At the bottom of the fishing net, three fish with bluish-gray backs and white bellies were unwilling to be caught and struggled desperately, making the weighted net rustle.
Shen Yuan picked up the fishing net and moved to a spot far from the shore. Seeing the three plump green fish, he slightly grinned.
These three green fish weighed about three to four catties each. If bought, they would cost at least half a tael of silver.
But those are just ordinary green fish.
The fish from Black Water Pool are not priced so cheaply.
The elders in the village often say that Hidden Dragon Mountain and Black Dragon Pool both contain the word "dragon" because there is indeed a Divine Dragon buried in the mountain.
The water of Black Dragon Pool comes from Hidden Dragon Mountain, and the creatures in the pool are all tainted with Dragon Qi.
Such rumors are mostly just imagination, and Shen Yuan didn't pay much attention to them.
He, however, believed that the reason the fish from Black Water Pool tasted delicious was primarily because the pool's water might actually be spring water, rich in various minerals.
Also, due to the deep water and high pressure, the fish that live there have firmer and more delicate meat.
Carefully removing the three green fish from the net, Shen Yun took out a hemp rope, skillfully threaded it through the fish gills, and hung them together on a tree branch.
Next, he needed to organize the fishing net, ready to cast a few more nets while luck was on his side.
However, it seemed that today's good luck had been exhausted by the Blood Toad's Shedding, as he only caught a few palm-sized grass carp in the following nets, without significant harvest.
Seeing the sun high overhead, Shen Yuan tidied up the fishing net and stopped there.
He carried the fishing net on his shoulder and the fish he caught, heading home.
As he reached the village entrance, he saw from afar an old man in gray leading a donkey walking towards him.
Sitting on the donkey was an old man in a scholar's robe, with white hair and a beard.
The scholar-robed old man was named Lu Zhiyuan, who was said to have been a great scholar at the County Mansion Imperial Academy. He came to Jinliu Village five years ago, bought a piece of land at the village entrance, and built an elegant cottage to settle down.
The old man in gray was his servant, named Uncle Ya.
Being a high-minded scholar, Lu Zhiyuan generally did not interact with the villagers.
When met like this, the villagers would respectfully call him "Mr. Lu," and he would just nod slightly in return.
"Mr. Lu, Uncle Ya."
Upon meeting, Shen Yuan cupped his hands in greeting.
On the donkey, Lu Zhiyuan slightly nodded, while Uncle Ya politely smiled.
As they were about to pass each other, Lu Zhiyuan noticed the few green fish in Shen Yuan's hand and suddenly asked, "Did you catch those fish from Black Dragon Pool?"
Shen Yuan stopped his steps, raised the fish in his hand, and nodded, "Mr. Lu recognized them?"
Lu Zhiyuan dismounted from the donkey, walked over, bent down to take a closer look, and stroked his beard, saying, "They say the fish from Black Dragon Pool have Dragon Qi."
"Even after being carried this way with their gills pierced and exposed to the sun all the way, these few fish still have such vitality; truly remarkable."
"To be frank, Younger Brother Shen, I am a great lover of fish. Could you part with them for me?"
"Would you sell them to me?"
Buy fish?
Shen Yuan looked at the fish in his hand and then smiled, "It's not about parting with them. Mr. Lu likes fish, I would simply give you two."
With that, he untied the rope and handed over two of the larger green fish.
"These two are for you, but I need to keep the rest to make soup for the two little rascals."
Lu Zhiyuan did not reach out to take them.
Uncle Ya, on the side, hurriedly came over, gestured at the hemp rope in Shen Yuan's hand, then pointed to the two green fish, making a series of gestures.
Shen Yuan realized, immediately snapped the rope, and helped him thread the two green fish.
Uncle Ya grinned and accepted the fish.
"I am not carrying any silver taels, but I'll have Uncle Ya deliver them to your place later," Lu Zhiyuan cupped his fists and said.
Evidently, he did not want to owe a favor.
