Back to 1980: Farming the Sea and Expanding the Island

As the late autumn sun sets faster and faster, twilight descends upon Qingpingzhou, enveloped in river mist, and the distant reeds sway in the evening breeze, turning into a gray blur.

Lin Chuan and his two companions rowed vigorously, the sound of the fishing boat cutting through the water crisp and clear.

After rushing as fast as they could, they finally docked at the North Stone Wharf just as the last rays of dawn sank into the river.

"Monkeys, row the fishing boat to the small dock on the south beach and help me take my things home. I'm going to the team now."

Lin Chuan wiped the moisture from his face and spoke rapidly.

"Remember to explain what I told you when you get back, and come to my house tomorrow at noon to discuss it together."

"Got it, Brother Chuan," "Don't worry, Brother Chuan," Shui Houzi and Li Jiaye replied in unison.

After enjoying a delicious meal at the commune, Lin Chuan noticed it was getting late and hurriedly bought essential supplies such as salt, needles and thread, and meat before heading back.

He still had work as a scorekeeper to finish at night; his uncles and aunts were all waiting to calculate his work points, and he would get scolded if he was late.

After the meal, Lin Chuan divided the money from the three people's fish catch into three portions: 272.72 yuan each. Lin Chuan paid for the meal himself, without letting his two younger brothers pay.

At first, the water monkey felt it was taking too much and refused to accept it.

Normally, the monkeys don't mind small fish and shrimp, but they just won't agree to spend so much money.

Lin Chuan noticed that Shui Houzi was getting stubborn, so he had no choice but to patiently persuade him.

"This time it's based on what we agreed on before. Next time we go fishing on the river, we'll calculate it again based on how much boat we take and how much labor we contribute. Is that fair?" After much persuasion, I finally managed to stuff the money into his hand.

Li Jiaye remained silent until Lin Chuan and Shui Houzi finished talking, then he awkwardly and shakily accepted his share.

This money was equivalent to several months' salary for their father, and it was the first time they had ever seen so much money.

Shui Houzi and Li Jiaye, with the money they received from selling fish, also bought some supplies, just like Lin Chuan.

From the moment they went to the restaurant in the afternoon, the smiles on their faces never stopped.

On the way back, they rowed with great enthusiasm, grabbing the oars and not feeling tired at all, which made Lin Chuan laugh.

The two agreed to Lin Chuan's request and rowed towards the small pier on the south beach.

Lin Chuan then sprinted towards the team, finally arriving at his position just in time, panting heavily as he began taking notes.

At this moment, a woman holding a "fire cage" sleeve approached and, smiling, handed the sleeve to Lin Chuan, saying:

"Hey Chuanzi, you've caught the rising tide just before it recedes, are you getting ready to pant in the waves for the River God to see?"

Upon hearing this, the waiting uncles, aunts, and young wives burst into laughter.

Then another person chimed in, "Yeah! Chuanzi, where have you been? Look at you, panting like a bull plowing a field."

"Hahaha!"

After catching his breath, Lin Chuan rolled up his sleeves, took the sleeve, and covered his stomach.

He chuckled and said, "Don't laugh, sister-in-law. I'm just warming up like a diesel engine. If I don't catch my breath first, how will I have the energy to do the bookkeeping later?"

Upon hearing this, everyone laughed even louder, and Lin Chuan's work proceeded happily amidst the cheerful chatter.

At the end of October, during the Frost's Descent solar term, the night wind on Jiangdao Island after Frost's Descent is like an ice blade, with a needle-like chill penetrating the cuffs and collar.

Lin Chuan was very grateful for the "fire cage" sleeves his sister-in-law handed him. He had just run all the way and his sweat was still wet. Being exposed to the cold wind would easily cause him to sweat profusely and catch a cold.

By covering their stomachs with sleeves, they can block the wind, absorb heat, and force sweat back down. This is an old method used by island residents to prevent frostbite and colds.

The "fire basket" sleeve is a small bamboo basket filled with charcoal, wrapped in cloth, which is like holding a small stove when you put it in your arms.

......

