Chapter 912: Spreading Far and Wide

He didn't go to his own home, but detoured to the old house.

He wondered whether his father had finished bathing and gone to his house for dinner. He'd check the old house first.

His father's mother-in-law's place now—apart from sleeping, she'd occasionally return to the old house—was basically always at his home. Even when there was nothing to do, she'd spend the day wandering around there, tidying up the front and back of the courtyard gates for the three brothers.

Without a doubt, he detoured to the old house and found no one. Only his Ye Ye Dasao and Ye Ye Ersao were there chopping pig grass and cooking pig feed. He was also pulled aside by the neighbors on either side for a few words before he could get away.

It really proved that saying: "Times have changed." He was now the most popular man in the village.

Good thing he was married, otherwise every aunt and granny would have worn down his doorstep.

Ye Yaodong got on his bicycle and headed home again.

One good thing about cycling was that you didn't have to stop. When someone greeted you, by the time you reacted they were already behind you. You just had to turn your head and reply with a word or two, then keep going.

Most people, seeing you on a bike and not having urgent business, wouldn't feel right about flagging you down.

As soon as he got home, he saw his father sitting at Ye Ye Erge's door smoking a water pipe, while Ye Ye Xiaoxi chased chickens and shooed dogs across the open ground, chickens flying and dogs leaping in chaos everywhere.

"Dad!"

Ye Father only lifted his eyelids a fraction, didn't respond, didn't make a sound, putting on an air of profundity as he went on tending to his water pipe on his own.

Ye Yaodong kicked down the bike's kickstand and strode toward him.

"You're about to say we're not going out to sea tonight, right?"

Ye Yaodong: "..."

Smart-aleck dad!

"Are you a tapeworm living in my stomach?"

"The moment you stick your butt up, I know what shit you're about to shit?"

"Then do you know why I'm not going out to sea tonight?"

Ye Father looked at him as if he were an idiot. "Didn't you go make a phone call to get the motorcycle repaired? Since you got in touch, don't you have to bring the bike over? With your lazy look, always wanting to slack off, would you go out to sea at night? Aren't these all ready-made excuses?"

"Fine, if you're not free then forget it. Go do your thing. Tomorrow I'll go out to sea with Chen Shi."

"It's not that, Dad."

"You have another reason, another excuse? The motorcycle's not getting fixed? You didn't get through?"

"I just finished calling the repair shop, just confirmed everything, and then Chen Jianian called..."

Ye Father's eyes widened. "Chen Jianian called? Fishing season's here?"

As he spoke, he set down the water pipe in his hand, wiped his hand on his clothes, stood up, and asked: "What did he say?"

"He said there are already jellyfish on the sea surface these past two days, just not many. Today the factory has over a dozen being processed. He told us to get ready these next couple of days."

"Good, good, good. Then we'll hurry up and get ready these next two days. When your eldest brother and second brother come back later, we need to tell them."

"Mm, no rush. Just getting ready these next two days is fine."

"I need to dig up all the potatoes in the field. I'll bring two sacks on board when the time comes. The pumpkins harvested earlier—we need to bring more of those too. Good thing we planted a lot this year. We can bring them all..."

Ye Father rambled on about what to bring, then picked up Ye Ye Xiaoxi—who had been chasing chickens and shooing dogs—and headed into his courtyard, planning to take advantage of the sun not having set yet and there still being plenty of time before dark to turn over the soil first.

Ye Yaodong followed behind his father. Last year they had wandered all over the place, spending a day or two in this village, a day or two in that one. Staying in the villages was fine—at least they could trade for vegetables with the villagers. In the days after that, drifting on the sea, there were only fish and shrimp.

Having been through it before, his father figured there was nothing wrong with preparing more. They were all things that could be stored anyway. When out and about, the more the better—better safe than sorry.

He went inside to tell A Qing about the phone call. A Qing immediately grew anxious and flustered, no longer caring about cooking dinner, wanting to rush inside and rummage through the chests to pack clothes and blankets and such.

Luckily he talked her out of it, telling her there was no rush in this moment or two—just getting ready these next two days would do. They expected to leave the day after tomorrow.

Only then did she calm down and go back to cooking.

The old lady wasn't in the room. She was in the courtyard watching Ye Ye Xiaoxi, who had just been brought back and was already trying to run off again, unaware that in a couple of days they'd be heading far away.

However, when he also picked up a basket, ready to help his father gather the dug-up potatoes, this really set the old lady off.