Seeing this, Shen Yuan's heart stirred slightly, and he immediately cupped his hands, "Mr. Lu, I dare to request an opportunity through these two fish."
"Oh?" Lu Zhiyuan smiled slightly, "Younger Brother Shen, do tell."
Shen Yuan cupped his hands again, "I heard that you once served at the County Mansion Imperial Academy as a great scholar. I dare to request an opportunity for my son to apprentice under you."
After saying this, Shen Yuan felt a bit anxious.
This Lu Zhiyuan was famously aloof. When he initially settled in Jinliu Village, many gentry and wealthy families from Anyang County had offered significant gifts, hoping to have their family members apprenticed under him.
Even the County Magistrate personally visited.
But without exception, all were turned away by Lu Zhiyuan.
Now, Shen Yuan was merely trying his luck, not holding much hope.
If successful, exchanging two fish for a chance to have his son apprentice with a contemporary great scholar would be a great bargain.
If unsuccessful, given the old man's temperament, he probably wouldn't take advantage of two fish but would likely return them or pay for them.
They were not much acquainted, so he wouldn't be at a loss either way.
Lu Zhiyuan said nothing, and the atmosphere was somewhat tense.
Holding the fish, Uncle Ya looked at his master's expression, already preparing to return the fish to Shen Yuan.
"I select disciples based on fate. Younger Brother Shen, if you truly wish to try, bring your son to my place at the end of the hour of the hare tomorrow morning,"
Upon hearing this, Shen Yuan was momentarily stunned, then immediately cupped his hands:
"Thank you, Sir!"
"Regardless of the outcome, these two fish are yours."
Lu Zhiyuan smiled and waved his hand, "Not appropriate; these fish should be considered as your son's admission gift. If I do not accept him, I naturally cannot accept this gift."
"If there truly is no teacher-student fate, I would purchase them with silver."
Seeing his insistence, Shen Yuan said no more, cupping his hands in respect before heading home.
Once he was far away, Uncle Ya made gestures with the fish in his hand.
Lu Zhiyuan smiled faintly, "Wealth and possessions are external objects. If there truly is a talent akin to fish and dragons, what does it matter if he comes from a humble background?"
"Uncle Ya, let's go back."
"If the fish dies, it won't be fresh anymore."
...
When Shen Yuan returned home, Hu Yufen had just finished preparing lunch.
"Ah Die, you're back!?"
Seeing him enter the courtyard, Shen Wenxing hurriedly ran over to take the fishing net off his shoulder.
Little Shen Wenyan excitedly tried to carry the fish in his hand.
Unexpectedly, the green fish, after being exposed to the sun for two or three hours, was still quite vigorous, and as the little guy approached, the fish instantly whipped its tail, slapping his belly.
Slap!
"Ouch!"
The little guy stumbled from the hit, almost falling.
Off to the side, Hu Yufen was surprised, "That fish is quite fierce?"
Shen Yuan laughed and patted Shen Wenyan's head, "Fish from Black Water Pool, it's normal for them to be a bit fierce."
"You went to Black Water Pool?" Hu Yufen asked with some concern.
Unraveling the rope, throwing the fish into a wooden basin, Shen Yuan washed off the dirt on him, speaking, "If I hadn't gone to Black Water Pool, I wouldn't have happened upon a great deal."
He recounted his encounter with Lu Zhiyuan.
Hu Yufen was incredulous upon hearing it.
"Back then, the gentry and wealthy families in the county hauled boxes of gold and silver to Jinliu Village, yet they couldn't even make it past Master Lu's door."
"Did you truly secure a chance for our child to apprentice with just two green fish?"
Shen Yuan nodded, "After we eat, find Sister-in-law Zhao for help to get these two rascals a proper outfit."
"Surely they can't go bare-bottomed to their teacher tomorrow, right?"
Hu Yufen quickly agreed, not bothering to eat, and hurried back inside to look for suitable fabric.
That is a contemporary great scholar, and just being granted an opportunity is a blessing from the heavens. Regardless of the outcome, they mustn't be impolite.