Chapter 0223 Dragonfish

Chao County, a small city that was originally not prosperous by Chaohu Lake, has now become extremely lively because of the entry of the rebels.

The city wall is still being rebuilt. Although it has not greatly expanded the scope of the city wall, its height and thickness are not what it used to be. Because there is no expansion, the small county can't accommodate so many soldiers and horses. Many soldiers and horses are stationed on the periphery of the city wall. On the small trench dug temporarily by the Dahua army, it has now become a permanent field fortifications for several miles. There are several roads leading to the city gate in the middle. After passing through it, the knives and guns next to it are shining. , but it is as follows that people dare not act recklessly.

At a good time in the morning, caravans entered from three parties in an endless stream, and many caravans came back from the city, most of which sold empty cars, and also brought back some Chaohu specialties, such as silverfish.

Silverfish, also known as silver barracuda, also known as 'white small', is a unique species of fish in Chaohu Lake. Generally, spring and autumn are the peak season for fishing, but this time can also be captured, and it is more expensive because it is rare. Since ancient times, Chaohu silverfish has been famous. It has the reputation of 'fish queen'. It is two inches long. If it is caught and fished out of the water, it will immediately turn white, like jade and snow, and become a treasure in the water. Du Fu, a great poet in the Tang Dynasty, once said in a poem "Bai Xiao": "The white group is divided into two-inch fish. It is slightly stained with aquariums, and customs are garden vegetables. People are in a mess, and the box of snowflakes is empty. What's the meaning of giving up eggs?" The image shows the characteristics of silverfish. As the poet said, its elegant and noble meat quality is comparable to that of garden vegetables.

At this time, there were already early boats returning from the wharf on the west coast of Chao County. Fishermen took out silverfish, crucian carp and silver carp from the bunker. Today's weather is sunny and mild, and the harvest is not small. Looking down from the dock, you can see some sails, which are boaters fishing nearby.

Suddenly, a dozen-long fishing boat not far away swayed, which was particularly conspicuous among these leisurely boats. Several people on the boat seemed to be very excited and were jumping down on the side of the boat. Suddenly, two of them jumped into the water one after another and immediately attracted the attention of nearby boaters. You know, it was already winter. Immediately, the nearby ships gathered together.

"Hey, Su Saner, your family is doing nothing. Don't you want to die in winter?" A fisherman on the boat obviously knew each other and asked loudly with a Chaohu accent.

"It's amazing, it's amazing, my third son caught the dragonfish! Come and give me a hand!" shouted from a woman on the original ship at the top of her voice.

Hearing this, the fishermen around became excited. The dragonfish is the largest fish species in the nest lake. It has a slender black body and bone fins on its back. It feeds on other fish and is fierce in nature. Moreover, the number of dragonfish is rare and rare, and it is rare to see them for decades. Rumor has it that the dragonfish appeared and the emperor came out. Like the golden carp of the Yellow River, it is an auspicious symbol.

At this time, while hanging in the fishing net by the boat, the water splashed. The two people who had jumped were trying to close the fishing net and plop. Several others jumped into the water and dived under the lake to help collect the fishing nets. In this way, the two ends of the fishing nets were closed on the boat gang, and the big guys inside could no longer slip away.

The people who went into the water climbed on Su San's boat one after another and tried to put away the fishing nets. A big fish of one person's length came out of the water. Once they left the water, the big fish lost the strength to struggle and showed its true face.

"Good boy, it's really a dragon fish, Su San, your family has burned Gaoxiang, and now it's going to be developed." Everyone's boats gathered over. While looking at this rare thing that has been heard from the previous generation, they teased the owner who caught the dragonfish.

The strong Su Sanle couldn't close his mouth and shouted boldly, "Thank you for your help. When the money is sold, we will buy you a drink and have fun together!"

The scene is extremely jubilant. Whether there is a harvest or not, there is no desire to fish. More than a dozen boats have leaned to the shore. As the Spring Festival is approaching, they encounter such a novel good thing. Fishermen who are familiar with each other naturally have to celebrate.

