My 1995 Small Farm.

Chapter 158 New Gadgets
After thinking for a moment, Chen Ling raised his hunting rifle and fired a few more shots at the wild boar.

The location they chose was also very conspicuous.

According to veteran hunters like Wang Lixian and Liu Guangli, wild boars are fat and strong, making them difficult to hit with a gun. Therefore, they usually aim for the belly or two or three other parts such as the shoulder blade.

First, the goal is ambitious.

Secondly, these places are relatively close to the wild boar's heart and lungs.

If you hit it, the wild boar will lose its stamina quickly, and after charging for a while, it will be unable to run anymore.

Then surround them with dogs and slowly entangle them; it won't take long to subdue them.

Chen Ling fired the finishing shot for no other reason than...

He's lazy by nature. He dislikes trouble and doesn't want to explain himself to others.

Otherwise, why would they kill a large boar so quickly?

There were no bullet holes on the pig yet.

It's strange to everyone.

Even a powerful dog isn't this powerful.

Later, when Chen Ze arrived with the main force, he saw that Heiwa and Xiaojin were covered in blood. In the grass on one side of the valley, a large and robust wild boar with a long snout and tusks was lying there, with a pool of blood flowing beneath it.

Everyone was extremely surprised.

I never expected to hunt such a big boar so quickly.

While inquiring about Chen Ling's condition, they also stepped forward to examine the pig.

The last group of people looked at Chen Ling, then at the pack of dogs, and couldn't help but gasp.

"Wow, that's amazing! Fugui, you took down such a big wild boar all by yourself with just a dog!"

Chen Ling shook his head: "How could that be? When I caught up, the pack of dogs had already surrounded the wild boar, so I only fired a few shots."

In fact, this is one of the simplest and most conventional methods of hunting boars.

New traces of wild boar have been discovered, confirming that the boar is nearby.

They released hunting dogs to chase the wild boar into the mountains, then shot at it.

However, there are specific rules about when to let the dogs out.

If released too early, the wild boar and the hunting dogs will fight for too long, and the hunting dogs will get injured.

Especially a large boar like this, with a single swipe of its tusks, can disembowel a dog.

If you release them too late, the wild boars will escape.

However, if there are many hunting dogs, there won't be any major problems.

As long as the pack of dogs can catch up.

Once you have more than ten hunting dogs, you can engage in a fight with a single wild boar. All you need to do is be patient and wait for the boar to retaliate. When the dogs dodge, just keep looking for opportunities to fire a few sniper shots.

Wang Lixian mentioned this method, and everyone knows it.

Hearing Chen Ling say this, they indeed didn't ask any more questions.

He just said happily, "That's still pretty impressive. If we had to face a wild boar that big, we'd be too scared to even fire a shot. Hehe, Uncle Fugui will definitely be the first to fire a gun this time we go into the mountains..."

Chen Ling waved his hand: "Forget about guns, hurry up and clean up the wild boar, carry it on and let's go."

"Hey, I'll go chop two sticks right now."

Then, they cut down two sturdy oak trees, tied the pig's feet together, threaded two sticks through them, and carried the wild boar back.

"Wow, this boar must weigh at least three or four hundred pounds."

"I reckon there are some, even bigger than the ones we hunted in Kinmen Village."

"Yes, it's much bigger than theirs. I heard they risked their lives, killing three good hunting dogs, to subdue the wild boar..."

"Uncle Fugui, is your dog alright?"

"It's alright, they're just covered in pig's blood, they're not injured."

They chatted as they walked up the mountain along the same path. However, carrying such a large wild boar, and having rushed over in a panic, with sweat pouring down their faces and not yet fully recovered, they had to take turns carrying it, making the journey very slow.

It was a bit slow, but everyone was very happy, and their tiredness couldn't hide the smiles on their faces.

When they met up with Wang Lixian and the others again.

It was already getting dark, and after 3 p.m., it would soon be dark again in the mountains.

After meeting.

Wang Lixian, Chen Dazhi, and the others who stayed behind to guard the game were also taken aback. They hadn't expected to hunt such a large wild boar in such a short time.

"If you ask me, this pig is more than 300 jin, let alone 400 jin."

Wang Li stepped forward and examined it carefully for a while, then smiled at everyone and said, "With this big guy, it's okay if we can't catch anything else. After one night, we can go straight back."

