Chapter 2 Daily life

Although Dongting is a large lake nearly a thousand miles away, with many main branches and tributaries, and even rivers flowing into the sea, it cannot pass through the city, directly into the market.

Not to mention the Fucheng, even the county town is twenty or thirty miles away. Fishermen without carriages and horses can't even hope to sell fish in the city.

They can only set up stalls at the fish market on the dock next to it, supplying it to nearby residents or restaurant merchants in the city to come and buy it.

Xu Yang walked into the fish market and found a seat. Before he put down the fish basket, he saw a group of people walking over. The leader was a muscular man with a thick hair and beard.

"Hey, Lao Xutou, you're not dead yet?"

Xu Yang didn't care about the usual opening remarks. He put down the fish basket, apologized to the big man at the head and said, "It's all thanks to you, Master Qi!"

"Ha ha!"

The big man who was called Master Qi smiled and looked at the fish basket at his feet: "Can you catch turtles?"

"Thanks to you, Mr. Qi, I was lucky enough to catch one."

Xu Yang took out a turtle fish tied with straw rope from the fish basket and handed it to the younger brother beside the big man.

"Let me tell you, this method of catching turtles must be yours, Mr. Xu Tou!"

The big man smiled and then asked: "How much do you want to sell it for?"

Xu Yang smiled and said: "Master Qi likes it, just take it."

"Hey, when buying and selling things, the money and goods must be kept clear. This is the rule of my Goldfish Gang. Who dares to disobey it?"

The big man waved his hand, and one of his subordinates threw a small bunch of copper coins to Xu Yang, then extended his hand to him and said: "Today's stall, as well as the monthly payment, total thirty large coins!"

Xu Yang didn't say much. He took the small bunch of copper coins, took out a small bag from his arms, poured out more than ten fishy and slippery copper plates, counted them back and forth several times, and then handed them to the other party's hands.

Seeing this, the big man smiled again: "If everyone is as happy as you, Mr. Xu Tou, then Master Qi will feel much more comfortable."

Xu Yang just smiled apologetically.

The big man stopped talking and waved his hand and said: "Okay, I won't hinder your business. Sanniang has a new batch of dry yellow. That is your favorite, Mr. Xutou. I will close the stall later." I’m going to try it.”

"Yes Yes Yes……"

Xu Yang sent the big man and others away with a smile, then took out a small stool and shouted loudly in a slightly hoarse voice.

Where there are people, there are rivers and lakes, and this small fish market is no exception. In addition to the government officials who collect boat fees, there are also fishermen in the fish market. Not only do they have to collect stall fees, but they also have to pay a monthly fee. Money, coupled with government taxes, the black and white forces all pressed together, basically squeezing people out.

It's just a lonely person like Xu Yang. Those fishermen who support their families, with this kind of harvest every month, plus daily expenses such as firewood, rice, oil and salt, let alone save savings, they are lucky not to owe foreign debts.

If there is a bad year, bad luck, failure to catch fish, or a serious illness, it is even possible to lose everything and sell your children and daughters.

Make a fortune through hard work and wishful thinking!

Chen Qi is such a fisherman. He is a leader of the Goldfish Gang in Linyang City. He is in charge of the fish market and dominates the fish market.

Even though he seems kind-hearted now, if he can't pay the money, he will be a vicious wolf that eats people without spitting out their bones. He has driven countless people to death over the years.

Fortunately, Xu Yang was alone and had good fishing skills, so he could still cope with it.

…

"Sister, look at this fish. It was just caught last night. It's guaranteed to be fresh. It only costs ten bucks!"

"Who are you calling eldest sister? You are old enough to be my father!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, girl, look at this fish..."

"I won't be out of breath anymore, and it's guaranteed to be fresh, no need!"

"Three big bucks, if you don't sell it, I'll leave!"

"Three big bucks, that's really not possible, so, eight big bucks, I'll kill and dissect them for you!"

"Okay, okay, just eight big bucks, and you can give me the smaller one."

"..."

