Chapter 1568: Preparations

Ye Yaodong also gave face by chiming in, "Yeah, it's a good thing my father is here; otherwise, I couldn't have done so much. My father is the greatest contributor."

"Sigh, if it weren't for so many things on shore needing someone to watch them, I would have gone to sea with you. I really can't feel at ease." Ye's father was happy, but still quite worried.

"There's nothing to worry about. I'm an old fisherman too, with very experienced skills. Besides, every boat is equipped with technical personnel. Even at sea, the boat... ah, forget it... anyway, safety is guaranteed, and communication devices for calling are all available."

Previously, when he went to Magic City, he had wanted to buy a Big Brother phone, but after inquiring at the Post and Telecommunications Bureau, he learned that Big Brother phones bought in Magic City could only be used in Magic City; they couldn't receive signals elsewhere, or the signals were too weak, so he had to give up.

He didn't want a BB pager either; he just wanted to buy a phone that could make calls in one go.

Then, when he took the opportunity to go to the Post and Telecommunications Bureau in Boat City to inquire, he found that even if he wanted to buy one, there was no stock yet; he would have to queue to place an order.

This port city was not short of wealthy people; there were plenty of bosses. Some boat captains also needed Big Brother phones, as sometimes they needed to ask friends in multiple places where the prices were higher when selling goods.

Some fishing boats didn't necessarily dock right here at Shen Family Gate; wherever the price was higher in surrounding towns or port docks, they would dock and sell directly there.

Since his cargo volume was relatively large, and to save trouble, selling to the factory was his first choice for him, even if the price was a bit lower, it was worth it.

So, it wasn't easy for him to buy a Big Brother phone either; he could only register first, and whenever there was stock, they would call the reserved number to notify him. There was no use rushing.

There was nowhere else to sell them; one could only go to the Post and Telecommunications Bureau.

And he had also taken the opportunity to ask Lin Ji, who said he could get one, but once obtained, he would have to go to the Post and Telecommunications Bureau to handle network entry.

And handling network entry required a legal source; the Post and Telecommunications Bureau might inspect import procedures. If legal proof couldn't be provided, network entry might be refused, or the equipment confiscated, or perhaps the source might even be investigated.

After all, a Big Brother phone cost twenty or thirty thousand, which was not a small sum.

So this was also the reason why Big Brother mobile phones were relatively scarce on the market now. Otherwise, if one could just get one through smuggling, who wouldn't try to get one? Smuggling was rampant here too.

It was just that people were afraid to buy them and be unable to enter the network, and then have them confiscated.

Ye's father sighed again, and the joy on his face disappeared. "Actually, there's nothing to be uneasy about. With so many boats, they can look out for each other. The personnel readjusted are all old fishermen too; we just need to pay more attention to the weather and waves, and ensure safety."

"Rest assured."

The people around joined in the commotion, "Ah Dong is famous in our village as the adopted son of Goddess Mazu. Going there will only bring in huge profits."

"Exactly. For so many years, who hasn't said his maritime luck is good? Otherwise, how could he have grown bigger and bigger as he is now?"

"Dongzi is famous in our village for his good maritime luck. Whatever big creatures or good things, he's the one who brings them up."

"Don't worry anymore, Ye Lao San. Let your Ye San go do it; he will definitely earn enough to fill the basin and the pot."

"With so many big boats, isn't that earning enough to fill the basin and the pot? Every time those big fishing company boats from the Deep Water Port dock, the cargo is so much that it takes several hours to move."

Ye Yaodong smiled and said, "I borrow everyone's auspicious words. I'll go first to explore the path for everyone."

"Haha, if we can get rich, we'll sell everything we own to pool together and order a big boat. Then we can all go to the deep sea to earn a bit more together."

"Impressive, impressive. You earn a bit more, and we can all follow behind you to eat meat."

A large crowd filled the canteen to the brim. Everyone spoke enthusiastically, and every word was good.

Ye Yaodong himself flipped through the almanac, checked the days suitable for worshipping Goddess Mazu, and also looked at a few good days suitable for setting sail, choosing based on the weather at the time.

The fifth day of the fourth lunar month (April 29) was suitable for worship; the seventh (May 1) and eighth (May 2) days of the fourth lunar month were suitable for setting sail.

This time period was not the month with frequent typhoons; generally, the weather would not have much effect on big boats. Ye Yaodong, having checked the dates, decided on this time.

There were still about 10 days until this time; he could prepare a bit more, and the deep-sea fishing boats hadn't returned yet.

He planned to summon the fishing boats back in another two or three days.

Reserving seven days would also allow everyone to worship Goddess Mazu together, take a good rest for a few days, gather their spirits, and then set off.

Seven days should be about right.

If they set off on May 1st, they could pay the wages to the veteran soldiers the day before.

Seeing that Ye Yaodong had set the date, his father kept asking uneasily.

"Do you really not need me to go with you?"

"If you leave, who will arrange the delivery work? Who will collect the money for me? If something happens at the factory, who will help watch over things?"

"Sigh, how about not going? The near seas here are also quite good for catching fish; you can sell two or thirty thousand a day easily. Your volume is so large now; you're earning quite a lot."

