The rest of the work saves much more effort: wash the grass roots and mash them in the stone mortar.

After working hard for a long time, Wang Yuan was so tired that his back was sore that he collected a bucket of broken grassroots liquid.

Take a break and carry it to the Jing River.

Seeing a fish swimming at the bottom of the water, Wang Yuan sprinkled beans, wheat flour and water into it.

There was bait and more and more fish, Wang Yuan carefully poured the grassroots liquid into it.

As the grassroots liquid spread, the swimming fish turned white and floated up from the bottom of the water.

One!

Two!

...

In a short while, Wang Yuan caught eight big fish and fifteen small fish.

The big fish are more than five kilograms, and the small fish are more than half a kilogram. If the small ones are smaller, they will be released.

The sun sets, and Wang Yuan returns with a full load.

Passing by four thatched huts, a cowshed and a small courtyard made of fences at the east end of the village.

"Uncle Shanshan!"

Wang Yuan shouted.

Three little dolls wearing cotton jackets, cotton pants, and exposed their butts, ran out of the house, looking at Wang Yuan in a long robe curiously and cowardly.

"Wang Yuan, your uncle just went out, is there something wrong?"

In the room, a woman with yellow face walked out, her eyes were covered with alertness.

"Aunt Hong, Uncle Hanshan helped me in the afternoon and gave you some fish to eat!"

Wang Yuan took out two big fish and left the six small fish at the door.

"Ah, there are too many, too many, Wang Yuan, please take it back!"

Aunt Hong's eyes turned into shock when she was on guard.

These days, there is only a little food and clothing for helping relatives.

Who gave more than ten kilograms of fish at once?

Even the richest patriarch in the village is reluctant to buy so many fish during the Chinese New Year.

It’s almost hundreds of dollars to sell so many fish, and this gift is too heavy.

She couldn't figure out why this prodigal son gave her family so many fish!

"I still have it!"

Wang Yuan left without looking back.

"Fish, fish!"

Three little dolls began to drool around the eight fish.

Aunt Hong struggled with her eyes, and wanted to kill the fish and cook it for the child to eat, but she was reluctant to let it go.

Not long after, Wang Hanshan and his two sons came back.

Aunt Hong said anxiously: "The head of the family, Wang Yuan said you helped him. He just sent so many fish. What did you do for him? He sent you so many fish!"

"I just dig for him for a while. Where did he get so many fish?"

Wang Hanshan looked at Baju with a suspicion: "You read that right, is it really a sent by Wang Yuan?"

With so many fish, even the old fisherman has to cast nets for several days.

How could Wang Yuan, who had no power to tie a chicken, catch so many fish?

"My eyes are not blind, and Wang Yuan can still admit his mistake."

Aunt Hong rolled her eyes and felt relieved.

The head of the family really helped Wang Yuan, so the fish could be kept and the whole family would cook one.

The rest were sold for money to buy some cotton and make new cotton jackets for the dolls during the Chinese New Year.

"No, I can't ask for it. No matter how his fish came, he owed Master Liu so much money. He wants to sell the fish and pay it back. We can't ask for it."

Wang Hanshan stuffed the fish into the wooden barrel, carried it out and walked out.

"The head of the family!"

Aunt Hong begged, "Take the big fish back to Wang Yuan and sell it for money, and keep the small fish for the children to eat. Look at how long they haven't eaten meat, and the small fish can't be sold."

Looking at the five saliva-swallowing children, Wang Hanshan left six small fish, carried two big fish and left.

"Uncle Shan, how could I catch two big fish? One must be five or six pounds!"

Wang Sihai, who was strolling in the village, came around and looked at the two fish and couldn't help swallowing.

He hasn't been involved in meat for half a year.

Wang Hanshan said: "These two fish belong to Wang Yuan, I'll send them to him!"

"Wang Yuan's!"

Wang Sihai couldn't believe it.

The nerd was still digging grass roots to eat during the day, so how could he get two big fish?

The body is too weak and the fish is too heavy!

Wang Yuan was caught up by Wang Hanshan and wanted to return the fish before he got home.

Wang Yuan refused to accept it: "Uncle, what are you doing? I said it to give you food, but why did I send it back again?"

"Wang Yuan, please keep it for Uncle Xiaoyu. You can sell the big fish to pay off the debt."

Wang Hanshan pressed the fish into the bamboo basket.

"Uncle, how much money can these two fish be sold? It's not enough to pay off the debt."

Wang Yuan took out the fish again: "If you are sorry, call Dahu tomorrow. Erhu will help me for a day. I promise you will have meat every day in the future."

"Eat meat every day?"

Wang Hanshan was shocked.

I am not an official, who can eat meat every day? Just eat beans and wheat rice.

However, seeing that Wang Yuan caught so many fish today, Wang Hanshan was a little looking forward to it.

...

"Where has my husband gone? Why haven't I come back? Have you escaped from debt?"

At the entrance of the courtyard, Li Shihan stood on tiptoe and looked at him, feeling uneasy.

When my heart was in a state of confusion, a figure came into my eyes and slowly walked to the door!

Li Shihan ran over and looked at the bucket basket full of fish, and stretched out his hand in surprise: "Husband, why did you get so many fish?"

"Medical!"

Wang Yuan turned around and avoided: "It's too heavy, you have little strength, I'll just lift it!"

Li Shihan's body trembled:

Want it?

Who should I ask for?

Why do they give their husband so much fish?

Wang Yuan said again: "Cook fish for you tonight!"

Li Shihan forced a smile: "Husband, you can eat a small fish, I just drink some fish soup, and take the other fish to the county town for money!"

Wang Yuan picked out two kilograms of fish: "I have a way to pay off the debt. Eat more fish tonight, and see that your little face is thin and concave."

Li Shihan was uneasy!

My husband started to speak sweet words again, these fish must have come from the wrong way!

Wang Yuan killed the fish and broke the fish, and Li Shihan asked for help and let him get aside.

After a moment, the two fish were cleaned up, and Wang Yuan brought the fish into the kitchen.

It is said to be a kitchen, half of a thatched hut is full of firewood and half is built with iron pot and earthen stove.

There are two clay pottery hangings in a wooden cabinet: a can of white lard, a can of yellow large grain salt, five clay pottery bowls, and four porcelain plates.

There is a large water tank next to it, a water scoop and a chopping board on it.

The simplicity made Wang Yuan stunned!

"Husband, gentleman is far away from the kitchen. You are a scholar. I'll cook!"
To be continued...