Chapter 29: Preparing to Head Up the Mountain
"Brother Hao, you know what? This silly roe deer really is delicious," Sun Chaoshu said to Ye Hao as they walked.
That evening, Captain Li's family stewed the silly roe deer. The combination of roe deer and corn cakes filled everyone's mouths with a delightful aroma, and even after they finished eating, Sun Chaoshu was still savoring the taste of the roe deer.
"Brother Hao, when the forest protection team comes down to pick people, how about we join them? I just asked Captain Li. Captain Li said the forest protection team often encounters silly roe deer, and they eat whatever they catch."
"Are you sure you want to join the forest protection team? It's very tough work."
"Yes, I want to contribute to the national forest farm, and protecting the forest is everyone's responsibility," Sun Chaoshu said with a righteous expression.
"Give it a rest. I think you just want to eat silly roe deer. I know what you're thinking the moment you stick your butt out."
"Brother Hao, we just finished eating, don't say such disgusting things. I admit I want to eat roe deer meat, but I also sincerely want to contribute to the country. Otherwise, why would I come to this mountain gully? Being able to contribute to the nation's construction while also eating roe deer meat, isn't that even more perfect?"
"Since you want to go, then go be a forest ranger. But let's be clear, once you go, you must honestly follow me. There are too many dangers in the mountains, and if something happens, I won't be able to explain it to Aunt Wang," Ye Hao said solemnly.
"Okay, I'll listen to Brother Hao. I promise not to run around."
Today was the best meal everyone had eaten in a while, except for Ye Hao, of course, as Ye Hao had plenty of good food in his spatial dimension.
Feeling full, everyone was very excited. They returned to their rooms and gathered in twos and threes to chat. It was now clear that several small circles had formed among them.
Zhao Yuanhang ignored everyone, and Huang Su Su always followed him.
Zuo Lei and Tang Zilan became good sisters.
Wang Rong and Niu Jianwu were both quiet people, so Niu Jianwen became the one who livened up the atmosphere among the three.
As for Ye Hao and Sun Chaoshu, they were brothers. Lu Bingsheng, thanks to Ye Hao's help, also consistently followed Ye Hao now.
Lu Bingsheng seemed a bit down today, so Ye Hao asked, "Bingsheng, what's wrong? You look like you have something on your mind."
"I haven't had to worry these past few days, so I'm just missing my grandpa, dad, and mom."
"Bingsheng, your grandpa, uncle, and aunt surely wouldn't want you to be so sad. They want you to grow up healthy and happy. You don't need to think about anything else. You have us Comrades now, and your Brother Hao. Follow your Brother Hao, and I guarantee you won't go hungry. As for your enemies, your Brother Hao will figure out a way for you to get revenge," Ye Hao comforted him.
"That's right, and you have your Brother Sun too. We're all family. When we return to the capital, I'll take you to my house. My mom's cooking is delicious."
"Okay, Brother Hao, Brother Sun, from now on we are family. I'll follow Brother Hao."
"That's the spirit! Chao Shu and I are thinking that once the forest protection team comes down, we'll go up the mountain with them to be forest rangers. What are your thoughts? Going up the mountain is very dangerous, so think it over carefully before you decide."
"I'll go with you," Lu Bingsheng said without hesitation.
Having eaten well today, Ye Hao didn't enter his spatial dimension to eat anything that night.
The night passed without incident. The next morning, after everyone had packed, Captain Li arrived with two strong men carrying rifles.
"Let me introduce you. These are from our forest protection team. This is Captain Xu Chuan, and this is forest ranger Zhang Shan."
"Hello, young Comrades. We were supposed to come a few days ago to take you up the mountain, but we encountered a group of poachers from the border, which caused a delay, so we only came down today.
First, let me explain the work of a forest ranger. Forest rangers are personnel who patrol the forest, mainly to prevent forest fires and illegal logging.
