Zhou Yi stood on the metal deck of Zhanjiang Bay No. 1.
After being washed and cleaned, it was much tidier here, and all 12 breeding sections had been stocked with shellfish and Bone Fish fry.
The Black Hand Mushrooms, shaped like children, were patrolling and working one by one.
Some were feeding grass, mushrooms, and seaweed, others were using shovels, brushes, and burlap to clean the deck, and yet others were jointly pulling thick ropes sunk into the breeding sections, checking the growth of each scallop in the cages.
Each Black Hand Mushroom had a safety rope tied around its waist, fastened to various hooks and railings on the platform. This was a safety precaution technique continued from Yuan Tong, to prevent accidental falls into the Dead Sea.
There were also several human aquaculture workers. They had all come from Shell City and had been in this line of work before.
The lower half of the breeding platform was immersed in the misty Dead Sea and the currents, but the water inside the squarely structured breeding sections was very clear, the mist dispersed, allowing one to easily see into the water. This was clearly a built-in feature of Zhanjiang Bay No. 1.
Zheng Tao, wearing a fisherman's hat, held a thermos cup and said, "Everything here is going smoothly. The operation itself isn't difficult — we just purchase the fry and shells from Sand Port and put them in here. The Weapon Masters enter the Dead Sea and help us collect a lot of seaweed."
"The fry are cultured using chicken bones, and the specific technology is entirely controlled by Lord Sha Hai. These fry occasionally move, but their survival rate isn't high. We've used four breeding sections for the fish, put in a large number of fry, and so far, in one month, we've raised 17 Bone Fish."
Zhou Yi wasn't surprised. If it were so easy to obtain large numbers of Bone Fish, Duke Baili would have been wealthy enough to rival nations long ago.
"That's already not bad. Let's take it slow."
The shellfish breeding area was located near the helipad at the bow, while the fish breeding area was at the stern.
From the outside, there were no differences.
Zhou Yi looked into the breeding section wells, where several small creatures with bone structures swam in the water.
Compared to the wild Bone Fish he had seen, they seemed much smaller, but also quieter, not like the wild Bone Fish that liked to burrow underground.
Zhou Yi asked Zheng Tao, "If we don't do any enclosure or Light Blocker treatment here, won't the Bone Fish jump out?"
"No, Chairman. You'll see."
Zheng Tao grabbed a fishing rod with a thick line from a nearby rack, took a white shell from a bucket on the deck, tied it to the fishing line as bait, then cast it into the well of the breeding section.
A Bone Fish immediately swam up, biting the shell.
Then Zheng Tao easily pulled it up and tossed it into an empty bucket.
The Bone Fish, slightly larger than a palm, bit the shell and gradually swallowed it into its body. Then it spat out the fishing line, lay in the bucket, and basked in the sun motionlessly with an indifferent demeanor.
"Bone Fish raised on the platform are ."
Zheng Tao's face showed a hint of a smile. "At first, Sun Chonglai and I were worried about managing them, but we found we were overly concerned after trying. They grow up on the breeding platform from fry, have weak aggression, and are gentle and lazy as long as they are fed bones and shells."
"They are very obedient as long as they aren't attacked repeatedly because they expect to be fed."
Zhou Yi sighed inwardly.
The domestication of these Bone Fish was absurdly fast.
The role of Zhanjiang Bay No. 1 was too significant.
"Don't be fooled by their appearance; they still have Light Seeds," Zheng Tao pointed at the fish in the bucket. "If needed, we can collect Light Seeds directly now."
Zhou Yi thought for a moment.
Previously, he had started with wild Bone Fish, obtaining Light Seeds by keeping the head and discarding the tail. But times had changed, and now, Zhanjiang Bay No. 1 could directly raise Bone Fish using fry and shells. Therefore, his approach had to adjust with the changes.
Zhou Yi said, "For now, we are not relying on the breeding platform to generate revenue, and the shells are primarily for the growth of Bone Fish. Our main focus is on exploring ways to increase Bone Fish production. Don't feel pressured; take it slow."
Zheng Tao poured the Bone Fish back into the breeding section, saying, "Actually, this initial phase has been very successful. With the basic framework of Zhanjiang Bay No. 1 already in place for breeding, what we need to do is explore and make further good use of it."
"The dam road you previously had Jade City build was truly visionary. With this secure passage connecting Jade City and Zhanjiang Bay No. 1, it can support vehicular traffic on top; inside, it facilitates pedestrian movement, and it also provides shelter from the wind, rain, and dangers."
"Now, Mushroom Forest transporting mushrooms and the output of farmland crops can also be transported through the dam."
Zhou Yi looked towards the long dam beside him.
He was quite satisfied with this project.
To become rich, build roads first.
