Fishing and Hunting 82, Starting with Three Sisters Who Overprotect Their Brothers

Zhang Wenshan had just returned home after cutting willow branches when he heard his mother Xu Xiulian's loud voice.

"What rule is so unreasonable?"

"Only crops can be grown? What can grow on gravelly soil?"

Then came the sound of his father's sigh.

"Li Kuaizui is the squad leader, how could he lie? Sigh, what a waste of a day."

Is someone trying to trip me up?

Zhang Wenshan's heart sank, and his expression turned cold.

Having grown up in an orphanage, I've witnessed the coldness and warmth of human relationships. I naturally understand the principle of resenting those who have and laughing at those who don't, and I'm wary of such situations.

I just didn't expect it to come so quickly.

"Don't listen to people's nonsense, it's not true." Zhang Wenshan carried the willow branches through the door and headed straight for the east room.

"Sigh..." Zhang Jianshe glanced at his son, shook his head and said, "Don't bother with this. People say that catching wild chickens and fishing is illegal. If you do it again, they'll take action against you."

The air in the room froze instantly.

"Fourth Brother, how about we call it quits?"

"A deal we just negotiated!"

"So, will we not have any meat to eat in the future...?" Zhao Qiang sensed the oppressive atmosphere and swallowed the rest of his words.

"Did Li Kuaizui say that too?" Zhang Wenshan put down the willow branch and sat calmly on the edge of the kang.

As I recall, this person's original name was Li Yuejin.

He was one of the squad leaders of Chishongtun. He was known for his eloquence and ruthless cursing. After the land was distributed, he lost his command authority and spent his days wandering around looking for attention, always talking about policies or rules.

Zhang Jianshe nodded.

"What else did he say, Dad? Tell me carefully, make sure you don't miss anything."

He said that land is for growing crops and raising toads is not a proper business. When I argued with him, he said that we were just thinking about crooked ways, not doing proper business, and engaging in speculation.

"Today they dig ponds, tomorrow they'll cut down trees; this corrupts morals."

Zhang Jianshe spoke haltingly, omitting the parts where he scolded his son.

"Si'er, don't take it to heart." Xu Xiulian patted her son's shoulder and comforted him softly.

Zhang Fengxia said indignantly, "What utter nonsense! I did a five-yuan business deal today, how could I be neglecting my duties?"

"What, five yuan?" Zhang Jianshe jumped up from the kang (a heated brick bed).

Zhao Hongwei also looked at his brother-in-law, knowing that his wife would never lie about something like this.

Zhang Fengxia, beaming with excitement, immediately recounted what had happened the previous morning.

"What a pity, fish that costs five yuan a pound!"

Xu Xiulian sighed heavily, and the faces of the others were also filled with regret.

"Little brother, tell me what to do, I'll go catch that fine-scaled fish," Zhang Fengxia said with her hands on her hips, full of bravado.

Zhao Hongwei quickly patted his chest and stepped forward, indicating that he would take over.

The older woman snapped angrily, "Who's going to farm if something happens to you?"

Zhang Wenshan had never experienced family affection in his previous life, and now, looking at the noisy family, a smile appeared on his face.

"It's okay, he was just trying to scare you."

"Everyone has eaten food from the mountains and rivers before. Li Kuaizui's family is no exception. How could he possibly prepare it for himself?"

Everyone was stunned by these words.

"Hey, that's right!" Zhang Fengxia slapped her thigh. "If they really take action, our whole village will be finished."

"Of course, his nephew Li Dong has been trying to get you involved a lot," Xu Xiulian said, gesturing towards her son.

Zhang Wenshan's expression suddenly changed, a cold glint appearing in his eyes: "So that's how it is."

Even if someone digs a two-square-meter pond, they wouldn't make a big deal out of it if they saw it; the real issue lies with him.

I was thinking that there would be a crackdown next year, so I wouldn't cause any trouble.

That son of a bitch dares to push his luck and pick a fight on his own.

"Do you know what happened?" Old Zhang asked.