"We have to go to the deep sea eventually. I'll go far first to take a look. We can't always stick to that small patch of land; it will eventually be fished out. Today, I took a walk around the Deep Water Port and found quite a few boats over 40 meters returning fully loaded, having made a fortune. I feel there weren't so many big boats last year."

"Forget it. Since you've decided, just prepare everything that needs to be prepared again. Once the fishing boats return, load everything onto the ships."

"Mm."

"Have you called home to say anything?"

"Not yet."

He didn't really want to say it, fearing the family would worry, but if he didn't call home for several months, they would definitely start imagining all sorts of things.

"Since the date is already set, just call home to inform them. Tell them not to let the old lady know; just tell Ah Qing."

"Mm, I'll call after I get to the processing factory later."

After Ye Yaodong went out, his father held the calendar he had just flipped through and continued flipping.

After flipping to May 1st, he folded a corner of the calendar. When he flipped to the Dragon Boat Festival, he folded another corner.

When he flipped to the Ghost Festival, he folded it again.

He didn't stop until he flipped to the Mid-Autumn Festival, folded it one last time, and then hung the wall calendar back on the wall.

There weren't many festivals left. After these folded festivals passed, and after one more New Year's Day, he could almost come home.

Ye's father counted on his fingers, feeling it was quite fast. A festival passed every two or three months. After these festivals passed, it would be Chinese New Year.

The Mid-Autumn Festival wasn't too far from Chinese New Year.

And the Dragon Boat Festival was only three months away from the Mid-Autumn Festival.

May Day wasn't even a month away from the Dragon Boat Festival...

Ye's father suddenly felt a sense of urgency. How did it feel like he had just come back after Chinese New Year, hadn't worked for long, and it seemed like Chinese New Year was coming again?

Was May Day only half a year away from New Year's Day?

Since he came up after Chinese New Year until now, he had been helping Dongzi work or taking his shift; he hadn't driven the tractor out to earn private money. How had half a year passed?

He hurried out, running while shouting for Ye Yaodong to wait.

Ye Yaodong had already gone downstairs and was heading toward his motorcycle when he heard his father calling from upstairs to wait; he stopped and waited a moment.

He had thought his father wanted to go with him to the processing factory, but instead his father opened his mouth and said: "How has half a year passed already? It feels like I've done nothing and earned money for only a few days."

"Do you have a fever? Even rounding up, you can't round up like that; by rounding up, we've only just finished the New Year."

"After May Day comes Dragon Boat Festival, then the Ghost Festival, then Mid-Autumn Festival, and after that New Year's Day isn't coming soon?"

"Then hurry up and drive the tractor to earn money; otherwise, in a few days I'll go to the deep sea, you won't be able to earn anymore, and you'll just sit here between the processing factory and me like a Bodhisattva, or help me count money."

"That's not urgent anyway; I'll go with you first to check if your prepared items are all complete. Once there's nothing to worry about, I'll go drive the tractor for a few days."

"Suit yourself, then hurry up and come upstairs."

"I'll drive the tractor; after the inspection, I'll drive the tractor to earn money, saving me from having to run."

Ye Yaodong rolled his eyes, climbed onto his motorcycle first, and left without waiting for him.

Upon arriving, he called home first; anyway, his father wouldn't get there quickly while stuck in traffic on the road.

After he told Lin Lin Xiuqing about taking several deep-sea vessels to the deep sea around May Day, Lin Lin Xiuqing was shocked.

"Why go to the deep sea out of the blue? What about the other boats?"

"The other boats will still operate in the near seas, and Dongsheng Hao will also operate in the near seas; two thirty-plus-meter fresh-fish collection vessels will handle those fishing boats. The other forty-meter fresh-fish collection vessel will, at that time, be responsible for our few vessels going to the deep sea."

"How can you just decide to go without saying anything beforehand?"

"Actually, I had already planned this before the New Year; I just thought the time wasn't right yet, so I didn't mention it, only discussed it with Father and A Guang."

"No wonder Big Brother and Ye Ye Erge were so decisive in booking the boats when they went to the provincial city for the New Year. It turns out you all planned to go to the deep sea."

"No, I didn't tell Big Brother or Ye Ye Erge at the time. My earning money is visible to all; those few large boats earning money is also seen by everyone; it's normal for them to be tempted and want to buy too."

"Is it safe..."

"Can I joke with my own life? I must consider every aspect; only with good preparation can I lead the whole crew out to sea."

"Then you must be extremely careful; remember to call me before setting out."

"Mm, don't tell the old lady over there; it would only cause worry, and she'd have to sit at the door crying every day. Currently, I'm just too busy to make time to come. Anyway, Father is here; Father will call back."

Lin Lin Xiuqing looked beside her at the old lady with her ear pressed to the telephone, "Too late."

The old lady quickly chimed in, "I heard everything; don't think you can hide it from me."

Ye Yaodong: "..."

He had just sent the old lady away to call a child and summon his mother, so how did she press her ear to the phone so quickly?

The old lady frowned and said again, "Where's your father? Why don't you let him go? Haven't you already stayed ashore to receive the catch?"

"So many boats are mine; naturally, I must lead everyone to the deep sea..."

"What kind of talk is that? Your father is an old hand, having worked a lifetime; he should be the one to go. You, a young man, should be better off receiving the catch ashore."

(End of this chapter)