War Photographer's Notebook

Chapter 1910 Beyond the Hunt
The next morning after arriving in Sainshand, the convoy, escorted by more than 20 8x4 dump trucks, left the city and headed towards the Gobi Desert.

This time, Greva was sitting in the passenger seat of Wei Ran's car. As for the man sent by Uncle Big Ears Chab, who never introduced himself, he left last night without even saying hello.

It wasn't until nearly noon that these heavy dump trucks stopped about a kilometer away from a low hill in the distance.

More than a dozen white yurts had been set up in advance, and next to these yurts, there was even a GAZ-66 truck used as a hitching post, surrounded by Mongolian horses of various colors.

Without any direction, the dump trucks had already tacitly parked in a row of windbreaks upwind of the yurts, and even skillfully used thick tarpaulins to cover the gaps in the chassis and the joints between the front and rear of the trucks.

This alone shows that this is definitely not the first time these people have done something like this.

Lenat's eldest daughter and her husband enjoyed hunting.

Yana, still sitting in the driver's seat, explained, "We're very close to the mine here, and there's quite a bit of prey, so they come here often. Everyone knows how to arrange things."

"These trucks aren't specifically designed for hunting, are they?" Sui Sui asked in surprise.

"These trucks were all discarded goods bought from China at scrap metal prices."

Yana explained, "They are perfect for transporting supplies to mines, and of course, they are also great for serving as windbreaks when setting up camp."

"This is the first time I've ever seen a dump truck used like this," Wei Ran exclaimed.

"They can't just be used for these things, can they?" Sui Sui keenly realized something.

"Just like you said yesterday."

Yana smiled bitterly, "They are legal means that are more effective than the law, and in order to make them more effective, they have even been fitted with more robust bumpers."

But rest assured, these cars are clean; they were driven from Zamyn-Uud just four days ago, and brand new bumpers were installed the day before yesterday.

Wei Ran and Sui Sui exchanged another glance. They even suspected that Lenat's gamble of going out to try his luck might have been taught to him by the person who sold him these dump trucks.

"Can you ride horses?"

Yana changed the subject, pointing to the low hills in the distance and saying, "There must be argali sheep in that Gobi Desert, and there must be a lot of them."

As for the gazelles, it's all about luck. Those little creatures have excellent eyesight and hearing; they'll run away immediately when they see a car or hear a noise.

"I just washed my hair last night, so I'm not going. I'll just stay at the campsite and take some photos."

Sui Sui glanced at the sandstorm outside the window, patted Wei Ran on the shoulder and said, "But I want to try that yellow sheep."

As Wei Ran confidently agreed, Yana opened the car door.

Did you bring hunting rifles?

As Yana spoke, she walked over to the LC200 parked next to her and reached out to open the trunk.

To Wei Ran and the others' surprise, as the trunk door opened, an eagle jumped out!

Amid the gasps of the many girls, this large bird with a wingspan of over two meters began to glide close to the ground using only the short height difference between the trunk and the ground, and then successfully soared into the sky with the flapping of its wings.

"Although I don't have much freedom, Lenard allows me to do things I want to pass the time so as not to drive me crazy."

As Yana spoke, she put on a thick leather glove and then blew the whistle hanging around her neck.

With a not-so-loud whistle, the eagle circled around for a while before landing steadily on her arm.

“This is…” Sui Sui looked at the big bird with admiring eyes.

Golden Eagle

Yana gently touched the wings of the golden eagle perched on her arm. "She is also called Yana, Yana who can fly freely."

"Would you like to try it on?"

As Yana spoke, she gently guided the golden statue, which moved like a clumsy old hen, onto Sui Sui's shoulder.

Yana glanced at the Kachenka sisters, who had unabashedly drawn their pistols in a defensive stance, but simply smiled. She then took a small leather hat from her pocket and put it on the golden eagle.

She picked up the mirrorless camera hanging around her neck and took a few photos of Sui Sui, whose expression was stiff and who even subconsciously shrank her neck, but still forced a smile.

"Do you want to try it?"

As Yana lifted the golden eagle off Sui Sui's shoulder, she asked Wei Ran in a friendly manner.

"Never mind, Belial is already jealous."

While trying to calm Belial, who was already baring his teeth, Wei Ran expressed his refusal, "Can it spot prey?"

"It can even drive away prey."

Yana shook her head as she spoke, "But it hasn't learned these skills yet. Please come and choose a hunting rifle."

"I brought my own hunting rifle."

