Rebirth in 1972: Redemption in Changbai Mountain

The sun had just dipped below the mountain peaks and sank below the horizon. The educated youth who had been working in the fields had just returned to their dormitories with their hoes on their shoulders, and the hunter team that had gone out to search the mountains was also gradually making their way back, covered in grass clippings.

Wang Houtian instructed the kitchen to make noodles for everyone.

The wheat was harvested just a few days ago, and the flour was ground on the same day. The noodles made from this flour are so chewy and springy.

The militiamen and hunters ate their hot noodles with sweat pouring down their faces. After a few bowls, they felt a surge of energy and confidently assured the educated youth.

"Don't worry, with us here, the wolves won't get a single step near the farm. We guarantee to wipe them all out."

The educated youth's worries had long since subsided.

In the afternoon, I watched the militiamen patrolling in formation, armed with guns. Even the tractors that usually wobbled along were now driving steadily on the field ridges.

Apart from the patrol posts on duty around the perimeter, everyone else rested after finishing their noodles.

The newly built red-brick dormitories on the farm were reserved for the educated youth, while the militiamen and hunters moved into the abandoned old warehouse, where they spread a thick layer of dry straw on the ground as temporary beds.

Wang Houtian, the militia captain, Guai Ziye, and Gu Dayong, without taking a break, gathered in the office lit by a kerosene lamp.

On the topographic map spread out on the table, all the wolf tracks found that afternoon were marked with charcoal pencils.

"We have confirmed the presence of three groups of wolves, in these three areas..." Gu Dayong, a former soldier, could read the markings on the map. He emphasized the three different locations with his fingertips as he reported to Wang Houtian.

"The pack to the east was first discovered by Guai Ziye. Among the wolf tracks, one was particularly large, and Guai Ziye judged that it was left by the wolf king."

As soon as Gu Dayong finished speaking, Uncle Guai nodded solemnly.

"That's right. I counted the footprints three times. There were thirteen wolves in total. That big footprint was a whole size larger than a normal wolf paw, so it was definitely the alpha wolf."

"Scattered wolf tracks were also found in the remaining two locations, all from small wolf packs, not many in number."

Wang Houtian secretly admired the group of experienced hunters who had uncovered so many crucial clues in just half a day.

His gaze fell on Uncle Guai and Gu Dayong: "In your opinion, are these wolves one large pack, or several independent small packs? Approximately how many are there in total?"

Today he had already sorted out the situation of the team. The ninety-three men were divided into two groups. The militiamen were well-trained and suitable for guarding the farm, but they had almost no experience in hunting wolves.

Although the hunter team of less than thirty people looks small, they are the core force in dealing with wild wolves.

Gu Dayong did not answer rashly, but turned aside and gave the right to speak to Uncle Guai.

He was an excellent marksman and agile, but when it came to understanding the habits of wild wolves, he was far inferior to the old man who had spent his whole life in the mountains.

The old man clutched his pipe, the tobacco burning in the flickering firelight, his voice low and somber.

"The clues are still incomplete, so we can't determine how many packs of wolves there are. But based on the footprints we've counted so far, the total number of wolves is definitely no less than thirty."

"Thirty horses? What's there to be afraid of? There are so many of us, each of us can easily take on one!" The young and impetuous militia captain slammed his hand on the table, his face full of unwavering confidence.

The old militia captain next to him immediately reached out to stop him, his expression serious: "Don't underestimate the enemy! The 'Guai Zi' said 'no less than thirty,' not exactly thirty."

Wolves are not stationary targets; they are much more agile than us in the dark, and a moment's carelessness can allow them to take advantage of an opening.

"So what do we do now? Should we immediately release the hunting dogs into the mountains to hunt, or wait until dawn to organize a search?"

"If you ask me, let's act now! A swift and decisive victory is better than anything else!"

"Nonsense! How can two human legs outrun four wolf legs when we go into the mountains in the dark?"

Before Wang Houtian could make a decision, the people present started arguing, each holding their own opinion. The noise was deafening, and none of the proposed solutions could convince anyone else, so the situation reached a stalemate.

Bang...bang bang.

Several gunshots shattered the tranquility of the farm, and a large flock of birds took flight from the rice paddies.

The militia captain of Gujiatun suddenly stood up: "Oh no, the patrol team outside has encountered wolves!"

Gu Dayong grabbed Captain Gu's arm: "Don't panic, organize the team. There's no need to wake up the resting militiamen; we'll have to change shifts in the middle of the night. Uncle Guai and I will take the hunters."

The dormitory area was only briefly disturbed before quickly quieting down.

The educated youth, exhausted from a long day, were awakened by the gunshots, but comforted by Director Wang and with so many militiamen and hunters around, they turned over and fell asleep again.

Just as Zhou Rui and the others sat up, the door was pushed open, and Gu Dayong and Guai Ziye stood side by side in the doorway.

"Assemble, split into two teams. One team will follow Uncle Guai to the spot where the patrol team fired their guns to scout for the wolf. The other team will stay with me and provide support as needed."

Gu Dayong's loud voice rang out; this was the result of their hurried discussion on the short walk from the office to the warehouse.

The plan wasn't very detailed; it was just to deal with unexpected situations.

Just as Zhou Rui was putting on his coat, he saw Uncle Guai pick up the old sleeve leaning against the wall.

"Choose ten men to come with me, and bring the dogs with you."

The old man's voice was low but unusually calm: "Don't use a flashlight. Wolves have sharp eyes at night, and a beam of light will make them easy targets."

The hunting dogs tied to the warehouse had already pricked up their ears, the fur on the back of their necks stood on end, the ropes were being pulled so hard they rattled, and low growls rolled from their throats.

A group of men quickly organized their guns and headed out. Zhou Rui walked out of the room and watched as Uncle Guai led his men along the paddy field ridges toward the place where the gunshot had rang out.

"Ruiwa, do you think Uncle Guaizi will be the first to achieve the great feat and be the first to hunt down the wolf?"

The hunters who hadn't left all emerged from the storeroom, and a suffocating atmosphere filled the air, like the oppressive dampness before a rainstorm.

Zhou Rui ran his fingertips over the cold barrel of the rifle, his gaze fixed on the end of the field ridge where Uncle Guai and his group had disappeared.

The rice stubble was so black it looked like it had been soaked in ink, and even the moonlight couldn't penetrate it.

"It's not that simple. Wolves aren't like wild boars; they're very cunning." He spoke in a low voice, half of which was carried away by the wind.

"Those three shots were too suspicious. The patrol encountered the wolves only two miles from the sentry post. Why would wolves be so stupid as to run right into the gleaming muzzle of a gun?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than two more gunshots rang out from the east, followed by the high-pitched howl of a wild wolf.

The hunters who stayed behind changed their expressions instantly. Chen Ye chambered a bullet with a clatter and was about to rush over there when Gu Dayong grabbed his arm.

"Don't go." Gu Dayong's voice was taut: "Listen, the gunshot isn't coming from the right place."

"Just a quarter of an hour ago, Uncle Guai and his gang left. They should have reached the rice paddy halfway there by their pace, but the gunshots came from the other side, definitely not in the direction they were going."

Gu Dayong abruptly stopped in his tracks. A faint smell of blood, mixed with the distinctive stench of wild wolves, wafted in the wind.

He turned around abruptly, his gaze sweeping across the dark farm, his pupils shrinking to pinpoints.

"They're using this as a diversionary tactic, scattering us to lure the enemy away. The wolf pack is trying to maneuver us and disrupt our plans."

"Jiacheng, go and inform the militia captain of Gujiatun to have the patrol teams narrow their patrol routes and not to pursue blindly."