At the East Market Shop, Liang Sanshui finished calculating the morning's transactions, held his waist and complained:
"Day after day, it's exhausting.
Being a steward for a year only earns thirty taels of silver.
No hope for the future, dad."
The old man sitting in the rocking chair with his eyes closed, as if too lazy to bother with his unambitious son, said lightly:
"Don't like leisure? That's great, I can send you to the Black Water River to be a fisherman.
Three days of fishing, two days of drying the nets, you won't starve."
Liang Sanshui laughed awkwardly:
"My body is weak, going out in the wind and rain, I'm afraid I can't handle it.
Besides, without your son by your side to be filial all the time,
you might not eat or sleep well."
He knew his father's temperament very well, always said what he meant.
If he didn't quickly find a way out, he'd have to wear a raincoat and go fishing tomorrow.
"Just joking, your father's body is still quite sturdy at fifty or sixty.
Finding a young wife and having a few ambitious sons is not a problem.
Then, enjoying the happiness of family life comfortably might not require your filial piety."
The old man opened his eyes and said with a smile.
Liang Sanshui's face changed in fear; he had struggled until he was in his twenties before using his father's connections to become the steward of the Fish Market East District.
If a stepmother suddenly appeared along with a few young kids, the fruits of his labor would be in vain.
"The saying 'like father, like son' isn't just wrong."
Seeing Liang Sanshui's frightened and timid look, the old man couldn't help but sigh.
That wolf, Yangquan, at least managed to put on a strong face to scare people.
But his own son seemed like a spineless shrimp.
"Ah Qi hasn't been here for two days."
Liang Sanshui hurriedly changed the subject.
He had no talent for martial arts.
Therefore, he was often nagged by his father.
But martial arts aren't something that can be achieved overnight.
Standing postures, practicing routines, lifting stone locks, playing with stone balls, and building strength every day.
Repetitive, day after day.
Progress was as slow as water dripping on stone.
This ordeal was truly unbearable!
So, knowing his ordinary aptitude, Liang Sanshui
would rather go to school and do some accounting work.
"That kid's fishing skills are improving rapidly, and life is visibly getting better."
The old man, who spent all day at the East Market Shop, was not unfamiliar with Bai Qi, smacking his lips said:
"Unfortunately, he has no means of protection.
If you want to establish yourself in Black River County, skill alone is not enough.
If a person is weak and cowardly, they can't hold onto their wealth."
Liang Sanshui disagreed with his father's view and retorted:
"How many fishermen, woodcutters, and medicine gatherers in Black River County work hard for a dozen taels of silver, then go to the Martial Arts Hall to learn, and what's the outcome?
Martial arts aren't mastered in a few months.
Without enough financial resources, how can one progress quickly without the secret diet and medicinal baths?
It's simply not easy for poor people to become martial artists!
Instead of wasting money, it's better to buy some farmland and farm honestly.
In a few years, marry a wife, and settle down."
The old man looked helpless; his son's flaw was his "fear of difficulty."
He didn't seek to improve in anything and only cared about stability.
But the world is unpredictable, and no one knows when a storm will hit.
If you can't withstand it, the entire family could be destroyed.
Unfortunately, this understanding must be realized by oneself.
Others explaining it is just useless talk.
The old man lost interest and closed his eyes to continue napping.
Before he could get drowsy, someone stepped into the East Market Shop:
"Brother Shui, I'm here again!"
...
...
Bai Qi stepped over the threshold, holding a fishing net and fish basket in his hands.
He placed them on the ground, pulled out a string of coins to cover the leasing fees.
Owing the fishery is no different from having a gambling debt.
The longer it goes, the more uneasy you feel.
You have to know, borrowing nine and returning thirteen.
In Black River County, it's considered the market rate!
It's really outrageous!
"No worries, Ah Qi, would I short-change your interest?"
Liang Sanshui laughed as he accepted the string of coins, and marveled at Bai Qi's carefulness.
How could an ordinary fisherman be mindful of these details?
"Brother Shui's honorable reputation, who on the docks doesn't know? Still, no rules, no order.
The money owed should never be less; otherwise, it breaks the rules, and makes it difficult for Brother Shui, which would be my fault."
Bai Qi spoke sincerely, his tone endearing, and it was impossible to be upset with him.
It was this keen sense that made Liang Sanshui willing to chat with him.
"Alright, alright, Ah Qi, you are sensible.
What good catches did you get today?
The staff at Donglai Tower asked yesterday if there were any fresh river eels, white carp, or black carp.
In our shop, you're the most skilled at acquiring these catches."
Liang Sanshui picked up his pen and filled in the ledger, then looked up and asked.
"Brother Shui, I've been keeping watch for several days and finally caught a treasure fish."
