The Little Life of a Big Landlord

Chapter 116 Fishing

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When Liu Zhengfeng returned to the fishing spot, he finally caught something. There were already three or four small crucian carp, about three inches long, in the bucket next to him.

"Haha, Xiao Yang, the fish here are really stupid, they're so easy to catch. In such a short time, you've already caught three or four..." Liu Zhengfeng said with great pride.

"Hehe, yeah...it's pretty silly..." Yang Ming quickly laughed.

Actually, he thought Liu Zhengfeng was quite stupid, he was being played without even realizing it... even though it was an undeserved disaster.

"Xiao Yang, I'm planning to cook this fish for lunch today. It'll definitely taste amazing..." Liu Zhengfeng said proudly.

"Hehe, yes! Fish you catch yourself always taste the best..." Yang Ming nodded with a smile.

"I wonder how much the processing fee will be?" Liu Zhengfeng asked.

"It's free... We only charge for dishes cooked by Hong'an... If you want braised fish, Aunt Dabao can make it, so you don't have to pay. If you want to experience cooking in a big pot, you can do it yourself..." Yang Ming said.

"We don't need to pay for the firewood, right?" Liu Zhengfeng asked.

"It's not that bad..." Yang Ming was sweating a little. He felt that Liu Zhengfeng was like a general leading troops, trembling with fear, as if he was walking on thin ice, afraid that he might be tricked if he didn't do something right.

"We just discovered... your village chief is really too greedy. Take the milk for example, she initially said it would be 5 yuan a carton, but your aunt said it would be worth 10 yuan a carton, so she raised the price to 10 yuan right away..." Liu Zhengfeng was still wary of Liu's wife, who was incredibly eloquent.

"Milk?" Yang Ming raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, it's the kind you send to your employees..." Liu Zhengfeng said.

"I don't think we've set a price for our milk yet, right? How did she decide that for me? I was planning to sell it for 20 yuan a box..." Yang Ming muttered to himself, feeling quite annoyed.

"..." Liu Zhengfeng broke out in a cold sweat. He finally saw Liu Sao's true nature. This Liu Sao was a really kind and honest person. There was no one more kind and honest than Liu Sao in the entire Zhengjia Village.

"Haha, I have a fish on my hook too..." Yang Ming saw his float sink and immediately ran over excitedly, lifted the rod, and sure enough, there was a small crucian carp about the length of a finger on the hook.

"Well done... Little Yang, you're in luck!" Liu Zhengfeng gave Yang Ming a thumbs up.

"Hehe, it was just so-so. When we went to Beidaihe, we went out to sea to fish with the fishing boats... Goodness, we each caught more than a thousand catties..." Yang Ming began to talk about the fishing trip in Beidaihe a few days ago.

"Over a thousand jin? Did I hear that right? You guys go out to sea to fish and catch over a thousand jin?" Liu Zhengfeng's eyes widened. "We've been to Beidaihe before and gone out to sea with fishing boats, but we only ever caught forty or fifty jin at most, maybe three or four liang. How could you catch so many fish?"

"Hehe, I guess I got lucky..." Yang Ming chuckled.

"Luck, yes, it can only be explained by luck..." Liu Zhengfeng sighed and nodded, but thought to himself, "God is really blind, how could he give all the luck to this greedy vampire?"

"Hey...you two fishing?" Zhang Yang walked over and greeted them.

"My name is Liu Zhengfeng. What's your name, young man?" Liu Zhengfeng asked Zhang Yang with a smile.

"Hehe, uncle, my name is Zhang Yang, and I'm his brother-in-law..." Zhang Yang said with a smile, pointing at Yang Ming.

"Oh, Xiao Zhang? Are you free tomorrow? Let's go into the mountains together?" Liu Zhengfeng invited Zhang Yang. In his opinion, Zhang Yang was strong and healthy, and very suitable for physical labor. It would be perfect for him to help with some moving and lifting.

Liu Zhengfeng had already begun to imagine the scene of his return laden with spoils.

"I have time, of course I have time..." Zhang Yang's eyes lit up and his voice trembled when he heard that they were going into the mountains.

"Alright, we'll head into the mountains first thing tomorrow morning..." Liu Zhengfeng suddenly remembered something else: "By the way, are there any people in your village with mobility issues who enjoy hunting?"

"Many of them have mobility issues and are elderly, but I don't know which of them likes hunting," Yang Ming said.

"Let's bring along a few people with mobility issues, so that if we encounter wild animals, they won't chase us relentlessly..." Liu Zhengfeng said seriously.

