The Entire Mountain Is My Hunting Ground

North of Ginseng King Mountain stood another mountain. It wasn’t particularly high, but it held a ravine. Inside the ravine and along its sides grew a dense, unbroken sea of thatch grass, which is why the local mountain folk called this place Thatch Grass Peak.

On its northern flank was a large depression, a natural windbreak.

In the southeastern corner of the depression lay a huge fallen log—a poplar tree toppled by the wind. The thicker end of the log was about two meters in diameter.

On the leeward side of the log, Zhao Youcai, Li Dayong, Wang Qiang, and Lin Xiangshun sat with their backs against the wood. They were paired off, sitting on two wild boar hides. A meter in front of them, a bonfire crackled.

Next to the fire was a pile of dry branches they had gathered from the surroundings, along with two pine torches. This was all the firewood they had for warmth.

At night in the mountains, the temperature was already approaching negative forty degrees Celsius. Without a fire for warmth, they would likely freeze to death.

But wood burns quickly. To last through the night, how much firewood would they need?

Zhao Youcai and his men were here to hunt, not to chop wood. They had gathered a pile of dead branches, but it wasn’t enough for the whole night. With no other choice, they chopped down two pine torch trees.

Pine torches are formed after a pine tree dies and rots, allowing all its resin to seep into the wood. That’s why Northeasterners also called it "pine resin wood."

Many years later, this stuff would be given a host of fancy names, like "Northern Agarwood" or "Amber Wood." It would be carved into prayer beads and crafted into ornaments, its value skyrocketing.

But for now, Northeasterners even looked down on using it for firewood.

The reason was simple: pine torches produced thick black smoke when burned. Only Mountain Runners, with no other options in the mountains, would resort to using it.

Just like Zhao Youcai’s group, who were currently roasting their dry rations for dinner. They couldn’t burn it now, or else whether it was sticky bean buns or flatbread, everything would be scorched black.

In front of the fire, Wang Qiang held a corn flatbread in one hand and a strip of pickled radish in the other. He mumbled through a mouthful of food, "The meat on a pig’s rump is all active muscle. It shouldn’t affect it much. I still think it’ll head downhill."

What were they talking about?

They were analyzing the Pig God’s likely path.

Early this morning, Lin Xiangshun had driven Zhao Youcai, Li Dayong, and Wang Qiang into the mountains. The group of four headed straight for Forest Class 99 on Ginseng King Mountain. They picked up the wild boars’ trail at the spot where Zhao Jun had ambushed the herd and followed the tracks all the way to this Thatch Grass Peak.

But after entering the mountain forest, they didn’t just follow the tracks directly. Instead, they circled the area, confirming that the boar herd was hiding in a gully thirteen or fourteen *li* away, spread out and feasting on thatch grass.

Inspired by Zhao Jun’s actions the day before, the four men decided to set up a pincer ambush as well. With four men and four guns, they could block two directions, greatly increasing their chances of success.

However, the mountain wasn’t high and its slopes were gentle. Under normal circumstances, it would be difficult to predict which way the boars would run when startled.

But they didn’t need to worry about the herd. They only needed to figure out which way the Pig God would go.

Don’t forget, the Pig God had taken two shots from Zhao Jun and had two gunshot wounds.

Any hunter who sets an ambush must be clear on two points.

First, if a wild boar injures a front leg, it will always head uphill when running on mountain paths.

This is because when going uphill, a boar relies mainly on its hind legs to push off, so an injured front leg doesn’t hinder it.

But when going downhill, the front legs bear the force.

Therefore, if a boar’s hind leg is injured, it will choose to go downhill.

The problem was, the Pig God hadn’t injured its front or hind legs.

Zhao Jun’s two shots had hit its shoulder blade and its rump. Although its legs weren’t hit, it was impossible that its running was unaffected.

But on this point—whether the front wound or the rear wound was more debilitating—the four Cannon Shooters debated for a long time before Wang Qiang finally made the call.

Feeling that Wang Qiang’s reasoning made sense, Zhao Youcai glanced at Li Dayong, then at Lin Xiangshun. Seeing that neither spoke, he said, "Then we’ll set up a block at Forest Class 74."

