Red County Divine Land.
Celestial Water Prefecture, Yihai Prefecture.
The Black River's waves stretch for eight hundred miles, rippling under the gentle breeze, causing large swathes of reeds to sway and rustle.
It's just the beginning of autumn, the sun hangs high but there's not much heat.
A damp and cold fog gathers in clusters, and soon Bai Qi's coarse cloth shirt is soaked through.
He is standing on a little sampan, lifting the bamboo fish traps he set yesterday.
He glances around, feeling disappointed:
"Why is it empty again? My luck has been really bad these past few days!"
Inside the fish trap, there are only three or four loaches, about half a finger long.
Along with some tiny river shrimp that could fit into a large bowl.
There really isn't any proper catch.
If this were in his past life,
Bai Qi would be embarrassed to show it to other fishermen.
Otherwise, he'd surely be labeled as the infamous "fish fry assassin."
"Let's cast another net! Begging the heavens for mercy, just enough to make a meal!"
Unable to withstand the sticky water vapor, Bai Qi wiped his sweat.
He removed his coarse cloth shirt, revealing a pair of reasonably strong and muscular arms.
With feet firmly planted, he suddenly twisted his body and threw out the woven rope net.
With a "whoosh," the large net spread out like a reversed ocean bowl and promptly sank upon hitting the water.
Bai Qi is very practiced, adept in his movements.
If it weren't for the remnants of youthfulness in the eyebrows of the teenager, just past his teens.
He would certainly resemble a seasoned fisherman.
The remaining length of the rope he held steadily, binding it to the stern of the sampan, leaving a long, narrow water trail.
Casting the net is exhausting and very skill-intensive.
The net weighs around ten pounds, and merely swinging and throwing it is challenging.
Not to mention, having the tangled net open into a circle in the right spot requires hundreds of practices to perfect.
After a busy effort, Bai Qi was so tired he sat down, gasping, and pulled out two dry wheat cakes, chewing them with clear water from a clay jar.
"In ancient times, 'dry rations' referred to this! Truly dry and hard, difficult to swallow!"
Even though Bai Qi has been in this world for quite some time, he still hasn't fully adapted to these endlessly harsh days.
"The wheat cakes I ate in my past life had fillings, with preserved plums, shredded radish, diced meat... Both sides brushed with oil, one bite was fragrant, soft, and tender!"
Bai Qi tried hard to recall, his cheeks bulging, biting fiercely.
The dry cakes made from cooked and crushed wheat grains were almost as bad as the worst baguettes.
They had to be swallowed with clear water, or else they would surely choke.
In these times, even wealthy families couldn't afford refined rice and noodles daily.
As for grinding wheat into flour, meticulously fermenting and baking.
To create those pastries called "dim sum," was far too extravagant.
Through the limited knowledge of Bai Qi, a fisherman's son from Black River County.
Only the wealthy in the state's prefecture city could enjoy such things.
"No wonder, everyone in Black River County wants to enter the city.
Shed the identity of a servant, pursue better livelihoods, and ensure full meals.
Otherwise, they can only look to the mercy of the heavens."
Bai Qi swallowed the two wheat cakes whole, filling his growling stomach, easing the burning sensation a bit.
Thank goodness, this body is still fine, and has some strength.
Able to withstand wind and rain, depending on fishing for survival.
Struggling to live through these years, Bai Qi somewhat figured out the place he was in.
This area is called "Black River County."
Altogether it spans five hundred miles of mountain paths and eight hundred miles of river basin.
As the saying goes, rely on the mountain to eat from the mountain, rely on the water to eat from the water.
Because of this, it is able to sustain a myriad of businesses, supporting over a hundred thousand households.
Thanks to the existence of the fishery, Chai Market, and kilns, notable places in the county.
Which provide jobs and livelihoods for people.
They are known as "rice bowl businesses."
This implies reliance on the three major patrons for food.
That's how everyone can manage a modest survival.
It's like the ridiculous gratitude of working cattle and horses towards company bosses.
