"Zhe'er, how... how could you say something like that?" Gongsun Hui had never expected the always obedient Wang Shouzhe to say something so shocking.
"Fifth Sister-in-law, I think Shouzhe has a point." Wang Dinghai had grown rather convinced by Wang Shouzhe today and immediately chimed in. "Everyone should be mentally prepared for how long Ancestor Longyan can keep supporting the clan."
Gongsun Hui's expression shifted several times before she finally said, "This is a clan secret. A few days ago, when I went to report to Ancestor Longyan, she told me herself that if she did not take action, she could still hold things down for twenty years. But if she did act... it would be hard to say."
Twenty years? Wang Shouzhe pondered silently. That was far longer than he had imagined. In that case, there might still be a chance to turn the tables.
"Zhe'er, you are the clan's only hope." Gongsun Hui's expression was exceptionally grave. "From here on, our Wang Clan should continue to lie low and endure in silence. We must gather the strength of the entire clan to help you break through to the Spirit Platform Realm within twenty years. We absolutely cannot stir up any trouble!"
"Yes, yes. Sixth Uncle will find ways to catch more Spirit Fish, sell them, and gather resources for you." Wang Dinghai strongly agreed. "Only if you reach the Spirit Platform Realm can our Wang Clan truly be saved."
"Me reaching the Spirit Platform Realm? And then what?" Wang Shouzhe sneered disdainfully. "Setting aside whether I can even make it, if I did have the chance, would the Liu Clan and Zhao Clan just stand by and watch me break through? Would they give me twenty years? Besides, even if I luckily reached it, I would only become another Ancestor Longyan!"
Wang Shouzhe was a transmigrator, so he could naturally step outside the habitual thinking of the Wang Clan.
His words sent a chill through Gongsun Hui and Wang Dinghai's hearts. Before this, they had always lived under Ancestor Longyan's protection, believing that the Liu Clan and Zhao Clan would not truly tear off all pretenses.
But if Wang Shouzhe, upon whom they had placed all their hopes, truly had a chance to challenge the Spirit Platform Realm, how could the Liu Clan and Zhao Clan sit idly by?
"Enough. Just now, I deliberately gave the impression that the ancestor did not have long to live. Given that old fox Liu Shengye's calculations, I believe he would never choose this moment to take the lead in biting and tearing at our Wang Clan. So, I had the clan guards continue spreading rumors in secret, giving the Liu Clan and Zhao Clan a countdown of roughly five years." Wang Shouzhe snorted. "Whoever dares provoke us within those five years, we will fight them to the death. We will seize one family and beat them until they are dead. At the critical moment, we can release... uh, invite Ancestor Longyan out to hold the field."
In Wang Shouzhe's eyes, Ancestor Longyan was a trump card. The greatest value of a trump card was not the instant it was played, but the deterrence it wielded before it was played.
"Brilliant!" Wang Dinghai slapped his thigh. "What a calculation, Clan Leader! Right now, we are a fierce beast on the verge of death. They fear that before dying, we will desperately bite back. That being the case, not only will they not dare bully us, they will have to find ways to befriend and placate us. No wonder that old fox Liu Shengye obediently offered thirty Qian Gold in compensation."
"More than that. Now that our Wang Clan has a clearly stated 'date of death,' with such a huge, tempting slab of fat laid before them, while the Liu Clan and Zhao Clan wait and endure, could they possibly have no other thoughts? They had formed an alliance before only because they shared a common enemy." Wang Shouzhe smiled. "One must remember that greed and dissatisfaction are the most basic of human nature. The situation ahead is bound to become very interesting. If we can find a way to fan the flames in secret as well... heh heh."
After hearing Wang Shouzhe's analysis, Gongsun Hui and Wang Dinghai both sucked in cold breaths and could not help exchanging looks, each feeling somewhat frightened. Yet at the same time, a thread of hope arose in both their hearts—a hope that the clan might have a chance to turn the tables!
"Eldest Mother, Sixth Uncle, this matter is a great secret concerning the life and death of the Wang Clan." Wang Shouzhe cupped his hands solemnly. "First, I hope you can keep this secret. Second, I hope you can trust and support me without condition."
This was Wang Shouzhe's true objective. This body of his was too young. Even with the identity of Clan Leader, he would inevitably be questioned by others. He could only first throw out some startling ideas to win over key figures and gain allies.
Gongsun Hui was his legal mother, and he was also Gongsun Hui's future support. As for Sixth Uncle Wang Dinghai, his personality was straightforward and bold, making him easy to win over.
Gongsun Hui and Wang Dinghai both took deep breaths and solemnly swore an oath.
As the three spoke, the medium-sized fishing boat, guided by the boatmen, had already left the Deepwater Pier and entered the swift central current of the An River.
The An River was far wider than Wang Shouzhe had imagined. Looking out, he saw misty waves stretching endlessly to the horizon. Dingpu Ferry grew smaller and smaller until it gradually disappeared from sight.
As they ventured deeper into the An River, the wind and waves intensified, and the boat rocked ever more violently. Even with Wang Shouzhe's physical condition at the peak of the Sixth Layer of the Qi Refining Realm, he began to feel nauseated.
Gongsun Hui, who had likewise lived in comfort, also turned somewhat pale and began feeling unwell.