As Wei Ran spoke, he temporarily handed Beria's leash to Sui Sui, then went around to the back of the car, took out a gun case from the trunk, and took out the G43 semi-automatic sniper rifle with a pretty good aim.

Meanwhile, the others who planned to participate in the hunt also made their own preparations.

These people included Greva and the Kadenka sisters, as well as Lyubov, who usually kept a low profile, and several of Greva's confidants.

Naturally, this also included several heavy truck drivers who acted as guides and Yana.

"Can you ride horses?" Wei Ran asked, having already chosen a black riding horse.

"We learned that last time when that bastard Jima married Maya."

As Greva spoke, he first pulled out a Makarov pistol from his pocket, loaded it with a bullet, and then led out a horse. “Maya’s brother told me that a loaded pistol is like a seatbelt on a saddle. As long as you shoot the horse a few times in the spine behind the saddle before it loses control, it will stop safely. At most, it will just break a bone.”

“Damn evil cultivators.” Wei Ran grinned and shook his head inwardly, then looked at Kajenka and the other two.

"We have already learned it."

The Kachenka sisters said in unison, "It was also at a Mayan wedding."

"Too."

“We signed up for a few regular equestrian lessons that don’t involve firing a gun,” the Kachenka sisters said in unison again.

“I signed up for the riding lessons first; Instructor Ivan signed me up,” Lyubov answered honestly.

"Miss Yana, could you please show us the way?" Wei Ran said with a smile to Yana, who was riding an eagle towards them.

"no problem"

Yana knew that Wei Ran was trying to get rid of her. She casually flicked her arm to make the golden eagle fly up, then led out a chestnut horse, mounted it decisively, and rode off first with the truck drivers who were acting as guides.

"Is everything arranged?" Wei Ran asked as he mounted his horse and gripped the reins tightly.

"It's all arranged."

After climbing onto his horse, Greva pointed to the cargo beds of the heavy trucks in the distance, which were flashing with light. "The machine guns you brought are mounted in the cargo beds, and the gentleman who left last night said that there are also their men around here."

The only potential threat was the truck drivers, but those remaining at the camp were all under our control, and the guides were only using blank rounds with their SKS rifles.

"That Yana is also very smart."

Anfissa, who had also already mounted her horse, said, "She only chose a double-barreled shotgun that was practically harmless at long range."

“Smart people live longer,” Wei Ran smiled. “Greeves, what are your plans for the mine?”

"Yuri, come here!"

Greva gave a shout, and immediately, a gang member with sideburns carefully rode his horse over.

"Greetings, Mr. Victor."

The gang member named Yuri shook hands with Wei Ran on horseback.

"Hello, Yuri," Wei Ran replied with a smile. "Let's talk as we walk."

"Yuri comes from Inta"

Greva explained, "He used to serve on the front lines and after retiring, he worked as a quality inspector in the coalfields near Inta. He's also a good friend of Aliri's, and his parents work at the spa camp."

“I also have a younger brother who was sent to Austria,” Yuri said proudly.

"That's right"

Greva said, "After the hunting trip is over, Yuri will take over the security of the copper mine. In addition, his wife will be coming soon."

My wife used to work as a statistician in a coal mine.

Yuri said promptly, "Mr. Victor, we will not let this copper mine lose even a single piece of ore."

"No need to take it so seriously."

Wei Ran smiled and said, "Your main job is to protect the mine and the employees inside."

At this point, Wei Ran looked at Anfisa, who was riding a gray horse.

"Yuri, some girls will be staying at the mine temporarily and receiving training. Their safety is in your hands."

Anfisa said, "Don't have contact with these girls, and don't let anyone unrelated, including Yana, see them."

“If any of them try to escape, kill them,” Anfia, who was also riding a gray horse, added.

"give it to me"

Yuri quickly agreed, “The gang. I mean the company. The members in the company who have received combat engineer training also come here regularly for rotation.”

"The gentleman who left last night left us two Mi-8 helicopters."

Greva said, "Mr. Victor, please rest assured, nothing unexpected will happen here."

“I can rest assured with you all here,” Wei Ran said with a smile. “You should go hunting too, and I wish you a good harvest.” “Let’s go,” Greva said, and was the first to shake the reins and run off.

“Mr. Greva is a smart man,” Anfisa said.

"Yes, he is indeed very smart, even smarter than that idiot Jima."

As Wei Ran spoke, he took the rifle off his shoulder, clicked it, and loaded a bullet. "Let's get down to business."

"Let me go first."