This scene has already attracted the attention of the people on the shore, and many people gathered on the shore, including many merchants collecting fish. Of course, there are also officials who manage the collection of taxes at the docks to maintain order. The fishing officials of Dahua naturally became the subordinates of the Eight Great Kings.

The fishing boat landed, and the fishermen worked together to drag the big fish ashore. They saw this strange big fish with black body, bone fins on its back and long mouth and sharp teeth, and immediately boiled on the dock.

"Good boy, what kind of guy is this? I've never seen him."

"I haven't seen it. This is the dragon fish, but it's a good thing."

For a while, those vendors were lively, and a smart man had already seen the master, grabbed Su San and whispered. Other vendors were not fools. They came up one after another and suddenly surrounded the fishermen. They wanted to buy the dragonfish, but they couldn't hear anyone saying anything. The scene was extremely chaotic, and some people were even squeezed into the water.

"What's quarreling, what's the quarrel! Scatter all, spread out! Eight kings have an order, and those who disturb the order will be severely punished!" A man in official uniform came over with several soldiers and shouted loudly. As soon as the name of the eight kings came out, it was really good, and the scene immediately calmed down.

"What the hell happened?" The official was very satisfied and asked majesticly.

Su San was timid when he saw the soldier, or a fisherman next to him said, "Su San in our village hit a dragonfish and wanted to sell some money, but he didn't expect so many people to buy it, so it started to quarrel. It's really none of our business."

The official snorted coldly when he heard the words: "Isn't it just a fish? Eight kings are considerate of people's livelihood, reduce taxes, and encourage free trade. You should consciously abide by the king's decree. It's not easy to buy too many people. Isn't there a ready-made shout?

The so-called shouting market is a trading place that has existed since ancient times. If you want to sell a large amount of fish goods at a good price, you can make a public transaction in the store. Although you have to submit a fee to the housekeeper, it is a good way to solve trading disputes. What's more, the tax reduction and exemption of the eight kings, the tax of the store is now only half, which is much more reasonable than the 30% of Dahua before.

"Your Excellency is wise, yes, go to the store!" This method suddenly got everyone's approval, and everyone flocked to the store not far away. The official was praised and was also very happy. He also entered the store, which was regarded as the justice of hosting the business.

The so-called store is a small table made of wooden boards. When the fresh fish goods are lifted up, it is clear to everyone. In a short time, the side of the platform is already out of water.

When the dragonfish carried up with fishing nets came on the stage, there was a burst of surprise and admiration around it. At this time, the dragonfish was dying, but its slender and strange appearance was amazing. Several fishermen accompanied Su San, who had some stage fright, and bowed to the official on the stage, waiting for the start of the fair. When the official saw the dragonfish at this time, he was curious and asked, "This dragonfish is really strange. I don't know what the benefits are?" If so many people want to buy it, there should be its reason.

"Lord." A fisherman who had seen the time bowed and said, "This dragonfish is a rare thing in Chaohu Lake, and we have only heard the elders talk about it. I heard that this dragonfish is soft and delicious, which is a rare delicacy. Moreover, it is rumored that the dragon fish and the emperor appear are a big good omen.

"Oh?", the official regretted it as soon as he heard it. It turned out that it was. Oh, miscalculated. If I had known that this dragonfish was so strange and auspicious, I should have hacked myself and dedicated it to the king. What a good opportunity. However, I have something to say first, and I have said enough. Now I can't go back on my word in any case, which has aroused people's anger, and I can't afford to take it. For a moment, the official's face flashed and he regretted being there.

Those excited vendors on the market couldn't wait and shouted one after another, "Let's start, let's start, it's too late." Now that they buy it, they still have time to transport it to Yingtianfu, where they are rich in the world. If they can't do it, they can make a big payment.

The official's field was regretful. Suddenly, his heart moved and he shouted to a subordinate and whispered. Then he said, "It's a rare thing. Naturally, it's more fair. It's not too late to wait until there are more people."

After the tea, the official saw that his men had quietly returned, and then shouted, "Quiet down, dragonfish are sold, free to shout prices, and those with high prices, but there is a disturbance of order. Those who buy empty without silver will be severely punished! Let's begin!"

