Chapter 1648

There was a big surprise just after coming out, and Ye Yaodong was instantly full of confidence.

All the ships in his fleet were built in the last two years, so they could still be considered new ships after two or three years.

This one net haul could build two Dongyu ships; the capital had all been recouped.

If it weren't for the fact that only the Jiangnan Shipyard could handle the configuration of these ships at the moment and other factories couldn't build them, he would have placed more orders long ago instead of waiting for the Jiangnan Shipyard.

Four ocean-going ships were already under construction, and he had seven in hand now. He felt the quantity was already enough, but unfortunately, the Dongyu ship didn't accept too many orders from him, and they couldn't handle it at all.

He had to queue up and wait even with money now, otherwise, he wouldn't need to build more ocean-going ships.

Just wait. In the last two years, there has been more and more emphasis on maritime development, and technology is constantly innovating. He just needs to keep up with the development.

The fishing boat was conducting its second trawling operation. With the captain watching in the cockpit, Ye Yaodong had nothing to do, so he took his binoculars to the outside of the wheelhouse to patrol the sea surface.

The cold sea breeze blew against his cotton-padded jacket, making it flap loudly. Today could be considered a good day; the midday sun shining on him felt warm, but the early spring sea was still as cold as winter.

The sea surface was undulating, churning with the cold wind. The fishing boat also swayed with a large wave, and he held onto the handrail to steady his body.

The other fishing boats all kept their distance. The furthest ship was only about the size of a sesame seed to him, and the closest was about the size of a palm.

Everyone had already entered the Diaoyu Islands fishing ground during the operation.

The sea area was vast, and a few ships were like a drop in the ocean. After passing through the Kuroshio tributary and reaching the third turning point, they never encountered any other fishing boats again.

Before that, any detected ones were avoided from afar; they didn't even see a black dot the size of a sesame seed, just knowing that there were fishing boats passing by nearby.

You can imagine that if the other party really detected them, they would also detect eight red dots in a row, and you would know to avoid them with your butt.

Of course, except for the domestic patrol ships, and arrogant foreign fishing boats might also approach.

However, they didn't encounter any. Hopefully, they won't encounter any; the uncertainty is too high. He just wants to make money safely.

Ye Yaodong watched the sea surface for a while and then looked at the busy scene on the deck.

This time, the manpower was sufficient. Everyone was busy with their divided tasks, and they were almost done processing the cargo from the previous net. Others who should be resting were resting, waiting for the next shift change.

He checked the time; it was time for lunch. Just as the bell for the meal rang, he greeted the captain and went down first.

Anyway, they seemed to be working quite well this morning; everyone needs to learn to stand on their own.

Actually, they were just lacking a bit of practical ability; they just need to operate independently more. He only needs to handle emergencies.

After a few months of sailing, they probably won't need him anymore. Anyway, there are many ships, and they can help and discuss with each other. By then, he can stay on shore and command while counting money.

Whenever he wants to go to sea, he can follow the fresh-fish collection ships for a trip; if he doesn't want to go, he won't go.

"Time to eat, Boss!"

"Boss..."

As soon as Ye Yaodong appeared on the deck, everyone greeted him enthusiastically.

He knew this was all for the sake of money.

"Good, you guys hurry up and eat after you finish."

The sailor's dining room was a sealed iron cabin. When the meal bell rang, many workers on rotation poured in. Several basins of dishes were placed on the kitchen window: thick stewed hash, piles of rice, various steamed and blanched seafood, and two large basins of cabbage and potatoes.

At noon, there were several extra basins of bluefin tuna dishes: fish head stewed with rice wine, fish tail braised in soy sauce, fish body boiled in clear soup, and a basin of steamed fish meat.

There was also a basin of fresh, pinkish-white sashimi. This portion was the largest, and the meat on top looked moist and plump, looking extra fresh at first glance.

This sashimi, at a glance, was known to be the meat from the belly, which is rumored to be a top-tier ingredient.

After all, bluefin tuna is most famous for its sashimi; other cooking methods are done according to tradition.

Everyone crowded on the riveted benches, wolfing down their food. The smell of sweat mixed with cooking fumes, and the small space was packed with people.

"This is still best as sashimi; other cooking methods don't taste any different from ordinary fish..."

"I'm not used to sashimi. Where we're from, we don't eat raw fish at all."

"This raw fish doesn't taste good; the fish soup is okay."

"Still picky? Having some to eat is enough for you to brag about for a lifetime. This fish is worth thousands or tens of thousands; even if you sold yourself, you wouldn't be worth that much money."

"Hahaha, that's true. If I weren't on the ship, I wouldn't be able to afford such expensive fish in my whole life."

"Eat a few more slices; it's equivalent to earning a month's salary. Even if it doesn't taste good, you have to eat it."

Someone saw Ye Yaodong coming over and immediately stood up to make room, inviting him to sit.

Ye Yaodong waved his hand. "No need, you guys eat first, no rush."

Everyone ate very quickly, like a battle, cleaning their plates in at most ten minutes. Today, there was just an extra rare tuna, so everyone lingered a bit longer and discussed it a few more times.

