Chapter 27: Three Rules Established! The Iron Triangle Takes Shape, Target: Mount Guandong!

The next morning.

A faint, barely noticeable fish‑belly white just emerged on the horizon.

The biting, bone‑chilling wind still wailed outside the window, like a beast's low growl, striking the fragile windowpanes repeatedly.

Lu Qingshan, however, had already woken up.

He felt his whole body brimming with inexhaustible strength, as if a fire burned within his chest.

He first crossed the main hall, went to the corner of the west room, picked up the repaired slingshot, and carefully inspected the elasticity of its bowstring.

Then he grabbed a handful of steel beads taken from a bearing, weighed them, and slipped them into his cloth pouch, fastening it to his belt.

After finishing, he hurried to the kitchen stove in the main hall and gathered the remaining piece of Roe Deer meat.

The cold weather kept the meat perpetually fresh.

He drew his fire‑axe, raised it, and with swift, precise strokes chopped the over three‑jin Roe Deer meat into uniform small strips.

He sprinkled precious salt and, with his rough large hands, repeatedly rubbed it so the salty flavor seeped into every grain of the meat.

The meat was prepared to be dried into jerky, convenient for carrying in the mountains and long‑term storage.

With everything ready, he scooped water with a ladle to wash his hands, then gently walked to the earthen bed.

On the bed lay his wife and daughter, whom he had owed his whole life.

Lin Yue'e slept deeply and peacefully, her long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings, her breathing soft and even.

Xiao Xue, like a well‑fed kitten, curled in her mother's warm embrace, her pink little face bearing a satisfied smile, with a glimmer of drool at the corner of her mouth.

Seeing this tranquil, warm scene, Lu Qingshan's world‑worn heart seemed lightly struck by something, instantly becoming exceedingly soft.

The hard, cold lines on his face unconsciously softened.

He leaned down, moving gently, and placed an especially cherished kiss on the smooth foreheads of his wife and daughter.

Very light, very light, lest he disturb their sweet dreams.

After all that, he forced down the surging tenderness and tremor in his heart, turned, slipped out of the room silently, and gently closed the door.

At the courtyard entrance.

The cold wind cut his face like a knife.

Zhao Tiezhu and Liu Fugui were already waiting there, shivering and stamping their feet, their breath forming white vapor that quickly condensed and drifted in the crisp morning light.

Zhao Tiezhu still wore his simple, blunt demeanor, his tattered cotton coat patched upon patched, offering no protection against the severe cold.

He rubbed his cracked, large hands, like an old elm rooted in the snow, silent and resilient.

Liu Fugui, however, was noticeably restless, like a frozen monkey.

Excitement flickered in his eyes, mixed with a hint of nervousness about entering the mountains and anticipation of the unknown.

He kept rubbing his hands, pacing small steps in place.

"Brother Qing Shan! You finally came out!"

Liu Fugui's sharp eyes caught even the faint sound of Lu Qingshan pushing the door as he walked; he immediately jogged forward to greet him, his voice tinged with an uncontainable urgency.

"Were you waiting impatiently?"

Lu Qingshan looked at their faces, frozen purple, and felt a pang of guilt.

"The wind outside is strong enough to blow away souls; come inside and speak."

He turned aside, letting them into the courtyard.

He knew in his heart that these two would become his most important and reliable left and right arms for a long time ahead, and he had to bind them tightly together like a rope.

The courtyard still held a pile of yesterday's unfinished clutter, but compared with its former dilapidation, it was noticeably neater and more orderly.

The three walked to the wind‑sheltered base of the wall and stopped.

Lu Qingshan did not beat around the bush; his calm gaze swept over their reddened faces, and his expression grew serious.

"Tiezhu, Monkey."

"Since we'll be teaming up to go into the mountains, there are some things we need to clarify first."

Upon hearing that, Zhao Tiezhu straightened his back, his fan‑shaped large hand hanging properly at his side, his eyes earnestly fixed on Lu Qingshan.

"Brother Qing Shan, you speak! I'm listening!"

Liu Fugui also immediately dropped his restless demeanor, his expression turning a few degrees more serious, ears perked, daring not a moment of slack.

"Hunting up the mountain is a job that ties your brain to your belt for money; it's extremely dangerous."

