Chapter 579: Hunting is something every man would enjoy!

Li Long thought for a moment and said:

"Director Qian, I actually do have a tiger skin... but it's not entirely mine; I only own a part of it..."

"Really?" Director Qian's eyes suddenly lit up; the car swerved slightly, and Director Qian turned his head to scold Xiao Si:

"Xiao Si, drive more steadily!"

Xiao Si uttered an "Mm," feeling somewhat ashamed; his self-control was still insufficient.

Li Xiang Qian also widened his eyes and asked Li Long:

"Really? Little Li, you truly have a tiger skin?"

Li Long nodded and said:

"It was given to me by herder friends when I went to participate in the winter slaughter this winter. Section Chief, you know I have good relations with them and often deliver supplies; this item was their gift to me. I was thinking that if I could sell it, I could buy more things for them in return."

"Sell it to me!" Director Qian said immediately, even reaching out to grab Li Long's arm:

"Little Li, let's consider our words binding! Tell me, do you want money, or do you want this jeep? If you want the vehicle, since it is registered under our Prefecture Supply and Marketing Cooperative, it can remain with you! If you want money... fifteen thousand, how about that?"

When speaking this figure, Director Qian was gritting his teeth; the cash he could produce was not abundant, and fifteen thousand was already his limit.

However, both Xiao Si and Li Xiang Qian were stunned into confusion.

Fifteen thousand!

It wasn't that they had never seen fifteen thousand, but to offer fifteen thousand just for a single tiger skin—was it worth it?

The price of three tractors!

Li Long, however, hesitated, saying:

"Director, to speak honestly, I do want the vehicle, but my tiger skin has several bullet holes... I don't know if it's still worth that..."

"Is the hide intact?" Director Qian calmed down at this point and began asking in detail.

"It is complete; the skin from the head is also there, though the head skin is separated from the body. Actually, after the kill, they skinned it and brought back the head, leaving the body behind," Li Long said.

"Since the head is present, we can definitely confirm it is a Northern Frontier Tiger; there are no missing parts on the hide, correct?"

"No, it is very complete; there are just bullet holes."

"Then there is no fear!" Director Qian set his mind at ease and said with a smile, "Then it's settled. Let me tell you, officially this skin now belongs to me, and this vehicle officially belongs to you. By the way, Little Li, do you have a driver's license?"

"No." Li Long shook his head. "I know how to drive; I just don't have the license."

"You can really drive?"

"I can drive."

"Then Xiao Si, pull the car over; right now we are in no-man's-land, so let Little Li give it a try," Director Qian said with great interest.

Xiao Si truly did not believe Li Long could drive a jeep; after getting out of the car, he asked Director Qian to exit as well, worrying that if Li Long drove and flipped the vehicle, it would cause trouble.

"No fear, no fear; since Little Li said so, he should be able to drive," Director Qian said, far from being afraid, and sat in the front passenger seat to watch.

Li Long thought to himself that fortunately, he had originally trained for a C1 license practicing on an old pickup truck; although this jeep's gear shifts differed slightly, the difference was not significant.

If one could drive a tractor, there would be no problem with any other manual transmission vehicle.

After sitting in the driver's seat, Li Long first familiarized himself with the environment: the clutch, brake, accelerator, gear stick, and so on.

Since he was taller than Xiao Si, he first adjusted the seat, then started the engine.

Observing that Li Long's operations were slightly unfamiliar but the major procedures were correct, Director Qian nodded, having already accepted that Li Long knew how to drive.

Li Long drove very slowly at first, shifting gears with great caution, but within just three minutes he became familiar; seeing no vehicles ahead, he made a U-turn in the middle of the highway, drove back, and came to a steady stop in front of Xiao Si.

"Good, good, good! Little Li, we have an agreement: this car is yours, and that skin is mine!"

"Agreed; it's settled. Once we return to the county town, I will go retrieve the skin."

"Don't forget the tiger head!" Director Qian reminded him, then turned to speak to Li Xiang Qian again: "Xiang Qian, Li Long driving such a vehicle is a bit conspicuous; when the time comes, make some inquiries and say that I asked him to handle a matter for me, which is why I left this car with him."

"Also, you need to handle one more thing: get his driver's license processed. Is that no problem?"

"No problem, no problem," Li Xiang Qian said. "The county can certainly handle a small matter like this."

"Then that settles it."

With this said, the atmosphere inside the car became much more relaxed. Although the interior was still quite cold and the sealing was poor, it was, after all, a jeep.

