There might be some shooting tasks out of town later, going to nearby cities and fishing grounds for filming. Travel expenses will be reimbursed according to the standard!"
Upon hearing Zhang Yang mention the salary, Han Qiang couldn't help but feel excited despite his initial hesitation. After all, this kind of pay was something he couldn't even dream of before coming here. It's definitely considered high locally.
"Oh right! There's one more thing I almost forgot to mention. If you're confirmed to be on camera, you need to sign at least a ten-year non-compete agreement with the company!
If you leave the company for personal reasons, you are not allowed to engage in the same type of work!"
This non-compete agreement is a key consideration for Zhang Yang and also a point of contention for him.
While on a call with President Zhao, the two of them went back and forth discussing this point at length.
Zhang Yang was very confident that after the launch of the 4G network, it would be the era of self-media, short videos, and live broadcasts. By then, those who have on-camera experience would be the first to reap the benefits.
Right now, Zhang Yang is offering high salaries and making various videos without feeling much of a presence. However, as video appearances increase, the fame of the on-camera anglers is sure to rise.
By then, with fame established and networks cultivated, if there are no constraints, anglers could leave the company solo, and Zhang Yang's initial investments would be doing the groundwork for others!
It's precisely due to this consideration that Zhang Yang decided to share the bonus with Wang Yan, hoping to maintain a solid relationship with him based on brotherly ties.
But now with more people involved, Zhang Yang felt his thinking was a bit too naive, and President Zhao's proposed non-compete agreement contract seemed more prudent.
Zhang Yang is certain that he won't shortchange his colleagues and friends on benefits, but he can't be 100% sure others have the same bottom line when faced with temptation.
After all, smart people never solve problems after they arise; they try to prevent issues from happening by controlling potential risks before they appear.
"We can give the on-camera thing a try first! But this non-compete agreement seems a bit..."
After hearing Zhang Yang's series of requirements, Wang Yan's expression changed slightly, feeling that Zhang Yang was making a big deal out of nothing.
Zhang Yang grinned: "Emotionally, it is indeed a bit harsh, but since we're talking work, the company can't get too emotional about it.
President Zhao and I have our plans and considerations on this matter, and we need to ensure the risks are manageable!
There's a substantial initial investment in short videos, with no immediate returns, but as appearances increase, the angler's fame can continually rise.
This aspect of growth has maintenance costs for the company and doesn't belong entirely to the individual angler, which is why this agreement exists.
Moreover, this non-compete agreement is not purely a one-sided, draconian contract. If, worst-case scenario, someone has better options and leaves the job, as long as they abide by the agreement, they can still get a basic salary from the company every month!
And finally, everyone has been with me for a while now and knows my work style.
The cake is for everyone to make, and if there are future profits, everyone who contributed will surely get a share. At the right moment, the company will provide certain stock dividends or bonuses.
These conditions were decided after discussions with President Zhao.
Anyway, since you haven't confirmed joining yet, it's okay if you feel it's unacceptable. It won't affect our tea drinking, or our fishing together!"
"I think this is quite fair!" Just then, Zhou Chu, who hadn't been saying much, was the first to speak.
Zhou Chu was Wang Yan's mentor at the mechanical plant and is the oldest among the three. He didn't talk much usually but was very steady in his work and relatively the most rational one.
"Damn! Then let's sign it! Where else can you fish and get a salary? What's there to hesitate about?" Han Qiang gritted his teeth and agreed too.
"What about you?" Zhang Yang turned to Wang Yan, who was hesitating earlier.
Wang Yan rubbed his face, "Rationally, I know it's quite fair, but it just feels like signing a servitude contract.
President Yang, be honest with me. There's no hidden clause in our agreement, right? I always felt I had the potential to become an artist. What if I become famous in the future!"
Zhang Yang noticed that Wang Yan was starting to joke around and immediately picked his nose, "Stop, hold it. The two of them can't do photography; they only have the option to be on camera. If you don't want to sign the contract, you can continue as a photographer! I think three anglers on camera are enough!"
