Chapter 922: Day One: Collecting the Money (7200-character Wish-Fulfillment Make-Up Update)

Ye Ye Yaohua went to call Ye Ye Yaopeng, but he was already weighing the goods, so Ye Ye Yaohua had no choice but to drop it and say nothing, just helping to lift them together; the goods from their two boats would be sold to Chen Jianian for now.

With two households no longer in line, the others were even happier, though some were still dissatisfied, because once the tractor was fully loaded, the remaining goods could only wait for the next trip.

Those who had already sold their catch happily tucked away the receipts, preparing to carry off the empty baskets and buckets and head back to the boat early; they wanted to be the first to head out to sea to fish — time is money.

Those who hadn't sold theirs stood there regretting it, urging Chen Jianian to quickly get in touch with another vehicle to come collect.

"Hurry up, otherwise who do we hold responsible for our losses?"

"Right, you haven't even taken half of it away, the rest won't fit in one truck, we still need two more trucks — what do you expect us to do?"

"Go get in touch with more, quick! Doesn't the factory have any other tractors?"

"We've already hauled all our goods up here, they're sitting in the sun — what are we supposed to do?"

Chen Jianian was so anxious he kept wiping sweat. "Wait a moment, there's nothing we can do, too many boats, too much cargo, it's normal that one truck can't take it all. Besides, this morning you all came ashore at once, it was so last-minute, it's normal we can't line up enough vehicles…"

"Don't tell us what's normal or not, you need to solve this for us right away, this cargo has to be hauled away fast."

"The truck just left, you'll have to wait…"

"How long do we have to wait? If it takes too long and the goods spoil, whose fault is it?"

"Wait a bit, wait a bit, Comrade Ye Yaodong and the others have already made contact, the other trucks should be arriving soon too. When the trucks come, they'll take the goods — whichever truck arrives first takes whichever goods, it's the same, it's the same, just relax…"

"Then how much longer…"

"Be patient, the truck only just left…"

Chen Jianian was surrounded by a crowd, and he was at his wits' end. Plus, it was August, the sun was scorching hot, standing under it made the sweat pour off him like water — he was both anxious and thirsty.

In fact, the goods from four or five boats had already been collected, but more than half the cargo still hadn't been taken. And the boatmen together made up a large crowd, all surrounding him, each person urging him on, which was very irritating.

Ye Yaodong listened to his shouts trying to soothe the villagers, and exchanged a smile with A Guang.

No one forced him, yet he voluntarily put them out as a shield himself, saying it didn't matter who the goods went to — so from now on there was nothing more to worry about.

Anyway, he'd already agreed, so A Guang could also act as a middleman collecting goods alongside him, no need for any more hesitation.

"Dongzi, A Guang, when exactly are the trucks you contacted coming?"

"Should be soon, right? We just finished making the calls and came back ahead of you."

A Guang checked his watch, then craned his neck to look around, seeing if any new trucks had arrived. Logically, half an hour had already passed — shouldn't they be here by now?

Ye Yaodong was also looking around. He saw a white Dongfeng truck driving toward the dock up ahead, but he wasn't sure if it was theirs.

By now there were far fewer people on the shore; more than an hour had passed since they had come ashore.

Those who had come ashore to sell their catch in the morning had mostly finished one batch and gone back out to sea, or, as it was nearing noon, gone home for lunch first.

They all watched hopefully as the Dongfeng truck drew near, hoping this would be the one.

However, the truck stopped about twenty meters away from them, and a middle-aged man got out from the passenger seat, also looking around.

When the man looked over in their direction, A Guang eagerly went up to greet him, ready to make small talk and see if it was theirs — if not, no harm done.

Ye Yaodong just stood where he was and watched. It was swelteringly hot, and he was too lazy to move, too lazy to run out into the sun. Besides, he couldn't always stay by A Guang's side — A Guang wasn't stupid to begin with.

Sure enough, in no time at all, A Guang excitedly ran over shouting: "Yes, yes, yes, this white Dongfeng truck is the one, everyone line up properly and wait to weigh and collect the goods!"