"Five taels!"

"Ten taels!"

"Fifteen liang!"

......

For a while, the scene was very lively. The vendors who had been rubbing their hands for a long time shouted for the price, and a big fish of dozens of catties naturally turned up at a price of five taels, which can be said to be unprecedented.

The fishermen on the stage were stunned, and Su San has begun to tremble. Mom, we know this is a rare thing, but we can't think of so much money worth it. This is thanks to the idea of Master Qingtian's idea of shouting. Oh, my God, it's fifty taels now! Dizzy.

The official known as Master Qingtian's face was getting paler and bluer at this time. He also didn't expect that the price of the dragonfish was so outrageous. He looked at his cronies who shouted to buy the dragonfish. At this time, he had to look at himself every time he shouted for a price, which was obviously quite difficult.

"One hundred taels!" A rich businessman with a round belly, fat head, big ears and satin shouted out, and suddenly there was an uproar around him. One fish, even if it is a dragonfish, is definitely a sky-high price. You know, that's a hundred taels of white money. I'm afraid that ordinary people can't save so much money in their lives. How many fields and properties can they buy?

At this time, this matter has caused a sensation in the whole city. The spectators have surrounded the dock into a sea of people. It is impossible for some late vendors to squeeze in, so they can only look at the Taiwan and sigh. People in the distance could not hear the words on the stage, so they told from the population in front of them. Countless people consciously acted as microphones and quickly spread this sensational event. Later, even the Eighth Grand Palace knew about it.

The official on the stage stared at the rich businessman, wink at his cronies, and only heard one person shout: "One hundred... One taels!"

There was a burst of laughter around, and the eyes of the officials on the stage also jumped. There was nothing they could do. They knew how many catties they had.

The rich businessman curled his lips contemptuously and shouted, "Two hundred taels!" Wow, there was another uproar. At this time, no one shouted for the price anymore.

"Humph, grab it with me without looking at your morality." The rich businessman shook his head and scraped his unnecessary chin with the jade wrench on his thumb.

"Two hundred and one taels." Suddenly, there was a roar in the distance, and the crowd shouted and stood up one after another, like a fish cutting through the water. Someone forcibly squeezed out the crowd and came to the stage. Several vendors who were forcibly pushed aside were about to curse. Suddenly, they saw a big man in front of him, with a strong, big bald head and several vertical scars on his head, which was quite scary. Suddenly, those people swallowed the curses that came to their mouths.

The big man stared around and suddenly flashed aside. Behind him, a young man with a bad smile squeezed into the front of the stage, and there was a middle-aged woman with unabated charm, who was obviously also a colleague.

The big man saw the dragonfish on the stage. He grinned and shouted happily, "Brother, brother, a big fish is grinning. I don't know if it's delicious?" Isn't it outstanding.

The surroundings suddenly calmed down, and the man with feelings was still a fool. The rich businessman looked at several people and said, "Is it you who shouted the price?"

Zhuo Fan scratched his head when he heard the words and said blankly, "Really? Why don't I know? Xiaotong, did you shout?

The rich businessman said contemptuously, "Well, if you don't have money, you dare to shout randomly. If you don't shout at the empty price, you will be fined 50% of the silver. If you can't afford it, you will take 50 taels of silver as compensation!"

Zhuo Bofan was shocked and suddenly shuddered on Zhou Tong's head and said angrily, "Damn, what do you think it was? A fish of two hundred taels. Are you a starving ghost?"

Zhou Tong pouted and said with an aggrieved face, "It's not you..."

Zhuo Bufan quickly took over the conversation and said to the rich businessman, "No, two hundred taels, it's not really much. Is there no one to shout for a price? No way!"

The people around laughed, and the rich businessman spit contemptuously and shouted, "210 taels! My lord, no one shouted for the price. Hurry up and set it!" At this time, Zhuo Butfan whispered in Zhou Tong's ear, and Zhou Tong suddenly laughed happily.

"Two hundred and eleven taels!"

