Chapter 1537: The Plan to the Deep Sea

Ye Yaodong got up and accompanied his mother for another round, explaining things to her along the way.

With no one watching just now, his mother had only felt the gaze of others on her; after walking around once, she felt nothing but pride in her son, full heart and full eyes.

Ye's father also hurried over with a camera.

"I've been looking for you everywhere, and you ran here. Here, I brought the camera you wanted."

"It's been half a day, and you only brought it now," Ye's mother chided him, took the camera, then handed it over to Ye Yaodong with a smile, "Dongzi, take a picture of me in here, and take one for me at the big gate outside too."

"Alright."

Ye's father said from the side, "Then let me join in too, take a group photo of the two of us?"

Ye's mother glared at him disdainfully, "You didn't even change into something nicer to wear. It's time for a photo, and you're still wearing that patched-up outfit."

Ye's father looked down at his clothes and felt they weren't suitable for a photo either. "Then forget it."

"It's no big deal, you two just stand together and get a picture. Later, people will only say Dad is simple and hardworking."

Ye's father became happy again. "Good."

An old married couple, the two stood close together, smiling with extraordinary joy.

Ye Yaodong went to the big gate again and took a picture of them by the wall bearing the name "Dongsheng Processing Factory"; only then was Ye's mother fully satisfied.

"When will it be developed?"

"Only after it's used up can it be taken to be developed."

Ye's mother muttered, "Then when I go to Shanghai, I'll take more pictures."

Ye's father reminded her, "You have to buy them with money."

Ye's mother glared at him. "I have money; I'll pay for it myself."

"Dad, while the fishing boats haven't returned this afternoon, take Mom out to eat something and look around some more; I won't accompany you."

"Didn't you say to pick two people to accompany her?"

"That's for when we go to Shanghai; finding two people to accompany her makes it safer and helps carry things. Now that we're here, aren't you free anyway?"

Ye's mother waved her hand. "No need, I'm not hungry either; just save my appetite for dinner. I'll look around by myself later; I won't get lost. Go make me a ground cart."

"Oh, right, I almost forgot. Dad, you have to make a ground cart for Mom."

"Why make that? Make one for her? If you're moving goods back and forth inside the factory, making one to drag along would be convenient and save effort, saving you from having two people carry it."

"That's perfect. Make one first for Mom to take to Shanghai; when it's used up and brought back, it can be used in the factory too. If there's a real need, make a few more then."

Ye's father looked at Ye's mother. "What do you need to take to Shanghai for?"

"I have too many things to buy; I can't carry them all. Carrying them is also tiring. If you make a cart for me to pull, wouldn't that be convenient?"

"Right from the start, you're just finding trouble for me to do..." Ye's father muttered this, but still went to busy himself for Ye's mother.

Ye's mother was happy just looking at the processing factory; she could look around energetically by herself and only returned to the room for a nap when she got tired.

After all, she had been on a boat for several days, so she was indeed tired; just now, excitement had supported her until now, but after the excitement passed, of course, she had to go rest.

By evening, Ye's father led Ye's mother to the canteen to eat, and Ye Yaodong also let his mother pick two people to go with her to Shanghai.

Ye's father's ground cart still needed another day to finish, which just allowed Ye's mother to curiously look around the local area for a day, then keep saying that changes in just one year were truly great.

They went to Shanghai on the third day.

After seeing the people off, Ye's father waved happily.

"This is good; finding people to accompany her to look around means we don't have to follow her around; it saves trouble."

"Isn't it just my cleverness that found you work? This way you can use the excuse of making a ground cart for her and not accompany her."

"Isn't that the same? None of us are idle."

"That's still different; if you don't hover in front of her, she won't nag you. Being able to work quietly is always better than having someone buzzing in your ear."

Ye's father nodded in full agreement. "You said that right."

"Go back. Let her stay in Shanghai for a few days; if she wants to return, they'll buy her a boat ticket. If she returns the day before going home, it's even better; maybe you can still keep your private savings."

"Nonsense. I've already asked clearly how much money there is; I'm just waiting for her to leave to give it back to her. People can be forgotten, but money cannot."

"Alright, just leave your person here and bring the money back."

"You talk too much."

"So you are my mother's long-term laborer."

"Then you are too."

"That's impossible. I have more money in my hand than Aqing, and I don't need to hide private savings. I can spend whenever I want, buy whenever I want, do whatever I want, so I'm not a long-term laborer; you are the long-term laborer."

That hurt.

Ye's father had nothing to say and could only keep a stern face, refusing to communicate with him.

Ye Yaodong thought the main base was close to the dock, so he returned to the main base first.

Not long after returning, he received another call from Lin Lin Guangyuan; recently, the calls they made were far more than the total of the past three years.