First, you need to have good physical fitness, otherwise, how can you walk dozens of kilometers of mountain roads patrolling the forest every day? You also need sufficient courage, as you'll often encounter tigers, wild boars, and black bears in the mountains. Although we have guns, having a gun doesn't necessarily guarantee your safety. You also need to endure loneliness; after going up the mountain, you might not encounter anyone else for ten days to half a month. Sometimes, people from the other side of the mountain come here with guns to hunt, and these are the most dangerous. In the future, if you encounter people with guns or Russians, you must be extremely, extremely careful.
Everyone, please consider carefully who wants to come up the mountain with us to be forest rangers. I'll come back at noon, and those who want to come up the mountain with us will depart in the afternoon." With that, Captain Xu left.
"What are you thinking? Do you want to go up the mountain?" Niu Jianwen was the first to ask.
"I, Brother Hao, and Bingsheng, the three of us are going up the mountain," Sun Chaoshu replied.
"I want to go too," Tang Zilan replied.
"Zilan, it's not good for you, a girl, to go up there. The mountain is so dangerous, you should stay in the village," Sun Chaoshu said, seeing Tang Zilan's intention to go, and quickly tried to dissuade her.
"Yes, Zilan, you should stay down here. The mountain is too dangerous, and constantly walking in the mountains means you won't even have time to tidy yourself up," Ye Hao also quickly tried to dissuade her.
"Sister Zilan, are you really going up the mountain? If you go, I'll go too. I'll follow Sister Zilan."
"Zuo Lei, why are you joining in the fun? Neither of you are allowed to go!" Ye Hao's head started to ache when he saw Zuo Lei also wanted to go. These two little grandmas, why did they have to insist on going up the mountain when there were so many other things they could do?
"That's right, you two aren't allowed to go."
"Yes, Zilan, look, the mountain is full of men. It wouldn't be convenient for you to go. Just stay in the village," Huang Su Su said at this point.
"You don't need to persuade me, I'm going," Tang Zilan insisted.
Seeing that they couldn't persuade her, everyone gave up. Ye Hao still wanted to try a few more words, but seeing Tang Zilan's resolute expression, he couldn't persuade her anymore. Let her go, endure a few days of hardship, and if she can't take it, she'll come down herself. The hardships of the mountain are not something ordinary people can endure.
"Since you're all going, then my brother and I will go too," Niu Jianwen said.
"Then it's just me and Yuan Hang left. Oh, and Wang Rong," Huang Su Su said.
Wang Rong had always had the lowest presence in this group.
"I won't go. You all know my body; I can't walk very far before I get exhausted. I'll just stay in the village," Wang Rong knew her limitations and didn't join in the excitement, knowing her body couldn't compare to others'.
Those preparing to go up the mountain began packing their luggage. Once they entered the mountain, they might not return to this side for a long time, so it was best to bring their luggage.
After lunch, Captain Xu came to the front of the warehouse and asked, "Have you thought it over? Who's coming up the mountain with me?"
"The few of us," seven people said, then stepped forward.
"How are there still girls? Girls are not allowed on the mountain!" Captain Xu was immediately a little angry when he saw Tang Zilan and Zuo Lei.
"Why won't you let us go up the mountain?"
"There's no place for girls to live on the mountain, and there aren't any girls up there, so many things would be inconvenient. Don't cause us any trouble."
"We're not causing trouble, we're helping you," Tang Zilan was about to explain but was cut off by Captain Xu.
"If you go up, we'll have to build houses for you, and if the two of you girls live together, I'm afraid you might be carried off by tigers. Daily life will also be very inconvenient. The mountain doesn't have the living conditions of the village. We shower directly in the stream and river. Can you shower with us? You two stay in the village. As for the men who want to go up the mountain, pack your luggage well, and we'll depart shortly."
Seeing Captain Xu say this, Tang Zilan and Zuo Lei had no choice but to give up their decision to go up the mountain.
"Captain Xu, our luggage is all packed."
"Good, then we'll head up the mountain."