Reborn in 1981: My Life as a Fisherman

When it comes to setting nets on the beach, Shi Hailong isn't that careless.

He was certain that as long as he set his nets on the beach, he would have a huge catch in one go.

Within two days, his fish trap was gone.

Therefore, we had to go to sea first and set up hidden markers.

Even if it's clearly marked, it could still be stolen by fishing boats.

That's just how things are these days.

Things will get better once there are more fish traps in the village.

Shi Guangqian glanced at his second son and nodded. "Okay, I'll go rent a small boat for you."

Try it out first, but you can't go out to sea alone.

Since your older brother is free right now, why don't you two go and take a look around the nearshore area?

The cage netting is all made, and it looks quite decent.

Actually, the fish trap is not complicated. Shi Guangqian could tell it was working at a glance.

This thing is an upgraded version of the bamboo woven bamboo basket, made into a soft one.

Ten meters long, like seven or eight rolling cages strung together.

However, machine-woven netting is lightweight, can be folded up, and doesn't take up much space.

Shi Guangqian hadn't expected that his second son, who was usually quiet, was actually quite clever.

Without delay, Shi Guangqian went directly to find Zheng Nengquan.

Shi Hailong also breathed a sigh of relief.

It's finally about to begin.

Bringing the eldest brother along is good too; when brothers are of one mind, their strength can break metal.

At this moment, Shi's mother and eldest sister also arrived.

There were also two little girls sitting under the ancient banyan tree, not just chatting, of course.

Instead, it was wild tea seeds that were collected.

You need to peel the shells off the tea seeds.

Then it needs to be dried in the sun before it can be sent to be pressed for oil.

There's no oil press in the village; you have to go to the town.

At that time, few people referred to the town as a town; they all called it a commune.

Going to the commune meant going to the town's street, not to find commune cadres.

It will take another two years to change it to a township.

There was a rice mill in the village, with a very old electric motor, Shi Hailong remembers.

Two years later, the rice mill was also contracted out.

The contractor was also an old rice milling master from the production team.

Yes, not just anyone can use a rice milling machine; you have to call a technician.

A load of rice costs 50 cents for electricity and labor.

Shi Hailong and Shi Haifeng also sat down in front of the basket and helped peel the shells.

At this moment, Shi Mu glanced at Shi Hailong before saying, "I sent someone to Zhuxigou to inquire."

What Hailong said was true; what the matchmaker Xu said was indeed all lies.

Ugh, that Xu guy, he's a real scoundrel...

Upon hearing this, Shi Haifeng simply smiled awkwardly, seemingly a little embarrassed.

Shi Hailan remained silent, and her face even flushed slightly.

At this time, the sun had not yet completely set, although the mountains blocked the sunset.

But it was still very bright at that time.

Shi Hailong glanced at them and clearly saw the expressions on his older brother and sister's faces.

The older brother is fine, but he probably feels a bit regretful. At his age, he naturally wants to get married.

The eldest sister's expression was rather amusing.

Could it be that Yang Guangming's mother has already come looking for his mother?

Or did they hire a matchmaker and spread the word in the village?

"Mother, since ancient times, matchmakers have always spoken well of both sides, so we should still do our own research."

"Don't just listen to what the matchmaker says..."

Shi's mother agreed with her second son's words and nodded, "That's true."

I have no experience with these things either.

Shi's mother definitely lacked experience, as none of her children were married yet.

When they gained experience, they all started their own families.

As she spoke, Shi's mother glanced at her eldest daughter and eldest son.

Finally, the gaze fell on Shi Hailong's face, and Shi Hailong happened to look up at the same time.

Then Stone Mother glared at her with disgust.

The second child used to be easy to manage, but lately, for some reason, she feels like she's about to lose control of him.

They're secretly selling conch shells, getting into life-or-death fights, and messing around with those cage nets.

Fortunately, this kid has earned her quite a bit these past few days.

This kid has really grown up; his thoughts and personality have changed and become more unconventional. We'll have to keep a closer eye on him in the future.

