Reborn in 1984, fishing and hunting in Jiangnan

Chapter 8 Little Tyrant

As he spoke, his eyes kept darting around the cabin, counting the fish one by one, while he muttered to himself.

Chen Zheng knew exactly what Wang Laoliu was thinking.

There's a rule in the village: if fishermen meet on the lake and someone asks for fish, you have to share some with them.

This rule, like hunting in the mountains, was passed down from our ancestors and no one can break it.

People live off the water, but Baiyang Lake doesn't belong to just one family. The fish belong to the Dragon King, and everyone who comes across them gets a share.

In his previous life, Chen Zheng didn't understand these things. Once, he met Wang Laoliu on a lake.

Wang Laoliu chatted with him for a long time, but he didn't give him a single fish and even thought the other person was in his way.

When they returned, word spread throughout the village that Chen's son, Zhengwa, was unruly, selfish, and disrespectful of others.

When his father, Chen Laosan, found out, he didn't say anything, but just squatted on the doorstep and smoked cigarettes all afternoon.

He smoked one cigarette after another until he finished the whole box of cigarettes.

During dinner that evening, he said to Chen Zheng, "To make a living on the lake, it's not enough to just have skills."

That was all he said; he didn't say anything more.

"Sixth Uncle, I'm lucky today, I caught a few."

Take two of them back with you and make soup for your aunt.

My aunt is in poor health, so crucian carp soup is the most nourishing.

As Chen Zheng spoke, he picked up two medium-sized crucian carp from the cabin, strung them together with straw rope, and handed them to Wang Laoliu.

Wang Laoliu's eyes lit up, but he declined, saying, "Oh dear, how could I possibly accept this?"

You worked so hard to catch those fish, how can I just take them for free? No way!

"Sixth Uncle, please don't be so polite."

You've been fishing for so many years. I even played on your boat when I was a child. You taught me to recognize fish patterns and grilled fish for me.

Take this back and give it to your aunt to help her recover.

Old Wang took the fish, his eyes crinkling into wrinkles: "Zhengwa, you're such a sensible child!"

"You're even better at handling things than your dad! Okay, Uncle Liu appreciates your favor."

He put the fish into his cabin and then took out a cloth bag from his pocket.

turn on.

Inside was a packet of tobacco, golden yellow in color, and it smelled delicious.

"Here, Uncle Liu doesn't have anything good. Take this tobacco back to your father."

I dried it myself; it's better than your dad's. I added some osmanthus flowers, so it's not pungent.

Chen Zheng took it, smelled it, and found it had a rich tobacco scent with a hint of sweet osmanthus fragrance.

"Thank you, Uncle Liu."

Wang Laoliu waved his hand and rowed away in his famous boat.

After walking a few steps, he turned back and called out, "Zhengwa, there are lots of fish in Dongwan."

But there are big fish in the deep water, be careful! Don't go in there! Old Li's boat capsized there last time!

"Understood, Sixth Uncle!"

After Wang Laoliu had gone far away and the boat had disappeared from sight, Chen Rong finally spoke:

"Brother, why did you give him the fish? We got it ourselves, why should we give it to him?"

Chen Zheng glanced at him and said, "Rongzi, remember this: in the lake, it's not enough to just have skills."

If you take the fish and someone sees it, you have to give it back. That's the rule.

Chen Rong thought for a moment, then frowned: "Why? We didn't steal it."

"Because Baiyang Lake doesn't belong to us, it belongs to everyone."

If someone asks for it and you don't give it to them, then you're just hogging it.

Those who eat alone cannot stay on the lake for long.

Look at Wang Laoliu, he's a good fisherman, but why doesn't anyone want to team up with him?

Aside from my aunt's poor health and urgent need for money,

It's because he's too shrewd; he tries to get everything for himself.

Chen Rong was silent for a moment, looked at the fish in the hold, and slowly nodded: "I've got it."

Chen Zheng looked at him, feeling a mix of emotions.

In his past life, Chen Rong didn't understand these things.

He single-handedly supported the family, fishing, farming, chopping wood—doing everything himself.

I never ask anyone for help, and I never cause trouble for others.

But because of this, he became increasingly isolated in the village.

He doesn't invite others when they have good things, nor does he help them when they are in trouble.

He carried it all alone, until finally, he couldn't take it anymore.

Afterwards, the two stayed in East Bay for a while and caught a few more fish.

As the mist on the lake dissipated, the bright sun shone through, making the water surface as smooth as a mirror, dazzling to the eyes.

Chen Zheng wiped his sweat and said to Chen Rong, "That's enough, let's go back. The sun will be too strong any later."

