My 1995 Small Farm.

The tractor chugs along, carrying the whole family on the dirt road leading to Tenghe Township.

But as the sun rises higher, the vibrant wheat fields on both sides of the road and the distant, dark green mountains come into view.

A refreshing spring breeze, carrying the fragrance of earth and flowers, wafted over them. Rui Rui and Wang Zhenzhen were quickly drawn to the butterflies flying by and the wild rabbits darting by the roadside, and their excitement returned.

"Daddy, is the boat big? Can it fit a big tiger?" Rui Rui leaned against Chen Ling's chest and asked with her little face upturned.

"The boat isn't small, but it can't fit your two 'big tigers'."

Chen Ling smiled and pinched her son's nose, "Afu and Ashou have to stay home and look after the house until we come back."

"Oh..." Rui Rui was a little disappointed, but she was quickly drawn to Wang Zhenzhen's description of the "big ship" and the two little ones chattered about what the ship looked like.

Holding Lele in her arms, Wang Susu looked at the familiar scenery outside the window and said softly, "I hope the police station can find the person smoothly. Although they don't listen to advice, it's still a few lives at stake."

"Well, do your best and leave the rest to fate. Captain Li and his team are experienced; they'll make arrangements."

Chen Ling squeezed his wife's hand to reassure her.

He knew in his heart that sometimes, things in the deep mountains couldn't be solved simply by having more people and better equipment.

Especially when facing cunning creatures like the Yellowtail, which are skilled hunters and have become quite adept at hunting.

Now we can only wait for news.

Upon arriving at Tenghe Township, the dock was already bustling with activity.

As the spring floods rise, the river widens considerably, and the current becomes swift. The muddy yellow water carries withered branches and fallen leaves washed down from upstream, surging eastward.

Boats of all sizes were moored on the shore, including cargo barges, passenger ferries, and many small fishing boats.

The boatmen's shouts, the calls to attract customers, and the clanging of chains rose and fell in waves. The air was filled with the unique fishy smell of the river, the smell of diesel fuel, and the aroma of food wafting from the stalls on the riverbank.

Chen Ling went directly to his acquaintance, boat captain Lao Feng, and booked a medium-sized passenger and cargo ship. They agreed to depart early the day after tomorrow and dock directly in the city.

Old Feng was a dark-skinned, lean, and wiry middle-aged man. When he heard that Chen Ling's family was going to Hong Kong Island, he congratulated them repeatedly and patted his chest to guarantee that he would take good care of the boat and ensure a smooth journey.

After booking the boat, and with noon still early, Chen Ling took his family to stroll around the market near the dock.

Tenghe Township is a river and land port, and its market is more lively and has a wider variety of goods than that of Changle Township.

In addition to the usual fruits, vegetables, and daily necessities, several stalls selling mountain products and wild game have been set up along the river.

Upon seeing this, Chen Ling couldn't help but feel secretly alarmed.

At several stalls, in addition to common items such as pheasants and rabbits, there were also bear paws and bear gallbladders of varying sizes.

There are even whole or partial black bear skins.

Although the condition may not be as good as the one given by Old Yang from Yangtougou, the quantity is quite considerable.

There were vendors selling leopard bones, deer antlers, and even a large, scaly dried python on one of the stalls.

Damn, such a huge python has appeared in the Qinling Mountains?

Don't scare me.

Chen Ling gasped.

"Good heavens, there are so many things in these mountains this year, it's almost unbelievable!"

Chen Ling squatted down in front of a stall, picked up a dried bear gallbladder and weighed it in his hand, then said to the stall owner, "Brother, how much is this bear gallbladder? Are there so many bears this year?"

The stall owner, a hunter with a fierce face, grinned and said, "Boss, you have a good eye!" when he saw that Chen Ling had an extraordinary demeanor and was accompanied by his family.

"I don't know what happened this spring, but the black bears in the mountains seem to have sprung up everywhere. Several skilled hunters from our village have caught quite a few!"

"This gall bladder is fresh, it was just taken out not long ago, it's been simply prepared, and the price is negotiable!"

"If you really want it, I have a good piece of skin here, almost undamaged!"

Chen Ling asked several other stalls nearby, and the situation was similar.

Not only black bears, but also wild boars in Tenghe Township seem to be more numerous than in previous years, and they are more aggressive, with several incidents of them damaging crops and injuring people.

On the contrary, the wolf packs that were common in previous years seem to have disappeared this year.

"It seems that the impact of the yellow chrysanthemum is wider than I imagined, even affecting the mountains in Tenghe Township."

Chen Ling pondered, "The changes in the food chain have already begun to show. The black bear population is growing, wild boars may become more aggressive due to competition or food, wolf packs may be suppressed or migrate, and opportunists like jackals will naturally take advantage of the situation."

