"Our family has money now!
Since we're here, we might as well go to the Chai Market to buy some meat and have a feast back home!"
With five hundred large coins in his pocket, Bai Qi felt his back straighten a bit.
He handed over the rented fishing nets and fish traps to Xiaotou, who was working at the dock, for safekeeping and headed straight to the northern butcher shop.
Since practicing the Eight Section Brocade, Bai Qi's appetite had greatly increased.
He got hungry quickly and ate a lot.
A few shriveled wheat cakes couldn't fill his stomach; he needed some greasy food for three meals a day.
"It still has to be the butcher shop at the Chai Market, where the stuff is fresh."
Bai Qi walked in straw sandals on the muddy road of Lard Street in the outer city.
Those who depended on the Chai Market for a living were mostly woodcutters, hunters, and medicine gatherers.
They made their living on the five-hundred-mile mountain path.
Like fishermen, they lived a hard and tiring life.
The fishery sold fresh river fish, while there were also inns, ferries, and various other businesses.
The Chai Market dealt in the business of chopping firewood and making charcoal, and they also opened butcher shops, drugstores, and brokerages.
As for kilns, blacksmithing, and firing ceramics, they had it all.
It could be said that the various trades in Black River County, everything related to clothing, food, housing, and transportation, were monopolized by these few establishments.
If the lower class such as the vulgar households, servants, and laborers wanted to rise, they had to join them.
There was no avoiding it!
"Ah Qi, are you here to buy meat? Looks like you got another good catch!
Take a look at our butcher shop; apart from what swims in the river,
we have everything that flies in the sky or runs in the forest!"
The butcher speaking was surnamed Zheng, dark-skinned and robust.
His face was covered with stubble, like steel needles stood upright, looking like a bully who deserved to be punched to death in three hits.
But this was actually judging by appearances.
Everyone knew that Zheng Tu on Lard Street had a fierce appearance but a kind heart.
In the past, when he saw Bai Qi working hard with Ah Di,
he would often spare some beef, mutton, or pork offal in exchange for a few fish.
Cheap river fish for meaty scraps —
who got the better deal was clear at a glance.
"Just a blessing from heaven, giving me a little harvest."
Bai Qi kept the same tone, not getting carried away with success.
"Brother Zheng, please cut me a pound of lean meat and a pound of fatty meat, so we can have a feast tonight."
Zheng Tu, wearing a greasy apron, pushed aside his working assistant and grabbed the butcher knife to start chopping meat.
"Alright, if you don't have enough to eat, we can add some pig liver.
By the way, we just slaughtered a cow; how about some beef?
We'll give you a discount, eighty Wen coins per pound."
Bai Qi's eyes lit up, nodding repeatedly:
"Thank you, Brother Zheng, cut me three pounds then, to satisfy my craving!"
Beef is more nourishing than pork, enriching Qi and blood.
Of course, it's also more expensive.
After all, an ox is as important to a farmer as a small boat is to a fisherman.
It's not something to be slaughtered lightly.
"Haha, Ah Qi, you've got quite an appetite!
There's a blessing in being able to eat; in that, you're stronger than my son!
We pamper him with good food and drink all day, but he complains about just practicing some boxing..."
Zheng Tu's tone was one of disappointment as he looked at Bai Qi like someone else's good child, unable to resist grumbling:
"If only he were half as sensible as you, Ah Qi, who knows how to read and write, that would be good.
Instead, he only knows how to fool around with a bunch of ruffians!"
Bai Qi lowered his head and didn't respond; such complaints were just words to listen to.
You could say anything about your own child, but if an outsider took it seriously,
and chimed in, it could lead to resentment.
"Zheng Tu! Have you prepared the two chickens and three ducks my brother ordered?"
As Bai Qi lifted the lotus leaf-wrapped pork, his peripheral vision followed the voice, seeing several robust youths walk into the shop.
All were dressed in gray short clothes, looking capable and not easy to mess with.
"They're in the backyard; I'll get them for you now."
Zheng Tu slammed the butcher knife on the thick cutting board, wiped his hands with his apron, and said to Bai Qi:
"Ah Qi, please wait a moment."
Bai Qi nodded, moving aside two steps.
He recognized these people as the notorious ruffians of Black River County.
They usually hung around Yangquan, showing off and often extorting.
"Ah Qi, what a coincidence, running into you again!"
The tall young man in the lead crossed his arms, grinning:
"I heard from the fishermen at the dock that you've been getting good catches lately.
Looks like you've made quite a sum, enough to afford meat now."
This person was Yangquan's top henchman, called "Chen Da."
Born a hunter, trained a few moves, not a good sort.
