NOVPUB
Chapter 34: Chapter 34 Zhang Yang’s Cunning Tricks
Zhang Yang had considered this, but he hesitated slightly and decided not to be too high-profile for now.
After all, Diao Changhe, this stingy boss, was unreliable. If he didn’t allow fishing because too many fish were caught, Zhang Yang had no other alternative fishing ground to play at. This would also greatly hinder the promotion of his own fishing tackle shop and bait recipe.
Based on Zhang Yang’s assessment of Diao Changhe, this guy was just a profit-driven, cowardly, and unscrupulous shady boss. When dealing with him, he should be flattered to save face publicly, stay low-key, and not reveal too many catches. This way, he should be able to play here for a while.
At this point, someone might ask, "Why bother looking at the stingy boss’s face when you’re paying to fish? Just don’t go, right?"
Other players could indeed choose not to go if dissatisfied, but Zhang Yang couldn’t.
He was still in the stage of accumulating loyal customers for his shop, and no new pay-to-fish grounds were opening nearby. Staying low-key and "developing" was the best choice.
Even if he had to show his cards, he had to have something up his sleeve first.
Zhang Yang’s idea was simple: play a few more rounds, gather enough customers, and have Zhang Yang register everyone’s names with the boss himself. Once he held the customers, he could be more confident. Now wasn’t the right time yet.
After sleeping for three and a half hours at night, Zhang Yang spent the entire next day feeling a bit sluggish.
He waited until dusk, but Old Zhao still didn’t come to drive his car. When Zhang Yang called, he found out that Old Zhao had something to attend to during the day and would come over the next morning to drive, and also go to "donkey stealing."
To be fair, in terms of fishing frequency, Zhao Bingguang was definitely a role model among anglers.
After catching nine fish in two sessions at the Oil House Fishing Ground and learning so many new concepts from Zhang Yang, Old Zhao was now highly motivated.
Sure enough, early the next morning, Zhao Bingguang and Wang Jun went "donkey stealing" again, and Zhang Yang didn’t go with them as he had to receive some stock in his store.
The two followed the methods Zhang Yang taught last time, "donkey stole" for another morning, but the catch was noticeably less this time, with four and five fish respectively. Although the catch was not much, they were still among the top anglers for the day.
Near noon, after fishing, the two returned to Zhang Yang’s store.
This time, Old Zhao came with drinks and food, looking to have a meal with Zhang Yang and learn some lessons!
The two thought the lack of fish was a result of problems with the bait or fishing method, but after a few drinks, Zhang Yang’s words awakened them.
"We caught at least over 300 pounds of fish the night before, and you’ve been ’donkey stealing’ for a day. Today is the third day. Do you still think there are many fish left in the pond?"
"Ah, right! We always thought the bait was great and the method reliable, but if the pond doesn’t have much fish left, of course, it won’t go well!" Old Zhao realized.
Zhang Yang grinned: "Haha, Brother Zhao, you’re just too worried. The more you fish, the fewer fish there are. Isn’t that common knowledge?"
By the way, yesterday, Yang Shulin brought two angler friends to the store to buy bait! I gave them a rough idea of the bait preparation method and fishing technique.
Take advantage of the fact that others in the pond haven’t learned it yet, have a few more fun rounds. Once everyone catches on to our methods, we won’t have much advantage when fishing for real!"
Hearing this, Old Zhao offered cigarettes around and lit one for himself, saying: "Old Liu, Hou Xiaojun, and the rest of us, including me and Little Wang, used to fish at Lang Junfeng’s shop!
In the High-Tech Zone, Junfeng Fishing Tackle!
But this Lang guy is too stingy, not open to sharing. Over time, everyone has some complaints, and the impression of him isn’t great!
This group of anglers has a high turnout rate, so you could try to win them over. It would benefit your shop!"
Zhang Yang nodded: "They’ve already taken the bait, and I’ve given them a rough idea of how to use it!
In fishing, you know, there’s no 100% guaranteed bait, and catch still has a lot to do with one’s skills!
Let’s see how effective it is for them after they’ve used it!
By the way, when is the next fish release at Oil House? I’ll register all of you when it’s time!"
Wang Jun replied: "I asked Diao when selling fish today, and he said tomorrow!
The attendance was high for the last fish release, and there has been no break in ’donkey stealing’ for the past two days. There’s money to be made, so this guy is pretty keen on stocking fish!"
Hearing this, Zhang Yang’s mind sparked with an idea.
"What do you two think, if we raised the fishing fee to 120, and increased the fish release to 800 pounds, would you still go?" Zhang Yang asked.
Zhao Bingguang responded without hesitation: "Of course, why not!
Right now it’s 80 and 500 pounds, if it’s 120 and 800 pounds, it’s almost the same ratio, more fish would be more fun!
Put it this way, as long as the catch is good, the folks paying to fish now wouldn’t mind the extra 40 bucks!"
Getting an affirmative answer, Zhang Yang continued: "If that’s the case, let’s encourage Diao Changhe to raise the fees and release more fish. Would he agree?
There aren’t any other pay-to-fish ponds around right now, so it’s a unique business!"
Hearing this, Zhao Bingguang’s eyes lit up: "Damn, Zhang Yang, that’s a great suggestion! Why didn’t I think of that?
The more fish, the more advantage we have. Last time we took nearly 200 out of 500. If they release 800 or 1000, wouldn’t it be awesome!
No, I’ll call him right now!!"
Old Zhao was a person of strong execution. Once prompted by Zhang Yang, he eagerly took out his phone and dialed Diao Changhe.
In the rural part of a third-tier city in 2012, an angler like Old Zhao with a CRV certainly deserved extra attention from a slick boss like Diao Changhe.
After the call connected, Old Zhao relayed Zhang Yang’s proposal and expressed willingness to organize anglers to go play, hoping Old Diao could raise the fees and release more fish for everyone to enjoy!
Diao Changhe, being a slick operator, after understanding the proposal and roughly inquiring how many people could be organized, did not readily agree but said he’d consider it. He was worried that a high price might deter anglers and cause losses!
Meanwhile, after hanging up on Old Zhao, Diao Changhe immediately took out a calculator for analysis.
In the first three sessions after opening, although the catch rate wasn’t high, Diao Changhe didn’t actually earn much.
Having just opened, with no reputation yet, few came to play, and with poor catches, many anglers were reluctant to spend money and come back.
The turning point was when Old Zhao, Zhang Yang, and another ’donkey stole’ beautifully and advertised in the fishing group, bringing more people to play.
Last session, there were a total of 26 fishers, generating $2080, which just about balanced out the fish costs.
Between yesterday and today, ’donkey stealing’ at least 18 anglers, at a fishing fee of $60 each, generated $1000 income.
This didn’t even account for the fish weighing differences and the remaining fish in the pond.
Making over $1000 in three days was a very high income given the wage levels at the time, making Diao Changhe more than pleased with little drinks three times a day.
Now with Old Zhao’s suggestion to release more fish and moderately raise fees, if it truly could ensure attendance, Diao felt it could only mean more profits!
There’s potential!