"Uncle-in-law, it's really hard to find you; I had to call several locations to find you."

"It's good enough that you found me. If you had called twenty minutes earlier, you still wouldn't have found me."

"Why are you still running back and forth? Why not just live at the processing factory? Anyway, living anywhere is living; there shouldn't be much here that needs you; the processing factory needs you more, right?"

"Both sides need me, so after eating breakfast in the morning, I'll stay at the processing factory for half a day, come back to eat after getting off work at noon, then stay here. After the fresh catch boats dock, it's closer and more convenient to go to the dock from here."

Anyway, he had a motorcycle, so coming and going was fast; he didn't feel it was troublesome, just treating it like commuting back and forth.

Plus, everyone at the main base was trustworthy, while he wasn't familiar with the workers at the processing factory, and he didn't want to move back and forth.

"I just called the processing factory, and you didn't answer, so I called here. Uncle-in-law, my leader praised you, saying your factory is a conscientious factory that still remembers the injured people's sons and soldiers. He said whenever he gets free, he'll come visit your factory."

"Sure, welcome anytime, just tell me a day in advance, otherwise don't come and find no one. I'm running around everywhere every day; who knows when I won't be here. I have to deliver goods in the afternoon and keep going until early morning."

"Definitely, I'll notify you at least a day in advance. I'll definitely go with him then; I haven't seen your processing factory yet."

"Hmm, alright."

It's only right for the leadership to come and inspect, to verify the truth of the matter; resettling retired soldiers is a major undertaking, and one cannot simply believe a few words spread by others.

"Once you've finalized the number of people, he will also arrange and confirm the list as soon as possible, delivering it to you before the New Year. At that time, not only personal details but also family background information will be provided, so you can decide on the positions."

"That would be even better. Although the unit provides a guarantee and is absolutely trustworthy, it would be best if I could know their family backgrounds."

"Of course; the boss must know the situation of his employees."

Ye Yaodong thought for a moment and added, "Your leadership said they would come; surely it will be before the New Year?"

"That's for sure; otherwise, how could they deliver the list to you for arrangement before the New Year?"

"After New Year's Day, your aunt will bring three children over to stay for a few days, then return with me to celebrate the New Year. Do you want to call your father or mother to join? You might even get to meet them?"

"No," Lin Guang decisively refused. "Even on the phone, they won't stop nagging; I can't imagine how much more tedious it would be in person."

"You ungrateful child; they only do it for your own good."

"It is for my good, but I can't stand that nagging. Besides, the leadership certainly won't arrange it so late; after all, they still need to confirm the list. They will surely come to check around New Year's Day, then return to draft the list."

"Alright then."

"If they come, it will be in vain; it's better to avoid the trouble and the suffering. The round trip by boat takes ten days or half a month."

"Alright then; since you've said so, I won't bring it up."

"Then I'll hang up; I'll call you again if there's any news."

"Mm."

After hanging up, Ye Yaodong cursed, "That rascal," and thought that only a daughter could be so considerate.

Even if they couldn't see him, it would still be good for them to come and have a look around; it was right around the New Year, and they could go to Shanghai with Ah Qing to buy some local specialties to bring back.

He was directly shut down by his own biological son.

Fortunately, he had a daughter.

After hanging up, Ye Yaodong stayed in the cafeteria, prepared a bag of melon seeds, and sat by the door, basking in the sun while cracking seeds.

His childhood friends had also been going out to sea intermittently over the past few months to replace their fathers; father and son took turns on the fresh catch collection boats every few days, usually rotating every two or three days, ensuring everyone got sufficient rest.

One couldn't just let the fathers work themselves to death, could they? Moreover, the fathers would protest and scold too.

If there was nothing urgent, the necessary work still had to be done; they just had more opportunities to slack off and rest, especially since they had hired extra people.

No one would see him staying in the cafeteria at this moment; it was estimated that no one would return today, and it was rare for the weather to be so good these past few days.

Winters here are mostly cold, windy, and overcast, so small boats don't go out often.

Even on sunny days, the strong winds make it impossible for small boats to go out; only larger vessels can withstand higher sea states and stay at sea longer.

But for more than half the month, conditions are unsuitable for being out there, except for Ocean Voyager No. 1; aside from typhoon days, the biting cold winds of deep winter don't affect it.

It wasn't yet lunchtime, but basking in the sun, he was already feeling drowsy.

Suddenly, someone yanked his reclining chair hard, startling him awake.

"Ah! Lin Mu, you're asking for death..."

Ye Yaodong panicked; once he steadied himself, curses poured out like water, costing nothing, and he greeted Ah Guang's ancestors eighteen generations deep.

