Return to 1983 Hunting Xing'an Mountains

Chapter 559: Ask Xu Pao to Buy Ginseng as a Gift
It was a little hot in the house, so Xu He went to the west room to get an electric fan, which immediately blew cool air. The window frame that was wide open was hung with a gauze net to prevent mosquitoes from entering the house. In just a moment, the smoke in the east room was blown away by the fan.

The two pots in the outer room were not burning, so the kang was cold. The temperature in the room dropped slowly and it was not very hot. After all, the real high temperature had passed, and it was even a little cold in the early morning.

After wrapping the dumplings, Aunt Gao and her sister-in-law placed them on the lid curtain and covered them with a layer of white cotton cloth to prevent the dumpling skin from becoming hard. After she and her sister-in-law entered the house, they sat in front of Meng Ziyan and Guan Hua to chat about family matters, while Xu He chatted with Li Fuqiang and others, occasionally listening to the conversation between Xu Ning and Xu Pao.

When they heard that Xu Ning had something to discuss, Xu He, Aunt Gao and the others stopped gossiping, turned around and looked at Xu Ning and said, "Er Ning, just tell me what you want to say. Your uncle is just sitting around doing nothing anyway."

Xu Ning smiled and nodded: "It's like this, I'm getting married in a few days, followed by Shitou and Huzi. We three will have to wait until after October 1st to get married. I promised Uncle Chai before that I would go to Wangxing to help protect the farmers this year, but I was delayed because of the marriage. I have to go to Wanye in a few days, so I really don't have time to go to Wangxing..."

Xu Pao's eyes lit up when he heard that, and he clapped his hands and said, "You want me to go to Wangxing to help protect the farmers? Sure! You've found the right person for this! What do I do? I specialize in hunting animals. Anyway, I'm free at home, so I'll take your aunt to Wangxing for a stroll. That's it!"

This matter touched Xu Pao's heart. He really had nothing to do in the provincial capital. He usually went fishing and taking walks, and his bones were almost rusted. Now that this opportunity was in front of him, he would definitely indulge himself!

Aunt Gao clapped her hands and reminded him, "We asked you to protect the farmers, not to run in the mountains."

"Oh, why go hiking? My legs and feet are so weak that I can't even walk into the mountains. Living here for half a year has made my bones weak. Then why don't we go to Wangxing? Let's call Lao Chang along. If there are any animals in Wangxing, we can hunt them. If there are no animals, we can chat with Lao Chai and Lao Chang. We are all quite old now, and it may be the last time we see each other..."

Xu He, Xu He and his sister-in-law looked at each other, and then Xu He said, "Dad, I definitely agree if you want to go to Wangxing, but the three of you are all old men..."

Xu Pao was unhappy when he heard this. He slapped the edge of the kang and glared, "What the hell is that?!"

"Hey, uncle, Brother He, I haven't finished what I'm saying yet, please listen to me continue."

Xu Pao turned his head and raised his chin to signal him to continue. Xu Ning said, "First, we have to take Qinglang and the others with us, and then let my eldest brother go with you. In this way, my eldest brother and third brother can lead the dog gang to run in the mountains, and you three can take a break, without delaying anything."

"This arrangement makes sense. I didn't want to admit that I'm old and my legs aren't working very well, but old is old. So when are we going?"

Xu Ning said, "Why don't you wait for me and Brother He to return to Qing'an? I'll have my Third Brother drive over to pick you up the next day. How about that?"

"Okay! It's settled! Come here, let me take a look at the old man."

Wang Hu turned around and took the sack standing on the floor cabinet, and took out an old slingshot from it. Xu Pao held it in his hand and examined it. This gun had made great contributions to the Xu family. Who knows how many animals it had hunted over the years...

For a moment, Xu Pao felt mixed emotions and thoughts while touching the old handle. When he came to the provincial capital before, he felt a little regretful. As an old hunter who had been running in the mountains for many years, he didn't have a final game. It was a pity! Now that Xu Ning asked for help, he had to help as an uncle, and also to make up for this regret.

"How's the maintenance?"

"Good! It's a bit explosive. Are you going to use this gun to shoot the bandits?"

"Yeah, Hu Zi shot three bandits with his gun."

Xu Pao's eyes lit up: "Good! Huzi is great..."

At this time, Xu He looked towards the gate and said, "Dad, the child is back, put it away quickly."

"Okay, put it away and throw it on the kitchen counter, out of the sight of the children."

Xu He took the sack and stuffed the food into it, then quickly went to the outer room and placed it on top of the kitchen bowl.

"Dad! Who's coming home? Who's there?"

Three children ran into the outer room, and my brother-in-law followed slowly behind them. Xu He said with a smile, "Your Uncle Xu, go into the house and call for help."

"OK."

