When Li Dong arrived, Cui Hong Yu immediately turned to prepare dinner.
Li Dong waved his hand, revealing two fish, each over half a foot long.
"I heard you were back, so I brought you some fish to try."
Chen Xiao Bei looked at the two fish and asked, "How is the fishing net I made for you? Is it useful?"
Li Dong nodded, "It's very useful. I only keep the ones that are a foot long; the smaller ones I release back into the fishpond. These two were specifically saved for you."
Chen Xiao Bei didn't stand on ceremony, took the fish, and handed them to Chen Qiao Er beside him. "Go ask your sister-in-law to stew these fish."
He then turned to Li Dong, "Brother, stay for dinner tonight. I have a pot of good wine."
Li Dong waved his hand, "No need for dinner, I have several mouths waiting for me at home."
"I came to give you a heads-up. Seeing me catch big fish with the umbrella net every day, Da Yong and the others are quite envious. They'll likely come to you for the nets too."
This was within Chen Xiao Bei's expectations. After all, people had very few ways to earn money these days, and they would definitely follow suit if they saw others making a profit.
"Alright, I'll prepare a few more. If anyone asks, I'll give them one."
As Li Dong had predicted, someone arrived shortly after dinner. However, the arrival was a bit unexpected; the first person to come was Chen Xiao Wen.
Chen Xiao Wen carried two bundles of wild vegetables.
He placed them on the stone table, looking a little embarrassed.
"Brother Xiao Bei, I came to ask for your help."
"Just say it," Chen Xiao Bei smiled, already having a vague idea of his purpose.
Chen Xiao Wen hesitated, "Brother, I'd like to ask you to make a fishing net like Brother Li Dong's. I want to catch fish too."
Chen Xiao Bei nodded, "Okay, but I have a condition for making Li Dong's net: he only keeps fish over a foot long, and all the smaller ones go into my fishpond. Can you agree to that?"
Chen Xiao Wen nodded vigorously, "Don't worry, Brother, I won't eat a single small fish; I'll put them all in for you."
Chen Xiao Bei smiled and patted his shoulder, "That's not necessary. As for fish, you should eat what you need to eat and release what you need to release." Su Dan Novel Network
After sending Chen Xiao Wen off, more people came. Three groups of people came that night, all wanting a large fishing net.
Cui Hong Yu, standing nearby, chuckled and said, "I think you should just give one to every family, so you don't have to go through so much trouble."
Her words sparked an idea in Chen Xiao Bei.
Right. He understood the principle of teaching a man to fish rather than giving him a fish.
He had been worrying about how to create a path to prosperity for the villagers.
Fishing was a good option. There were plenty of fish in the river at this time.
The big fish could be sold, and the small fish could stock his pond.
Yes, that's how he'd do it.
As they were talking, Chen Da Yong, a member of the village guard, arrived again, also asking for a fishing net.
After discussing the fishing nets, as Chen Xiao Bei saw Chen Da Yong out, he changed the subject, "Oh, by the way, ask Li Dong to post a notice tomorrow morning. Each household should send a representative to the big locust tree. I want to hold a meeting for everyone."
The next morning, as dawn broke, Li Dong sounded the gong and shouted through the village, "Each household, send a representative out for a meeting! The village head has something important to announce."
Hearing the shout, Chen Xiao Bei quickly got up, dressed, and washed his mouth. He didn't even have time to eat breakfast before rushing to the big locust tree.
Hearing that Chen Xiao Bei was holding a meeting, the villagers were naturally very eager and enthusiastic.
Soon, most people had arrived. With only about two hundred households, gathering them was quick.
Li Dong counted the heads and confirmed that almost everyone was present. He then cleared his throat and said, "Everyone, please be quiet. Now, I invite Village Head Xiao Bei to address you."
Chen Xiao Bei waved his hands at the crowd, "It's not a speech, just a few things I want to announce publicly."
"The first is that two live wolves were caught in the mountains two days ago and sold in the county town for some silver. Everyone who went into the mountains with me that night will receive five taels of silver each."
Upon hearing this, the expressions on everyone's faces varied. The most excited were those who would receive the reward money.
Of course, the happiest was Chen Xiao Bo, who was worried about where to get money to buy a donkey. This was perfect!
As for the other villagers, most were filled with envy. Ah, if only they had joined the village guard and gone into the mountains themselves. Not only would they have wolf meat to eat, but they would also get money. Life would be so sweet!
Chen Xiao Bei could naturally see the shifting expressions of most villagers. He continued, "Of course, those who didn't go into the mountains shouldn't feel regretful. Since everyone shared the wolf meat, you will also have a share of the money from selling the wolves."
As soon as they heard they would have a share, the villagers cheered and leaped for joy. Some even started shouting and cheering.
Chen Xiao Bei spread his hands again, signaling for everyone to quiet down, "Of course, when I say you have a share, it doesn't mean I'm distributing silver to you."
The crowd was stunned for a moment, looking at each other in confusion. They said there was a share, but no silver to distribute. What was going on?
Chen Xiao Bei smiled and explained, "After distributing five taels to each person, there was some silver left. I thought, why not build a school in our Riverhead Village and hire a teacher from the city? They will not only teach the children, but anyone in our village who wants to learn can go."
Upon hearing this, Chen San Jin was the first to step forward, "Village Head Xiao Bei, I'm too old to study. Can my share be converted into silver?"
His remark caused everyone to burst into laughter.
Chen Xiao Bei knew that these villagers had no concept of education. Just as he was pondering how to persuade them, the Old Ancestor stepped forward.
The Old Ancestor walked a few steps forward with his cane and stood beside Chen Xiao Bei.
Seeing him appear, everyone immediately stopped their whispers, and the scene became quiet.
The Old Ancestor stared intently at San Jin. San Jin, feeling timid and guilty, quickly put on a fawning smile and said, "Old Ancestor, I was just joking with Xiao Bei, just joking."
Seeing his reaction, the villagers burst into laughter again.
The Old Ancestor cleared his throat, thumped his cane loudly, and said, "I support Xiao Bei's proposal. I have two large jujube trees in my backyard. I'll cut them down and send them to the school to be used as beams."
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiao Bei was deeply respectful. In those days, a tree was a considerable fortune. It seemed the Old Ancestor truly supported his work!
Just then, the Old Ancestor continued, "Has anyone ever thought about why our ancestors have been farming in Riverhead Village for generations?"
"Why can some people achieve high office and ride fine horses?"
His words caused a moment of silence among the crowd. Chen Xiao Bei understood these profound principles, but many of the people present did not.
"I'll tell you, it's because they studied and could read."
"If you can't recognize many characters, even the most foolish emperor wouldn't let you be an official!"
Hearing this, the crowd couldn't help but laugh, but their expressions had already gained a hint of admiration.
Even Chen Xiao Bei greatly admired this Old Ancestor for being able to explain the importance of education in such a simple way.