The original self before was mingling in the fishery, barely earning a meal.
But just barely scraping by, not stable enough in the long term.
Much like the small sampan beneath Bai Qi, if slightly larger waves hit.
The person and the boat must capsize.
"In the identity of a servant, you can only engage in inferior work, never leaving Black River County, nor entering the city.
Without reliance on the fishery, Chai Market, or kilns, even basic comforts are difficult."
Bai Qi shook his head, fully aware of his current situation.
The fishery is not a kind charitable hall; if you fail to supply big fish for a long time, failing to pay the cut.
Having your stall taken away, becoming unemployed, losing your livelihood.
Is quite common.
Ever since Bai Qi arrived here, making a living as a fisherman.
He has heard of two iron-clad rules established by Black River County.
One, idlers won't be kept for free.
Two, don't blindly reason.
He heard from the elderly in the fishery that the Central Dragon Court, ten thousand eight hundred miles away, classifies billions into different ranks.
At the top are the immortal, official, noble ranks.
Which Bai Qi could never come into contact with.
Next are the middle and lower six households.
Craftsmen, merchants, farmers, servants, slaves, laborers.
Three ranks and six households, collectively called nine classes.
Fishermen like Bai Qi.
Without land, mostly living on boats, residing along rivers.
Are called "Bai Shu Lang" and "Yachtman."
It is said in some places.
They are even prohibited from coming ashore, and forbidden to marry.
It can be said that fishermen rank at the bottom of the despise chain of all trades.
Just slightly better than those sold into servitude as "Slave Households," and those doing unpaid labor as "Servant Households."
"Waterside living fishermen are certainly far inferior to farmers scraping for food from the land."
Bai Qi pursed his lips.
After all, land is industry, only farming can sustain people.
Fishing and sea-hunting, drifting without reliance, how can they be favored?
"To earn subsistence, escape from being a servant, buy a residence... This life's aspirations are just that.
Seeing it this way, the aspirations of the lower classes in any realm seem pretty much alike.
Simply put, worry-free eating and drinking, maintaining dignity, and buying a house!
Currently, the most urgent needs are to gather good catches to survive the deadly autumn and winter!"
For fishermen's children, every winter is a life-threatening hardship.
Not to mention having no money for cotton-padded clothes to keep warm, or buying charcoal, wood, and rice, there is a risk of freezing to death.
Moreover, once the river freezes, making fishing difficult, they will have to sit idly and eat away their savings.
For a struggling servant like Bai Qi who relies solely on a small sampan to make a living,
hoping to rest peacefully for a few months without working is wishful thinking.
As the sun moved, and the sky dimmed slightly,
Bai Qi retrieved the nets he had cast, not feeling heavy in his hands, pulling them up only to find no substantial catch.
Still just a pile of low-worth river shrimp and clams, along with a few fairly plump bighead carp.
"It's enraging that the heavens don't provide sustenance! If I gain skills someday, if I can't catch fish, I'll just draw water!
I'll clean out the eight hundred miles of Black River!"
Bai Qi muttered to himself while his hands withdrew the raggedy net.
It's made from rope, extremely poor in durability, and soaks and rots if left in water for too long.
Even if big fish come, it might not be able to lift them out.
The finely woven nets used for catching big fish.
Are only available in the county's fishery!
Bai Qi could never get his hands on them!
"Empty for two days straight, when will this 'fishing' skill mature!"
Feeling helpless, Bai Qi bent down to scoop two ladles of river water to wash his face, barely enlivening his spirits:
"I can only endure a few more days, maybe then I'll gain something.
Next time, I'll surely catch big fish!"
He consoled himself in this way, his gaze flickering twice.
Much like pebbles tossed into a calm lake, stirring ripples.
Suddenly, a few lines of clear and phantom text.
Spread out like ink, appearing before him.
[Skill: Fishing (Beginner)]
[Progress: (791/800)]
[Effectiveness: Net casting and trapping, perseverance makes up for lack, catching fish in three to five days]