In the days leading up to the Lantern Festival, Feng Ye was busy preparing for the establishment of the Fisheries Association.
His father and Feng Jialing also contacted highly respected fishermen the next day, all of whom were captains of large boats.
As he requested, three people were contacted in each village, for a total of twelve people.
Feng Ye naturally knew all three people from Dongtou Village, one of whom was Xiao Zhaojun. However, he didn't know the nine people from the three villages, including Lujia Village, very well; he had only met some of them a few times.
While searching for the person, Feng Jiaqing and Feng Jialing also invited the person to Feng Ye's house for a meeting.
The meeting went smoothly, and Feng Ye's proposal was basically agreed upon.
After all, who wouldn't want to make a profit?
However, there are some disagreements regarding the distribution of benefits.
Xiao Zhaojun and the others felt that 1% for each of the 12 people was too little and wanted more.
Feng Ye, of course, disagreed.
However, he also made it clear that he made the greatest contribution in the first year, and that the fishermen who wanted to go with him were all there because of him, so he should receive more in the first year.
Next year, his share can be reduced to 2%, and then to 1%, with the excess to be distributed proportionally among the vice presidents and directors.
As for how to distribute the resources among them, Feng Ye suggested that they discuss and decide for themselves.
After hearing this, Xiao Zhaojun and the others, though still somewhat unwilling, ultimately agreed.
Subsequently, some details were discussed, such as the use of association revenue, the management and scheduling of personnel and vessels, and the division of fishing areas.
Finally, the meeting determined the specific date for the association's establishment: February 15th.
By then, the croaker season will likely be starting soon, and the association's establishment will allow them to determine the exact departure time.
Xiao Zhaojun and the others also received a task: to go back and gather the fishermen in their respective villages, explain in detail the association's charter and rules, as well as the specific arrangements for fishing in Haizhongzhou, and to count the number of fishermen and boats who were interested in participating.
Therefore, Xiao Zhaojun did not go on the first voyage after the New Year, but stayed at home and let the Xiao brothers, Xiao Guowen and Xiao Guowen, go out in the Harvest.
...
The day after the Lantern Festival, the sixteenth day of the first lunar month.
It was a cloudy day, the sky was overcast and gray, and the sea breeze was a bit strong, but fortunately the waves were not turbulent.
There is no significant severe weather expected in the next few days, making it a good time to go out to sea.
The boatmen started arriving one after another after lunch.
In addition to the 13 people, including Ye Chenliang and Xiao Mingshi, from last year, another 13 boatmen were recruited.
Four of them were crew members from the Mancang ship, which was used for collecting fresh seafood, while the other nine were scattered across the Donglai, Dongsheng, and Ziqi ships.
Besides Ye Chenliang and Xiao Mingshi, who had long been the deputy captain of the Dongsheng, Luo Zhiping, Du Yulin and Han Qiwen were also promoted to deputy captains, and their salaries were improved accordingly.
Han Qiwen and Du Yulin were transferred from the Dongsheng to the Donglai and Ziqi ships respectively, while Luo Zhiping, who was originally on the Donglai, went to the Mancang ship, a cargo ship, to serve as the vice captain.
The crew has also been adjusted, with a mix of experienced and new crew members to ensure smooth operation of all boats.
After all, not all of the newly recruited boatmen are experienced; several are novices who need the guidance and instruction of veteran boatmen.
At 2 PM, after paying respects to Mazu at the Tianhou Temple, everyone took a small boat to the large ship moored in the deep water area.
Since it was the first time to go to sea after the New Year, we brought some offerings, joss paper, and firecrackers, and planned to hold a simple ceremony before setting off.
Feng Ye originally wanted to be in charge of the Ziqi, since it was a new ship and he wanted to sail it.
However, Ah Can threw a tantrum and insisted on having the Purple Aura account, so Feng Ye had no choice but to give in and grant his wish.
Once aboard the boat, we went to the aft cabin, placed offerings before the statue of Mazu, and lit incense to pray for a safe and successful trip and a bountiful catch.
Then they returned to the deck, lit yellow paper and firecrackers at the bow, and amidst the crackling sounds and swirling smoke, everyone silently offered their prayers.
After completing the procedures, preparations for departure began.
Only four fishing boats went out today: Donglai, Dongsheng, Ziqi, and Fengshou. Mancang will have to wait two days and will not set off until tomorrow afternoon.
Sufficient operating time must be allowed for the four fishing boats, otherwise what kind of cargo will the "Full Hold" be collecting?
After the inspection was completed, with the roar of the engines and black smoke billowing from the chimneys, the four fishing boats slowly began to move one after another.
The bow of the ship cleaved the sea, waves surged, and the stern left a long white trail.
The Donglai was the first to arrive, leading the way.
Feng Ye stood at the bow of the ship, arms outstretched, as if to embrace the vast sea, exuding a spirited and triumphant air.
In just a year and a half, he went from having nothing to owning a fleet of four fishing boats—what a remarkable achievement!
Although Harvest is not strictly his ship, he is the second largest shareholder and his interests are tied to theirs.
As the fleet sailed further and further away, the sea and sky merged into one, making the scene even more magnificent.
Feng Ye looked back and saw the blurry outline on the shore gradually become a line, and he could no longer see Ye Qingling and the others who had come to see him off.
He stood at the bow of the ship for a while, but couldn't stand the biting sea breeze, so he turned around and went back to the cabin to warm himself by the fire.
Although spring has arrived and temperatures have risen somewhat, the sea breeze still carries a biting chill.
The boatmen were very excited, especially the newly recruited ones, who were all looking around on the deck.
Suddenly, a boatman shouted, "School of fish!"
Upon hearing the sound, Feng Ye quickly stood up, darted out of the cabin, and looked out at the sea.
Yes, there is indeed a group.
Not far away on the sea, a group of shimmering silver fish thrashed about in the water, as if being chased by something. They leaped out of the water, drawing arcs in the air before quickly falling back into the sea.
"It looks like a mackerel."
"What do you mean 'seems like'? It's a mackerel."
"Judging from their appearance, they're probably trying to escape; there are big fish eating them underwater..."
Sure enough, a black dorsal fin flashed across the sea surface a short while later, disappearing before anyone could identify what kind of fish it was.
But then, several black dorsal fins broke through the water, creating waves, and leaped high out of the water.
This time, Feng Ye saw it clearly.
These are a group of gray dolphins.
They were chasing and hunting schools of mackerel, and occasionally letting out cheerful calls.
Feng Ye's lips curled up slightly, revealing a smile.
It looks like we'll have a lucky break this time.
Fishermen along the coast often say that encountering dolphins at sea is a good omen, foretelling a bountiful harvest.
Although the main purpose of this voyage was to contact fish-collecting vessels, a bumper harvest would be even better.
It's a pity that this mackerel isn't a valuable fish.
Otherwise, even if the waters near the shore are not deep enough to be suitable for large ships to trawle, he would still trawle it.
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