The Legend of the Fishermen of Sicily

Bianchi then talked about many fishing boat licenses, mostly by himself, while Leo and Aurelio listened silently.

However, when discussing one application document, it sparked a heated discussion among the other two people.

"Each vessel can only perform the type of work specified on its certificate. For example, a trawling certificate cannot be used for longline fishing, and a near-shore certificate cannot be used for offshore fishing. There are also some very minor requirements that I can't recall, but I clearly remember one requirement that was particularly outrageous."

"What are your requirements?" Aurelio asked the young man opposite him.

Bianchi's tone rose slightly, clearly indicating his displeasure:

"When submitting the application, you must attach the nautical log for the past six months, which must include the date, location, weather, sea conditions, fishing operations, catch quantity, crew incidents, fuel and fresh water information, etc."

"You need to make up for half a year's worth?" Aurelio's expression was worse than if he had eaten shit.

Bianchi nodded:

"After the certificate is issued, you have to write a navigation log every day. The port authority will conduct regular spot checks, and you will have to pay a huge fine if you fail to complete it."

"Because of this log, I won't apply for it either!" Aurelio roared in anger.

The fishermen of Marzamemi generally have low levels of education, and writing is more painful than death for them, especially since they have to write every day.

Many fishermen don't apply for the nautical logbook because of this problem.

Bianchi was also very angry and joined Aurelio in cursing the port authority.

The two of them were arguing so intensely that Leo couldn't get a word in edgewise, but he also had a lot to say:

These people have never actually worked a day in their lives... and a single daily newspaper destroyed them?

Back then, we not only had to write daily reports, but also weekly reports, monthly reports, documents, and various meeting minutes.

I can type over 10,000 words a day at work, which is more keyboard-intensive than a full-time writer.

It's a bit far-fetched to make up a sailing log from the past six months, but I'll just make it up.

One of Leo's high school classmates is studying medicine. During his residency, he wrote the progress notes for patients in the new department two months ago. He hadn't even met the patients yet, but he still managed to fill in the gaps. Isn't that harder than writing a nautical log?

"Why not just write it while playing around...?"

Leo didn't dare to speak and silently started fidgeting with his fingers.

......

With Leo's departure for Messina imminent, everyone unanimously decided to end practice on that day.

Let's call it a day and go home to rest. Tomorrow we'll officially start harpooning!

Aureliorio and Bianchi were having dinner at his house, trying to give some pre-battle pep talks.

But Bianchi said he hadn't spent time with his mother for several days and wanted to go home early today.

Leo didn't need any further encouragement and planned to take his leave.

But Aurelio wouldn't let Leo leave no matter what, insisting on keeping him there and wanting to hear more stories about the master blacksmith.

When Leo got home, there was no food for him. After refusing several times, he finally agreed.

As soon as the two left the workshop, a fat man walked towards them.

Seeing that Aurelio had closed the door, the man chuckled and said:

"Don't close the door! Show me the 'artifact' you made. I heard it was made from scraps you picked up. Now it's finally useful. Let me see what this junk can produce."

The man spoke in a flippant tone and with sharp words; even Aurelio... Leo was not pleased to hear it.

He was clearly after Aurelius, and Leo observed the subject's reaction.

Sicilians are all hot-tempered and will throw punches at the slightest provocation. I had to go and fight them to vent my anger.

Unexpectedly... Aurelio actually swallowed his anger, although his expression was very unpleasant, he showed no intention of using force:

"Come back tomorrow if you want to see more, we need to rest now."

After saying that, he urged Leo to leave, seemingly intending to give the fat man the cold shoulder.

But some people are just the type to take advantage of kindness.

The fat man not only didn't leave, but also chuckled and said even more hurtful things:

"What? You're reluctant to show me the junk you forged... oh wait, no, I mean the 'divine artifact' you created?"

Leo walked in circles along the yard wall, saying to Aurelio:

"You can testify for me that he was the one who started it."

After saying that, he picked up a vase and walked towards the fat man.

Aurelio could tolerate it, but Leo couldn't.

The three cobblers all put in a lot of sweat and effort for this harpoon.

The fat guy came in and immediately called the harpoons the three of them were "junk"... How could anyone not be anxious?

In Sicily, might makes right!

Whether or not to fight is another matter, but at least we should let the other party know that I am not someone to be trifled with.

The fat man finally stopped laughing and backed away to explain:

"Oh dear, young people are so impulsive. It was just a joke, why did you take it seriously?"

Aurelio didn't expect Leo to grab his weapon.

An outsider dared to rebel, but he, a local, became the one who was timid and hesitant!

He finally stopped backing down and glared at the fat man:

"Bonsiniore, if you really came to see what I'm fighting, I would naturally extend a warm invitation to you to come in. But do you think I don't know what your purpose is in coming here?"

Fishing boats operating in the same industry will inevitably have some competition. Today I sell more than you, tomorrow you sell more than me... Over the years, naturally a few rivals will become enemies.

It's perfectly normal that Natale and Enzo are seen as irreconcilable rivals by outsiders.

In the morning, Aurelio's son told his father that he had a quarrel with Bonciniore's fleet at the fish market.

Aurelio didn't take it to heart; these past few days, all he could think about was the harpoon.

Unexpectedly... after he returned the boat, this fat man came to his house and disgusted him.

Seeing Leo still approaching him with the vase, Boncinio smiled and said to Leo:

"I cheered for you when you competed against Bianchi, don't you remember?"

Leo didn't care who he was or what he had done:

"so what?"

Just because you've refueled me doesn't mean you can call my harpoon "junk"?

The fat man trotted up to Aurelio and said in a tattletale tone:

"Aren't you going to do anything about him? The child is immature, but you're so old and you're still immature? How come you're getting worse as you get older!"

Seeing that he was still being cheeky, Aurelius lowered his head and started looking for something.

"Fine, I'll show you what it means to be sensible."

He picked up a rusty steel bar...

"You stinking junk collector!" Boncinio slunk away, cursing as he ran, "Only you treat that junk like treasure! What kind of bullshit master blacksmith? You can't even make a spoon properly, yet you dream of creating divine artifacts! Keep dreaming!"

Leo chased after him carrying the vase, but was stopped by Aurelio on the way.

"You can tolerate this?" Leo's blood pressure soared to 270.

Aurelio forced a bitter smile, which looked worse than crying:

"If you chase one away, another one will come... Over the years, I've gotten used to them calling me 'the scavenger.'"

Aurelio, having been insulted, instead tried to persuade Leo:

"Don't let people like this affect your mood. Let's go eat."

After saying that, he returned home dejectedly.