Chapter 40: I'll Use This One Today

"Lin Yu, this old-fashioned fishing boat of ours is quite different from those modern vessels equipped with steering wheels." Wang Dachun said, reaching out to grasp the wooden tiller, which had been polished smooth by the passage of time, and giving it a gentle pat. "You see, while this tiller looks simple, it plays a vital role. It's the key instrument we use to control the boat's direction."

With that, Wang Dachun applied a little force and pushed the tiller slightly to the right. The rudder blade at the stern slowly swung to the right in response, causing the bow to gradually veer in the same direction. The fishing boat, previously moving straight ahead, gracefully altered its course as the cleaved waves made a splashing sound along both sides of the hull, as if acknowledging the shift in trajectory.

"On a boat with a steering wheel, you have to turn a circular mechanism to operate the underwater linkage that turns the rudder. Our tiller is much more straightforward: push it to the left, and the boat goes left; push it to the right, and the boat naturally goes right. It all depends on the strength and precision in your hands." Wang Dachun explained patiently, motioning for Lin Yu to step forward and get a feel for the tiller. "Give it a try. Push it lightly and feel how the tiller steers the boat."

Lin Yu cautiously grasped the tiller and gently nudged it a little to the left, watching as the bow slowly drifted to the left. His face was a picture of fascination and earnest concentration.

"However, using a tiller to steer requires much more accurate hand-eye coordination and physical strength. Unlike a steering wheel, which allows for fine-tuning the angle, pushing our tiller results in a relatively wider turn. Therefore, you must gauge your strength properly, otherwise the boat will swing too wide, and out on the open sea, it's not so easy to correct." Wang Dachun watched Lin Yu's operation and instructed him earnestly from the side.

"And then there's the wind direction. Whether it's our old-fashioned boat or one with a steering wheel, you must always pay close attention to it." Wang Dachun looked up at the wind-filled sails and continued, "Our sailboats rely on the wind to move, so whenever the wind direction changes, the angle of the sails must change accordingly."

With that, he walked over to the gunwale and deftly adjusted the ropes controlling the sails, setting them at the proper angle to catch the wind. "Look, when the wind comes from this direction, the sails must be positioned like this for the boat to run smoothly. When heading into a headwind, our old-fashioned boat has to tack in a zig-zag pattern. Every time you turn, handling the tiller requires a steady, firm, and decisive touch, perfectly coordinated with the adjustment of the sails. Unlike boats with steering wheels that allow for minute adjustments, we rely entirely on experience and feel here."

"Brother Dachun, if we encounter a heavy storm, how should we handle the tiller?" Lin Yu asked, frowning, well aware that rough seas were the greatest danger when going out to sea.

Wang Dachun's expression turned solemn as he gripped the tiller with both hands. "In a fierce storm, this tiller is our lifeline. You must hold onto it tightly, without a moment of relaxation, keeping the bow facing directly into the waves. You must never let the waves strike the side of the hull, or the boat will capsize all too easily. Moreover, in heavy weather, the boat pitches and rolls violently, so pushing the tiller requires a subtle touch of finesse. You have to steady the course while constantly making adjustments to match the changing waves. It's nothing like ordinary sailing; it takes practice and weathering a few storms before you truly develop a feel for it."

"I must warn you, operating the tiller takes genuine physical strength. A young fellow of your build really isn't up to it yet; you need to build up your strength. Otherwise, the moment you run into a bit of rough weather and fail to hold the tiller steady, the entire boat will capsize."

Hearing this, Lin Yu felt a renewed sense of sobriety in his heart.

Over the past couple of days, he had been working out whenever he had free time. Eating well alone wasn't enough; physical conditioning was essential. Only by having a strong body could one cope with various hardships, a fact that Lin Yu understood very well.

The two of them remained on the boat, accompanied by the rising and falling waves and the gentle sea breeze—one teaching attentively, and the other learning earnestly.

The fishing boat moved slowly across the sparkling sea surface, its hull gently rising and falling with the waves while emitting a rhythmic creaking sound, as if in quiet conversation with the ocean.

The distance and range of a sea voyage are influenced by multiple factors.

First and foremost is the performance of their old-fashioned wooden fishing vessel. While the wooden planks of the hull are thick, they cannot withstand the severe storms of the deep sea. After all, time has left many marks on it; although the joints remain sturdy, they cannot endure prolonged and violent shaking.

Furthermore, this boat relies entirely on wind power and human rowing for propulsion, meaning its speed is not particularly fast. Once they venture too far, running into unexpected changes on the return journey would spell trouble. The dry rations and fresh water stored on board are only enough to sustain them for about a day. These factors act like invisible ropes, restricting their operational range to relatively coastal waters.

Secondly, there is the experience of the fishermen. Experienced fishermen rely on years of accumulated knowledge regarding wind directions, currents, and the bearings of surrounding islands to decide whether to embark on a distant voyage.

After all, once they enter unfamiliar waters in the vast and boundless ocean, it is all too easy to lose their bearings.

For them, waters some dozen kilometers away from the coast represent the ideal choice after weighing all these factors, making it the safest fishing ground.

At this moment, the waters Wang Dachun had brought Lin Yu to were calm and serene.