Li Long remained excited even now.

Actually, he had initially intended to conceal the matter of the tiger skin, but firstly, Director Qian's proposal was simply too tempting, and he could not hold out.

He felt that if he missed this opportunity, there would not be another.

Secondly, since this tiger skin was so valuable, he worried he could not hold onto it; if he could not secure it, it was better to sell it early and let someone capable of holding it take possession.

After all, he was only a temporary worker; against equivalent work units, this outer guise of his might bluff people, but if someone from higher up came and forcibly demanded the tiger skin, would he give it or not?

Although the situation here was generally clear and honest, justice that comes after the fact is not the justice he desired.

Therefore, it was better to give it away in exchange for a jeep he could use; that was preferable.

Of course, a jeep was also something that made people envious, but compared to a tiger skin, it was far less conspicuous. The county town had at least four jeeps, not counting those from the Production and Construction Corps, so it was not too eye-catching.

After all, regarding tiger skins, in several decades not a single one had been seen in the Northern Frontier; this was the only one.

Speaking truly, he might have sold it cheaply, but how much would be enough? If one could not hold onto it, not only would one fail to get the money, but one might also invite disaster.

Calming down gradually, Li Long increasingly felt that his decision at that moment to reveal he had a tiger skin was a correct one.

"Little Li, as I said before, if you obtain good skins in the future, tell me first," Director Qian suddenly added. "Bear skins, leopard skins, anything will do; I know you have connections in the mountains. As long as you acquire them, I will definitely purchase them at a price higher than the market rate."

"Alright." Li Long agreed readily. In the future, he would sell medicinal herbs and such to the procurement station, while rare skins would be delivered to Director Qian.

At this moment, although Director Qian appeared calm on the surface, in his heart he was truly excited.

They had a hunting circle, and within that circle, Director Qian was considered a novice, holding the lowest rank.

He had been brought into it by his leader, and the argali horns he planned to hunt this time were also intended as a gift pair for his leader.

Members of their circle would occasionally meet to sit together and exchange ideas.

The news about the Northern Frontier Tiger had been heard during one such gathering; a leader at the autonomous region level had spoken about the Northern Frontier Tiger and expressed a true craving for its skin. At that time, he had even said that whoever had one, or even just news of one, should inform him.

It was here that Director Qian learned that the Northern Border Tiger was already considered a creature of legend.

Only occasionally would news surface that someone had spotted one somewhere, with most reports coming from the Northern Border and few from the Southern Border.

The Southern Border was originally the habitat of the Northern Border Tiger, but by now, not a single tiger could be seen there.

Instead, news from the mountains and forests of the Northern Border emerged only once every decade or so.

Therefore, Director Qian had taken note; when he came hunting, he mentioned it in passing, believing that the more he knew, the more information he could gather.

He truly never expected to reap a harvest on his very first try!

It was already noon; according to Li Li Xiangqian's original plan, they were to eat lunch in Shicheng, and Director Qian's plan was the same: after eating in Shicheng, they would drop off Li Li Xiangqian and Li Long in Maxian and then drive away.

That could no longer be done; he was now wondering how to leave the jeep behind and how he would get back himself.

"Director Qian, shall we go to the county seat first to inspect the pelts, and then eat?" Li Li Xiangqian asked considerately.

"Certainly," Director Qian readily agreed.

"Let's not leave the vehicle in the county seat for now," Li Long thought for a moment and said, "Director, you should drive the car back.

After all, carrying both guns and pelts makes taking other transportation inconvenient. Just drive it back, and you can send it to me when you have time."

"Agreed." Director Qian had actually regretted his words the moment he spoke them, but to demonstrate his integrity, he did not take them back. After all, to speak plainly, just as he had said, the fact that Li Long was willing to sell the pelt to him was truly a monumental favor.

In reality, Li Long could have concealed the pelt and privately contacted others who wanted it; surely some people would have offered a higher price.

Li Long's words made him feel that this young man Li was truly an honest person who trusted him.

He would not betray that trust!

The jeep passed through Shicheng without slowing down, speeding all the way to Maxian, where, under Li Long's direction, they arrived at his courtyard.

Li Long got out to open the gate; it was locked. By this time, it was mid-afternoon; Gu Gu Xiaoxia and Sister Yang had already eaten, one having gone to work and the other to sell food.

