for having a sharp mind; while everyone else was still taking bottles out to get it, he had made it so convenient.

Ye Yaodong told him to just give it away if he couldn't finish it, not to feel bad, as he had plenty at home.

"By the way, regarding the fishing association you reminded me about in Wenzhou last month, our Haiyang Bureau here also brought it up during the city meeting last month. We can't fall behind others."

Ye Yaodong was surprised, "We're going to set up a fishing association here too?"

"Yes, what you told me last time, I think it's quite good. I was just planning to find you and ask, what has that fishing association turned into? What are the regulations, the distribution of duties, and so on? Tell me about it."

"Ah... I'm not over there, I just hold a title and don't manage anything. Otherwise, I'll tell you what I know, and then when I get home, I'll call and ask? Then I'll call you and tell you?"

"That works too, just tell me what you know."

Ye Yaodong nodded and told him everything he knew, and by the way, also expressed some of his own views.

Chen Juzhang also had a detailed and in-depth understanding with him. The two chatted happily for half the afternoon, and Ye Yaodong drank half a pot of tea before leaving.

After coming out of the Haiyang Bureau, he went straight to the market to calculate the turnover with his father-in-law and ask about the sales of the lighters, before taking his brother-in-law's ride back to the pier.

The clothes on his body were wrapped tightly. Fortunately, it was deep winter, and he was wearing many thick layers. He kept all the money hidden close to his body, and since he was riding in his brother-in-law's car, he wasn't afraid of any accidents.

At this time, quite a few fishing boats had already returned to the pier one after another.

Some people heard as soon as they came up that there was someone at the pier buying unwanted small trash fish, and that any size would do, even finger-sized ones. Many people slapped their thighs in regret for not bringing the trash fish back.

As for those who had brought the trash fish back while they were at it, wanting to feed them to pigs, chickens, and ducks, they hurried to sell the cargo to them immediately after hearing the news.

There were quite a few such people. Now, every household raised at least a little poultry, and those who went out to sea always felt it was a waste to dump the cargo, so they would always bring back a bucket or two to feed the chickens, ducks, and pigs.

Now that they could actually trade it for money, what was there to hesitate about? Selling it for two fen more could even buy candy for the children.

When Ye Yaodong arrived at the pier, Wang Guangliang himself already had quite a few baskets filled with cargo at his feet, and there was a crowd of onlookers watching.

They didn't turn anyone away; as long as it was fish, it would do.

He pushed through the crowd before squeezing in.

"Opened for business?"

"Opened for business. I've been wandering around the pier all day, and it only opened for business when the fishing boats docked one after another this evening." Wang Guangliang said joyfully, and then returned the remaining money to him.

"Not bad, at least we didn't come back empty-handed today."

"It's just that the fish are so small..."

"It doesn't matter, they're being taken back for fermentation anyway. They certainly wouldn't be willing to feed the big ones to the chickens and ducks; they could at least be dried and eaten, or given away to others to eat."

He nodded and continued to get busy.

Since the wholesale market opens at night, they simply waited until night.

The fishing boats that dock at night are the most numerous, and they are all large boats.

However, they didn't stay too late, heading home around 7 o'clock. It was too cold now, especially at night, and the wind at the pier was much stronger than in other places.

Anyway, they had stayed at the pier for a day, and basically everyone knew they were buying the small trash fish that no one wanted in the past, and today's goal had been achieved.

Although it was only the first day and the fishermen weren't prepared, they had still collected over a thousand jin of cargo, which could be considered not returning empty-handed.

"Today was just to promote it. It's not bad to have this much. There will definitely be more cargo tomorrow. Bring more sacks or baskets."

"Okay, Adong."

"I should be going out to sea tonight, so I'll leave this to you to watch tomorrow. Anyway, don't haggle; take as much as there is."

"You don't need to come too early tomorrow. Eat lunch early, and set off to come here at 11 o'clock. You'll just catch the fishing boats returning in the evening, and you won't have to wait idly; you'll have cargo to collect immediately."

"You control the time of return. If you feel there are no more boats returning, or if there's enough cargo and it can't be stacked anymore, it's no problem to come back early. Use your own judgment."

"Okay."

Today they headed home easily. Everyone hadn't used much effort, and although they arrived home a little late, everyone was quite happy. No one dislikes an easy job that earns money.

The cold wind was blowing at night, and it was already past 11 o'clock when they arrived home, and the lights in the workshop were already out.

The two or three thousand jin of trash fish they brought back in the past two days had been processed, so there was no need to stay up late to kill them anymore.

As for the cargo that Ah Cai sent over every evening, they only needed to work for a few hours at night and work all day during the day; there was no need to kill them overnight.

For the cargo brought back tonight, he let them move it to the open space of the fish sauce workshop first, let the boy on duty watch it, and sent them home to rest first.

