Back to 1980: Farming the Sea and Expanding the Island

Li Jianshe put down his pipe, stared at the paper for a moment, and said, "It's fair. Those who cast the net earn their living through their own abilities, so they deserve an extra ten percent."

Yesterday's stack of "big unity" (a type of Chinese pastry) and several pounds of fatty pork were enough for his family to have a prosperous winter. No one would refuse such a good deal.

Wang Pusheng nodded, "I have no objection, let's do it as Xiao Chuan said." The Wang and Lin families have a good relationship, and these things were all agreed upon yesterday. Today, Li Jianshe came again out of respect.

As for how the two families divide their shares, Lin Chuan didn't ask too much about the family affairs in the village. Interfering would only make him look bad, and each family had its own way of doing things.

After agreeing on the details, everyone signed and pressed their fingerprints on the paper.

Lin Chuan, carrying the signed agreement and application, went straight to the team leader's house to get the official seal. When he returned, the paper in his hand had an extra bright red stamp that made people's eyes light up.

The cooperative's office was set up in the front room of Lin Chuan's house. Lin's mother had already moved out all the clutter, leaving only a few old wooden tables and stools.

"Brother Chuan, shall we put this chair here?" Water Monkey picked up a square stool, his arm muscles taut.

"Move that chair to the left, monkey, put it there, yes, right there."

"Move it half a foot to the left, align it with the edge of the table." Lin Chuan gestured with his hand to indicate a position. "Yes, right there."

"Alright!" the water monkey replied crisply, slamming the stool down with a quick, decisive motion.

Wang Haiyue stood aside, tidying her hair, and stared absently at Lin Chuan, who was giving instructions.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting warm yellow dapples on his shoulders, making Lin Chuan's usually serious demeanor appear more vibrant.

The events of the past two days felt like a dream to her.

First came the clams, then her brother brought back so many large coins, which made her mother keep wiping away tears, and her grandmother kept praising him.

Then a fishery production cooperative was established, which meant that her grandfather, her brother and she all had a stable source of income.

Although she and her brother would sometimes go fishing in the river at high tide, they never had a big catch.

The fish caught in the net were picked and chosen by the supply and marketing cooperative, with absolutely no possibility of negotiation.

Only her father and mother had work points in the family. She had her grandparents above her and her younger brother below her, so they had to save on food rations whenever possible.

Now, something seems to be quietly happening, and a wonderful vitality is being nurtured.

Li Jiaye was diligently wiping the table, feeling a sense of accomplishment, which made him work with great enthusiasm.

Hearing the noise, she looked up and smiled, "Sister Haiyue, what are you standing there for? Come and lend a hand!"

Wang Haiyue snapped out of her daze, replied "Coming," picked up a rag, and squatted down to wipe the stool legs.

She had just wiped him twice when she saw Lin Chuan turn and walk out. She quickly stood up and asked:

"Xiaochuan, according to you, the most active time for sea bass is the period from dawn to sunset in the evening."

Should we set off this afternoon, or go to the place you mentioned tomorrow morning to set up internet access?

"Let's do it early tomorrow morning!" Lin Chuan paused for a moment, then added, "I reckon my dad, Uncle Wang, and Uncle Li are worried about us going up the river in the middle of the night, so they'll come with us."

"Does the fishing fleet still rent fishing boats?"

"No need," Lin Chuan shook his head. "Let's scout ahead first, find out the fish situation, and then we'll call in more people. I've already spoken to the captain about the boat; we'll discuss it tomorrow once we've caught some fish."

There's one more thing Lin Chuan didn't mention: there are no refrigerated ships or preservation technology available now, so it would be a real shame if the fish couldn't be sold and ended up stuck in our hands.

"Okay, then remember to find someone to take over recording your work points." Wang Haiyue nodded, then gave another reminder.

"Okay! I remember. I'll talk to the captain tonight." Lin Chuan nodded and smiled. "I'm going to the commune later. If anyone is looking for me, please give Haiyue a message for me."

"good!"

Lin Chuan returned from Huiping Commune in the afternoon, finished his evening recording work, and went to bed early to rest.

All three fishing boats are old-fashioned, with a carrying capacity of over 1,000 kilograms. They rely entirely on manpower to row and cast nets. Tomorrow morning's work will be very physically demanding, so they need to be well-rested.

A knock on the door rang out in the early morning, jolting Lin Chuan awake. He sat up abruptly, his mind filled with thoughts of the sea bass's migration routes and habits.

"Xiao Chuan, your Uncle Wang and the others are here!" With a creak, Lin's mother lit the kerosene lamp and pushed open the door, only to find Lin Chuan's face pale.

She hurriedly went to Lin Chuan's side with concern and touched his forehead: "Xiao Chuan, you look so pale? Are you alright?"

Lin Chuan snapped out of his daze, rubbed his face with both hands, shook his heavy head, got out of bed and laughed, "It's nothing, Mom, I just didn't sleep well."

How could he explain it clearly? Before knowing anything about the spotted bass, Lin Chuan didn't realize it. Now, after analyzing it, he realized that the spotted bass season is extremely important for their family.

He originally planned to develop Canhong Island gradually. Now, with the presence of sea bass resources, everything will be very different.

If successful, the development of Canhong Island will be greatly accelerated.

So much so that this matter remained on his mind. Even though he was quite confident, without actually seeing the results, all sorts of chaotic thoughts still surged in his mind at night.

"It's good that you're alright. Go wash your face. The nets have all been put away. Your dad has already taken them to the dock."

"Okay, Amu."

Lin's mother turned and walked towards the stove. "I made cornbread for you and your husband, with some pickled vegetables."

Lin Chuan put on his shoes, came to the well, and, using the dim moonlight, splashed his face with cool water, instantly becoming exceptionally clear-headed.

I took the tortillas and pickled vegetables that Amu handed me, which were perfect for breakfast on the boat.

At this moment, Grandpa Lin also came out of his room, put on his coat, and instructed Lin Chuan: "It's cold and windy now, so don't rush, be steady."

"Okay, Grandpa! Don't worry, Mom," Lin Chuan said with a smile, trying to comfort her.

It was roughly three in the morning, the night was deep, and the air was quite cold. Lin Chuan pulled his collar tighter, turned on his lamp, and set off.

There used to be five wharves on Qingpingzhou Island, but the only one open to the public was Beishi Wharf.

That was the stone dock that the team had renovated and expanded at great expense, capable of navigating boats of thirty or forty tons.

The others were small wooden docks, only passable by villagers' small fishing boats. Now they are all dilapidated and rarely used.

There are two on the south beach, one on each side of the mudflat. The one closer to Lin Chuan's house is on the east side, which was built under the leadership of Old Master Lin.

There is a reed marshland here. If the tide is low, the small boat will get stuck on the beach and will not be able to sail onto the river.

Lin Chuan hurried toward the small dock. The night was quiet, with only the sound of water lapping and the creaking of reeds being whipped by the wind.

As you get closer to the dock, you can faintly hear voices carried on the wind. Closer still, you can see three old wooden boats moored to the dock bollards, their lights shimmering on the river.

Rolled-up fishing nets were piled up at the bow of the boat, with dried seaweed hanging from the ropes.

Lin's father, Wang Pusheng, and Li Jianshe were already waiting at the bow of the boat, each holding a pipe, the smoke billowing in the lamplight as the river breeze blew it into wisps.

Seeing Lin Chuan approaching, Lin's father tapped his pipe on the boat deck, sending up sparks: "You're here, so leave now while the wind is still calm."

Water Monkey and Li Jiaye followed behind their respective fathers, rubbing their hands together and grinning at Lin Chuan.