Chapter 15: Fighting and Losing Five Dollars, Fourth Brother Gets Punished

Host: Su Yu
Age: 19
Constitution: 10
Strength: 15
Speed: 10
Skills: Fishing IV3+, Basic Archery IV9+, Tracking IV3+
Skill Points: 0

This was Su Yu’s achievement for the day, a remarkable result—not because of the number of prey caught, but because he had acquired new skills. Not only had he gained a tracking skill, but his constitution had also increased. Constitution represents endurance and physical fitness, such as resistance to illness, tolerance to cold and heat, all indicators of good health.

Previously, he lacked this because Su Yu had been malnourished. His skill panel didn’t even include constitution as an option. Now that it was added, it proved he had not only recovered to normal human levels but had surpassed them.

Today’s haul was impressive: two rabbits, three wild pheasants, a hedgehog, and eight gray hounds. Every gray hound was taken down with a single arrow to the head. Their pelts were not cheap; the commune had designated places to purchase them.

In this era, when a few cents a day was considered income, one gray hound pelt could earn half a month’s wages. At the very least, each was worth one and a half yuan, and good quality pelts could fetch over two yuan.

“Let’s go home. It’s about time. If we don’t head back now, it’ll be too late.”

To sell the gray hound pelts, they first had to be treated—rubbing the inside with wood ash, then stretching and fixing them to dry properly. Otherwise, the pelts would harden or weather and lose all value.

Eight gray hounds would bring in at least twelve yuan. If sold well, fifteen or sixteen yuan was possible. Since food was sufficient, there was no need to waste time—there would be plenty of days ahead.

“Haha, Yu, what meat are we having tonight? Wild pheasant or wild rabbit?”

Huzi was delighted. He thought tagging along with Yu for hunting was a brilliant idea.

“Rabbit. Rabbit pelts aren’t very valuable but can still be sold and need to be taken care of. As for the wild pheasant, Huzi, I want to propose something: let’s sell the pelts of the wild pheasants, the gray hounds, and the rabbits, then split the earnings fifty-fifty. How about that?”

Tonight’s meal would be wild rabbit and gray hound, plus a hedgehog—more than enough. It would be a pity to keep everything just for eating.

“What are you saying? I’m Huzi, not that kind of person. You did all the hunting; why should I get a share? Just feed me well, and I’m happy, haha.”

“That won’t do. The old rule has always been—anyone who goes into the mountain gets a share. The risk is the same, regardless of how much effort each puts in.”

Simply put, if you think someone is holding you back, you don’t have to hunt together. But if you do, since the risk is shared equally, it’s only fair to share the rewards.

“The old rule didn’t say you have to split fifty-fifty. You are the main force. I should get a third; you’re giving too much. Won’t people say I don’t know the rules?”

“Enough. We’re brothers. No main force or not. Let’s just split it half and half when we meet.”

However, no matter how much Su Yu insisted, Huzi stuck to getting only a third. But this was the traditional rule passed down because equal splits could cause imbalance over time. That’s why the ancestors set such guidelines.

“Alright, I’ll go with your call. Tonight, bring your brothers and sisters over to my place for meat.”

“Hehe, got it. Don’t worry, we’ll be there on time.”

The two laughed as they descended the mountain. Along the way, they encountered a badger—immediately spotted by Su Yu. It must be said, Basic Archery IV9 had sharpened Su Yu’s vision; he could see far and clearly, catching subtle signs others would miss. That’s how he found the badger hiding in the grass. It weighed twenty-five jin and was a fully grown adult.

“Mark this spot. If there’s one badger here, there must be more. These creatures are social and usually move in families.”

“Hehe, Yu, you want to take them all down at once? These things are tough. Even hunting dogs don’t dare provoke a whole group, especially when they retreat into their dens. Dogs chasing them inside might get bitten to death.”

“Enough. We’re not wiping them out. We’ll take as many as we can. Badger oil tastes good. You don’t want some, do you?”

Indeed, badger oil was prized. For rural folks, it was a rare delicacy.

“Can you carry this? I’ll take over.”

Two rabbits, three wild pheasants, a hedgehog, eight gray hounds, and a twenty-five jin badger—altogether about forty jin.