"What are you two doing? Just got back and not going to sit and rest a while, and now grabbing hoes again? Wait until you're not going out to sea—when you're idle at home—there's still time to fuss with the field work. You've been working all day, so tired. Why don't you go nap for a while?"

"This work isn't urgent either. Occasionally when A Qing's free, she can grab a hoe and dig up a few. Enough to eat is fine. You two don't need to fuss. Leaving them in the ground a few more days won't make them old. There's no rush to plant new ones right now..."

Ye Father glanced at her without a word.

When he took the hoe to turn the soil, he hadn't said anything. The moment Dongzi came over to help, she started talking.

Ye Yaodong said: "Dad and I are planning to dig up all the potatoes in this ridge, put them in baskets and sacks. We might be going to Zhejiang Province in a couple of days. Getting ready in advance."

"Ah?"

"Going already? Isn't it still early?"

Over a wall, a woman's voice came from outside. Then shortly after, another woman in her thirties or forties appeared at the courtyard gate—Zhou Ye Dasao from next door.

Ye Yaodong repeated it all to her. She slapped her thigh hard. "Oh my, then when they come back later, we need to tell them. You're not leaving that soon, right?"

"No, we'll get ready these next two days first."

Zhou Ye Dasao was instantly relieved and hurried back to tell her sisters-in-law.

He had long been mentally prepared. They were neighbors on either side, normally on good terms. Whenever he was about to set off, he definitely had to give them a heads-up.

Otherwise, if he suddenly just left at the last minute, it would give people something to gossip about—after all, everyone had long been looking forward to it.

Once the old lady saw the visitor leave, she hurriedly said: "When did you find out? I didn't hear your father mention it just now."

"I just got back from taking the call and told Dad at the gate."

"Oh, then couldn't you leave it for tomorrow? You've been tired all day today."

"It's fine. We got back early today. While it's still light, everything that needs preparing should be prepared in advance. Anyway, we're not going out to sea tonight."

"Then I'll go pray to the Bodhisattva for you, chant some sutras. Amitabha, Bodhisattva bless, Bodhisattva bless..."

The old lady rolled the prayer beads in her hand, chanting the Buddha's name as she headed inside.

By the time the sun set and evening came, the fishing boats returned one after another, and the news that Ye Yaodong was about to go to Zhejiang Province to catch jellyfish had spread throughout the entire village.

While they were eating dinner at home, wave after wave of people came to the gate. However, seeing through the open courtyard gate and front door that they were eating, no one rushed in. They all gathered at the gates of Ye Ye Yaopeng and Ye Ye Yaohua next door.

The noise was like a vegetable market. They could hear every word clearly while eating, and at the dinner table their whole family was also discussing the matter.

"Saying so much is useless, just charge ahead. Last year I went with one boat and just charged straight in, and this year there'll be so many people going along, more people means more backup, safety should be fine. Just prepare more food and outdoor supplies."

"Then when you go out later, you better make it clear to them—following along is fine, but if anything happens or there's an accident, you're not responsible, we can only try to look out for each other. We can't have them pinning the blame on us if something goes wrong."

Ye Mu listened to the commotion outside, felt there were quite a few people, and even turned her head to glance.

Ye Yaodong replied offhandedly, "Do I really need you to tell me that?"

The old lady also looked at Ye Mu, "Remember to go to the next village tomorrow, see whose family harvested a lot of rice, buy some and bring it over to be milled, husk it early, it just so happens they finished harvesting a few days ago."

"Don't you worry about it, just recite your sutras."

"Okay okay, I'll start reciting a bit longer starting tomorrow."

Ye Yaodong and his dad just ate a little casually and went out. When they came back early in the afternoon, everyone had already had some snacks, and weren't hungry in the evening either. Plus with the commotion outside, they couldn't eat with peace of mind either.

The moment the father and son appeared at the door, everyone swarmed around them, men and women alike, all chattering away with questions, like:

"I heard we're going to Zhejiang Province in the next couple of days, true or false?"

"When do we set off?"

"We all want to follow along, can you take us with you? More people means more strength, outsiders will definitely be exclusionary, we'll be better off with more of us."

"Let us know when we're setting off, we need to prepare in the next couple of days too, alright?"

"Just let us go along with you, we definitely won't cause you trouble."

"Yeah, everyone really wants to go, it's just that we're strangers in a strange place, no connections to sell goods, Adong can you take us along?"

