Xiuxian: When you do things to the extreme

Chapter 2 Daily Life
Although Dongting is a large lake nearly a thousand miles away, with many main branches and tributaries, and even rivers flowing into the sea, it cannot pass through the city, directly into the market.

Not to mention the Fucheng, even the county town is twenty or thirty miles away. Fishermen without carriages and horses can't even hope to sell fish in the city.

You can only set up a stall in the fish market on the wharf to supply the nearby residents, or the restaurant businessmen in the city come to buy.

Xu Yang walked into the fish market and found a place. Before he put down the fish basket, he saw a group of people walking over. The leader was a strong man with a strong body and thick hair and beard.

"Hey, old Xu, isn't he dead yet?"

Xu Yang didn't care about the usual opening remarks. He put down the fish basket, apologized to the big man at the head and said, "It's all thanks to you, Master Qi!"

"Ha ha!"

The big man who was called Master Qi smiled and looked at the fish basket at his feet: "Can you catch turtles?"

"Thanks to you, Seventh Master, I was lucky enough to catch one."

Xu Yang took out a turtle fish tied with a straw rope from the fish basket, and handed it to the younger brother next to the big man.

"I just said, this method of catching turtles has to be your old head Xu!"

The big man smiled, and then asked, "How much do you want to sell?"

Xu Yang smiled and said: "Master Qi likes it, just take it."

"Hey, buying and selling things, money and goods are clear, this is the rule of my Goldfish Gang, who dares not abide by it?"

The big man waved his hand, and one of his subordinates threw a small string of copper coins to Xu Yang, and then stretched out his hand and said to him: "Today's stall, and monthly regular money, a total of thirty big coins!"

Xu Yang didn't say much. He took the small bunch of copper coins, took out a small bag from his arms, poured out more than ten fishy and slippery copper plates, counted them back and forth several times, and then handed them to the other party's hands.

Seeing this, the big man smiled again: "If everyone is as happy as you old Xutou, then I will be much more at ease, Qiye."

Xu Yang just smiled apologetically.

The big man stopped talking and waved his hand and said: "Okay, I won't hinder your business. Sanniang has a new batch of dry yellow. That is your favorite, Mr. Xutou. I will close the stall later." I’m going to try it.”

"Yes Yes Yes……"

Xu Yang sent the big man and the others away with a smile, then took out the small bench, and yelled vigorously in a slightly hoarse voice.

Where there are people, there are rivers and lakes, and this small fish market is no exception. In addition to the government officials who collect boat fees, there are also fishermen in the fish market. Not only do they have to collect stall fees, but they also have to pay a monthly fee. Money, coupled with government taxes, the black and white forces all pressed together, basically squeezing people out.

It's just a lonely person like Xu Yang. Those fishermen who support their families, with this kind of harvest every month, plus daily expenses such as firewood, rice, oil and salt, let alone save savings, they are lucky not to owe foreign debts.

If there is a bad year, or if the fortune is not good, you can't catch fish or suffer from a serious illness, you may even go bankrupt and sell your children and daughters.

Make a fortune through hard work and wishful thinking!
Chen Qi is such a fisherman, a leader of the Linyang City Goldfish Gang, who manages the fish market and acts like a dominator.

Regardless of his current appearance, he is still kind, but if he fails to pay the extra money, he will be a wolf and tiger who cannibalize people without spit out bones. I don't know how many people have been killed over the years.

Fortunately, Xu Yang was lonely, alone, and capable of fishing, so he was able to cope.

……

"Sister, look at this fish. It was caught just last night. It is guaranteed to be fresh. It only costs ten bucks!"

"Who are you calling big sister? You old bones are enough to be my father!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, girl, look at this fish..."

"I'm not out of breath anymore, and it's guaranteed to be fresh, don't want it!"

"Three big bucks, if you don't sell it, I'll leave!"

"Three big money, really not good, so, eight big money, I will kill you!"

"Okay, okay, just eight big bucks, and you can take the small one for me."

"..."

The people are in a difficult situation, especially the fishermen. The price of fish is extremely cheap on the edge of a big lake. A basket of fish and shrimp can't be sold for a few dollars, and sometimes it is even slow to sell.

