OBS Chapter 307 Establishment of the Hunting Team
Chapter 307 Establishment of the Hunting Team
The villagers were overjoyed and gathered together excitedly discussing the results of the night's battle.
Not only was there a large black bear, but there were also twelve wolves – a delightful surprise!
Li Xiangyang stood up and looked around: "Everyone, tonight has been a bumper harvest, but it has also alerted the wild animals in the mountains. We need to take turns keeping watch; we can't be careless."
Wang Ergou nodded in agreement: "Xiangyang is right, we'll divide into several shifts and take turns on duty."
Li Xiangyang made simple arrangements, dividing the villagers into four groups, each responsible for two hours of night watch. He and Wang Ergou took on the most difficult part of the night.
After everything was settled, everyone crawled into the makeshift tents and drifted off to sleep, exhausted.
In the latter half of the night, Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou sat around the campfire, occasionally adding firewood to keep the fire burning.
"Xiangyang, we've had a great harvest this time. The villagers will be overjoyed when they find out," Wang Ergou said softly, stroking Xiaohu's head.
Li Xiangyang gazed at the flickering flames and said, "Yes, although wolf meat tastes strange, in the current situation, every household can get some, which will solve our meat problem for a while."
……
During the night watch, although there were a few noises from small animals passing by, no large wild beasts approached.
"It's getting light; we have to get back quickly."
At dawn, Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou woke everyone up.
The villagers were in high spirits and quickly packed their bags.
As the sun rose, everything was ready, and the procession embarked on its journey home in a grand procession.
It was already afternoon when we returned to the village.
When the oxcarts and horse-drawn carriages loaded with game slowly drove into the village, the crowd immediately erupted in cheers.
"They're back! They're back!"
"Look, we've hunted so much prey!"
Li Xiaohua and Wang Ying were also in the crowd. When they saw Li Xiangyang return safely, the two girls cheered and ran over.
"Brother!" Li Xiaohua jumped to Li Xiangyang's side, excitedly grabbing his sleeve. "You guys are amazing!"
Li Xiangyang patted his younger sister's head and said with a smile, "We were lucky this time; we got quite a few things."
Li Xiaoyun stood in the crowd, a relieved smile on her face. She stepped forward and asked softly, "Are you exhausted?"
Li Xiangyang shook his head: "Not too tiring, just a close call."
The two walked toward the village committee as they talked.
Upon seeing everyone return safely, production team leader Zheng Dehou quickly came over to greet them, "Xiangyang, we've been waiting for you all to come back! We owe you so much this time..."
Li Xiangyang quickly waved his hand and replied with a smile, "Captain Zheng, please don't be so polite. Let's quickly divide the meat so everyone can have a good time."
Zheng Dehou slapped his thigh and said, "Yes, yes, yes, I'm so happy I'm almost delirious. I'll go to the broadcasting room right now and call everyone to come and share the prey!"
With that, he hurried towards the broadcasting room.
A moment later, Zheng Dehou's booming voice came over the loudspeaker: "Attention, villagers! Attention, villagers! Today, Comrades Li Xiangyang, Wang Ergou, and others have hunted game on the mountain and are now distributing it to you. Please send a representative from each household to the village committee to collect it."
As soon as the broadcast ended, the villagers sprang into action, and soon a long queue formed in front of the village committee.
Representatives from each household held their household registration books, their faces beaming with undisguised joy.
In those days, meat was extremely precious, and being able to get even a little bit was a great blessing.
Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou didn't join the queue; instead, they stayed behind to help process the prey.
Nearly an hour later, the prey had been mostly processed and was being distributed.
At this moment, Zheng Dehou strode towards Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou. "Xiangyang, Ergou, stop what you're doing for a moment. The old Party Secretary wants to talk to you about something important."
“Okay, Captain Zheng, we’ll wash our hands and go.” Li Xiangyang replied crisply.
The two washed their hands quickly and arrived at the door of the old Party Secretary's office.
"You're here, young men!" The old Party Secretary waved to the two men. "You've worked hard!"
"Of course," Li Xiangyang replied modestly.
"Sit down and let's talk." The old Party Secretary pointed to the chair opposite them, and after the two were seated, he pointed to several wooden boxes on the table. "Look, what's this?"
Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou went over to take a look and found several brand-new hunting rifles inside the wooden box.
"This is......"
"It was just approved by the county," the old Party Secretary explained. "Considering the current situation, the county has agreed to let our village form a hunting team. We've thought about it and would like to invite you two to serve as the team leader and deputy leader."
Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou exchanged a glance, both showing a hint of surprise on their faces.
"Old Party Secretary, this is a big deal. Have you thought it through?" Li Xiangyang asked calmly.
The old Party Secretary stroked his beard and chuckled, "You've thought it through very well. Everyone has witnessed your abilities in the mountains. If we don't make you the team leaders, who will?"
Wang Ergou rubbed his hands together, his face beaming with excitement: "Old Party Secretary, I have no objections. Following Xiangyang is definitely the right thing to do!"
Li Xiangyang pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Then I'll give it a try. But there are a few things I need to clarify first."
"Tell me, whatever your request is," the old Party Secretary said earnestly, looking at Li Xiangyang.
“First, I need to have the final say in selecting the hunting team members,” Li Xiangyang said. “Second, training would waste bullets. And then there’s the safety of the team members…”
The old Party Secretary nodded repeatedly: "That's all fine. Since you've been appointed team leader, you can arrange everything as you see fit."
“Alright, I’ll go back and consider the candidate, and I’ll give you an answer tomorrow,” Li Xiangyang said decisively.
"Alright, it's settled then!" The old Party Secretary clapped his hands in satisfaction.
As they left the village committee office, Wang Ergou eagerly asked, "Xiangyang, have you found someone suitable?"
Li Xiangyang smiled and said, "It doesn't matter if I think it's suitable or not. The key is whether the other person is willing. It's getting late, let's go home first and talk about it tomorrow. I'm tired enough today."
After parting ways with Wang Ergou, Li Xiangyang returned home.
By this time, Li Xiaoyun had already boiled hot water and let him take a good bath.
After taking a shower and changing into clean clothes, Li Xiangyang felt much more relaxed.
By this time, Li Xiaoyun had already prepared the meal.
"Eat up," Li Xiaoyun said with a smile. "You've worked hard today."
Li Xiangyang took a bite and couldn't help but exclaim, "Delicious! My wife's cooking is the best!"
A blush rose on Li Xiaoyun's face from the praise.
During the meal, Li Xiangyang told Li Xiaoyun about the hunting team.
"The hunting team leader?" Li Xiaoyun frowned. "Doesn't that mean he has to go into the mountains frequently?"
Li Xiangyang took his wife's hand and said softly, "We don't go into the mountains often, but it's mainly planned. Given the situation in the village now, we can't do without hunting."
Li Xiaoyun hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded: "Then promise me you'll be careful and not take any risks."
"Don't worry," Li Xiangyang said with a smile, "With such a beautiful wife, and me, who's about to become a father, how could I not be careful?"