Chen Changsheng gulped wine as he walked along the riverbank.
According to what that shopkeeper had said back then, there should be boat operators on the banks of Yan County. Once boarded, he could head to the river’s edge and see the ferry dock, then take a large ship all the way to Shangjing.
Chen Changsheng walked for roughly two hours.
He finally saw vessels floating by the riverbank, though most were bamboo rafts. Small covered boats existed too, but he didn’t know their price.
Chen Changsheng suddenly halted…
Just when the destination seemed near, it hit him.
He slapped his forehead and sighed deeply. “How did I forget again…”
No money to take any boat!
He should have borrowed some silver from Tang Mingjing when he left. Now it was bad; he couldn’t even take a boat.
It wasn’t entirely his fault. He genuinely didn’t keep track of whether he had money on him. Surviving life-and-death situations, these trivial matters no longer occupied his thoughts.
Chen Changsheng sighed helplessly but still walked to the riverbank to look.
He approached an elderly boatman and asked, “Old sir, how much to go to the ferry dock?”
The white-bearded boatman said, “Three Copper Coins will get you to the dock. Do you need a ride, sir?”
Chen Changsheng replied, “I’m just inquiring about the price. I’ll decide later.”
“That’s fine,” the boatman nodded. “If you want a ride, sir, you can come to me. This old man has been on this river for over ten years, much more familiar than these young folk.”
Chen Changsheng smiled warmly. “Naturally.”
Then his gaze fell on the boat, where he suddenly noticed a fishing pole lying there. “Old sir, you like fishing?”
The boatman glanced back and explained, “Ah, this? Just to pass the time when I’m idle and have no passengers.” Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on novęlfire.net
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Chen Changsheng thought for a moment. He asked tentatively, “To be honest, old sir, I (Chen) currently can’t even spare three Copper Coins. Yet… I still want to board your boat.”
“Eh?” The boatman froze.
Chen Changsheng continued, “How about this: I help you hook a large fish, old sir, and you waive my fare?”
Hearing this, the boatman suddenly laughed. “Sir, are you joking with me?”
Chen Changsheng wore a pained smile. “I truly am facing a hardship. If it won’t work, I’ll find another way.”
The boatman eyed him, then suddenly chuckled. “I’ve floated on these rivers for decades. This is the first time I’ve encountered such a thing.”
“And now we have,” Chen Changsheng said.
The boatman stroked his beard, smiling. “And what if you can’t catch a big fish?”
Hearing this, Chen Changsheng knew it was settled. “Perhaps that fish will willingly bite the line itself.”
“Willingly bite the line?”
The boatman stared momentarily, then burst out laughing. “Fine, fine, fine! Let’s let you try. I must see how you make a fish willingly bite the hook!”
The boatman tossed the fishing pole from the boat to Chen Changsheng.
Chen Changsheng caught it and cupped his hands in thanks. “Many thanks.”
Saying this, Chen Changsheng walked to the riverbank.
He chose a good spot and cast the line.
The boatman stepped off his boat and walked towards where Chen Changsheng sat.
“This river links to the great river,” the boatman said. “The current is fast; fish are hard to catch here.”
Gripping the pole, Chen Changsheng turned his head. “It’s true: the willing bite.”
“What a phrase, ‘the willing bite’!”
The boatman stroked his white beard and sat down to watch.
Why had he agreed? It was partly because this gentleman looked neat and well-spoken, hardly someone short of three coins. Besides, it was already afternoon, customers were scarce, so why not seek some amusement?
He could only say this gentleman arrived at just the right time.
The boatman wasn’t in a hurry and began chatting.
“Have you encountered some difficulty, sir?” the boatman inquired.
Chen Changsheng explained, “Not really. I simply forgot to bring silver when leaving home.”
The boatman gaped. “No silver? Where are you heading, sir?”
“Shangjing,” replied Chen Changsheng.
The boatman chuckled. “Sir, you josh again. With no silver, how can you reach Shangjing?”
Chen Changsheng offered a warm smile. “The ship will naturally straighten at the bridge.”
“Once, disciples of the Way traveled thousands of miles carrying nothing at all. I believe fate provides; even great difficulties can be overcome. Just like meeting you here.”
The boatman nodded thoughtfully. “Must be the work of fate.”
“Listening to you, sir, it seems a fish today is surely certain?”
Chen Changsheng started to respond but suddenly felt movement on the line.
He couldn’t help but smile, looking at the river. “Seems we have one.”
With that, he lifted the pole.
Unexpectedly, the fish in the river had immense strength, bending the bamboo pole like a bow.
“A big one!” the boatman exclaimed!
After decades of fishing, just seeing how bent the pole was told him the fish was anything but small.
“Careful, sir! Don’t let it escape!” warned the boatman.
Chen Changsheng sat calmly by the water. The crude pole was just bamboo from the woods. Yanking it fiercely would surely snap it.
He had to gently play the fish using the river’s flow.
About quarter of an hour later.
The tired fish was drawn close. Chen Changsheng reached out, grasped it firmly behind the gills, and hoisted it up.
The boatman’s eyes widened. “Such size!”
Chen Changsheng weighed it in his hand. “Over four pounds. Should cover the boat fare?”
Chen Changsheng successfully boarded the old man’s boat.
The fish was speared through with a twig and hung from a part of the boat.
As bamboo poles nudged the bamboo raft, the Green Fish swayed with the motion.
The boatman was delighted. “Sir, you’re truly skilled! Such a clumsy bamboo pole managed to pull up a fish over four pounds.”
“Just a fortunate coincidence,” Chen Changsheng laughed back.
Waves danced continuously on the river. Chen Changsheng stood at the boat’s prow.
Ahead, the sound of a great river surged, roaring violently as it surged towards the distance.
Half an hour later, the boat reached the ferry dock.
Chen Changsheng prepared to disembark when the boatman suddenly stopped him.
The boatman fished out several Copper Coins from his pocket and handed them to Chen Changsheng. “This fish, over four pounds, is easily worth ten coins or more. Can’t have you board my boat and lose out. Here’s seven coins; please take them.”
Chen Changsheng was stunned. He meant to refuse, but the boatman stuffed the coins firmly into his hand.
“Old sir, you…” Chen Changsheng smiled helplessly.
The boatman waved it off. “Go on, sir. If there’s a next time, remember to ride my boat again.”
Chen Changsheng stood on the shore, watching the boatman pole away.
He cupped his hands respectfully. “My thanks!”
The bamboo raft grew small upon the river, weaving under the riverside trees heading homeward.
Chen Changsheng took his Wine Gourd and drank deeply.
“The wisdom of Jiang Taigong fishing, the willing catch… truly real.”
Chen Changsheng chuckled. Holding his Wine Gourd, he turned towards the ferry port, walking away.
The boatman returned to the riverbank and moored his bamboo raft.
He contemplated cooking the four-pound-plus fish he carried.
Leaving the boat, he planned to prepare it.
But just as he started pondering, something struck him.
“Did he use any bait?”
The boatman paused, recalling the moment the gentleman cast his line.
Hurriedly, he slit the fish’s belly and searched inside.
He probed everywhere: belly, mouth, every part possible. Yet ultimately, not a trace of bait was found.
The boatman stood frozen, unable to stir.
A chilling river wind blew past.
He shuddered violently, snapping out of his shock.
His gaze turned towards the direction where the great river flowed.
“What a remarkable man…