"Ah! The truck's here?"

"The truck's here? Quick, quick, line up… don't waste any more time…"

"Line up, line up, just the same line as before, don't push, don't push…"

"Don't push, there are only so many of us, what's there to push for…"

A Guang watched them getting chaotic again, afraid they'd have to wait for the next truck, everyone wanting to be at the front. He hurriedly soothed them.

"Everyone don't panic, this time you don't have to wait anymore. See that? This is a Dongfeng truck, not a tractor — it can carry much more, it'll definitely take everything in one load."

Ye Yaodong also helped out: "Right, this truck is big, it'll definitely take everything in one load. Look, I'm not even in a rush, I'm just standing here, I'm even letting you go first. If anyone's left out at the end, it'll be me — what's there to rush about?"

Let their goods be weighed first, weighed and gone first; when the time came, even if he sold his and went back out to sea, no other boat would follow him.

Under their shouts, the line became orderly. The Dongfeng truck had come with a large scale and weights; the boatmen helped lift the goods down and weigh them right away, and A Guang also helped weigh the goods.

Ye Yaodong also called out to his family's boatmen that they could go down and move the goods.

He figured his father must be worried sick — one group had already set sail and left, while they were still the last ones here.

Cash on the spot as promised — of the two men who came, one weighed the goods and the other carried a canvas bag.

A Guang took the completed weighing slips and went to settle the account with the middle-aged man who had just gotten out of the truck — it turned out he was Yang Yang Dajiu. Ye Yaodong also helped weigh the goods; once weighed, he took the red slips and handed them to A Guang to settle the accounts.

After A Guang received the cash on the spot, he deducted five points, then handed the money directly to Uncle Lin Jingye — he was the first in line to sell his goods.

He had originally been about to leave right after weighing, but was held back and told to wait a moment, to settle the account before leaving. He'd been confused for a second, but when he saw the real cash in his hand, his grin split his face.

"Really paying on the spot?"

"Of course it's really on the spot. Count it and see if the amount's right — if it's not, we can check the numbers right away."

Taking advantage of the moment after settling one account and before the next was finished and the slip written, he had a bit of free time to check the books.

After Lin Lin Jingye counted the money and found it correct, he happily raised it up and shouted to everyone still in line: "Everyone, this big truck pays on the spot, it's different from that tractor just now — I've already got my money."

Everyone still in line was astonished, and the crowd instantly erupted.

"Pays on the spot?"

"The truck that just came pays on the spot?"

"On-the-spot payment is great!"

"Right, sell it and get the money right away, this is wonderful…"

Everyone was overjoyed upon hearing it — goods in one hand, money in the other, nothing safer than having it tucked away.

But Chen Jianian couldn't be happy, because this meant half of it was being taken away — he had thought it was all in the bag.

However, he suddenly thought of a good idea, and smilingly said to everyone: "On-the-spot payment is nice, but if you were at home, of course it would be best to take the money straight home after settling."

"But you're on the boat, and you don't know how long you'll be out fishing before you get home. Having so much cash on you isn't safe. Wouldn't it be better to settle every few days, take one big sum and send it to the post office to deposit, or send a telegraphic transfer home?"

Everyone instantly felt he made sense — out on the road, carrying too much money on your person isn't safe. Settling every few days didn't sound bad at all when you thought about it.

"But there's no other way, the tractor isn't coming to collect goods anymore. To save time, we can only sell quickly first, and we'll see this afternoon or tomorrow."

"Yeah, now there's no choice, we can only sell first."

"Sell first, getting the money in hand first is a good thing. At worst, after saving up for two days, we'll go together to deposit it. The Post and Telecommunications Office isn't far anyway."

"Right. Although the tractor can't fit everything, this truck can fit it all. Getting the money right away isn't bad either. If we wait too long, things might change overnight."

Ye Yaodong listened and felt that cash on the spot didn't seem so appealing anymore, but being able to touch the money was still good. It all depended on the villagers' choice, and whether the tractor he called came in time. If it didn't, there was nothing to be done.