Fortunately, Xu Yang's luck was good today, most of the basket of fish was sold, and the remaining bits and pieces picked by others were also packaged at a low price, with a total income of 35 Wen.

Xu Yang put the money away, carried the fish basket, went to other stalls, and purchased a batch of daily supplies.

Although fish is cheap, it is meat after all, and it is not lacking in nutrition.

It's a pity that people can't just eat fish for a living. They need food, rice, oil and salt, especially salt. Without salt, people will have no strength, can't do physical work at all, and will suffer from various diseases.

Therefore, even though the price of fish is extremely low, fishermen have no choice but to sell the fish and exchange for money to buy various necessary living materials.

This is also the reason why Xu Yang is willing to be squeezed by the Goldfish Gang. Otherwise, with his current methods, if he dives into Dongting Lake, neither the government nor the Goldfish Gang would be able to find him, let alone collect any tax money.

After buying a batch of daily necessities, most of the money for selling fish was spent directly, and the remaining half Xu Yang didn't bring it home, but came to a small tavern.

"Hey, old Xu, isn't he dead yet?"

"Come to drink two more bowls today?"

"A person's life is nourishing."

"Where is it like us, with a family and a family, it's difficult!"

There were already many customers in the restaurant, seeing Xu Yang, a few acquaintances laughed.

Xu Yang didn't care too much, he found a corner next to the door and sat down, called the waiter and said, "Two bowls of dry rice wine, a plate of fennel beans, a plate of scrambled eggs, and half a chicken."

"Okay!"

Not long after, the waiter brought the food and wine.

Xu Yang held the wine bowl and took a careful sip, then picked up the chopsticks and drank while eating the side dishes, just like a bad old man who was addicted to alcohol.

Does he like wine?

not good.

But I have to come.

Because Sanniang, the owner of this restaurant, is the concubine of the fisherman Chen Qi just now.

Although as the leader of the Goldfish Gang, Chen Qi is domineering in this fish market, he still needs to do some superficial work, and cannot openly rob or coerce and extort, squeezing the fishermen's money.

Because the fishermen are the property of the Goldfish Gang, doing this is tantamount to robbing the Goldfish Gang of money. It will not only disrupt the market, but also break the rules of the gang. Even if Chen Qisheng had the courage, he would not dare to take this risk.

But it doesn’t work in the open, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t work in the dark, you have Zhang Liang’s plan, I have a wall ladder, there is always a way to bypass gang rules, collect filial piety with various bright eyes, and squeeze money.

For example, in this restaurant, after Xu Yang sells the fish, he must come and spend the remaining money in order to ensure his own safety.

Otherwise, a lone family with savings would have been slaughtered as a fat sheep.

Having said that, the taste is not pleasant, because the wine here is terrible, it feels like water mixed with water, and the portion of the side dishes is even pitiful, and the ones that are served after being cut into pieces The chicken is obviously missing a few pieces...

Black shops may not be this dark!
It was disgusting, but Xu Yang didn't say much, sitting in the corner eating and drinking alone.

After all, this is food after all, which is better than those casinos and prostitutes that you can only enter but not leave.

Water mixed with water, although it doesn't taste much, but if you drink too much, you will get drunk. No, soon some people around are talking nonsense, and even bring the topic to Xu Yang.

"Old Xutou, you're in your fifties this year, it's incredible, old birthday star!"

"Hey, he's half a decade older than that old Zhangtou, maybe forty or fifty."

"To be honest, I really envy you. One person is full and the whole family is not hungry. How is it like us..."

"If I were you, why would I come here to drink, I would have found a secret door to have fun."

"Go, go, go, no matter which pot you don't open, don't you know that people have hurt their roots in the early years..."

"Hahaha, no wonder, after so many years, we haven't talked about a marriage."

"It's a pity, I still want to promise you the old Yutou's sister-in-law..."

"You can also get that old onion?"

"Hahaha!"

Everyone was laughing, sarcastic, and making fun of him.

