Chapter 538: Setting the Rules (Seeking Monthly Votes)

A deserted, uninhabited island.

On the shore.

Splash!

Aaron tossed a handful of copper coins into a fish basket, then tied it with a hemp rope and sank it to the bottom of the lake.

"A total of seven hundred and fifty-two large coins... In the Lin Kingdom, the exchange rate is roughly one hundred large coins for one tael of silver. The entrance fee for the Qingshan Martial Arts Hall in the city is ten taels, which includes room and board and allows for two months of martial arts training..."

"Once I've saved enough money, I'll go learn martial arts this winter..."

Aaron was full of interest in the power system of this world and did not hold the slightest bit of contempt for it.

He would not look down on the local system just because of his own achievements in another world.

A layer of thin ice had condensed on the temporary pier of Boat Village, with icicles hanging from it.

Clang! Clang!

Accompanied by the joyful shout of a gang member, a group of people emerged holding several strings of large coins.

"No!"

"Therefore, although the money I earn from selling fish is more than before, after paying the required amount according to the rules, others shouldn't be able to make things difficult for me anymore..."

Clang! Clang!

Aaron waved his hand and poled his boat away directly, leaving behind Lao Chutou, whose back appeared increasingly hunched.

"Once I've saved enough money, I'll go straight to learn martial arts! Or I'll fly far away and start over... But no matter where I go, those without power or influence will still be exploited... So the key is to learn martial arts; power is the fist! Only with fists can one have the strength for Protection!"

Aaron was sweating profusely when he suddenly heard the sound of a gong coming from outside.

"Eating inside and out... actually daring to go to the city to sell fish in private!"

"I certainly... want to, but I want to survive even more."

"Good fellow, over three hundred large coins, more than three taels of silver. Lao Chu... we are acquaintances, and I really don't want to do this, but I'm sorry, rules are rules. If I don't deal with you ruthlessly, things won't be easy to handle in the future."

"All of you, come out!"

"Think about it again, Yu, don't you want to take a wife?"

Lao Chutou continued to persuade him earnestly.

Lao Chutou had originally been beaten until he was delirious, but upon seeing the money, he still struggled violently.

As for the scientific fitness methods from his life before last?

Sorry... Aaron was just a poor man, he had never been to a gym, usually neglected exercise, and had never properly learned how to exercise himself scientifically and systematically.

However, Aaron had only heard of it; he only operated in waters he was familiar with and had never foolishly tried to explore the depths of the lake.

'As expected...'

"No need to be polite, we are all brothers, helping each other is only right."

"Everyone listen up... these two!"

After a couple of grunts, it was clear Lao Chutou didn't really want to say those things, so he got to the point: "Yu... if you have any rare fish catches in the future, you can still have me sell them like last time. You take the lion's share, I take the small cut, I guarantee it will be more than selling at the Fish Market!"

During this period, he had gradually increased his fish catches, enduring the double exploitation of the government and the gangs, and slowly cashing in his profits at the Fish Market.

"Drag him down and beat him hard!"

Hu Ye kicked Lao Chutou, sending him tumbling; his forehead struck a stone, leaving his head and face covered in blood.

As for what was in the depths of the lake?

That was something no one truly knew. Once water bandits hid in the lake, even an army of ten thousand could only stare helplessly.

"If there isn't even a glimmer of hope, everyone will just lie down and be salted fish... and the Golden Fish Gang will be left blind."

Lao Chutou had clearly tasted the sweetness of selling Dragon Sun Trout last time and still wanted to continue undermining the 'Golden Fish Gang'; he was practically treating them like dead men!

"Lao Chutou, this is too dangerous... Niu Er can barely be considered one of our own on the pier, so it's easier to talk, but buying in the city again is breaking the gang rules."

Bang!

A fish tank containing fish was smashed open, leaving a large hole.

After all, Taize Lake stretched eight hundred miles, with islands scattered like stars throughout; even veteran fishermen like Lao Chutou only operated in the vicinity of Taize Prefecture.

Hu Ye's voice became soft, but his eyes carried a ferocity as he swept them over the fishermen as a show of force.

As for modification and innovation?

That would only be possible after climbing to the peak of the new system; one cannot let pride blind one's eyes.