"If you take everyone together, we're all grateful to you…"

Ye Yaodong also heard a few lines like, you guys made so much money last year, share the wealth with everyone, take everyone along this year?

He didn't know who said it, but it was a woman's voice, it almost made him laugh from annoyance, though most of the requests people made sounded pretty pleasant.

And he gave a direct affirmative answer, telling everyone to tentatively set out the day after tomorrow morning. This was what he'd discussed with his dad during the meal—try to wait for Feng Shou Hao, but if they can't make it by the morning of the day after tomorrow, then that's that.

Anyway, everyone was determined to go, so in the next two days they should prepare everything that needs preparing.

"The notice I got was sudden too, I got the call when I came back in the afternoon. I haven't hidden anything from everyone, what I know, everyone basically knows now too."

"If you want to follow along, that's fine. I'm just leading the way, I don't know what the situation will be like this year either, we can only look out for each other."

"I can't be responsible for everyone's safety, and I don't have that obligation either. I haven't taken your money, whether you go or not doesn't affect me at all—it's entirely up to you, think it through yourselves."

"There's definitely danger, definitely much more dangerous than around here, after all it's someone else's territory."

What needed saying, he still had to say it once to everyone, so they'd all have a clear picture in their minds.

He also took the chance to tell them about how they might have to sleep outdoors on a deserted island, couldn't stay in villages, how harsh the conditions would be—told them everything. Otherwise each and every one of them would think they could just go make a pile of money, like it was easy.

Ye Fu also helped explain last year's situation, everyone chattered away asking questions, the scene was lively.

It wasn't even dark yet, and Ye Ye Yaopeng and Ye Ye Yaohua's doorway was already full of discussion and chatter. Everyone was in high spirits, morale soaring, rubbing their fists and palms, ready to do big things. Not a single person was thinking of backing out.

There were also some villagers in the village who, although they had no boats and couldn't go, had heard the news and came over to join the excitement, listening in on the side.

"You're all so eager, is it really guaranteed to make big money? How much did they actually make last year?"

"Yeah, last year the stories about how much they made were all over the place—two thousand, three thousand, five thousand, six thousand, eight thousand, all kinds of numbers, who knows if they're true?"

"Adong, how much did you actually make last year?"

Ye Yaodong didn't want to answer so honestly.

"A few thousand I guess, but there were costs, labor, fuel fees, all kinds of expenses. I didn't really calculate exactly how much I made, money was flowing in and out every day."

"And every couple of days I had to go remit money, after all being out and about with too much cash on you isn't safe, so there was no way to keep track. You all know I barely went to school for a few days, I didn't really sit down and record every penny every day."

Everyone listened and couldn't help but nod.

Someone also said: "Then it should be that some of you made more, some made less, so the range got stretched out. At the end of the day, going for a month and making at least a thousand-something is already a huge windfall. In our cuttlefish fishing season these past two years, how much did everyone make? Not as good as jellyfish, right?"

"Right right right, you're right. Just going for a month and making at least a thousand-something is already Goddess Mazu's blessing, burning high incense."

"Anyway, being able to make money is a good thing."

"I heard this year's fishing season started earlier too, they say last year they didn't go until the end of August, but this year they're going at the end of July. So they should be able to fish for an extra month, right? Working an extra month means making an extra month's money, if they really can make that much, it's totally worth it."

"You're making me itch to go too. So in one fishing season you can earn enough for a boat? Hit two fishing seasons a year and you've got all your capital back, right? Whatever you earn the rest of the year working hard is pure profit."

"Makes sense…"

Someone clenched their empty fist and thumped their palm, "Oh, what a pity! If we'd known, we could've steeled ourselves, pooled two or three people to partner on a trawler, could we still make it in time?"

"Isn't it too late to say that now?"

"How about going to the shipyard tomorrow to ask? Any trawlers ready to go? So many people are going, feels like if you don't go you'll lose out big time?"

"That works too, asking doesn't hurt. Anyway, a boat bought and kept at home can still trawl and make money, after all it can run for decades. Buying one won't lose money no matter what, owe a little now, pay it back slowly later."

"Huh? Ah Zheng, didn't you just buy a boat too, not even a few days ago? How much? When you bought it, did the factory have any ready ones?"

Some people's gazes shifted to Ah Zheng.

Ah Zheng was pretty sly too!

Lies came right out of his mouth.

"What ready ones? I had to reserve mine long in advance before I got it. You guys don't need to bother, don't make a wasted trip. Setting out on time means earning one more day's money, otherwise a wasted trip doesn't matter, but losing a day's worth of money you should've earned, that's serious."