Xu Yang didn't care, let alone pay attention, and just drank in the corner by himself.

In this way, after drinking a bowl of wine until the afternoon, Xu Yang paid the bill and left the fish market, carrying the fish basket on his back.

……

We got back on the boat, put down the fish basket, punted towards the lake, and soon returned to familiar waters.

But before he sits down to rest...

"Ayang!"

In the distance, a shout came.

Xu Yang's eyes froze, his movements froze, his body under the coir raincoat suddenly tensed up, but then he returned to normal, turned his gaze, and followed the sound.

In the distance, a big black-covered boat was slowly approaching, with an old man standing on the bow, and two young men in single clothes behind them with oars and poles.

"..."

Xu Yang was silent for a while, and finally went forward with a boat.

The two boats were leaning against each other, and the old man at the bow was not polite and got down directly to Xu Yang's boat: "Why, you don't remember me, it's me, Ah Cheng, the boss and the second brother, why don't you come and call Uncle?" .”

"It turns out to be Ah Cheng."

Xu Yang looked at the old man, replied lukewarmly, and then went straight to the point: "What's the matter?"

"Sit down and talk, sit down and talk."

The old man smiled and pulled Xu Yang towards the cabin. The two young men also jumped down and came to the cabin together.

Walking into the cabin, the old man glanced at Xu Yang, then turned back to Xu Yang, chuckled and said, "Ah Yang, you are old, yes, we are all at this age, it is not good to be old, I think back then..."

The other party started talking about family affairs. Although Xu Yang was secretly suspicious, he did not interrupt immediately and patiently started talking nonsense with him.

This man's name is Zhang Cheng, and he is a cousin of his, but the relationship is not very close, and he has not moved around for many years, so he has not had much affection for him. Now that he comes to visit him, no one would believe him if he said everything was fine.

Sure enough, after waffling for a while, Zhang Cheng revealed his intention: "Ayang, when my uncle was still here, he told my father that he must find a match for you and not cut off the incense of your family, but I didn't expect... Hey, stop talking, stop talking, dick!"

After saying that, he asked a young man behind him to come forward, pointed at him and said to Xu Yang: "From now on, my second son will change his surname to Xu, I will call you daddy, and I will provide for you in your old age!"

"This……"

"What are you doing in a daze, don't you call me daddy!"

Xu Yang frowned, and was about to speak when Zhang Chengcheng slapped the young man on the back of the head.

The young man with a simple and honest face immediately stepped forward, and regardless of Xu Yang's reaction, he knelt down in front of him and shouted: "Father!"

"..."

Xu Yang was silent and had no words.

Zhang Cheng smiled, squinted his eyes and said to Xu Yang: "Ah Yang, although this kid's head is not very bright, but he is good at working, let him help you by your side in the future, and take care of you until the end of your life. How about continuing the incense?"

"..."

Xu Yang looked at him, was silent for a while, and finally nodded and said, "That's fine."

"Ok?"

Seeing that Xu Yang agreed so happily, Zhang Cheng's eyes were also frozen, but he quickly recovered, clapped his hands and said: "Then it's settled, second child, don't take your..."

"Not in a hurry!"

But Xu Yang stopped him: "This is a big event. No matter what, we need to find a few people to witness it. Let's do this. Tomorrow, tomorrow you and I will set up a table of wine and find a few old people to bear witness."

Seeing Xu Yang being so serious, Zhang Cheng was also startled, and then smiled and said: "Well, well, it's better that you are thoughtful, Ah Yang, so let's do this, and I'll serve the wine."

"it is good!"

"..."

After a while, Xu Yang stood at the bow of the boat and watched Zhang Cheng and his son leave. Then he hunched over, turned around slowly, and walked into the cabin.

In the cabin, Xu Yang was speechless, and sat silently for a while, then reached out and pulled the cabin panel under his feet.

The cabin board was opened, revealing a hidden compartment. There was a sharp knife hidden in it. The arm was long and the frost blade was white, reflecting the cold light.

Xu Yang took out the sharp knife, without saying a word, just took a piece of sand and stone, and sat in the cabin to grind it silently.

(End of this chapter)