“No worries. You underestimate me. I’m no good at hunting, but forty jin of meat is nothing to me. If I had this haul every day, I could carry fifty jin easily.”

“Don’t show off. Give me the badger; I’ll help carry it.”

“No need. If you run into other game on the way, you might miss it or scare it off with too much noise. It’s only a short distance—don’t worry about me.”

That was Huzi’s good nature—knowing he couldn’t contribute much to the hunt, he put in extra effort carrying the meat. Otherwise, he wouldn’t feel comfortable eating it all. Besides, Su Yu shared the profits, which was rare.

Su Yu understood Huzi’s feelings and didn’t press him further. After all, they’d grown up together. Whoever earned more got a bit of an advantage; they didn’t mind much, as long as both knew the boundaries and weren’t just taking advantage because of friendship.

The two quickly descended, encountering no other animals. Su Yu didn’t bother to search further, so no more game was caught. Their pace quickened, and they soon reached the village. Since Su Yu’s home was at the village’s edge, he wasn’t worried about being seen.

Huzi followed him inside. As soon as the door opened, they saw Lao Si standing in punishment.

His little sister watched from the side, amused. Lao Si had a porcelain basin filled with water balanced on his head.

“Su Jin, what are you doing? Practicing acrobatics?”

Huzi teased with a chuckle. The two families were close, so he immediately understood Lao Si had messed up and was being punished.

Su Jin rolled his eyes, ignoring Huzi, then said to Su Yu, “Third brother, you almost got me into big trouble, but I didn’t betray you. Hey, you and Brother Huzi caught some game?”

He put down the basin and trotted over.

“Third Uncle, is there meat for dinner?”

Hearing talk of game, little Su Jing ran out of the room, no longer sneaking peeks.

“Haha, meat tonight. Don’t worry, you’ll eat your fill.”

A cold snort sounded as the door opened, and Su He came out. Lao Si shivered and quickly returned to balancing the basin, continuing his punishment.

“Father, what did Lao Si do wrong this time? Why is he being punished again?”

Su Yu feigned ignorance, but Su He was no child and not easily fooled.

“How dare you ask? Did you say it wasn’t your idea when Su Jin bribed the others to help him fight?”

Su Yu was already nineteen, and Su He usually avoided physical confrontation with him; otherwise, he would have long ago taken up the rod.

“What? Lao Si, you little bastard, you stole things I bought?”

Su He sneered at Su Jin’s clumsy act.

“Enough pretending. I’m your father; I know you too well. What’s the act for?”

“That brat broke Su Youqing’s head. His aunt was furious, blocking the door and cursing for a long time. I had to get the village chief involved and pay five yuan before it was settled. Happy now?”

“Oh, by the way, the money for what you bought—didn’t Lai San compensate you? How much is left? Hand it over.”

A pair of large hands reached out, demanding money from Su Yu.

There was no way out this time. If he kept the money to buy things himself, his parents wouldn’t fuss since he was an adult. But spending money to hire thugs for Lao Si’s fights was a different matter—his father wanted to teach him a lesson.

Su Yu obediently handed over five yuan. Seeing only five yuan left, Su He grew angrier.

“You prodigal son! Why did I have two wild spendthrifts? A fight that cost ten yuan—well done.”

Su Yu smirked inwardly. Ten yuan was nothing. In the twentieth century, it wouldn’t buy a decent pack of cigarettes. Money couldn’t buy willingness—helping a brother out was worth a few coins.

“This fight is a one-time deal. Don’t stir up trouble again. Luckily, the village chief’s grandson and a few others spoke up, or five yuan wouldn’t have been enough to calm your aunt.”

Though Su He seemed angry, he wasn’t truly upset—he knew everything. Su Youqing had provoked Lao Si first.

If it had been for any other reason, it might have been forgiven. But this was about Su Jin’s marriage. It was an insult. If you try to cheat me and I catch you, you still have the nerve to pick a fight?

Su He was a soldier, had fought in the Third Indo-China War, and killed men. Who would believe he was even-tempered? He just didn’t show it to family.

Clearly, Su Youqing’s behavior enraged him, but due to social standing, he wouldn’t act against Su Youqing. He was an elder, and just like Su Yu, he wouldn’t get personally involved.

Though the trouble caused by Su Jin and Su Yu cost money, it was satisfying all the same.