Originally, letting Aguang act as middleman was meant to give him something to do, let him learn more about the ways of the outside world, and earn a bit more money.

Now, listing out the pros and cons and letting the villagers choose for themselves was fine too. No matter how the villagers chose, Aguang would earn something on the side.

The queue proceeded in an orderly fashion—weighing, getting paid, counting money. Getting it on the spot felt pretty great, with thick wads of cash in hand.

The jellyfish on the white Dongfeng truck also piled up more and more. By the end of the weighing, only Ye Yaodong's goods were left.

Ye Yaodong was momentarily uncertain. Originally, he had planned to sell his goods exclusively to Chen Jianian. But now it seemed the Dongfeng truck was almost full, and the tractor on his end still hadn't arrived, which put him in a difficult position.

The others were also looking at him.

"Are you weighing your goods or not? If not, I'm driving off."

His father also looked at him in a dilemma, then looked at Chen Jianian.

Ye Yaodong also looked at Chen Jianian. Others could sell to whomever they wanted, but he couldn't.

"You see, we were originally last in line, just waiting for the tractor..."

After Chen Jianian's heart found balance, he also tactfully smiled and said, "You'd better weigh them quickly, no need to wait for the tractor. He probably can't get here anyway. Earlier I rushed to the factory and insisted he make a trip with me, so he has to help me collect a load first."

"It'll probably be hard now. Later I'll have to go make a call and tell him not to come. You have too many boats, and one tractor load can't fit them all. He'll have to go elsewhere to load goods."

"While there's still room on the truck, sell what you can quickly and have it hauled away. Don't worry about me. The truck you arranged to call has already helped solve my problem."

Ye Fu smiled and nodded repeatedly, "Alright then, I'll weigh mine first and sell first."

"Good, good."

Ye Yaodong also breathed a sigh of relief.

Only the goods from his two boats were left. Weighing them and recording it would be quick. Once recorded, they'd settle the total accounts.

The goods from his two boats combined were quite a lot, more than the two boats his eldest brother and Ye Ye Erge had just weighed. They sold for 182 yuan and 1 mao 5 fen. After Aguang took 9 yuan and 1 mao, he still had 173 yuan and 5 fen.

Pretty good, and it was only the first morning.

He put the money in his pocket and secured it, then smiled and thanked Yang Yang Dajiu.

Aguang also thanked them repeatedly, and asked them to come back in the afternoon. He would call ahead at that time.

Yang Yang Dajiu was also very happy and agreed right away. Being able to collect so much goods in one trip was a win-win for him too. Although cash settlement was a bit troublesome, having goods to collect was good. After all, all the jellyfish were now being collected by middlemen, and he was a new factory.

After seeing them off, Ye Yaodong hurried back to the boat. It was almost lunchtime. Although he and his father had eaten their fill, the other boatmen hadn't eaten yet.

They had to hurry back to the isolated island, have a simple lunch, and immediately start fishing.

"Aguang, we're heading off first. You and Brother Chen wait at the dock. Don't wander around. If anything comes up, go to the Gongan Bureau and find Comrade Yang Guoan. If he's not there, other police have been briefed."

"I know, don't worry. I'm not a kid, I won't get lost, and the police comrades will look after me."

Their words were also meant for the others at the dock. After all, they had just sold and made a lot of money in the transaction, and everyone had seen it. It was hard to guarantee no one had ulterior motives.

Moreover, their accents clearly weren't local. Although they all spoke Minnan, the tones were quite different, but they could still communicate.

"Around two or three in the afternoon, remember to buy me a few wheat cakes. We'll probably come ashore around that time again."

"Got it."

"Then my father and I will head off first."

"Go, go."

Ye Fu also uneasily gave him a few more instructions, telling him not to wander around, and if he had nothing to do, just go wait at the Gongan Bureau. Ye Fu was also worried about the money in his pocket, afraid he might get robbed or extorted.

