Chapter 42: Fishing Preparations

Although Director Wang did not state the specific time for the autumn fishing, Zhang Ping'an estimated it would be around the start of the school term at the latest, meaning he had less than half a month left.

"Dongxu, let's get up early in the morning to go fishing."

"What's wrong, Uncle?" Zhang Ping'an had barely fished at all this year, so this sudden mention left him feeling puzzled.

"Director Wang just told me that the autumn fishing is about to start," Zhang Ping'an said in a low voice.

"Then we really must catch more before that."

"Alright, go to sleep early tonight, I'll call you tomorrow morning."

"Okay."

After finishing his workout at 4:30 in the morning and eating a simple breakfast, Zhang Ping'an pushed his bicycle out the door, and Jia Dongxu was also ready.

"Let's go."

In this era, there were no "night fishing masters," or at least Zhang Ping'an had never seen any; once the two found a good spot, they began pulling them in frantically. Not only was the fish biting well in the morning, but it was also cool, and with the special bait, their tricycle was full in an hour.

"Dongxu, let's go make a delivery first."

"Okay."

In the middle of summer, dead fish would stink if left for a day, so it was best to keep them alive.

"Yo, you two are so early today."

"Captain Tan, why are you on duty today?" It was only a little past six, and the shift change wasn't until eight.

"Yeah, I just happened to be free, so I'll go with you to the cafeteria to weigh them."

"That would be great."

It was said that Captain Tan was a relative of Lou Bancheng's third concubine's family, otherwise he wouldn't have been a captain; having him as a witness saved Zhang Ping'an and the other from waiting around here.

After weighing, they poured the fish into the pool; fearing they would die, Zhang Ping'an added a drop of Space Water, and the fish pond immediately splashed with activity.

"Whoa~ the fish are certainly active in the morning."

"Yes, Captain Tan, we'll bring you two more later for you to taste." The reason Zhang Ping'an didn't give them now was for fear of it being unclear later.

"Deal."

The uncle and nephew returned to the fishing spot to continue pulling them in; this time, Zhang Ping'an put most of the fish into his space and didn't stop until nearly eight o'clock.

"Dongxu, is the cart full?"

"Full, even more than last time."

"That's good, let's go."

It was already past eight when they arrived at the entrance of the Rolling Mill; after giving Captain Tan two Bighead Carp weighing about three jin each, the two went to weigh the rest.

"Ping'an, Dongxu, you're here. Captain Tan already told me about the morning weighing; I'll just add it to this batch."

"Sorry to trouble you, Qiang Ge."

"What trouble? I really envy you guys who have skills; you never go hungry wherever you go."

"Qiang Ge, you haven't seen us braving the wind and rain, scorched by the sun, blown by the cold wind..."

"Alright, alright, stop talking, I'm afraid of you." Wu Qiang rolled his eyes at him, naturally knowing Zhang Ping'an's little scheme.

"Hehe."

"Alright, go to Director Lou's office to collect the money." Wu Qiang handed over the prepared slip.

"Many thanks, Qiang Ge. Tomorrow, if I catch some game, I'll bring it for you to taste."

"Deal, I'll be waiting." Wu Qiang didn't stand on ceremony with him; compared to others, it might be difficult, but for Zhang Ping'an, it was practically a sure thing.

"No problem."

"How come you decided to go fishing today, kid?"

"Hehe, I got some inside information. After September, it's going to be hard to get a good catch."

"Oh? You know about that too? I've been worrying about this. Our factory's main meat sources are fish and rabbit; it's too hard to procure pork now. You and Ping'an have a heavy responsibility ahead."

"No problem, one or two pigs a month shouldn't be an issue."

"Good, good, good. As long as you have them, just bring them over; we'll take as many as you have. Today's total is 2.4 million, keep it safe."

"Alright, many thanks, Director Lou."

After the two walked out of the factory area, Zhang Ping'an handed 1.4 million to Jia Dongxu.