Chen Rong nodded, put away the fishing spear, sat at the stern, and soaked his feet in the cool water.

As the boat headed back, Chen Zheng saw a boat circling on the lake.

A person sat motionless on the boat, fishing with a rod.

It's Teacher Zhao from the village.

Teacher Zhao's full name is Zhao Deming. He is a teacher at the village primary school, in his forties, and wears glasses.

The lenses are always foggy, and I can't get them clean no matter how much I wipe them.

He has been teaching for over twenty years, and most of the young people in the village are his students, including Chen Zheng.

Teacher Zhao is not a local; he was sent down from the city.

After the policy was implemented, many people returned to the city, but he stayed in the village.

He said the children in the village needed him, and if he left, there would be no one to teach them.

His wife argued with him about this for several years, and in the end, she took the child and returned to the city by herself.

He lived alone in a small house next to the school.

Teacher Zhao doesn't fish, he just loves fishing.

Every weekend, he would row his luxury boat to the lake, find a quiet spot, and sometimes stay there until dark before heading back.

He wasn't very good at fishing and often came back empty-handed, sometimes not catching a single fish.

But he didn't care; he just liked that feeling—peace and quiet.

"Teacher Zhao!" Chen Zheng called out.

Zhao Deming turned around, adjusted his glasses, and smiled.

His smile revealed a face as smooth as dried orange peel.

"Chen Zheng, I heard you caught a big fish yesterday? That's incredible, truly incredible."

"Yeah, I'm lucky."

Zhao Deming nodded and said with emotion, "Good, this young man is promising."

I've been teaching here for twenty years, and every student I've taught is more capable than me.

"You've all made something of yourself, and that makes me proud."

Chen Zheng steered the boat to the side.

He picked up two bream from the cabin, strung them together with straw rope, and handed them to Zhao Deming:

"Teacher Zhao, take this home and eat it."

Zhao Deming was taken aback and quickly waved his hand: "No, no, I can't accept it."

You worked so hard to catch those fish, how can I take them for free? No, no, that won't do."

"Teacher Zhao, please don't be so polite."

When I was in school, you took good care of me.

My family is poor and we couldn't afford the tuition, so you helped me pay it.

I will always remember this kindness.

Two fish are nothing, please take them.

Zhao Deming looked at Chen Zheng, his eyes a little red, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

He stayed in this village for twenty years, teaching generation after generation of students.

But how many students remember him?

During holidays and festivals, very few people actually come to visit him.

He lived alone in the small house, with no one to talk to.

"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony."

Zhao Deming took the fish, held it, and examined it.

"Good fish, bream, tender meat. Steam it when you get home, add some scallions and ginger, and drizzle with soy sauce, it'll be delicious."

Chen Zheng smiled and said, "Teacher Zhao, please take your time fishing. I'll head back now."

"Okay, okay, go back now, be careful."

Once the boat reached the shore, Chen Zheng tied it up and, together with Chen Rong, carried the fish home.

The bucket was heavy, and the fish were still splashing around inside, leaving water everywhere.

As soon as I entered the courtyard, I saw Chen Feng squatting in the yard, holding a twig in his hand, drawing something on the ground.

Seeing them return, Chen Feng threw down the tree branch and ran over, kicking up a trail of dust.

"Bro! You caught a fish?"

"Got it."

Chen Feng looked into the bucket, his eyes widened, and his mouth gaped open wide enough to fit an egg:

Wow! So many! Bro, you're amazing!

He reached out to touch the carp, and with a flick of its tail, it splashed water all over his face, soaking his hair.

"oops!"

Chen Feng wiped his face, not angry at all, but laughing so hard he was doubled over and jumping on the ground.

Zhang Cuihua came out of the kitchen, her apron covered in flour and her hands still sticky with dough.

She looked into the bucket and laughed:

"Zhengwa, you're doing great! You've made so much in just one morning? Enough to eat for several days."

"Mother, save the carp for braised dishes, the crucian carp for soup, and the bream for steaming. Dry the whitebait for winter."

Zhang Cuihua nodded: "Okay, I'll do as you say. The carp is for your dad to have with his wine, and the crucian carp soup is for your two younger brothers to nourish themselves."

Chen Zheng poured the fish into the basin and began to clean it.

Chen Feng squatted to one side watching Chen Zheng kill the fish, watching with great interest, occasionally asking a question:

"Brother, what's this?"

"Brother, why did you pull your intestines out?"

"Brother, can we eat fish bladders?"

Chen Zheng answered each question one by one, his hands never stopping.

While cleaning the fish, Chen Zheng remembered something.

In his previous life, his mother, Zhang Cuihua, passed away five years later.

Stomach cancer.