After the others left, Aguang also went with Chen Jianian to a corner to split the money. From that one truckload, his commission was about 50 yuan—a huge sum. That one truckload alone earned more than half a month's wages for a boatman.

Those who came out to fish for jellyfish earned higher wages than the boatmen back home. This trip was uniformly calculated at 90 yuan per month.

After all, the risks were greater, and if it rained or something unexpected happened, they were still out of province without work, not as comfortable as being at home.

Going forward, they could probably make two more trips, though the quantity might not be as much as this morning, since they had encountered a large swarm of drifting jellyfish this morning.

Aguang and Chen Jianian happily split the money—25 yuan each. Both were in a good mood. Chen Jianian no longer felt the initial displeasure; getting money felt great.

Chen Jianian thought that what he gave away wasn't that much. It could barely be considered a win-win. Although his profits were thinner, it solved the problem of collecting goods, one less hassle.

Meanwhile, Aguang had already started from this 25 yuan split, thinking that today he could split 80 yuan, working a full month could split two or three thousand, working two full months could split five or six thousand!

A solid blood profit!

Plus his family's big boat, and the splits from two other boats—he was getting rich~

He was also content, not greedy enough to take it all. He had to leave others a way to live, otherwise a cornered rabbit would bite. Anyway, this year would be like this, next year he'd go all out and earn a bit more.

The question was, when would his father's boat arrive?

From his money-obsessed expression, he suddenly became anxious again. "Brother Chen, I'm going to make a call first. Is it okay for you to stay here alone?"

"Let's go together, we can keep each other company. I also need to make a call back to report I'm safe. Just now a bunch of people crowded into the Post and Telecommunications Office, and I didn't have time to call home. I could only call the factory first to arrange the goods issue."

"Then let's go together."

The two chatted as they walked, the atmosphere was quite harmonious, and their relationship looked very amicable, at least maintaining a polite front.

After boarding the boat, Ye Yaodong told his father to set off quickly. They were in a hurry. He also raised his hand to signal Brother Brother Asheng to follow with his boat.

While sailing, he discussed with his father about grabbing a quick meal on the island, then heading straight for the trench. At that time, each would pilot one boat and give directions.

Father and son had been eyeing that trench for a long time.

Luckily, his eldest cousin was also smart and stayed behind to watch the temporary camp. He didn't just sit there either—when the time came, he cooked the rice in advance, steamed the dried fish, and boiled potato and salted vegetable soup, making a whole big pot.

They had just arrived at the island and immediately had food to eat. The others who had left earlier were already mostly out of sight, probably having finished their meals and rushing out to sea to fish for jellyfish.

While they were eating, the people at the empty space nearby also finished eating one after another and left by boat. Each boat only left one person on the island to watch, after all, their belongings and dried jellyfish blood were still drying on the island.

Ye Ye Yaopeng and Ye Ye Yaohua also knew what they were thinking. After eating, they didn't leave, just waited there, planning to go together. In truth, last year's impression was too deep.

Father and son finished their meal and, as usual, left the eldest cousin behind. The two of them each took a boat out, bringing the others along to fish.

The eldest cousin was also very happy that Ye Yaodong had left him behind to watch the old nest, which meant he was trusted the most.

On the sea surface all the way to the trench, they saw drifting trawlers from time to time. The small wooden boats only fished along the coast around the village; only trawlers could go out a bit farther, which also avoided competition between big and small fishing boats. As for jellyfish, they drifted both near and far.

The villages in this area could earn enough every year just by going out in small boats to fish for jellyfish, so the small wooden boats they saw this year were also far more numerous than last year.

They traveled and fished along the way, in no rush. Whenever they spotted jellyfish, they slowed down to approach. The season had only just begun, and in their view the quantity wasn't much.

Fortunately, along the route they were traveling, they only saw a few scattered trawlers.

Once they sailed farther and farther, nearing the trench, the surrounding fishing boats were no longer visible, and the jellyfish drifting on the sea surface had increased, though they were all inside the bends.

