Zhang Yang nodded, "That's right! I called Boss Luo before we set out this morning!"
"Please come in, Old Luo just got a phone call and went out, I'll call him back! Handsome, what should I call you? My surname is Qin, Qin Yueru, Old Luo is my husband!"
After learning of Zhang Yang's identity, the lady boss greeted everyone warmly and quickly got up to lead them to a tea table near the stairs inside the shop.
"My name is Zhang Yang! These are our team members, Zhou Chu, Wang Yan, Han Qiang, and Yi Wenpeng!" Zhang Yang introduced them appropriately.
"So you're Zhang Yang? So young, I've heard Old Luo mention you!" The lady boss was a bit surprised to hear Zhang Yang introduce himself.
No wonder she was surprised, the head of a bait production fishing gear company looked even younger than the other team members, only in his early twenties.
After a short chat, lasting less than ten minutes, Boss Luo drove back.
He looked like a man in his early forties, about 178 cm tall, his complexion darkened by sun exposure, clearly an experienced outdoor fisherman.
Wearing an authentic Daiwa T-shirt, tidily dressed, he seemed somewhat like a middle-aged lady killer, with a well-defined face.
After reintroducing himself, Old Luo sat in the main seat, serving everyone tea and water.
Unlike the lady boss's surprise, Old Luo was more composed and quickly assumed his role.
"Brother Luo, do you know what the fish situation is like at the river fishing competition? What should we prepare?
We came early to scout the area and understand the conditions. If possible, we'd like to visit the fishing ground beforehand!" Zhang Yang asked with clear reasoning.
Luo Dapeng cheerfully explained, "The rules say it's at the Wetland Park, but it's actually just a section of open canal. I can take you for a look later! We have plenty of time, no need to rush!
It's not often you visit my little area here, let's us brothers have a good chat! The new bait in my store has garnered quite a response, I must say!"
Zhang Yang chuckled, "Just decent, you know fishing depends on skill and adaptability. Everything else is just auxiliary!"
"You're too modest!
I used to fully agree with that theory, but ever since 'Little Yellow Face' came out, my understanding of fishing has been totally overturned!
In less than half a year, I've sold over two tons of goods just at retail in my store, and I didn't renew my Marukyu agency this year!
Brother, you seem quite young, may I boldly ask who your master is? From your products, one can glimpse your profound understanding of fishing!"
Before Zhang Yang could respond, Han Qiang preemptively answered, "Our leader is self-taught, no master!"
Hearing Han Qiang's remark, Luo Dapeng maintained a neutral expression, but felt a sudden jolt internally.
Anyone who can expand their business to such an extent certainly has keen insight.
Han Qiang and the others all seem older than Zhang Yang, yet they call Zhang Yang 'leader,' indicating his extremely high status within the team, and given Zhang Yang's age, it's indeed quite peculiar.
Zhang Yang nodded with a smile, "I really didn't have a mentor! Several friends of mine are involved in aquaculture research, and coincidentally I also enjoy fishing, so I ventured into this area, surprisingly with good market feedback!
Not to make you laugh, but my own fishing gear shop isn't even a third of the size of yours!"
Speaking while glancing around the store, various shelves, fishing rods, baits and other products were abundant and lined the store, with visible inventory easily worth over half a million. Zhang Yang's small shop couldn't compare at all.
"So, you're into technical research! No wonder!" exclaimed Boss Luo in realization.
"You could sort of say that, the fishing gear industry doesn't really have a high technical barrier! I'm just benefiting a bit from being an insider!"
"From what I know, 'Little Yellow Face' is doing quite well, my store's scale can't compare to yours at all!"
"Haha, it's all thanks to capable agents like you that I can make a living, you're the true god of wealth for the company!"
"President Zhang, you're too kind, hahaha!"
...
During their first meeting, sitting at the same table drinking tea, though it seemed like idle chatter, it was also a process of mutual evaluation and scoring.
