Protect Our Patriarch

Chapter 6 – Learning prohibited fishing methods

“This… Shouzhe, are you dissatisfied with our fishing team?” Wang Dinghai asked apprehensively.

Am I dissatisfied? The discontent grew. Wang Shouzhe muttered to himself and he solemnly asked, “Sixth uncle, what’s the annual output of our fishing and hunting fleet? What’re the expenditure and profit?”

When he asked this, Wang Dinghai immediately looked at him with a dumbfounded expression. How could he answer this kind of question?

“Zhe’er, let me answer this.” Gongsun Hui said.

“In recent years, I’ve been managing the family’s general accounts. There are nine small fishing boats and one medium-sized fishing boat in the fleet.

“The average annual catch over the last five years was about 6,700 quintal, yielding an income of 486 Qian gold. The average annual catch of spirit fish over the same period is 400 jin, yielding an income of 120 Qian gold, for a total average annual return of 606 Qian gold.”

This time, it was Wang Shouzhe’s turn to look at Gongsun Hui in surprise.

Although he knew she was managing the accounts, he didn’t expect her to be so familiar with the data. He opened his mouth and was about to say something…

But the amount of catch was too small. A total of 10 fishing boats, only averaged 20 quintals or about two thousand jin (1,000 kg) of daily catch!

“Zhe’er, why do you have such a look?”

Gongsun Hui added calmly, “Although I’m not talented in cultivating martial arts, but as the official daughter of the Shanyang Gongsun clan, it’s imperative to know the Nine Chapters of Arithmetic. As your father was the patriarch, I should naturally assist him in keeping the accounts.”

After she said this, Gongsun Hui couldn’t help but felt slightly lost. Over the years, she made the accounts extremely clear, and she knew every datum by heart but, wasn’t taken seriously by her husband, Wang Dingyue.

Then, Wang Shouzhe recalled the customs of the Xuanwu world. Amongst the aristocratic families, those born from the first (legal/ official) bloodline could only marry those of the same bloodline. The same applied for the direct bloodline marriages as well. (I assume these are concubine born children).

His official mother, Gongsun Hui, being a legal daughter, was bound to marry the young patriarch of a certain family.

The same applied for him. If he was to marry a wife in the future, he must marry the legal daughter of a certain clan.

He was drifting further and further away from his original topic.

Since Gongsun Hui was so clear about the accounts, Wang Shouzhe was immediately energised, “The value of the fish that sixth uncle mentioned just now was very expensive. Why is the total value of the annual catch of around 6,700 quintals only 486 Qian gold?”

“In order to please you, your sixth uncle pointed out the high-value catches, which the noble clans love and enjoy. Most of the catches are not so valuable.

“In addition, our clan has a fish stall business where they reprocess and sell the catch in different categories such as chilled, cured and smoked. This part of the proceeds needs to be counted as part of the fish stall, which is a different matter.”

Gongsun Hui explained clearly and distinctly, “The Wang family’s internal consumption will also flow into the accounts through Qian gold procurement.”

“Madam, please continue.” Wang Shouzhe said respectfully, “For example, expenditure and net profit, etc.”

This was a first for Gongsun Hui, for someone to place such importance on the accounts.

In high spirits, she said, “In terms of expenditure, calculated based on the current 46 fishermen, the annual expenses and monthly allowances are 151 Qian gold.

“The annual maintenance of 10 fishing boats, including the repair and maintenance of all kinds of tools, and other expenses, is 92 Qian gold. In addition, the average annual tax is 72 Qian gold, and the annual pension for the disabled due to work-related injuries and deaths is 60 Qian gold.

“After all the expenses are deducted, the combined average annual net income is 221 Qian gold, which excludes contributions to your sixth uncle, which is a separate account.”

When he heard this, Wang Dinghai blushed and embarrassedly said, “How can the net income be so little? I thought I’ll bring the family an annual net income of at least 400 or 500 Qian gold.”

