C45 Returning to the 1960s: Starting with Digging for Fo-ti

As soon as they heard the words “work certificate from the Public Security Bureau,” the idle young men immediately stiffened and instinctively took two steps back.

They followed Zhang Desheng only because they wanted an easy meal, a way to fill their stomachs without hard labor. This did not mean they were foolish. Everyone in the village knew about Du Jianguo teaching gun skills at the Public Security Bureau.

Perhaps he had indeed made connections there. If they really provoked Du Jianguo and got thrown in jail for a few days, it would not be a joke.

One of the young men softened first. He coughed deliberately, leaned over to Zhang Desheng, and whispered, “Leader, perhaps we should temporarily stop considering absorbing such a backward element as Du Jianguo into the meeting room for study?”

Li Ergou quickly coughed a couple of times and nodded repeatedly in agreement. “Yes, yes, I think he is right! Leader, let us just close our doors and research this ourselves. Ultimately, solving the wild boar problem for our Xiao An Village still depends on your wise leadership!”

Zhang Desheng swept a cold glance at Du Jianguo. Ever since he entered Xiao An Village, Du Jianguo had challenged him at every turn. Now, he was using a work certificate from the Public Security Bureau to suppress him. It was truly hateful.

But Zhang Desheng also had his calculations.

It is better not to pick a fight when the other side is strong. Du Jianguo had just come out of the Public Security Bureau and knew quite a few people. It was unwise to cause trouble for him at this moment. Once the relationship between Du Jianguo and the Public Security Bureau faded in the future, he could come out and deal with him, and surely no one would stop him then!

Just you wait, Du Jianguo. One day, I will finish you!

He clenched his fist, suppressed his anger with great effort, and merely snorted, “Let’s go,” before leading the group away from the village committee.

The old village chief watched their backs and cursed angrily, “Hey, what a bunch of brainless fools! Following Zhang Desheng blindly every day. One day I will find their parents and make sure they break the legs of this group of dogs!”

These were all our own village children. The old village chief originally thought they were just following along blindly. He never expected it to get so out of hand. They really did not know how Zhang Desheng brainwashed them, and now they did not even respect him, the village chief!

The old village chief secretly decided to talk to the parents of these boys. He would make sure they give this group of kids a good whipping so they stop following Zhang Desheng blindly.

Du Jianguo shook his head and brought the topic back to business. “Village Chief, you should tell me about the wild boar situation first.”

“Yes, yes, this is the key!” The old village chief’s eyes lit up. “Just right, since you have a talent for hunting, those good-for-nothings cannot be counted on. You think of a way to deal with these beasts.”

In terms of hunting, Du Jianguo was originally a skilled hand. In these past days, he had caught venomous snakes and dealt with bears. His skills were already seen by the villagers. Now, he had even gilded himself with gold from the Public Security Bureau.

Du Jianguo pressed on. “You said someone saw wild boars? About how many were there?”

“About seven or eight. One was large, and the rest were only half that size.” The old village chief recalled.

“Then I estimate it is a mother sow leading a group of piglets.” Du Jianguo analyzed. “Wild boars live alone except during mating season. Only sows raising young gather in groups. Although adult boars are destructive, if you find the right method, you can kill them. Once the mother sow is dead, the piglets will collapse without a fight and have no combat ability.”

Hearing Du Jianguo speak so vividly, the old village chief’s interest was instantly piqued. He immediately leaned forward excitedly. This clearly meant Du Jianguo already had a way to deal with the wild boars.

“If you have an idea, just speak it out!”

Du Jianguo licked his lips and grinned mischievously. “How about you lend me your hunting rifle…”

“Jianguo,” the old village chief trembled all over at the mention of a hunting rifle. He knew exactly what the young man was thinking. He surely wanted to borrow his precious treasure.

He quickly interrupted the conversation and changed the subject. “I think if we two discuss this alone, we are too few. We might as well call a few more people to discuss it together.”

“This old fox,” Du Jianguo said with a bitter smile. “Fine, I will listen to you.”

Last time, Du Jianguo took the Hanyang (a type of rifle) from the old village chief’s house without saying a word to save someone. Although he saved Liu Chun’an, the old village chief still felt heartache whenever he thought of it.

Watching the cracks in the wood on the gun grow larger, he estimated that after firing a few dozen more rounds, the gun would probably reach the end of its life and become completely unusable.

Just as the two were about to find people in the village, a donkey bray suddenly came from the entrance of the village committee.

Old Sun was holding a whip, shouting “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” as he drove the donkey into the courtyard.

“Old Sun, where have you been?” the old village chief asked.

Old Sun got off the cart, glanced at Du Jianguo first, and said gloomily, “Today is the 15th. The neighboring village is holding a temple fair. I went to exchange some things.”

Saying this, he carried a jar down from the back of the donkey cart and opened it. Inside was a little lard and red rubber-like candy, which was Guodanpi.

The old village chief joked, “Guodanpi? Isn’t this for children? Why are you hoarding this?”

“Winter is approaching. According to this year’s harvest, the grain distributed to each household will not even be half of what it was in previous years.”

Old Sun sighed, rubbing the jar in his hand. “We must prepare more food to feel secure. Although Guodanpi is just a snack, it is made of sugar. Eating it can stave off hunger and give some strength. Winters are hard to endure. It never hurts to save more.”

Guodanpi is made by boiling hawthorn and white sugar together. In these years, hawthorn and white sugar are precious items. Even the urban supply and marketing cooperatives do not have them.

Du Jianguo’s mind began to work. He wanted to exchange for some for Liu Xiuyun to eat. He weighed a jin of cornmeal in his hand and smiled, “Uncle Sun, I will trade this jin of cornmeal with you for some Guodanpi to go back and taste the freshness.”

Old Sun snorted coldly and said with an air of pride, “You still have me as your uncle? No trade!”

Sure enough, the old man was angry.

Du Jianguo immediately apologized. “Oh my, Uncle Sun, I know you have been working hard feeding the livestock alone during this time. I had my reasons! This jin of cornmeal was originally meant to honor you. Please let me exchange for some first, and I will make it up to you with another jin later.”

“Damn it, do you think I am this kind of person? Am I angry about feeding the livestock?”

Old Sun shouted at the top of his lungs. “I am asking you, where is the medicinal herb for treating rheumatism that you promised to get for me from the mountain? I have already given you the chickens to raise!”

Du Jianguo was struck as if by lightning and stood stunned in an instant. He only then remembered that the last time he and Old Sun agreed to pick medicinal herbs in exchange for chicks, he had been so busy later that he completely forgot about it.

He quickly apologized repeatedly. After much pleading, Old Sun’s anger finally subsided a little.

Old Sun reluctantly pulled two handfuls of Guodanpi from the bag and stuffed them into Du Jianguo’s hands. He warned, “You must hurry! My wife’s knee pain is getting worse and worse. If it is not treated, it will become more serious in winter.”

Du Jianguo patted his chest and said confidently, “Rest assured! First thing tomorrow morning, I will go up the mountain to find herbs for you!”