Yang Ming and Zhang Yang weren't fools, and besides, what the other person said wasn't exactly subtle. They broke out in a cold sweat, their faces changing constantly. They really didn't expect that Liu Zhengfeng would be such a scoundrel.

"Hahahaha..." Liu Zhengfeng couldn't help but burst into laughter as he watched the two men's expressions change.

"What are you laughing at? You're pretty ruthless, uncle..." Zhang Yang said.

"This isn't called ruthlessness, it's called being prepared for any eventuality..." Liu Zhengfeng said with a smile.

"It's alright. If we really encounter wild animals, I'll have Zhang Yang lead you away, and I'll stay behind to cover our retreat..." Yang Ming said, his expression somewhat grim.

Zhang Yang's expression was equally unpleasant.

"Alright..." Liu Zhengfeng's expression turned serious, and he gave the two of them a thumbs up. "Based on your performance just now, I'm willing to go into the mountains with you..."

Actually, Liu Zhengfeng was also afraid. If he went into the mountains with these two and encountered wild animals, and the two lads ran away in a flash, he would be in big trouble. He might not be able to get out. What's more, the agritainment business in this village was newly opened, and he and his wife Zhang Xiaofei would be the first tourists. Who knew if there were any shady things going on in this village? What if these two robbed him in the mountains, then called his wife for money, and after getting the money, killed him? He would have no one to turn to for justice...

"Uncle, you're really cautious..." Yang Ming gave Liu Zhengfeng a thumbs up.

"Hehe, it's better to live cautiously, better safe than sorry..." Liu Zhengfeng chuckled.

"That scared us to death..." Zhang Yang breathed a sigh of relief. "Actually, my sworn brother tricked the uncle. He wasn't going to cover our retreat at all. He told us to run while he hid in a tree. Once the wild animals were gone, he would come down and sneak home..."

"..." Liu Zhengfeng's back was covered in cold sweat, and his gaze towards Yang Ming changed: This kid is ruthless! Ruthless! Despicable!

Liu Zhengfeng and Yang Ming went fishing together, with Zhang Yang watching from the side. By noon, Liu Zhengfeng had caught almost half a bucket of small fish, mostly small crucian carp about three inches long. He truly lived up to his reputation as the runner-up in the legendary fishing competition...

In contrast, Yang Ming's record was pitifully small. In a bucket, only four small fish were swimming around, making it look extremely desolate.

"Uncle, you're amazing! You caught so many fish!" Zhang Yang praised sincerely, glancing sideways at Yang Ming's bucket. "And look at someone else's bucket, only four small fish. Compared to you, Uncle, he should be ashamed and jump into the river."

"Hmph..." Yang Ming put away his fishing rod. "Zhang Yang, how about we make a bet? It's about who catches more fish. It's just the two of us, Uncle and me. I'm sure I'll beat Uncle. Whoever loses has to pay a hundred yuan..."

Zhang Yang raised his eyebrows and began to scan the shore. He realized that his godfather must have brought out the super magic weapon, the Little Jar, otherwise he wouldn't be so arrogant and fearless.

"Nothing?" Zhang Yang looked around but couldn't find any trace of the rope, which puzzled him. "Where did you put the small jar? Shouldn't you get up?"

"I definitely didn't use that thing today..." Yang Ming said with certainty.

"Then what do you have to rely on?" Zhang Yang asked, puzzled.

"I certainly won't tell you what I'm relying on. Just tell me, do you dare to make this bet with me?" Yang Ming said.

"Fine, let's fight. What's so great about that? I don't believe you can beat that old man's half-bucket with these four little fish. Let's make it clear beforehand, the fish can only be from this river, not from your fishpond..." Zhang Yang said.

"I assure you, it's definitely not from a fishpond..." Yang Ming assured him with a smile, "So, our bet is on?"

"It's settled then, with Uncle as the witness, neither of us is allowed to renege on the agreement..." Zhang Yang said.

"Alright, I'll be your witness, but you can't do it for nothing. No matter who wins, you two have to give me half of the winnings..." Liu Zhengfeng said with a smile.

"So the real ruthless one is here..." Yang Ming was stunned, as if he had discovered a new continent.

"He's not a ruthless person, he's more like a corrupt official..." Zhang Yang's words were shocking.

"..." Liu Zhengfeng said dejectedly, "Let me tell you, don't you dare frame me, or I'll be investigated by the Party's disciplinary body..."

"Oh? So you're an official?" Yang Ming recognized the voice.

"Yes, I did before, but I only retired due to illness a few days ago..." Liu Zhengfeng said.