The three children followed Xu He into the house. They were a little confused to see so many people in the house. They suddenly had an idea and called him "Grandpa". Xu Pao laughed and pointed at Xu Ning and said, "This is your Uncle Xu."

"Hello, Uncle Xu! Uncle Xu is so tall..."

"Hahaha!" The child made everyone in the room burst into laughter.

Xu He smiled and said, "Erning, this kid of mine is pretty tough."

"Tough!" Xu Ning stood up and walked to the floor cabinet, picked up the paper bag and put it on the edge of the kang, saying: "I bought some snacks for the three of you, take whatever you want to eat!"

My sister-in-law immediately said, "We'll eat soon. You're not allowed to eat now."

Hearing this, Xu Pao and Aunt Gao turned their heads away, too lazy to listen. The three children also pouted their lips, somewhat dissatisfied. However, there was one good thing, that is, there was only one person in the family taking care of the children, and no one else would interrupt, even if they felt unhappy, they would not say a word.

Xu Ning smiled and said, "It's okay. There are some small toys inside, such as a tin frog and a little tiger. Are they interesting?"

"Rare! Thank you, Uncle Xu. I wanted my mom to buy me a tin frog last month, but she insisted that I must pass both the 100 and 100 marks in the exam before she would buy it for me..."

The other two children didn't seem to want to talk, and they just played with the little tiger and the tin frog. When my sister-in-law heard that her own children had started to speak again, she hurriedly said, "Come, this is your aunt..."

The three children were arranged clearly by their mother and uncle and dared hardly make any waves, which was enough to show that the sister-in-law had extraordinary prestige in the children's hearts. After the children greeted everyone in the house, the sister-in-law pushed the three children to go to the west room to play.

The room was a little quiet, and just as my brother-in-law walked into the room, he asked with a smile, "Why is there no one chatting?"

Xu He smiled and said, "Aren't they waiting for you to come back? Are the three of them going to school in the afternoon?"

"No, I'll go back to school tomorrow afternoon, and I'll go to school the next day. Will you take me there?"

"You deliver it. I have to go to the factory to deliver the goods tomorrow."

Xu Ning asked, "Where does my brother-in-law work?"

"I'm at the neighborhood office. There's nothing to do there. You guys can go to Sun Island tomorrow. I've made all the arrangements."

"Oh, you've finished the arrangements so soon?"

"It's just a phone call, Dad. You and my mom can go for a walk tomorrow."

"I won't go. Let Erning and the others take a stroll. I need to conserve my energy..."

Seeing that Xu Pao was in a good mood, his brother-in-law was a little confused, so Xu He explained what Xu Ning had discussed with him. His brother-in-law nodded and said, "It's okay to go home for a few days, but you and my mother have to come back."

"Go back! Isn't your father very fond of venison? I'll bring him some when I come back." Xu Pao promised easily.

Aunt Gao said with a smile: "There are no deer near the mountain at this time. Stop messing around."

Xu Ning waved her hand and said, "It's okay, Auntie. Even if we can't find a deer, we can still get some meat. My uncle and Brother Huang are selling meat now. They know a lot of people, so they must have some channels to get some!"

"Look, this is just a small matter... Hey, how is Guoxing doing business?"

"I stopped helping my family build a house for a while, but I picked it up again recently. I think it's still okay."

"That's fine. Before your aunt and I came to the provincial capital, he came to see me on purpose. I told him to get to know you more. You must not treat him badly."

"Yes, Brother Huang told me about this. His son Huang Lin and my two younger brothers are now in the city learning the skills of car repair."

Xu Pao was surprised and asked, "Oh, you arranged it?"

"I just happen to know someone who is good at this. Giving two or three gifts is just a gift. It's just a side job."

"..."

After a while of chatting, it was already noon.

There were three pots in the yard. Aunt Gao was bending over one of the pots with a lid, cooking dumplings. Next to her was her sister-in-law who was cooking and Xu He who was serving stew into a basin.

Meng Ziyan and Guan Hua were not idle either. They were in the outer room, pouring the stew from the basin onto plates...

The atmosphere in the house was filled with joy. The three children brought bowls, chopsticks, garlic sauce and aged vinegar to the table. Xu He and his brother-in-law placed stools. Xu Pao twisted the cap of the Wuliangye bottle and turned to look at Xu Ning and asked, "How much can Er Ning drink?"

Xu Ning grinned and raised a finger. His brother-in-law was stunned and asked, "Just one drink?"

“Keep drinking!”

Upon hearing the sound, the room was silent at first, and then burst into wild laughter. Xu Pao, Xu He and others were all laughing so hard that they were bent over. Even the three children were holding their stomachs, as if they were about to laugh to death.

Xu Pao was very satisfied, because although he and Xu Ning had eaten at the same table, they had never drank together. He was very happy to hear this, and asked Guan Lei: "How much can Leizi and Huzi drink?"

