After exchanging a few pleasantries, Feng Ye asked about the purpose of their trip.
The three fishermen didn't beat around the bush and directly stated their purpose: they also hoped to go with him to Haizhongzhou to catch small yellow croakers, and asked when he would depart.
Since Feng Ye and his team haven't set a time yet, they naturally can't give a definite answer.
He could only give a vague response, saying that preparations were still underway, the specific time was yet to be determined, and he would notify everyone as soon as there was news.
Although the three fishermen were somewhat disappointed, they understood and chatted for a while before getting up to say goodbye.
The three of them came quickly and left quickly, staying for less than half an hour in total.
Watching the three figures leave, Feng Xuan smiled and said, "I've already received two groups of people this morning, and this is the third. I expect more people will come this afternoon."
"Come on, I'll stay put. There's plenty of tea anyway."
That being said, with so many people coming, Feng Ye was actually having a bit of a headache.
Over the next few days, fishermen kept coming to the door, all asking about catching small yellow croakers.
Moreover, when relatives and friends come to pay their respects for the New Year, they also inquire about the travel arrangements.
Feng Ye could understand their mentality; after all, they had earned so much last year, which inevitably made others envious.
Although there is still more than a month left, people will actually not spend much time at home. It will only be about half a month after the New Year. Once the Lantern Festival is over, they will start to get busy going out to sea.
If I don't take this opportunity to pay New Year's visits and learn more about the situation, I'm afraid I won't even be able to see Feng Ye again later.
During this period, Feng Ye had thought things through carefully and roughly figured out the details of the fishery association.
On the evening of the tenth day of the lunar month, he invited his parents, elder brother and sister-in-law, and A-Can's family of three to his home to explain his plan.
After hearing his idea, Feng Jiaqing was the first to raise a question: "You went to all this trouble to set up a fisheries association just so you wouldn't be blamed if something went wrong?"
"That was indeed my initial thought, but I later realized that I could also make some profit along the way. I brought so many people to catch small yellow croakers, and I would feel bad if I didn't make some money from them."
Feng Jiaqing frowned slightly: "Your idea is not bad, but I don't see what benefits you can gain from it."
Feng Xuan asked in surprise, "You wouldn't be after the membership fees, would you? What's the point of establishing a fisheries association then? Why not just have them pay us directly? Why go through all this trouble?"
Ah-Can chimed in, "That's right, isn't this like taking off your pants to fart? If something really goes wrong, they'll just blame us."
According to Feng Ye's plan, joining the fishery association would require paying a membership fee of 100 yuan.
If you want to go to Haizhongzhou to catch small yellow croaker, you need to pay extra, which is charged according to the length of the boat, at 10 yuan per meter.
If many ships go, the total amount can be quite large.
"Ah Ye, you can't let everyone think we're using this as an opportunity to make money, otherwise we won't be able to stay on the island."
"Yes, we can't let people talk behind our backs."
"This money-taking is too blatant; we absolutely mustn't get our hands on it..."
They all started trying to dissuade him, fearing he might have ulterior motives.
"What are you thinking? Do you think I'm such a spineless person?"
Feng Ye was both amused and exasperated, not expecting everyone to misunderstand.
He quickly explained, "The money collected to establish the association doesn't go into my personal pocket; it belongs to the association and all the fishermen on the island. The specific use of it needs to be discussed by everyone..."
Before he could finish speaking, Feng Jiaqing pressed on, "So what exactly are you referring to as 'benefits'?"
Feng Ye cleared his throat, but instead of answering, he asked a question: "How many ships do you think will be going this time?"
"The number should be quite large. Since the Lunar New Year, three or four hundred people have come to pay their respects. The doorstep has been worn down by the crowds."
"There are about 300 fishing boats of all sizes in the four villages on the island, and I estimate that they will all go. As for how many boats from outside the island will go, it's hard to say."
“When Aye held her one-month celebration last year, about 500 people came, most of whom wanted to go catching small yellow croakers.”
"Well, we didn't have many relatives, just over 100. The rest of them were there to fish..."
“You’re right.”
Feng Ye nodded and continued, "According to my estimate, there should be no fewer than 400 boats going. With so many boats involved, the catch will definitely be astonishing. Even just taking a small portion of the catch will result in a very large sum..."
Feng Jiaqing frowned again: "Drain the water? Do you think that's possible? Isn't that blatantly robbing them of their hard-earned money? Who would agree to let us drain the water?"
Feng Jialing also said, "Yes, how is this any different from trying to steal membership fees? Isn't it just as repulsive?"
Feng Ye was quite helpless.
Why do you keep interrupting me?
Let me finish what I have to say.
"I don't intend to take a cut from the fishermen. Instead, I plan to contact a group of fishing boats to buy up everyone's catch and then take a cut from the fishing boats."
In this way, it won't cause resentment among the fishermen, since they are happy to sell their fish to the fish-collecting boats if the price is right, and we can also profit from it.
Moreover, with a large and stable source of catch, the fishing boats would certainly be willing to give us a cut.
Our association acts as a bridge and coordinator, protecting the interests of fishermen while increasing the association's income—a win-win situation!
After hearing this, everyone's brows relaxed slightly, as if they understood Feng Ye's idea.
But new questions also arise.
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