The others were also delighted to hear this.

Pork prices have been ridiculously high this year. In the first half of the year, it was already 2.5 yuan per jin (0.5 kg), and after the flooding, the price doubled to over 5 yuan. This price is undoubtedly astronomical, and ordinary people are too scared to eat meat anymore.

Pork is expensive, but wild boar meat isn't much worse.

The 400-pound wild boar, along with other prey, would be enough to make a living for the twelve of them.

"Yes, but Uncle Fugui and his dog have put in a lot of effort, so why don't we just leave the wild boar alone?"

The young people couldn't help but blush when they thought about how Chen Ling had already finished hunting the wild boar by the time they ran over there.

"What are you saying? We still have to split it up."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ling immediately shut them down: "When chasing mountains and rivers, everyone gets a share. Once you're in the mountains, follow the rules of mountain running. Do whatever you're supposed to do."

"That's true, but once we leave the mountains, you can calculate your wealth based on the number of guns you take."

Wang Lixian considered it for a moment and then said, "The sika deer and Xiangzi are yours, so we won't touch them."

"Alright."

Chen Ling thought for a moment and added, "But since that's the case, I'll take the head of the wild boar, and the rest can be divided equally."

"You two are actually arguing with each other."

Chen Dazhi rolled a cigarette and chuckled, "Those mountain bandits in Taoshugou fight each other over a gun, sometimes until they're bloodied and battered."

"Oh my, is that so? Fighting is good! Brother Dazhi, if you're not satisfied, why don't you fight Fugui? I'll stand on the sidelines and cheer you on."

"Haha, that's good, Uncle Dazhi, I'll give you a shout too."

"Hey, go away, go away."

"..."

The group rested, laughing and joking around. This place was nice, right next to a pine forest, so Wang Lixian chose a spot nearby that seemed perfect for staying.

After packing up my things for the night, it was almost dark.

Wang Lixian glanced at the sky and then led the two men to inspect the traps and snares.

While gathering firewood, Chen Ling took his dog for a stroll, looking for some things he had carefully noted down that afternoon, intending to add them to his grotto.

Actually, it wasn't that many. On this trip, he collected two of each of the four flowers: plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum. He also unexpectedly found two strange-looking geckos with dark green coloration and black stripes, like the color of a loach. They were small and not afraid of people, which Chen Ling found quite rare, so he also put them into his cave.

Of course, it's just a toy, something to keep and have fun with.

After they went back and lit a fire, Wang Lixian and the others returned not long after.

Unfortunately, there was nothing to be gained from the trap.

They said nothing came over in the afternoon, no new footprints, so they'll leave the traps and snares there for the night and go back over tomorrow when they head out of the mountains.

No one had any objections.

"But Brother Xian, there are quite a few wild boars on our trip into the mountains this time."

Someone asked curiously.

Indeed, not to mention the one they encountered in Kinmen Village, they alone encountered three groups of wild boars, almost all of them in large numbers.

The main reason for asking this question is the concern that after the wolves are driven away, there will be too many wild boars in the mountains, which might then run down and ruin the crops.

"It's normal for wild boars to be plentiful in autumn. At this time, most wild boars have given birth and like to gather together and wander around the mountains, making them the easiest to encounter."

Wang Lixian explained.

He then told everyone that after the autumn harvest, wild boars would be easier to catch. If they had time then, they could come again.

This was specifically addressed to Chen Ling; having him bring the dog along into the mountains would save a lot of effort.

Chen Ling agreed verbally, but in his heart he thought that he might not have time later.

...As night deepened and darkness grew, the sky became overcast, and the stars disappeared, transforming the mountain into a completely different scene.

Gone are the birdsong and fragrant flowers of daytime, the babbling brooks, and all the unique and beautiful scenery. Darkness shrouds everything, and everything is gloomy. Owls cry incessantly, and in the distance, there are the roars of wild beasts and the howls of wolves.

Everyone was exhausted after chasing wild boars today, so they went to bed early. Only Chen Ling had stretched his muscles and was full of energy. He tossed and turned and couldn't fall asleep. He lay on the pile of dry leaves, with Heiwa's strong body as his pillow, still full of energy.