[Zhao Qing'e, female, part-time worker; job title: reed mat maker; daily working hours: four hours for two mats; daily work points: 4.5 points.]

"Aunt Zhao, you're sure you're not mistaken," Lin Chuan said with a smile to his aunt who was peering at his notes.

"That's right, that's right," Aunt Zhao nodded with a smile.

Lin Chuan would record one thing and then call out to it, but most people didn't actually know what Lin Chuan was writing.

But as long as I see Lin Chuan finish writing and that it's about me, I feel at ease.

Li Jianshe, male, fishing team member; occupation: fisherman; daily working hours: eight hours; daily work points: ten.

[Li Suanzhen, male, Autumn Harvest and Planting Team; Occupation: Autumn Harvest Worker; Daily Working Hours: 8 hours; Daily Work Points: 10 points.]

"Uncle Abacus, remember this well," Lin Chuan reminded Li Suanpan, who was still there.

"Chuanzi, remember this, I trust you. Didn't I hear you went to Canhong Island yesterday and dug up some sweet water?" Li Suanpan asked tentatively from the side.

The news of Lin Chuan's mission to manage Canhong Island has spread throughout the village, and even the fact that Lin Chuan went to the island to dig a well is known.

The captain also took the opportunity to encourage the others to take on the remaining deserted islands as well.

But still no one responded. Given the previous well-digging incident in the team, coupled with the propaganda from Li Chunjiang and Li Suanpan, no one was optimistic about Lin Chuan, so naturally no one took the captain's words to heart.

Lin Chuan looked up at Li Suanpan, who had been trying to take advantage of his family, and smiled, "Uncle Suanpan, you also have plans to manage this deserted island."

That's great! Let's share some of the tasks with the team. There's sweet water on Canhong Island, and I think Weisha Island looks pretty good too, maybe it has some as well. Why don't you give it a try next?

Li Suanpan quickly shook his head: "No, that place is a godforsaken place. Anyone who goes there is a fool." The more Lin Chuan said this, the less he believed it. The sweet water had turned salty, yet he still claimed to have produced sweet water.

Suddenly seeing Lin Chuan looking at him calmly, he gave an awkward laugh, then quickly followed up on Lin Chuan's words, saying, "Uncle wasn't talking about you, you graduated from high school and got into university, you must have some methods."

After a pause, Li Suanpan continued, "This is what I'm thinking, Chuanzi. If you focus on governing Canhong Island, you definitely won't have enough time. You see..."

Li Suanpan stared at Lin Chuan, wanting him to continue his story.

Lin Chuan realized what Li Suanpan was trying to do, but he didn't respond: "Uncle Suanpan, what are you talking about? I don't understand."

"Xiao Chuan, don't pay him any attention. Li Suanpan. With his mind set on something like that, he's already plotting against Chongming Island across the street."

"That's right, Li Suanpan, you've already finished registering, so don't interrupt us. We're waiting for Xiaochuan to finish registering so we can go back for dinner."

"Get out of the way, get out of the way, you're just wasting time." The next person to come up, Uncle Liang, spoke with considerable disdain and didn't hold back, pushing Li Suanpan out of the way in one go.

Li Suanpan, who had been squeezed out, felt a little embarrassed knowing that everyone had seen through his little scheme. He glanced at everyone, snorted, and left.

"Uncle Liang." Lin Chuan greeted him with a smile. Uncle Liang's family lived not far from Lin Chuan's house, and the two families often helped each other out. He had two sons, the younger one still in school.

"Hmm! Chuanzi, don't listen to Li Suanpan's nonsense. He's up to no good and wants your job as a scorekeeper."

Lin Chuan nodded. "I know Uncle Liang, I won't pay him any attention."

Li Suanpan had been eyeing the scorekeeper's job for a long time; he had attended primary school and knew arithmetic.

Ever since Zhao Laoxi stopped taking on the role of scorekeeper, he had gone to the team several times to plead and beg.

"Okay, it's good that you know what's going on." Uncle Liang also smiled. He had watched Lin Chuan grow up, and in the past two years, he had become more and more mature in his work, which naturally put his mind at ease.