Chapter 008: Bring up a dish of vinegar

Therefore, the current goal is to earn enough money to establish a foothold and to secure the startup capital for development in the university town

Ordinary individuals may not necessarily achieve success through hard work and struggle, but without effort and perseverance, there is no hope of success at all

With something on his mind, before it was even five o'clock, Lu Dong got up and started hitting the sandbag in the yard of the old house

Qingzhao liquor

As the last Liberation truck passed by, Lü Dong seized the opportunity and threw the bag containing the fish onto it

Even blood relatives cannot be taken for granted

Aunt Qi is not tall, her figure is slender, and she rests her harpoon on the ground: "Dongzi, you have arrived." She points at Uncle Qi, almost jumping in anger: "You come and judge this, drinking alcohol early in the morning, how can one remain sober throughout the day?"

To accomplish anything, one must first conduct an on-site investigation.

In rural areas, there are too many people who are exhausted just trying to maintain a basic standard of living

The water is abundant with fish, and Lü Dong has made a good catch, nearing noon with about 10 to 12 pounds.

The fishing net was swept off course, and Lü Dong exerted force with his hands, pulling the rope back in.

One of them, with a dark face, nudged the leech that was exposed to the sun with his foot, and then squatted down to take a look at it.

Especially regarding the future

There is indeed nothing of value that can be presented at home

For these young people who have been corrupted by gangsters, joining the military is actually a good path

At the entrance of the main hall, a boy about eight or nine years old sits on a bamboo chair, eagerly tossing peanuts into his mouth while watching the grand performance with great enthusiasm

There may be too many leeches on the water hyacinth, so Lü Dong retrieved the bamboo pole and brought back two that were the size of little fingers

Although the water level has decreased significantly, the current remains very swift

In that past life, for a long time after 1998, Lu Dong lived in a state of confusion and aimlessness

Lü Dong greeted with a smile: "Hello, soldier."

Although he started fishing with his uncle at the age of twelve or thirteen, he had not touched it upon returning. The net was not fully cast, but the aim was relatively good, and the fishing net fell in a gentle area

Turn it over, there is a design on the bottom of the disc, four traditional Chinese characters, and the underachiever Lu Dong can only recognize the first character, which is Wang

"Seventh Uncle, weren't we supposed to go fishing yesterday?" Lu Dong did not intervene in the quarrel; this couple is always at odds, and advising them is futile: "Let's go, take two nets, and we'll go together!"

At this moment, two river patrol soldiers walked over, curious to see Lü Dong fishing, and stopped.

While Lv Dong was eating noodles, Hu Chunlan began her usual nagging beside him: "I went to the village early this morning to get noodles. I heard that the troops are leaving in the afternoon. They are doing us such a big favor, and our fruits and the loofah and cucumbers we planted are not ripe yet, so we have nothing to give them. Dongzi, go borrow a net from your seventh uncle and see if you can catch a few big fish to send to the troops"

Lü Dong pondered for a moment and asked, "Are they accepting?"

The water was extremely murky, making it impossible to see what was beneath. After waiting for seven or eight minutes, Lu Dong stood up and cast the net.

The troops have all declined, even refusing the instant noodles and bottled water sent by the village

This time the water is high, and it is unknown how many fish have flowed down from the reservoir.

As the net sank to the bottom, Lü Dong grasped the rope tied to his wrist and slowly began to pull the net upwards. Once the rope tightened, the sensation in his hand informed him that there was a catch

The truly impressive aspect is the university town

"Can it be used as medicine?" Lu Dong had never considered such a matter: "Can it be used as medicine?"

Take steady steps and proceed step by step

Society is very realistic

As the sun rises higher, those with nets and leisure begin to take their nets to the river. From the eastern side of the sluice gate to this side of Lü Dong, there are seven or eight people fishing.

"Hmm, I will go after I finish eating." Lu Dong glanced towards the east side of the columbarium, where bundles of leftover wheat straw from the harvest were piled up. Next to it, in the makeshift vegetable garden, the loofah and cucumber vines had just begun to climb.

Antiques? When one is poor, aspirations are limited; it is inevitable for Lu Dong to indulge in fantasies

The assistance received from my uncle over the years is countless, and I do not know how to repay it

He said to the little boy: "Nail, go and coax your mother! In a while, I will catch some fish for you to eat!"