The trench was located at the edge of an island, a bit remote, and farther from the normal shore. The island's shape was somewhat like an elongated U. If they hadn't followed a group of sea turtles to fish for jellyfish last year, they wouldn't have found this place.

The four father-and-son boats each had their own vessel. Seeing ahead, they all stopped without prior arrangement, then shouted to each other: "Dongzi, looks like there aren't many…"

"Can't compare to last year, seems about the same as this morning…"

"Dad, should we get a bit closer? What does Dongzi say?"

"It's probably because the fishing season just started, and the sun is strongest at high noon. The jellyfish aren't all floating on the surface, so it looks like there are very few."

Ye Father also shouted loudly: "Few is few, it should just be because it's starting. Anyway, let's fish right here. It's still more than the scattered ones drifting outside. At least it's more concentrated here, and enough for us to catch today."

"Mm, we'll come back tomorrow to check, should be more and more each day."

"Then we don't need to squeeze in. Just fish slowly around here, it's enough for our four boats to catch…"

The boatmen on the boats didn't just stand and watch when they stopped. Jellyfish were drifting scattered all around, so they all extended their bamboo poles to poke at them, and used Lin Lin Yongshou dip nets to scoop up the closer ones.

Ye Yaodong and the others also immediately got busy. Since he was fast at butchering, he left the catching to the others while he sat alone doing the cutting.

And Zeng Zhao Weimin had also been staying on his boat the whole time, watching them fish for jellyfish along the way, and curiously asked a couple of questions.

"How did you guys discover this spot? The purpose is so clear—once you leave the island you head straight here."

Ye Yaodong's hands never stopped working as he answered, "Discovered it last year, so we came straight here right after eating."

"How much money can your family make in a day…"

"It's just starting now, one boat probably makes a hundred or two hundred."

"That much?"

"Not that much. The fuel cost for a day is also steep. This isn't a small wooden boat—I've also hired so many workers on my boat, that's over ten yuan a day in wages alone."

"That's true too. You're not local either, so the expenses of coming here to fish are also high…"

"Right. If we couldn't earn a bit more, who would take the risk of coming…"

Ye Yaodong chatted with him while butchering.

Their four boats had been staying here since noon without moving. Of course, this spot was remote, and no trawlers came close. Apart from the sun being too harsh, it was quite leisurely and relaxing.

By nearly 3 in the afternoon, Ye Father, seeing the time was about right, planned to call them to pause and head to shore to sell a batch.

"Dad, it's a bit late at this hour. We went out too late in the afternoon. Let's not drag a net over to the island to butcher and then sell, or we won't make the next trip. I'll move the cargo from my boat onto yours, you drive back to shore to sell and come back, I'll keep fishing here. That way it's more efficient."

"That works too. Then let your eldest brother and Ye Ye Erge also leave one boat here."

"Mm."

Anyway, selling the goods didn't require taking all the boats back. But just in case, the boatmen still followed the fishing boat back to Huigang as usual, none of them stayed behind.

Ye Yaodong spent the entire afternoon butchering and processing jellyfish, his practiced hands going numb. Occasionally, seeing the quantity wasn't much, he called them to rotate.

Even though Ye Father and Ye Ye Yaopeng's two boats made a quick round trip, by the time they returned, two hours had already passed.

Fortunately, each of them had two boats in partnership—one for fishing, one to go back and sell—so it didn't delay much.

When Ye Father came back, he brought not only a few wheat cakes, but also good news: the Fengshou had returned at noon, and was planning to rest half a day, then set off around 4 a. m. tomorrow.

Ye Yaodong immediately climbed over upon hearing this, then sent the men on his boat to fish on their own first, as he wanted to chat with his father for a bit.

"Ah Guang called home this afternoon and heard about it?"

"Right. When he called home at noon, the in-laws had just gotten back and were eating at home, so they went to answer the phone. Just now when I docked to sell the goods, he told me about it."

"That's good too. Setting off at 4 a. m. tomorrow morning—if all goes well, we should arrive around tomorrow evening."

