My 1995 Small Farm.

As dawn broke in the east, the dark blue sky seemed to be slowly washed by clear water, revealing a pale porcelain blue hue.

The outlines of the distant mountains became clear in the morning light, no longer the ferocious, lurking beasts of the night, but rather like an impressionistic painting outlined in light ink.

Mist began to rise from the mountains, wisps of it clinging to the mountainside, draping the lush forest in a hazy veil.

The mornings in the second month of the lunar calendar are still chilly, but they are no longer as dry and cold as in winter.

The air was filled with the unique, slightly fishy smell of thawed earth, mixed with the fresh scent of pine needles and the faint, lingering smell of blood from the previous night.

A thin layer of white frost covered the withered leaves and grass underfoot, making a "crunch" sound when stepped on, a completely different feeling from walking on soft, decaying leaves at night.

On the bare branches, some impatient buds have already swelled up, showing a hint of tender green, stubbornly announcing the arrival of spring.

After Chen Ling and his group finished packing, they began to retreat out of the mountains, following the trail markers they had come from.

After a night of turmoil, although they didn't directly confront the "over-mountain yellow" (a type of wild boar), they were under immense mental tension. Now that they relaxed, everyone was somewhat exhausted, and their steps seemed a little heavy.

Only Heiwa and Xiaojin remained energetic, seemingly unaware of the meaning of fatigue.

By the time we reached a relatively open, sunny mountain hollow, it was already broad daylight.

The golden sunlight shone down, dispelling the chill in the forest and invigorating everyone's spirits.

"Take a break and have something to eat."

Yang Jian glanced at his watch and told everyone to stop.

The soldiers found places to sit down and took out their compressed rations and water bottles.

Chen Ling didn't sit down. He patted Heiwa's big head, pointed at Xiaojin, and laughed, "You two must be hungry too, right? Go get something to eat, but don't go far, and be back in a quarter of an hour."

The two large dogs seemed to understand the command. Heiwa responded with a low growl, while Xiaojin rubbed its head against Chen Ling's leg.

Immediately, they turned around at the same time, like two arrows released from a bow, and silently disappeared into the bushes to their side, so fast that they left only two blurry shadows.

"Hey, Fugui, can your two precious little darlings really feed themselves?"

A young soldier, munching on his rations, asked curiously.

Although they had witnessed the ferocity of Heiwa Xiaojin, they were still intrigued by this completely free-range hunting method.

Chen Ling found a clean rock to sit on, unscrewed the kettle, took a sip, and laughed, "These are dogs raised in the mountains; this is their guarding skill. They're better at finding food than we are. Just wait, we're sure to have a good catch soon."

Yang Jian also became interested and said, "That's true. Good hunting dogs have a keen nose and light footsteps, and they know how to ambush. It's much better than us chasing them with guns."

Sure enough, a few minutes later, a series of rapid rustling sounds came from deep within the bushes, mixed with a few short, desperate thrashing sounds from a small animal before it died.

The noise subsided quickly.

A little while later, Heiwa emerged first, a plump gray wild rabbit in his mouth. The rabbit's neck had been precisely bitten off, and it was still twitching slightly.

It walked up to Chen Ling, put the rabbit down, and then squatted down beside him, sticking out its tongue with a calm look in its eyes, as if it had just completed a trivial task.

Then, Little Gold returned, dragging back a rather large badger.

The badger had clearly been in a fight, with bite marks on its body, but Little Gold was obviously superior, biting through its throat in one go.

"Wow! So fast?!"

The soldiers gathered around, marveling at the prey still warm from its body on the ground.

One rabbit and one badger are enough for two big dogs to have a good meal.

"Heiwa, Xiaojin, well done!"

Chen Ling smiled and praised him, then took out a small knife from his backpack and skillfully gutted the rabbit and badger, distributing the entrails to the two large dogs.

Heiwa and Xiaojin immediately lowered their heads and began to eat heartily, enjoying their meal immensely.

"Look at that efficiency!"

Yang Jian exclaimed, "If we relied on hunting for a living, with these two around, we would never go hungry."

As Chen Ling wiped his knife, he said, "Hunting dogs are half a hunter's life. A good hunting dog can not only help you find prey, but also help you guard the prey, and even save your life. Heiwa and Xiaojin have been with me in the mountains many times, and they know everything about what's going on in the mountains."

Watching his two beloved dogs devour their food, Chen Ling felt at ease.

He looked up at the rising sun and said to Yang Jian, "Brother Yang, we've rested enough. Let's hurry up and get out of the mountains. The sooner we get to the village, the better we can arrange the next steps."

"Yes, let's go quickly."

Yang Jian stood up and called to the soldiers, "Pack your things and let's go!"

The group set off again, heading outwards along the valley.

Having eaten and drunk their fill, Heiwa and Xiaojin became even more active, occasionally scouting ahead and startling a pheasant or rabbit, but they didn't attack again, dutifully serving as guides and watchdogs.

