Daily life of fishing and hunting in the 1980s

Chapter 290 Agreed

"Ah Le, now that the big ship is back, what should we do with our small boat? Should we sell it or keep it for rent?"

"Sell it, and then go order a tricycle." Li Changle said as he thought of something else, "Brother, have you guys done the research?"

In the past, we were working on small boats nearby without any certificates. Now, we are on large ships and we still need to pass the test. Not taking the test now does not mean we will not take it in the future! Moreover, it will be more and more difficult to pass the test in the future.

"Yes, when my brother and I were helping the people on the South Bank, they helped us get a seaman's license. When we took the test, if you couldn't read, someone would read it to you. You didn't have to write it down, you just had to tick or cross it."

Brother Li still remembers the situation when he was asked to take the test. There were a lot of old fishermen in the village who could not even recognize a few words, but they started cursing at the top of their lungs after hearing the radio.

We know clearly that they are all old fishermen who cannot even write their own names, yet they are still asked to take a test. Every day, they have nothing to do after eating, so they just think of ways to play a prank on people.

You need a certificate to work, and if you get a certificate, you will pay us every month, so we will take the exam.

Are you kidding? Who would dare to get on a boat if they can't even control it? Are you tired of living and want to risk your life on the sea?
Not to mention certificates, there are not many wooden boats like his in the village that have even been registered with the fishery administration department.

"Then we have to pass the important exams to become captain, first mate, chief fisherman, chief engineer, etc."

Brother Li frowned when he heard about the exam. "Is it necessary? The higher-ups are very strict. We have been working on the ship for two years and no one has ever inspected us."

"Since the government asked us to take the test, it means it is necessary. Just because no one is checking now doesn't mean they won't check in the future. Let's take more tests while it's easy, so that everyone can get one for an important position on the ship."

"Why?" Brother Li felt a little headache. He had only read three or four books, and had returned many of them to the teacher.

Although someone helped me read and I just checked and crossed out the answers, I was very nervous when someone was staring at me. I was also worried that I would fail the test and have to retake it, and be laughed at!
Seeing his repulsive look, Li Changle thought of an idea, "Captain Zhou told me that the control over fishing boats and cargo ships will become stricter in the future. If the crew on board is not fully equipped, they will be fined if caught."

When Brother Li heard that it was Captain Zhou who said that and that he would be fined, he could only nod and said, "Okay!"

Li Changle saw his gloomy face and thought of how Xiaobo, Xiaotao and Xiaoyang looked when they took the exam. He smiled frivolously, "Brother, don't let those little guys know that you are afraid of the exam!"

"Yes!" Brother Li responded subconsciously. Seeing his expression, he grabbed him and slapped him twice in anger, "Stinky monkey!"

"Hahaha!" Li Changle jumped aside to avoid his clutches and said seriously, "Brother, we have already agreed on the exam. When the windy day comes, we will go and get it done.

There is one more thing! The bigger the boat, the more fish it can catch. I don’t know how much good fish the restaurant can eat. If not, we need to come to an agreement with Adong.”

"Ah Le!" Brother Li waved at him when he heard him talking about selling fish. "I have an idea for Ah Xi's business."

Li Changle stepped forward and said, "You say!"

"Your second sister-in-law told me that the seafood business in town is good. Instead of letting others make the money, it's better to help Ah Xi and the others."

"You mean, let my sister and brother-in-law open a seafood store in town?"

"Yes, I think instead of letting Ah Xi and Ah Jin do other business, it would be better to let them open a seafood store in town.

As long as the price is fair and the payment is not delayed, the bosses we know will definitely be willing to sell goods to us."

"Yeah, why didn't I think of this? Second brother is really smart!" Li Changle clapped his hands and nodded, "Let's go talk to my sister and brother-in-law."

Second Brother Li rolled his eyes at him and said, "Look, you're getting anxious again. Wait for Big Brother to come back and talk to him. It won't be too late to talk to Ah Xi later."

"Okay!" Li Changle thought of his sister-in-law and nephew coming to work, "Brother, when Ah Cheng comes later, how much do you think is appropriate to give him per month?"

Brother Li thought for a moment and said, "We are all relatives, so just give him the same salary as on the South Bank ship!"

"Row!"

The two brothers leaned on the bamboo chairs and sat there for a while in their rare leisure time. When they saw Ah Xiao coming out with a bamboo basket and Zhang Dejin also coming out to help collect the fish jerky, they got up and went back to work.

Li Daxiao picked up the net and poured the dried sardines into the bamboo basket. "Uncle A-Le, are you going to pick up the big boat soon?"

"The original owner had an accident at home, so the shipyard transferred the ship to us." Li Changle smiled and glanced at him, "If you still want to get on the ship, why don't you come with me and try?"

Li Daxiao blushed, "No, it's better to do this."

"Study hard, and if you do well, I'll give you a bonus at the end of the year."

"The eel I chopped today was considered good by my grandfather," said Li Daxiao, pointing at the eel hanging on the bamboo rack. "The cut is neat, too, unlike the last time I came here when it looked like something chewed by a dog."

Li Changle walked over and took a look, "Not bad, let's have a couple of drinks tonight!"