"Yes, this trip they were gone quite a long time."

"Means there's cargo, that's why they stayed longer."

Ye Yaodong shifted the topic and asked: "Also, who did you just sell the goods to? Were there other people around when you were selling?"

"Yes, a few boats were there too. Some people heard that we got cash on the spot for our last batch, and they were slapping their thighs in regret, wanting cash settlement too."

"Isn't it better to settle every few days? Once settled, you can deposit it, saves you from keeping it on you where it's unsafe."

He had thought everyone preferred settling every few days.

"None of them feel it's unsafe to keep it on them. They're all their own people, and they're all out at sea, not dealing with outsiders. They all want to settle quickly—having the money in hand feels more reassuring."

"At worst they go to the bank to deposit every two days. They have to dock several times a day anyway. Plus they all say they're not familiar with Chen Jianian—who knows about settling every few days? Settling all at once in one big sum is too conspicuous, even less reassuring."

"Anyway, once settled it has to be deposited. Better to settle in batches, makes it seem like less. And getting it into your pocket sooner is more reassuring. Since Ah Guang is also acting as middleman, of course everyone trusts Ah Guang more."

"That makes sense too. So who did we just sell our goods to?"

"Ah Guang! Because the tractor Chen Jianian had just called over was already full, so both our boats' cargo was collected by a vehicle Ah Guang called over."

Now it's basically each person doing their own buying and selling—sell to whoever you want, it's just everyone's personal choice.

Ye Yaodong didn't bother with it either. Anyway, the matter of collecting goods was left to Ah Guang to coordinate. He's an adult, the money goes into his pocket, whatever it is Ah Guang can handle it himself.

He wasn't going to fight over the middleman's fee—it really had nothing to do with him. He just needed to do his part, make sure the goods went to Chen Jianian for collection. If Chen Jianian couldn't take them, then to Ah Guang—that was only fair.

Besides, it was only this year. Next year all the village's work would be Ah Guang's. Chen Jianian would have to bring his own boat out next year, so this year they had to keep things amicable no matter what.

Otherwise, if there was conflict and next year he also brought out a bunch of boats, the two sides fighting would be a joke—not fighting outsiders, but fighting among themselves first.

Ye Father looked around at the boatmen all busy fishing for jellyfish, and the three fishing boats catching not far off, then pulled him to the cabin door and said quietly: "Let me get you the money, hide it well. The two boats' goods this afternoon sold for even more than this morning's."

He walked into the cabin, took out a cloth bundle from his luggage bag, and handed it to Ye Yaodong.

"Two boats, after deducting the 5 points, there's still 182 yuan and 20 cents. Your eldest brother's side is only about three or four yuan less than yours, no big difference, but you both earned more than this morning."

"The money other people make can't compare to ours. Their one boat only sells about forty-something in the afternoon, and that's still not as much as the morning."

Ye Yaodong took the cloth bundle and stuffed it straight into his crotch, simple and crude.

He only left the drawstring opening exposed, with a few centimeters showing above his pants, but his long shirt covered it directly, so you really couldn't tell at all that a cloth bundle was hidden in his crotch.

"That's normal too. In the morning there are jellyfish swarms, in the afternoon you're searching the whole sea, of course it can't compare. The fishing season has just started, so the quantity definitely isn't that much yet, but it's still pretty good."

"Let's fish a while longer. When the sun sets, we'll drag one net to the sea island to divide it up, and at the very end, sell another round before it gets dark. That's over 100 a day. After deducting costs and expenses, it's still better than staying home. In a few days when the peak fishing season arrives, we'll earn even more then."

Ye Fu also nodded. "That's the logic. Today is only the first day, and it's already quite good."

"The others didn't wonder why our two boats could sell so much?"

"No. After they finished selling, they took their slips, took the money, and hurried straight back out to sea. They didn't go check how much the people behind them sold. Anyway, when they go back in the evening, they'll chat about it. We just shouldn't mention it."

"Mm, then I'll head over."