They both raised their hands at the same time. Xu He looked at the gesture and asked in confusion, "What does this mean?"

"Drink without end!"

"Hahaha... Okay! Okay!"

My brother-in-law laughed and said, "Oh my god, I heard a new word today. Let's have a dinner together on the street and see how I fool them."

Although this joke has been repeated many times, people who heard it for the first time found it very novel and interesting. "Wouldn't it scare them to death if I stick out my finger?" Xu Pao laughed and looked at Li Fuqiang: "Qiangzi?"

Seeing Li Fuqiang shaking his head, Xu Pao thought he had some new words, so he asked, "What's the matter? Do you think the three of them are no good?"

"No, I can't drink it. I don't have the pleasure to do so. Uncle Xu, you guys drink it."

"Oh my god, you almost scared me. I thought if you four drank with me three, you would have to go to the thatched cottage to drink, right?" said my brother-in-law with a laugh.

"Haha, that's not a big deal! It's okay, Qiangzi, if you can't drink, then don't drink. That's the good thing about our family. If you want to drink, then drink. If you don't want to drink, then just stay at the table and chat."

"Okay!"

Xu Pao poured the wine himself and said, "You and Er Ning must love each other. Drinking and smoking are bad habits, but smoking without drinking and drinking without smoking are good. You can get along well wherever you go."

"That's true. There's a buddy in our unit who never smoked or drank. But in the end, he got hurt by love and now smokes and drinks..."

While they were chatting, Aunt Gao, her sister-in-law and others brought dishes and dumplings to the table. There weren't many people today, but they had to be divided into two tables. The old man was drinking and smoking, and he couldn't chat with the old women. There were also three children, so they had to be well fed and watered.

The table was full of dishes, the staple food was mutton dumplings, the hot dishes included pork ribs stewed with beans, mutton meatballs and spinach soup, braised pork elbow, three kinds of stir-fried pork, celery and meat, and the cold dishes included pickled vegetables, peanuts, cold-mixed pig ears, and two kinds of red sausage platters. Because peanuts were not counted as a dish, there were eight dishes in total, which was the best of the meal.

After Xu Pao spoke a few words, everyone started eating. Xu Ning seized the opportunity to raise his glass to toast, and a string of set words livened up the atmosphere at the table. Then his brother-in-law and Xu He also raised their glasses and threw out a string of words. The atmosphere was very enjoyable.

"Originally, I thought that the last time I went to Old Mother Pig Ridge with Er Ning to hunt roe deer was my last chance to take off my armor, but after thinking about it carefully, I didn't catch anything. It was all caused by them. This guy is so anxious..."

Xu Ning said with a smile: "Uncle, you can't think like that. What is the meaning of taking off the armor? I haven't thought about retiring. Do I have to kill a big cat before taking off the armor? You have to think about it this way. I am successful now. I have raised my son and daughter to this age. I have grandchildren around me. I have to enjoy the happiness of family life..."

Xu He clapped his hands and gave a thumbs up: "That's right! Dad, did you hear what Er Ning said? You are still being too picky about this matter..."

Xu Pao was thinking deeply about what Xu Ning meant. He was interrupted by him and was quite angry: "Shut up, I don't want to hear you. Er Ning is right, why didn't you say these words?"

"Hey, I'm just a follower, I'm not good at talking!"

"Hahaha..." There was laughter in the house.

Xu Pao couldn't help but laugh and curse: "Get lost now."

Aunt Gao said, "Erning is very insightful when he talks. Your father was in such a bad state these days, and you still irritated him."

"I really didn't mean it, Dad. It's all in the wine, okay?" Xu He raised his glass and gulped down the remaining wine.

My brother-in-law was waiting on the side. After pouring the wine, he said, "Dad, when you go to Wangxing to help farmers, you must think about coming back. If you don't come back, I will drive to pick you up."

"I know. How can I not come back? You are all here."

Xu Pao's attitude towards his son and son-in-law is obviously different, which is normal. After all, they are not his biological sons. Maybe some people say that a son-in-law is worth half a son, but that depends on whether you meet a very good son-in-law. If you meet a very bad one, it would be better to raise a stray dog.

The same goes for sons, daughters, daughters-in-law, nephews, and friends. First, you need to meet the right person, and second, you need to be sincere to each other, so that the relationship can last...

Even though my brother-in-law and sister-in-law have many shortcomings, they are very nice to Xu Pao and Aunt Gao, and that's enough.

After drinking half a pound of wine, everyone was a little tipsy. Xu Pao did not ask for more wine. He knew that Xu Ning had something to do in the afternoon, so he sat at the table, smoking and chatting.