As the sun grows warmer, life in the mountains and forests becomes increasingly vibrant.

The chirping of birds rose and fell, creating a lively morning symphony.

The thrills and tension of last night seemed to gradually dissipate with the bright spring sunshine.

When they emerged from the mountain pass and saw the farmland of the distant village, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Yang Jian said to Chen Ling, "Fu Gui, once we get back to the county, we'll immediately submit a report explaining the situation. You should also hurry up and go to the city to bring the tiger back as soon as possible. With those two 'mountain lords' keeping things under control, we can truly feel at ease."

Chen Ling nodded, his gaze resolute: "Don't worry, Brother Yang. I'll go back and make arrangements at home, and I'll set off in two or three days at most. No matter how powerful this 'Over-the-Mountain Yellow' is, it's still afraid of a real tiger!"

Bringing back Afu and Ashou is not only to reassure people, but also because it's time to meet the "spirits" that have recently appeared in the mountains.

……

The slightly chilly mountain breeze, carrying the dampness of the morning dew, dispelled the fatigue of everyone's night's journey.

When the group, with their dogs, returned to Chenwangzhuang along the gradually hardening dirt road, the sun was already high in the sky.

The farm's blue bricks and gray tiles were illuminated brightly.

The village was still quiet, but unlike the desolation at night, the farms during the day exuded a tranquil vitality under the sunlight.

The pond rippled, new green shoots sprouted in the orchard, and even the smell of livestock manure in the air seemed to have been softened by the sunshine.

"Finally back!"

A young soldier breathed a sigh of relief, as if he had returned to the safe zone.

Yang Jian patted Chen Ling on the shoulder: "Fugui, let's go back to the county to report the situation first. You should also get some rest. The sooner the better when it comes to picking up the tiger, the sooner we can let you know as soon as the formalities are completed here."

"Okay, Brother Yang, you've worked hard. Take care on the road."

Chen Ling nodded and watched the police officers lead the horses away.

He turned around and, instead of rushing into the yard, slowly walked around the farm.

Without being told, Heiwa and Xiaojin automatically dispersed, like two loyal guards, and began to patrol their long-lost territory, their nostrils flaring as they carefully discerned any unfamiliar scents in the air.

Er Tu Zi landed back on its favorite old pine stump, slowly preening its feathers, its eagle-like gaze watching the movements in the sky and on the ground.

Chen Ling inspected the chicken coop and duck shed, checked the water level in the pond, and then went to walk around the greenhouse.

Although the time away was not too long, nature's ability to recover is amazing; some wild grasses have already sprouted, and new spider webs have formed in the corners.

"We need to hurry up and tidy up, otherwise when Susu and the children come back, there won't be anywhere to step."

He muttered to himself, his longing for "Guoshanhuang" temporarily replaced by the urgency to get home and tidy up. He rolled up his sleeves, took out a shovel and broom from the tool shed, and began cleaning the yard first.

Fallen leaves, loose soil, bird droppings... He worked with great focus, and sweat quickly soaked his temples.

In the farm, the weeds were almost waist-high.

The weeds and wild vegetables in the orchard grew wildly and frighteningly, turning green earlier and growing more vigorously than elsewhere, almost completely covering the ground under the fruit trees.

A layer of dead leaves and rotten algae floated on the surface of the pond, and a faint smell of stagnant water could be smelled if you got close.

"Good heavens, if we don't do something about it, all the fish in this pond will suffocate."

Chen Ling rolled up his sleeves, rummaged through the tool shed for an almost rusty iron rake, took off his shoes, rolled up his trouser legs, and jumped into the thigh-deep pond mud with a "plop".

The icy mud instantly enveloped me, carrying a musty, earthy smell.

He didn't care at all, and started clearing the mud and decaying grass at the bottom of the water with a rake.

This job is dirty and tiring; an ordinary person would get a sore back after doing it for a while.

But Chen Ling was strong and didn't find it too strenuous to do the work.

As he raked down, he stirred up clumps of dark silt, which he then easily collected into his cave, his efficiency astonishing.

Heiwa and Xiaojin weren't idle either. The two big dogs helped pull at the long grass that had spread to the water's edge from the shore, making loud "woofing" sounds in their throats, working harder than anyone else.

Occasionally, a plump loach would be brought out by the rake, wriggling in the mud. Little Jin, quick-witted and sharp-mouthed, would snatch it up with a "snap," chew it, swallow it, and then swish its tail triumphantly.

After working for most of the day, the pond was finally cleared and looked somewhat normal. Although the water was still a little murky, the new mud at the bottom was already visible.

Chen Ling then secretly mixed in some spiritual water from the cave, and the fish, which had been somewhat listless, immediately became active and gathered together, creating ripples on the surface of the water.

"Hey, the fish at home really know their stuff."