"No way! I also want to be famous. How can I let the girls across the country see my handsome face if I'm not on camera! Those two are old with wives; I'm still a bachelor virgin!"
Zhang Yang glared at Wang Yan, "Get lost! I'll call President Zhao later to fire you and recruit new photographers!"
"Hahahahaha," everyone burst into laughter.
...
In this half-joking, half-serious atmosphere, Zhang Yang finalized the new jobs for the three, and they were all satisfied with their new salaries. Old Han even publicly announced that he would go to the factory the next day to submit his resignation.
In the following week, President Zhao recruited a new photographer through online job postings, and Zhou Chu and Han Qiang smoothly resigned from the mechanical plant, officially joining Zhang Yang's fishing gear company.
Faced with the issue of being camera-shy, the three of them really took Zhang Yang's advice and spent a few days shooting material by the Wen River.
After gradually getting used to the presence of the camera, the three protectors officially formed a team and began their new fishing video shooting work.
Time unknowingly reached late June, and as the temperature rose, more and more outdoor fishing grounds opened, and the fishing sport activity around W City flourished.
This day, after shooting two sessions of adaptive content at the familiar Meng Village Fishing Ground with the three treasures, Zhang Yang decided to unlock a new fishing ground by exploring the fish conditions.
Joyful Forest Fishing Ground, run by Liu Mazi, a bold and resourceful but also slightly sinister pit boss, announced a release of 2,000 pounds of grass carp weighing between 5 to 10 pounds each.
Last October, by heavily stocking farmed crucian carp, Liu Mazi quickly boosted the fishing ground's reputation in surrounding cities,
and thanks to Zhang Yang's crucian carp Flying Copy video going viral, many anglers from nearby cities came specifically to visit.
Having tasted the sweetness, Liu Mazi, perhaps instigated by someone, decided to change the species stocked in the fishing pit to grass carp between 5 and 10 pounds each.
Additionally, releasing 2,000 pounds in one go was a massive move at that time.
Grass carp, also called grass carp, grass eel, and grass root among others, have long bodies, and those typically sold in vegetable markets are usually around two to three pounds, the young fish.
Those encountered in reservoirs during the spring are basically within the weight range commonly found in aquaculture markets.
However, these fish are voracious eaters and can grow very large. Due to their body structure, fishing them in pits is very exhilarating. Broken lines and hooks are minor issues; there's even a possibility of snapping the rod altogether.
Upon learning about the fish release notice from fellow anglers, Zhang Yang decisively signed up for four spots, planning to take the three protectors to have fun and shoot a black pit grass carp fishing video.
Given the large fish release, the cost was also high, with a ticket priced at 280 yuan, totaling over a thousand for four tickets.
To manage the fishing risks, after a verbal registration over the phone, Zhang Yang drove a van with the three people and the newly hired photographer, Xiao Yi, to the Joyful Forest Fishing Ground early to watch the fish release.
The prime fishing time was set for Sunday, with the fish release scheduled for Friday morning.
Zhang Yang drove and arrived early at the fishing ground before the fish truck. Many anglers whose homes were nearby also came early for the excitement. In the vast fishing ground, a dozen or so groups of people had gathered sparsely.
By around nine in the morning, the fish delivery truck arrived at the fishing ground, and the crowd quickly gathered around.
Although most people have eaten grass carp, catching one in natural waters in the north remains very challenging. Therefore, everyone had quite the anticipation for the 5 to 10-pound individual weight.
However, after observing the fish netting and release methods, Zhang Yang couldn't help but frown slightly.
Noticing Zhang Yang's displeased expression, Han Qiang whispered, "What's up? Are the fish not good? They look pretty healthy and sleek to me!"
Zhang Yang smirked, "They drugged the water tank! It won't be easy to catch them during the formal fishing session on the weekend!"
"What? Drugged? No way!" Wang Yan was also slightly startled at this revelation.