He took the two geckos out of the cave and placed them in his hand. He then gently approached the moths that were fluttering around the fire. Two deformed shadows appeared on the ground. Suddenly, he quickly stuck out his tongue and swallowed the two moths into his mouth.

One catch at a time.

Chen Ling got excited and started circling around, letting them catch things.

Soon, the two geckos had devoured all the moths that were fluttering around the fire.

Actually, we sprinkled medicine powder on the fire again today.

However, as the fire continues to burn and the firewood is replaced, the smell and medicinal effects weaken, and these moths will be slowly attracted by the firelight.

It's only about the size of a fingertip, so it's easy for a gecko to catch it.

Chen Ling found it amusing and gently stroked the two geckos, thinking, "These guys are so well-behaved and obedient. If I train them properly, they'll be much more interesting than geckos if they grow up to be good-looking."

After playing for a while, they caught all the moths and mosquitoes that flew in.

It was then taken into the cave.

Bored and unable to sleep, he followed them inside.

The cave has undergone new changes.

The simple, natural low thatched house is surrounded by bamboo planted behind it, and the lush bamboo grove complements the thatched house beautifully.

Behind the bamboo grove used to be a vegetable garden.

Now the vegetables have been uprooted and cleaned up, leaving only a few scattered fruit trees.

That is, the original peach, jujube, and pear trees were left untouched.

The space under the trees was quite large, and Chen Ling had dug several water channels about a meter wide. Most of the fish in the channels were red eels, yellow eels, and mountain catfish, which like to burrow in the mud.

Each one was better than the fish outside, and they were all bigger than the last. When Chen Ling carried the geckos over, they were not afraid of people.

Two bright red, beautiful old eels with long whiskers, nearly 1.5 meters long, with whiskers alone over 50 centimeters long, swam around in the canal with a group of slightly smaller fish.

This guy is like he's patrolling his territory.

It looks very imposing, truly deserving of the name 'Red Dragon'.

Chen Ling took two deep breaths of the cave's atmosphere, then put the gecko on a nearby tree. He walked to the fishpond and quickly scooped up two small fish, but to his surprise, the fish were fierce and even bit him. He then tossed them into the turtle pond next to him.

Then a group of baby turtles, each the size of a bowl, would scramble to eat them.

These were the turtle eggs that hatched and grew one after another, but Chen Ling felt there were too many, and under his influence, they all grew slowly.

In the grotto, after three or four months, the body is only the size of a bowl.

Furthermore, under the influence of his will and subconscious, apart from the giant turtle, no other creatures in the cave have developed intelligence. This is not something he did intentionally, but rather something he originally regarded as trinkets and food, and the cave spontaneously followed his wishes.

"Garlic, you've been very good lately. I'll take you for a walk in a while, do you want to come?"

Chen Ling squatted down and patted the water's surface.

He called out like that.

With a splash, the water churned, and the mother turtle, as big as a millstone, surfaced, squinting her eyes and nudging his palm twice with her head as a sign of affection.

Actually, although this guy has become intelligent, his nature is hard to change. When he's hungry, he goes to the fishpond to eat fish, and after eating, he sleeps. He doesn't like to move around much, so he's very easy to raise.

Most importantly, it was obedient, leading a group of male turtles and their offspring without running away, which suited Chen Ling's taste perfectly.

So every time I come in, I always make sure to chat with Garlic first.

"Giggle, cluck..."

With a crisp crowing, a flock of brightly colored golden pheasants flapped their wings and flew over from the distant woods.

There were also some birds mixed in.

Chen Ling had shot them down with his slingshot earlier. He thought they were pretty, so he brought them in to heal their wounds and let them roam freely in the forest.

They don't need to be fed regularly; the fruits in the cave are left for them to eat, and they grow quite quickly. The birds are now used to Chen Ling's presence, and some even land on his shoulder after flying over with the golden pheasant.

I teased the pheasants and sparrows, picked up some wild fruit, fed them, and then called Garlic out to play for a while.

Chen Ling went back to the thatched hut to deal with the things he had brought into the mountains.

In the two or three days he spent in the mountains, he gathered quite a few things: wild trees, flowers, herbs, and medicinal plants...

These need to be categorized and planned out before choosing a place to plant them; otherwise, it will be a mess and an eyesore.

(End of this chapter)