To be fair, Wang Yan's language talent combined with his naturally bold style began to gradually reveal itself once he entered the live-streaming state.

Throughout the live stream, Zhang Yang consciously reduced his speaking time, allowing Wang Yan to control the flow as much as possible. Initially, Wang Yan was a bit shy, but after a while, he became more skilled and quickly got into the groove, able to handle things independently.

After stabilizing the "Black Pit Jianghu" streaming account, the next task was to get busy with setting up the fishing base.

Zhang Yang originally didn't have much hope of finding a suitable place in the short term, but within a week, old Zhao had some news for him.

Through a friend, he found out about a reservoir that was dug out from a clay pit used for kiln soil extraction, located in the southeastern part of the development zone of W City. He wanted to take Zhang Yang to have a look.

Upon hearing this news, Zhang Yang immediately got excited. The development zone isn't that big, and the distance from the small reservoir to Zhang Yang's fishing gear store was barely over twenty kilometers, so the location wasn't an issue since they had a car for transportation.

In less than half an hour, Zhao Bingguang drove his SUV to the front of Zhang Yang's fishing gear store.

Zhang Yang quickly got in the car, and the two headed straight for the destination.

"Brother Zhao, how big is the Yaokeng Reservoir you mentioned? Is the water source easy to handle? What's the current situation with the reservoir, and what are the lease terms?"

As soon as he got in the car, Zhang Yang was eager to fire off a series of questions.

"It's about fifteen or sixteen acres. It was originally a clay pit, but later they dug it until they hit a spring, turning it into a small reservoir! It's owned by the village collective from my friend's village. A few years ago, someone leased it for fish farming, the contract ended last year, and it hasn't been leased out again since! It's near Xin Jia Ji.

I haven't discussed specific costs with the other party yet. Let's go take a look with the village chief first, and if it's suitable, we'll consider it further!"

"Okay, okay!"

Zhang Yang was familiar with the Xin Jia Ji community, it wasn't far, only about twenty kilometers away.

The clay pit would definitely have a relatively regular terrain, the village collective's reservoir, and a spring water source, all points that met Zhang Yang's requirements.

After about a half-hour drive, Zhang Yang and old Zhao arrived at the destination.

It was a small reservoir at the edge of a natural village, and from a distance, they saw two lonely red-brick low houses, with not much around except for a big yellow dog tied at the front door that started barking energetically when it saw strangers approaching.

After the car came to a stop, Zhang Yang got out from the passenger seat and quickly walked to the edge of the clay pit.

Since it hadn't been managed, there was a lot of wild grass growing along the shore, and the reservoir had a mostly natural ecosystem.

Near the southern side of the reservoir, there was a large patch of black locust trees that appeared to have been growing for some years based on their thickness.

"It looks good, nice and square, pretty regular! Just not sure how deep the water is. Leasing it and tidying up the wild grass, then bringing in some mobile prefabricated rooms, getting power and internet set up, and we're all set!"

Zhang Yang glanced around and was very pleased with the state of the reservoir.

"The clay pits aren't too shallow, the water level is at least three to four meters deep, but the good point is that there was a procedure followed during the soil extraction, so the bottom is relatively flat!" old Zhao said.

While the two were talking, a man in his sixties with graying hair walked over with square steps.

"Are you Xiaozhao? You called me earlier? My name is Zhou Honglai, I'm the village chief of Zhou Jiazhuang!"

The old man's speech was unhurried, eyeing Zhang Yang and Zhao Bingguang up and down as he walked.

As soon as he got closer, the tied-up big yellow dog was still barking non-stop, but after a chiding from the village chief, it instantly tucked its tail and hid in its kennel, no longer daring to make a sound.

Old Zhao immediately smiled and pulled out a cigarette, offering it: "Uncle! It's me, this is my friend Zhang Yang, you can call him Xiao Zhang!"

"Uncle!" Zhang Yang also greeted him.

"Qingming mentioned that you're looking to lease the reservoir! It's simple, what I say goes! You came over to take a look, have you decided if you like it?"

Village Chief Zhou cut straight to the chase.