So many people wanting to go, adding up to over a dozen boats already, if a few more came, wouldn't the competition get bigger?

Originally there were more and more fishing boats every year, the local boats were definitely even more, if more were added, wouldn't the share they should've earned get smaller?

If they need backup, their dozen-plus boats are enough to handle it, better not have so many more people come. More people is more trouble, and everyone would end up making less money—the pie is only so big.

"Really no ready ones?"

"Really none, maybe you could go check in the city?"

"How would I even get there? I don't know the way, can't even speak Mandarin, if I go I might get sold off, or just not be able to come back, that won't do, too dangerous, forget it forget it…"

Ah Zheng snickered inside, feeling very pleased with himself!

Ye Yaodong also laughed, he didn't want too many people either, more people means more trouble.

A dozen-plus boats, plus they'd all need to hire crew, that's nearly a hundred people. This group was already big enough, if anything happened it would probably be at sea, and that should be enough to handle it.

They moved all the stools from their families out, and everyone sat right at their doorway, discussing all sorts of things.

Wang Wang Guangliang and the others, having finished dinner, also came over; seeing so many people at the door, they were utterly surprised, nearly getting a huge fright.

After walking closer and listening for a bit, they understood that Adong was going to Zhejiang Province to harvest jellyfish in just two days!

So what should they do?

Ye Yaodong also saw them approaching, hurriedly stood up, walked toward them, joined them in heading toward the workshop, and explained things to them as they walked.

He also mentioned the arrangements for them, telling them to stay home and honestly help with the work.

This afternoon while turning the soil, he had been chatting with his father while digging up potatoes.

As for these young men, he only planned to take Chen Shi and Chen Chen Qishui from another boat; everyone else had to stay home to help dry fish and watch the workshop.

The fish drying that the family should do every day could not stop; after all, the city was already starting to face shortages. As long as the weather held, they must dry fish every day going forward; he would also instruct Ah Qing about this tonight.

So after thinking it over, Wang Wang Guangliang, his cousin, and the twins were suitable to stay home to work and guard the place; if anything happened, there would still be several men available to help.

He wasn't afraid they would cause trouble; after all, everyone in this village was from the village itself, half the village were his relatives, and the neighbors would also help keep an eye on things.

This trip would also be the true test for them.

"Adong, go with peace of mind; we have the home covered, we will..."

Wang Wang Guangliang suddenly slapped the shoulder of the younger twin with a loud slap, "Can you speak properly? What do you mean 'go with peace of mind'? Will a few more words kill you?"

"You should say: Adong, go with peace of mind to earn big money; we will watch the home for you, guaranteeing that when you leave it looks one way, when you return it will look exactly the same; things will only increase, never decrease, and no one with bad eyes will dare come knocking."

The twins immediately felt convinced, "Yes, yes, yes, that's exactly what Brother Liang meant."

"It's fine, I know what you mean; you just need to watch the home well for me. Also, from now on, your wages will be paid monthly, not daily; 40 yuan a month, starting today, the 22nd."

"From now on, you will take turns coming here day and night; help with chopping wood and carrying water. As for slaughtering, we will hire people separately; you don't all need to be here at the same time, just take morning and evening shifts."

"If there's anything you can't decide on, go ask my wife; when I return, I'll look at your performance and give each of you a red envelope."

These people were not very old; although they usually spoke nicely, the carrot that needed to be dangled in front of them still had to be dangled.

They happily spoke in unison and agreed joyfully.

"Adong, wish you smooth sailing on this trip, and return safely with big money earned."

"Adong, I also wish you smooth sailing and safe, great wealth!"

Ye Yaodong stopped them from opening their mouths one by one, "I know your intentions; Brother Liang, run a quick errand for me later, go back and tell Chen Shi not to come tonight, but come tomorrow during the day, saving him a wasted trip tonight."

"Okay, Adong."

"Did you come over right after dinner? You arrived a bit early today; Brother Acai hasn't delivered the fish yet; just wait inside the workshop, he should be arriving soon."

Ye Yaodong walked to the workshop entrance and shouted loudly inside, chasing all the children who were playing ball and frolicking out.

"From now on, no one is allowed to come here; go play on the beach instead."

After speaking, he also instructed Wang Wang Guangliang and the others not to let the children run back in to play, to avoid knocking over the drying fish; lock the door when needed, and chase people away when needed.

