Fishermen earn their living half by skill, half by the mercy of the weather. The tender Mandarin fish of West Lake is eagerly sought after by taverns and eateries, fetching no small price.
In the past, there used to be a practice called "Fish for the Official Residence." Fishermen were required to supply fish to the palace every day, and if the weight fell short, they had to pay out of pocket to make up the difference. It made life miserable for the people. Later, when King Wusu heard a scholar's poem on the matter, he clapped his hands in laughter and abolished the harsh policy.
Anecdote · Jiangnan State · Hangzhou