[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-102":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Lord of the Proles",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2290400,4478,"Chapter 102: Fishing for Taos","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-102",102,"\u003Cp>That night, ten young men followed Li Banfeng and Ma Wu to the New Land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, the ten carried ten sacks of stinking fish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were dead fish Li Banfeng had bought at the market the night before, tied up and left in the sun all day to rot, so foul they stank over ten meters even with the wind blowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ten young men struggled to walk; one tall, dark-skinned boy turned pale from the stench after barely two li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are these two going to the New Land to fish for Taos? Why else bring such stinking fish?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another handsome young man in blue nodded: “Given the season, they’re definitely going to fish for Taos—but they can’t handle this job; they won’t make any money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thin, yellow-clad youth said: “Who cares if they make money? We just need to make ours. Once we agree on the price, we pick the Taos at market rate—or we walk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tu Yu Tao, one of the most common prey in the New Land of Lanyang Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu truly intended to take them fishing for Taos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They walked all the way to the southernmost edge of the village, where no houses remained, only occasional tents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many had no tents at all, just sleeping directly on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the edge of the New Land, you never knew what might emerge—sleep well tonight, and tomorrow morning you might not even have a corpse left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These people had long lost hope of survival; having a meal was already luck. They lived near the New Land because they had nowhere else to sleep—not even under bridges were spots left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving the village, they entered a forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest looked ordinary, just denser with foliage. When they reached its center, five of the youths, under Ma Wu’s direction, opened the ten sacks and spread the stinking fish on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The twelve took their positions: ten youths guarded the upwind slope, Li Banfeng and Ma Wu guarded the downwind slope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu kept reassuring Li Banfeng: “Brother Li, the Tao tree must come from downwind—we must watch here so we can give the order when the time comes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng’s face was pale: “Don’t talk. If you speak again, I’ll vomit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Li, it’s not that bad—I can still bear it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Say another word, and I’ll vomit on you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t Li Banfeng being fussy—he had an extraordinary sense of smell. Downwind, the stench poured straight into his nostrils, nearly killing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At 4:30 a.m., as dawn neared, the forest finally stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squeak~ Gaa-gaa-gaa~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something was moving between the trees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng quietly put on his Thread-Link Earrings and activated the Skill of Spiritual Sound Perception to listen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squeak~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A piercing cry pierced his eardrums with pain; once the ringing faded, he heard beneath it a guttural roar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Smell… so fragrant~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fragrant?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng truly wanted to have a long talk with whoever said that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaves rustled violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu warned everyone to prepare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Tu Yu Tao tree was approaching. Amid the stench, Li Banfeng faintly caught the scent of peach blossoms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guk-guk-guk~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Continuous scraping sounds—thick as a meter in diameter—a “giant serpent” slithered slowly beneath the tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone new to Lanyang Village’s New Land would be terrified by such a thick snake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But several of these youths had fished for Taos before—they knew this wasn’t a snake. It was the tree’s root.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This root seemed like the tree’s nose, sniffing around for scent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it passed Li Banfeng, it showed no reaction—he was a Second-Stage Qi Cultivator, automatically ignored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it passed Ma Wu, it reacted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It climbed the branches, crept to Ma Wu’s side, and fine roots began slowly growing over his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweat broke out on Ma Wu’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was terrified. Though experienced in fishing for Taos, experience didn’t mean safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tu Yu Tao tree was just a tree, lacking much intelligence—but its combat power was high. If its roots wrapped Ma Wu, a low-level Joy Cultivator was nothing but an appetizer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, the roots stopped entangling Ma Wu and headed for the pile of stinking fish below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tree knew a person was nearby, but his scent paled next to the fish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thick roots plunged into the pile, frantically sucking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Thread-Link Earrings continuously transmitted the tree’s cries: “Fragrant! So fragrant!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, more roots plunged in—the pile of fish visibly shrank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the moment was right, Ma Wu led the group along the roots to the hidden Tao tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This tree was thick enough for three men to embrace; its massive canopy could easily hold a wooden house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below, exposed roots spread out densely, extending beyond normal human sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This tree had only just arrived in this forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng wondered: how could such a massive tree move through such dense woodland?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now wasn’t the time to wonder—their time was tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twelve men, each carrying a cloth sack, leapt onto the tree as fast as they could while the Tao tree feasted on the fish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above the canopy, beneath the leaves, fist-sized Tu Yu Taos were their targets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tree shuddered violently, like a man suddenly infested with fleas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two youths nearly fell off; Li Banfeng and Ma Wu yanked them back up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fishing for Taos required more hands—the more, the better. Higher efficiency, and mutual backup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never fall. If you land among the roots, a living man would vanish in seconds, bones and all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tree soon calmed, ignoring the fleas on its body, focused entirely on devouring the fish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now was the best moment to pick—move fast. How many Taos they gathered before the fish were gone depended on their skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng moved fastest—not just his hands, but his feet too. A Traveler Cultivator could dart effortlessly between branches; soon, he filled two full sacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others moved slower. Each peach had to be picked carefully; those unsteady on the branches needed help from others to hold or pull them up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone barely filled one sack—the pile of fish was already three-quarters gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu glanced at the fish and shouted: “Withdraw!