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"Zhe'er, how... how can you say such things?" Gongsun Hui was taken aback by Wang Shouzhe's shocking words, as he had always been well-behaved.
"Fifth Sister-in-law, I think Shouzhe's words make sense." Today, Wang Dinghai was quite impressed with Wang Shouzhe and chimed in immediately, "Ancestor Longyan can only support the family for so long, it's better for everyone to be mentally prepared."
Gongsun Hui's expression changed several times before she finally said, "This is family secret. A few days ago, when I reported to Ancestor Longyan, she personally told me that if she doesn't take action, she can hold things together for twenty years, but if she does... it's hard to say."
Twenty years? Wang Shouzhe was secretly pondering. This is much longer than he imagined, perhaps there is still a chance for a turnaround.
"Zhe'er, you are the family's only hope." Gongsun Hui's face was extremely serious, "Our Wang Family should continue to endure and keep a low profile, using all the family's strength to help you break through to the Spirit Platform Realm within twenty years. We must not cause any disturbances!"
"Yes, yes, Sixth Uncle will try to catch more spirit fish to sell for funds to gather resources for you." Wang Dinghai also agreed with the plan, "As long as you can reach the Spirit Platform Realm, our Wang Family will truly be saved."
"I reach the Spirit Platform Realm? And then what?" Wang Shouzhe sneered with disdain, "Let's not say whether I can reach it or not, even if I have the chance, will the Liu Family and Zhao Family just watch and let me break through? Would they give me twenty years? Moreover, even if I luckily break through, I would just be another Ancestor Longyan!"
Wang Shouzhe being a transmigrator, naturally could break free from the traditional thinking of Wang Clan Members.
His words sent a chill through the hearts of Gongsun Hui and Wang Dinghai, who had always lived under the protection of Ancestor Longyan, believing the Liu Family and Zhao Family would not really tear off the mask.
But, if the Wang Shouzhe they pinned all hopes on indeed had the potential to reach the Spirit Platform, would the Liu Family and Zhao Family sit by idly?
"Enough, I purposely hinted that Ancestor's days are numbered. I believe with Liu Shengye's cunning strategy, he wouldn't choose this time to lead the assault and tear into our Wang Family. Therefore, I insist the Household Generals continue sending signals secretly, giving the Liu Family and Zhao Family a countdown of about five years." Wang Shouzhe said coldly, "Whoever dares to provoke us within five years, we'll fight them to the death, targeting one family to go all out. At critical moments, we might unleash... uh, invite Ancestor Longyan to hold the fort."
In Wang Shouzhe's view, Ancestor Longyan is the trump card. The greatest value of trump cards is not the moment they are played but their deterrent power beforehand.
"Brilliant." Wang Dinghai slapped his thigh, "Patriarch has calculated well, we are now like a ferocious beast at death's door, they fear us retaliating desperately. With this, they not only dare not bully us, they will try to curry favor. No wonder that old fox Liu Shengye obediently offered thirty Qian Gold as compensation."
"Not only that, because now our Wang Family has a clear 'expiry date', such a tempting piece of meat placed upfront, the Liu Family and Zhao Family, who had previously allied because of common enemies, will definitely have other ideas while waiting in silence." Wang Shouzhe smiled, "You know, greed and dissatisfaction are the most basic human nature. The coming situation will definitely become very interesting. If we secretly add fuel to the fire... hehe."
After hearing Wang Shouzhe's analysis, Gongsun Hui and Wang Dinghai both caught their breath, inadvertently exchanging glances, feeling somewhat fearful. However, at the same time, they both felt a glimmer of hope, a hope for the family to have an opportunity for a turnaround!
"Aunt, Sixth Uncle, this matter is the life-and-death secret of our Wang Race." Wang Shouzhe solemnly clasped his hands, "Firstly, I hope you can keep the secret, and secondly, I hope you can unconditionally trust and support me."
This is Wang Shouzhe's purpose, as his body is too young, even with the title of clan leader, he is bound to be questioned, thus he can only propose some astonishing ideas to win over key figures and gain allies.
Gongsun Hui is his mother by marriage, and he is also her future reliance, while Sixth Uncle Wang Dinghai's straightforward and open nature makes him easy to win over.
Both Gongsun Hui and Wang Dinghai took a deep breath and solemnly swore.
While the three talked, the medium-sized fishing boat had left the deep-water pier under the crew's control and entered the rapidly flowing center of the Anjiang.
The vastness of Anjiang exceeded Wang Shouzhe's imagination, as far as the eye could see, the misty waters stretched boundlessly, with Dingpu Ferry becoming smaller and blurry.
As the boat further entered the depths of Anjiang, the wind and waves grew larger, causing the vessel to sway more violently. Even Wang Shouzhe, with his Sixth Layer Qi Refining Realm peak physical qualities, felt slightly nauseous.
Similarly pampered Gongsun Hui, also turned a little pale, beginning to feel uncomfortable.
"Haha, Fifth Sister-in-law, Shouzhe, fishing boats are not as stable as ferries. When the boat sways, don't resist the tilt with your body, but go with the flow like a tumbling doll." Wang Dinghai patiently taught them how to handle the pitching of waves.