“If sixth uncle has any doubts about the accounts, you can come and check them any time,” Gongsun Hui calmly said.

“No, no, no, that’s not what I meant, fifth sister-in-law.” Wang Dinghai hurriedly waved off her offer, “I’m just an uncouth fella who only knows how to catch fish.

“Shouzhe, what’s so good about these boring accounts? Sixth uncle will show you my unique skills…”

“Don’t be anxious, sixth uncle.” After pacifying Wang Shouzhe, he frowned at Gongsun Hui, “Two questions. Firstly, what is the basis for the tax? Secondly, what about the pension?”

“Shouzhe, Anjiang has strong winds, waves, and undercurrents. Occasionally, some difficult to tackle aquatic beasts will appear.”

Wang Dinghai hurriedly tried to justify the expenses, “Even if sixth uncle is careful, it is inevitable that some boatmen and fishermen will be buried in Anjiang. Without a high monthly allowance and pension, no one would be willing to join the fishing and hunting team.”

“Taxes are calculated based on the size of the fishing boat. Small fishing boats need to pay 6 Qian gold each year, while medium-sized fishing boats need to pay 18 Qian gold annually,” Gongsun Hui explained.

Fixed taxation.

However, Wang Shouzhe also understood that in a world where the economic system was underdeveloped, fixed taxation was the best approach.

After absorbing all the information, Wang Shouzhe paid his respects to Wang Dinghai, “Sixth uncle, I didn’t expect the Anjiang fishing industry to be so dangerous. It has been hard on sixth uncle to make such contributions to the family over these years.”

Wang Dinghai was relieved and managed a forced laugh, “We’re glad that Shouzhe doesn’t blame the fishing fleet for making so little money.

“Frankly speaking, when fifth brother was the patriarch, I proposed the idea of expanding the fishing fleet. I can manage 10 boats, and I can also manage more than 20.

“I’ll also find ways to recruit fishermen, so that I can also earn more gold for the clan. In any case, our territory can accommodate more than 20 fishing boats. By the way, Liu’s fleet has more than 20 boats…”

“10 more boats?” Wang Shouzhe asked with interest, “Tell me more about it.” If the family wants to grow, the most important resource was money.

“Allow me explain.” Gongsun Hui knew Wang Dinghai wasn’t familiar with the accounts,” “I also know sixth uncle’s vision. He wants to add two medium-sized fishing boats and 10 small fishing boats.

“The medium-sized fishing boats cost 120 gold while the small ones cost 45 gold each. A total investment of 690 gold is needed. As long as the appropriate fishermen can be recruited, the boats will pay for themselves in three years.”

“Sounds like a workable idea.” Wang Shouzhe nodded in agreement, “Even if we stopped fishing in the future, we wouldn’t make a loss if we sell those boats.”

Wang Dinghai was pleased and looked as if he had met his confidant.

He slapped his thigh and said, “Fifth sister-in-law, I told you this idea is workable. I just don’t understand. I’m willing to make more contributions to the family. Why didn’t fifth brother agree?”

Gongsun Hui was slightly embarrassed, “Sixth uncle, you’re probably not aware that over these years, the Wang clan had been short of money in every aspect.”

She sighed softly in her heart. In fact, she also agreed with the fleet expansion idea but Wang Dingyue refused. In addition, he resolutely rejected her plan to return to her natal family to borrow money.

“Shouzhe, do you agree to expand the fleet?” Wang Dinghai probed.

“Zhe’er, if you want to expand the fleet.” Gongsun Hui said after a slight hesitation, “I can go back to Shanyang to raise the money.”

It was humiliating to return to her natal family to borrow money, but for the sake of the family’s development, she would do it.

“No, I don’t agree.” Wang Shouzhe said after some thought.

Huh?

Wang Dinghai’s face turned slightly black in anger.

Even Gongsun Hui was baffled, didn’t he just say that the idea was workable? Could it be that, like his father, he wanted to maintain his pride and refused to allow her to raise the funds?