Lin Xiuqing hadn't slept at all and had been waiting for him to return, but she hadn't expected him to return so late.

When she opened the door for him, she couldn't help but nag.

"You still have to go out to sea at night, and you're only returning now. It'll be 12 o'clock by the time you go to sleep later. Can you still get up at night?"

"Then I'll just not sleep? Stay up until 2 o'clock, and then get up and go to the boat to sleep."

"What are you doing not sleeping?"

"Exercising. Didn't you say you were afraid I wouldn't be able to get up? Then I'll just not sleep and exercise a bit to be more energetic."

"Pah..."

Ye Yaodong ignored her disgust and changed the subject to business, "When you get up tomorrow morning, count 100 yuan in small change for Ah Liang to take with him to collect cargo."

"One fen or two fen?"

"Either is fine, mix in some one mao and two mao, otherwise it's hard to count."

When he went out this morning, he grabbed a handful of one-fen coins. Their family didn't have much other money, but they had several buckets of these small-denomination coins.

It just so happens that they can take the opportunity to spend some, saving space.

"Can you collect cargo by going temporarily today? Most people would have dumped it into the sea, right?"

"Collected over 1,000 jin, most of which were contributed by small wooden boats or trawlers that return the same day. They probably all planned to take them home to feed chickens, ducks, and pigs, but when they heard we were buying these trash goods there, they brought them over to sell."

"That's not bad, to be able to have over 1,000 jin on the first day of going temporarily."

"Yeah, any boat can have dozens of jin just by taking two buckets. Over 1,000 jin isn't much; there will be more tomorrow."

He had already calculated that if all 100 yuan were spent, he could collect about 20,000 jin or so. It really is a very low cost.

Seeing those fishermen bringing them back and selling them to him today, he thought that everyone's requirements weren't high; as long as they could sell for money, it would do.

Selling 100 jin for two mao more is also passable, and you can earn an extra five or six yuan a month.

The top-grade fish sauce is made by decomposing and melting 100 jin of fish into 40 jin of fish sauce.

The first batch of fish sauce filtered out contains the richest fish fat aroma. Adding a few drops when stir-frying, or using it to dip fish meat, will make people feel the fragrance is overflowing.

Most of the fish sauce sold on the market is the second batch, which is to reuse the fish residue filtered from the first batch, inject a certain amount of salt water into the vat, and re-marinate it.

And in this way, the same 100 jin of fish can produce 200 jin of fish sauce. At this time, the fragrance is much lighter than the first batch.

Ye Yaodong just started doing it, and he was still relatively conscientious, only doing the first batch and not cutting corners.

Things these days are mostly solid and genuine; otherwise, how could a washing machine be used for 20 years?

He calculated that 20,000 jin of fish can produce 8,000 to 10,000 jin of fish sauce.

The actual cost of the fish is 100, and the daily cost of fishing boat round trips plus labor and materials is calculated at 100 yuan, but it can sell for over 800 yuan.

Although he bought a machine now and the machine is expensive, the cost allocated to each package is actually very low. Although he hasn't earned it yet, he has calculated it, and earning at least half to 60-70% is not a problem.

The longer the machine runs, the lower the cost. This kind of low-priced product is originally small profits but quick turnover, winning by quantity.

When the development is stable in the future, it will still be very promising. You can't look down on it just because things are cheap.

You have to earn big money, and you also have to earn small money.

Lin Xiuqing calculated in her heart how much 100 yuan could collect. After figuring it out, she also felt that this amount was enough.

Fermenting this amount steadily every day, the output will also be controlled at this amount every day.

Otherwise, if too much is collected at once, she is also worried that there is no place to ferment it, and the custom-made wooden barrels and large vats can't keep up with holding them.

"Then take 100 yuan and give it to them to collect. Is it enough to limit the collection to this much every day?"

"Yeah, that's what I told Ah Liang today."

"You have to go out to sea at night. Will you be at ease leaving it to them to collect tomorrow? It's just started..."

Ye Yaodong chuckled and interrupted her, "What's there to be uneasy about? It's only 100 yuan worth of cargo. What's there to be uneasy about? Are you afraid someone will covet it? Or are you afraid someone will roll up the money and run away? It's only 100 yuan; who would be that stupid?"

"There are quite a few people in that group, so there's no need to worry about anything happening outside. It was originally something no one wanted, and it doesn't get in anyone's way. We only spend 100 yuan in costs, so there's nothing to be afraid of."

Lin Xiuqing thought about it and felt that what he said made sense.

"Got it, I'll take 100 yuan tomorrow and give it to them to try, and see how much they can collect. Are you hungry? Do you want me to cook you some snacks?"

"Cook some, I'm hungry."

"Then sit and rest for a while; the cold stove and cold kitchen won't be that fast."

"Okay."

