The brothers were very interested.
Lao Qi said, "At the market, we bought the food and tools that the Dong people need..."
I noticed that locals also sell seafood.
However, it is separated from Leizhou by a narrow strait with treacherous waters...
I've heard that most fishermen fish from the shore...
The variety of seafood was limited, mostly small, miscellaneous fish. We didn't see any sea cucumbers or golden threadfin bream that we caught.
I casually asked them about the price; they said they caught the fish themselves, which was time-consuming and laborious...
So we negotiated with them, offering to provide seafood for two coins per pound, guaranteeing it was alive, and asked if they would buy it...
The second son and the others remained noncommittal.
The seventh brother explained, "Second brother, this is what I'm thinking... As for Xinyu, I don't know when he'll be back..."
We cannot sit idly by and let our resources run out.
We need timber, bamboo, and weaponry, which cannot be used indefinitely, so we rely on the silver from our salary.
To earn money or acquire resources, one must either sell one's physical labor, like a fisherman, helping wealthy merchants go out to sea to salvage moon pearls, agarwood, and so on...
We could trade our own things for them. Our own supplies are all brought in from outside the island as part of our salary surplus; exchanging them is really not worthwhile, and besides, we need them too...
I think seafood is better; it's inexhaustible.
The price shouldn't be too high; after all, they can also salvage it themselves from the sea.
They agreed to do business with us on the condition that their own salvage costs were higher than our supply costs.
Although we earn less, there are many of us, so it's just a bit tougher on the road.
But even small amounts add up, enough to earn a small sum of money to buy supplies needed by the Dong people, which can then be exchanged for more timber and bamboo...
"Will things gradually get better soon?"
The brothers all nodded in agreement.
After thinking it over, the second child nodded in affirmation, looking serious.
"Seventh Brother is right. It can indeed be sustained and resolve the current predicament."
Otherwise, they would continue to consume the living supplies provided by their salary surplus, without knowing when their merchant ships would arrive...
We still need to rely on ourselves to solve the problem.
The brothers all nodded in agreement.
The second brother then asked, "What are Hai-shu's opinions about being with you and the other fishermen?"
The fourth brother explained, "Uncle Hai agreed, and the other fishermen had no objections either."
The actions of the Chinese authorities during the last capsizing incident deeply hurt the fishermen.
Going out to sea to fish for pearls doesn't yield much profit. And the risks are immense; death could come at any moment...
People felt that although fishing didn't earn much, it was better than nothing.
It can both ensure one's own livelihood and allow for the exchange of essential supplies...
Everyone felt that this deal was quite good for those of them who were currently living in poverty.
Uncle Hai said he would ask for opinions from each of the few places he hadn't visited yet...
There shouldn't be any problem.
Even if it exists, you can simply choose not to participate; it's voluntary, and there's no pressure.
The second son nodded, no longer having any concerns.
The fourth brother then asked, "Second brother, shall we rest for a while and then deliver the grain and supplies?"
They endured great hardship, traveling for two days round trip, but numerous bandit groups roamed the seas, and the Nanyue and Japanese people among the Dong people harbored ill intentions...
They worried that if they didn't trade soon, something might happen and the Nan Yue and Japanese people would organize trade with the Dong people.
The second brother thought so too, but seeing his three younger brothers looking tired and weary, he couldn't bear it...
"Let's go together with Lao Wu, Lao Jiu, and a few more fishermen!"
The second son spoke up.
The fourth brother laughed and said, "Uncle Hai is fluent in the Dong language, he will definitely go."
He's so old, yet he can go. We're young, so it's alright for us too.
I know that my second brother is considerate of us, and he has already gone through all that trouble. Let's just ask for the final result!
After all, these things we bought aren't very useful to us.
What we need are timber and bamboo.
The second brother, being straightforward by nature, immediately stood up when he saw that the third, fourth, and seventh brothers all had the same attitude...
"Alright, let's strike while the iron is hot! I'll go make the arrangements!"
The third brother stopped him, saying, "Second brother, you have to stay at home."
My older brother isn't fully recovered yet. If something unexpected happens, there'll still be someone to keep things under control and make decisions..."
The second brother glanced at the three of them and finally gave up.
But the skilled eighth and ninth brothers were sent to carry explosives and provide backup from the rear.
As soon as the brothers stepped out of the courtyard, they saw Chen Hai leading more than ten fishermen, looking exhausted but all with smiles on their faces.
"Let's go! Everyone's waiting."
Everyone was inspired by each other's spirits and prepared to set off.
Originally, after being affectionately pinched on the cheek by the third brother, Wen Shishi was handed over to Niu Erhua...
At this moment, Wen Shishi broke free and ran out, walking to the side of the third and fourth brothers.
She didn't say anything, but her delicate brows were furrowed, and her face was full of worry.
The third brother gently rubbed her face and coaxed her tenderly, "Your brothers will be back soon!"
Shishi, please watch over Big Brother for us so he can get some rest, okay?
Wen Shishi's eyes didn't look like a child's innocent gaze; it was as if she knew that her third brother was truly comforting her.
His face was still etched with worry.
The fourth brother felt sorry for her and took Wen Shishi's hand, saying, "Shishi, when your fourth brother comes back, I'll fry fish for you."
The earnest little figure suddenly had a strand of saliva drip from its lips...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