He had been sleeping soundly when he was suddenly startled; his soul was nearly scared out of him. Fortunately, it was broad daylight.

"Hehe, don't get excited, don't get excited; I was just joking with you. Who knew you were asleep? I thought you were just sunbathing."

"Damn it..."

"How could I have expected to see you? Boss Dong is such a busy man these days, like a dragon that shows its head but not its tail. It's rare luck that I ran into you today."

Ah Guang also moved a stool over and sat beside him.

"Damn it, I come here punctually for lunch every day; you're the one who's like a dragon showing its head but not its tail."

"I'm exhausted; I just got back from outside."

"Back from outside? I thought you came back from the sea."

"At this time of day, how could I come back from the sea? I returned yesterday afternoon. As soon as the boat docked, I came back immediately. We didn't meet because you were delivering goods until midnight, and I went out early this morning. I only just returned now, close to lunchtime."

"What were you doing out there so early in the morning?"

"Looking for a house, seeing if I can buy one directly."

"Planning to bring Ye Huimei and the children over after the New Year?"

"Yes, that's the idea. So I'm thinking of settling the housing matter in advance. We can't just live here; we're all grown men; it wouldn't be convenient."

Ye Yaodong nodded; buying a house himself was the best option. After all, he wouldn't lose out, and having his own place would be convenient.

"Did you find one?"

"No one is selling; it's quite frustrating. I was thinking of just renting one for now and asking around slowly later."

"Then you don't need to rent outside; just choose a room at my processing factory. You can live there while you ask around."

"I did think of that, but I figured those rooms were arranged for the factory workers, so I thought I'd look for one myself first."

"It's unsafe and chaotic outside, and there are three children. Living at my place is safer; at least there are security guards and gatekeepers blocking entry, so you don't have to worry about the kids running and jumping around inside."

Ah Guang relaxed his expression. "If we can live there, that would be best. After all, I can't accompany them every day. A woman raising three children living outside is worrying just to think about."

"Mm, what's the harm if my sister lives there? It's settled then. You should have told me about this sooner; I only heard about it a few days ago when I called Ah Qing."

"I just couldn't find a chance to bring it up. You've been incredibly busy these past few months, never seen around, and I've been going out to sea frequently too, so it's hard to run into you."

"Since you're bringing your wife and children, what about the others?"

"Their children need to go to school, so they won't be moving back and forth. As for Mother, has she already gone to Shanghai? I heard she came yesterday evening when I returned late. I went to your processing factory this morning but found no one there."

"I sent her onto the boat first thing this morning. She found two great-nephews to accompany her to Shanghai for a stroll; she didn't need me, and I wasn't free anyway."

"Mm, it's safer with someone accompanying her."

Ye Yaodong asked again, "You brought the three children too. Little Yu starts first grade in the second half of next year; will she attend school here as well?"

"Let's see; there's still over half a year. It's too early to bring this up now; anyway, they aren't in school yet. But I heard there's a kindergarten; we could send all three there first to save time and effort."

"That's not bad. In our rural area, we don't have the conditions to send children there; most go straight to first grade when they reach the age. Only the towns have kindergartens."

"Hmm, so first enroll them in kindergarten, see how it goes for half a year."

"Now the two girls will be separated—they'll be crying their eyes out."

"You can bring Xiao Jiu along; then both can go to school together, and once Ye Huimei sees it's fine, it's just one more meal to cook."

"Cook what meal? I'll set up a canteen over there—we can eat at the canteen every day, no need to cook at all."

"Even better, even less hassle—no need to fuss over them much, just bathe the kids now and then."

"See? I didn't have this idea—wait and see what Qing says."

"When will she come over?"

Ye Yaodong explained his plan to him—it was much the same arrangement as last year.

"Then once you get those two big ships, we'll arrange to head back."

"Yeah, just about a month left."

"Time flies—another year's gone in a flash; this is our third year here."

"Mm."

It really does fly by—another busy year, and this year's harvest has been substantial.

Two more big ships are coming, another processing plant has been added, and he's also developed land on his own in Magu.

He hasn't totaled up the cash on hand, but he's been stuffing bags with cash every day—after this year's several major expenses, he estimates there's at least two million inside.

In this era, that's a astronomical sum.

This year, due to heavy investment in production, total cash didn't break a thousand, but next year it will definitely break ten million.

He was thinking that once the other two 45-meter ships arrive next month, his Ocean-going No. 1 will be ranked No. 5.

Last year, one ship was delivered before the New Year, and he picked up a semi-finished product at the shipyard—both were sailed back together and marked as Ocean-going No. 2 and No. 3.

Now No. 4 and No. 5 are almost in hand, and after the New Year, the ex-soldiers will be ready—he's considering taking all five ships out into the deep sea.