Recently, Bai Qi's tough, lean muscles have become more noticeable; compared to Chen Da's sturdy build, he immediately seemed thin.
He quickly lowered his head, like a timid, fearful person:
"The fish are fat in autumn, luckily caught a few... Brother Chen, why not take some meat and share it?"
Chen Da rubbed his bluish chin and clicked his tongue:
"No wonder Brother Quan says you're clever! Good, consider this package of meat as a gift to us, and I'll treat you to a drink another day!
These days, coming and going with Wang Laizi in Mihun Bay, eating, drinking, and everything onboard, has worn me out..."
He's not as particular as Yangquan; when fat meat is delivered to the door, there's no reason not to eat it.
"Exactly, exactly, damn Wang Laizi, makes money but doesn't share any, I'll have to pee a big one in his wine gourd later!"
"Don't know if the brokerage over there has gotten what we need, still quite a few short of the twenty fish."
"Set a bait, guarded two nights and only waited for one Ghost Pattern Fish. In my view, his boasted exclusive bait doesn't seem very useful..."
Chen Da stepped into the butcher shop alone, followed by two ruffians complaining quietly.
Living a fisherman's life on a boat is, naturally, uncomfortable.
It's normal for people who are used to staying on land to find it unbearable.
"Wang Laizi really teamed up with Yangquan! Could it really be using chicken, duck, and poultry meat to lure Ghost Pattern Fish?"
Bai Qi's keen hearing caught the ruffians' conversation, seeming several paces away yet taking it all in.
"Ah Qi, when your brother acknowledges Steward Lin as godfather, we must be treated to a drink!"
Chen Da, holding chicken and duck crates, came out, speaking of the matter yet again:
"He has the contract documents ready, just waiting for your nod!
Exchanging a large sum of money, then buying a Ghost Pattern Fish from Wang Laizi, it's a win-win!"
Bai Qi's eyelids were pressed low, covering the coldness in his eyes.
He looked as if he was standing stupidly, watching Chen Da and the others leave.
"Ah Qi, the beef is cut..."
"Brother Zheng, has Chen Da been buying chicken and duck frequently?"
"Yes, they say he's using them in Mihun Bay for bait with Wang Laizi..."
Bai Qi placed the lotus leaf-wrapped pork on the counter and tossed a few strings of coins, apologetically saying:
"Brother Zheng, suddenly remembered there's something urgent, leaving the meat here, I'll have Xiaotou pick it up later, alright?"
Zheng Tu waved his hand:
"No worries, it'll not be short by a bit! Go ahead!"
Bai Qi thanked him, hurriedly leaving the butcher shop.
The sky was dark, the setting sun obscured by ink.
Swallowed his silhouette as well.
...
...
"Brother Chen, is the ballast stone heavier today? Why's it so tough to row?"
The short ruffian puffing while rowing, breaking into a sweat in the cold weather.
"Sneaking into half-open doors to fool around with widows drained you.
Now doing serious business, turned into a weakling!
Lao San, you take over from him for a while!"
Chen Da sat at the front of the black canopy boat, swearing:
"Look at your cowardly behavior, how come you didn't shrink when sleeping with women?"
The short ruffian felt wronged but dared not speak much.
For some reason, rowing today felt especially tiring.
Seemed like over a hundred pounds of stone weighed the boat down, unbearably heavy.
Had to exert full strength just to move!
Soon, the ruffian known as "Lao San" also started panting, shouting:
"Brother Chen, the boat... seems heavier! I can't do it anymore!"
Chen Da glanced at the bought chickens and ducks, placed them securely.
Then stood up, took over the oar, rowing back and forth:
"If I find out you two are trying to slack off... Hmm! It really is much heavier!"
Just entering the night, darkness spread everywhere, no lights in sight.
Silence surrounded, only the swaying reeds and slight ripples of water could be heard.
A chill suddenly rose from the back of the ruffian's neck!
"Could it be we've hit a Water Ghost?"
Lao San felt a chill in his heart.
"It's here! Old Yu's turned into an evil spirit seeking revenge! We sank him in Mihun Bay..."
The short ruffian was scared witless, face pale.
"Nonsense! Shut up, all of you! There's no Water Ghost!"
Chen Da roared angrily, suppressing his fear.
He dropped the oar, checking thoroughly front and back.
Found nothing unusual.
This black canopy boat drifted on the river, seeming to rotate in place, trapped in this reed marsh.
The three ruffians, who used to bully others, huddled tightly together, wishing to merge into one.
Fear shone in their eyes, with no trace of arrogance left.
"Using people for bait? Wang Laizi's making heartless money this way!"
Underwater at the boat's bottom, Bai Qi held his breath, cold gaze intensifying.