The next morning, Zhou Jingqiu took the villagers to survey the paddy fields of Shenjiaba Village, preparing to select a batch of fields with good water sources for experimental cultivation.
Chen Yang also sorted out the types of fish he had collected, so that Zhou Jingqiu would know which fish species were suitable for aquaculture in the Liuh River basin.
Shenjiaba Village specially arranged for village group members to accompany Zhou Jingqiu to dig the field ridges. Now that the experimental fields were chosen, they had to prepare to pump water into the fields and store it.
Originally, the second crop of rice was supposed to be transplanted in June. Now, they had to hurry to cultivate the seedlings, sow and transplant them, and prepare to release fish fry.
After collecting the fish, Chen Yang drove the donkey cart to the county town to deliver them. The fish were becoming fewer and fewer, with only five thousand jin collected today.
Many villagers could only catch a few fish a day, and the smiles on their faces were visibly diminishing.
This livelihood, which depended on the weather, could only rely on the fish stocks of the Liuh River. Moreover, this year, they had caught all the fish accumulated over the past few years. By next year, there would probably be even fewer.
This was why Chen Yang wanted the villagers to engage in aquaculture themselves. At least they could ensure a certain yield through their own efforts and not completely rely on nature.
"Xiao Chen, I only now realize your foresight."
"Relying on heaven for food can only mean trusting heaven. We have to do our own aquaculture to keep the fish in our own hands."
Wang Jianguo had been watching the fish yield decrease day by day. Of course, other counties were similar. Now he understood why Chen Yang was so insistent on aquaculture.
"Uncle Jianguo, the technicians are already guiding the fish farming. It's just the beginning this year, and it might be on track next year. If it goes well later, we can promote it county-wide, and then, hehe."
As long as the productivity of the working people was liberated, they would unleash unimaginable creativity. Chen Yang firmly believed this.
"If that really happens, then all the villagers in the county will have to thank you."
"Then in the future, the villagers of our Liuh River County will have another way to make a living."
Wang Jianguo planned to go to Shenjiaba Village to take a look later. As the director of the Aquatic Products Station, he also had a responsibility to assist in the promotion of this aquaculture project.
After bidding farewell to Wang Jianguo, as he was about to go home, his elder cousin Zhao Wukang secretly pulled Chen Yang aside.
"Brother-in-law, you are knowledgeable. There's something I'd like you to ponder."
Zhao Wukang was a little embarrassed, but the matter was like picking up a bargain. He was really unsure and afraid of being cheated.
"You kid, still being polite with your brother-in-law. Just tell me quickly what it is."
Chen Yang was happy to get along with his aunt's family. They were all honest people. In the past, when his family was poor, his uncle and aunt had helped them a lot. He remembered that kindness.
"Brother-in-law, yesterday, I heard that someone from Qinghe City came to deal in second-hand radios. Yesterday, someone in our courtyard bought a second-hand radio from him."
"It only cost 30 yuan, and no coupons were needed!"
"Yesterday, everyone could hear the radio broadcast from his house from afar. So, my dad also heard it and felt a strong desire to buy one."
"I went to see it too. The radio sounded great, no worse than a new one. But the price, I just don't feel confident about it. I met brother-in-law today, so I wanted to ask you."
When Chen Yang heard Zhao Wukang say this, he touched the back of his head. This smelled a lot like his own business.
Had someone already started imitating their tactics so quickly?
Chen Yang muttered to himself.
"Wukang, where is the person selling second-hand radios? I'll go with you to take a look."
Chen Yang had to go and see this. He didn't want others to come and steal from his business before his own business had even reached Liuh River County.
"He's right in our courtyard. That person is also hardworking. He just set up a shed. I don't know how many mosquitoes he fed at night."
"But the radios he brought are genuine, dozens of them."
Chen Yang heard this and thought it was like setting up a stall in later generations. Good heavens, he even saved on rent, this was pure profit.
"Let's go, brother-in-law will accompany you to see."
"Can you get away from work now?"
Chen Yang glanced at Zhao Wukang. It was during working hours. Although there was nothing else to do at the aquatic products station after collecting his fish, it was still not good to skip work directly.
"Brother-in-law, you just take a look for me. My mother is at home. If it's okay, tell my mother. My father has already given the money to my mother."
Zhao Wukang chuckled. His mother couldn't solve work problems either, so she stayed at home to wash clothes and cook, responsible for logistics. Chen Yang could find her anytime.
"Alright, I'll go and take a look for you."
"But there's no need to rush this. Brother-in-law has a way to get you a radio, no need to spend money."
Chen Yang didn't know that his uncle's family wanted a radio. If he hadn't brought two back, he would have been in the second-hand radio business himself, and he wouldn't let others earn money from his aunt.
"Then I'll thank brother-in-law."
Zhao Wukang was a little strange why Chen Yang had a way to get him a radio without spending money, but he didn't ask.
Working with Wang Jianguo at the Aquatic Products Station, he had long regarded his capable brother-in-law as the most competent person in the family. As his father said, "Listen to your brother-in-law, and you'll never go wrong."
After leaving the Aquatic Products Station, Chen Yang headed straight for the fertilizer factory's residential compound. The market share was limited, and if someone was going to snatch the market first, he would definitely inform Zhang Weiyang.
For the expansion of the dream radio recycling business, the subordinate counties of Qinghe City were Chen Yang's first target. He couldn't let others pick the fruits first.
"Cheap, no coupons, practical and guaranteed."
"Everyone, come and see, touch and feel, it's free. Thirty yuan, only thirty yuan. Take this radio home."
"If it breaks within seven days, I'll give you a full refund."
Just as Chen Yang arrived, he suddenly laughed when he heard that persistent shouting.
He wondered why someone would imitate their tactics so quickly and already turn the second-hand radio into an industrial chain to promote it in Liuh River County.
It turned out to be Zhang Weiyang!
"Weiyang!"
Seeing it was Zhang Weiyang, Chen Yang immediately ran over. He had originally thought that Zhang Weiyang would take some more time to expand his business to the surrounding counties.
After all, there were still many businesses in Qinghe City that hadn't been fully expanded yet. That's why he hadn't thought of Zhang Weiyang at first, thinking someone was coming to steal his business.
"Brother, I told you, I've been here for a day, and you wouldn't possibly not come to see me."
Seeing Chen Yang, Zhang Weiyang quickly put down the tin horn in his hand. He chose Liuh River County as the first stop for his business promotion precisely because of Chen Yang.
"You kid, you're developing so fast, I didn't expect it."
"The city side?"
Chen Yang was a little puzzled. Zhang Weiyang's personality was not that of someone who was greedy for credit and rushed ahead. But to have finished Qinghe City so quickly seemed unlikely.