The sea was flat and tranquil, with a gentle breeze sweeping across to stir up fine ripples. Sunlight danced upon the water, reflecting brilliant rays like countless scattering golden nuggets. The seawater displayed a clear, translucent blue, so transparent that schools of fish could be vaguely seen swimming beneath the surface. Occasionally, a few dolphins would leap out of the water, tracing graceful arcs before plunging back in, as if cheering and adding spirit to their arrival.

Wang Dachun brought the boat to a steady stop and skillfully dropped the anchor. With a splash, the anchor sank into the water, kicking up a small patch of white spray as the fishing boat was secured in these waters. He turned to look at Lin Yu, a confident smile radiating across his face. "Xiao Yu, these waters are where we usually fish. Most of the other villagers don't venture too far from here either; it's relatively safe, and there are plenty of fish. As for other places, I rarely go there and wouldn't dare wander blindly."

Gazing at these vibrant waters, Lin Yu nodded.

Since this was his first time going out to sea, safety naturally had to be his top priority.

Looking out into the distance at this moment, the azure sea resembled an endless, massive expanse of silk—smooth and even, without the slightest ripple or swell. Every inch of its surface was as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the clear blue of the sky so perfectly that it was almost impossible to tell where the sky ended and the sea began.

Even the sea breeze seemed intoxicated by this tranquility, hiding away without a trace. Gone were the usual gentle caresses and whistling gusts; the entire sea surface was so quiet that one could only hear the sound of their own breathing. Occasionally, there was the faint sound of water lapping against the hull—a sound so soft and delicate, like the murmuring whispers of the ocean in its sleep.

Looking far into the distance, the surroundings were wide open and vast. Aside from this azure expanse, virtually nothing else could be seen, leaving an endless sense of space and silence in the field of view. Right at the distant horizon, a few faint shadows of boats loomed, their outlines vague and hazy, appearing and disappearing in the distance.

Wang Dachun first walked over to one side of the gunwale and deftly untied the somewhat worn yet still sturdy fishing net piled in the corner.

Using both hands, he grabbed the net and heaved it onto his shoulder, calling out to Lin Yu, "Xiao Yu, come give me a hand. Let's get this net straightened out first."

Lin Yu hurried forward and, imitating Wang Dachun, grabbed a corner of the net. Together, they slowly spread the fishing net out across the deck. Sunlight fell upon the net, causing its fine meshes to shimmer with a faint glow, as if eager to showcase their capability.

Once the net was straightened out, Wang Dachun took hold of one end and began attaching the lead sinkers. One by one, the small lead weights were swiftly fastened along the edge of the net by his hands. "These sinkers must be tied securely. Once we cast the net into the sea, they'll make it sink quickly and trap all the fish."

He explained this to Lin Yu while working with intense concentration.

Lin Yu watched closely from the side, nodding from time to time as he silently committed these key points to memory.

After securing the sinkers, the next step was to attach the buoys.

Wang Dachun rummaged through the cabin, pulled out a few brightly colored buoys, and tied them at intervals along the fishing net. "These buoys are our markers to find the net out at sea. With them, no matter where the net drifts, we'll be able to spot it."

With that, he dusted off his hands, stood up, and scanned the surrounding sea to estimate the wind direction and current.

"Lin Yu, get ready to cast the net. Just follow my lead in a moment." Wang Dachun gripped one end of the net tightly, leaned back slightly, and using the strength of his waist and abdomen, flung the fishing net high up into the air.

The net instantly unfolded, blossoming in the air like a giant black flower before slowly descending into the water. With a splash, the calm surface of the sea was broken, kicking up rings of white ripples.

Having cast the net, Wang Dachun realized that Lin Yu had not brought his own net. Looking perplexed, he asked, "Xiao Yu, why didn't you bring a net? If you don't bring a net, how are you going to catch fish?"

Hearing this, the corners of Lin Yu's mouth curled upward slightly, revealing a mysterious smile.

Without hurrying, he walked over to the corner where the fishing gear was kept, squatted down, and pulled out the fishing rod he had prepared. It was the very rod his grandmother had sent back for him; although somewhat old, it was sturdy, and the grip felt exceptional in his hand.

Lin Yu gave the fishing rod a gentle flick in his hand, a look of confidence on his face as he gazed at Wang Dachun. "Brother Dachun, I'm using this today."

As a seasoned sea-fishing enthusiast, a fishing rod was his weapon of choice. With this in hand, catching fish would be an absolute breeze.

A distinct sense of certainty permeated Lin Yu's tone.

Upon seeing this, Wang Dachun was stunned at first, and then couldn't help bursting into laughter. Chuckling, he walked over to Lin Yu, patted him on the shoulder, and bantered, "Well now, Xiao Yu, going out to sea to fish has always relied on casting nets. With just a fishing rod, how many fish do you expect to catch? The open ocean isn't like some small creek! Your idea is certainly novel."

Though his words carried a hint of skepticism, his eyes were filled with a greater sense of curiosity, eager to see what tricks Lin Yu actually had up his sleeve.

Maintaining his smile and looking entirely confident, Lin Yu replied, "Brother Dachun, don't underestimate this fishing rod. Who knows, today I might actually reap a handsome harvest with it. Let's just wait and see."