Previously, the common people were not very familiar with the smooth-coated otter. Misinformation spread, giving rise to the saying that "otters are cruel." Many fishermen even hated these otters deeply and wished to get rid of them quickly.
If the smooth-coated otters could get closer to the people of Dongshan, making the world understand the spirituality and cuteness of these little beasts, it would surely be a blessing for the otters.
She made up her mind and quietly glanced at Mao Mao beside her, who was lazily grooming its fur.
The smooth-coated otter seemed to regard Mao Mao as its backer. It eagerly caught many fish for Mao Mao to feast on.
Since Mao Mao had taken advantage of the otter's hospitality, it naturally took a bit more care of this "little brother."
At this moment, seeing Li Ying's gaze on it, Mao Mao understood. It meowed twice at the smooth-coated otter.
Li Ying was thinking that in modern aquariums, smooth-coated otters were not rare. There was often a popular tourist attraction - the otter handshake event.
The smooth-coated otters were kept in glass exhibition halls. Above the water surface, there was a glass tube just large enough for the otters to stretch their slender little paws through.
Tourists would place a small piece of fish in their palms, spread their hands outside the glass tube, and wait quietly. Before long, the smooth-coated otters would come upon hearing the news. They would stretch out their shiny black paws through the tube and fumble around on people's hands for the fish.
Now, although she couldn't make the strong glass used in modern aquariums, she was fortunate to have Mao Mao, the little spirit cat, acting as an "interpreter." The smooth-coated otters were gentle in nature. If they were to imitate the aquarium and hold an "otter handshake event" in Dongshan County, it shouldn't be too difficult.
Sure enough, the smooth-coated otter rolled its shiny little eyes and immediately understood what Li Ying meant.
From then on, a habitat dedicated to the otters would be demarcated at the estuary of Dongshan County. The magistrate of Dongshan County would appoint special personnel to manage the otter habitat, ensuring the safety of the otters. They would no longer have to suffer the unexpected disaster of being hunted by fishermen, nor would they have to go hungry.
As for the price, the smooth-coated otters had to obediently follow Mao Mao's instructions and "high-five" the tourists who came to the otter habitat one by one, cooperating in the handshake event.
The smooth-coated otter tilted its head and didn't take long to figure it out.
As if to prove that it was indeed docile by nature, it even boldly took a few tentative steps in the direction of Princess Yongning.
Li Ying quickly cut off a small piece of tender fish and politely asked Princess Yongning to place it in her palm.
The smooth-coated otter staggered and crawled forward. It quietly sized up Princess Yongning. Seeing that Princess Yongning meant it no harm, it carefully stretched out its black little paw.
The otter's little paw was very soft. Its four flexible fingers were like those of a bold little boy.
Princess Yongning gently squeezed the otter's paw, but the otter wasn't afraid. Instead, it looked at her boldly with its wet eyes.
This cute and lovable appearance melted the hearts of Empress Pei and the Empress Dowager. They couldn't help but ask Li Ying for fish and feed the smooth-coated otter in the same way.
Even the Emperor couldn't resist the cute and docile appearance of the smooth-coated otter and reached out his hand.
However, there was nothing in his palm. The smooth-coated otter just tilted its head and glanced at him. It didn't know anything about rank and privilege. Without hesitation, it turned around and walked away, leaving the noble Emperor awkwardly standing there.
The Emperor, who regarded himself as a benevolent king, naturally wouldn't argue with a little beast. Seeing the smooth-coated otter leave so neatly, even with a bit of undisguised "disdain," he wasn't offended. Instead, he found it even more interesting.
He laughed heartily and said, "This smooth-coated otter is really interesting!"
Seeing this, the magistrate of Dongshan County quickly stepped forward, knelt down, and reported, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. I will surely do my best to complete the construction of the smooth-coated otter habitat as soon as possible!"
In this way, the survival and reproduction of the smooth-coated otters were finally guaranteed. For the nobles from the capital who came to Dongshan County for a visit, besides experiencing lantern fishing, squid fishing from boats, and visiting oyster farms, they now had another activity - the "otter handshake event" - to enjoy.
As for the person in charge of the otter handshake event, it naturally fell on Princess Yongning.
Taming the otters required the assistance of Mao Mao.
Since Li Ying and Lu Xunguang had made up their minds to invest all kinds of industries under Princess Yongning's name, they quietly instructed Mao Mao to get close to Princess Yongning's capable maids.
Princess Yongning had made it clear that she had no intention of marrying a consort. She only wished to follow the example of the eldest princess and devote her life to the country and the people, and manage the industries wholeheartedly.
Although the Emperor said that he didn't want to delay his beloved daughter's good marriage, in his heart, he had already given his tacit approval.
Princess Yongning left a few reliable attendants to work with the magistrate of Dongshan County to build the "otter protection area" and assist the fishermen in Dongshan to tame the otters for fishing.
The Emperor's entourage didn't waste any more time. Seeing that the weather was fine and the wind was gentle, the dragon boat set sail again and headed into the sea.
Dongshan County was not far from Li Ying's small fishing village in the southern border. It would take at most three days to reach there.
Li Ying looked into the distance. At the end of her sight, the sea and the sky merged into one.
The sea was shrouded in mist. She couldn't see the outline of the fishing village, nor could she see Granny Sun eagerly waiting at the village dock. She only felt eager to return home.
When she reached the fishing village, she would hand over the canning factory and the seaweed factory to Princess Yongning. After showing the Emperor the local customs of the southern border, she thought that she could finally retire after achieving her goals.
Just as she was deep in thought, she suddenly heard suppressed and noisy voices coming from the bow of the boat.
She faintly heard words like "something's wrong" and "calamity." She couldn't help but frown slightly.
Throughout the Emperor's journey, there had been auspicious signs everywhere, and the common people and officials had sung praises.
She wondered who was spreading such evil words and saying such inauspicious things now.
She didn't care about playing with Mao Mao anymore. She quickly pushed through the crowd and walked to the bow of the boat. Princess Yongning had already come upon hearing the sound. Lu Xunguang and Su Buchi also looked solemn.
Seeing Li Ying coming, Princess Yongning motioned for her to stand beside her and pointed into the distance with her slender finger.
"A Ying, look. Up ahead is Jingcheng. The prefect sent an urgent message, saying that there is a terrifying giant object on the shore. The dragon boat may not be suitable for docking to avoid disturbing His Majesty."
The boat was moving fast. Li Ying could already faintly see that there seemed to be a huge, dark shadow lying across the port of Jingcheng. She didn't know what it was.
This was what the officials on the boat were discussing.
Some said that it might be a divine dragon that had descended from the sky, a great auspicious sign. Others were worried, fearing that it might be a disaster that should be avoided at all costs.
"A Ying, what do you think we should do now?"
Princess Yongning had now become the person in charge on the dragon boat. Since the situation was unclear, she hadn't reported it to the Emperor yet. She just looked at Li Ying, waiting for her to come up with an idea.