Reborn in 1981: My Life as a Fisherman

Today, the area around Black Stone Island is calm and sunny.

As the two brothers collected the first set of fish traps, Shi Hailong knew by touch that the catch was starting to decline.

Although it was expected, I was still somewhat disappointed.

This isn't about selling more or less, but about the fisherman's mentality, just like a fisherman doesn't fish to eat fish.

It's the moment the fish is caught, especially a big one, that your adrenaline surges, you feel excited and happy.

The release of dopamine can make people happy.

As the fish trap was pulled up, sure enough, there was only a small fraction of the usual catch.

It's still mainly crabs and shrimp. These fish traps are perfect for crabs and various kinds of shrimp.

However, the presence of several eels and a crayfish satisfied Shi Hailong.

Shi Haifeng was also somewhat disappointed, "So few in the first net?"

Yesterday's net-closing was the most satisfying; neither he nor his father could pull it up.

Shi Hailong chuckled, "That's pretty good. Play a few more times, and you'll see that this one is a complete rip-off."

Shi Haifeng gave a wry smile, "It's not our turn to fish anymore. We'll take all the nets back today."

Next time I come here, there might not be any space left.

Shi Hailong said indifferently, "Then let's go to a place further away."

Also, when our boat returns, I plan to make another type of fishing net, which will be more convenient and flexible.

Upon hearing this, Shi Haifeng's eyes lit up. "Second brother, you have a new idea?"

Shi Hailong nodded, "We'll make one to try it out first, but don't tell anyone about it now."

Shi Haifeng nodded in agreement.

The two brothers talked as they worked, emptying the baskets, sorting, and organizing the food in an orderly manner.

When they received the third set, the two brothers were pleasantly surprised; it was the third one in the set of fish traps.

A huge white eel, thicker than an adult's calf, actually went in.

"No wonder it's so heavy. This big guy must weigh at least a hundred pounds!"

Shi Haifeng's face was full of surprise, and Shi Hailong grinned as well, looking at the giant eel.

The brothers finally breathed a sigh of relief after pulling the fish trap onto the boat, only to find that the trap had been torn in several places.

Thankfully, it didn't escape, but the fish trap netting was deformed and torn.

Such a large white eel must weigh at least 70 or 80 pounds, if not 100, so the purchase price must be very high.

Shi Hailong didn't know the exact price, but this thing was also rare and difficult to catch.

Not to mention such a large white eel, whether it's two or three pieces or three or four pieces, that one would cost several hundred yuan.

The two brothers thought that based on today's catch, they would only get five or six hundred fish at most, but they didn't expect to catch such a big one.

Even if it doesn't reach a thousand today, it won't be much different!

Shi Hailong did not pour the giant white eel out of the cage; the creature was too ferocious and struggled fiercely.

Another issue is that the boat is too small; if you get bitten on the foot by one of these things, it would be really bad.

Because it's impossible to shake it off quickly, it bites and won't let go, struggling, twisting and tearing, which is quite terrifying.

If you bite your finger, it's certain to break; it'll snap cleanly.

As Shi Haifeng sorted the produce, a broad smile spread across his face. "I never imagined I could make so much money doing this myself. The household responsibility system is really good..."

As Shi Hailong tidied up the fish trap nets and stacked them neatly, he replied:

"Things will only get better in the future, even better than Hong Kong. Then, every family in our village will build five- or six-story villas..."

"What is a large villa?"

"Uh... it's a large building."

"A five- or six-story building? How is that possible? That's richer than living in the city..."

Shi Haifeng didn't believe it, thinking that Shi Hailong was joking.

"Fishermen are definitely richer than city dwellers, but they must own their own boats and keep upgrading to bigger ones."

City workers only earn a few dozen yuan a month, but we earn a thousand yuan today! Just think about that!

The golden age of development for fishermen, which was also a period of rapid capital accumulation, was the next twenty years.

Whether it can grow bigger and stronger depends on how it is managed.

With the deregulation of fishing contracts to individual households, the ocean is essentially like a mine on land.

Whether or not one can become a mine owner depends on their own abilities.

This is also the fundamental reason why Shi Hailong wanted to get started as soon as possible.

One step ahead leads to another!

The ocean now has inexhaustible resources. The question is whether we can monetize them, preserve our gains, and steadily develop and expand.

That's the real test of a person.

Many people fall after becoming rich overnight, and many disappear into the vast ocean.

Of course, many people who made money immediately switched careers and went to the city to do business.

I don't want to take any more risks to earn this life-risking money!

After all the fish traps were collected, Shi Hailong rowed his boat to Haichao Town, while Shi Haifeng was still sorting them.

"Brother, once we've sold everything, take the money home with you. I have some errands to run."

Shi Haifeng casually asked, "What's the matter?"

Shi Hailong smiled and said, "It's what I mentioned before, the new type of fishing net we're preparing to make."

I'm going to the county to check, and I might not be back by tonight, so don't worry.

Shi Haifeng nodded and hummed in agreement.

Two hours later, the two brothers rowed their famous boat to the dock in Haichao Town.

Then Shi Hailong went ashore first and went to the purchasing point to get a bamboo basket.

Looking at the bamboo baskets now, Shi Hailong thought that his new ship would need a batch of new shallow bamboo baskets.

Modern traditional bamboo baskets are too deep, making them unsuitable for storing seafood as they can easily crush or kill the catch.

It's also difficult to move; it's so heavy that one person can't move it, it takes two people to lift it.

So, after returning from the county town this time, he decided to visit Zhuxigou.

Find a bamboo craftsman to make a batch of shallow, rectangular bamboo baskets, about 20 to 30 centimeters deep.

These days, there aren't any plastic baskets like those in later generations, so we just make our own.

After a busy weighing and settlement process, Shi Hailong received a little over 800 yuan.

The price of the white eel was lower than Shi Hailong had predicted, only two yuan and thirty cents, which left him feeling helpless.

This is only because the eel was really big; otherwise, it would only be a little over one piece.

They knew the purchasing points were lowering prices, but they had no other options and couldn't afford to offend them.

That's just how times are. Unless you don't sell it and take it home to eat yourself, your mother will still beat you up.

He gave the whole number to Shi Haifeng and told him to take it back.

Watching his elder brother row away in his fancy boat, Shi Hailong then shouldered his heavy schoolbag and headed to the bus station.

As Shi Hailong walked through the dock area, he remained cautious, fearing he might run into Huang Guoqing and his gang.

However, it was clear that he was worrying unnecessarily, and Shi Hailong was also puzzled.

Since their last fight, Huang Guoqing has never been seen again.

Could it be that he beat her so badly that she's disfigured and is too embarrassed to show her face in public?

Of course, it's a good thing if we don't run into each other, since Shi Hailong doesn't want to have any conflicts with anyone right now.

Making money and living a simple life is better than anything else.

People who fight and become aggressive never have a good ending.

Upon arriving at the station, buying tickets, and waiting for the train, Shi Hailong remained cautious and careful.

Even after getting into the car, he didn't relax. After this, he didn't want to spend any more silver dollars.

The risk was too great, and he didn't need to take the risk.

With the money he had exchanged, he planned to buy the three-piece diving set he had seen last time in the county town.

I'll buy two more imported fishing rods. These days, sea fishing should be possible, and those large fish are quite expensive.

When the time is right, we should bring up the five abalone as soon as possible, so as to cover up the difference of seven thousand dollars in the boat purchase.

Otherwise, if others find out later, it will be a significant hidden danger.

There will definitely be quite a few private boat buyers in the village next.

He opened up the market for private boat purchases two years ahead of schedule.