Suijun starts with the principle of rewarding diligence.

Four long rivers, two horizontal and two vertical, divide Heishui County into nine areas. The middle area is the inner city.

The Zhong family mansion is located in the southwest corner of the inner city. Stepping out of the southwest gate, one can directly see two long rivers. It is extremely convenient for both sightseeing and transporting supplies.

There is a pavilion at the confluence of the rivers.

Zhong Su and Zhong Ling were sitting in the pavilion chatting.

Zhong Ling rested her chin on her hand, gazing at the river with a hint of anxiety in her voice: "Grandpa, two or three days have passed, and there's still no word from that young fisherman. Is it really possible he caught the red-scaled sturgeon?"

Zhong Su stroked his beard and sighed softly, "Stop calling me 'little fisherman, little fisherman.' His name is Bu Qu, he has a name. You can remember the name of the treasure fish, but you can't remember people's names."

"There are hundreds of fishing families outside the city. How can I remember them all? The red-scaled sturgeon can help me establish a solid foundation, so of course I must keep it in mind."

"Who told you to memorize all of this?" Zhong Su shook his head.

Zhong Ling's eyes darted around, and she chuckled, "Grandpa, you seem to value that little...that fisherman named Bu Qu quite a bit. Is it because he caught the water-patterned fish and cured your illness?"

"That's just one of them." A gentle smile appeared on Zhong Su's lips. "More importantly, I think he's a promising talent."

"A promising talent?" Zhong Ling curled her lip. "How come I don't see it?"

"I've been the clan leader for so many years and have dealt with all sorts of people. I know a thing or two about judging people. Although you have exceptional talent in cultivation, you lack experience and are still too young."

Zhong Ling pouted, somewhat unconvinced.

Looking at her childlike face, Zhong Su chuckled and said, "Ling'er, tell me, what do we need to make our Zhong family increasingly prosperous?"

Zhong Ling's eyes darted around: "Money, power, influence, and exceptionally talented young people."

She pointed to herself and said smugly, "Like me."

Zhong Su shook his head: "You..."

Zhong Ling made a face, then adopted a humble, inquiring look: "Grandpa, am I wrong?"

"Yes, but not entirely."

Zhong Su looked up at the open river, his gaze distant:

"Ling'er, you must remember. Money, power, and influence can only maintain temporary prosperity. If you want the Zhong family to prosper for generations to come, you must constantly recruit talented people."

Throughout history, very few people have single-handedly supported their entire family. Those who can become immortals or gods are even rarer.

The core strength of most families is composed of a group of talented young people.

Talented individuals are the foundation of a family.

"Grandpa, do you really think that Buqu is a genius? But he's just a fisherman!"

"Heroes come from all walks of life. If you're a fisherman, that's even better."

"Even better? But where does that come from?"

Zhong Su smiled slightly, his eyes reflecting two long rivers, his gaze profound: "Many people were unknown before they rose to fame. Giving them a small favor now is worth ten times more than usual."

"But he refused my grandfather's offer to join the Zhong family."

"That's not surprising. Those with lofty ambitions are unwilling to stoop to serve others."

"Grandpa, you overestimate him. Maybe he's just all talk and no action."

Seeing Zhong Su shake his head, Zhong Ling pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "If he can really catch the Crimson-Scaled Sturgeon, then I'll believe he's a genius!"

Zhong Su put one hand to his forehead and remained silent.

Suddenly, a fast horse galloped toward the Zhong residence.

Seeing Zhong Su sitting in the pavilion, the coachman skipped the main gate and sped along the river, arriving in front of the two in the blink of an eye.

Zhong Su looked up, but before he could speak, Zhong Ling asked first, "Did you catch the treasure fish?"

The visitor was Ma Yi, who, along with He Ye, was in charge of purchasing treasure fish at the fish market.

Zhong Ling urgently needed the Red Scaled Sturgeon to solidify his foundation, so he naturally recognized this person.

Seeing him arrive so quickly, one can imagine that he must have brought good news.

