The Entire Mountain Is My Hunting Ground

"That’s easy," Zhao Jun said with a smile. "We just came to see what all the excitement’s about. Our village is too small; we never get to see a spring hunt on this scale."

"Then you should stay for a few more days and have some fun," Tao Xiaobao said. "We’ve got plenty of food and drink at home. If you feel like going up the mountain, go right ahead. If not, I’ll have Tao Fei hang out with you."

As they spoke, the aroma of the stewing goose in the outer room grew stronger. Li Yunxiang lifted the pot lid, brought out the steamed rice, and set it aside. She then covered it with a basin to keep it from getting cold.

Next, Li Yunxiang lifted the lid of the steamer and sprinkled the dried potato slices, which had been rehydrated in hot water, into the goose stew.

After putting the lid back on, Li Yunxiang picked up the small basin of goose blood and sprinkled in some salt and chopped green onions.

The fragrant smell of the goose drew Tao Xiaobao down from the kang. He walked into the outer room and said to Li Yunxiang, "What else do we have in the house? Maybe I should go out and buy a couple of cans."

Li Yunxiang glanced into the inner room, then whispered to Tao Xiaobao, "That young man who came earlier already brought two Peach Cans. You should go get two cans of meat. Dad said so. It’s their first time eating at our house, so we need to treat them to something good."

"Alright, I’ll go take a look." Tao Xiaobao put on his dog-fur hat and left.

Tao Xiaobao didn’t get back until the goose was almost ready to be served. When he returned, he held two tins of luncheon meat in one hand and a plate of fried fish in the other.

Li Yunxiang took the tins, opened them with a knife, and sliced the luncheon meat she tipped out.

Seeing Tao Xiaobao place the fried fish on the stove, Li Yunxiang asked, "Where did you get this fish?"

"Ah, from my third uncle’s place," Tao Xiaobao said with a grin. "I was on my way to buy the canned meat and passed by his house. I smelled fish frying, so I went and asked him for a plate."

"Oh, alright. We have guests, after all." Li Yunxiang nudged the fish with her chopsticks. Seeing they were all small, handspan-long crucian carp, she nodded in approval.

By the time Li Yunxiang had finished slicing the luncheon meat, the goose stew was ready.

Li Yunxiang found an extra-large platter and poured the entire pot of goose and dried potatoes onto it. She set the platter in the middle of the low table on the kang, flanked by the sliced luncheon meat and the small fried carp.

Next, the small basin of steamed goose blood was placed on the table, an aluminum spoon resting inside. Li Yunxiang then brought out bowls and chopsticks for everyone, placing the basin of rice farther back on the kang.

Li Yunxiang didn’t join them at the table. It was just Zhao Jun, Li Baoyu, and three generations of the Tao family men eating together.

Tao Xiaobao opened a special bottle of Dukang liquor, but when he heard Zhao Jun didn’t drink, he poured a glass for Li Baoyu instead.

The five of them began to eat and drink. By the time they finished after one in the afternoon, both Li Baoyu and Tao Fei were drunk and went to their rooms to sleep it off.

Normally, Tao Xiaobao and his wife lived in the east room, while Tao Fulun and Tao Fei lived in the west room. Since Li Baoyu and Zhao Jun were visiting, they were put in the west room with the grandfather and grandson.

After getting the two drunks settled, a woozy Tao Xiaobao led Zhao Jun toward the brigade headquarters.

At that moment, inside the Yongxing Brigade headquarters, Brigade Secretary Yu Xuewen, Director of Security and head of the Civilian Militia Squad Tao Dabao, and the nine secretaries from the Yongxing Second Team through the Tenth Team were all present.

They were still discussing the next day’s spring hunt, having just finalized the details without even breaking for lunch.

Zhao Jun arrived just as the meeting was ending. The various brigade leaders all greeted Tao Xiaobao as they filed out.

Tao Xiaobao exchanged a few brief pleasantries before leading Zhao Jun inside the headquarters.

Tao Dabao frowned when he saw how drunk his younger brother was. But when his eyes landed on Zhao Jun, a guess formed in his mind. "You must be Zhao Jun," he asked quickly.

"Hello, Uncle Tao. I’m Zhao Jun." Zhao Jun stepped forward and introduced himself.

Tao Dabao rushed forward to greet him, grasping both of Zhao Jun’s hands firmly. "I’ve been meaning to thank you in person," he said. "I missed you the last time I visited your family. I was worried you might not make it this time. When did you arrive?"

