Chapter 17

“My father thought about gathering reed catkins for winter-padded clothes four or five days ago, but the villagers paid little attention to us. It took a long time before someone finally told us about this reed marsh,” Shu Tingyi explained.

“My father is clever. Knowing there’s a shallow water area near the reed marsh, he immediately took us deep into the mountains to find wood and cut bamboo to make these tools.” Shu Tingyi proudly pointed to the bamboo ground cage, fishing spear, and covered bamboo basket.

As for the two wooden buckets, one was their own, while the other was borrowed from a villager after negotiating terms.

Shu Wanxiu had finally guessed one thing correctly – her paternal uncle had found a way to earn money: catching fish to sell.

This shallow water area stood isolated, neither near any village nor connected to any property, making it ownerless land. The fish here grew wild, and whoever caught them could claim them.

Due to the vast expanse of water here, although people often came to fish, the supply had never been exhausted.

After they had spent considerable time chatting and catching up, any further delay would only waste more time.

Shu Wanxiu quickly stood up and said, “Let’s go, Tingyi. I’ll help you gather the reed catkins. Uncle, you can start fishing now.”

Shu Yanrong agreed, “After I catch some fish, you can take some home.”

With twelve people in her paternal uncle’s family, one sack of reed catkins wouldn’t be enough – they needed at least five or six sacks.

However, they only had two bags with them today, meaning they would need to make at least two more trips. Shu Yanrong had brought the fish trap today, intending to find a spot to set it up. They could check for any catch when they returned tomorrow to gather more reed catkins.

With Shu Wanxiu’s help, the two sacks were filled in a little over an hour. The two cousins exchanged glances and ran together to the water’s edge to check on the fishing progress.

One of the two wooden buckets was filled with water containing two or three small fish about the size of a palm.

In the middle of the shallow water area, where the water reached Shu Yanrong’s thighs, he stood barefoot in the water. Holding a fishing spear in one hand and a bamboo basket in the other, the fish basket occasionally shook as if something was moving inside – likely indicating there were already catches within.

After standing on her toes to look into the distance, Shu Tingyi’s entire demeanor radiated eagerness to join.

“You go ahead. I’ll stay on shore to watch our things.”

After Shu Tingyi rolled up her pants and eagerly waded into the water, Shu Wanxiu, left bored by the water’s edge, gradually found her attention captured by a school of small fish swimming nearby.

Most of them were only slightly longer than a finger joint, with flat, round bodies and scales displaying colorful patterns. They were common bitterling fish.

Bitterling would taste somewhat bitter if not gutted, but after removing the innards and stir-frying them with perilla, Sichuan pepper, Hundred Spice Cloud, and garlic, they made quite a delicious dish.

The small fish moved with exceptional agility. Shu Wanxiu knew it would be difficult to catch them by hand, but using something like a bamboo basket to scoop them up could easily net the entire school. She only regretted not having a suitable tool at hand.

But then again… perhaps there were small fish and shrimp in the stream near their home down the mountain. It was just that she usually fetched water either early in the morning or in the evening – always during dim light – and having never thought about it before, she hadn’t paid attention.

After half an hour of combined effort from father and daughter fishing in the cold weather, they worked up a sweat and ultimately caught over a dozen fish of various sizes.

“Here, Mandarin fish are most nourishing. Take these two big ones home with you.”

As soon as the fish were brought ashore, Shu Yanrong picked out the two largest Mandarin fish. Using grass as rope threaded through their gills, he tied them up for Shu Wanxiu.

Shu Wanxiu shook her head vigorously like a rattle-drum. “I can’t accept these. You should keep them to sell in town for money.”

“Didn’t you notice?” Shu Yanrong pointed at the holes in the fish, marks left by the fishing spear piercing through their bodies.

“It takes half a day to reach the county town from here. Injured fish like these would turn belly-up during the journey, and no one would buy them.”

“We never intended to sell today’s catch anyway. We just wanted to catch some to store as winter provisions, and trade part of it with villagers for vegetables or other goods.”

So that was how it was.

Shu Wanxiu said, “Even so, I can’t accept two such large fish. If you give me all the good ones, how much trading goods would you lose?”