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group gathered their sacks and quickly left the tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they waited any longer, it would be too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tu Yu Taos had varied diets. They loved stinking fish—but wouldn’t refuse other food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group fled the forest at top speed. Halfway, Li Banfeng stood on a treetop and glanced back at the Tao tree’s location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tree was gone. No one knew how—it was as if it had never been there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had this tree been grown by a Farming Cultivator—or had it cultivated itself?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tonight’s hunt was over. They’d been lucky to encounter a Tu Yu Tao tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if they hadn’t?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then this trip was wasted. They’d still pay the hired men. The stinking fish could barely last until tomorrow night—this job would be a loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group returned to Lanyang Village. On the road, they passed a street vendor selling breakfast. Ma Wu bought fried dough sticks and fried cakes and shared them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Ma Wu and the others leave, the vendor quickly packed up and sent word to Tang Tianjin, the chief steward of the Song family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Tianjin immediately reported the matter to the head of the Song family—Song Jiasen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buying breakfast—was this really worth telling the family head?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breakfast wasn’t the point. The Taos were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, the fifth young master of the Ma family has taken men out hunting in the New Land.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Lanyang Village, hunting was one of the villagers’ main sources of income.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lanyang Village was under Song family control. Anyone hunting in the New Land had to notify the Song family first, and all game had to be sold through them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu had hunted without notifying the Song family—this was an insult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen sipped tea, nibbled a pastry, and asked: “What did he hunt?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tu Yu Taos. He hired ten men and brought back over ten sacks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen thought a moment, then shook his head slightly: “Why would he fish for Taos? He can’t make money from this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward said: “Master, whether he makes money isn’t our concern—but he broke the rules. He didn’t notify us before picking Taos. He’s showing disrespect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen chuckled: “A few days ago, Ma Junyang couldn’t pay rent and lived in a shack. Now he’s moved into a small house—somehow got money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This rich boy just can’t endure hardship. His living conditions improved, but after paying rent, he’ll soon be broke again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let him keep these few Taos. When he comes to sell them, we’ll pay market price. He knows he can’t profit—he won’t do this again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, the Ma family has many connections in town. Though Ma Wu was cast out, his roots aren’t fully severed. What if he doesn’t sell to us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen lifted his teacup, took another sip, and spoke calmly: “Then he won’t be tolerated. If he doesn’t come to us, not a single peach will leave Lanyang Village.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu returned with the group to their lodging. Each man carried his sack and had it weighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One jin of Taos paid one hundred cash—this was the market rate for picking in Lanyang Village’s New Land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One man, quick-handed, picked fifty jin and earned five thousand cash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone was slow and picked only ten jin, earning a thousand yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than a dozen bags of peaches, totaling over three hundred and eighty jin, yielded over thirty thousand yuan in payments, excluding Li Banfeng and Ma Wu’s shares.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What use are these peaches?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flesh of the Tu Yu peach is an auxiliary ingredient for alchemy; the pits are fine medicinal material.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How much money can these peaches sell for?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the Song family’s purchase price, it’s one hundred yuan per jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is ridiculous—buying at one hundred yuan per jin and selling at one hundred yuan per jin, Ma Wu made no profit from this deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only did he make no profit, he lost money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buying stinking fish costs money!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Lan Yang Village, only the Song family makes money picking peaches, because they sell them in town for five hundred yuan per jin—a fivefold profit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But can Ma Wu take the peaches out of the village?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Song family would never let Ma Wu carry over a dozen bags of peaches out of the village—that would cut off their income and humiliate them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what does Ma Wu hope to gain from this deal?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man in blue asked: “Gentlemen, you’re not planning to resell these peaches to the Song family, are you? Let me warn you—it won’t make you any money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu laughed: “Master Song is my friend. You can’t profit, but I can.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man dared not ask further; everyone took their money and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only two people remained in the wooden hut: Li Banfeng fetched water, while Ma Wu soaked the peaches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After more than an hour, seven or eight hundred worms floated to the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tu Yu peaches are high in sugar and easily attract insects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu selected fifty or so mottled green worms from the hundreds and handed them to Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These worms are called Hu Tou Shi, Brother Li—keep them safe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng stored the green worms and went to the market to buy fish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu took the peaches to the Song family to sell them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Banfeng possesses the skill Hundred Flavors Luminous, and stinking fish truly pack a powerful punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lord of the Commoners has successfully leveled up to Lv2—thank you, dear readers, for your continued support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1950,"2026-06-20T03:43:13.043Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9fa07e3da66f4a69c691b231673fa0d0389a88df37e69915a05502b032c1067d","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-103","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-101",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]