Chapter 460: An Opportunity to Earn Merit

Chapter 460: Chapter 460: An Opportunity to Earn Merit

Chen Yupeng had a complex look in his eyes. "This is a very meaningful endeavor. Professor Li thinks what you’re doing is excellent—protecting the environment with cold, hard cash, not like so many people who just pay lip service."

"Our Maritime Affairs Department’s main job is managing the ocean. We have to strictly enforce the fishing ban, but giving back to the ocean would also be an incredibly meaningful thing for us to do."

In fact, they had also considered getting fish fry and releasing them into the sea.

Especially the fry of precious species like Big Yellow Fish, small yellow croakers, and Yellowlip Fish.

The problem was, only the Jinshan Bay Ornamental Fish Farm had successfully developed these fry.

It was a private enterprise, and all these fry were for sale.

If they wanted the fry, they’d have to pay for them. But with all government departments currently focused on economic development, funding for other areas was scarce.

Without money, how could they buy the fry?

So Chen Yupeng had put a stop to the idea himself, not wanting Han Xiaorui to suffer a loss.

Hearing this, Han Xiaorui had a moment of realization. "Oh, it was supposed to be a small thing. My thinking was simple: I’m taking more and more resources from the ocean every year."

"You know me, I don’t like being indebted to anyone. I don’t even want to be too indebted to the ocean. I couldn’t do anything about it before, but now I have the fish fry breeding base."

"If we raise the fish until they’re a bit bigger before releasing them into the sea, it will greatly increase their survival rate. That way, there will be more rare fish in the ocean."

"I purely wanted to do a good deed, with no other motive. I was originally planning to do it quietly, but I didn’t expect Professor Li would want to publicize it for me."

After hearing Han Xiaorui’s words, Chen Yupeng shook his head with a laugh. "I believe what you’re saying, but if you do good deeds in secret, they don’t have as much educational value."

"You might not care about the fame, but that very fame can guide many people to do things that are beneficial for the ocean. Of course, it’s also very important for our department."

"If you cooperate with our department on this, our results for the fishing ban period will definitely be better. Not only will it set an example for the public, but our department will also be commended."

Han Xiaorui smiled and nodded. "That’s my mistake. Next time there’s anything related to the ocean, I’ll talk to you about it beforehand and hear your thoughts."

Chen Yupeng’s eyes lit up at her words. He cupped his hands in a mock gesture. "Thank you, sister-in-law! Whether or not this little brother gets promoted in the future will all depend on you."

Han Xiaorui laughed and waved her hand. "Of course!"

Yao Yulan smiled, pressing her lips together. "See? I told you to just talk to Xiao Rui directly and not feel awkward! Both of you are starting from a place of wanting to do good, and you have such a good relationship. Isn’t a mutually beneficial arrangement even better?"

Chen Yupeng gave a sheepish laugh. "I was just worried about putting pressure on my sister-in-law. It would have been bad if she misunderstood me!"

Han Xiaorui waved her hand. "Yupeng, in this respect, you’re not as straightforward as Yulan! What’s our relationship? You and Ye Feng have a life-and-death friendship. What’s there to be shy about?"

"My fish fry... by the time the fishing moratorium arrives, the people and organizations who bought fry from me last year will have a huge harvest this year. Not only is the yield high, but the taste is also excellent. This year, the fry are bound to be in high demand."

"If your Maritime Affairs Department has affiliated partner organizations, or is supporting impoverished coastal counties and cities, I can prioritize selling the remaining fry—after supplying last year’s regular customers—to the organizations and individuals you designate."

Chen Yupeng’s eyes lit up again. This opened up a lot of possibilities. "Sister-in-law, now that you mention it, we’ve had a lot of organizations coming to us for help."

Yao Yulan reminded him, "Yupeng, Xiao Rui is supporting your work, but you need to pay attention to the payment. No credit sales, or it will create operational difficulties for Xiao Rui."

"After all, releasing one-tenth of the fry already significantly reduces her profit. If she can’t collect payments on time on top of that, it will negatively impact her fish fry breeding base."

Hearing this, Han Xiaorui nodded quickly. "Yes, payment has to be prompt. Otherwise, it will affect my operations and my plans to expand the breeding scale next year."

Chen Yupeng smiled. "Sister-in-law, you can rest assured on that point! The successful cultivation of expensive fry like Big Yellow Fish, Yellowlip Fish, and yellow croakers is already famous in coastal aquaculture circles."

"Last year, you already successfully raised a batch and released them onto the market! The taste is exceptional. Although it’s a bit different from wild Big Yellow Fish, that difference doesn’t mean it doesn’t taste good."

"Many organizations have contacted us in advance, all expressing great sincerity in cooperating. Payment will absolutely not be an issue! After all, the response from my side has been very official: cultivating these species requires a huge investment."

"If there’s no return on investment, it will seriously affect the breeding scale. Our coastline is so long, and seafood farming is becoming more and more common, so the demand for high-value fish fry is extremely strong. For the sake of higher returns, they will all agree to the terms."

Han Xiaorui was pleased. "Alright. I’ll have Professor Li compile the relevant data later, and your department can handle the allocation! We can promote high-end marine aquaculture in a scientific and rational way."

Chen Yupeng rubbed his hands together, his voice full of gratitude. "Sister-in-law, thank you so much. Right after the New Year, you’ve already given our Maritime Affairs Department two chances to score major achievements."

Han Xiaorui was very supportive of Chen Yupeng’s work. The more merits Chen Yupeng accumulated, the sooner he could get promoted.

Having a connection in the Maritime Affairs Department, Han Xiaorui had no intention of using Chen Yupeng to achieve any unreasonable goals.

She just wanted access to the latest maritime policies to promptly adjust her company’s related business operations.

And to get a heads-up on anything that required attention.

Chen Yupeng took this matter very seriously. He drafted a sound planning report and earned the praise of his superiors.

With his superior taking the lead and Chen Yupeng managing the project, if it succeeded, the credit would go to Chen Yupeng.

With Han Xiaorui’s support, the matter was a sure thing, and the credit was practically in his pocket.

The trip out to sea this time was relatively long; it took five days from start to finish before they returned.

After Han Xiaorui got the news, she came to the pier personally.

At this moment, Jinshan Bay Pier was bustling with activity. The wholesalers, who had received the telegrams long ago, had already arrived.

Zhang Guangnan had also come in person to select high-quality seafood.

It would be transported directly from the pier to his own warehouse, bypassing the wholesale market link.

The boat Zhang Guangnan cooperated with most was Chen Yishui’s.

This was not only because the seafood caught by Chen Yishui’s boat was high-quality, but also because the fish sorted by the female crew members were impeccably standardized.

After Zhang Guangnan and his assistant bought the fish, they could be put directly into storage without any further sorting.

When he saw Han Xiaorui approaching, Zhang Guangnan’s eyes lit up. He happened to have something to discuss with her today.