Fishing and Hunting 82, Starting with Three Sisters Who Overprotect Their Brothers

Seeing so much good stuff in the trap, everyone was both surprised and excited, and all their previous worries vanished.

Zhang Wenshan also grinned.

There's still one fish trap left to collect; together, it should weigh about six or seven pounds.

He carefully controlled the size of the cage opening, only letting in large enough shrimp and crabs. The supply and marketing cooperative would accept at least 60-70% of them.

"Father, Mother, do as I say, sift the goods first."

Zhang Wenshan picked up the large wooden basin he had brought, scooped up a third of the river water, pressed the fish trap into the shallow water, and slowly pulled open the trap door.

With a whoosh.

All the shrimp and crabs inside were poured into the basin.

"Those that are belly up, missing limbs, or small in size should all be eliminated."

He squatted down on the pebble beach, his fingers scrambling through the basin, picking and choosing, throwing the dead fish back into the river, and tossing the broken and small ones into the fish basket beside him.

River crabs and shrimp lose a significant amount of freshness if they are out of water for more than an hour.

On-site processing can better ensure freshness.

"I understand, you can go now." Xu Xiulian nodded in agreement.

"Mom, put on your gloves, be careful of the crab claws," Zhang Wenshan reminded her worriedly.

"What's with the nagging?" Zhang Jianshe waved his hand to interrupt him. "Who hasn't caught crabs before?"

Zhang Wenshan said no more and led his two older sisters and his eldest sister's husband straight to the next cage.

Even though everyone had witnessed it once.

When the cage bulged and floated to the surface again, everyone gasped in shock.

Normally, it would take a lot of effort to scoop out just a small half-basin of stuff, but now it's appearing in huge piles.

"After the coarse sieving, use these two to clean out the larger shrimp and crabs."

Zhang Wenshan picked up an iron ring with a diameter of five centimeters, looped it around a crab, and easily slid it across.

"Don't keep these small ones, don't feel bad about it."

He emphasized, then picked up another shrimp and pressed it onto the graduated skewer to measure: "Keep the ones that exceed the first mark, and set aside the ones that exceed the second mark separately."

After demonstrating the selection criteria.

Zhang Wenshan plucked a handful of soft grass from the riverbank, dipped it in water, and carefully brushed away the mud and dirt from the crab's shell, claws, and abdomen before rinsing it with clean water.

"Remember, you have to drain the water." He put down the crab, picked up the shrimp, put them in a colander, and gently shook them in the basin of water to drain the water droplets. "These things are delicate and can't withstand scrubbing; they'll break if you touch them."

"Good heavens, there are so many intricacies!" Zhang Fengxia exclaimed in sudden realization. "No wonder the supply and marketing cooperative didn't approve of our goods; the work is too meticulous!"

Zhang Wenhui tilted her head, puzzled, and asked, "Was that taught you by your master too?"

"Um!"

Zhang Wenshan nodded and quickly gave instructions.

"Cleanly pack them into two baskets, line them with damp grass to keep them fresh, and carry a watering can to water the grass every now and then."

Don't rush on the road, try not to sway too much, and meet at the town entrance.

"I've got it!" Zhang Fengxia's expression turned serious, her back straightened involuntarily, and she nodded repeatedly.

Zhang Wenhui raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing through her mind.

The fourth brother arranged things in a very orderly manner, unlike before when he was completely disorganized.

Could it be that he finally understood after being beaten?

Zhang Wenshan gripped his machete, slung his fish basket over his shoulder, and plunged into the mountains.

Wearing gloves, the speed of movement was significantly faster than before.

Many vines and thorns that used to require careful chopping and dodging can now be easily overcome.

Wild roses, wild hawthorns, and bellflowers bloom in profusion along the roadside.

The fragrance of flowers mingled with the scents of grass, trees, and dew, exuding a refreshing and invigorating aroma.