Despite Zhang Yang's young age, his fluent conversation skills without any missteps were beyond Luo Dapeng's expectations.
Zhang Yang drank tea in the store for over an hour and then checked the time, "We've had tea, Brother Luo, should we head to the location now? It's been on my mind and I'm a bit uneasy!"
"Let's go, I'll take you there first!" Luo Dapeng responded promptly, getting up and grabbing the car keys from the table.
Exiting the store, Luo Dapeng pressed a remote, and the lights of a white SUV at the entrance flashed, unlocking the car.
In comparison, Zhang Yang's Wuling Hongguang seemed a bit shabby, but it had more seats and could carry all the team members in one go.
Upon seeing Zhang Yang's modest vehicle, Luo Dapeng regarded him with even more respect, young as he was, making so much money yet driving a minivan, this young man was unusual.
Luo Dapeng led the way in his car, with Zhang Yang following behind. Winding out of the urban area, they quickly advanced southeast.
About half an hour of driving took them out of the city, where the surrounding greenery was noticeably denser. Within view appeared an artificial canal paved with cement bricks.
The artificial canal ran from south to north, and beside it was Yanhe Road. Luo Dapeng signaled left from the main road and continued along Yanhe Road.
Following the canal for about another twenty minutes, they reached a barricaded area. The SUV stopped by the roadside.
Luo Dapeng got out and waved, and Zhang Yang and the others quickly got out too.
Luo Dapeng pointed ahead, "That's where the Wetland Park section of the canal is! The competition will take place up ahead, we can't drive any further, we'll walk in to take a look!"
Zhang Yang nodded, "Alright!"
As they walked, Luo Dapeng introduced, "This artificial canal contains a variety of fish species. Every year, many people release large numbers of natural fishes into it, including crucian carp, carp, Grass Carp, and even ornamental fish like goldfish and koi!
This river fishing competition is organized by the municipal government, and the day before yesterday, they replenished fifty thousand pounds of fish. The area has been closed off since the release!"
"Fifty thousand pounds? What species of fish?" Zhang Yang's heart skipped a beat at hearing the number.
A ton is two thousand pounds, so fifty thousand pounds equates to 25 tons, an astonishing figure.
"No need to be so surprised! It's claimed to be fifty thousand pounds.
When the fish were released, I came with friends to check it out, and realistically they only unloaded thirteen trucks. If half of the amount claimed is true, it'd be good enough!
Government departments, you know how they are!
The majority of the released fish are carp, roughly six or seven truckloads, with the rest consisting of Grass Carp, bighead carp, and black carp, some of which are quite large, visually over ten pounds!"
"Even half of that is quite a lot! How long is this section of the river?" Zhang Yang nodded and asked another question.
"With a thousand people competing simultaneously, each getting a three-meter fishing spot, you can calculate it yourself! The competition area on both sides of the river is temporarily cordoned off with wire mesh, the density isn't as extreme as you might think!" Luo Dapeng continued.
By Zhang Yang's calculation, even if both sides of the river were being fished simultaneously, it would require a length of 1.5 kilometers, and given the canal's width of over thirty meters, the density didn't seem that high after all.
While Zhang Yang pondered this, Wang Yan asked, "Brother Luo, can we go into the competition area for a look?"
"Sure! I know the staff, just a bit further ahead!"
Soon, led by Luo Dapeng, everyone proceeded into the interior of the Wetland Park.
It wasn't long before they saw the sunshade for the temporary staff base, and along the shore different competition zone numbers and fishing spots were spray-painted.
Luo Dapeng took out cigarettes and exchanged pleasantries with a staff member wearing an orange vest, who quickly let them through, and the group continued forward.
Overall, the scale of the river fishing competition exceeded Zhang Yang and the others' expectations, appearing more organized.
It's no wonder Old Zhao said the opportunity was rare, this river fishing competition was indeed more regulated than typical commercial events.