Chapter 87: Hunting Team Coordination, Seamless Rapport, Small Courtyard Medicine Feast, Joyful Banquet

Spring breeze brushed Shanwan Village, grass and trees sprouted green shoots. Lu Qingshan stood on the ridge, hand on a cool shelter, looking out at the distant forest sea.

He still leads Zhao Tiezhu, Liu Fugui, Zhao Fei, Zhao Qiang, Zhao Lei, Zhao Er Zhuang, and the increasingly agile Jin Hu into the mountains to patrol, checking the previously set snares and traps, gathering mountain delicacies and game; it has become a daily routine.

"Brother Qing Shan, there's movement in the east snare!" Zhao Tiezhu burst from the bushes, his sturdy arm pointing to a trap in the mountain hollow.

Lu Qingshan nodded, signaling the group to approach silently.

Jin Hu was the first to sense it, crouching low, a faint whine escaping his throat.

"It's a hare, not small," Lu Qingshan crouched, inspected the animal caught in the snare, deftly freed it, and stuffed it into his back basket.

"Today's haul is good: three hares, four pheasants, one flying dragon," Liu Fugui counted the spoils, his stutter noticeably less, "This—this is already our second full return this week."

Lu Qingshan patted Jin Hu's head and gave him a piece of jerky as a reward.

"Thanks to Jin Hu, he's far more agile than us," Zhao Lei exclaimed, watching Jin Hu wag his tail happily.

In just two months, Jin Hu has grown considerably, his muscle lines becoming visible, his run strong and swift, and his tracking ability steadily improving.

"Let's go east a bit more; I sense a big creature over there," Lu Qingshan closed his eyes, feeling the subtle flow of breath in the forest.

Mountain Wild Heart let him vaguely sense signs of unusual activity in the eastern valley.

Zhao Tiezhu hoisted the Hunting Rifle borrowed by the patrol team, laughing heartily, "Brother Qing Shan said go east, so we go east!"

The party followed the beast trail, Jin Hu trotting ahead, occasionally stopping to sniff the ground.

"Stop," Lu Qingshan suddenly raised his hand, and everyone instantly held their breath.

Fifty meters ahead, three massive Wild Boars were rooting the ground, searching for food.

"Good fellow, that big!" Zhao Er Zhuang swallowed, gripping his wooden staff tightly.

Lu Qingshan sized up the Wild Boars, calculating distance and wind direction in his mind: "Fugui, you and Fei circle to the leeward side and ready the torches; Tiezhu, you and Qiang take the gear and block that narrow path; Lei and Er Zhuang follow me, we'll flank from the side."

The others nodded and dispersed according to Lu Qingshan's instructions.

Jin Hu stayed close to Lu Qingshan, ears standing upright, ready to act at any moment.

"Remember, if you can't beat them, dodge; don't show off," Lu Qingshan reminded finally, then patted Jin Hu's back, "Go, drive them off!"

Jin Hu shot forward like an arrow, barking wildly at the Wild Boar herd.

The Wild Boars, startled, fled in panic toward the direction where Zhao Tiezhu had set an ambush.

"Bang!" The Hunting Rifle fired, and the leading Wild Boar fell.

The other two startled Wild Boars turned, only to see Liu Fugui and Zhao Fei brandishing torches, blocking the way.

"Encircle them!" Lu Qingshan shouted, charging forward with a spear.

In the chaos, a Wild Boar charged at Lu Qingshan, its sharp tusks glinting coldly.

Jin Hu leapt from the side, clamping onto the boar's hind leg, buying time for his master.

Lu Qingshan seized the moment, thrusting his spear straight into the boar's throat.

The Wild Boar let out a mournful howl, struggled a few times, then crashed to the ground.

"Watch your back!" Zhao Lei called urgently.

Lu Qingshan spun sharply, and the third Wild Boar was already charging before him.

At the critical moment, Zhao Er Zhuang swung his staff, smashing it hard onto the boar's head.

The boar shook its head, still refusing to fall, and charged at Zhao Er Zhuang.

"Er Zhuang, step back!" Lu Qingshan drew the hunting knife at his waist, leapt, mounted the boar's back, and drove the blade straight into its neck.

The Wild Boar thrashed wildly, rolling Lu Qingshan across the ground.

Jin Hu, seeing this, lunged again, clamping his jaws onto the boar's nose.

The group together subdued the Wild Boar, finally ending the fierce fight.

"Hoo… that was really intense!" Zhao Tiezhu wiped sweat from his forehead, smiled broadly at the three massive Wild Boars on the ground.