Lyubov said in fluent Russian, “My teacher asked me to tell you that the mechanic who betrayed the convoy has been punished as he deserved.”

The Lenat family, along with others who needed to be sent to prison, had already moved in, and their letters to their friends in Tula and Irkutsk would be sent to the appropriate people in a week.

In addition, those who set off from Inta have already arrived in Tula to take up their posts. It's safer there now than in Kazan.

"You speak Russian very well," Wei Ran replied with a smile, offering a seemingly unrelated compliment. "How are your parents and brother?"

Thank you for your praise and for remembering me.

Lyubov responded with a polite, slight bow, "They are all doing very well."

"Go have fun, but be careful."

"Ok!"

Lyubov nodded, gently shook the reins, and skillfully maneuvered the horse to gallop away.

"Tell me what you've learned," Wei Ran asked finally.

"Lenat's youngest son has been feigning hiding after being taken into custody by our men."

Anfiza said, "He is currently being held in hiding in Spain. After a period of being kept out of the public eye, we will put some shady business on his person, such as the reorganization of Charon."

"Lenault's French wife and his other three daughters are also under our control."

Anfia continued, "That French woman, who is also nominally hiding, has been settled by us in the territory of Hambon."

Furthermore, I conducted a sufficiently thorough investigation into her, and she should be unrelated to this matter.

"Keep a close eye on her," Wei Ran said. "Don't give her any chance."

"it is good"

Amphia nodded readily. "Also, the Warts have started searching for the two missing squads. Should we take action against their remaining squads?"

"Need not"

Wei Ran had enough patience and composure in this matter. "We don't need to confront their revenge squad. Let's wait and see. Once Charon has adjusted to their position, we'll immediately launch a long-term campaign of hunting down, extorting, and killing the wealthy individuals who sponsored them. By the way, what's the real Charon doing now?"

“Most of the old guys have chosen to join,” Anfisa replied.

"Thank you for your hard work," Wei Ran said, pointing ahead. "Have fun."

"Let's hope we can catch the yellow sheep!"

As he spoke, Amphisa removed the shotgun from his shoulder, loaded it with a bullet, and then steered his mount away at a relatively slow pace.

“We’ll definitely get to eat it,” Anfia said, slowly steering her mount to catch up.

Wei Ran glanced at Beria, who had been following him, and gently shook the reins to increase the speed.

Within a kilometer's distance, and before they had even covered half the distance, the group noticed a herd of gazelles driven out of the low hills by the sound of gunfire.

After roughly estimating the distance, Wei Ran dismounted, kicked away Beria who was wagging his tail and approaching, and set up the semi-automatic sniper rifle he had brought on a nearby rock about half a person's height. He then immediately used the ZF4 to aim at the herd of wild gazelles that were running wildly.

Objectively speaking, this rifle, or rather this scope, wasn't particularly useful, especially compared to the scopes used on the hunting rifles of the Kachenka sisters and others who had already fired their weapons.

Amidst the continuous gunfire, Wei Ran quickly estimated the lead and pulled the trigger a little ahead of the head of a lone gazelle.

"boom!"

After a sharp gunshot, a cloud of blood sprayed from the neck of the lone gazelle.

"Wang!"

Beria, who had been waiting impatiently, barked at Wei Ran. The two of them, man and dog, had already cooperated countless times, whether in the forest outside Jima's village or not long ago in the polar wilderness. It couldn't wait to run over and bring back its prey.

"Don't worry"

As Wei Ran spoke, he moved the muzzle of his gun, aimed at another lone gazelle, and pulled the trigger.

"boom!"

After that shot, the gazelle was not injured. Instead, it ran further and further away until it was out of range. Wei Ran, who did not fire a third shot from beginning to end, made Beria so anxious that he stomped his feet back and forth and whimpered. He wished he could push Wei Ran away and take the shot himself.

"go"

Seeing that the others had stopped firing, Wei Ran patted Beria on the head, and the latter immediately ran towards the gazelle that had been shot a few hundred meters away.

Instead of immediately mounting his horse, Wei Ran leaned against the rock and re-examined the semi-automatic sniper rifle from World War II in his hand.

He had to admit that the gun was indeed accurate within a range of 400 to 500 meters when using the scope.

The reason he delayed starting the investigation into the sniper rifle was because he was worried about encountering a deadly sniper.

He even flew all the way from Kazan to Tula town and then to this godforsaken place with this gun, all to get more familiar with it and its optimal firing distance.