Another roar, wow, everyone looked at the bald fool, and the rich businessman was so angry that smoking and stared angrily.

Zhuo Fan's forehead, Hsteria shouted, "Child! You want to pissed me off, don't you? If it's not delicious, you should also finish it in one breath!"

Er, everyone understood, and the rich businessman's face was purple and he almost vomited blood. He was playing with his feelings. Well, this matter is different. If we don't eat steamed buns, we can't afford to lose this person.

"Three hundred taels!" The rich businessman shouted.

At this time, the venue is already quiet. Well, the fight is full of anger. It's lively and worth watching.

"300 taels!" The rich businessman's voice is loud, and the stupid big man's voice is louder.

The rich businessman trembled and suffoed his strength: "Five, five, five..." and waited for a long time, but there was no result.

Zhou Tong was anxious and shouted directly, "5001 taels!"

"Wow!", everyone's amazement surged up like waves.

"Pu~~", the rich businessman suddenly burst out a mouthful of blood fog, looked up to the sky and fell down. The servant behind him quickly helped him and squeezed out the crowd.

"Gudong~~~", the table suddenly trembled, but Su San, whose eyes had turned white and fell on the stage.

"Uh..., is it over?" Zhuo But he seemed to be dumbfounded, as if the price was far from meeting his expectations.

"Hey, hey, where's that fat brother? Come back. Is there anyone else's offer? This is a dragon fish, dragon fish!" Zhuo Bufan actually raised his voice and shouted, as if he was still looking forward to other buyers. For a moment, it made everyone feel that this person really has no money to make trouble, right?

Unfortunately, no one offered it anymore. 500 taels, no, it's 5001 taels, which is much heavier than that dragonfish. I don't know whose prodigal thing came here to smash people with silver. It may be nothing to put in Yingtianfu, but many people in this small town of Chao County and those small merchants who make a little money in troubled times have never seen 500 taels of silver in their lives.

In this way, Zhuo extraordinary ended the shouting under extremely unwilling circumstances. According to Zhuo extraordinary's original intention, it would take at least 1,000 taels to see.

In front of everyone, he counted 500 taels of silver tickets and one or two small silver gongs to the fishermen. Zhou Tong directly held the dragonfish in his arms and looked up and down with interest. Looking at the posture, he seemed to bite and taste it. At this time, a group of soldiers came over separately, guarding several officials.

The official who had just collected 25 taels of court fees from the fishermen suddenly saw the people and suddenly knelt down. The crowd around him who had begun to disperse stopped again and watched curiously.

Zhuo Fan, who was also curious to watch the dragonfish, looked back. His eyebrows moved and he also stood quietly beside him. At this time, those people had already walked on the stage. One of them, a long-bearded man in a robe with a slightly yellow face of about 30 or 40 years old, looked at the dragonfish in Zhou Tong's arms, obviously to see the strangeness.

"Welcome to the king." The official sang tremblingly. At this time, everyone knew that this person was Zhang Xianzhong, the Eighth King.

Zhang Xianzhong waved his hand and ignored the official. He went straight to Zhou Tong and looked at it carefully and praised, "It's really a wonder of heaven and earth. This must be a dragon fish, right?"

Zhou Tong ignored him, and Zhuo Fan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this thing is exactly the dragon fish."

Zhang Xianzhong looked at Zhou Tong, with a trace of surprise in his eyes, and then looked at Zhuo Fan, who was neither humble nor arrogant. Suddenly, he laughed and said, "Your Excellency shouted 500 taels of dragonfish, which is enough courage. I'm curious. What's the use of this dragonfish? I'm afraid you won't make much at such a high price.

Zhuo Fan bowed and said, "Actually, this dragonfish is just an ordinary fish to me. The dragon fish came out and the emperor appeared. The grass people called this dragon fish to dedicate it to the king.

"Oh?" Zhang Xianzhong heard a wisp of beard and couldn't help looking at the extraordinary carefully and didn't say anything for a long time. The surrounding soldiers have surrounded the wooden platform, all of which are murderous with knife handles.