"Dongxu, you're getting married too. Keep this 1 million for yourself, and give 400,000 to your younger brother and sister."

"Yes, okay, Uncle. I heard from Teacher Yan that to get married now, the man must be twenty and the woman must be eighteen."

"Hmm~ I'm really not sure about that."

Zhang Ping'an truly didn't remember; he hadn't even been married in his past life, so why would he pay attention to such things? But since Yan Bugui had said it, the marriage law had likely already been promulgated, which was a bit troublesome.

However, it shouldn't be strict in the early stages; perhaps they could still get married.

"How about this, Dongxu, let me ask Director Wang and see."

"Alright."

For the next few mornings, Zhang Ping'an almost always delivered two loads of fish to the Rolling Mill, and he had over a thousand jin in his space.

As for Jia Dongxu, he practically lived at Shichahai; except for going home to sleep, he spent all his time fishing, which allowed him to quickly accumulate a large sum of money.

This day, after Zhang Ping'an finished his studies at the Pharmacy, he put four wild rabbits into a sack and went to the Police Station.

"Ping'an, it's you. What brings you here?" It was the Public Security officer, Li.

"Li Ge, I'm looking for Director Wang. I wonder if he's in."

"He is, he's in his office."

"These are wild rabbits I caught. You patrol every day and protect the peace of the area; your physical exertion must be high. Consider these wild rabbits an extra meal for you all."

"That won't do. You didn't take the money for the wild rabbits last time, and this time..."

"Xiaoli, accept them, consider it bought by us. Ping'an, come over here," Director Wang said as he came out from inside upon hearing the commotion.

"Oh, alright."

"Ping'an, you can bring any game you catch here in the future; we are indeed lacking in fat and meat."

"Done, no problem."

"Speak up then, what do you need me for?"

"Wang Shu, have a cigarette."

"Yo, you kid even smoke Qianmen?" Director Wang snatched the whole pack without the slightest hesitation.

"..."

"Hiss—ah~ comfortable. Speak."

"It's like this, Wang Shu, I heard that nowadays for marriage... I have a nephew, you've seen him before, he just turned eighteen this year and is already betrothed, so..."

"Is that all? Have your nephew bring his household registration book over; I'll change his age for him. You people are just careless, how could you misremember your own nephew's age?"

Changing ages was still quite common in this era.

"Ah, yes, yes, yes, Wang Shu is right. I'll have my nephew come over tomorrow."

"Hmm~ go on then." Director Wang looked at Zhang Ping'an with satisfaction.

Zhang Ping'an didn't ask for money for those four rabbits, and after returning home, he told Jia Dongxu the good news.

"Hehe..."

"..." Zhang Ping'an shuddered as he watched Jia Dongxu wearing a lovesick grin.

"Stop 'hehe-ing.' Have your partner's age changed up by one year too, and you can get married this year."

"Oh, oh, oh, alright." Jia Dongxu realized what he meant and looked embarrassed.

Jia Dongxu had been troubled with Qin Huairu when he went to Qin Family Village before, but now it was all resolved.

Plus, the house was renovated now; although his younger brother and sister were still small, it would take a year or so from his marriage until his wife was pregnant and gave birth, so it wouldn't be affected at all.

Jia Dongxu wished he could fly to Qin Family Village immediately to tell Qin Huairu this good news, but since it was already night, he could only suppress the excitement in his heart and go tomorrow morning.

In the morning, after Zhang Ping'an finished his usual workout, he originally wanted to call Jia Dongxu to go fishing, but the kid hopped on his tricycle and prepared to bolt.

"Uncle, I'm going to tell Huairu. I'll come back at noon to go to the Police Station, and if I have time today, I'll go fishing then."

"Fine, fine, go ahead, go ahead."

How impatient is this nephew of mine? It's only five o'clock now; at the breakneck speed he's going, he'll probably reach Qin Family Village in less than an hour. I hope he doesn't scare the girl.