He realized that this not only meant a temporary increase in mountain produce, but also foreshadowed a potential escalation of human-wildlife conflicts in the mountains in the near future.

At the same time, these high-quality wildlife products, especially bear bile, bear skin, and leopard bones, will definitely become more and more valuable in the future as ecological awareness increases and resources become increasingly scarce.

With that in mind, Chen Ling no longer hesitated.

With his years of experience and keen eye, he began to carefully select.

He practically bought up all the bear bile that was in good condition, large in size, and properly processed.

We bought all the bear pelts that were of good quality and had thick fur, whether they were whole pelts or large pieces.

Encountering leopard bones that are old and have dense bone structure, as well as some rare and effective wild medicinal materials.

He wouldn't let go of anything as long as the price was right.

Wang Susu was initially puzzled and asked in a low voice, "Ah Ling, why buy so much? We can't use it all, and it's too much to give as gifts in Hong Kong."

Chen Ling explained in a low voice, "Susu, look at the situation this year, things in the mountains are behaving much abnormally. I reckon this good thing won't last long."

“These things, especially good bear bile and leopard bones, won’t spoil and will be treasures in the future.”

“If we buy them now, we can give some as gifts and save the rest. Whether we use them ourselves in the future, wait for them to appreciate in value, or use them for medicine, we can’t go wrong.”

"Even if it's not for making money, these things can save lives in critical moments, so having them makes me feel at ease."

Wang Susu always trusted her husband's judgment, and when she heard him say this, she nodded in support.

So, Chen Ling went on a shopping spree, almost sweeping up all the high-quality wild game at the dock market, spending a considerable sum of money, and in return, he received several heavy bundles.

They carried it back onto the tractor, waiting to be hauled away.

This shopping spree not only brought smiles to the faces of several stall owners, but also attracted the attention of many people on the dock.

Everyone inquired about the source of this wealthy boss.

Those who recognized Chen Ling whispered among themselves: "That's Chen Fugui from Chenwangzhuang! He's fierce at hunting leopards and wolves, and he even keeps a tiger at home!"

"They go into the mountains often; they really know their stuff and have an eye for quality!"

The shopping was completed, and it was nearly noon.

Chen Ling and his family found a clean and spacious restaurant along the riverbank.

This shop is located right by the water, built with wooden stakes and bamboo sheds, giving it a very rustic feel.

A place where dockworkers often eat.

Chen Ling ordered a whole fish feast.

Steamed mandarin fish caught and killed on the spot, fish head tofu in milky white broth, crispy fried whitebait, fish offal stir-fried with chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns, and finally a bowl of steaming hot pickled cabbage fish slices.

River fish in spring, after being nourished throughout the winter, have the most plump and tender flesh.

The mandarin fish was plump and sweet, the small whitebait was crisp and delicious, the fish offal was smooth and chewy, and the pickled cabbage fish was appetizing and perfect with rice. Rui Rui and Wang Zhenzhen ate with their hands covered in oil, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Even Kang Kang and Lele opened their little mouths and babbled, waiting for their mother and aunt to feed them the tender, boneless fish meat.

A gentle breeze blew across the river, and the water shimmered. The family sat around a table, enjoying a sumptuous and delicious feast of fresh river delicacies.

After finishing their meal, they watched the passing ships at the dock for a while, bought some sugar figurines and dough figurines for the children, and then the Chen family finally got on the tractor and returned to Chenwangzhuang, completely satisfied.

……

As soon as they returned to the village entrance, they saw Zhao Yubao, Professor Zhong, Captain Li from the county public security bureau, and several village cadres, including Wang Laishun, standing in the threshing ground talking about something. There were also many villagers around, and the atmosphere seemed somewhat solemn.

Upon seeing Chen Ling return, Captain Li immediately greeted him: "Fugui, we've been waiting for you!"

"Brother Li, how's the situation? Have you found the person?" Chen Ling asked, jumping off the tractor.

Captain Li sighed, his face grave: "We found them... but unfortunately, we were too late. All five young people, three men and two women, are gone."

Although he had a premonition, Chen Ling's heart still skipped a beat when he heard the confirmed news.

Wang Susu and Gao Xiulan also covered their mouths, their faces showing reluctance.

"It was found in a mountain valley about ten miles from the entrance to Xishanyu."

Captain Li continued, "The scene... was horrific. The packages were torn to shreds, and equipment was scattered all over the ground. We conducted a preliminary examination of the body, and based on the wounds..."

He paused, glanced around at the villagers who were listening intently, and said in a low, clear voice, "It wasn't the leopard, nor was it that 'Over-the-Mountain Yellow' you're talking about."

"Huh? Not Huanghuali?" Wang Laishun asked in surprise. "Then what is it?"

"They're jackals! And a whole bunch of them!"