Bai Qi cleared his throat and raised his voice.
"Treasure fish... hmm, what? Treasure fish!"
Liang Sanshui responded out of habit, then realized the unusual situation, showing obvious surprise on his face.
"Incredible! Ah Qi, you've struck it rich!
The heavens have finally opened their eyes, letting great fortune fall upon you!"
A treasure fish can be exchanged for several dozen taels of silver; for a laboring fisherman, it's a life-changing opportunity!
"Quick, take it out! Is it alive? If it's dead, it'll drop in value... it's actually the Silver Sand Carp! At least four pounds!"
Liang Sanshui's usually calm demeanor became instantly excited the moment Bai Qi opened the net.
He recognized that lively, bouncing, fat fish as none other than the Silver Sand Carp!
"So vibrant, such a good weight, enough to exchange for forty taels of silver... Father! Ah Qi caught a Silver Sand Carp, I'll buy it for you!"
Liang Sanshui's face turned crimson, clearly his Qi Blood surged.
He turned hurriedly, calling over the staff to weigh and set the price.
"So hastily, like what?
My legs won't be cured by eating a Silver Sand Carp."
The old man propped himself up on the rocking chair, slowly stood up, and walked around the counter.
His knees seemed rusted, showing clear stiffness as he bent and straightened.
The skin exposed from his pant legs had signs of sores and decay.
The hands hidden in his sleeves were twisted like chicken claws.
"Is it rheumatic arthritis? Seems like it."
Bai Qi's eyes narrowed; what strange illness did Liang Sanshui's father have?
He recalled the benefits of the Silver Sand Carp, which could dispel damp and cold, and nourish the bones.
"Five pounds and two taels, indeed rare.
Going by market price, it could sell for about forty-six taels.
If you find a connection at the Martial Arts Hall, it might fetch slightly more, over fifty taels."
The old man's sharp gaze matched exactly what the weighing showed.
"Ah Qi, sell this to me for fifty taels, will you?"
Liang Sanshui hurriedly said.
Before Bai Qi could nod, the old man waved his hand:
"Why spend this money? Fifty taels is enough for you to save for two or three years; your father's leg can't be cured.
A Silver Sand Carp provides temporary relief, but will pass after half a month."
Liang Sanshui, however, stubbornly refused, standing his ground for once:
"I insist! Today I fancy this Silver Sand Carp! I'm not asking you to pay!
Ah Qi, how about it? Fifty taels cash deal.
But I don't have that much on hand; you'd have to come home with me to get it..."
Bai Qi's gaze shifted between the father and son, suddenly shaking his head:
"Brother Shui, the Silver Sand Carp... I'm not selling."
Liang Sanshui froze on the spot, his face turning extremely unpleasant:
"Ah Qi, you..."
He thought Bai Qi wasn't satisfied with the fifty taels offer and wanted to raise the price.
"Brother Shui, you've misunderstood; I know the Silver Sand Carp can dispel damp and cold, boost Qi Blood... and given your kind care over time, how could I take your money?
I'll offer it to the old man, as a gesture of goodwill."
Bai Qi spoke softly.
These words.
Landed like iron on stone.
They left Liang Sanshui at a loss, standing there dazed.
Fifty taels of silver!
As the steward of the East Market Shop, he couldn't earn this much even with a year's hard work!
Even if Ah Qi wanted to please him, there was no need to spend such a fortune!
Liang Sanshui hesitated; he wasn't slow-witted, knowing there's no free lunch in the world.
Ah Qi giving away the Silver Sand Carp must have some motive.
But...
Fifty taels, just like that?
Liang Sanshui wondered if he was that generous.
So, even though knowing Bai Qi might have hidden intentions, he still felt uplifted.
If someone's willing to spend this money, it illustrates their friendship is worth that sum!
It's an immense affirmation in itself!
"Boy, what do you want from me?
Let me say this upfront, Yangquan's father is more skilled than I.
If you're hoping to use a Silver Sand Carp for my help, give up that thought.
Fifty taels, I don't lack this money, no need for the effort."
He was indeed a wise old man; before Liang Sanshui could figure it out, his father had seen through.
Things given for free are often the most expensive.
Because they involve favors, difficult to repay.
"Please, old gentleman, I just seek some guidance."
Bai Qi replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, standing very straight.
"What guidance? Fifty taels could get you into the Inner City, pay respects at the Martial Arts Hall, and train for two months in martial arts."
The old man seemed intrigued, asked with curiosity.
"I want to know how to cultivate strength after grasping Qi Blood."
Bai Qi raised his head to answer.
"What? You learned on your own? Cultivated Qi Blood and harnessed it?"
The old man's weathered face showed surprise; his chicken-claw-like hands suddenly grabbed Bai Qi's arm.