"Oh? No wonder you have such a fondness for RMB... Tell us, how much did you embezzle when you were an official? We won't tell anyone..." Zhang Yang said.

"Don't be afraid. We Chinese don't discriminate against corrupt officials. As long as you give the common people some soup when you're eating meat, we don't care how much you embezzle..." Yang Ming said.

"Hey you two, how did you end up calling me a corrupt official?" Liu Zhengfeng said, annoyed. "Are you from the Discipline Inspection Commission?"

"If he's not a corrupt official, how come he's so good at making money?" Zhang Yang said.

"I used to be the director of the municipal finance bureau, okay? If I didn't know how to make money, I would have to report to the organization department in less than three days and then be transferred to another place..." Liu Zhengfeng said.

"Oh? So it's a lucrative position..." Zhang Yang smiled wickedly, as if to say, "I know you've got money in your pocket."

"Exactly, if there's a piece of meat right next to your mouth, who wouldn't take a bite? Wouldn't that be too silly?" Yang Ming chimed in.

"You two... the Finance Bureau has several deputy directors, it's not like I can make the decisions all by myself..." Liu Zhengfeng said angrily, "Do you still want me to be your notary? If not, I'm enjoying some peace and quiet. But if you do, it's 50 yuan, not a penny less. If you're eating meat, you should at least let me have some soup too, right?"

"This soup and the meat are not the same thing," Yang Ming said.

"Why not? The soup is richer in nutrients than the meat..." Liu Zhengfeng said.

"So when you go out to eat and indulge, if you order meat, and the restaurant serves you soup instead, do you eat it too?" Zhang Yang asked.

"You two are really infuriating! When did I become corrupt?" Liu Zhengfeng's eyes widened.

"You officials, aren't you all experts at banquets and regulars at saunas? Why are you pretending to be so high and mighty with us? We're not going to tell anyone..." Yang Ming said.

"I...I...I..." Liu Zhengfeng trembled violently. "I'm a master at banquets...I'm a regular at saunas..." Liu Zhengfeng lifted his clothes, revealing a patch of purplish-blue skin. "You can say this here, but please don't say it in front of my wife. I've really never been to a sauna. I'm innocent..."

"Look at what you're saying, you're practically admitting it yourself! A sauna is just a steam room, isn't it? It's similar to a public bathhouse... We didn't say anything, did we? How can you be so ungrateful? You must know the inside story. If you hadn't experienced it firsthand, how could you know so much..." Yang Ming laughed.

"I..." Liu Zhengfeng choked, and after a long while, he looked up to the sky and sighed, "Heavens, even if Bao Zheng were reincarnated, he would be smeared by you two... It's a waste that you two didn't become lawyers..."

"Why be a lawyer? It's nothing compared to the comfort of farming at home and making money!" Yang Ming said with disdain.

"And another thing... Bao Qingtian doesn't need us to smear him, he's naturally black-hearted..." Zhang Yang added.

Liu Zhengfeng didn't say anything this time. He felt that if he said another word, these two brothers would say he was a big shot.

"Uncle, as long as you promise not to take 50 yuan from us, we'll believe you're an honest official..." Yang Ming said.

"Not only is he an honest official, but he's also an honest official whose pockets are cleaner than his face..." Zhang Yang added.

"I don't need your belief, believe it or not... I won't be that notary, no matter how much money you offer..." Liu Zhengfeng's temper flared up.

"Looks like we've really offended that uncle this time. He's really hit a nerve. Anyone would be furious in his place..." Yang Ming said.

"We've stumbled upon a major discovery by accident, but we don't know if the uncle embezzled or took a bribe..." Zhang Yang said.

"Are you stupid? A finance bureau chief, who controls all the money in the bureau, who would accept bribes? What if some fool keeps a copy of the evidence of the bribery? If it gets discovered later, he'll be finished. It's not as good as embezzlement. Just change a few numbers on the invoices and you can cut off a sum of money directly," Yang Ming said.

"You're even more foolish. The data on the invoices is all well-documented and verifiable. If someone really investigates you, they'll find out exactly where you are and you won't be able to escape. How can it be as straightforward as accepting a bribe? Open an anonymous account in a Swiss bank. If anyone wants to bribe me, they can just transfer the money to that account. Even if some idiot leaves evidence of a bribe, they definitely won't be able to trace it back to me..." Zhang Yang said.

"I've just realized that you two are simply..." Liu Zhengfeng wasn't angry anymore, and shook his head with a wry smile: "Alright, alright, I'll be your witness, I won't take a penny, I'll even pay you half a bucket of fish..."