"The survival rate of wild hawthorn as rootstock for fruit trees is quite high. I don't know if there are any related books in town."

Zhang Wenshan's thoughts were churning.

The best way to clear one's name and obtain a protective charm before the storm arrives next year is to participate in collective industries.

As long as you become an indispensable part.

All those foolish things he did before will become the past of a prodigal son returning home.

As I pondered, the underground river came into view.

"Damn, I really need to get a pair of waterproof boots."

The icy underground river water once again washed over his ankles, and Zhang Wenshan shivered. Gritting his teeth, he slowly moved towards the river's exit.

The hemp rope was firmly wedged into the rock face by wooden wedges, and did not budge.

He immediately reached out and grabbed the rope, pulling it outwards with all his might.

"Um?"

Feeling the tension of the rope, a smile instantly spread across his face.

The fish trap slowly rose to the surface of the water.

Seven or eight small-scaled fish huddled in the cage, their silvery bodies twitching and bouncing in the morning light, gilded with a faint golden edge.

After resetting the ground nets, he finally had time to count the harvest.

"Five pieces weighing less than four ounces each, as expected."

"These two are quite big, probably over five ounces each. Wow, a big catch!"

When Zhang Wenshan turned to the last page, his eyes suddenly lit up, and Gong Yu's hand trembled involuntarily, almost dropping it.

That fish was longer than a palm!

The scales on its back are thick and have a cold, hard silver sheen; they weigh at least eight ounces!

Fish catches are graded, and prices are affected by two factors: freshness and size.

A fish weighing eight ounces, considered top quality, can sell for two cents more per pound!

More importantly, this proves that there are big fish hiding in the underground river.

If you can catch the first one, you won't have to worry about the second or the third...

"We need to figure out a way to get a bigger fish trap."

Zhang Wenshan silently noted down the dimensions of the underground river mouth, quickly packed up his catch, and hurried toward the town while mentally planning how to make a new fish trap.

The key is to have the right tools; otherwise, it's too troublesome and inefficient.

I rushed to the town entrance and spotted two figures crouching under the shade of a tree, carefully guarding two large baskets.

"Why didn't you go to class?" Zhang Wenshan was a little surprised to see his third sister stamping her feet repeatedly on the spot, looking anxious.

"None of your business!" Zhang Wenhui stopped what she was doing, gestured toward the town, and said, "Hurry up, or you'll miss your turn."

"No rush, pick out as many as you like."

"The river crabs weighed over two jin (1 kg), and the shrimp weighed over one jin (0.5 kg), totaling nearly four jin (2 catties)."

Before she could finish speaking, Zhang Wenhui saw her younger brother put down the fish basket, peek inside, and stare in astonishment.

"These are older?"

"The cage is too small. After we sell it, we'll gather more materials and make a bigger one." Zhang Wenshan divided the small-scaled fish into two portions. "Do you know how to get some tongs, waterproof shoes, and thick gloves?"

In this day and age, vocational school graduates are considered quasi-cadres within the system.

There are very few peasant families like Third Sister's; most have some connections, at least a town household registration, and a wide network of relationships.

There might be a way in there.

"Dream on!" Zhang Wenhui pouted so much her lips could hang an oil bottle. "Pliers are planned resources, prioritized for factories and production teams. How can individuals buy them?"

She said irritably, "I'll ask around for you, but there's no guarantee it'll work. Besides, do you even have the money?"

"Here it is," Zhang Wenshan said matter-of-factly, kicking the fish basket.

The third sister fell silent.

My brother has some strange abilities.

He can catch wild pheasants that others barely see in a year.

Dig a hole for frogs and you can catch crucian carp; the river is overflowing with shrimp and crabs; even the small-scaled fish...

These things can't be done with just good equipment and good skills.

Even with so many experienced fishermen and so much good equipment, there are still times when they come back empty-handed.

Could it be... that Mother was right?

Is the fourth brother destined to have these things?