Shi Hailong was glared at by his mother, but he just grinned.

On the southwest coast, near the dock area, at Zheng Nengquan's home, Shi Guangqian was also chatting with Zheng Nengquan.

"Guangqian, please understand, even though I am the leader of the contracting group."

But I'm just the leader; it's not something I'm responsible for alone, it belongs to all of us.

These boats all belong to the production team.

It's not something I can decide alone, nor is it about the amount of rent.

"We've only been in the group for a few days now, so it's not appropriate for me to make decisions on my own..."

Upon hearing this, Shi Guangqian nodded and said, "Brother Quan, I know what you're saying."

Then I won't trouble you!

Since it was troublesome, Shi Guangqian wouldn't continue to pester him.

Indeed, the groups have only just started forming, and there is no precedent for individuals chartering boats.

Don't cause unnecessary trouble and gossip, or cause trouble for others.

Zheng Nengquan was absolutely right; the nature of the contracting was indeed as he described.

It's not a one-person contract; each group simply selects a few group leaders.

It was contracted out to all the villagers.

Shi Guangqian got up to leave, but Zheng Nengquan stopped him.

"Guangqian, don't worry, the brigade headquarters still has two small sampans."

I think you could try talking to Secretary Chen; it's just sitting there unused anyway.

The whole village has been buzzing about your second son's fish traps for a long time.

We also want to know how good the product he produced after spending so much money.

If it works well, many people will want to try it out, including our few contracting groups.

It's not that you can't take it out to sea...

Shi Guangqian was an old fisherman, and Zheng Nengquan was an even older one, so they naturally understood that fishing in the nearshore waters with sluices meant they could find really good catches.

The product that Shi Hailong is now developing is said to be more convenient and more affordable than the rolling cage.

Of course, we need to see the results, including the officers at the brigade headquarters.

During the production team era, there was a period when we had the experience of using cages to carry fish in the nearshore area.

Rolling cages are indeed good at catching things that trawls and purse seines can't.

For example, the spiny lobster, and the grouper.

After hearing this, Shi Guangqian laughed and said, "Brother Quan, we still don't know if the second brother's reckless actions will work."

"Don't spend so much money and get nothing in return, making us a laughingstock..."

Zheng Nengquan laughed and said, "It's a good thing that young people have ideas."

Your son, Hailong, seems like a very good young man.

Bold, shrewd, and quite fierce—that's what we seafarers are like.

The key point is that this kid is willing to spend money; he spent over 150 yuan without hesitation.

He's someone who's destined for great things.

He's much better than those guys in the village who drink and gamble.

Even if it doesn't work out this time, you and Caizhi shouldn't blame him...

Shi Guangqian nodded; he felt very comfortable with what Quan Ge had said.

A father is naturally happy when his son is praised.

After exchanging a few polite words, Shi Guangqian left Zheng Neng's family.

He didn't go directly to Secretary Chen, since it was getting dark.

It would be more appropriate to go to the brigade headquarters tomorrow morning.

After Shi Guangqian left, Zheng Nengquan's wife finally came out of the kitchen after finishing her work.

She heard what the two of them were saying.

She glanced at Zheng Nengquan and laughed, "You've really praised the second son of the Shi family."

"Don't you know that everyone in the village is saying that the boy likes Qi Jin?"

Zheng Nengquan picked up the cigarette pack on the table, took out a cigarette, lit it, and then said with a faint smile:

"How could I not know about the seven-pound thing? The old lady asked us about it the day before yesterday."

"What did the old lady ask?"

"What else could it be? Ask our second son of the Shi family how he is."

We dare not say anything, lest something bad happens and we get scolded as well…”

Zheng Nengquan's wife laughed, "It seems the old lady doesn't object to the Shi family..."

Zheng Nengquan nodded and said in a low voice, "I can tell that it's not that the old lady doesn't object."

It should be that girl Qi Jin; she might also have her eye on the second son of the Shi family.

That kid got into a fight at the commune last time because of his sister and Qi Jin and a few others…”