Old Zhao pulled out a lighter, lighting a cigarette for the other, and then lit one for himself, saying while smoking: "It looks pretty good at a glance, and there aren't many residents around! I just wonder if there are any other complications or disputes!

Also, what's the depth of the reservoir? Is there an irrigation requirement? Are there any fish in the reservoir right now, and if so, who do they belong to?

Lastly, the lease fee, about how much per year? If everything fits, I'm inclined to choose this one!

Before this, Xiao Zhang and I looked at several others, and each had some issues, so we haven't made a final decision yet!"

Old Zhao is indeed a shrewd player, asking questions succinctly and directly, and he also pretended to consider several reservoirs at once to throw the other party off, preventing them from making excessive demands.

"The village has irrigation wells, we have first-class fields here, so water isn't a problem! The reservoir is village collective property. Previously, the lease fee was five thousand yuan a year for a ten-year contract, expired last year, and most of the fish were taken out, the rest are whoever leases it.

Last year, it was openly leased out for fifteen thousand yuan a year, but nobody took it, so it's been vacant till now!

The village's stance is still fifteen thousand a year, the village will handle the installation of a meter and electricity connection!

As for the depth, the frequent rains last year raised the water level, the deepest part is near the southwestern spring area, roughly under five meters.

The shallowest part is in the northeastern corner, left as the road bed during soil extraction, two meters deep or so.

The other areas are relatively flat, about three and a half meters deep!"

Upon hearing fifteen thousand a year, Zhang Yang wanted to agree immediately.

Not to mention the large area, the key is that the reservoir area is exceptionally flat, and even if it's not used as a live streaming base, it would suffice for a large black pit.

However, having lived two lifetimes, Zhang Yang had some restraint and didn't immediately respond, instead looking at old Zhao.

Zhao Bingguang nodded lightly to the village chief, showing some difficulty: "Everything else is fine, just the leasing price is a bit steep. If we lease for twenty years, can we get a better offer?"

"Twenty years?"

Upon hearing this number, the old village chief's unfazed expression finally showed a slight change.

"Yes, twenty years, and if the price is right, the rent can be paid in full at once!" Zhao Bingguang specifically emphasized the full upfront payment.

The other party was silent for a few seconds, then said: "At least ten thousand a year!"

"Deal! When can we sign the contract?"

Zhao Bingguang agreed without hesitation.

"You can do it anytime. If you have the money, you can go to the village committee to sign the leasing contract today!"

"No cash, but I have an account number so the company's finance can arrange a transfer!"

"Wire transfer works too!"

In less than half an hour, old Zhao successfully negotiated the leasing contract for the reservoir.

The old village chief was also a straightforward person, taking them to the village committee, where after the transfer, two copies of the contract, stamped with the village seal, were signed just like that.

To show generosity, the old village chief even threw in an extra two months of leasing, with the contract starting from July.

After signing the contract and getting in the car, Zhang Yang couldn't contain his excitement.

In his previous life, as a fishing enthusiast, one of his life dreams was to lease a big reservoir, raise fish, and fish however he wanted.

Unexpectedly, that life dream was fulfilled so effortlessly, costing only two hundred thousand!

"Ten thousand a year for leasing, it's like getting it for free! Before coming here, did you privately investigate the old village chief through your friend?" Zhang Yang asked curiously.

Old Zhao grinned: "Didn't do homework, but I knew one piece of information!

The old village chief is in his final year of office, and at his age, it's nearly impossible for another term, so before stepping down, there's a need to find opportunities to benefit personally!

Leasing for twenty years in one go means two hundred thousand, not a small amount in the countryside!"

With that explanation, Zhang Yang instantly understood.

The issue of village collective asset loss is very common in rural areas, and it's not unusual nationwide for outgoing officials to sell off village assets!

How the village chief and the village secretary split this money wasn't something for Zhang Yang and the others to worry about.

Old Zhao handled this with insight into people's worldly desires rather than mere information.

Either way, they had the contract in hand, marking the initial success of Zhang Yang's Dream Fishing Ground!