They have to go eventually; the captains and crew on his ships currently have only nearshore experience.

Most have no deep-sea experience at all; only he, due to his past life as a crewman, has the most maritime experience.

All his ships are new, well-built, and use ample materials—failure rates are extremely low.

Moreover, since last year he's gradually sent some people for training, and now it's time to test the results.

Once the new year arrives and it's 1990, with all five ships arriving together, he should take them into the deep sea to gain experience—only then can he step back and become a hands-off boss.

With five ships going together, supporting each other, it shouldn't be too risky—someone has to make the first move.

As Ye Yaodong sat silently thinking, Ah Guang suddenly elbowed him.

"What are you thinking about? Why suddenly go quiet, staring straight ahead like that?"

"Just pondering something else."

"You're a big boss now, a busy man—real responsibilities pile up. Even while chatting, you drift off, thinking about your production empire?"

"No, I'm thinking about the fishing boats. Production isn't urgent right now—the output's fixed, already sitting there."

"What about the fishing boats? Aren't they all settled? Is it because the new ships are coming, and you're planning to assign new crew for the New Year?"

"No, the new crew is already arranged—no worries there. I'm thinking that with so many big ships coming in, I need to take them into the deep sea. Big ships aren't suited for nearshore fishing; the deep sea is where they belong, where they can truly shine."

Ah Guang was surprised. "You're not fishing nearshore anymore?"

"The seven Dongsheng boats will stay nearshore as before. The five Ocean-going boats—I plan to send them into the deep sea."

Ye Yaodong figured there was no harm in telling him, so he explained: "You know the situation—this year there are even more fishing boats on the sea; at a single fishing spot, you can see twenty or more vessels."

"I don't know if you've counted, but I've checked the cargo lists and compared them—this year's catch volume has dropped compared to last year."

"Putting big ships nearshore to catch nearshore fish is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut—I want to take them into the deep sea and see what's there; the deep sea's resources must be richer."

"Smaller boats should stay nearshore; big boats are better off in the deep sea—so they don't compete with or plunder resources from the small boats."

Ah Guang thought it made sense. "You're right—but won't it be unsafe? Most fishing boats here stick to the surrounding fishing grounds."

"That's because most are small boats. Boats over forty meters mostly head to the deep sea—we just don't encounter them often. Those big ships go out for months at a time and won't return unless there's a typhoon."

"I know that—so are you planning to be gone for months on end?"

"Not at first, of course. The crew is half-new, half-old, and few have ever been to the deep sea—how could we go for months right away? I still have the processing plant to manage—I need to plan carefully."

"Then you must plan well, think it through thoroughly—this isn't a game. So many ships, dozens of men going with you."

"Of course."

He still had some confidence—he was an old crewman himself, and he'd equipped his ships with the latest, most advanced instruments, replacing everything that could be upgraded.

Ah Guang thought again and said: "Have you told Dad yet?"

"No, I just thought of it while zoning out—when you asked, I mentioned it offhand. I haven't told anyone my idea yet."

"Then you should ask Dad what he thinks."

"I'll bring it up later—there's still a pile of things to handle. After the New Year, I'll plan properly. Besides, the new crew must first get familiar with nearshore fishing procedures and conditions before taking them to the deep sea."

"As long as you've got it figured out—you're a wealthy big boss now, can't afford reckless risks."

"I know that. But someone has to blaze the trail first, show everyone the way—otherwise, who'll lead? I've got to go first."

Ah Guang frowned. "You want to grow big and strong, but you've got to carve your own path."

"Exactly—I've got to clear the thorns and brambles myself, so others can follow the path I've opened. I've got to be the leader."

Once he's familiar with deep-sea fishing, he can let the five ships run on their own, and he can continue stepping back, just as he does now.

Honestly, not going to sea this past year's been pretty nice—just too many trivial things on land.

He didn't know how it happened—he was pushed step by step, tinkering here, tinkering there, never getting a moment's rest, and ended up building another processing plant.

He'd always wanted to lie flat and do nothing, yet he'd ended up growing bigger and bigger.

He could only say there were too many people relying on him—he was being pushed forward, and he could no longer maintain the status quo even if he wanted to.

For the sake of those who depend on him for their livelihood, he must ensure stable fishing operations and secure the supply chain—so naturally, he must control it himself.

As a result, for resources, policies, and government support, Lin Guang proposed resettling retired soldiers, and he could only keep expanding thereafter.

?? Recommending a new book by Xihu Yu Yu, set in the Song Dynasty—I'm quite interested in this historical literati stream; this was my first time reading a historical novel and I was immediately hooked—I usually don't read male-audience novels.

? (Chapter End)