Chapter Forty-Seven: The Interview

Zhang Gui's presence here was also due to news reports.

He hadn't expected that there would be such a farm in his own backyard. He then had someone inquire about the background of this farm and learned that the owner was a university graduate who had made a fortune in Shangjing before returning home to start a business.

His parents were both fishermen from this village, and he didn't have any influential relatives. In Zhang Gui's eyes, Ye Yuan was just someone who had gotten lucky.

Since such a person was in his territory, he felt he would be doing himself a disservice if he didn't extort some money from him.

"You're the boss here, right? I'm Zhang Gui," Zhang Gui said to Ye Yuan with an air of superiority.

"Oh, may I ask what business you have, Mr. Zhang?" Ye Yuan wanted to understand Zhang Gui's purpose before deciding how to proceed.

"Well, I know you're a new farmer and might not be familiar with the rules in Pinghai County. I'm the designated seller for all seafood in our county. Your catch is good, so I'll buy all your fish at 5 yuan per jin. After that, you can just focus on farming." He finished by patting Ye Yuan on the shoulder, acting as if he were protecting him.

"What if I don't agree?" Ye Yuan retorted coldly.

"If you don't agree, then not a single fish of yours will be able to leave Pinghai County," Zhang Gui said with a sinister chuckle.

Just then, another boat arrived at the dock. This boat was filled with reporters who had come for interviews, and a county leader had also come with them.

Before the boat even docked, the reporters, with their long lenses and cameras, began taking pictures.

After disembarking, the group of reporters walked directly towards Ye Yuan. Zhang Gui, seeing that they were reporters, quietly whispered in Ye Yuan's ear, "Kid, don't say anything out of line. Be careful what you say, or you might bring trouble upon yourself."

"Excuse me, is the boss here? I'm from Hedong TV, and we'd like to interview the boss here," a beautiful reporter asked a worker.

The worker turned to look at Ye Yuan.

Being a reporter, she could tell a lot from a single glance from the worker. The young man in front of her was likely the owner of this island.

"Hello, you must be the owner here? May I ask you a few questions?"

Upon hearing that this was the boss behind the famous "Yuwan Seafood" in Hong Kong Island, the other reporters also gathered around.

Each of them posed their questions, and the scene quickly became chaotic.

It was the first time Ye Yuan had been surrounded by so many reporters. He remained relatively calm and said with a smile, "Everyone, please calm down. Ask your questions one by one, and I'll do my best to answer them. Don't rush!"

"Hello, I'm from Blue Island Daily. I heard that Hong Kong Island's Heng Hai Group has secured the exclusive agency rights for your seafood in Hong Kong Island. Is that true?"

A young male reporter asked the first question.

"Yes, Manager Ma Mingyuan of Heng Hai Group and I have already signed the agency agreement."

Ye Yuan directly answered the question without using any official jargon.

"Hello, I'm a reporter from Hedong Provincial TV. We'd like to know your positioning for Yuwan Seafood. Are you aiming for the high-end market or the mass market?"

The female reporter from Hedong Provincial TV, who had spoken earlier, asked her question.

Ye Yuan thought for a moment and replied, "I will pursue both paths. On one hand, I will develop the high-end sector, and on the other, I will also venture into the mass market.

I have already collaborated with a seafood company and a seafood restaurant in Blue Island. I believe that in the near future, everyone will be able to enjoy Yuwan Seafood."

"Hello, what are your thoughts on the prospects of the current aquaculture industry?" a self-media reporter asked.

After hearing the question, Ye Yuan glanced at Zhang Gui.

A smile played on his lips as he said, "It's difficult for farmers. It's not just natural disasters; the fish you raise might not even sell.

My grouper can only be sold for 5 yuan per jin now. Perhaps you won't believe this price when I say it. This gentleman here is here to purchase my catch. You can ask him." Saying this, he pointed at Zhang Gui.

The reporters found it hard to believe their ears. 5 yuan per jin for grouper? Frozen grouper on the market cost around 40 yuan. This was fresh, so why such a price?

Many reporters turned their microphones towards Zhang Gui. "Sir, why are you purchasing these groupers at such a low price? Is there something wrong with the fish?"

"Sir, could you tell us where you're from? Do you usually purchase seafood at this price?"

Numerous reporters bombarded Zhang Gui with various questions.

The leader who had accompanied the reporters also looked displeased. The county had just held a meeting deciding to support local enterprises, and now there was a local bully. Such a situation was equivalent to slapping them in the face.

He stepped out from the crowd and reprimanded Zhang Gui, "I don't care who you are, but I will hand over your actions to the relevant authorities for processing."

Zhang Gui recognized the person and, unable to afford further delay, fled back to his boat with a few of his men and sped away.

Ye Yuan looked at the person who had spoken. Upon seeing who it was, he couldn't help but smile. This was the same deputy county mayor who had received him when he contracted the island. This person had left a very good impression on Ye Yuan.

"I didn't expect you to be here. Why didn't you let me know beforehand so I could welcome you?" Ye Yuan greeted him warmly.

"Young man, you've done well. To develop this remote island to its current state in such a short time makes me very happy," the deputy county mayor said, shaking Ye Yuan's hand. He then turned to the reporters and said, "We in the county will take the questions raised just now seriously. We hope everyone will supervise. Such incidents will never happen again. We will protect every legal local enterprise and ensure that our fishermen are not disheartened."

Hearing the county mayor's words, the workers couldn't help but applaud.

Ye Yuan, along with the reporters and the county leader, toured Yuwan Island again. The reporters obtained the material they needed and eagerly rushed back to write their news reports. Before leaving, the deputy county mayor had a private chat with Ye Yuan.

"Don't feel burdened. Develop with confidence. People like Zhang Gui will be dealt with." With that, the deputy county mayor left.

Ye Yuan became famous, and Yuwan Seafood became famous. This was something Ye Yuan hadn't expected.

On the very evening of the reporters' interviews, many reports were published online. The beautiful island scenery, the tranquility far from the city, was captured by the reporters' cameras and publicized.

After returning from Ye Yuan's place, Zhang Gui knew he was finished.

First, his company's finances were audited, and then many of his past wrongdoings were gradually unearthed. Furthermore, many people he had previously oppressed came forward to testify.

The greatest pressure came from Su Mei. According to the contract, the first delivery date had arrived, but his fishing grounds had no stock. He had originally planned to extort some from Ye Yuan, but it turned out he had angered the county leaders.

If Zhang Gui failed to provide the catch according to the contract, he would have to pay a penalty of 1.5 million yuan for breach of contract. Although Zhang Gui could afford this amount, it was still a significant blow.

"Damn it, you forced me to do this. You deserve to die." Zhang Gui smashed the wine glass in his hand.