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

Chapter 117 Showing Off Power

"Oh, this, that—"

As expected, Xu Xiulian was caught in a dilemma, stammering for a long time before finally giving in helplessly.

"Burn more paper money during festivals, Fourth Brother. You must never forget your master's great kindness."

"We should have his family's address, right? Let's send him something; it's just a token of our appreciation."

"Mother, I know, I'll handle it." Zhang Wenshan gave a vague reply, then added, "Mother, don't go out these next couple of days. This thing needs to be air-dried."

"Okay, put it on the roof beam?"

"Let's keep it on top of the cabinet at the end of the kang (heated brick bed). You can see it from there, but it won't attract anything."

"Okay, whatever you say."

Xu Xiulian was about to take action.

"Don't worry, Mother, there's more."

Zhang Wenshan stopped his mother, reached into his pocket, took out a second ginseng packet, gently placed it on the kang table, and slowly opened it.

As the bark was peeled away, the room fell into a deathly silence.

Even his young nephew Zhao Qiang sensed that something was wrong, so he obediently lay down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and didn't dare to make a sound.

Everyone stared intently at the things on the table.

"This, this is also?" Zhang Fengxia rubbed her eyes hard to make sure she wasn't seeing things; there really were two identical wild ginseng plants.

Xu Xiulian covered her mouth, her knuckles turning white, afraid that she would cry out.

These guys have brought back a mountain of gold!

"Yes, fourth brother, how about we set up a memorial tablet for your master?"

Zhang Jianshe came to his senses and stammered, his words already incoherent.

Zhao Hongwei and Zhang Wenhui, standing beside him, nodded in agreement.

What's the difference between this and just stuffing money into someone's hand?

"No need, I'll handle Master's matter."

Zhang Wenshan touched his nose, somewhat helplessly. He had planned everything, but he never expected that the biggest setback for wild ginseng would come here.

He deliberately patted his stomach and said, "How about we eat first?"

As soon as he said that, the sound of stomachs growling filled the room.

"Time to eat! Time to eat!"

My nephew Zhao Qiang was the first to respond and immediately went outside to wash his hands.

The others also stopped being so reserved, and soon the whole family sat around the table and began to wolf down their food.

Zhang Fengxia put down her bowl after she had almost finished eating, looking worried: "Little brother, there might be even fewer snails tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Xu Xiulian frowned and asked, "What's going on? I saw them all come over, didn't I?"

"We just can't compete with them!" Zhang Fengxia sighed. "The fishing and hunting team hasn't completely given up; they'll come over sooner or later, but the water is full of people right now."

"After all that trouble they caused, the fish traps didn't yield much."

"The fishing and hunting team has all arrived?" Zhang Wenshan was a little surprised.

"Hmm." Zhang Fengxia nodded. "Everyone said they definitely wouldn't want to make things difficult for you, since you signed a contract with the state-run restaurant, but right now you really can't get anything."

Zhang Wenshan smiled.

He was already prepared for people to leave, and even for them to all go to Li Dong's place to sell snails.

Surprisingly, not a single one left.

A difference of a few cents per kilogram may not seem like much, but for farmers today, especially those in difficult circumstances, it can mean the difference between having enough to eat and not having enough to eat.

"Why are you still laughing?" Zhang Fengxia pouted and said, "Today, the snails, shrimp, and crabs only cost nine yuan and twenty cents, and tomorrow they'll be even less."

Zhang Wenhui chimed in, "There are several vendors selling snails in town now, two cents a pound. My classmate said that factories are starting to stock snails."

She hesitated for a moment before saying, "The state-run restaurants should understand, right?"

Even if the fishing and hunting team was willing to follow the underlings, no one felt good watching the money slip through their fingers.

If they don't find a solution, the fishing and hunting group will be finished sooner or later.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Zhang Wenshan smiled without saying a word, his gaze fixed on the system panel.

[Today's News 1: Due to environmental and weather conditions, the range of Laplace's activity in the vicinity has changed (click to view the specific location)]

[Today's News 2: Due to environmental and weather conditions, the activity range of yellow catfish in the vicinity has changed (click to view specific locations)]

The term "willow root fish" in folk parlance is actually a general term for various small cold-water fish of the genus *Gui*.

The most common of these is the Rathalos, which typically lives in water at 10–25°C.

Judging from the location marked by the system, a large number of willow root fish gathered in the center of the river next to the village.

It's obvious that the recent hot weather, coupled with the large number of people collecting snails, has scared the fish into the deeper waters.

The same principle applies to yellow catfish, also known as "ga ya zi".

This is a golden opportunity; we must seize it!

"Alright, go to sleep early. As long as Fourth Brother understands."

Seeing that Xiao Jizi was unwilling to talk, Zhang Jianshe waved his hand, ending the conversation.

But that night, apart from Zhang Wenshan, no one slept soundly.

Zhang Fengxia and her husband returned home with their child. Lying on the kang (a heated brick bed), she tossed and turned, repeatedly telling her husband about her experiences in town, the miraculous power of the two wild ginseng plants, and her worries—

Needless to say, Xu Xiulian and Zhang Jianshe were also involved.

He kept thinking about the things on top of the cabinet at the end of the kang (heated brick bed).

Xu Xiulian got up several times.

I was so afraid that something might eat the wild ginseng that the next morning I had dark circles under my eyes like a panda.

"Team leader, where are we going to collect snails today?"

As soon as it was light, the fishing and hunting team members blocked the door of Old Zhang's house, staring intently at Zhang Wenshan.

Previously, they were only surprised when the team leader pointed out a place, but now they were all anxious, hoping that Zhang Wenshan could suggest another place.

The area around the village was packed with people, there was no room at all, and some people even went several miles away.

They simply couldn't compete with it.

Zhang Wenshan spread his hands and said, "I don't know either."

He wasn't lying.

Having never been to the waters outside the village, one naturally wouldn't know where to find snails, let alone reveal the methods for selecting locations.

The members of the fishing and hunting group looked at each other, and then all turned to look at Ge Ergui.

With Lang Qiuping absent and Lin Cuihua still young, they trusted the older Ge Ergui more, hoping he could make a decision.

"Team leader, what are we going to do today?"

"Whatever," Zhang Wenshan said. "If you want to collect snails, you can do it the same way as before, or you can deliver them to other people. We're responsible for our own profits and losses. If you have nothing to do, help me with some work. We'll see how things go this afternoon."

"Then, I'll help with the work."

"I'll stay too."

"There's no place by the water; going there would be a waste of time."

Several people's eyes lit up, but none of them left.

We'll see how it goes. Does this mean there's another way to make money?

Zhang Wenshan nodded, about to assign tasks, when suddenly a sarcastic and mocking laugh came from outside.

"Hey, didn't catch anything today?"

"If the state-run restaurants can't gather all the ingredients, I'll share some with you since we're from the same village."

"However, you'll have to beg me properly!"