Ribs Jimmy was a qualified fisherman, but Russell needed more than someone who could dredge up river mussels. He also needed someone who could open them and cultivate pearls.
He did not know much about the basic technical principles, only a rough outline.
"Ribs Jimmy." Russell called the man by his nickname. Serfs did not have noble surnames, and many shared the same given names, so nicknames were often added to distinguish them. "I need you to open the mussels without harming them."
"They need clean water, my lord," Ribs Jimmy said. "Put the mussels in clean water, and they'll open their shells on their own."
"Is that so?" Russell nodded.
Then he said, "For now, I'll appoint you Fish Herder. Charles, recruit some serfs later and have them dig a small pond nearby to raise mussels. Ribs Jimmy, your task will be to catch a batch of young mussels and plant tiny grains of sand or something similar inside their flesh."
Ribs Jimmy had no idea why Russell wanted this done.
But being appointed Fish Herder by the Lord Master was a tremendous opportunity for him. He could not stop grinning. "I guarantee I'll complete the task, my lord."
Russell had the kitchen give Ribs Jimmy a large piece of bread for dinner, then instructed him to join the pond digging the next day before starting the mussel cultivation.
Once everyone had dispersed,
Charles was the last to leave. Curious, he asked, "My lord, do you want these mussels to produce pearls?"
"That is the idea."
"But can it really be done just by stuffing grains of sand into their flesh?" Charles found it hard to believe.
Russell did not explain. He merely said calmly, "It's only an experiment. It costs practically nothing. If it succeeds, it'll be a