"Then what's the point of betting? I've already lost..." Zhang Yang immediately protested.

"Hehehe, I know you can joke with me like this, which means that in your eyes I am still a clean official. To be honest, I have indeed accepted quite a lot of bribes, such as Zhonghua cigarettes, Yuxi cigarettes, Moutai cigarettes, and Wuliangye cigarettes, I have accepted quite a lot of these things..." Liu Zhengfeng said quite frankly.

"Right? I knew it. This uncle doesn't seem like the kind of old-fashioned person. How could he not pocket the benefits when there are them?" Yang Ming said.

"I only picked up cigarettes and alcohol, not a single RMB..." Liu Zhengfeng said, putting away his fishing rod. "Alright, your nonsense has ruined my mood. Let's hurry up and leave, it's already noon..."

"Alright, let's go home..." Yang Ming stood up, stretched, and picked up his bucket. "Uncle, do you need me to help you carry this?"

"No need, no need, lest you cause trouble and put other people's fish in your bucket..." Zhang Yang quickly picked up Liu Zhengfeng's bucket.

On the way home...

"Brother Qian, shouldn't we pay off the gambling debts?" Zhang Yang, carrying a bucket, looked at the four small fish in Yang Ming's bucket and felt like he already had a hundred-yuan bill in his hand.

"Yes! Hurry up and bring me a hundred yuan..." Yang Ming said with great confidence.

"Hey, hey, hey, the result is already obvious..." Zhang Yang said even more confidently.

"Heh heh, let me tell you, your sister-in-law caught quite a few fish in the river with a small jar, a whole bucket full..." Yang Ming laughed smugly.

"That's not right, is it? Even if Ugly Girl caught a lot of fish, what does it have to do with you? It's you and Uncle who made the bet..." Zhang Yang said disdainfully.

"Hehe, I just said it was a competition between two companies, not just me. Brother-in-law, remember this in the future. When you make a bet with someone, you must listen carefully and not miss a single word..." Yang Ming said with a smile.

"You, you, you..." Zhang Yang was so angry he almost banged his head against a rock. One hundred yuan, gone just like that.

"Ahem, it's a bit early to talk about this now. After all, we don't know the exact amount yet, do we? Even if it's just a difference of one or two coins, it can still determine the winner, right?" At this crucial moment, notary Liu Zhengfeng stepped forward.

"Right? We're only comparing live fish, those bubbling in the pot don't count..." Zhang Yang perked up again, and his steps home slowed down a bit. Time is a great healer; maybe if he had been a second too late, Wei Qingqing would have already put all the fish in the pot.

"Hmph, even if you waste more time, it's no use. Your sister-in-law isn't stupid. How could she possibly put the whole bucket of fish into the pot?" Yang Ming said disdainfully.

"That's hard to say! Don't you have tourists with you? With a few more people, you'll have to cook a lot more fish..." Liu Zhengfeng sensed the problem. "Right, I remember now, weren't we the first tourists? How come Sister Liu said your house is now occupied?"

"We're not staying at their house, are we?" Zhang Yang chimed in. "We're going to stay there until our own house is built..."

"So this is where people live?" Liu Zhengfeng finally understood.

As soon as the three of them arrived under the willow tree at the gate, sure enough, the aroma of cornbread and stewed small fish wafted from the house. Wei Qingqing was sitting by the stove tending the fire, and in the large basin in the yard, a group of small fish were swimming happily. It was already obvious who would win and who would lose.

Zhang Shufang and the others had returned from the market. Zhang Shufang was tidying up a piece of mutton she had bought at the market on the chopping board in the outer room, planning to cook it for hot pot that evening.

Yang Zhengfang was nowhere to be seen, but Yang Ming knew that his father was probably hiding in the backyard. Yang Zhengfang was really afraid of Foreman Huang. This guy insisted on recognizing him as his godfather and wouldn't leave no matter what. Last night, he and his wife Zhang Shufang slept in the cabin by the hot spring pool, switching places with his son and daughter-in-law.

"Oh! Didn't you say Yang Ming was going to be a tour guide? How come there's another one? Honey, weren't you supposed to be supervising the construction site?..." Sun Fangfang didn't come out of the house, but from the east wing. Judging from her words, she must have known that tourists had come to the village.

"Huh?" Zhang Yang's mouth dropped open. "Our big brother is over there supervising the construction. Aren't you worried?" The big brother Zhang Yang was referring to was Foreman Huang. Although Yang Zhengfang didn't take him as a son, Zhang Yang had acknowledged him.

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(End of this chapter)