At this, Zhao Youcai thought for a moment, then added, "Qiangzi and I will block it below Forest Class 74. Dayong and Shunzi, you two go down behind 72. If we can’t stop it, it’s bound to head for 72..."

Zhao Youcai hadn’t finished speaking when he sensed something was wrong. The four men looked up together and saw a light snow beginning to fall.

’This is bad!’ The four of them felt a jolt of panic, sensing trouble.

"Big Brother, what do we do now?" Li Dayong asked.

Zhao Youcai stood up and looked at the sky, but it was already dark. What could he possibly see?

There was no telling how long the snow would last, or how heavy it would get.

A light dusting would be fine, but if it came down hard and soaked all the firewood they’d gathered, they’d be in serious trouble.

Wet firewood is impossible to burn; the smoke just stings your eyes.

Zhao Youcai looked away from the sky. "Let’s wait and see," he said.

Though he said that, he was already reaching for the gun propped against the fallen log.

At Zhao Youcai’s movement, the others all scrambled to their feet. Forgetting their meal, they began to move their camp.

The men moved their boar hides and satchels under a large Daqing Pine Tree nearby. The pine’s canopy was like an umbrella, offering shelter from the wind and snow.

They moved the dry branches and pine torches under the tree as well, then used an ember from the old fire to start a new one in front of the pine.

But when the four men sat down again, it wasn’t nearly as comfortable.

There’s an old saying: "A fire warms your front while the wind freezes your back."

In the dead of winter, if you warmed your chest by the fire, your back grew cold. If you turned to warm your back, your front would freeze.

It had been fine when they were leaning against the log, but now the pine tree couldn’t shelter all four of them, and they gradually felt a chill creeping up their backs.

But that wasn’t the worst of it. The real trouble was that the snow was getting heavier and heavier.

Ten minutes later, snowflakes as big as blossoms were fluttering down.

Another half an hour passed. The fresh snow on the ground was already over ten centimeters deep, and not only was it not letting up, it seemed to be getting even heavier.

"This is bad!" Zhao Youcai suddenly felt that the roasted sticky bean bun in his hand had lost its flavor. If this blizzard sealed off the mountain, they would be in huge trouble.

...

「Yong’an Village, Zhao Jun’s family home.」

Zhao Hong and Zhao Na were eating snacks on the *kang* table, while a frantic Wang Meilan paced back and forth on the floor. Zhao Jun stood to the side, trying to comfort her.

But it wasn’t just Wang Meilan who was worried. Even Zhao Jun was feeling uneasy now.

With snow this heavy, if it kept up all night, the mountain really would be sealed off. It would be difficult for Zhao Youcai and the others to even get out.

"Brother!" Just then, Li Baoyu’s voice came from outside the door.

Zhao Jun hurried to the door. Li Baoyu came in, called out "Auntie" to Wang Meilan, and then said to Zhao Jun, "Should we go into the mountains to check?"

Zhao Jun shook his head. "And where would we even look?"

"Aren’t they on Ginseng King Mountain?"

Zhao Jun sighed. "We shot that boar yesterday. It wouldn’t have stopped running until dark. With those hours plus all of today, there’s no telling where it’s gone. There are so many mountains around here, where would we even start looking?"

"What are we going to do!" Li Baoyu smacked his thigh. "My mom’s at home, almost crying with worry."

Hearing this, Wang Meilan felt both worried and angry. She was worried for Zhao Youcai’s safety, but her anger was directed at him too.

This whole thing was Zhao Youcai’s idea. He was the one who led Li Dayong, Wang Qiang, and Lin Xiangshun into the mountains, and now they weren’t back for the night.

Now a blizzard was about to seal off the mountain. If something really happened, how could she possibly face the other three families?

Seeing his mother pacing anxiously like an ant on a hot pan, Zhao Jun sighed, walked over, and put a hand on Wang Meilan’s shoulder. "Mom, let’s get something to eat."

"Oh! Son, you haven’t eaten yet!" Wang Meilan finally remembered. Zhao Jun had been out and about for most of the day and had only eaten a piece of sponge cake since he got back.

"Mom, do we have any dried noodles?"

"Yes, we do. I’ll make them for you."