Li Long opened the courtyard gate, and after having Xiao Si drive the jeep inside, he opened the side room and retrieved the tiger pelt, the pelt with the tiger head attached, and the bones of the tiger head. He had hidden the other bones away; they were invisible unless one looked closely.

Seeing the stack of pelts, Director Qian became excited once again.

The four of them spread the pelts out, each grabbing a corner to fully extend them, revealing the pattern of black stripes on a yellow background.

On the pelt of the tiger's head, the character 'King' was extremely prominent; this was considered the tiger's unique mark.

Director Qian then asked everyone to turn the pelts over; looking at the bullet holes, which were not very obvious, he felt truly satisfied.

"Good, good, good, excellent! Little Li, I am truly so grateful to you! I won't say another word; I will remember this bond..."

Li Li Xiangqian looked at Li Long with some envy.

He had expended much effort and energy to build his current relationship with Director Qian, while Li Long had contributed nothing more than a single tiger pelt.

This kid really has great luck!

Fortunately, he also knew that Li Long was a person who cherished old friendships and was grateful, so he felt no jealousy.

!.

The jeep did not stay long in Li Long's courtyard; Director Qian intended to leave all the gazelles they had hunted, except for one large male yellow gazelle and one wolf, for Li Long.

Li Long insisted on leaving one yellow gazelle for Xiao Si, who cast a grateful glance at Li Long.

Thus, only three yellow gazelles and one wolf remained in the jeep.

Li Li Xiangqian invited Director Qian and the others to eat at the canteen; he originally intended to order a lavish meal, but Director Qian, eager to return home, requested only a plate of mixed noodles.

Xiao Si stayed outside guarding the vehicle; although no one dared to touch such a car at this time, he still did not dare to leave.

After Li Long finished eating, Xiao Si took his turn; both being young men, they ate quickly.

Twenty minutes later, Director Qian drove away from Maxian; as he departed, he rolled down the window and said to Li Li Xiangqian and Li Long:

"I'm leaving now; I'll send the car over within these couple of days. Li Xiangqian, please pay extra attention to the licensing matter and mention it to Director Wei when you return; I won't stay any longer. Let this matter of the pelt remain known only to the few of us."

Li Li Xiangqian and Li Long hurriedly nodded to indicate they understood.

After the jeep departed, Li Long asked Li Li Xiangqian:

"Section Chief, shall I deliver those wolves and yellow gazelles to your home?"

"No need, no need; just bring me that yellow gazelle head when you come to work tomorrow. To be honest, I feel that yellow gazelle meat isn't as tasty as domesticated mutton; I'm not used to it, so forget it."

Over the past two years, Li Long had delivered quite a bit; his family had eaten all kinds of meat and felt it was just so-so.

In these times, when people cooked and stir-fried, firstly, they didn't know many dishes, and secondly, they wouldn't use too many seasonings, being accustomed to frugality.

So, it would be strange if that game meat tasted good.

After parting ways with Li Li Xiangqian, Li Long rushed back to the large courtyard; although exhausted, he had to begin processing those yellow gazelles and the wolf.

His own family couldn't finish all the meat, and Section Chief Li didn't want any, so Li Long planned to keep one yellow gazelle for his family and take the rest to the team.

His elder brother's family could naturally eat a bit more; he would leave a leg for Old Uncle Luo, and send some meat to Tao Daqiang, Xie Xie Yun Dong, Liang Liang Dacheng, and Jia Weidong.

Since they had decided to work with him, they should all taste some benefits first.

As for Liang Liang Wenyu's family, he wouldn't send anything for now; he had sent them a sheep previously, and they likely hadn't finished eating it yet.

Just as Li Long was processing the yellow gazelle, Sister Yang returned pushing her cart; today's food had sold relatively quickly, so she came back early to prepare dinner.

Dinner was relatively simple, but Sister Yang would not neglect or relax her efforts; in her heart, she was truly grateful to Li Long and Gu Gu Xiaoxia, so she worked with great seriousness.

Seeing Li Long handling the meat, Sister Yang moved to help, but Li Long shook his head and said:

"Sister Yang, please go ahead and start cooking; I will bone and portion this meat, and the remaining task of stewing the meat will still require your busy hands."

Sister Yang thought about it and agreed, then went to attend to dinner preparations.

These several yellow gazelles and the wolf had originally been frozen; after unloading them from the jeep, Li Long had dragged them into the storage room while Director Qian was organizing the tiger pelts.

The temperature there was much higher than outside; by the time Li Long returned after eating, the exterior of the wolf and yellow gazelles had softened somewhat, making them just right to process.

