Chapter 30 of 100

Chapter 30

15 min read3,691 words

Big-game fishing in the sea is still a relatively dangerous sport even in modern times. Sea fish can weigh dozens or even hundreds of pounds, and with a single thrash, they can become uncontrollable. There are cases where people have sprained their wrists or broken bones due to the struggle. If the fish is still hooked, it becomes even more dangerous, as the hook might get stuck in the human body. If caught by a barbed hook, one could at least be taken to a hospital in later times, but in this era, it would be a serious problem. Without the ability to surgically remove the hook, one would have to push it forward, and the risk of infection is high. Even more dangerous is if the barb pierces a blood vessel, which would likely be fatal.

To add, if you get hooked by a barbed fish hook in daily life and can't find a hospital immediately, never let the hook stay in the flesh, as it can easily cause infection. Also, don't pull the hook backward, as it might sever a blood vessel. The correct way is to push the hook forward, following its shape, and push it out from the tip. It will be painful, but there won't be many long-term effects. After all, you were the one who wasn't careful enough to get hooked, and the pain will teach you to be more cautious next time.

"Got it!" Bojiao nodded vigorously.

Seeing that Bojiao wasn't just nodding to please him, Hongtao extended the gaff to hook the line connected to the float. He then wrapped the line around the gaff a few times before instructing Bojiao to lift the oar and raise the sail to start reversing the boat. He wanted to drag the fish to the surface to get a clear look before dealing with it, which would be easier. By using the wind to exhaust the fish's last bit of strength, he wouldn't need to touch it unless it flipped over, and there was plenty of time.

"Grandpa, it's a big fish! So big!" Bojiao, while handling the sail, couldn't help but look forward. When the fish, almost entangled to death by the entire line, first surfaced, he saw it. He had probably never seen such a large fish in his life, and his first thought was to report it to his father, though his shout might not have been heard by Bo Xiaoer.

The fish was indeed large, with a light brown body resembling a shark's shape, over 2 meters long. Hongtao estimated it to weigh around 150 pounds, possibly a sea bass, though he wasn't sure. In his later life, he had only caught sea bass about half a meter long and had never seen one this big. Regardless of what it was, it wasn't going anywhere, with at least 3 or 4 hooks in its body. He needed to get it on the boat, but he couldn't pull it alone, so he had to raise the sail and drag the fish toward Bo Xiaoer.

"What a huge sea bass! I doubt Grandpa has ever caught one this big!" When the two small wooden boats came together, the three men pulled the fish, which was bleeding profusely, onto Bo Xiaoer's boat. Even Bo Xiaoer was surprised. Clearly, he recognized the fish but had never seen one this large.

"Does this fish sell well?" Hongtao didn't care what kind of fish it was; he could call it whatever he wanted. The important question was whether it was valuable. He didn't want to waste his effort if the Song people didn't like to eat it.

"Smaller ones sell well; the locals love fish slices. A fish this size would sell for over a hundred coins, but this big one..." Bo Xiaoer couldn't answer Hongtao's question, as he had never caught or sold a sea bass this large, leaving him at a loss.

"Great! As long as it sells, the small ones are valuable, and the big ones won't be far off. The bigger the fish, the better for fish slices; I know this!" Hongtao felt relieved after hearing Bo Xiaoer's words. The Song people loved raw meat slices, called "meat slices," and raw fish slices were called "fish slices." Hongtao was well-versed in what kind of raw fish slices were delicious.

For example, tuna sashimi made from a 10-pound fish isn't as good as that made from a 50-pound fish because the larger fish has more fat layers, similar to marbled meat, which improves the texture. In high-end restaurants in North America, salmon and sashimi are labeled with the sea where the fish was caught and the size of the fish, with larger fish being more expensive. The Song people probably weren't foolish either.

"Does reading and writing make you know everything?" Bo Xiaoer and Bo Xiaosan looked at each other, unsure what to say as they watched Hongtao, who was in high spirits, set another hook. How could he know so much? Compared to him, the brothers felt like outsiders. Could it be that educated children were just that smart?

"Pretty much. Uncle Chen knows more than our grandpa and earns more from selling fish. Brother, let's have Tao stay out of the sea more often and let the kids learn more characters. We can't go to school, but we can learn to read. We'll help him catch fish to save money for a new boat. With these things, we can get a new boat in half a year. What do you think?" Bo Xiaosan, looking at the two figures on the small boat, had some thoughts. In less than ten days, Hongtao had brought about a dramatic change in their family. He believed that the key was Hongtao's education and knowledge, which far surpassed their blind efforts.

"You're right. I'll talk to grandpa when we get back. This time, he won't be able to say no, as we'll both speak up!" Bo Xiaoer agreed. For the future of his children, he decided to stand with Hongtao against his own father, demonstrating the power of knowledge, which could overturn everything, including laws, morals, and all human thought.

Hongtao didn't know that the Bo brothers were plotting behind his back. He was full of energy, checking and re-baiting the hooks, and throwing them back into the sea, waiting for the next big, hungry fish to take the bait. Soon, another rolling hook showed movement. This time, Bo Xiaoer didn't let him chase the big fish but went with Bo Xiaosan. In terms of skill and toughness in dealing with big fish, Hongtao still had a lot to learn from these professional fishermen. The brothers didn't wait for the fish to tire; they pulled up a meter-long bullhead with brute force. They even re-baited the hook while removing it, showing their expertise.

By midday, Hongtao and Bo Xiaoer's boats each had two large fish weighing over a hundred pounds. The two rolling hooks alternated, keeping the four of them busy, but despite the hard work, their spirits were high. These fish were not just for fun but for money! Actually, there were five fish in total, but a 2-meter-long sea wolf had bitten through a line. This fish was disliked not only by modern anglers but also by Song fishermen. Its meat was as dry as firewood, and no one wanted to eat it. It was also very ugly. Bo Xiaosan didn't even use it as bait; he chopped off its head with a machete and threw it back into the sea, showing his disdain.

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