Wang Shouzhe and Gongsun Hui, both being Black Tortoise Practitioners, having their Profound Qi and physical qualities, quickly adapted to the sway of the boat. Especially Wang Shouzhe, following Wang Dinghai's example, planted his feet like stakes on the deck, his body rhythmed with the waves until his posture became relaxed and carefree.
"Shouzhe indeed has good talent, let Sixth Uncle perform how I usually catch fish." Wang Dinghai, full of enthusiasm, prepared to show his skills, as there were few relatives in the clan who liked coming to the fishing boat to watch him fish.
"I believe Sixth Uncle's skills are definitely extraordinary, but let's have the ordinary fishermen try first." Wang Shouzhe suggested.
Wang Dinghai was taken aback, but then laughed, "Shouzhe, you're here to test the fishing boat's standards. All right then, the fishermen on your Sixth Uncle's flagship fishing boat are all skilled. Wang Goudan, you come and demonstrate for the Clan Leader."
"Yes, Master Hai." A young man in his twenties leaped down from the mast, agile like a monkey. After tidying up a fishing net, he twisted his waist and flung it, sending the net flying from the ship's side, opening up gracefully in the air into a beautiful large circle,
Splash!
The fishing net, weighed down with heavy sinkers, plunged into the water like an inverted sea bowl and sank to the bottom in a few breaths.
"Good!"
The surrounding fishermen praised in unison.
This is... casting a net, and with quite strong skills.
Wang Shouzhe was able to assess it immediately. Before transmigrating, he was an ordinary office worker who occasionally went fishing with friends. Thus, when browsing Douyin and other video apps, the algorithm would recommend fishing videos, including some videos and live streams of net casting experts.
Even though Wang Shouzhe didn't play himself, he could tell whether a net was cast well or not. He had to admit, this young man called Goudan had quite a level of skill.
Once Wang Goudan let the net sink, he began to carefully reel in the rope, gathering the net close to the riverbed then gradually pulling it upward. Finally, with a sudden tug, he hauled the entire net onto the boat in an instant.
Got it!
The fishing net had snagged a large fish with white and flowery dorsal fins. Wang Goudan untangled it from the net, captured it, and came over joyfully to claim credit: "Brother Hai, it's a Nine-star Perch, weighing at least five pounds."
"You're pretty good, kid. Throw it in the live water tank." Wang Dinghai patted him on the shoulder and praised, then turned to explain to Wang Shouzhe, "Although the Nine-star Perch isn't a spirit fish, it's tender and delicious, considered a top-quality fish. Even if sold to a fishmonger, it's worth a Large Copper. But since our family has fish shops in Changning City, selling what we catch ourselves earns us a few more coins."
Wang Shouzhe nodded in approval. In the Daqian Kingdom, currency is calculated as coins, Large Copper, and Qian Gold. Generally speaking, a pound of rice is only five to ten coins, and it takes a hundred coins to exchange for a Large Copper, making the value of this fish quite significant.
Wang Goudan put the catch into the central live water tank of the fishing boat, a tank that's in open flow with the outside water to maximize the vitality of the catch.
According to Wang Dinghai, however, only the more valuable catches are given such treatment. The live water tank is also divided into several sections specifically for storing different types of catches.
Thanks to Wang Goudan's showcase, the other fishermen also began displaying their skills, each with seasoned techniques. The nets they cast were large and round, but the catch wasn't guaranteed.
Most of the nets pulled up were empty, with only occasional surprises.
After more than an hour, various catches gradually piled up. There were three Nine-star Perches, and even one more expensive Spotted Leopard Mandarin, although weighing only over two pounds, Wang Dinghai indicated it would fetch at least 1 Large Copper and 60 coins. The good catches were reserved for the Clan Leader to enjoy.
On the surface, Wang Shouzhe wore a smile, but inside he was calculating incessantly. This thirty-mile fishing and hunting area is part of the Ping'an Wang Family's domain, and the family holds this clan asset in high regard, considering it to be an important source of fiscal revenue.
As time went on, Wang Shouzhe grew a bit impatient and said directly, "Sixth Uncle, we've demonstrated enough. The skills of the fishermen are indeed impressive. Could we swiftly move on to the main topic and showcase genuine fishing operations?"
Wang Dinghai's previously radiant expression suddenly froze with confusion: "Shouzhe, haven't we been demonstrating genuine fishing? Could it be, you're expecting to see the capture of spirit fish? Some of the smaller spirit fish are caught through luck, while the larger, more aggressive spirit fish require fishing arrows."
Is this professional fishing?
Wang Shouzhe's face darkened somewhat. In his previous life, out of curiosity, he had tagged along on a professional fishing trip on a colleague's family relative's commercial fishing boat. That net alone hauled in more than forty thousand pounds and it was considered poor haul...
As for casting nets, on Earth, it's purely a recreational fishing tool, just slightly better than fishing rods, meant for leisure. If anyone seriously tried to use casting nets as a professional way to earn a living, their whole family would starve.
...