"Hey!" Li Daxiao responded happily, "They said I came to your house to work and I looked more energetic than before."

"That's right. You are also paid for your living. Sixty yuan a month for a short month and sixty-two yuan for a long month. It's higher than some workers' wages."

"The carpenter who worked for your family the other day said the same thing. He said they were not as good as me!"

"Yes, work hard. When the masters finish building my house, I will give you some money and invite them back to renovate your house."

Li Daxiao was stunned. Li Changle smiled and kicked him, "What's wrong? Are you still not happy?" "I am happy, I am happy! Thank you, Uncle Ale, thank you!"

"Just work hard." Li Changle patted him on the shoulder, picked up a basket of sea bream and walked back.

"Ah Le!" Mother Li and Grandma Chen waved at him happily, holding a piece of red paper. "We've picked a date. It's the 18th high tide. We'll go pick up the boat on that day."

Li Changle looked at the time approved by the teacher and said, "Then we will go to test the ship the day after tomorrow, and pick it up the day after tomorrow."

"The day after tomorrow we'll pick up the boat. What are you going to do with the two boats at home?"

"I have discussed with my second brother and decided to sell the boat and buy a tricycle."

"There are several families in the village who want to buy a boat. Let's talk to them when we get back to the village."

"No need to ask specifically. When the sisters-in-law who will help kill the fish come tomorrow, tell them about the boat sale. Then those who want to buy the boat will come to you naturally."

"Yes, a business that is pursued is not a business."

Several people were busy collecting the dried fish, shrimps and eels that were drying in the dam and on the slope and bringing them into the house. Then Brother Li came with Wang Xincheng and Sister Li's eldest cousin.

Brother Li pointed at Li Changle and Brother Li Er, and said to Wang Xincheng, who had a round face, was short, and was a little shy: "Acheng, this is the second uncle and the third uncle."

"Second uncle, third uncle!" Wang Xincheng called out with a red face.

The eldest cousin said, "If Ah Le, Ah An, and Ah Cheng don't listen and don't work hard, you can scold them as much as you want."

"I will definitely scold you when it's time." Li Changle looked at Wang Xincheng with a smile, "Come with us on a boat trip at 2 o'clock tonight. Will you stay here tonight, or go back to Laotangan and come to the dock early tomorrow morning?"

Wang Xincheng glanced at his father and said, "I'll wait for you at the dock tomorrow morning."

"Okay!" Li Changle said to his eldest cousin, "The monthly salary for going out to sea is 90 yuan, and there will be rewards if you do a good job."

"I will do my best." Wang Xincheng responded happily.

After the agreement was reached, Brother Li and Sister-in-law Li took Wang's eldest cousin and his father to the front to see their new house.

After they sent the people away, Li Changle and Li Erge told Li Dage about opening a seafood store. He also thought it was a good idea and better than working in an unfamiliar industry.

"If you think it's a good idea, then let's talk to my sister and brother-in-law."

"Wait a minute, let's say hello to your sister-in-law first to avoid them complaining."

"You guys go ahead! My Anan is in Lucheng, I'll talk to her when she comes back."

Brother Li and his brother went to the kitchen and called their wives out, and told them that the three brothers planned to support Li Changxi in opening a seafood store.

"Ah Xi and A Jin are both hardworking and diligent. If you support them, they will not forget it."

Mrs. Li curled her lips and said, "You three brothers have already discussed it, why are you asking me?"

Brother Li smiled and said, "Ah Xi and his family don't have any money. We need to borrow money and give them fish on credit to support them to open a seafood store. Of course, we need your consent before we dare to talk to them about this."

Mrs. Li thought that her sister-in-law had always been nice to them and had taken good care of her during her confinement. She was not like other sisters-in-law who liked to sow discord between their parents-in-law and their brothers and sisters-in-law.

The family is in such a situation now, thanks to the generosity of Ale and Anan who are willing to help them. It is only right for me to help my sister-in-law now.

I thought this in my heart, but I said, "If I don't agree, Ah Le and Ah An will definitely think I'm cruel. You can do whatever you want, right?"

Brother Li squeezed her hand and said in a cautious and flattering manner, "Does that mean you agree?"

Mrs. Li glanced at him and said, "I agree!"

"Thank you, my wife!" Brother Li happily leaned forward and kissed her, "I know you have a sharp tongue but a soft heart. As long as I tell you, you will definitely not object."

"Crazy!" Mrs. Li smiled and glanced at him, then turned and walked towards the kitchen.

Big Brother Li went out happily and happened to meet Big Brother Li who came out of the house with a happy face, "What did your sister-in-law say?"

"Agreed!" Second Brother Li pulled him and called Li Changle to walk towards the kitchen together. He called Li Changxi and his wife and told them what happened.

Li Changxi glanced at Zhang Dejin, and said to the three of them with both joy and worry, "Brother, Ah Le, it would be great to open a seafood store, but we don't have the capital!

I told Ale that the family still had some debts that had not been repaid. After Ajin finished the work on hand, the family could only save about 200 yuan at most.

With this little money, we can sell some worthless seafood and set up a small stall in town, but it would be too expensive to open a seafood business, and we can’t afford it.”

(End of this chapter)