“That was then, this is now.” Wang Shouzhe frowned in thought, “The family cannot grow without money. If we want more money, we must increase the efficiency of the clan’s assets.”

“Isn’t fleet expansion the correct way? How do we increase the efficiency without expanding the fleet?” Wang Dinghai looked at Wang Shouzhe anxiously.

Wang Shouzhe, however, smiled mysteriously, “Sixth uncle, you’re a fishing expert. I‘ve a couple of ideas to share with you.

“Have you ever thought of a fishing method called trawling? It’s a way for two boats to work together to catch fish.”　　

Then, Wang Shouzhe pulled Wang Dinghai down on the deck and sketched on the deck.

Trawling was a conventional and professional fishing method on earth. It was way more efficient that the recreational fishing method of casting a net.

If it wasn’t for the excellent natural ecology in the river, Wang Dinghai’s extremely unprofessional fishing methods would have cause him to lose his shirt!

Of course, trawling was so powerful and harmful to the natural ecosystem that Wang Shouzhe was quite resistant to using the method.

However, the clan was facing a critical situation where they would be wiped out if they didn’t become stronger.

At worst, they would abandon this fishing method once the clan was stable.

“Shouzhe, this is an intriguing idea.” Wang Dinghai was also a professional, and quickly understood the principle, but he frowned, “But such a big net is extremely difficult to make, and our boats might not have the power to tow the net.”

Can’t tow?

Wang Shouzhe suddenly understood what the problem was. Sailboats couldn’t be compared to diesel-powered ships. Wind powered boats wouldn’t have the power required to tow heavy nets.

“Then let’s make a small net first, focusing on our ability to tow it.”

Wang Shouzhe added, “Make a small, tapered trawl net. It should be three or four zhang (1 zhang = 3.33m) wide and six or seven zhang long.

“It’s like a big bag, and netting/ webbing panels need to be added to prevent the fish from escaping ……”

“We can definitely give this a try.” Wang Dinghai’s eyes lit up, “I’ll go back and find 20 net weavers to weave it. I expect the net to be ready in two months’ time.”

20 people, two months…

Wang Shouzhe was rendered helpless. The productivity of the Xuanwu world was indeed very low. But that was why the natural resources in this world were so well protected.　　

This was unlike Wang Shouzhe’s world, where the ocean beds were almost flattened by the trawling nets, so much so that the state had to introduce various policies to ban trawling as the method was highly destructive.

“Don’t worry, sixth uncle. Let’s take another look at this fishing tool. Although it’s not as good as a trawl… but it’s better because it’s easy to operate. If you get it right, ordinary people can operate it.”　　

Wang Shouzhe then drew up another fishing tool for Wang Dinghai, called a purse seine. This fishing method was somewhat similar to casting a net, but while nets covered the catch from top down, purse seine is used to catch the fish from bottom up.

Purse seine was more complicated than casting a net, but once it was properly fixed and levered, it was less labour intensive and simpler. Its advantage was that once it was fixed, it could be operated by any ordinary labourer, and even by a minor.　　

In addition, there was an even more powerful evolutionary of the purse seine, the barrages. If that kind of thing can be made, it would just be slightly more lethal than the small trawling net.

“Shouzhe, you, you, you, where did you get these ingenious ideas?” Wang Dinghai was trembling with excitement, “If these can be achieved, we’ll be rich!”　　

“I had nothing to do in my spare time and read these in an ancient book of miscellaneous information.”

Wang Shouzhe repeated, “Sixth Uncle, come over to know more about the earth cage and maze traps…”

Naturally, these two methods were lethal passive fishing tools which were included in the national list of prohibition.

Once these traps were set, you’ll just need to check on them at regular intervals. This was similar to using a cheat software for games….Don’t worry about anything, just harvest regularly.　　

Wang Dinghai was going crazy. As a Xuanwu “professional fisherman”, Wang Shouzhe seemed to have opened up a new world to him.