It was too late when it was discovered. The doctor said that if we had come two years earlier, it could still be treated.

He remembered his mother saying that she had suffered from stomach pain for several years, but she had just endured it and didn't take it seriously.

Sometimes when the pain gets really bad, I drink some hot water, put a hot water bottle on my face, and lie down for a while.

I couldn't stand it anymore, so I went to the clinic to get some medicine. I took it and felt better for two days, but then it flared up again.

She always says, "It's nothing, it's an old problem, I'll just bear with it."

But this can't go on like this for the rest of my life.

"Mother," Chen Zheng called out.

Zhang Cuihua poked her head out from the kitchen: "What's wrong?"

"Does your stomach still hurt?"

Zhang Cuihua was taken aback: "How did you know? Did your father tell you?"

"I heard it from my father."

Zhang Cuihua glared at the main room and said in a low voice, "Why is your father so gossipy?"

I'm just feeling a little unwell, it's nothing serious. It's an old problem, I'll just bear with it and it'll pass.

"Mother, we have to go and see."

"What are you looking at? Why waste money? It's not like it's a serious illness."

Chen Zheng put down the fish in his hand, stood up, walked up to Zhang Cuihua, looked into her eyes and said:

"Mother, you can't bear it."

If you ignore a minor illness and it turns into a major one, it will be too late. Listen to me, go to the town's health center to get it checked out.

Zhang Cuihua was taken aback by his gaze.

When did this child become so serious? He's like an adult.

"Zhengwa, don't scare your mother. I'm fine, it's just my old stomach problem, some medicine will do the trick."

"Mother, listen to me."

I'll go with you to town tomorrow to see a doctor. We're willing to pay any price, but we can't delay.

Before Zhang Cuihua could say anything more, Chen Zheng had already turned around and gone back to cleaning the fish, squatting there with his back to her.

Scrape the fish scales off one by one, until they are completely clean.

She stood at the kitchen door, watching her son's back as he walked away, feeling a mix of emotions she couldn't quite describe.

This child has really grown up.

At noon, braised carp was served.

The carp was caught in Dongwan Bay, weighing over four pounds, and had firm flesh.

With one bite, the fish meat tasted like garlic cloves.

Zhang Cuihua sautéed scallions, ginger, and garlic until fragrant, then added soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar, and simmered it for about half an hour, filling the whole house with its aroma.

The fish soup was reduced to a thick consistency, and when poured over the fish, it looked like amber.

The cornbread was freshly steamed, with a little wheat flour mixed in with the cornmeal. It was softer than yesterday's, and tasted sweet when you took a bite.

There was also a dish of cold cucumber salad, smashed, with minced garlic and vinegar—refreshing and not greasy.

Chen Laosan sat at the table, picked up a piece of fish, put it in his mouth, chewed it, and nodded.

He's not picky about food, but there aren't many things that will make him agree.

"Zhengwa, did you take a taxi in East Bay today?"

"Yes. Dad, you're right. There are many fish in East Bay, and the fish are even bigger in the deeper waters."

Chen Laosan picked up another piece of fish and put it in Chen Feng's bowl: "Eat up. Eat more, so you can grow taller."

Chen Feng couldn't wait any longer. He stuffed the fish into his mouth, his cheeks bulging, and mumbled:

"Delicious! Mom's fish is the best! It's even better than the canned fish sold at the supply and marketing cooperative!"

Zhang Cuihua laughed: "That's because the fish is good, not because of my cooking skills. Your brother caught the fish and it was fresh."

"They're all delicious!" Chen Feng mumbled, with half a pancake still stuffed in his mouth.

Chen Zheng picked up a piece of fish and put it in Zhang Cuihua's bowl: "Mom, you should eat too."

Zhang Cuihua stared at the fish in the bowl, paused for a moment, and then smiled.

She took a bite, chewed, and nodded: "Delicious. Zhengwa, are you really coming to town with me tomorrow?"

"Okay. Let's go to the local clinic and get some medicine from the doctor. If we need any tests, we'll go to the county hospital."

Chen Laosan remained silent, but stopped eating.

He glanced at Chen Zheng, then continued eating, picking up a piece of fish tail and chewing it slowly.

After the meal, Chen Zheng helped Zhang Cuihua clear the dishes.

He stacked the bowls and chopsticks and carried them into the kitchen. He scooped two ladles of water into the pot and used a loofah to scrub them one by one.

Chen Feng ran out to play in the yard, chasing chickens and dogs with the neighbor's children, making a ruckus.

Chen Rong sat on the threshold, quietly whittling something.

It was a piece of wood, and he was going to carve a round fishing float with a knife.