This is precisely during special times and - illustrated - book periods, placed in ordinary times, luck is against the odds

In the calm area, there were quite a few water hyacinths. After Lü Jianren went to the north, Lü Dong brought a bamboo pole to remove the water hyacinths. As the bamboo pole moved in the water, something happened. With a splash, something jumped out of the water, looking like either a carp or a grass carp, and it was quite sizable.

The largest is a grass carp, weighing possibly over 2 pounds; there are two yellow catfish, with three sharp spines on their sides and backs, which can cause significant pain if pricked.

A convoy of Liberation trucks is heading south

Today is July 12, not long after the grain tax has been paid, the orchard has not yet produced apples, and there will not even be 500 yuan at home

The soldier said: "Over there at the Quannan West Market"

The dark-faced man with a southern accent asked Lu Dong: "Dried and used for medicine?"

Lock the door and go to the orchard for breakfast, while Lü Dong took a moment to glance at the river embankment. After a night had passed, the water level had dropped by more than 2 meters compared to its highest point, nearly leveling with the road outside the embankment

The future still relies on oneself to venture, to strive, and to fight

Well, these characters are the same in both Simplified and Traditional Chinese

This fish has a delicious texture, better than that of black fish

After finishing breakfast, Lu Dong returned to the village to borrow a fishing net from Uncle Qi and was startled upon entering.

Uncle Qi leaned on a shovel, while Aunt Qi held a harpoon, and the couple was confronting each other in the yard

However, what specific opportunities have arisen in these two years, Lü Dong is somewhat confused

Lü Dong had some speculation: "May I ask where your base is located?"

Lv Dong is aware of the Shunshan Cultural Market, which is distinct from the West Market; this market specializes in flowers, birds, old books, antiques, and unusual stones

The leech continues to bask in the sun on the shore, and no one would bother to pick up this thing that even chickens would disdain to eat

Lü Dong is aware that this place is the largest comprehensive wholesale market in Quannan City, and even as of 2019, it remains unparalleled in the surrounding areas

This rather novel form of address made the two soldiers chuckle, and they politely replied, "Hello"

It is said that during the years of famine, the villagers would dry and cook this item to eat

Lu Dong still needs to borrow the internet, and all the catfish have been given to Uncle Qi, who will return to make soup with nails

Uncle Qi is indeed experienced; this place is a fish haven, and a large catfish has come up on the second net

Lu Dong lowered his head and glanced at the water level, which had noticeably decreased. Countless sandbags piled up on the northern side formed a slope, completely obscuring the iron chicken coop inside.

Unlike the significant decline that followed, the mud catfish is currently a popular fish, known for its abundant meat, high oil content, and lack of small bones

Lü Dong has come ashore online, starting to fish on the internet. First, he discards the stones and garbage that are mixed in, and then he takes the fish.

My life has not been easy, and I cannot add to her burdens any further. As an adult at eighteen, I must take on the responsibilities that are mine to bear

Then there are several leeches

Having wandered the streets, indulged in online games, and earned just enough money to sustain a living, I occasionally needed assistance from my mother and cousin, until I finally came to my senses after 2010

After playing with a sandbag for a while and having a simple wash, Lu Dong found a stool, sat down, and began to contemplate.

"Not good looking!" The nail is eating peanuts as it enters the main room: "Didn’t get into a fight..."

On this night, Lü Dong woke up several times, fortunately the life-threatening emergency gong did not sound again

No investigation, no right to speak

Ultimately, money is the most fundamental! Lu Dong is solely focused on making a profit

Uncle Qi said again: "Take it away to deceive people! The Shunshan Cultural Market is filled with junk. I have been there a few times, and those who set up stalls specifically collect worthless old items, selling them as if they were something significant to swindle money."

Grain taxes must not be delayed; otherwise, the consequences will be severe

Lü Jianren dropped the shovel, called out to Lü Dong, and took two fishing nets and several homemade water bags, heading straight for the riverbank to the north

Moreover, what if it turns out to be valuable

Lü Dong shook his head and said, "Get a disc online."

The shore is basically empty, the lights and cables should have been taken back by Uncle Tie, leaving only two long bamboo poles.

Upon reaching the triangular dam, Lü Jianren, who has been fishing and catching rabbits for many years, pointed to the gentle area on the north side and said, "The water flow here is slow, there must be fish! The net is fine, just wait a moment before casting. I will head north, you stay here."