Chen Ling smiled, climbed ashore, and immediately went to dredge the crisscrossing irrigation ditches in the orchard.

These irrigation canals are the lifeblood of the farm; if they get blocked, it will cause a huge problem.

By the time he finally straightened up and rubbed his back, it was already noon.

Although the farm is not exactly brand new, the desolate feeling of being abandoned has been largely dispelled.

The pond rippled gently, the canal flowed gurglingly, and the clutter piled up in the yard was neatly arranged.

Although quiet, it was full of life.

During this time, the flock of pigeons flew back, cooing, and landed on the eaves, tilting their heads to watch him work.

Er Tuzi led his two henchmen down and accurately caught two fat mountain rats that were trying to dig holes near the granary, thus paying their "pledge of allegiance" to "guard the house".

The five weasels suddenly appeared from some corner, trotted to Chen Ling's feet, and squeaked for praise; clearly, they hadn't been idle either.

"Alright, alright, we know you guys did a lot of work."

Chen Ling smiled and took out a few fresh dried fish from the cave and tossed them to them: "I'll take you back to the county town to see Rui Rui tonight."

The little creatures, with dried fish in their mouths, vanished in an instant.

As noon approached, the farm was roughly tidied up inside and out, restoring its former cleanliness and vitality. Although it was still spacious, it was no longer lifeless.

Chen Ling then washed his hands with satisfaction, locked the door, and whistled.

Blackie and Little Gold ran over quickly, and Little Green Horse also strolled back from the orchard.

"Let's go home! Susu and the dolls must be getting impatient."

……

The aroma of food wafted from the courtyard in the county town.

Just as Wang Susu finished cooking the vegetables, she heard the familiar sound of horses' hooves and dogs barking outside the courtyard gate, along with Rui Rui's excited shouts: "Daddy! Daddy's back!"

She quickly put down the spatula, wiped her hands on her apron, and hurried to the gate of the yard.

Just as Chen Ling was dismounting, Rui Rui rushed over like a cannonball and grabbed his leg.

Heiwa and Xiaojin circled around the father and son affectionately, their tails wagging like windmills.

"You're back? Is everything alright in the mountains?"

Wang Susu stepped forward and carefully examined her husband. Seeing that although he looked tired, his eyes were bright and he had no injuries, she was finally relieved.

"It's okay, you're fine."

Chen Ling picked Rui Rui up and lifted him above his head, making the little guy giggle: "I just missed you guys. Where are Kang Kang and Lele?"

"I just fed her, and she's playing on the kang (heated brick bed) inside. Come in, wash your hands, and eat. The food is just ready."

Wang Susu smiled and took the coat he had taken off.

The meal, consisting of just two simple dishes and a soup, felt exceptionally warm and inviting.

While enjoying the delicious meal his wife had prepared, Chen Ling briefly recounted his experiences in the mountains, omitting the thrilling parts and focusing only on discovering the "Over-the-Mountain Yellow" and his decision to go to the city to pick up the tiger as soon as possible.

"...We need to go there as soon as possible. Once we bring Afu and Ashou back and put them in the village, everyone will feel at ease."

"No matter how fierce the 'Over-the-Mountain Yellow' is, it wouldn't dare to get angry at two tigers in their prime."

Chen Ling said, shoveling rice into his mouth.

Wang Susu placed a piece of food on his plate: "Yes, it's good to bring them back. It's not a long-term solution to keep everyone crammed into the city, and the work in the fields will be getting busy soon. When do you plan to go?"

"We'll prepare for tomorrow, and leave early the day after tomorrow. We'll ride our little blue horse; if we're fast, we can make it back in two days."

"Daddy, a big tiger! Rui Rui wants to ride a big tiger!"

Rui Rui listened intently, his eyes lighting up, waving his little spoon and shouting excitedly.

"You brat, tigers aren't for riding."

Chen Ling smiled and pinched his son's cheek. "Wait until Daddy brings them back, then we can look at them from afar, okay?"

"Oh……"

Rui Rui nodded as if he understood, then buried his head in his ribs again.

In the afternoon, Chen Ling was not idle.

I first went to the forest farm construction site and told Zhao Dahai and Shanmao about going to the city to pick up Tiger, asking them to help look after the construction site and my home.

The news spread like wildfire, and the villagers who were "staying" at the construction site and nearby were all excited.

"Fugui is going to pick up the tiger? Great! That's wonderful!"

"That's great! With the tiger back, no mountain spirits or monsters will dare to show their faces!"

"Fugui, be careful on the road! Our village is counting on you!"

"Bring some good food for the two big guys!"

Chen Ling laughed heartily. He hadn't seen the two tigers for so long, and they must be feeling incredibly stifled living in the zoo. He definitely needed to bring them some treats.

If all else fails, then we'll have to prepare some 'tiger food' for the two big guys in the cave beforehand. (End of Chapter)