He stayed with them in the workshop for a while longer, going over everything that needed to be explained, until Brother Acai arrived with several carts of fish goods, only then did he leave to go back and have his mother call people to slaughter them.

A crowd was already sitting and chattering at the door; no one left; instead, more people came to watch the spectacle and join the discussion. Everyone was highly enthusiastic; some were envious, some were full of longing, some were asking around; the sound of discussion never ceased; it had been a long time since things were so lively.

Ye Yaodong saw his two older and younger cousins, and also Brother Brother Asheng, who had arrived at some unknown time, and hurriedly called them over to talk.

This time, he still had to take them all along; they had been once before, had plenty of experience, and last year he hadn't been stingy, paying them generous wages for going along; the cooperation had been very pleasant, and he believed they would be just as willing to go this year.

As for the other missing boatmen, after returning to his room tonight, he would still need to calculate how many to hire, hire them first thing tomorrow morning, starting with relatives, which would be more reassuring.

Some people also saw him and crowded to his side; his eldest uncle's wife was one of them.

Ye Yaodong was talking with his two cousins and Brother Brother Asheng when he saw his eldest uncle's wife crowd over again, starting to make a scene.

"Adong, you've already invited your cousins, and you've invited Brother Brother Asheng; it won't hurt to invite another, Brother Afan. When we family members go out, we're definitely more reassuring than outsiders, don't you think?"

He had a headache; why was she like an indestructible little cockroach? The more she was frustrated, the braver she became.

"Has Brother Afan come over too? He's a grown man; you don't need to worry about him. If there's anything, tell him to come and speak to me directly. He is the one looking for work, not you; you should still let him come and speak; I'm very busy right now."

After speaking, he returned to his room; he planned to calculate right now how many people two boats would need to hire, and also discuss with his eldest and second brothers; those two boats also had his one-third share, so he needed to ask them how they planned to hire people.

His two older brothers came home late tonight; the three brothers hadn't even sat down together to discuss yet; how could he have time to argue with his eldest uncle's wife there?

Deciding on the people to hire early would save aunts and uncles from rushing over to force people on them, or having the people hired by others first.

Last year, everyone was timid and afraid of trouble, worried that going so far would be unsafe or lead to accidents; this year, however, they were all scrambling to go along.

Seeing him turn and leave, Ye's eldest uncle's wife stomped her feet in anger, muttering resentfully under her breath, "Think you're great just because you have money? Acting with such style? Still need someone to come and say it personally..."

Ye Yaodong didn't hear her muttering at all; even if he had, he wouldn't have cared.

All night long, the village's young men and elders came to him one after another; he was busy talking with this person, talking with that person, or this one came to find him, that one came to call him.

He simply decided to assign the hiring matter to his father, letting his father do the calling.

After all, among the relatives, his father and mother knew everyone best; who was good at work, who was reliable; let them do the hiring.

However, women could not be taken on this trip; last time it was only for a month, so it didn't matter, but this time no one knew how long it would last, and bringing women could easily lead to trouble.

When he was talking with his eldest and second brothers, he also mentioned this to them.

"We know that; when the time comes, we'll just do our own laundry and cooking; at most, we'll just call one or two more people."

"It's just, Dongzi, is it appropriate for so many people to go along? Will we be able to catch as much and make money as easily as last year?"

"That's hard to say; the fishing season hasn't started yet; who knows what the situation will be? Anyway, more people can share the risk; we can't deliberately sneak off and not let people follow; let's just leave it at that."

However, in his view, the jellyfish spawning season wouldn't run dry so easily in the short term; it could still last for several decades before being fished out to the point of needing aquaculture, but that was just the general environment.

Population increases, living standards improve, demand increases; original ecological products will also face supply shortages; where there is a market, a corresponding production chain will naturally appear; everything is to satisfy human needs.

"Hmm, then we can only gamble again."

"Originally, going out to sea was a gamble anyway; once we set sail, everyone will go to the Goddess Mazu Temple to pray together."

"Sigh, then hurry up these two days and get everything ready."

One phone call directly blew their whole village up, set their whole family into a frenzy, and caused some commotion in the village as well.

The fishing season is a major event for every fisherman, and also a great opportunity to get rich.

All night long, every corner of the village was buzzing with talk of their going to catch jellyfish, and the word going round was that everyone in the village who owned a big boat was going to follow Ye Yaodong to make a fortune.

Only the children were still playing and frolicking innocently, utterly free of the worries and scheming of the grown-ups.