Sitting on the dam, Shunhao Network waited once again

Lü Dong kicked down with a layered sole, exposing it to the blazing sun.

Looking at the neatly dressed soldiers, recalling the bravery displayed during the water blockage yesterday, Lu Dong, beside Lu Kun, cried out to his father: "I want to join the army!"

Lv Dongshun's fishing net, patiently waiting, has just removed the water hyacinth, which may have disturbed the underwater environment

Lu Dong cast the net again, but the second net was slightly off, entering the turbulent area; however, he promptly pulled it back.

This flood is about to come to an end, as long as there are no sudden heavy rains upstream, there should be no major issues.

Lü Jianren stretched his neck and said, "How can one have the strength to work without drinking something? You still refuse to admit that you lack experience!"

The soldier said again: "Sure. There is a traditional Chinese medicine market near our station, and I have seen it there."

The most important thing is to first sustain oneself and earn at least a sum of money to establish a foothold

Because of the words of the soldier, all the leeches that were caught by Lü Dong were thrown out to be sun-dried.

Since the night before last, I have been busy with flood relief efforts since returning to 1998, and there has been little time to think about many matters

The orchard spans over 20 acres, and it does not produce grain. The public grain is also temporarily borrowed, and it will be repaid after the fruits are sold

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of people going to rural areas to collect antiques

The two individuals chose the section of the river that nearly overflowed the night before last

Not quite sure. The soldier smiled and said: "I haven't asked."

The fishing net is pulled up one foot at a time; at the moment it emerges from the water, Lu Dong raises his eyebrows, and among the lead weights, there are fish!

The rest should be taken back to the orchard and temporarily kept in pots, one for our own consumption and the other to be delivered to Uncle's family after the meal

What happened? "Lü Dong has a headache." "What is it this time?"

There are various measures of happiness, with wealth being the foundation

Thank you, said Lü Dong.

Lü Dongqiong doesn't have a single cent: "50 yuan?"

It is even more difficult compared to those places where people are so poor that they can only afford to eat hairy crabs

Before leaving, Lü Dong cast his final net, but it veered off again, landing in the turbulent waters.

Lu Dong placed the fish into the water bags, while the leeches were thrown onto the embankment to bask in the sunlight. Two water bags were tossed into the water on the south side of the dam, with the strings of the water bags tied to a tree on the outer side of the embankment

This is the most practical goal at the current stage

Breakfast consists of clear soup noodles, which are boiled noodles served with soy sauce, aged vinegar, and sesame oil as condiments, topped with minced cilantro as a garnish, simple and convenient

Uncle Qi took a careful look and then threw it to Lv Dong: "This type of vinegar dish, we had quite a few of them in the past. I used one when I was young, but they were all broken later. Your second uncle kept one, and a couple of years ago, he sold it to someone collecting antiques in Shunshan for about 50 yuan."

Although it belongs to the daily skirmishes between Uncle Seven and Aunt Seven, this glaring harpoon is indeed frightening

He is not skilled in professional matters; it is merely a form of rudimentary boxing, regarded as a way to exercise the body

Perhaps it can be taken to have a look? Don't mention 50, even 10 yuan is not a small amount for him

Pulling the net ashore, there were no fish in it, but there was a shallow dish the size of an apple. Lü Dong wiped away the mud, revealing the dish's ancient and simple design, made of white porcelain, with flowers on the bottom

One need not rely on the family; Lü Dong knows the family situation without even being asked.

Going to Uncle's house to deliver fish, I learned that the troops would soon be departing. Lu Dong ran back to the orchard to pack some fish. The people of Lujia Village spontaneously gathered on both sides of the road at the entrance of the primary school to send them off, holding steamed buns, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and so on.

Last night, the wind was sparse and the rain was sudden, a deep sleep did not dissipate the lingering effects of the wine

The reality is laid bare: people are poor, and those around them are also a group of poor individuals. Who can help whom

It was only then that Lu Dong noticed a ceramic gourd wine bottle had fallen at the kitchen door on the west side of the courtyard, with a brown wine box beside it. From his angle, he could just see the famous quote on the box.

We cannot continue down the old path; we must strive for wealth

One cannot possibly send straw, as the military is not a paper mill

Uncle Qi walked over with a fishing net and asked, "What is this?"

Then there is money

You are welcome. The two soldiers continued patrolling the river