"Therefore, even close brothers must settle accounts clearly; rules must be set in the mind."

Lu Qingshan's voice was not loud, yet carried an undeniable authority.

"From now on, all the game we catch, whether sold for money or exchanged for goods..."

"I take fifty percent."

"The remaining fifty percent, you two split equally."

He paused, his sharp gaze scanning the two, observing their reactions, and continued:

"I will find the routes, devise plans, scout dangers, set directions, and bear the greatest risk."

"Do you think this division is fair or not?"

This allocation both cemented his absolute leadership and provided Zhao Tiezhu and Liu Fugui with clear benefits and motivation.

Zhao Tiezhu hesitated not at all, speaking in a deep, resonant voice:

"Fair! I think it's fair!"

"I'll follow Brother Qing Shan! As long as I have meat to eat with you, I'm satisfied!"

His dark face was filled with trust in Lu Qingshan and sincere, simple honesty.

The over forty jin of meat allocated the day before had made his mother so delighted she couldn't close her mouth.

Liu Fugui's gleaming eyes spun quickly within their sockets.

The little abacus in his heart was clicking away even faster.

Two people splitting fifty percent means I alone could get twenty‑five percent!

This is far better than him wandering around the mountains like a headless fly, or teaming up with the mountain patrol just to scrape together those leftovers!

Besides, the fragrant, oily roe deer meat from yesterday is still lingering in his mouth!

The smile on his face instantly blossomed like a flower, and he kept nodding and bowing:

"Yes! Exactly right! Brother Qing Shan, you're righteous!"

"I agree too! From now on I'll wholeheartedly follow you!"

In his little eyes, there shone only endless hopes for a future of eating well and living a good life.

Lu Qingshan watched their reactions, inwardly nodded slightly, feeling reassured.

Zhao Tiezhu is honest and reliable, strong—a natural helper.

Liu Fugui may be crafty, with his own little schemes, but he's quick‑witted and agile; if used well, he's a sharp blade.

Good.

Since you have no objections, we'll consider this rule set.

Lu Qingshan said in a deep voice.

But I need to say the unpleasant stuff up front.

His tone suddenly grew a bit heavier, his eyes even flashing a hint of the ruthlessness and decisiveness of his past life as 'Lu Lazizi'.

Once we're in this big mountain, every action must follow my command!

Especially when danger strikes, no one may act on their own! Understood?

The rules in the mountains are greater than heaven! One misstep could cost your life!

We're going into the mountains to seek wealth, but more importantly, we must return whole to see our mothers, wives, and children!

Anyone who dares not to heed the call, recklessly shows off, and ruins our undertaking—don't blame me, Lu Qingshan, for turning against you!

He said these words heavily, laced with a killing intent.

Zhao Tiezhu was awed by his aura, nodded heavily, his voice booming:

"Understood! I'll follow whatever you say, brother!"

Liu Fugui was even more frightened, shrinking his neck, hastily patting his chest to declare:

"I understand, I understand! Brother Qing Shan, rest easy! If you tell me to go east, I'll never go west; if you tell me to beat dogs, I'll never chase chickens! I'll never act recklessly!"

Seeing that both had taken his words to heart, Lu Qingshan finally eased his expression a little.

Alright, just keep it in mind.

Today is our first time teaming up, so let's set our sights low.

We'll mainly hunt rabbits and pheasants, to get used to our three‑person coordination.

By the way, let's also see if we can find the tracks of that foolish roe deer—it's big and valuable.

He began to assign today's tasks.

Tiezhu, you're strong, you'll handle the front, holding the line and opening the way. But also watch your safety—the mountains aren't like home; if something seems off, shout for help immediately.

Houzi, you're agile and sharp‑eyed, you'll cover the flanks and observe. If you spot anything odd or make any discovery, speak up at once.

I'll take the rear, observe the whole situation, and be in command.

You all remember that?

Remembered!

The two replied in unison, their spirits highly focused.

"Did you bring all the gear?" Lu Qingshan finally checked once more.

We brought them, we brought them!

Liu Fugui patted the slingshot and the sharpened machete at his waist, then shook the sturdy wooden stick in his hand.

Zhao Tiezhu also patted the hunting fork and the staff on his back, which looked a bit aged, and the machete at his side, then nodded.

All right, let's set out!