Li Long kept busy until Gu Gu Xiaoxia returned from work and Gu Gu Bo Yuan closed the shop to come eat dinner; only then had they nearly finished skinning the yellow gazelles and the wolf.

At the time, to facilitate transport, the internal organs of these animals had all been discarded, so only skinning was required. Li Long removed the four legs from one of the wolves, planning to distribute them among the others later.

One yellow gazelle would stay in the large courtyard, two yellow gazelles would go to his elder brother's place, and the wolf would simply be divided up.

As for wolf teeth, wolf astragali, and the like, Li Long did not think there were too many, so he removed them all.

In the future, such things will become increasingly scarce, so some people have started passing off dog pelts as substitutes.

Storing more of them does no harm.

During the meal, Li Long briefly recounted the hunting expedition, and Gu Gu Bo Yuan asked with a hint of longing:

"Are there really that many gazelles? When we first started building the village, gazelles also roamed in herds; your eldest brother once hunted them with an old Type 79 rifle.

Later, after the village was established, there were hardly any gazelles nearby; occasionally one might spot a wolf or such. Some people traveling alone at night went missing, and everyone assumed eight out of ten times they had been devoured by wolves.

Now that the gazelles are appearing in herds again, I really want to go hunt them."

Hearing Gu Gu Bo Yuan's words, Sister Yang's face turned pale, unsure what thoughts had crossed her mind.

Li Long merely smiled upon hearing this; he knew Gu Gu Bo Yuan wanted to go hunting, but what normal adult man would not be drawn to such a seemingly effortless hunting expedition?

Actually, when Li Long thought about it, if that jeep truly arrived, he could indeed organize a hunting trip.

Of course, for now, it was just a thought.

After the meal, Gu Gu Bo Yuan leisurely returned to his own small courtyard, Sister Yang cleared the table, Han Fang did her homework, and Li Long went back to the bedroom to watch television.

On weekends, Han Fang and Sister Yang would also come to watch television; ordinarily, they never entered the bedroom.

Gu Gu Xiaoxia went to the kitchen to help, but Sister Yang chased her out.

Gu Gu Xiaoxia had one advantage: she seemed to have no reaction to her Yun Qi at all; everything was perfectly normal, except her belly felt slightly swollen.

When only Li Long and Gu Gu Xiaoxia were in the bedroom, he told her about exchanging the tiger skin for the jeep.

"Really exchanged for a jeep?" Gu Gu Xiaoxia was also somewhat surprised. "Is that tiger skin worth so much?"

"Mm, I was somewhat surprised at first too," Li Long said. "Actually, if we truly consider its rarity, it indeed is valuable. It's just that we hadn't realized it before, and Director Qian never intended to deceive us."

In fact, when Director Qian first mentioned it, he did not know Li Long possessed a tiger skin; yet now, Li Long would rather believe that even if he did know, he would still be willing to purchase the tiger skin at a high price.

Li Long then explained to Gu Gu Xiaoxia the analysis that had run through his mind at the time; initially, Gu Gu Xiaoxia had thought the jeep was too conspicuous, but upon reflection, if more people learned about the tiger skin, the trouble would be far greater.

After all, Ha Li Mu and Brother Brother Yushanjiang over there both knew; if it were accidentally leaked, it would inevitably cause trouble.

Therefore, Gu Gu Xiaoxia was very supportive of Li Long's action.

The two watched television for a while before resting.

The next day, after breakfast, Li Long added boiling water to start the tractor and drove it toward the team headquarters.

He first went to Old Ma's place and gave Uncle Lao Luo two racks of wolf ribs.

Originally, he had planned to give a wolf leg, but since Tao Da and the other three made exactly four people, matching the four legs perfectly with none to spare, he decided to let Uncle Lao Luo eat some ribs instead.

There was plenty of meat on the wolf ribs, enough for Uncle Lao Luo to eat by himself.

After dividing the four wolf legs among Tao Da and the other four, he then went to his eldest brother's home.

Li Jianguo was at home; upon hearing Li Long recount the hunting story alongside Li Li Qing Xia, both of them immediately became interested.

Being able to hunt like this once was a topic that could circulate throughout the team all winter!

Li Long thought about it; this matter was indeed feasible.

He possessed a Type 56 semi-automatic rifle, a hunting rifle, and a small-caliber rifle.

If he could borrow another Type 56 semi-automatic rifle from the team leader, that would basically be sufficient.

Shall we do it? (End of chapter)