"Boss, this tuna sashimi is delicious. Other cooking methods feel like a waste; it's no different from ordinary fish."

"I think none of it tastes good."

"The boss will know once he tastes it."

Ye Yaodong had long since taken a plate to get food. Seeing an empty seat, he sat down.

The workers ate one after another, greeted him, and returned to their posts, then changed shifts, letting the next batch of people come to eat, then rest after eating.

He was the first to pick up a slice of sashimi, dip it in soy sauce and wasabi, and put it in his mouth. It was cold, soft, and glutinous, almost without needing to chew. The rich fat was like fine butter, melting in his mouth, fatty but not greasy, and he still felt a sweetness after swallowing.

No wonder it's expensive. Adding his two lifetimes together, this was also his first time eating such an expensive ingredient.

This is also bluefin tuna, and the value of different parts is also different.

The front-most, fattiest part of the fish belly. It has the most fat, the densest and most beautiful snowflake pattern, the fattiest and softest texture, and the richest oil fragrance. It is recognized as the top-tier part, and the price is also the most expensive.

From the middle of the fish belly to the back. It has less fat than the large belly, and the snowflake pattern is finer. The texture is a mix of fat and lean, having both the oily richness and sweetness of fat.

The deep red lean meat on the fish's back has the least fat. The color is deep jewel red, and the texture is firm and chewy, carrying the unique refreshing, slightly sour, and pure blood-meat flavor of tuna.

The basin of sashimi just now was all belly meat, which shows that the chef also specially adjusted the arrangement, specifically picking the belly meat. He could still understand the texture.

Ye Yaodong ate several mouthfuls in a row and was the first to finish the sashimi. It was super expensive, and after finishing, he was prepared to go get some more at the buffet.

Only these few basins of bluefin tuna were the most popular. He had only tasted a few mouthfuls, and the portion was already more than half gone.

Everyone knows to pick the expensive stuff to eat, not to mention that this fish is also famous. If you don't eat a few more mouthfuls now, you might not have another chance later, so even if it doesn't taste good, you have to eat it.

Ye Yaodong planned to keep three or four fish and not sell them when he went back.

Keep one to process and let his father and the relatives and friends here taste it.

The godfather's side shouldn't be left out either. When there is cargo to be transported to the hometown town, arrange for a fishing boat to make a trip to the city and carry one over.

Still have to keep one, call Lin Guangyuan, and let him come to carry it to the military unit to give to the leaders, letting the leaders handle it. This gift is not small either.

It's just that I don't know if Lin Guangyuan is there. Before the year, he said there would be an opportunity to go out for study in March or April.

This can only wait until going back to talk about it.

Ye Yaodong finished his lunch simply. There was only a little bit left at the bottom of the basin. He hurriedly instructed the chef to keep some, as there were still people who hadn't come.

The chef hurriedly whispered, "I already kept some in advance. Such expensive ingredients, how could we gobble them all up at once? Everyone must have a share. So a portion was kept aside; even if we can't finish it, we can eat it at night, it won't be wasted."

"That's good."

It wouldn't be the case that it couldn't be finished. A half-grown fish is only about 200 jin at most. Kill it, remove the internal organs, and bleed it; it's uncertain if there's even 170 jin left.

And there are about 60 people on the ship including him. If distributed equally, one person can only taste two or three jin. For a big bunch of men, what is this little bit of fish?

As for the other ships, they didn't have such good treatment. They couldn't taste a mouthful. Without his word, no ship dared to directly slaughter and eat bluefin tuna.

Originally, those ships caught less; all of them combined didn't even have half of his ship's catch.

Everyone is treated equally. It's already not bad that he let them receive double red envelopes. As for every ship eating bluefin tuna, let's forget it for now.

It's already shift change time. He planned to go check the fishmeal processing production line again. He wanted to see how much quantity had been produced after so long; he had to estimate the daily output.

There was still about an hour and a half before the next net came up, still plenty of time. Going up to the deck, he also took his binoculars and looked around.

At this time, the production line had already processed a little over half a ton. He estimated that to process one ton, it would take about 5 to 7 hours, and the packaging time hadn't been calculated yet. This could be produced and packaged at the same time.

So calculating that, the twenty-plus tons of cargo from the previous net would take at least until tomorrow afternoon or evening to be fully produced.

This efficiency is really not high. To process fishmeal like this, we still need more ships.

One net of cargo takes at least 24 hours to process, not to mention that he can trawl three or four nets a day, and there are seven ships behind him, all capable of producing the same quantity.

Oh no, calculating it this way, it seems that just this one ship can't handle it; only Dongyu No. 1 can produce it.

He can only produce it non-stop. Returning to deliver the goods tomorrow or the day after, there won't be any gaps on the way back and forth.

If he can't handle it, he can only dump a portion back into the sea. If he really wants to engage in fishmeal production, he still has to wait for the other fishing boats to return in the second half of the year.

Doing it on land is also too late; the site and equipment all need time, and doing it is easy to be scolded by the locals.

Fishmeal is still most suitable for production on fishing boats at sea, and freshness can also ensure quality.