The Captain and several boatmen gripped a large net together.
"Splash, splash, splash..."
The more they hauled, the heavier the net grew. It was full of large fish.
The boatmen shouted happily.
"We're in for a feast today!!"
The net was full, piled with fresh fish, all leaping and wriggling.
Quite a few fish jumped back into the sea as soon as they came out of the net.
There were not only fish, but also shrimp and crabs, all alive.
The Captain began preparing the fish and shrimp.
Before long, steam rose from the large pot.
The boatmen's cooking skills were beyond reproach.
They placed the fish in the pan and slowly fried them over low heat until golden on both sides.
Then they put them into a clay pot to simmer for a while, slowly drawing out the sweet, savory flavor of the flesh.
There were also ingredients marinated in homemade rice wine, with the aromas of fish and wine complementing each other.
The hairy crabs were small, but rich with roe and sweet in flavor. They needed no seasoning or marinade.
After adding strips of ginger and scallion and stir-frying briefly,
they sprinkled on a little salt. Delicious, without a trace of fishiness...
Everyone ate with great gusto.
"Sir, traveling with a cat and an ox really does leave a man puzzled."
Having grown familiar with Li Ping'an through their conversations, Li Maocai would joke with him now and then.
Li Ping'an smiled faintly. "Kitten is cute, and the ox can carry me. I couldn't leave home without either of them."
"You certainly know how to enjoy yourself, sir."
Li Ping'an drank a bowl of fish soup and ladled out a bowl for his Kitten and Old Ox as well.
"Mother, that kitty is so pretty. I want