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“Our Qianjin Brigade can also build a fish farm. Though our beach area isn’t large, we have a vast stretch of saline-alkali land. As long as we dig it into ponds and divert seawater into them, we can raise fish too.”
“I think Linjiawan is a good choice. Their village has a large sea surface area—just fence it off with nets, and it’s ready for aquaculture.”
“I think the Hongqi Brigade is great. They have a dock, which will make seafood transportation more convenient.”
“Actually, I think the Qianjin Brigade’s idea is not bad—digging fish ponds in saline-alkali land. Since crops can’t grow there anyway, it’s a waste to leave it empty. Digging ponds only costs some labor.”
As soon as the Qianjin Brigade’s leader finished speaking, other brigade leaders began voicing their opinions.
Since only three brigades were located along the coast, the rest could only watch the debate unfold—they didn’t even have the land for seafood farming.
“Seafood aquaculture is currently in a trial phase. Once the techniques mature, the other two brigades can also start building farms. But for now, we’ll begin with Linjiawan.”
Wang Ziyang never intended to restrict aquaculture to just one village.
He already had plans for non-coastal areas as well.
Helping farmers increase income was his initial strategy—he wanted to gradually turn Nancheng County into a major aquaculture hub.
The rest of the meeting continued to focus on the seafood farm initiative.
Wang Ziyang even invited an aquaculture expert to teach methods and precautions for raising seafood.
Two hours later, the meeting finally ended.
“Alright, meeting adjourned.”
The county magistrate and his secretary were the first to leave the conference room, leaving behind a group of drowsy brigade leaders.
Most of the brigade leaders were rough-and-tumble types. Expecting them to sit through lectures was torture—they could barely keep their eyes open.
The only ones who were fully engaged throughout were the magistrate, his secretary, and Lin Qingmei.
Lin Qingmei rubbed her sore wrist.
The meeting had been lengthy and packed with information—her hand felt like it was about to fall off from all the note-taking.
“Old Lin, when we get back, have someone copy those meeting notes for me. You’re smart to have thought of bringing someone along to take notes.”
The Qianjin Brigade’s leader had barely been able to keep up during the meeting and had recorded very little.
Old Lin really was sharp, thinking to bring a young person along to help with the minutes.
“No problem. I’ll get someone to copy it tomorrow and bring it to you.”
Old Lin readily agreed to the Qianjin leader’s request.
He hadn’t expected that bringing Lin Qingmei today—something he decided on last minute—would turn out to be such a big help.
“Old Lin, you’re a real brother! Now that the seafood farm will be in Linjiawan, if things go well for you, don’t forget to lend Qianjin Brigade a hand.”
“Your idea to dig fish ponds in saline-alkali land is actually quite good. Why don’t you give it a shot? Even if you can’t raise saltwater fish, freshwater fish might work.”
“We are planning to dig fish ponds. As for what kind of fish to raise, we’ll have to ask the aquaculture expert. I didn’t really understand all that water quality stuff today.
I’ll follow your lead and find a capable young person to take notes next time.”
The Qianjin Brigade had little arable land, much of it saline-alkali. They were one of the poorest brigades in the Nanfeng Commune.
As brigade leader, Feng Hai had long been eager to help his villagers earn more.
But they barely had enough grain to feed themselves, let alone raise poultry.
So raising pigs or chickens was out of the question. After thinking it through, raising fish was the only viable option.
Even if the county magistrate hadn’t brought up seafood aquaculture today, he still would’ve proposed converting the saline land into fish ponds.
“As long as you’ve made up your mind. We won’t bother you anymore. Qingmei, let’s head home.”
Lin Qingmei parted ways with the village head outside the commune building.
Since she was already in town, she wanted to check if the state-run restaurant had any braised pork.
Now that Lin Zheng was staying with them—a bit of an outsider—she didn’t dare to openly take food from her space anymore.
She found a quiet corner and discreetly pulled an old lunchbox from her space.
In this era, there were no disposable containers, so if you wanted to take food from a restaurant, you had to bring your own.
Inside the state-run restaurant, He Xufeng and Wang Ziyang had just finished ordering when they spotted Lin Qingmei.
“Xufeng, didn’t you say you knew that young lady? Why not invite her over to eat with us?”
“County magistrate, don’t get the wrong idea—we were just high school classmates.”
He Xufeng really wasn’t close to Lin Qingmei. She had always kept to herself in school and didn’t socialize much.
“She’s got a round, full face—looks very fortunate, the kind who brings prosperity to her husband. Aren’t you tempted?”
Wang Ziyang actually quite liked Lin Qingmei. She had been the only one fully attentive during the meeting today.
Plus, she was from Linjiawan. Once the seafood farm was up and running, he planned to appoint her as the manager.
“She’s only sixteen. Don’t go playing matchmaker.”
He Xufeng remembered Lin Qingmei had skipped a grade—she’d been the youngest in their class.
Besides, he had no intention of thinking about marriage yet.
Getting married without the ability to make someone happy was, in his opinion, irresponsible.
Lin Qingmei had no idea the two were talking about her.
She ordered a portion of white-cut chicken to bring home after seeing it on the menu.
White-cut chicken was a well-known Guangdong dish, made best using a one-year-old capon or a young hen.
Worried that Lin Qinglan and Lin Zheng might not like it, she also bought ten leftover buns from the restaurant.
When she left the commune, the sun hadn’t quite set.
By the time she got home, it was nearly dark.
After walking for over an hour, Lin Qingmei’s legs were about to give out. She deeply regretted not buying a bicycle.
Back when she was in school, she only returned home once a week. She had been used to walking and didn’t feel it was tiring.
Plus, with no strong laborers at home, she and Grandma Lin didn’t dare to flaunt their wealth—so they never bought a bicycle.
When she had first transmigrated, she had stayed in Linjiawan the whole time and never thought about needing one.
But after today’s long walk back, she finally understood the value of a bicycle.
Though she had all kinds of vehicles in her space, unfortunately, none of them could be taken out in public.
Buying a bicycle had now become an urgent priority.
Before the seafood farm was fully established, she and the village head would definitely need to attend frequent meetings in town.
With a bicycle, she wouldn’t have to suffer through exhausting walks anymore.