Ye Yaodong went to wash his face and soak his feet first. Having nothing to do, he looked at the half-rolled yarn on the table, took it over, put the loose side on his knees, and helped roll it up.

Recently, she had been so busy that her feet didn't touch the ground. He didn't expect that she could still roll yarn and knit sweaters.

"Did you call Dongqing over to work today?"

"Yes, I called her over this morning to help. That girl was very happy. It was much easier for me to have her help today. I didn't have to hold a notebook to record the number of people and the cargo; I handed it all over to her to do, and that's why I had time to come back and cook."

"You not only have time to cook, but you can also continue knitting sweaters."

Lin Xiuqing smiled. The firelight in the stove reflected on her face, making her look exceptionally gentle.

"Isn't this cooking? While burning the fire, I thought about knitting a little, otherwise your new clothes for the New Year won't be finished. It's New Year's Day soon, and it will be the New Year soon."

"Didn't you let someone give it to my mother?"

"Mother is also very busy, and I have to help too. Knitting a piece of clothing also takes a lot of time."

"If you can't finish it, just leave it. I don't care; as long as the little ones have new clothes to wear."

"How can that be? You still have to wear new clothes for the New Year. It doesn't matter for the little ones, but you have to go out and see people. You have to dress more decently and can't wear old clothes."

"You can't see it when you wear it inside. The cotton-padded jacket made last year hasn't been worn many times, and it's still fine. Basically, I wear clothes for work."

"That still has to be done. We don't need to make new clothes, but you have to."

"Okay."

The couple chatted for a few words.

The noodles were cooked. Lin Xiuqing also sat at the table, supporting her chin, smiling as she watched him eat, and accompanying him in whispering.

After eating the late-night snack, Ye Yaodong also sat at the table waiting for her to finish washing the dishes, and then turned off the lights. The couple hugged and went to the room.

It wasn't convenient to count money late at night; the sound was too loud. Ye Yaodong handed the money to her and told her to count it tomorrow. The two climbed into the quilt together and chatted in a low voice.

"Big brother and second brother were so happy today; they kept sitting at the door talking about their Shunfeng."

"That's just right; there's no need for others to interrupt. The two of them can talk very happily."

"Hehe, yes, big sister-in-law and second sister-in-law have been walking with wind in their steps these two days. They spoke loudly to everyone in the workshop, and their backs straightened."

"Normal, how much face it has. A Shunfeng costs a lot of money, so it's only right to be spirited."

"Yeah, hurry up and sleep; you still have to go out to sea at night."

"I already said I wouldn't sleep. It's past 12 o'clock, so what's there to sleep for? I'll go to the boat and sleep later."

Lin Xiuqing pushed him, "Then you might as well not come back; it's better to go straight to the boat and lie down."

"That won't do. If I don't return home at night abnormally, wouldn't you suspect what I'm doing?"

"Suspect what you're doing? Suspect you were seduced to sleep at a mistress's house?"

"A mistress is impossible, but there's no shortage of shameless women seducing me. The whole village knows that your husband is handsome, rich, has a good build, and has strength..."

"Shut your mouth."

"Why don't you believe it..."

Ye Yaodong really didn't sleep. Even though he was exhausted, he didn't sleep, opening his eyes and looking at the ceiling, listening to the rhythmic breathing in his ears.

When the time came, he immediately got up and went out on tiptoe.

This time going out to sea, his father didn't drive the boat for him, but ran to drive the Shunfeng.

He was so sleepy that he didn't drive it himself, but handed it over to Chen Laoqi, the only person on the boat whose age was about the same as his father, and who had previously helped him drive the boat.

He had also partnered with him for a period of time, so he knew him relatively well.

The others were now the younger generation, all between 20 and 30-something years old.

So after getting on the boat, he handed it directly to Chen Laoqi to drive, and let Chen Laoqi follow directly behind the Shunfeng and the Fengshou. They had just set off and hadn't reached the destination, so there was no need to do anything.

By the time they reached the destination, the sky was bright, and he had slept enough to get up.

Although he hadn't rested well, he had rested after all.

Ye Yaodong went out to the deck, stretched a big stretch, put on his sunglasses, and tidied up the yarn hat on his head.

The shadows of the Fengshou and the Shunfeng were no longer beside the fishing boat.

But if you look carefully into the distance, you can still see a black dot in the shape of a fishing boat in both the east and west directions.

It was the same when fishing with the Fengshou in the past; everyone stayed far away and didn't affect each other, as long as they could see each other.

Being in the middle of the sea, the ocean is boundless and vast, and the coastline cannot be seen at a glance. Having a few more boats doesn't get in the way, not to mention that the ocean's produce is rich now.

Ye Yaodong greeted the others on the deck, and after eating breakfast, he went up to the wheelhouse.

He got up late, and the fishing net had already been put into the seabed to work.