"I didn't give any pheasants to Li Dong yesterday; he caught one himself and got bitten by a snake," Zhang Wenshan replied expressionlessly, pondering how to retaliate.

He wouldn't let anyone shit on his neck.

"That bastard! I'm going to settle accounts with him!" Xu Xiulian was furious upon hearing this and turned to leave.

Zhang Jianshe grabbed the man and said, "What are you going to do? They won't admit it, they'll just say it's the rule, what are you going to do?"

"Then, then we're not going to do it anymore?" Xu Xiulian's voice trembled.

Just when her son was doing well in school and things were going smoothly at home, someone came along and caused trouble, and she couldn't do anything about it.

"It's alright, Mom, leave it to me." Zhang Wenshan said, looking at his father, "Didn't you say that crops can't be grown on gravelly land?"

"Nonsense," Zhang Jianshe rolled his eyes. "Li Kuaizui said that if we don't put in the effort, they can carve out a rocky hill anywhere."

There was no one else around when he said it.

"Yes, Wang Laosan, Zhao Laosi... they're all here."

"Alright." Zhang Wenshan grinned, got up and walked out.

If someone is courting death, he wouldn't mind burying them in the ground.

"Si'er, where are you going?" Xu Xiulian asked hurriedly.

"Damn Li, you're so quick-witted."

"Wait for me."

Zhang Fengxia took the lead and followed closely behind Zhao Hongwei, while Xu Xiulian stamped her foot and rushed out as well.

"He's the team leader, how can we go against him?"

Zhang Jianshe shouted in a hurry, but no one paid any attention. He gritted his teeth, picked up his grandson, and followed.

At worst, I'll just swallow my pride and admit my mistake.

Zhang Wenshan went to the outer room, grabbed an enamel basin, picked up a fire poker, and rushed out of the yard.

"Clang!"

A thunderous knocking sound shattered the afternoon tranquility of the village.

The neighbor rushed out in a panic, and after seeing what was happening, asked with a look of suspicion, "Sister-in-law, what are you doing?"

Zhang Wenshan answered first: "Captain Li Yuejin has a special skill: he can grow crops on gravelly land."

"What?"

"I can't talk to you anymore, I have to hurry up and report the good news to the brigade."

Ignoring his stunned neighbor, Zhang Wenshan made a lot of noise and headed straight for the village secretary's house.

Soon a long line followed behind.

The vast majority of them didn't know what was going on; they just wanted to watch the excitement.

……

"Grandpa, let me toast you."

On the kang table.

Li Dong sat sideways, his right calf wrapped in thick gauze.

"You're injured, don't drink." Li Yuejin raised his hand to block the glass. "The Zhang family is having a tough year!"

Li Dong put down his wine glass and said bitterly, "If I hadn't been lucky enough to encounter a non-venomous rat snake, I wouldn't have survived."

"Alright, let's leave it at that," Li Yuejin said, frowning.

He has no son, so what else can he do but spoil his nephew?

"No way," Li Dong quickly said. "I think raising toads could work, and it might even become a profitable side business for the collective."

"If you press me a little harder, I'll try to trick that idiot Zhang Wenshan into revealing the method for raising toads so we can do it ourselves."

"It's not right to say this to fellow villagers!" Li Yuejin fumbled for his wine glass.

"Grandpa, didn't you say that the village was going to be changed into a village and that a village chief would be elected?" Li Dong said sinisterly, "His family is related to the brigade leader's family."

If we raise toads, does all the credit go to the brigade leader?

"The brigade leader is that old; he won't be able to serve for many more years. Once he retires, you can take the lead in raising toads, and then..."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuejin picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp: "No wonder he's a member of the Li family, he's got a sharp mind."

"It's all thanks to your excellent teaching."

The uncle and nephew were enjoying their drinks together.

Someone broke down the courtyard gate and rushed in.

"Old Li, hurry to the brigade headquarters! The Party Secretary wants to see you. The whole village is blocking the entrance!"

"What happened?"

"The word has spread that you can grow crops on gravelly land."

Clang!

The small wine cup fell onto the table.

Li Yuejin's hands trembled like a sieve.