There's a groove in the middle that can hold the fishing line.

He shaved slowly, one cut at a time, very carefully.

After washing the dishes, Chen Zheng went out into the yard and looked at the sky.

The sun was setting in the west, and the clouds on the horizon were tinged with orange-red, like fish scales.

The wind blowing across the lake, carrying moisture, felt very comfortable on my face.

I need to get up early to go to town tomorrow.

As he was thinking, the courtyard gate was pushed open.

Zhang Jianguo walked in, carrying a fish in his hand, looking smug, as if he had won a battle.

"Ah Zheng! Look what this is!" Zhang Jianguo held the fish up high.

It was a black fish, weighing about three pounds, dark in color, with its mouth open, revealing its teeth.

The fish was still covered in seaweed and was wet.

"Did you make the call?" Chen Zheng asked.

"Of course! I went down to the lake myself today and caught it in the reeds on the east side!"

Blackfish, isn't that amazing?

I speared it, and it pierced the fish's back. The fish jumped high, almost capsizing my boat!

Chen Zheng looked at the black fish.

This kid didn't have this ability in his past life.

On this day last year, he was lying at home after being beaten by his father, Zhang Laohan.

"Good job, Jianguo, you've made something of yourself." Chen Zheng patted him on the shoulder.

Zhang Jianguo smiled:

"That's right! Who do you think I am, Zhang Jianguo? The Little Tyrant of Baiyang Lake! From now on, all the fish in this lake are under my control!"

Chen Zheng laughed: "Alright, alright, stop bragging. Come in and sit down."

Zhang Jianguo entered the courtyard and handed the fish to Zhang Cuihua:

"Auntie, here's some fish for you. Make soup with it. Blackfish soup is the most nourishing, my mother says so."

Zhang Cuihua took the fish and said with a smile:

"Jianguo, you can keep it for your own family. Why are you giving it to me? Your mother is also in poor health and needs some nourishment."

"Auntie, I still have some at home."

This is for Zheng Ge; he helped me a lot yesterday. If it weren't for him, I would have lost that fork.

Zhang Cuihua glanced at Chen Zheng:

"Okay, then I'll accept it. I'll make you fish soup tonight, so don't leave, eat here."

"Your brother Zheng caught some carp, let's eat together."

"Okay!"

Zhang Jianguo didn't stand on ceremony at all and plopped down on a stone in the yard.

The stone had been in the sun all day and was warm.

Chen Zheng sat down as well, and the two started chatting.

"Jianguo, which part of the east did you hit the bus with today?"

"It's that big reed marshland, the one on the east side, where the water plants are the densest."

I rowed in, but the oars couldn't even clear the water plants.

As I walked in, I saw a whirlpool on the surface of the water. I knew immediately that there were big fish, so I cast my net.

After waiting for about half an hour, the blackfish was served.

Chen Zheng nodded: "That reed marshland is deep, and there are many large blackfish there."

Next time you go, bring a net to catch blackfish; they're strong and easy to catch in the net.

"If you only use a fork, you'll miss and run away."

Zhang Jianguo's eyes lit up: "Really? Then I'll go again tomorrow! This time I'll bring seafood!"

"Don't go alone, call Jiawang or Shuisheng."

It's not safe for one person; if the boat capsizes, there won't even be anyone to lend a hand.

Zhang Jianguo scratched his head: "I know, I know, you're even more long-winded than my mother."

My mom's the same way, she nags on and on all day long.

At this moment, Chen Feng ran out of the house, saw Zhang Jianguo, and excitedly shouted:

"Brother Jianguo! You're here! What did you bring me?"

Zhang Jianguo slapped his forehead: "Oh dear, I forgot! I'll bring you some next time, I'll bring you candy next time!"

Chen Feng pouted, somewhat dissatisfied: "Then tell me, how did you catch that fish? I want to hear it!"

Zhang Jianguo perked up and began to speak animatedly, gesturing wildly as he described the name:

"Let me tell you, today I rowed into the reed marshes. There was so much water and grass there that I couldn't even row the boat. The oars got tangled up."

I used my paddle to push aside the water plants and slowly made my way in, like I was crawling through a tunnel.

As I walked in, I saw a whirlpool on the surface of the water, making a gurgling sound. I knew immediately that there was a big fish there…”

Chen Feng listened intently, not even blinking, his chin resting on his knees, his mouth slightly open.

Chen Zheng sat beside him, watching this scene, feeling as if he were basking in the sun.

In his past life, he never cherished such days.

At that time, he always felt that there was still a long way to go and plenty of time ahead.

But he later realized that some people and some things, once missed, can never be regained.

Just like his parents, just like every evening in this courtyard.