Captain Li stated definitively, "The wounds are mostly lacerations, deep enough to expose the bone, consistent with the attack characteristics of jackals, but smaller and more irregular than bite marks from ordinary wolves."

"Most importantly, we found a large number of jackal footprints and feces around the scene."

"Those young men... must have been attacked by a pack of jackals."

A commotion and discussion immediately broke out among the crowd.

"Jackals? My God, those things are the most vicious!"

"Yes, this thing doesn't pounce head-on like a wolf; it targets the back door and once it bites, it won't let go!"

"Five grown men, and a hunting rifle too, how did they end up being killed by those jackals?"

Captain Li explained, "Based on the traces at the scene, they were probably targeted when they set up camp."

"The attack occurred at night, and the gun was fired hastily, but it missed a vital spot and may have angered the jackals instead."

"In that situation, especially at night, people panic, and even the best weapons become useless."

"The jackals are numerous and work together seamlessly, sigh..."

Chen Ling nodded silently.

He was well aware of the jackals' ferocity and cunning.

These creatures are smaller than wolves, but they have excellent teamwork and stamina. Once you get entangled with them, it's extremely troublesome.

Unlike large predators that can kill with a single blow, they employ tactics of harassment, attrition, and continuous wounding until their prey is exhausted and dies from blood loss.

In the pitch-black forest, being targeted by such a group of ghostly creatures, one can only imagine the despair those young people felt.

"It seems that the Yellow Mountain Weasel was just passing by, or it didn't even come close."

"This gang of jackals probably took advantage of the deterrent effect of the yellow croaker, which reduced the activity of other large carnivores, to grow rapidly and become so rampant."

Chen Ling thought to himself.

Ecological changes are indeed interconnected.

"Brother Fugui."

Captain Li patted Chen Ling on the shoulder, "This time, we owe a lot to your village for issuing early warnings and putting up signs."

"We have already reported the situation to our superiors and will also strengthen publicity regarding the management of personnel entering the mountains."

"As for the subsequent search and rescue and the work of comforting the families, we and the professional search and rescue team will be responsible for it. Your village does not need to participate anymore, it is too dangerous."

"I understand, Brother Li. We'll do our best to cooperate if needed," Chen Ling said solemnly.

"Okay, that's enough. With you in your village and those two big guys around, I feel more at ease."

Captain Li sighed a few more times, then hurriedly left with his men, as he still had a lot of follow-up matters to deal with.

After Captain Li and his entourage left, the threshing ground erupted in an uproar.

The villagers chattered amongst themselves, expressing their lingering fear, relief, and general discussion.

"What a bunch of jackals! No wonder something was off about that noise!"

"Thank goodness we didn't go in! That thing is even more troublesome than a wolf!"

"Fugui was farsighted enough to put up the sign, and we tried to persuade him, so we can't blame our village."

"You'll have to be even more careful from now on, and try not to go into the deep mountains unless necessary."

"What's there to be afraid of? With Afu and Ashou protecting our village, what kind of jackals or wolf cubs would dare to come here?"

"Exactly! I can sleep soundly at night!"

This incident deepened the villagers' reverence for the mountains and forests, and their dependence on and trust in Chen Ling and his two tigers reached a new level.

In the hearts of the villagers, Afu and Ashou are not only symbols of might, but also real "guardian deities".

When Chen Ling and his family returned to the farm, their feelings were somewhat complicated.

We felt sorry for those young lives lost, and we gained a deeper understanding of the cruelty of the laws of nature.

"Ah Ling, are we still leaving on time tomorrow?" Wang Susu asked hesitantly.

"Go, go on time."

Chen Ling said firmly, "What's done is done, and it's been dealt with. We still have to live our lives. Going to Hong Kong Island will be a good change of scenery and a chance to clear our heads."

He knew that such an unexpected event should not disrupt his family's life.

Moreover, he increasingly felt that setting up the zoo's framework as soon as possible might provide these increasingly "active" mountain spirits with a relatively controllable home and reduce some potential human-wildlife conflicts.

Over the next two days, Chen Ling did a final check on her luggage for the trip to Hong Kong Island while carefully explaining things at home to Wang Cunye, Gao Xiulan, Zhao Dahai, Shanmao, and others.

The food intake of Afu and Ashou, the feeding of Heiwa and Xiaojin, the care of poultry and livestock, the trivial matters in the fields and orchards... nothing is overlooked.

The moon was bright on the eve of departure.

Chen Ling came alone to the high slope behind the farm, gazing at the tranquil village under the moonlight and the dark mountain outlines in the distance.

A mountain breeze brushed my face, bringing a touch of coolness.

He knew that this trip to Hong Kong Island would not be peaceful in the mountains.

However, this might just be the opportunity to build a zoo. (End of Chapter)