20demayo Chapter 84 Ace Fishing Guide
Chapter 84 Ace Fishing Guide
The stall owner seemed not to notice, only glancing at Silas before continuing to serve other customers, leaving the two of them standing there for a full few minutes.
The stall owner continued muttering until the other customers had finished buying their fish, his voice neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for the neighboring stalls to hear.
"You think it's too expensive? You're obviously a cheapskate. If you were buying dozens, it would be cheaper."
"Say that again, you fucking idiot?" Silas clenched his fist with his only remaining hand, ready to throw a punch.
While complaining, the stall owner quickly grabbed the big fish that Silas had pointed out, and then scooped out a dozen or so cod of similar size from the pile of ice next to him, tying them together with straw rope like firewood.
With a "bang," he threw the heavy bundle of dripping fish onto Silas's wooden cart, causing the cart to lurch suddenly.
"I'll give you a discount, since you look pitiful!" Scarface wiped the sweat and blood from his face and quoted a round number, "One silver pound in total! Pay up! Don't delay my business!"
His tone was still harsh, but the price seemed far too fair for so many fish.
The surrounding customers, seeing this scene, all assumed that the fierce stall owner had encountered an even tougher opponent and was trying to get rid of him by selling off his goods at a loss.
Silas wanted to go forward and haggle, but Samuel grabbed him and quickly took out his money bag from his pocket, counted out a coin worth one silver pound, and placed it on the slippery cutting board.
The stall owner grabbed the money, wiped his hands on his apron, stuffed it into his pocket without even looking at it, then picked up his machete and turned to deal with the next customer.
Throughout the entire transaction, there was no unnecessary communication between the two parties; it was as natural as the hundreds or thousands of transactions that happen every day.
Just as they were pushing their carts to leave, a group of lobster soldiers led two hunting dogs with their tongues lolling out, walking in from the market entrance.
Samuel and Silas exchanged a glance, planning their escape route.
However, as the two hounds passed their cart piled high with cod, they merely sniffed it vigorously before letting out a loud sneeze.
The hounds shook their heads, showing clear disgust at the strong, fishy smell and the strange, indescribable aroma of spices.
"Bass! Emma! Come back! Damn it, can't you even walk past the smell of fish?"
The patrolmen chatted and laughed, not even glancing at them, before kicking the two hunting dogs and dragging them straight past.
It wasn't until the lobster soldiers turned the corner that Samuel and Silas realized their backs were soaked in cold sweat.
……
That evening, in the basement of a printing shop, the light of an oil lamp flickered.
Silas and his companions were gathered around a pile of cod that emitted a strong odor.
He picked up a sharp fish-gutting knife, aimed it at the belly of one of the fish, and carefully cut open the stitched-back line.
A strong fishy smell and the sour smell of yeast instantly filled the air.
He reached in and pulled out not fish entrails, but a long, hard object wrapped tightly in oilcloth.
Silas tore open the tarpaulin, revealing the barrel of a brand-new Charville rifle, its surface gleaming dimly in the lamplight.
Then came the second, the third...
Stock, trigger, bayonet...
When all the parts of the two hundred brand-new Charville rifles were removed from the fish's belly, reassembled, and neatly leaned against the wall, everyone was speechless with astonishment at this incredible method of concealment.
As everyone looked at the weapons that reeked of fish and death, and then at the pile of hollowed-out cod carcasses on the ground, a sense of absurdity and awe spread through their hearts.
"My God..." a young apprentice murmured, "How...how did they do that?"
Samuel Adams did not answer.
He reached out and touched the cold barrel of a rifle.
Prior to this, he considered Levi a dangerous, exploitable hound.
But now, he feels that this assessment is completely wrong.
The other party was not a hound at all, but a magician standing behind the fog.
He had no idea how many more incredible cards the other party was hiding.
The weapons problem was solved, but new problems arose one after another.
Although Silas and his companions were strong and powerful, most of them were touching a standard-issue rifle for the first time.
They didn't even know how to properly load ammunition, let alone how to assemble and fire.
It has sharp claws and teeth, but doesn't know how to bite.
Just as Samuel Adams was racking his brains over this and even began to regret his impulsive decision, Levy's "gift" arrived once again.
This time, it was an inconspicuous package.
Inside was a thin booklet with a handwritten title in English on the cover: "Militia Training Manual: A Practical and Concise Edition".
The booklet is filled with hand-drawn illustrations and concise explanations, clearly explaining everything from how to stand in formation and how to hold a gun to each step of the three-stage firing procedure.
This was a work that Fiona personally translated, simplified, and illustrated over two days and two nights, based on a Prussian military manual that she had acquired at great expense and which Livy had revised several times.
There was also a letter in the package.
In the letter, Li Wei congratulated them on acquiring their new "fishing gear" and kindly offered to "lend" a fishing expert to help them master the skills more quickly if they lacked an experienced "ace fishing instructor".
Of course, this kind of professional "fishing consultation service" requires payment.
Three hundred silver pounds, venue to be provided by the guest.
Thus, Li Wei's business successfully expanded from simple arms trading to the more profitable and controllable field of military training.
The instructor who was "borrowed" was, of course, Seamus.
He led the core members of the "Sons of Liberty" to begin secret training in a swamp outside Boston.
He was less like an instructor and more like a silent butcher.
He never said a word more than necessary. If anyone made a mistake, he would walk over and use his hand or the butt of his gun to forcefully correct their posture.
His training was rigorous and tedious, but exceptionally effective.
As Levi's influence, like vines in the darkness, silently entwined every corner of Boston's underground, someone finally noticed this unusually growing force.
……
Soon, another core meeting of the "Sons of Liberty" was held in a secret attic.
Samuel Adams is passionately describing Levy's various "feats," from accurate intelligence to unbelievable methods of transporting goods, to training manuals and instructors delivered to his door.
His tone was filled with amazement at Li Wei's methods and a hint of dependence that he himself was unaware of.
Most of the attendees were radical businessmen and artisans, and they listened with great enthusiasm, as if the cause of independence was just around the corner.
Only one person remained silent from beginning to end.
He sat in the shadows of a corner, gently massaging his temples with his fingers, as if diagnosing a difficult case.
He was handsome and refined, more like a university scholar than a revolutionary.
It was the highly respected Dr. Joseph Warren.
After everyone had finished speaking and the attic had fallen silent, Dr. Warren finally spoke.
His voice was gentle, yet carried an undeniable weight.
"Samuel, this Mr. Li you're talking about, does he want money?"
"Yes, Dr. Warren! Every single one! But the goods and services he provided were excellent value for money!" Samuel argued eagerly.
"A man who only talks business, yet can manipulate the Royal Navy, the Governor's House, and us at will."
Dr. Warren stood up, walked to the window, and looked down at the bustling street below.
"This Mr. Li not only sold us weapons, but also taught us how to use them. He was like a master chess player, planning three or even five moves ahead with each move he made."
"Such a man is more dangerous than Governor Hutchinson's ten thousand soldiers. And he is more useful than all of them combined."
Dr. Warren walked up to Samuel, put his hand on his shoulder, and his expression became serious.
"Samuel, I think it's necessary to meet this 'Mr. Li' you've mentioned in person."