As a retired veteran, Meng Xiangqiu has been running the Meng Village Fishing Ground since its opening in 2012 and was still making stable profits until 2021, in the past life.
He is considered a legendary owner witnessing the development and changes of black pits in W City.
Many might sneer at this introduction, thinking it's just a fishing ground that ran for eight or nine years. Is it hard?
You can be sure it's very hard.
In the earlier years, it was somewhat easier, with fewer competitors and no shortage of customers. Even if it was a bit unfair, anglers without anywhere else to go could only bite the bullet and accept being overcharged.
By 2015-2016, with more black pits, owners began competing intensely for customers.
Coupled with rising fish prices, many black pits in W City opened then closed, with new owners trying again only to change hands within two months.
Yet, the Meng Village Fishing Ground remained very stable since its opening.
While other fishing grounds falsely advertised the amount of stocked fish, claiming 1,500 or even 2,000 pounds when it was just 1,000 pounds, Meng Xiangqiu was different.
He always announced the exact amount of fish stocked, without even a tiny bit less, embedding integrity into the core of his business.
Besides operating the fishing ground with integrity, Meng Xiangqiu was also a connoisseur of fine cuisine.
While running the fishing activities, the ground also offered cooking services, with many specialties. Many anglers, along with friends, would enjoy some drinks and meals, adding to the profit from dining.
Over time, Meng Xiangqiu's fishing ground accumulated a large following of loyal customers, becoming a well-known gathering spot for top anglers in W City.
One could say that the level here basically represented the pinnacle of local black pit fishing techniques.
This man, today at the opening, looked at the anglers with a somewhat unfamiliar gaze, but was already showing some competence in setting the rules of the fishing ground.
While most other fishing grounds selectors their fishing positions, at Meng Village, on the opening day, a lottery box made of a ping-pong ball carton was used.
The rectangular fishing ground had 18 positions on each side, and entry was determined by lottery — wherever you drew was where you sat, which was quite fashionable and innovative at the time.
"Hello Brother Meng, I'm Zhang Yang, the one who runs the fishing gear shop. I called you yesterday to sign up! Including me, there are seven of us, with a total fishing fee of 840 yuan. I've collected it all, please double-check!" Zhang Yang greeted Meng Xiangqiu proactively.
"Hello, hello, you must be little Zhang from Mingyang Fishing Gear on QQ! Welcome, welcome!"
Meng Xiangqiu warmly shook Zhang Yang's hand, his large hands felt broad, warm, and strong, much like this retired veteran's humble enthusiasm.
"That's right, it's me! My home is in the neighboring village, Zhang Family Village, where I run a fishing gear shop on the town! Please take care of us!"
"That's even closer! Not so much take care of, but mutual support! As long as you're at our fishing ground, just speak up if anything comes up! Since today is the opening, and you brought customers for support, I'll arrange lunch for everyone — let's get some of the guys together for drinks!"
"Absolutely!"
Having taken the fishing fees, Meng Xiangqiu counted them in front of Zhang Yang to confirm the amount was correct. Then he noted it down in his notebook, while saying: "Our fishing ground records the lottery sequence according to the order of registration. Currently, your group of seven is queued to draw lots ninth or later, please inform your customers. I'll call out your name directly!"
"Got it! You carry on. I'll get ready!"
With the payment complete, Meng Xiangqiu nodded, and walked toward the small cabin with a loudspeaker in hand.
Shortly after, his voice was heard again.
"All anglers who registered by phone but haven't paid yet, please come to the cabin to pay!
The registration for our fishing ground requires actual payment, and there's only half an hour left for the lottery and entry, everyone please hurry!"
On hearing the owner's call, many anglers who hadn't paid yet gathered around to settle the fishing fee, while Zhang Yang's group stayed together, ready for the lottery and entry.
"Hey, this fishing ground is quite interesting, deciding where to sit purely by lottery, saving the early attempts to claim spots!" said Old Zhao, smoking and watching the crowd by the cabin.
"Draw for where to sit makes it hard to cheat! But I wonder how well the bottom of the pond is cleaned up, hopefully not uneven!" Wang Jun chimed in.
At this moment, Meng Fan sidled up to Zhang Yang and asked: "Yang, what rod length do you suggest for this place? Or should I use the short rod you told me about last time?"
Zhang Yang shook his head: "Check the announcement, the fish were stocked the day before yesterday. It's almost two days now, so I guess the short rod won't be that effective! With a rod limit of 5.4 meters, it's safer to start directly with a longer rod!"
"Damn! A 5.4-meter rod, I've got used to snatching fish with a short one during fund fishing, and now a 5.4 feels a bit of a challenge!" Old Zhao also added his thoughts.
Zhang Yang added: "If you draw the edge position, you might try poking around with a short rod.
I guess there might be good fishing spots near the aerator in the middle or on the west bank, so if anyone gets those spots, be mindful!"
"That floating thing in the middle is called an aerator? How does it oxygenate? Blow bubbles?"
At this moment, it was the first time many saw such floating aeration equipment, so they were quite curious.
Zhang Yang chuckled: "It doesn't blow bubbles. You can think of it as a motor driving a turbine to create waves, increasing the contact surface between water and air to enhance oxygenation. It's common in Southern fish ponds!"
"Oh! Got it!"
...
After chatting for a while, before realizing it, it was already six thirty. Meng Xiangqiu called out to gather for the lottery, with nearly thirty anglers flocking around enthusiastically.
Before the lottery, holding a loudspeaker, Meng Xiangqiu announced loudly: "Hello everyone, I'm Meng Xiangqiu, the owner of Meng Village Fishing Ground. First of all, thank you for coming to support our opening! Thank you all!
As this is our first interaction, I want to emphasize the rules of our fishing ground before we start the lottery. I hope everyone respects each other and enjoys their time here!
First, Meng Village Fishing Ground allocates fishing positions by lottery. You sit where you draw, no number holding, no favor positions, and no personal connections. Please don't ask!
After drawing numbers, within the first two hours of fishing, positions cannot be changed, but after two hours, you can freely switch empty spots, with your gear moving with you.
Second, we limit rods to a maximum of 5.4 meters. No rods longer than 5.4 meters are allowed.
Third, after the lottery is finished, there's a fifteen-minute preparation time for entry, during which you can adjust floats, prepare bait, and so on.
When the preparation time is over and fishing officially begins, manual feeding is allowed only within the first ten minutes. After that, no more hand feeding is permitted!
The last, and the rule I wish to emphasize particularly: everyone should fish in the area directly in front of their own position, and not encroach onto others' spots!
The rules may be strict, and perhaps a bit unrelenting, but they're all to ensure everyone has a better fishing experience. I hope you understand!
If any anglers find this unacceptable, please let me know, and I will refund your fishing fee in full, so we can part on good terms!"