Chapter 50: with translation of chapter title

Brother-in-law, let's have a drink. Li Qiang took out a bottle of Fen wine and said.

We must have a drink. But before drinking, we need to finish the business first," Li Dashan said, then pulled out a thick stack of money from his personal leather bag.

The cornmeal is priced at four mao per jin for you, exactly three hundred, you count it," Li Dashan placed the money on the table. In that era there were no hundred-yuan bills; the largest denomination was ten yuan, so the impact of three thousand yuan in cash was still huge.

Brother-in-law, where did all this money come from? What have you been up to?" Zhou Rong asked nervously.

Don't worry, Qiangzi had someone help the Public Security Bureau obtain a batch of supplies; this is the payment," Zhou Fang explained.

You scared me," Zhou Rong heard her sister say that, and then she relaxed.

Young uncle-in-law, your family is so well-off now; if I move in with my brother, it shouldn't be a problem, right?" Li Aihong still hadn't forgotten this.

I have no objections; as long as your parents agree, it's fine," Li Qiang really didn't mind. If they moved over, at least someone could keep Li Tao company; otherwise this kid would be wandering all day, either at Li Bin's or He Yuzhu's place. Honestly, a child is indeed a bit too lonely; it seems we should consider having a second child.

Sister, just let them stay for a while; our family truly isn't short on food, and the two kids are growing, needing proper nutrition—look, little Tao is sturdier than peers his age and less prone to illness," Zhou Rong also felt sorry for the two children.

All right," Zhou Fang also felt sorry for the kids; now the grain ration has been cut another twenty percent, so they really dare not eat freely—people say a growing lad will eat his father to death, and Li Aijun is exactly at that age when he can eat a lot; seeing him not get enough each day also pains her.

Aijun is in his second year of junior high now, right?" Li Qiang asked.

Yeah, second year," Li Aijun said. Li Aijun is the same age as He Yushui, both in second year.

How are your grades?" Li Qiang asked.

Not bad; getting into high school shouldn't be a problem," Li Aijun said confidently.

Aijun, listen to me—don't aim for high school, go straight to vocational college," Li Qiang said solemnly.

Qiangzi, is something about to happen?" Li Dashan, having served many years in the military and now working in public security, is very perceptive; seeing Li Qiang's expression, he immediately became alert.

Brother-in-law, it's hard to say right now; if you trust me, just let Aijun go to vocational college," Li Qiang said. He had calculated the timing: if Aijun went to high school, even if he got into university, he might not graduate before the big movement, making his future uncertain; but if he went to vocational college, he would already be working before the movement, so the impact would be small. Thinking this, he decided to tell He Yushui about it tomorrow as well.

Aijun, listen to your young uncle-in-law; let's just go to vocational college," Li Dashan knew Li Qiang wasn't speaking without basis; his suggestion surely had a reason, so he chose to trust Li Qiang.

All right," Li Aijun said, though a bit reluctant. But whether it was Li Qiang or Li Dashan, they are his relatives, and he knows his relatives wouldn't harm him.

Qiangzi, is there still a way to get more supplies?" Li Dashan asked after taking a sip of wine.

Brother-in-law, to be frank, for the little bit we few families need, you can rest easy—there's no problem at all; if it were a large amount, it would likely be difficult, but don't worry, as long as I'm around I'll contact you." Li Qiang dared not supply too much to the Public Security Bureau; this first year is still okay to say it's reserve grain, but in the next two years there would be no way to explain it.

Fine, do your best," Li Dashan knew Li Qiang wouldn't lie to him.

The Li Dashan family returned home very late; Li Aijun and Li Aihong also made an appointment with Zhou Rong to move over this coming Sunday.

The next day Li Qiang went to Yagangchang, first visiting the Transport Team; he planned to take advantage of the still-not-cold weather to go into the mountains to hunt, mainly wanting to catch some wild boars and mountain goats etc., to keep in his space for later supplying Yagangchang with materials.

Moreover, Li Qiang had tested this: within a thirty-meter radius around him, any object that isn't too heavy can be easily gathered into his space by sheer will.

He borrowed a truck from the Transport Team, took a Type 56 semi-automatic rifle and a pistol from the Security Section for self-defense, and drove straight to Fangshan. Li Qiang had long heard that the mountains there are rich in game, making it an ideal hunting spot.

After driving for over two hours he arrived at Baihuashan in Fangshan; Baihuashan is located in Lianhua An, Shijiaying Township, Fangshan District, 110 kilometers from Beijing's urban area, with an elevation of 1,991 meters. Baihuashan boasts rich natural scenery and ecological resources, fresh air, a pleasant climate, and is acclaimed as the "ecological famous mountain of Beijing's suburbs, a green home for humanity."

Road conditions in the 1950s-60s were far from good; over a hundred kilometers actually took more than two hours to drive. Upon reaching the foot of Baihuashan, he stored the truck in his space and began walking up the mountain.

The peaks gradually took on a charming orange-yellow hue, as if telling the story of autumn. The rustle of falling leaves came from the mountain forest, and Li Qiang's mood became especially relaxed.

Along the way he harvested quite a few pheasants, hares and other small animals, but also discovered many traps, presumably set by nearby villagers; now it's a famine year, as the saying goes, "rely on the mountains for food," and those lacking grain must hunt in the hills to survive, yet they rarely venture deep into the mountains, where legend says there are not only wild boar packs but also wolf packs, and even tigers and black bears—large beasts. Although there was no gun ban in the 1950s-60s, encountering a wolf or boar pack would still be extremely dangerous.

Suddenly a strong killing intent came from not far away; after years of military life Li Qiang had become cautious, and he carefully climbed up a large tree. Not far off, a mighty tiger was facing off against a wild boar weighing about four to five hundred jin. The tiger struck first, using its swift movements to lunge at the boar. However, the boar was no easy opponent; it nimbly turned, using its massive body to meet the tiger's charge. The boar's strength nullified the tiger's initial attack, and instead the tiger was knocked back by the boar's counterstrike.

The boar, obviously enraged by the tiger, kept charging at it. But because of the tiger's agile footwork, each of the boar's charges missed, gradually draining its strength, and its movements grew sluggish. The tiger seized the opportunity, lunging fiercely at the boar's back. The boar struggled desperately, but the tiger's claws had sunk deep into its flesh. The pain made the boar emit a mournful cry that echoed through the forest.

The boar, using its last ounce of strength, tried to fling the tiger off its back, but the tiger held on tight, continuing to tear at the boar's back with its sharp teeth.

Finally, under the tiger's fierce assault, the boar collapsed in a pool of blood. Li Qiang watched silently, then raised his Type 56 rifle, aimed at the tiger's head, and without hesitation pulled the trigger. Originally the tiger and boar had expended much energy in their fight; now Li Qiang's second shot to the tiger's head left it unable to hold up long, and it soon fell motionless to the ground.

Li Qiang waited a moment to ensure safety, then slid down the tree trunk, stowed both the boar and the tiger in his space, and climbed back up the same tree, intending to see whether the scent of blood could attract more game.