"He arrived at noon," Tao Xiaobao chimed in from the side. "We ate at my place. Your sister-in-law stewed a goose, and a few of us had some liquor."

"I’m sure *you* few had drinks, but Zhao Jun didn’t, did he?" Tao Dabao asked with a knowing smile.

"Uncle, I can’t drink," Zhao Jun said with a smile. "But I certainly ate my fair share of meat."

"Haha..." Tao Dabao let out a hearty laugh. "If you like meat, then eat your fill! We won’t be short on meat here in the brigade for the next few days."

"I doubt he’s impressed by our meat," said Tao Xiaobao, who had listened to Li Baoyu’s bragging at the table. "This guy’s taken down about ten Black Bears all winter."

Tao Dabao believed him.

When he had visited Zhao Jun’s family not long ago, Tao Dabao had heard Zhao Guofeng and Wang Meilan say that their son was incredibly skilled.

Tao Dabao reached out and patted Zhao Jun’s arm a couple of times. "Since you’re here," he said, "don’t hold back during the hunt."

"Alright," Zhao Jun nodded. "Uncle Tao, I brought my dogs, but not my rifle. I was wondering, if the brigade has a spare, could I borrow one?"

"Listen to this kid," Tao Dabao said to his brother with a smile. "As if we wouldn’t have a rifle for him."

With that, Tao Dabao turned back to Zhao Jun. "Wait here. I’ll go get one for you."

After saying that, Tao Dabao turned and went into the back room. He emerged a moment later holding a Type 56 semi-automatic rifle in one hand and a small drawstring pouch in the other.

In the Northeast dialect, they called this a "strangle-the-dog" pouch. It was the kind with a single cord at the top that cinched the opening shut with one pull.

Tao Dabao handed the rifle to Zhao Jun first. Zhao Jun took it, brought the stock to his cheek, and aimed toward an empty spot to the side. Satisfied, he lowered it and slung it over his shoulder.

Then, he took the bullet-filled drawstring pouch from Tao Dabao’s hands.

The small pouch felt hefty in his hand; it was obviously packed with a lot of ammunition.

Just then, Tao Dabao said, "There are two hundred rounds in there. Don’t be shy with them. If you bring in a big haul, the brigade has a special reward for you."

"Uncle Tao," Zhao Jun said, remembering something. "I heard from young Tao Fei that a stone tiger has shown up around here?"

"That’s right." Tao Dabao nodded. "We don’t go looking for a fight with that thing. You need approval from the higher-ups to hunt one. But if it messes with us, we’ll put it down on the spot."

Spoken like a true military man, every word filled with a commanding presence.

Zhao Jun smiled at his words. "To be honest, Uncle Tao, I ran into a tiger myself not long ago. I didn’t dare engage it. I tracked its prints for a couple of miles, but then it turned around and started following *me* for a couple of miles. I really didn’t have the nerve to shoot at it; I just fired a warning shot to scare it off."

"Whoa, now you’re really something," Tao Dabao said, his face a mask of surprise. "There aren’t many men in these mountains who would dare to face a tiger."

At this, Tao Dabao sighed. "It’s just this leg of mine... If it weren’t for my leg, I’d be out there competing with you all."

Glancing at Tao Dabao’s injured leg, Zhao Jun’s expression filled with respect. "Uncle Tao, we couldn’t possibly compare to you. You’re a hero."

Tao Dabao laughed and waved his hand dismissively. "Son, I’m no hero. Now that you’re here, don’t be in such a rush to leave. The brigade’s spring hunt lasts for a few days. Even though I’ll be busy with brigade affairs, I’ll make sure you’re treated well. Tonight, you all come to my place. I’ll have your auntie cook up some good food, and we’ll have another round of food and drinks."

Tao Dabao had just finished speaking when the door burst open. Someone rushed in and said, "Director, something terrible has happened!"

"What is it?"

The man reported urgently, "Someone’s been hurt over at the Seventh Team’s area!"

"How?" Tao Dabao stepped forward at once. "What happened?"

"They say they ran into something in the mountains."

"Aiya, I’d better go take a look." As he spoke, Tao Dabao grabbed his padded cotton jacket and started for the door. Before leaving, he turned to Tao Xiaobao. "Brother, take our guest home. Remember, you’re all coming to my place tonight."

Just then, Zhao Jun stepped forward. "Uncle," he said, "let me go with you."