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The so-called winter fishing is an activity where holes are dug on solid ice-covered lakes or rivers during the deep winter, and nets are placed to catch fish.

In the Northern Wasteland, winter fishing is one of the most important activities in winter.

Before Luo De, it was the primary source of fresh food during the harsh winter for the people of Frost Leaf Town.

This activity does not require Luo De's command.

The people of the Northern Wasteland are the true experts.

It is worth mentioning that the population of Frost Leaf Town does not grow naturally; most are slaves and captives, all young and strong men.

Almost all of these people have participated in winter fishing and know how to do it.

The process is quite simple: choosing the location, breaking the ice, setting the net, and retrieving the fish.

In fact, winter fishing has always existed in Frost Leaf Town, but it was merely small-scale activities in small inlets.

Official winter fishing must wait until the ice is thick enough to support activities by dozens of people.

The first place to set the net is on the broad ice surface of the dam.

Slaves use wooden shovels and brooms made from pine branches to clear the snow from the ice surface, then use chisels and augers to make holes in the ice.

This step is the most time-consuming and labor-intensive.

The method of setting the net in winter fishing is "threading the needle."

A wooden pole is tied to one end of the fishing net, inserted into the water, and carried forward under the ice with the net.

Achieving the "under-ice net dragging" and then pulling the fish out from the main net entrance onto the ice surface.

During this era, there were no automatic devices, so naturally, people had to pull the wooden pole forward.

This task is handled by specialized skilled workers, who use tree branches with hooks to grip the wooden pole and swing it back and forth to guide it forward.

Therefore, an ice hole must be chiseled open at intervals to pull the pole forward.

The poles used are usually six to seven meters long, so every six to seven meters, a hole must be made.

The horseshoe-shaped net setting route requires seven to eight ice holes from the net entrance to the exit.

After the wooden pole passes through all the ice holes, it is pulled out from the exit and directly inserted at the exit.

Once the net has sunk to the bottom, a pocket net is completely set up under the ice.

Groups of five or six slaves start from the dam and continuously set nets under the ice upstream along the River Bay.

This is a very long process; the slaves are already busy before the morning sun rises.

Luo De did not witness the slaves chiseling the ice holes; he only came to the riverbank when the net was being set.

"Thank you for coming, I hope we didn't waste your time."

Otto respectfully bowed in salute.

Lawrence only delivered the message; Otto was the leader of this agricultural activity.

Now, Luo De's prestige in the town is undisputed, and his personal participation excited and also made the workers nervous, while Otto felt honored.

"It's fine, I just wanted to see the winter fishing scene for myself."

Luo De said calmly.

He had always been curious about winter fishing, and today he fulfilled that wish.

"With your intelligence, these things are very simple for you."

Otto accompanied with a flattering smile.

It had a sycophantic tone, but it was mostly sincere.

Luo De smiled without speaking, watching the slaves busy.

The net generally needs to be left underwater for a period, and if the fish are sparse, sometimes overnight.

But with such a large water bay in the dam and enough fish, the first net is opened the same day.

Dozens of slaves ran to the ice around the fishing net, starting to hammer and drive the fish onto the net.

This process is rather long, but Otto had prepared in advance, readying the ice fishing hole for Luo De.

Of course, not only the fishing spot was provided.

Fishing rods, bait, and other fishing gear were all prepared, and even a fur tent was set up for Luo De.

Luo De just needed to sit down, and the slaves would hang the bait, leaving him only to swing the fishing rod.

But even so, the experience of this process wasn't very enjoyable.

—Luo De had already sat beside the ice hole for over half an hour, with nothing.

The bait was changed several times, different grains, dough, crushed innards, etc., but none worked.

The feather-shaped float lay silently on the water surface, as if frozen to death, refusing even to quiver.

"...Is this the fishing spot you carefully selected for me?"

Luo De turned to look at Otto standing to the side.

Otto's face was full of embarrassment and quickly accompanied with a smile: "Master, please try a bit more, there are certainly fish here!"

"I'll trust you for now."

Luo De patiently changed the bait.

This time, he did it himself.

Luo De felt that fishing relying entirely on others for service seemed to lose its fun.

More importantly, all the good luck seemed to be taken away by them.

Changing to a new bait, Luo De cast the rod again.

And this time, the reed rod with the feather finally showed a reaction.

Luo De saw the fishing line tighten, unusually heavy on the other end, immediately lifting the rod!

"It must be a big fish!"

Otto shouted joyfully beside him, but the moment the catch emerged from the water, his expression froze.

It was a large river clam.

Luo De shook his head helplessly.

If Milly were here, surely such shabby things wouldn't be caught.

Today wasn't suited for fishing.

Luo De then threw the fishing rod to Otto.

"Master, you..."

Otto was stunned for a moment, seeing Luo De wave his hand.

"You all retreat; I need to rest for a while."

Catching a clam after half a day, Luo De lost interest.

Of course, the main reason was that Luo De had other things to handle.

Previously, from the Sea Abyss Wizard Tower, he obtained four Extraordinary Gems, three Spirit Gems, and only one Physical Gem.

Including the gems deducted in the pool, Luo De obtained seven Physical Gems from the Sea Abyss Wizard Tower, all completely absorbed.

All together, Luo De has naturally extended his lifespan by a hundred years.

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