"Mom, slice some pickled cabbage to flavor the broth. Make a lot, so we can all eat." After saying this, Zhao Jun pulled Li Baoyu over. "Baoyu, you’ll eat here too."

"Ah... okay." Li Baoyu was about to refuse, but he felt Zhao Jun give his hand a subtle squeeze and quickly agreed.

Wang Meilan put on her padded cotton jacket and went to the storehouse to get a piece of wild boar meat. She brought it back and put it in cold water to thaw.

She then fished a head of pickled cabbage out of the crock, peeled off the old outer leaves, and thinly sliced the inner leaves one by one before stacking them and shredding them into fine strips.

By then, the frozen boar meat had softened slightly. Wang Meilan took it out of the cold water, sliced it, and then cut the slices into shreds.

Then, she heated some bear fat in a wok. When the oil was hot, she threw in some scallion segments to fry until fragrant.

Once she could smell the aroma of the scallions, Wang Meilan added the shredded boar meat and stir-fried it. When the meat changed color, she added the pickled cabbage, threw more wood on the fire, and continued to stir-fry everything over a high flame.

When the shredded meat and pickled cabbage had absorbed most of the oil, Wang Meilan added water to the wok. The soup came to a boil, with a glistening layer of fat floating on the surface.

Wang Meilan took out a bundle of dried noodles and dropped it all into the broth. When the noodles were cooked, she first ladled some broth into a small bowl, then used chopsticks to transfer the noodles into the soup.

Zhao Jun had already cleared the *kang* table. Zhao Hong and Zhao Na, having stuffed themselves with sponge cakes and cookies until their bellies were round, were told by Zhao Jun to go play inside. He and Li Baoyu sat down with their bowls. He called to Wang Meilan, "Mom, you eat too."

"Sigh!" Wang Meilan sighed, bringing her small bowl to the *kang* table. Zhao Jun quickly scooted over to make room for her.

Wang Meilan sat down and first urged Li Baoyu, "Baoyu, eat up. There’s still more in the pot."

"Alright, Auntie." Seeing Wang Meilan sit down, Li Baoyu stopped being polite. He slurped down noodles and broth, finishing the small bowl in no time.

Wang Meilan refilled Li Baoyu’s bowl, but she herself had no appetite.

Outside, the snow was falling harder and harder. It was already almost knee-deep.

Just then, the door to Zhao Jun’s family home suddenly opened. Jin Xiaomei came in, saw Li Baoyu eating on the *kang*, and smiled. "I was wondering why you weren’t home. Here you are, eating at your Auntie’s again."

"Younger Sister, have you eaten?" Wang Meilan pulled Jin Xiaomei to sit beside her.

"Not yet," Jin Xiaomei said. "I just finished cooking and came to call Baoyu home for dinner." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Wang Meilan said, "Then have a bite here."

"No, thank you." Jin Xiaomei shook her head. "I don’t really have an appetite."

Wang Meilan sighed. "Me neither. It’s all because of that good-for-nothing husband of mine, Zhao Youcai. If it weren’t for him, your husband wouldn’t have gone into the mountains either."

Wang Meilan said this to make Jin Xiaomei feel a little better.

Hearing this, Jin Xiaomei patted Wang Meilan’s hand. "Elder Sister, what are you saying? We’re sisters, we don’t say such things."

"Mom, Auntie." Zhao Jun put down his bowl and chopsticks. He said to Wang Meilan and Jin Xiaomei, "Dad and the others have been Mountain Runners for so many years, they’ll know what to do. If they don’t come back tonight, Baoyu and I will go up and check on them tomorrow morning after the snow stops."

Wang Meilan’s eyes lit up at first, but she quickly tried to stop him. "Don’t be ridiculous. The snow will have just stopped, how would you two get up there?"

"We’ll use skis."

As soon as Zhao Jun said this, Jin Xiaomei slapped her thigh, delighted. "That’s right! They have skis! If his father isn’t back tomorrow, we’ll let the two boys go up and take a look."

"Yeah!" Li Baoyu suddenly chimed in. "And we have to go check on the gall traps we set. With all this snow, we don’t want to lose them."

After Li Baoyu spoke, he saw Wang Meilan and Jin Xiaomei both turn to stare at him with very strange expressions.