Baozi Xishi's Struggle

Chapter 418 We Caught the Fish, Come and See Us

Shen Yu remembered the method and said, "Okay, you guys go to work first."

"After breakfast, let's go get the firewood and then we can set up the trap. It won't take too long."

The two agreed and ran back to the embankment to continue working. Shen Yu also started to prepare breakfast.

When it was time to deliver firewood to the restaurant, Shen Yu went to the kitchen in the backyard to look for something. It happened that there were still some fresh bones that had been removed from frying chicken nuggets in the kitchen.

Shen Yu quickly wrapped the bones in lotus leaves and returned to the construction site by the canal.

Qi Xi followed Yu Sanlang's instructions. He smashed the bones with a stone, put them in the middle of the pancake, cut it with a knife, wrapped the broken bones in it, and then added some water to make it firmer. It did smell fishy.

After finishing, Qixi took the trap and rope to the embankment.

Everyone knew about fishing at this time, and they nominated a tall man with long arms and legs who was good at skipping stones in the river to throw the trap.

He put a stone in the trap, fixed the bait, tied the rope, and threw it far away.

Then he tied the other end of the rope to a large rock and secured it to the shore.

The yamen runners knew that this was Shen Yu's idea and understood that she meant well.

He did not stop the laborers from shouting and watching, but instead helped them find big stones and move them over.

For a time, the canal was filled with laughter and expectations, and there was harmony between officials and the people.

According to Yu Sanlang, the nets cannot be collected until early the next morning after the fish are put in the cages.

On that day, Liushun and Qixi ran over to look at it countless times.

Even Shen Yu couldn't help but wrap his hood tightly around him and ran to the river to look twice.

I was worried that the rope would be bitten by a big fish, and that no one would know that the fish had entered the trap.

This caused the servants to laugh kindly.

They advised Shen Yu to go back quickly, saying that they were watching him.

Besides, there are a group of people working here during the day, so the fish don’t dare to come to eat. They have to wait until night when there is no one around before they come.

Shen Yu looked at the rope that was still quietly sinking in the water without any change, and had to go back reluctantly.

In the afternoon, Lu Lang happened to have some free time and came to take a look. After learning about Shen Yu's fishing, he personally ran to the place where the trap was thrown to take a look.

He knew nothing about this, and seeing Shen Yu's expectant look, he could only advise her not to have too high expectations.

I heard that in order to fish in winter, you have to wait until the river freezes and then make an ice hole in the center of the river before you can catch fish.

Throwing a trap down like this would probably be futile.

Shen Yu said expectantly: "If we can't catch the big fish, it's good to have small fish."

"Yu Sanlang said this kind of trap is very useful and should be able to catch fish."

Seeing that Shen Yu was full of confidence, Lu Lang could only smile and stop persuading her.

After much difficulty, the next day came. As soon as Liu Shun's carriage stopped, Shen Yu was the first to get off.

Unexpectedly, just as I stood firm, I heard a joyful voice: "Miss Shen is here, Miss Shen is here."

Then someone rushed over.

Yu Sanlang said loudly with a happy face: "Miss Shen, Miss Shen, we caught three fish. Come and see with us."

Shen Yu was overjoyed and trotted to the river.

Sure enough, I saw that the two traps had been pulled to the shore, with their mouths half immersed in the water.

There were three river fish, each more than a foot long, swimming closely together in it.

The price of river fish is not high in summer, but in winter, it is common for the price to increase seven or eight times.

Shen Yu thought about it, and then discussed with Wang Dazhuang and the others: "River fish are extremely expensive in winter."

"These three fish are not that big. If we cook them in a big pot, there won't be much for each of us."

"Why don't we keep them in clean water and sell them in the big restaurants in the county town? We can exchange them for money to buy meat and make more money."

Wang Dazhuang said happily: "We just need to catch the fish, and the rest is up to you, young lady."

The people next to him also agreed: "That's right. I heard that only rich people can afford to eat river fish in winter. It would be a waste if we just eat it like this."

"It would be better to exchange it for silver and add more meat to the dishes."

Someone even shouted, "Miss Shen, just sell it with confidence."

"We know what kind of person you are. No one would think you would benefit from this."

"If anyone thinks this way, we won't forgive him."

As soon as he finished speaking, a group of people burst into laughter.

There was also a tall and strong man who waved his fist and said in a strong voice: "If anyone says something bad about you, we will beat him up for you."

Shen Yu felt warm in his heart and hurriedly bowed to everyone to express his gratitude.

Lu Lang and others who were watching from the side couldn't help but smile as well.

Shen Yu asked Qi Xi to bring two wooden barrels to the canal, fill each with half a bucket of water, and put the three fish into the two barrels.

Put the larger one in a bucket alone, and put the other two smaller ones in one bucket, trying to keep them fresh until they are sold.

When delivering firewood, Qixi asked Shen Yu: "Miss, since this river fish is so rare, why don't you just buy it and sell it in a restaurant as a dish, instead of going to a restaurant to sell it?"

"The boiled fish and pickled fish at the girl's place are both delicious, not worse than those in the big restaurant."

Shen Yu shook his head and said, "My restaurant is mostly visited by common people, including shopkeepers and merchants from the north and south. They just go there for a simple meal, and the prices of the food are not high."

"If I buy this fish, the price I offer can only be slightly higher than the price of river fish in autumn by 10-20 percent."

"So it's better to sell it to a restaurant so that you can get a good price."

Qixi and Liushun then understood why Shen Yu went to the big restaurant to sell his products.

So, in order to catch three live fish, the three men pulled a cart full of firewood and entered the city from the south gate. Instead of going east to the restaurant, they went to the street market near the west of the city.

The west of the city is inhabited by nobles, the streets are clean and the mansions are tall.

Several large and famous restaurants in the county are located in the city near the west.

Qi Xi had been there with Lu Lang before, so he gave directions and led the way.

Not far away, the mule cart stopped in front of Xingshenglou, the largest restaurant in the county.

Shen Yu looked at the richly decorated and spacious front door, thought for a moment and said, "This is the lobby where guests come in and out."

"Should we go around to the back door behind the restaurant? Usually, the ingredients for the restaurant are bought from there."

While the three were discussing, a waiter was sweeping the floor at the door.

He saw a mule cart loaded with firewood parked in front of the door, so he ran out and said, "My dear, you can't park in front of the restaurant. Please go forward."

Liu Shun agreed and was about to leave, but Shen Yu stopped the waiter with a smile and said, "Wanfu, little brother, I want to ask you, we have caught three fresh fish here, and I want to ask if the restaurant wants them."