In his era, this concept was deeply ingrained in people's minds. Indeed, efficient and rapid circulation of people and goods could only be achieved with convenient transportation.
Thus, after returning, Zhou Yi had operated in Jade City, extending Guangtai Dam even further from the west along the coastline of the Dead Sea to the south.
This was the first road built by the Wasteland Development Company, stretching 15.2 kilometers, and it took 21 days to complete.
Making roads with manufactured housing was simple. However, what consumed time and energy was leveling the road surface. Zhou Yi and Jade City repeatedly adjusted their plans and eventually selected a double-layered overlay method for road paving, which ensured the stability of the roadway.
The key was to have a passable road.
Previously, Zhou Yi had seized three disassembled Mechanical Thugs vehicles. Under Red Kestrel's guidance, Yuan Tong asked Qian Su to help repair them, and two were successfully restored. The last one, due to severe damage, required major repairs and was thus set aside.
They were restored to their most primitive tool state but now possessed Light Imprint Structures, allowing them to absorb the natural Death Light.
Each car had its own starting method.
One's brake pedal activated the accelerator, and the gas pedal acted as a brake, quite a rebellion in its design.
The other was slightly more complex, requiring several frantic turns of the steering wheel to activate, akin to some sort of hand-cranked engine.
They were fitted with trailer compartments, enabling them to transport goods and ferry workers, becoming the company's first two shuttle buses. Both were currently running well.
Zhou Yi continued discussing fish farming with Zheng Tao as a shuttle bus slowly arrived at the platform outside.
Assisted by Mayor Chen Jiadong, Lord Sha Hai, wrapped in a cloak, staggered off the passenger compartment, appearing somewhat out of breath.
Red Kestrel had already located them.
Zhou Yi also politely went to greet the arrival, saying, "You've just recovered from a serious illness. You should rest more. If there's something to discuss, I can come back later; there's no need to travel such a distance."
"It's fine, it's fine. I've been lying down for a month. It's time I moved a bit."
Lord Sha Hai wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.
Standing up, this Lord Sha Hai resembled a huge upright sea lion, with a shiny black nose and a long beard. It stood about two meters tall with smooth brown and white skin, sturdy upper limbs, and broad, powerful paws, walking with an imposing air.
"Since I've woken up, I heard that Duke Baili has died?"
Zhou Yi nodded. For origınal chapters go to novelꞁire.net
"Then I'm relieved. I owe you my thanks," Lord Sha Hai said with a smile.
Zhou Yi had learned some relevant information about this sea lord from Zheng Tao and Red Kestrel.
Typically, a sea lord would play a role of absolute power, remaining hidden behind the scenes of the city, enforcing their will through mayors or governors.
However, Lord Sha Hai took a different approach. It actively stepped forward, regularly visiting Sand Port City to inspect and comfort, issuing orders like distributing food to the hungry humans or administering justice and punishing the wicked... all while largely performed for show to boost its reputation and support.
Ordinarily, a sea lord need not engage in these activities, but Lord Sha Hai tirelessly cultivated its populist image, already winning the favor of many peers.
Thus, among the residents of the Sand Port Region, this sea lord's reputation had always been very positive. Before Jade City emerged, everyone here was eager to work and live in Sand Port City.
Zhou Yi said, "Actually, I also have a matter to discuss with you."
"Please speak," responded Lord Sha Hai, cautious.
Zhou Yi gestured towards the dam: "As you can see, we have built a coastal road from Jade City to the Breeding Platform. I plan to further extend this road along the Dead Sea all the way to the port outside Sand Port City, to be named Jade Avenue."
"This way, residents of Sand Port City can come work at our company, and inhabitants of Jade City can go to Sand Port for shopping. It will be easier for us to purchase fish fry from Sand Port and export our food there. The trade between both sides would become faster and more convenient."
"How do you feel about that?"
Lord Sha Hai was momentarily stunned before eagerly rubbing its hands together: "I think it's great. It's beneficial for Sand Port and an opportunity we cannot miss."
Zhou Yi smiled, extending his hand: "Then here's to a successful collaboration."
"Successful collaboration." Lord Sha Hai also lifted a paw.
The finer details were to be negotiated and coordinated by Zheng Tao and Chen Guodong.
Zhou Yi asked, "Earlier, you mentioned you knew the location of a Dead Sea Alien?"
Lord Sha Hai nodded: "Absolutely true. I've visited once, but it is extremely dangerous there. I'm not confident in getting too close. Perhaps, Mr. Zhou, you might have a chance to subdue it."
"Oh? Very dangerous?"
Zhou Yi asked, "How far from here?"
Lord Sha Hai whispered: "It's just on the outskirts of Sand Port City."
Zhou Yi was taken aback.
This place was hiding an architectural creature indeed.