However, Zhong Ling looked around and didn't see Ma Yi bringing Bao Yu, so she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

Ma Yi replied with a smile, a smug look on his face: "Miss, we caught a treasure fish!"

"Where is it? I can't see it."

"Baoyu is on its way and will be here soon. Heye asked me to go ahead so that Miss can know this good news as soon as possible."

Zhong Ling frowned: "Could it be the Crimson Scaled Sturgeon? Why didn't she bring the treasure fish herself, but instead let you arrive first?"

Ma Yi was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and slapped himself on the face: "I'm clumsy with words, I forgot to mention. He Ye and the fisherman who caught the treasure fish are traveling by water. That's why they'll be slower."

"Waterway? Why take the waterway...?"

Zhong Ling suddenly realized something, and her mouth dropped open.

Zhong Su suddenly stood up, his tone surprised: "Could it be? Bu Qu caught a live fish?"

It's difficult for ordinary fishermen to catch even one precious fish, let alone a live one.

Upon hearing that He Ye had come by water, Zhong Su immediately understood: Bu Qu had caught a live red-scaled sturgeon.

Who else but him could have this ability?

Zhong Su and Zhong Ling exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with excitement.

Fresh croaker is even more effective!

A single live red-scaled sturgeon can enhance one's cultivation as much as three or four dead fish caught a day ago.

Zhong Ling gazed at the long river, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Zhong Su sat back down on the bench in the pavilion, his face also beaming with joy: "I never expected Bu Qu to be so capable. He caught the Red-scaled Sturgeon, a rare fish that hasn't been seen for years, just like that."

He glanced at his granddaughter, whose eyes were burning with desire, shook his head slightly, and pondered the matter of making an introduction.

Zhong Su and Zhao Fan were old acquaintances.

When Zhao Fan was young, he was just a down-on-his-luck scholar. Zhong Su recognized his talent and provided him with financial assistance.

Later, Zhao Fan soared to great heights and became the Seeker of the Righteous Path Sect, with a bright future ahead of him.

Remembering Zhong Su's past kindness, Zhao Fan comes to Heishui County every year to discover promising young people.

The young talents of the Zhong family are the first choice.

"It's just a casual mention. Whether it succeeds or not depends on his own fate."

Zhong Su smiled slightly, continuing to ponder, 'It's a pity Bu Qu possesses water-based attributes, suitable for catching treasure fish, but he might not be valued by the righteous sects. Oh well, if he can't get into the righteous sects, I'll provide him with some financial assistance. Compared to cultivation, the fish market might be more suitable for him.'

After waiting for quite a while, the awning boat slowly rowed along the river.

"Where's the Red Scaled Sturgeon?" Zhong Ling muttered, her gaze constantly darting around the bow of the boat.

Bu Qu thought to himself, "I told you you were an amateur! How could a precious fish possibly be at the bow of the boat?"

He sat at the stern rowing, and the precious fish naturally hung at the stern.

If the fish manages to escape the net and swim into the water, he can catch it back in time.

If placed at the bow of the ship, the water control technique would not be able to cover it at all.

Seeing Bu Qu looking at him, Zhong Su smiled and nodded in response.

Bu Qu smiled and pulled the fishing net up from the stern of the boat.

Zhong Ling hurried over to take a look and was overjoyed to see the red-scaled sturgeon in the fishing net.

"You come up first."

"Don't let the fish get away."

Buqu followed the lotus leaves to the pavilion.

Zhong Ling, however, jumped onto the covered boat and hid inside to eat the treasure fish.

After all, she's a girl, so she should still pay attention to her image.

Bu Qu cupped his hands in greeting to Zhong Su, and after some pleasantries, inquired about the matter of introductions.

As they were talking, a servant stepped forward: "Master, Envoy Zhao has come to visit."

"You've come at the perfect time." Zhong Su nodded with a smile and said to Bu Qu, "Didn't you want to cultivate Taoism? It just so happens that Zhao Fan is here. Why don't you talk to him about it?"