Back to 1980: Farming the Sea and Expanding the Island

Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow on the conference room table and adding a touch of gentle comfort to the discussion.

Next, everyone began to discuss the cooperative's bylaws.

The articles of association are quite simple: shareholders hold shares according to their investment ratio, risks are shared, and profits are distributed according to shareholding.

With the cooperative, the ship becomes a collective asset, and planned cargo can be transported during the day.

At night, they can also take emergency transport orders from nearby commune brick and tile factories and other night shifts.

These "unplanned transports" are stamped and the Hong Kong Customs will acknowledge them if they are discovered. The freight is settled in cash, and each ton can earn two dollars, which can be considered as side income.

In fact, these "semi-legal" businesses are only a little bit different from operating illegal ships.

Lin Chuan then explained in detail their respective shareholdings.

Lin's father was appointed as manager, with a corresponding equity of 32.68%, and was responsible for overall planning and external affairs.

Wang Pusheng and Li Jianshe serve as deputy managers and captains, with the former responsible for liaison work and the latter responsible for ship and navigation safety, each holding a 26.14% stake.

Li Jianmin holds 5.23% of the shares, while Liang Chengfeng, Li Tongjiang, and Lin Wanghai each hold 3.27%.

Everyone knew that although Lin Chuan wasn't involved in the share distribution, he was actually the one devising the plans behind everything Lin's father was busy with.

After the meeting, everyone, filled with hope for the future, went home as the sun set.

Lin Chuan still had to fill out all the application materials, which he found frustrating, but that was just how it was.

Although these people could read simple words, they were all scratching their heads when these materials were placed in front of them.

......

Inside the county's Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Su Yanqiu sat at her desk, diligently writing a report.

He had been traveling along the river for over a week, and Qingpingzhou was the place that caught his eye the most.

In the final part of the report, he specifically added an evaluation of Lin Chuan: "A local resident with a good cultural foundation, practical skills, and an outstanding sense of responsibility... Lin Chuan can be included in the list of observer candidates."

at the same time.

At the Qinglong Wharf Aquatic Products Supply and Marketing Station, Wang Hao, who had come to transport goods, was stopped by Xiao Gao.

In an office in a two-story building, Zhao Chenghu was leisurely brewing Longjing tea, the aroma of which rose gently.

He looked at Wang Hao, who seemed a little reserved, and laughed, "Why are you standing there? My name is Zhao Chenghu, not a real tiger. What are you afraid of? Sit down and try my pre-rain Longjing tea."

As he spoke, Zhao Chenghu pushed the teacup in front of him toward Wang Hao.

"No, no, I'm not fortunate enough to have such good tea. I haven't congratulated you on your promotion to manager yet, it was my oversight." Wang Hao smiled broadly and respectfully accepted the teacup.

Zhao Chenghu waved his hand dismissively and said, "What manager or not, it's just a matter of a word from above."

He looked at Wang Hao with a smile and continued, "I've heard that Lin Chuan has been quite a troublemaker lately. Tell me about it; I'm quite curious."

Wang Hao's heart was pounding, and his mind was racing, but seeing Zhao Chenghu's ambiguous smile, he still explained everything that had happened to Lin Chuan recently.

Greenhouse? Buy a boat? Pay off the loan?

Zhao Chenghu maintained a smile on the surface, but inwardly he was full of disdain: a country bumpkin with a little bit of cleverness.

Just because he caught a few fish by luck, he dares to buy a boat and run a transport business? He really doesn't know his own limitations.

But then I thought, this kid is so capable of causing trouble, and he lives close to the sea, so it wouldn't be bad to have him help me out.

There will be plenty of ways to control him then, which is better than him staying on the island and being difficult to manage.

"Heh, this kid's got some skills! Not bad, not bad, looks like you've taken the task I gave you to heart."

That's great, don't worry, just do your job well. No one in the company will replace you in this position.

Wang Hao held his teacup and forced a smile.

"Here's what you'll do: go back and tell Lin Chuan that I'm inviting him to dinner. Let him decide the time, and the place is Huiping Hotel. Chef Chen's cooking is absolutely superb."

"Well... I'm afraid Lin Chuan won't come," Wang Hao said with a bitter expression.

"It's alright, as long as you get the message across, whether he comes or not is his business."

Zhao Chenghu picked up his teacup, seemingly indifferent, yet also certain that Lin Chuan would come.

Seeing this, Wang Hao had no choice but to bite the bullet and agree.

The next day, the weather was much gloomier than the day before, and it looked like it was going to rain.

Lin Chuan's family went to the island to process the vegetable seedlings. Lin Chuan returned home at noon to wait for Li Jianshe's message.

Li Jianshe, carrying the newly issued cooperative seal and loan application materials, went straight to the commune credit union.

He returned in the afternoon, but his face looked terrible.

"Loan officer Lao Chen is hesitant and picky." Li Jianshe sat in the main room of the Lin family's house, his brows furrowed, and he was also angry.

They said our only asset is a ship that hasn't even been built yet, and the collateral is insufficient. They also said the transportation risks are too high and there are no long-term contracts.

The materials have been received, but they said they need to "study them" and to wait for further notice.

"What does this mean? Are you trying to block us?" Wang Pusheng panicked upon hearing this and jumped up to say.

Now that the money is ready and the ship deal is finalized, if they don't give us the loan, then all our efforts will have been for nothing!

Lin Chuan nodded, agreeing with what Wang Pusheng said.

Interest-free loans are a scarce resource. Under normal circumstances, for collective projects like theirs with complete procedures, the credit union would not make things so difficult in order to complete its tasks.

"I'm completely baffled. When I went there the day before yesterday, everything seemed fine, and the people at the credit union were very welcoming."

Damn it, everything has changed in just one day.

"If we weren't in the commune, I would have really wanted to beat that son of a bitch up." Li Jianshe said angrily.

"Uncle, could you make another trip and bring something as a token of your appreciation? The cooperative will cover the cost," Lin Chuan said after a moment's thought.

He guessed that the loan officer probably thought the matter was settled and wanted to take advantage of the situation to make some extra money.

"That's what I was thinking too. That son of a bitch just wants to take advantage of me," Li Jianshe said bitterly.

"Then take two packs of cigarettes, and some other things, and I'll go with you," Wang Pusheng said, frowning. Now that everything was agreed upon, he didn't want to work for nothing.

"Okay, let's go now." Li Jianshe nodded and walked out.

"Uncle, don't go directly to the credit union. Wait until he's on his way home and then tell him," Lin Chuan quickly advised.

Li Jianshe was taken aback, then understood. He muttered something under his breath and hurriedly left with Wang Pusheng.

After Li Jianshe and Wang Pusheng left, Lin Chuan sat in the main room, lost in thought.

If the loan issue cannot be resolved smoothly, the plan to buy a boat will be hindered, and the transportation cooperative's plan will probably have to settle for a small boat instead.

As he was pondering, he glanced up and saw Wang Hao pacing back and forth in front of his house, his steps slow and his expression hesitant.

His expression immediately hardened, a thought struck him, and he got up and walked towards the door.

He chuckled and said, "Isn't this Haozi? It's rare to see you visiting. Why don't you come in and have a seat?"

Wang Hao was startled by Lin Chuan's sudden voice.

He looked around and, seeing no one was there, said to Lin Chuan with a bitter face, "Chuanzi, it's really not that I wanted to come... sigh, it wasn't my idea to come..."

As he spoke, he quickly spat twice.

"It's Zhao Chengwu trying to cause trouble, isn't it?" Lin Chuan said in a deep voice when he saw Wang Hao's expression. He had already guessed what was going on.