"Thank you, Uncle. It's my turn. You go and rest first."

"Okay, then I'll leave it to you. This fishing net has been working for two hours. You look at the situation and pull it up later."

"Okay, did you encounter anything at night?"

"No, nothing happened. We just kept driving behind the two boats, and nothing happened."

"That's good. By the way, Uncle, there will be a period of time where I'll have to trouble you to take turns driving the boat with me. My father is going to help my big brother and second brother for a period of time. As for you, I'll give you a raise starting from New Year's Day, okay?"

Chen Laoqi beamed with joy and said politely, "Oh, why say that? It's only right. I'm already getting a high salary for working for you, so we have to do whatever you tell us to do."

"It's only right. Skilled workers should get a raise. You go and rest first."

"Good, good, good..."

After people left, Ye Yaodong had nothing to do. After thinking about it, he connected to the Shunfeng to see if there was any situation with his big brother and second brother.

Without a doubt, the first to make a sound was his father.

"Are you okay, Dad?"

"I'm okay, I'm watching here. At this moment, your second brother is driving the boat, and your big brother has gone to sleep."

"You should go to sleep too. Anyway, the boats are all together, and they are just working now. Second brother will definitely have no problem."

Ye Yaohua also spoke, "Yes, that's what I said too, but Dad insisted on watching for a while and said he would go to sleep after this net was pulled up."

"How long have you put it down?"

"Two hours, right? Wait another half an hour or an hour before pulling the net."

"Okay."

"Hey, hey, hey... Dad, look, there are so many seabirds in front..." Suddenly Ye Yaohua's voice raised a bit.

Ye's father's voice also came from inside, "Indeed, you drive the boat closer to that side and see? There might be a school of fish?"

Ye Yaodong listened to their voices and also stretched his neck to look at the sea surface, "Why didn't I see it?"

Ye's father said, "Maybe you are far away and didn't see it. Let's drive over and take a look first."

Ye Yaodong pushed open the cabin door, walked out of the wheelhouse, and picked up the binoculars to look at the fishing boat in the distance. After the field of vision was pulled closer, there were indeed seabirds gathering near the fishing boat not far away.

The Shunfeng was slowly driving towards the direction of the seabirds at this time, probably working while moving closer to take a look first.

After hesitating for a while, he gave up for the time being, planning to connect and ask again later.

If they get close now, the fishing nets of the two boats are easy to fight, which will be troublesome then.

However, he also kept paying attention with the binoculars.

When the Shunfeng approached the seabird flock, he connected and asked again just now.

"Has your boat approached? Is there a school of fish?"

"Yes, yes, yes," Ye's father said excitedly, "It's a school of mackerel, and there are dolphins and sharks, but they didn't surface. I only saw water splashes, and occasionally dolphins and sharks surfaced. I don't know how deep they are at the bottom, and whether we can cast the net."

"Let's drive over first and see if we can drag some... It just happens that the net hasn't been pulled up yet."

"Then let's try..."

Ye Yaodong asked, "Then should I go over?"

Ye's father said, "Not sure if we can catch it. We are dragging the net at the bottom, and we can't reach the upper layer. We have to see if they can float to the surface, so we can cast a few hand-thrown nets."

"Then I'll wait and pull the net up slowly first."

It had been more than two hours. Pulling the net now, if we can cast the net later, we can speed up and drive over.

After Ye Yaodong hung up, he went out to shout and let them prepare to pull the net. He stood on the wheelhouse and kept paying attention with the binoculars.

It was just that after a long while, when the fishing net floated to the sea surface, the people at the bottom exclaimed.

"What is this?"

"Hey? What is this thing? So big?"

"Round and long..."

"Why does it look a bit like the small torpedo we caught before? Adong... Adong..."

Ye Yaodong listened to the movement at the bottom and looked down. He was still holding the binoculars in his hand, and he immediately saw the big yellow iron lump that was dragged up and exposed on the sea surface.

"Holy crap! Damn it!"

He exclaimed and cursed a national quintessence.

Afraid that he had seen it wrong, he quickly took down the binoculars and stared at it again with his 5.3 vision.

Then he cursed again, holy crap, and quickly climbed down.

"Adong, what is that thing so big? It was so heavy just now, I thought we had a net burst."

Ye Yaodong lay on the edge of the boat, half of his body leaned out to look, his eyes widened almost like pigeon eggs.

"Hurry up, hurry up and get it up. Only a part of the yellow is exposed, and I can't see it clearly. The fish net is full of fish, catch it up and take a look."

"I think it looks like a torpedo. Didn't we catch one last time?"

"This one is a bit big, I see it's several meters long, not comparable to the last one."

"Then what is this thing? Why do we always catch such strange things?"

Ye Yaodong said unhappily, "What do you know? Our fishing is just a sideline, this 'big fish' is the main event."