"Haha, Fifth Sister-in-law, Shouzhe, a fishing boat is not as steady as a ferry. When the boat rocks, do not use your bodies to fight the tilt. You should go with the motion like a roly-poly toy." Wang Dinghai patiently taught the two how to handle the jolting of wind and waves.
Wang Shouzhe and Gongsun Hui were both Profound Warriors, with their Profound Qi and physical constitutions to rely on. Before long, they had adapted to the rocking. Wang Shouzhe in particular copied Wang Dinghai, planting his feet on the deck like stakes while his body swayed rhythmically with the wind and waves. His posture gradually became relaxed and at ease.
"Shouzhe, you truly have great talent. Sixth Uncle will show you how we usually catch fish." Wang Dinghai eagerly prepared to show off. Few people in the clan ever enjoyed coming aboard a fishing boat to watch him fish.
"I believe Sixth Uncle's skills must be extraordinary, but let the ordinary fishermen try first," Wang Shouzhe suggested.
Wang Dinghai froze for a moment, then immediately laughed. "Shouzhe, so you came to inspect the fishing boat's standards. Fine, fine. Every fisherman aboard your Sixth Uncle's Flagship Fishing Boat is an expert. Wang Goudan, come demonstrate for the Clan Leader."
"Yes, Master Hai." A young man of around twenty sprang down from the mast, moving as nimbly as a monkey. He picked up a fishing net and arranged it, then twisted his waist and flung it. The net flew from the side of the boat, spreading in the air into a beautiful, wide circle.
Splash!
The weighted net plunged into the water like an upside-down great sea bowl. Within a few breaths, it had sunk to the riverbed.
"Good!"
The surrounding fishermen all praised him.
This was... casting a net, and his technique was extremely strong.
Wang Shouzhe recognized it at once. Before transmigrating, he had merely been an ordinary office worker who occasionally went fishing with friends. Thus, when he browsed video apps, the algorithm would recommend fishing videos to him, including videos and livestreams from quite a few masters of net casting.
Although Wang Shouzhe could not do it himself, he could still judge whether a cast was good or bad. He had to admit that this young man called Goudan was quite skilled.
After Wang Goudan waited for the net to reach the bottom, he began carefully reeling in the rope. Once he had gathered the net close against the riverbed, he gradually pulled it upward bit by bit. Finally, he gave a fierce tug, hauling the entire net onto the boat in an instant.
They had caught something!
The net held a large fish with a mottled white dorsal fin. Wang Goudan untangled it from the net, seized it, and happily came over to claim credit. "Brother Hai, it's a Nine-Star Bass, at least five pounds."
"You brat, not bad. Put it in the live-water tank." Wang Dinghai patted his shoulder in praise, then turned back to explain to Wang Shouzhe. "Although Nine-Star Bass is not a Spirit Fish, its flesh is smooth, tender, and refreshing. It is a premium fish. Even if sold to a fishmonger, this one would fetch over a Big Copper. But our clan has a fish shop in Changning City, and we sell what we produce ourselves, so we can earn a few more Jiao."
Wang Shouzhe nodded approvingly. Great Qian Kingdom currency was measured in Jiao, Big Copper, and Qian Gold. Normally, a pound of rice cost only five to ten Jiao, while one hundred Jiao could be exchanged for one Big Copper. Thus, this fish being worth one Big Copper made it quite valuable.
Wang Goudan placed the catch into the live-water compartment in the center of the fishing boat. This compartment connected to the outside current and could preserve the catch's vitality to the greatest extent.
However, Wang Dinghai said that only some more valuable catches received such treatment. The live-water compartment was also divided into several areas specifically for holding different types of catches.
After Wang Goudan displayed his skills, the other fishermen also began showing off their special techniques. Every one of them was highly experienced, casting nets that spread wide and round. Yet whether they caught anything was another matter.
Most of the nets hauled back were empty, with only occasional surprises.
After more than two hours, the various catches gradually increased. They had caught three Nine-Star Bass, as well as an even more expensive Surging Leopard-Pattern Mandarin Fish. Though it weighed only a little over two pounds, Wang Dinghai said that it was worth at least 1 Big Copper and 60 Jiao. The good catches were all to be kept for the Clan Leader's enjoyment.
Wang Shouzhe wore a smile on the surface, but inwardly, he had been calculating all along. This Thirty-Mile Fishing Ground was the fishing and hunting territory of the Ping'an Wang Clan. The clan valued this clan property highly, so it should rightly have been one of the clan's major sources of income.
As time passed, Wang Shouzhe gradually grew impatient and said directly, "Sixth Uncle, we have demonstrated enough. Every fisherman's net-casting skill is excellent. Can we quickly get to the point and demonstrate actual fishing operations?"
Wang Dinghai's previously glowing expression instantly froze. Somewhat bewildered, he said, "Shouzhe, haven't we already been demonstrating actual fishing? Could it be that you wish to see us catch Spirit Fish? Some smaller Spirit Fish are caught by luck. Some large Spirit Fish are extremely ferocious and must be dealt with using fishing arrows."
This was professional fishing?
Wang Shouzhe's face darkened somewhat. In his previous life, out of curiosity, he had tagged along on a colleague's relative's professional fishing boat to experience commercial fishing. In the end, a single net had brought in more than forty thousand pounds of fish, and that had still been considered a poor catch...
As for net casting, on Earth it was purely a recreational fishing tool, only a little better than angling. People used it for leisure and entertainment. If anyone truly tried to use net casting as professional fishing to support a family, the whole family would starve to death.
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