Meng Ziyan and Guan Hua played with the three children and chatted with Gao Daniang who was sitting on the edge of the kang. In short, everyone was divided into three or five groups and confided their thoughts to each other.

When Xu Ning went to the toilet to untie his belt, his brother-in-law came hurriedly, stood in the corner and drained the water, and said with a smile: "Er Ning, you should be able to see that I want to do something with you today."

"Just tell me, brother-in-law, we are all family."

"Okay, then don't laugh at me after I finish speaking."

"Oh, I can't."

My brother-in-law lifted his trouser waistband and said, "My family's situation is a bit complicated, so I'll just keep it simple. I want you to help me buy some ginseng seedlings."

"Buy ginseng? As a gift."

My brother-in-law said frankly: "It's a gift. My father's uncle is sick, and this ginseng just hits the spot. I have been in this position for several years, and I have been thinking about it... But I haven't told my eldest brother about this, he probably won't understand..."

Xu Ning said as he tied his belt: "I know, what kind of ginseng do you want?"

"I just don't understand, that's why I want to ask you to research. What are those two seedlings you gave my dad like?"

"Those two seedlings are of the second generation, and the price is 60 yuan at most."

"One seedling?"

"OK."

My brother-in-law smiled and said, "I have prepared 2000 yuan. Do you think it is better to give one seedling or two?"

"It depends on who you are sending the gift to. If they are relatives, you can send two seedlings. If they are of a higher status, you can send one seedling. A good seedling of ginseng has collection value. This toy is like an antique."

"Then I'll throw the money into your gun sack later, how about that?"

"Okay, I can do it today. I'll go to the mall with my friend who deals in ginseng in the afternoon. I also met this friend through my brother He, but he can't tell anyone."

"Okay! I'll leave it to you then."

It is a good thing to want to make progress. For Xu Ning, this is a piece of cake and it doesn't require any effort at all.

As they walked into the house, Xu Ning said, "Why don't you find an excuse to come with me later? It would be great if we can just get it done right away."

"Will it not delay your work?"

"Nothing serious, just going to the mall to shop for some things."

"Row."

Then, the two of them went into the house together. At this moment, Aunt Gao and others were clearing the table. Xu He brewed another pot of tea, and everyone sat around the table, chatting about things in the village. Although Xu Pao had lived in Taiping for most of his life, he didn't know some people, but he definitely knew Li San, after all, Li San was quite famous in Qing'an and Taiping.

When he heard that his family's ancestral grave had been dug up and that the pig king had paralyzed him, he immediately said helplessly: Evil deeds will be punished by heaven, and Chunchun is getting his retribution.

When Xu Ning was about to leave, his sister-in-law said on the spot that he would not go because he and Yan were getting married and he had to stay at home to take care of the children. His brother-in-law quickly responded that he would definitely be there, but he and Xu He and Xu He had to be there the day before the wedding and they could not go early because they were busy with work.

Xu Ning glanced at his watch and saw that it was already past 1 o'clock, so he stood up and prepared to leave. Xu Pao said bluntly, "Let's go. I won't keep you. You can go to Sun Island for a walk tomorrow."

"Well, then you and my aunt and my brother He will go back on the 3rd? Then come to my house for dinner."

"Okay! We'll probably..."

Xu Pao glanced at Xu He and said, "We can get to Qing'an around three or four in the afternoon, which is just right for dinner."

"Okay, I'll tell Brother Dong later, and then you two can discuss it."

Xu Ning, Li Fuqiang and others walked out of the house carrying sacks filled with guns, and Xu Pao and his men escorted them to the entrance of the alley.

At the entrance of the alley, Dazhi and Scarface were leaning against the wall smoking. Seeing this, they hurriedly took out their cigarette boxes and handed cigarettes to Xu Pao and others. After they lit up their cigarettes, Xu Ning waved his hand and asked everyone to get in the car.

"Drive slower."

"My elder brother didn't drink, and it's fine that he drove. You guys should go back quickly..."

After saying that, Xu Ning got into the back of the car and patted the guardrail to signal Li Fuqiang that he could step on the accelerator.

The car moved slowly, and Xu Pao, the old lady and others stood at the entrance of the alley and waved.

At this moment, my brother-in-law hurriedly shouted: "Wait a minute! Oh my god, I almost forgot, Xiao Wang asked me to go to the company to sign something. Qiangzi, bring it to me... Mom and Dad, you guys go back to the room quickly, I'll be back after signing..."

Xu He asked: "Should I leave you some food tonight?"

"I'll be back soon."

My brother-in-law hurriedly climbed into the back of the car, and Li Fuqiang shouted, "Brother-in-law, where are you going?"

"Let's go first. Just find a site to drop me off."

Afterwards, Li Fuqiang drove away slowly, and Xu Pao and others turned around and went home.

(End of this chapter)