"Jin Hu made a great contribution!" Zhao Fei crouched, patting the panting Jin Hu, "The terrain was open today; without him, we'd have been in trouble."

Lu Qingshan inspected Jin Hu, confirming he was unharmed, then breathed a sigh of relief.

"Three big Wild Boars, this time they went wild again!" Zhao Er Zhuang rubbed his hands, excitement flashing in his eyes.

"First clean them up," Lu Qingshan ordered, "Remember our rule: each hunting family gets a share, prepare a share for the commune patrol team and the village's five‑guarantee households, and send the remaining prime meat to the county."

The group efficiently processed the game, cooperating seamlessly; in no time they skinned, gutted, and divided the three Wild Boars properly.

"Brother Qing Shan, why are these Wild Boars so fat?" Zhao Qiang asked curiously.

Lu Qingshan crouched, examined the boars' teeth and fur, "Winter's over, food in the mountains has increased, they've had good days."

"Should we consider raising a few ourselves?" Liu Fugui suggested softly, "I heard city folk love Wild Boar meat."

Lu Qingshan nodded, "I've thought of this for a while; once the homestead is built, we'll make a larger pigpen, raise a few as a trial, these animals are very wild."

On the road back to the village, the group carried the game, drawing villagers' crowds and admiration.

"Qing Shan is back from hunting again!"

"Look at that Wild Boar, must be over two hundred jin!"

"Jin Hu is really impressive, helping with the hunt so quickly!"

Lin Yue'e heard the commotion, took Xiao Xue out to meet them, and upon seeing her husband return laden, her eyes filled with pride.

"Daddy's back from hunting!" Xiao Xue broke free from her mother's arms, hopping toward her father.

Lu Qingshan set the game down, lifted his daughter and kissed her, "Daddy brought you something good back."

"What is it?" Xiao Xue blinked her big eyes.

Lu Qingshan pulled a small packet of honey from his pocket, a wild beehive he'd stumbled upon on the mountain: "Mountain honey, sweet indeed."

Xiao Xue cheered, clutching the honey and refusing to let go.

Village chief Zhao Yongnian rushed over upon hearing the news, nodded repeatedly at the spoils, "Qing Shan, you've truly become the pillar of our village now!"

"Uncle, you flatter me; this is everyone's achievement," Lu Qingshan said modestly.

"You all, divide the meat as Lu Qingshan said: each participating household gets a portion, and give a portion to any families in the village that are in trouble," Zhao Yongnian instructed, "The rest, Lu Qingshan, take it to the county to exchange for money."

Lu Qingshan nodded, "Understood, Village Chief Uncle. From this income I plan to set aside a part to buy farming tools and seeds for medicinal‑herb cultivation; we must think long term."

Zhao Yongnian, satisfied, patted his shoulder, "Good lad, you have foresight."

Night fell, and the courtyard of Lu Qingshan's home was bustling.

Several families gathered, set up a big pot, and boiled fresh Wild Boar meat.

"Here, try my cooking!" Lu Qingshan handed the cooked meat to everyone, "Add scallion, ginger, white peony root, Eucommia bark and licorice—these herbs. The Wild Boar ribs need to be stewed this way to remove the gaminess and enhance the aroma."

Zhao Tiezhu ate the meat heartily, his face beaming, "Brother Lu Qingshan, eating meat with you feels like I've been blessed for eight lifetimes!"

Everyone laughed heartily, the atmosphere lively.

Lin Yue'e sat nearby, watching her husband and the villagers in harmonious merriment, her eyes full of tenderness.

She recalled the drunken, quick‑to‑scold husband from half a year ago, and compared him to the steady, reliable, respected man now—a world apart.

"Wife, have some meat," Lu Qingshan placed the most tender piece into her bowl.

Lin Yue'e lowered her head with a faint smile, softly saying, "You eat, I'm not hungry."

"Eat more, keep your body strong," Lu Qingshan whispered, lowering his voice.

Lin Yue'e's face flushed slightly as she bent down to eat the meat.

Jin Hu lay in the corner of the courtyard, gnawing a large bone with relish, occasionally looking up at his master, tail wagging nonstop.

"Dad, Jin Hu was really brave today!" Xiao Xue sat on Lu Qingshan's lap, her small hand stroking Jin Hu's fur.

"Indeed, he's the best hunting dog," Lu Qingshan patted Jin Hu's head, "He'll become even stronger later."

Moonlight, like water, bathed the harmonious little courtyard.

Lu Qingshan gazed toward the distant woods, already harboring grander schemes.

Spring had just begun, and the harvest season belonging to them was only now unfolding.