Chapter 21: Uncle, do you have any idea how much money I’ve made over these past few days?

"Absolutely not!"

The old village chief stood up abruptly from the edge of the kang, his face instantly contorted with fury. Gritting his teeth, he snapped, "I knew it! It had to be that old fox Sun Fugui whispering in your ear. That dog-brained man is craftier than a monkey and filled with nothing but malice."

"He knows full well how dangerous this is, so he’s trying to drag you in to take his place so he can reap the rewards while you risk your life. He couldn't care less if you live or die."

"Oh, Lin Yang, Lin Yang! Tell me, how could you be so foolish? Do you even know what month it is? The bears are busy fattening up for the winter; they can devour several wild boars in a single sitting—their appetite is terrifying."

"I don't know what the forestry station was thinking, raiding the bears' dens. You think those bears will just let it slide? Of course not! They’ll have to find new territory."

"Our village is close to the forestry station; nine times out of ten, they’ll end up in the hills behind us. When that happens, you’ll be nothing but a snack for them!"

"Those bears are incredibly strong. One swipe would knock you unconscious, and with a few licks of that massive tongue, you’d be stripped to the bone."

The old chief’s chest heaved with anger, his breathing growing labored. As he spoke, he reached out and gave Lin Yang’s forehead a heavy rap, as if trying to knock some sense into him.

Lin Yang feigned intense pain, quickly clutching his head and retreating two steps, crying out, "Ouch, ouch!" yet he couldn't help but smile. He knew deep down that the old village chief genuinely cared for him; that concern was practically radiating from his eyes. Despite his usual gruff exterior, the old man truly looked out for the younger generation in the village.

Seeing Lin Yang’s unserious demeanor, the chief felt a sense of exasperated frustration. He glared, his teeth clenched, and scolded, "You’re the only seedling left of the Lin family. From your great-grandfather down to you, you’re the only male descendant. If something were to happen to you, your great-grandfather’s lineage would be finished."

"We’re all of the Lin bloodline. If you were to die because of this, I wouldn't have the face to meet our ancestors in the afterlife!"

"No, I’m going to find your father. I’ll make him break your legs myself to keep you from causing such trouble! I’ll show you the consequences so you’ll stop being so reckless."

Lin Yang panicked inwardly at this. If his parents found out, it would be a disaster. He’d likely end up on the receiving end of a "double-teaming." His father was one thing, but his mother had a temper that could be ignited by a single spark; if she didn't break his legs, she would surely beat him until he couldn't get out of bed for three days. The thought of his mother chasing him with a broom made him shudder.

Hastily, he reached out to stop the old chief, putting on a fawning, conciliatory smile. "Uncle, don't be so hasty! You don't know what happened today, do you?"

"Did you anger your mother again?" the old chief asked instinctively. He had just finished talking to Sun Fugui and hadn't left his house yet, still mulling over the conditions Sun had proposed.

Sun Fugui had actually wanted him to help secure a Type 56 semi-automatic rifle. But the equipment promised by the forestry team consisted only of outdated relics like Mosin-Nagants or Arisaka Type 38s.

Unless one had powerful connections, no one with any sense would risk their neck in such a dangerous line of work.

Lin Yang, however, had already mapped it all out. He remembered clearly what had happened at the forestry station last time. After the incident settled, the station handled it internally, and the families of the three dead and one wounded were heavily compensated. To prevent a repeat, the county had spared no expense, providing plenty of high-quality gear.

Twenty Type 56 semi-automatics and ten Type 81 assault rifles were distributed to the mountain patrollers in each village. Although the position of a mountain patroller wasn't a formal government post, the duty was vital. It was meant to preemptively clear out predators to protect the villagers.

Normally, the local militia would handle this, but there were only two militiamen in their village. One was the chief’s son, who worked in the township and was constantly swamped, and the other had been transferred to the county seat. There was no militia left to rely on.

Therefore, if he could become a mountain patroller, that Type 56 would surely be his. He didn't have to worry about ammo, as it could be bought at the supply and marketing cooperative. And if he were lucky enough to get a Type 81, he would be set for life. Hunting in the mountains would become a much safer endeavor.

With a bright, beaming smile, Lin Yang continued, "Uncle, I’m telling you, my decision to become a mountain patroller was well thought out."

"I truly can't take that boiler-tending job. If I did, I’d only be an embarrassment to you!"

"Look at my thin arms and legs—how could I handle that heavy labor? Dealing with coal dust all day? My constitution wouldn't last a week."

"My grandfather was the greatest hunter in this village; his skills were famous for miles around."

"And you know my father’s ability. If it weren't for his crippled leg, he would have cleared out the mountain predators years ago with that Mosin-Nagant of his."

"I have the hunting blood of the Lin family flowing through my veins! Who knows? I might even be better at being a mountain patroller than my father was back in his day."

The old chief frowned, listening in silence. He was weighing the risks; while Lin Yang was usually sharp, this was undeniably dangerous.

Seeing his hesitation, Lin Yang added, "They say like father, like son—a tiger doesn't birth a dog. Uncle, do you know how much money I’ve made in these past few days?"

"How much?!" The old chief was curious; he’d heard people in the village talking about Lin Yang making money, a rumor spread by Zhao Guixiang.

He had also heard that Lin Yang had scolded Zhang Xiumei yesterday, a story that was currently the talk of the village. The chief was quite baffled as to how Lin Yang had made his money and how he had managed to offend someone like Zhang Xiumei.

Lin Yang smiled and began counting on his fingers, explaining his methods one by one. His way of making money wasn't easy for others to imitate, unless they were willing to jump into freezing water in the dead of winter to catch snow frogs.

However, in a few days, the giant soft-shelled turtles would have stored enough nutrients to burrow into the riverbed for hibernation. The northern winter was exceptionally long, lasting five full months. Soon, the heavy snow would seal the mountains.

For a hunter, heading into the mountains during this time actually reduced the danger; aside from the occasional tiger or mountain wolf, there wasn't much to worry about. The Northeast tigers, known as "Mountain Gods," rarely approached human villages unless they were starving, but the mountains behind their village were rich in resources like deer and wild boar, so the tigers were well-fed.

As long as Lin Yang didn't seek out trouble or wander into the deep wilderness, he wouldn't be targeted. Besides, he had only been hunting for a few years.

Although the winds of reform had begun to blow, it wasn't the best time yet. In a remote northern mountain village, being branded a "speculator" was a label one couldn't easily shake off. One slip-up and he’d be a target, and then he’d be in serious trouble.

His connection with Zhou Liang was meant to expand his network. If he faced unfair treatment in the future, Zhou Liang could help him resolve it. But his primary motive remained that Type 56 rifle. His father's old Mosin-Nagant was only a last resort; it wouldn't be of much use against truly dangerous mountain beasts.

The old chief’s brow furrowed deeper as he scrutinized Lin Yang’s face. Seeing that he didn't seem to be lying, he finally spoke: "Since you’re so capable, why be a mountain patroller? I think you’re just a newborn calf that doesn't fear the tiger—you’re arrogant and delusional!"

"This job isn't as easy as you think. One mistake and you’ll lose your life. Think it over carefully!"

Seeing the moment was right, Lin Yang finally played his trump card.