Her persistent refusal made Shu Tingyi anxious. Being straightforward by nature, she interjected, “Sister Wanxiu, my father is determined to give these to you. Please just accept them!”

Shu Yanrong’s hand holding out the fish never withdrew, showing his firm resolve.

“Well then…”

Having no alternative, she could only graciously accept rather than refuse.

Since Five Tablet Village and Five Li Village were in the same direction, the three of them walked together for a long stretch on the return journey until they had to part ways.

Before separating, Shu Wanxiu quietly gave Tingyi all five wild duck eggs she had collected from the reed marshes.

Of course, these were hardly enough compensation for two large fermented fish.

Shu Wanxiu didn’t consider this an exchange anyway she simply thought that since her family still had chicken eggs left from what the villagers had given them, these duck eggs could be kept for her paternal uncle’s family to nourish themselves.

Overall, it had been a quite fruitful trip.

Carrying the fish and shouldering the hemp bag cheerfully, she arrived at the village entrance, only to be suddenly rushed and hugged by a small figure.

“Aunt!”

It turned out Aunt Chen had brought Shu Shouyi here to wait for her return.

“What’s wrong?” Why did his voice sound tearful?

“Heavens be praised, thank the Bodhisattva! You, you’ve finally returned safely!” said Chen Sanhe.

“A-Lian and I thought you’d be back two hours ago, but we waited and waited with no sign of you.”

“We grew increasingly uncertain, sometimes wondering if you’d taken a wrong turn, other times thinking you might not have found the place. Unbeknownst to us, Shouyi overheard and refused to stay in the village playing with other children anymore. He ran alone to the village entrance saying he wanted to go find you.”

“When I got the message, I hurried over and repeatedly persuaded him, barely managing to keep him here waiting for you.”

Shu Wanxiu glanced at the sky, feeling terribly guilty.

She had left mid-morning, and now dusk was approaching.

“I’m sorry for making you worry.”

Her remorse was genuine, but so was the idea that struck her when she saw Chen Sanhe a way to help her paternal uncle’s family.

After comforting Shu Shouyi, she explained while walking why she had been gone so long.

“…I was planning to return home after gathering the wild duck eggs, but then I happened to meet my paternal uncle and cousin, right? They…”

Her paternal uncle’s family was struggling to establish themselves in Five Li Village due to burdens imposed by the Liu family. If someone from their own village who understood their character could speak up for them, they would likely integrate into the village quickly.

Both Aunt Chen and Sister-in-law Pang had married out from Five Li Village. If they were willing to put in a good word for her uncle’s family during their next visits back home, the problem could be readily solved.

Shu Wanxiu separated one fish and said, “Aunt, Wanxiu has a favor to ask of you.”

She laid all her cards on the table, explaining in detail the difficulties her paternal uncle’s family was facing.

“Wanxiu understands it’s quite presumptuous to ask Auntie for such a favor, but I truly can’t think of any other solution. Winter is approaching soon, and thanks to the Village head’s arrangements and the villagers’ help, Shouyi and I have repaired our house and are ready for winter. Although my Paternal Uncle’s family has been allocated land, without help from fellow villagers, they cannot build a house and will have nowhere to live this winter!”

“I dare swear to heaven that all twelve members of my Paternal Uncle’s household are absolutely not troublesome or quarrelsome. I’m not asking you to immediately agree to speak up for them I only beg you to accept this fish. Next time you return to Five Li Village to visit relatives, please give my Paternal Uncle’s family a chance. Treat them as ordinary people and interact with them. If you find nothing amiss, then I ask you to help clear their name.”

Chen Sanhe said, “Why should I take such a fine fish from you? I already knew your Paternal Uncle had been quite caring toward you. Someone willing to look after the vulnerable likely has decent character.”It’s been a long time since I visited my maternal home, so I didn’t know these things had happened in the village. Speaking a couple words for your Paternal Uncle is as easy as blinking. How about this which day works for you tomorrow or the day after? Let’s go to Five Li Village together.”

Naturally, the sooner the better.

After settling on a date, Chen Sanhe firmly refused to accept the fish no matter what.

Author’s note:

———————-

Qinjiao: Chili pepper

Hundred Spice Cloud: Ginger

Husuan: Garlic

Zhayu: Black carp