Chapter 276: Abundant Working Methods

Lao Fu Tou said: "Actually there's nothing much, I just can't stand the big guys slacking off, so I couldn't help saying a few times."

"As for me... sometimes I also pick at Chen Lao Da's thorns, sometimes I even go against Chen Lao Da."

"The big guys have opinions about me, and Chen Lao Da also treats me as a troublemaker."

Wu An suddenly understood.

Lao Fu Tou is just an old blockhead.

Being able to remain a bachelor until now really comes down to ability.

If Lao Fu Tou would just restrain himself a little, he wouldn't have ended up like this.

A Qing thought for a moment, then said: "Lao Fu Tou, what's there to laugh about?"

"Hearing you say that, I think you're quite capable."

"I retort to both sides."

"I need to learn from you!"

Lao Fu Tou: "..."

"Is this guy definitely not mocking him?"

Finally.

Most of the shrimp crabs in the first row were handled by Lao Fu Tou; after A Qing came over to help, the two of them together still didn't handle as much as Lao Fu Tou alone.

Can't complain.

Finding this worker is truly a great deal; saying it's a bargain is not an exaggeration.

He could so easily poach Lao Fu Tou, thanks also to the Chen family's inhumane behavior.

With such talent, the Chen family actually discarded him like old shoes—what does that show?

It shows the Chen family's profit-making has turned their hearts black; they see no value in others, treating themselves like old-era landlords and the workers on their boats as tenants.

The Chen family thinks they're giving meals to these boat workers, who should be grateful, forgetting that the Chen family's success today also relies on the workers' hard labor.

The seafood in the first row of crab pots was quickly sorted out; the second, third, and fourth rows' crab pot harvests were decent, not much different from yesterday.

Although pulling up crab pots is already very familiar, one still can't be careless.

Wu An almost got bitten by a sea eel.

But Lao Fu Tou was quick-eyed and quick-handed, pulling him back and shouting: "A An, you're a bit fierce."

"Hand-grab the sea eel."

"You just dislike this sea eel being too small, planning to raise it with your own blood and flesh before selling it for money?"

Wu An was also still frightened.

Being talked back to, he had nothing to say.

"When raising the crab pot, first give it a shake."

"Then take another look."

"And also..."

"Forget it, I'm talking too much; I'll teach you what to do, you just watch, I'll handle this work."

Lao Fu Tou said while busy working.

Don't think these tasks are simple; if you're not careful, you'll suffer a big loss.

Making a living at sea really means you can never let your guard down, not even for a moment.

Starting from the fifth row of crab pots, the harvest began to fail.

This is also normal; yesterday we actually only added over sixty points of Luck Value, averaging just three points per crab pot.

Moreover, recently we've been placing crab pots in this vicinity, so the 'shearing wool' (exploiting luck) is about exhausted.

Compared to the beginning, the crab pot harvest has already worsened considerably.

But no matter how you say it.

All the crab pots were still hauled up, with no occurrence of snagging on the bottom.

Then we put all the crab pots back down again, giving each five points of Luck Value.

In total, we consumed 100 points of Luck Value.

There are still 88 points left to use.

He plans to hold off on a wave of longline fishing.

The new longline fishing sister-in-law is still being made, or it's still the previous 1-kilometer longline fishing.

Each time can add 20 points of Luck Value; he plans to wait until it's completely used up before adding another 20 points.

40 points of Luck Value will definitely bring in a big catch.

He doesn't dare to add too much Luck Value.

If he catches too many big fish, the longline fishing might not be able to withstand it.

If the longline fishing ends up in a mess, that would be even more distressing.

The system only allows adding 20 points of Luck Value; the reason is right here.

"Lao Fu, start the boat, let's find a place to drop the longline fishing." Wu An looked around, then casually said: "You just find a spot based on your experience."

Just as Lao Fu Tou had started the fishing boat, he blinked, turned his head and asked: "Drop the longline fishing?"

"Shouldn't we be looking for a school of fish to cast the net next?"

"Wait, why do we still have longline fishing on the boat?"

He was a bit dazed.

Last time when he followed along to haul up the crab pots, after finishing the crab pots Wu An wanted to return, but he didn't really agree; clearly the harvest was good, they should take advantage of the strong luck to keep working, that's the right thing.

He said to go look for a fish school, but Wu An just wouldn't agree.

It happened that there was something to attend to, and because he was a newcomer, he didn't persist and, listening to Wu An, turned the ship around.

Since yesterday through today, he had been brimming with vigor.

He thought that on today's trip, whatever he said, he must quickly locate a school of fish and cast the net, to properly showcase his experience and skill.

As a result, while he was ambitiously planning a big haul, he heard Wu An preparing for Longline Fishing.

What are you doing?

This sea fishing isn't for fun; how can you think it's just a game?

He was about to question, when he suddenly recalled that Wu An and A Qing had said they were novices, having gone out to fish only a few times, relying entirely on luck.

Yet the luck was good enough, and the catch was decent.

He guessed that this is why they think having many methods of operation yields more harvest.

That's a big mistake!

Just novices.

A bit of assuming is normal.

Lao Fu Tou thought that since he was now on the boat, he had the duty to guide Wu An and A Qing onto the right path.

Good luck is always temporary.

Can it possibly last a lifetime?

Methodical fishing operations are the long‑term strategy.

Generally, a fishing vessel at sea only employs a single method of operation.

If they use Crab Pot, they use Crab Pot; if they cast net, they cast net; Longline Fishing, surrounding net, and so on follow the same logic.

Occasionally some vessels have two methods; when he sees that, he can't help but tease them as half‑baked.

The result.

This good fellow.

Wu An's fishing boat isn't very big, yet it actually has three methods of operation.

Lao Fu Tou hadn't had time to tease, but A Qing was the first to: "Lao Fu, why make a fuss? Having Longline Fishing on board is perfectly normal."

He looked at Wu An and asked, "Brother, it's still before ten o'clock; after finishing Longline Fishing, it'll probably be just past eleven."

"What shall we do next?"

"Fishing or going to the island to draw water pits?"

Wu An turned his head toward Lao Fu Tou: "Lao Fu, do you want to fish or scoop fish from a water pit?"

Lao Fu Tou: "Huh?"

(Black person with question‑mark face GIF.)

Hold on.

My mind's a bit muddled right now.

What's the deal with fishing and water pits?

Wu An saw Lao Fu Tou looking dazed, thought perhaps age made his attention wander, and without overthinking said offhand, "Let's first find an island and look around; if there's a water pit we'll Panshuikeng, if not, we'll fish a bit."

A Qing rubbed his hands and said, "It's been a while since we Panshuikenged for fish; my hands are itching."

Wu An nodded.

He felt the same.

Compared to fishing, he still prefers catching fish and handling shrimp.

Lao Fu Tou, listening to the two brothers chat, asked softly, "How many methods of operation does our boat have?"

"That's quite a few," A Qing said, counting on his fingers, "Crab Pot, Longline Fishing, Cast Net, fishing, water pit, my brother and I also crossed the sea on a deserted island."

"Oh, right, we can also find Hu Zis, feed the Hu Zis; the Hu Zis can repay with stingrays, and this back‑and‑forth gives us profit."

"Brother, what do you think?"

Wu An nodded; the idea of doing business with Killer Whale showed A Qing's extraordinary mind, but he had to admit that as long as the chance arose, the business was doable.

Lao Fu Tou, after hearing that, felt numb.

Is this sea fishing or just for fun?