7 In order to conduct research on the mermaid, biologists had no choice but to take it out, [but] after opening it up, they discovered it was a man-made model: it was merely the lower body of a monkey ingeniously sewn together with fish skin.
8 Ever since, so-called photographs of mermaids would spread around the world occasionally. There was the “seaman” with two hands on his hips like a warrior; there was the “fish beauty” with the upper body of a fish and the lower body of a woman, and so forth and so on. But upon closer scrutiny, these all turned out to be forgeries.
9 Even though there are no mermaids, why are legends about them passed down throughout the world for thousands of years? In October 1975, in order to thoroughly and fully clarify this question, our own marine scientists conducted investigations in the South China Sea region.
10 The scientists’ trail traversed the island fishing villages; following clues they arrived at the coast of Hepu County in Guangxi. Local fishermen said they had seen mermaids, and that several young people had in fact captured one in 1958!
11 The fishermen also said that a mermaid was spotted again just recently. The scientists were thrilled, and with the enthusiastic support of the Shatian party organization and the fishermen, the battle to pursue the mermaid began.
十二 10月28日这天，天气晴朗，两艘大渔船又载着捕捞队，向人鱼出没的海区驶去。
12 On this day, 28 October, the weather was clear and bright. Two large fishing boats once again loaded with the fishing team set sail for the sea area where the mermaid roamed about.