Slinging the gun back over his shoulder, Wei Ran mounted his horse and entrusted the dog Beria, who was busy dragging the prey, to Lyubov, who seemed to have come up empty-handed. He then ran towards the low hills.

Because of the gunshots, the argali sheep that inhabit the area around the low hills have almost all taken refuge on the cliffs of those hills.

He even saw a small pack of wolves still lingering at the foot of the low hill, unwilling to leave.

Deliberately keeping a distance of about 600 meters from the argali sheep above the wolf pack, Wei Ran dismounted, grabbed a handful of sand, and tossed it around to estimate the wind direction and speed.

A moment later, he looked around, then walked to a depression with the gun in his arms, lay down, rested the barrel on a rock, and then used the T-shaped sight to aim at a argali sheep that was leaping on the rock face.

Using the somewhat rudimentary scope on the gun, Wei Ran guessed where the selected argali sheep would land next, and fired the trigger the moment it jumped, aiming at its possible landing point.

"boom!"

Amidst the echoing gunfire, a cloud of blood burst from the side of the argali sheep's belly. It stiffened, stumbled, and fell off the cliff, finally crashing in front of the wolves that refused to leave.

"It's not a big problem."

Wei Ran muttered to himself, then surprisingly reached out and removed the scope from the gun.

He himself doesn't remember how many battlefields he went to during World War II, but he knows very well that even for German army soldiers in that era, scopes were not something that could be obtained easily, let alone the partisans who were hostile to the production unit of this gun.

Of course, thanks to the countless times he went to the battlefields of World War II, and even more thanks to the training he received at the Red Flag Forest Farm, his accuracy is now by no means bad.

Even so, he himself wasn't sure if he could hit another argali sheep at that distance with iron sights.

"How the hell can you even see an egg?" Wei Ran sighed inwardly. Being a master of iron sights is something not everyone can do.

Without wasting any bullets, he decisively holstered his gun, remounted, and continued to close the distance between them to about 400 meters.

At this distance, Greva, who was about the same distance behind him, looked only as small as a sesame seed. If the Kadenka sisters hadn't appeared in pairs for comparison, he wouldn't have been able to tell whether it was Greva or Lyubov.

Wei Ran raised his rifle, now with the scope removed, and looked at the argali sheep on the rock face again, but he had no choice but to give up once more.

At this distance, if he were given a bolt-action rifle and allowed to snipe Greva and his men with his back to the sun, he would have a 50-60% chance of success.

But at this moment, asking him to snipe at the argali sheep on the rock face 400 meters away, which were already similar in color to the mountain, against the sunlight, was somewhat asking too much of a man.

Raising his gun again to look at the low hill, Wei Ran couldn't help but smile; he had spotted an excellent target.

That was the alpha sheep of that herd, standing at the highest point of that cliff, clearly observing potential enemies—whether human or wolf.

But it didn't know that the spot it chose also gave Wei Ran a chance to try.

He dismounted again and lay down, then aimed at the lead sheep bathed in sunlight and began to regulate his breathing.

In just a short while, Anfisa rode up to Wei Ran's side.

She glanced at the weapon in Wei Ran's hand, then immediately raised her fist behind her and simultaneously raised the binoculars with her other hand.

"Bang!" Almost simultaneously, Wei Ran pulled the trigger.

"The bullet impact point was less than a meter to the right and below the lead sheep. You killed it."

Halfway through her sentence, Anfissa changed her tune. The reason was simple: the lead sheep, startled by the shot, had fallen off the cliff while fleeing.

"Just luck"

Wei Ran shook his head. "If this were a bolt-action rifle, it might actually be able to hit it."

"Where are you aiming?" Anfisa asked curiously.

Abdominal cavity

Wei Ran got up and answered truthfully, while also carrying the rifle with the scope removed under his arm and walking step by step toward the low hill, closing the distance to about 250 meters.

At this distance, he could barely make out the argali sheep standing on the light-colored rock face.

"boom!"

With another gunshot, one of the argali sheep, which had just been fleeing but had now calmed down, fell to the ground.

Although he was confident enough at this distance to hunt down the argali sheep with their natural camouflage, he knew that enemies on the battlefield would not only try their best to camouflage themselves, but their exposed bodies were also far smaller than those of the argali sheep standing foolishly on the rock face.

"I wish they would give me my anti-tank rifle then."

As Wei Ran muttered to himself, he slung the rifle over his shoulder, took the horse that Anfisa was leading from behind, and said, "Let's go, it's time to go back and have a taste of those gazelles."