The people are in a difficult situation, especially the fishermen. They are close to a big lake and the price of fish is extremely low. A basket of fish and shrimps cannot be sold for much, and sometimes they are even unsaleable.

Fortunately, Xu Yang had good luck today. Most of the basket of fish was sold, and the remaining bits and pieces that had been picked over were packaged at a low price, earning a total of thirty-five cents.

Xu Yang put the money away, carried the fish basket, went to other stalls, and purchased a batch of daily supplies.

Although fish is cheap, it is meat after all and is not lacking in nutrients.

Unfortunately, people cannot live by eating only fish. Firewood, rice, oil and salt are indispensable, especially salt. Without salt, people will have no strength, cannot do physical work at all, and will suffer from various diseases.

Therefore, even if the price of fish is extremely low, fishermen have no choice but to sell the fish in exchange for money to buy various necessary daily necessities.

This is also the reason why Xu Yang is willing to be squeezed by the Goldfish Gang. Otherwise, with his current methods, if he dives into Dongting Lake, neither the government nor the Goldfish Gang will be able to find him, let alone collect any tax money.

After purchasing a batch of daily necessities, he spent most of the money from selling fish. Xu Yang did not carry the remaining half home, but came to a tavern.

"Hey, Lao Xutou, you're not dead yet?"

"Are you here to drink two more bowls today?"

"A person's life is nourishing."

"It's not like us. It's so difficult to raise a family!"

There were many guests in the restaurant. When they saw Xu Yang, several acquaintances started laughing.

Xu Yang didn't care. He found a corner next to the door and sat down. Then he called for the waiter and said, "Two bowls of dry rice wine, a plate of fennel beans, a plate of scrambled eggs, and half a chicken."

"Okay!"

Not long after, the waiter brought the food and wine.

Xu Yang held the wine bowl and took a careful sip, then picked up the chopsticks and drank while eating the side dishes, just like a bad old man who was addicted to alcohol.

Is he a drinker?

not good.

But I have to come.

Because the owner of this restaurant, Sanniang, is the mistress of Chen Qi, the fisherman just now.

Although as the leader of the Goldfish Gang, Chen Qi is domineering in this fish market, he still needs to do some superficial work, and cannot openly rob or coerce and extort, squeezing the fishermen's money.

Because the fishermen are the property of the Goldfish Gang, doing this is tantamount to robbing the Goldfish Gang of money. It will not only disrupt the market, but also break the rules of the gang. Even if Chen Qisheng had the courage, he would not dare to take this risk.

But being overt doesn't mean that you can't be covert. You have a good plan, and I have a ladder. There are always ways to bypass the gang rules, collect tributes, and squeeze money in various ways.

For example, in this restaurant, after Xu Yang sells the fish, he must come and spend the remaining money in order to ensure his own safety.

Otherwise, a lonely man with savings would have been slaughtered long ago.

Having said that, the taste is not pleasant, because the wine here is terrible, it feels like water mixed with water, the portion of the side dishes is even pitiful, and the ones that are served after being cut into pieces The chicken is obviously missing a few pieces...

Black shops may not be this dark!

It was disgusting, but Xu Yang didn't say much, sitting in the corner eating and drinking alone.

After all, this is food after all, which is better than those casinos and prostitutes that you can only enter but not leave.

Although the wine mixed with water has no taste, it will make you drunk if you drink too much. No, soon someone nearby started talking nonsense, and even brought the topic to Xu Yang.

"Old Xutou, you are eighty-eight years old this year. What a great birthday boy!"

"Well, he is half a decade older than that old Zhangtou, only forty or fifty."

"To be honest, I really envy you. One person is full and the whole family is not hungry. How is it like us..."

"If I were you, why would I come here to drink? I would have found a secret door to enjoy myself."

"Go, go, go, no matter which pot you don't open, don't you know that people have hurt their roots in the early years..."

"Hahaha, no wonder, after so many years, we haven't talked about a marriage."

"It's a pity. I was still thinking of marrying Lao Yutou's sister-in-law to you..."

"You can also handle that old onion?"

"Hahaha!"

Everyone was laughing, sarcastic, and making fun of him.