A group of wolf-like gang members immediately rushed onto Lao Chutou's Black-Awning Boat and began smashing everything.

"If the gang wants to keep harvesting leeks for a long time, they still have to let the fishermen see a glimmer of hope..."

Aaron felt a chill in his heart upon hearing this, and even felt a faint sense of regret.

He understood the principle that curiosity killed the cat.

Lao Chutou swore an oath.

"So, on one hand, I need to spend a lot of money, making it look like I have no surplus wealth, spending as much as I earn, while secretly laundering money... I finally start to understand Laili Liu. Hmm, should I go to a gambling den or a brothel to play around too? If I bribe a prostitute, this money laundering would be even more convenient... But whores are heartless; if things go wrong, she might turn around and sell me out. The risk is too high..."

After marking the spot, Aaron poled his boat away, muttering to himself.

This day.

Accompanied by the screams of the Chu father and son, it filled all the fishermen with sorrow.

Aaron was startled, recalling that in the past few years when harvests were poor and the people around Taize Lake truly could not survive, entering the lake to become water bandits was a standard fallback.

Many boat people were hunkered down for the winter, and only a few families like Lao Chutou's, who were in urgent need of money, still went out on the lake to go Fishing every day.

"All of you, come out!"

"Recently, a group of rioters has fled into the lake and become water bandits... some people have already been harmed, everyone must be careful when going out on the lake in the future."

Aaron advised them very sincerely.

As they approached Boat Village, Lao Chutou's boat pulled alongside: "Yu, thank you for last time."

Crack!

"Of course, this could also be seen as the money not being enough! The temptation not being great enough! The reason that dead Hu Ye hasn't moved could also be understood as him fattening up a pig... Once I've saved up enough money, I might just get killed for my wealth, and no rules will matter!"

As for the various Mysterious training methods that require the introduction of Spirituality later on, they are not suitable for ordinary people.

"This tuition is really expensive..."

In the previous world, however, as the heir to an ancient lord, he had received orthodox Knight training from a young age; although rudimentary, it was at least systematic and could ensure he wouldn't injure his body while training.

A tattered quilt was torn right open, and cotton batting scattered all over the floor...

Although Aaron did not understand the Wu of this world, he at least knew some ancient Knight training methods and had been silently training his own strength in the cabin.

Then, he drew the dagger hidden in his boot, aimed at Lao Chutou's right hand, and swung it fiercely.

Aaron rowed the boat, preparing to go to Boat Village to join up with others.

Aaron looked around: 'In reality, there are over a hundred fishermen and Hu Ye only has a dozen or so men; if everyone picked up their harpoons and fought back viciously, the likes of Hu Ye would die without a burial place. But since it doesn't concern them, they honestly endure and yield, which is why they end up like this... Besides, Hu Ye has the Golden Fish Gang behind him, and they have a Martial Master! If they really resisted, Boat Village would definitely be the one to suffer!'

Lao Chutou spoke of another matter.

Hu Ye waved a hand and asked again: "Which boat is Lao Chutou's? Search it for me!"

Aaron refused directly.

Outside of 'Boat Village', a group of gang members wearing the short tunics of the 'Golden Fish Gang', with fish scale markings embroidered on their lapels, stood in a row; the leader was none other than 'Hu Ye'!

Kneeling beside 'Hu Ye' were two people, who were none other than Lao Chutou and Xiao Chu!

Learning with an open mind and taking the essence is the humility of an 'Immortal'.

He frowned, picked up a rag to carefully wipe away his sweat, and only then walked out.

It is said that on some large islands in the lake, there are also farmers who could not bear the heavy taxes who have cleared wasteland and cultivated a not-insignificant territory.

"Today... I am going to execute the gang rules and family law!"

The depths of winter.

He had a way to earn money and learn Wu peacefully; as long as there was enough time, success would come naturally, so why bother getting involved in this muddy water?

Splash!

"Found it."

"Yu... the bride price has gone up now, it takes a full five hundred big coins. I'll finish this time, and once Xiao Chu takes a wife, I'll retire!"

"Ah!"

Lao Chutou let out a miserable shriek as two fingers on his right hand were severed at the root, and he fainted on the spot...

(End of chapter)