Xu Yang didn't care, and ignored him, just drinking in the corner.

In this way, after drinking a bowl of wine until the afternoon, Xu Yang paid the bill and left the fish market, carrying the fish basket on his back.

…

We got back on the boat, put down the fish basket, punted towards the lake, and soon returned to familiar waters.

But before he could sit down and rest...

"Ayang!"

In the distance, a shout came.

Xu Yang's eyes narrowed, his movements stagnated, and his body under the raincoat suddenly became tense, but then he returned to normal, turned his eyes, and followed the sound.

In the distance, a large awning boat was slowly approaching. An old man stood on the bow, and behind him were two young men in single clothes rocking the oars and poles.

"..."

Xu Yang was silent for a while, and finally sailed forward to meet him.

The two boats were leaning against each other, and the old man at the bow was not polite and got down directly to Xu Yang's boat: "Why, you don't remember me, it's me, Ah Cheng, the boss and the second brother, why don't you come and call Uncle?" .”

"It turns out to be Ah Cheng."

Xu Yang looked at the old man, replied lukewarmly, and then went straight to the point: "What's the matter?"

"Sit down and talk, sit down and talk."

The old man smiled and pulled Xu Yang towards the cabin. The two young men also jumped down and came to the cabin together.

Walking into the cabin, the old man glanced at Xu Yang, then turned back to Xu Yang, and said with a chuckle: "Ayang, you are getting old, that's right. We are all at this age, and we can't do it if we are not old. I think back then..."

The other party started talking about family affairs. Although Xu Yang was secretly suspicious, he did not interrupt immediately and patiently started talking nonsense with him.

This man's name is Zhang Cheng, and he is a cousin of his, but the relationship is not very close, and he has not moved around for many years, so he has not had much affection for him. Now that he comes to visit him, no one would believe him if he said everything was fine.

Sure enough, after waffling for a while, Zhang Cheng revealed his intention: "Ayang, when my uncle was still here, he told my father that he must find a match for you and not cut off the incense of your family, but I didn't expect... Hey, stop talking, stop talking, dick!"

After saying that, he asked a young man behind him to come forward, pointed at him and said to Xu Yang: "From now on, my second son will change his surname to Xu, I will call you daddy, and I will provide for you in your old age!"

"this……"

"What are you doing standing there, why don't you call me daddy!"

Xu Yang frowned and was about to speak when Zhang Chengcheng slapped the young man on the back of the head.

The young man with a simple and dull face immediately stepped forward, and regardless of Xu Yang's reaction, he knelt down in front of him and shouted: "Dad!"

"..."

Xu Yang was silent and had no words.

Zhang Cheng smiled, squinted his eyes and said to Xu Yang: "Ayang, although this kid is not very bright, he is good at work. From now on, let him help you by your side and provide for you until the end of your life." How about continuing the incense?"

"..."

Xu Yang looked at him, was silent for a while, and finally nodded and said, "That's fine."

"Um?"

Seeing Xu Yang agreeing so happily, Zhang Cheng's eyes froze, but he quickly recovered, clapped his hands and said, "Then it's settled, second brother, why don't you go and get your..."

"Not in a hurry!"

But Xu Yang stopped him: "This is a big event. No matter what, we need to find a few people to witness it. Let's do this. Tomorrow, tomorrow you and I will set up a table of wine and find a few old people to bear witness."

Seeing Xu Yang being so serious, Zhang Cheng was also startled, and then smiled and said: "Okay, okay, Ayang, you are more thoughtful, so let's do it this way, I will serve the wine."

"good!"

"..."

After a while, Xu Yang stood at the bow of the ship, watching Zhang Cheng and his son leave. Then he hunched over, turned around slowly, and walked into the cabin.

In the cabin, Xu Yang was speechless and sat in silence for a while, then reached out and pulled open the cabin board under his feet.

The cabin board was opened, revealing a hidden compartment. There was a sharp knife hidden in it. The arm was long and the frost blade was white, reflecting the cold light.

Xu Yang took out the sharp knife and said nothing. He only took a piece of sand and stone and sat in the cabin to grind it silently.