Rebirth in 1972: Redemption in Changbai Mountain

There weren't many stalls set up in the field, perhaps because it was the busy farming season, and there weren't many people browsing. Zhou Rui wasn't dressed very well, but he was pushing a bicycle and carrying a bright military backpack on the back, which attracted a lot of attention.

Zhou Rui arrived at a place selling clothes and shoes. The stall was run by an Oroqen man, and all the clothes and shoes were made of roe deer skin.

Zhou Rui looked at the exquisitely crafted Suen from the roe deer hide. This skill was unique to the Oroqen people and not just anyone could do it. Zhou Rui carefully selected one for each of his three children. He didn't buy one for himself, as his old military overcoat was enough.

Zhou Rui used some money along with salt coupons, tea coupons, and the goods were easily obtained. The Oroqen people live in the mountains year-round, and while they have enough meat, they have always lacked things like salt, tea, and flour.

Perhaps it was Zhou Rui's generosity that touched the stall owner, because Zhou Rui was stopped by a woman as he walked past her.

"Young man, can you come over and take a look?" The woman was young and a little timid. Although she mustered up the courage to call out to Zhou Rui, her voice was very soft.

Zhou Rui walked over. There was nothing else in front of the woman except a Caucasian Shepherd Dog about half a meter tall crouching beside her, and three puppies in a basket. The three puppies were small, and seemed to have been born recently. The large dog would occasionally use its paws to pull the puppies that tried to crawl out back in.

"Are you selling these three puppies?" Zhou Rui squatted down and silently examined the three puppies. He had wanted to buy some puppies for An'an for a long time. The last two times, Uncle Wang and his senior brother brought dogs to their house, and An'an drooled with delight at them.

Caucasian Shepherds are large when they reach adulthood, and although their stamina is relatively poor and their hunting skills are not great, Zhou Rui never considered buying a hunting dog. When it comes to hunting, Zhou Rui has more faith in himself; his ability to sense a radius of a thousand meters surpasses any incense sticks that are raised or lowered.

With their size and loyal nature, Caucasian Shepherds are well-suited for guarding homes and acting as protectors.

No, it's not.

Zhou Rui looked up at the woman.

"It's sold together with... with the big dog." The woman was a little timid and embarrassed.

"This big dog has been raised for several years, how can you bear to sell it?" Zhou Rui looked at the sheepdog next to him. The dog seemed to understand the woman's words, and a trace of sadness was revealed in its eyes.

"Something happened at home, and we need money. Besides, even if we don't sell it, we can't afford to keep it now." The woman gently stroked the thick fur on the dog's neck, and the reluctance in her eyes was genuine.

Zhou Rui nodded: "Okay, I'll take both dogs. How much is it in total?"

"How about thirty? Yes, or twenty-five will do too?" The woman quoted a price, but then lowered it for fear that Zhou Rui wouldn't buy. She didn't seem like someone who had ever done business before.

For hunters, this price is probably too high, as Caucasian Shepherds are not a breed well-trained hunting dogs. Ordinary people wouldn't buy such an expensive dog for guarding their homes; they'd rather spend a dollar or two to bring home a puppy. Except for those who want to eat dog meat.

Zhou Rui stood up: "Okay, thirty it is. But you have to give me that basket, otherwise I can't take this little dog."

Zhou Rui will not hesitate to show kindness to those who truly need help, as long as they are not ungrateful bastards.

Zhou Rui took out the money and handed it to the woman. The woman handed the dog leash to Zhou Rui and put the basket in his hand as well. Then she turned and left, as if afraid that she would miss it if she was a step too late.

"By the way, what's the name of this big dog?"

The woman paused, "Mao Mao, its name is Mao Mao."

At this moment, Mao Mao didn't move, but barked a few times at the woman's hurried back. It seemed to know that this farewell might be... forever.

"Mao Mao, let's go." Zhou Rui didn't give Mao Mao a new name, letting it carry that little bit of hope, even though it was just a dog.

Mao Mao obediently followed Zhou Rui's footsteps. From the moment the woman handed over Gou Sheng, Mao Mao knew that Zhou Rui was now his master.

Zhou Rui continued wandering among the stalls, without a specific goal in mind, not necessarily intending to buy anything, just strolling around. Some people tried to greet him, mimicking the mannerisms of women, but Zhou Rui simply glanced at them and walked past.

When they arrived at a relatively secluded spot, Zhou Rui's expression finally changed. "They actually sell these things here? Aren't they afraid of getting arrested?"

Zhou Rui composed himself and squatted down at a stall. The stall contained a vase, a wine bowl, silver coins, and a jade Buddha.

"Sir, how much is this?"

The old man wasn't actually very old, maybe fifty at most. He had a shrewd look in his eyes, a bit like Old Man Xing, and seemed to be an old-generation businessman.

"What do you want? Let me tell you, everything here is genuine, all old items from the palace," the old man said quietly, bowing his head.

"Don't give me that mystical jargon, I don't understand it. I'm just curious about it," Zhou Rui said impatiently. Zhou Rui knew about antiques, but that was all; he had no intention of handling them.

However, antiques weren't valuable in this era, and fakes were rare, so Zhou Rui wanted to collect more to leave his family with more wealth. Zhou Rui didn't understand anything about the era or the colors of antiques; he just picked up the ones that looked pretty.

"This, this, and that jade pendant."

"These aren't cheap. This one is from the Qianlong Emperor, that one is from the Jiajing Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and this jade pendant was worn by the Empress Dowager."

"Don't give me that 'rigron' stuff, just tell me how much it costs," Zhou Rui interrupted.

The old man looked regretful, as if all his knowledge had been wasted on a stupid ox. "These three things, you can give me one hundred and fifty yuan."

Zhou Rui didn't say a word, and turned to leave.

"Hey buddy, don't go! How much are you willing to pay? Give me a straight answer!"

"Old man, I may not understand these old antiques, but I'm not stupid either. Don't try to fool me. These things are just old ideas and old culture that need to be eliminated. I just think they look nice and will take them home as decorations. If you're going to try and fleece me, I'd rather go to the supply and marketing cooperative and buy a radio and a grandfather clock."

"If you really want it, you can take it for a hundred dollars."

"sixty."

"That really won't do. Putting everything else aside, that Maitreya Buddha jade pendant alone is made of mutton-fat jade, it's worth at least fifty. As for the two vases, twenty-five each is not expensive. Young man, would you like to add some more?"

"Eighty, that's all. I won't buy any more than that."

"Eighty it is then." Seeing that Zhou Rui was really about to take a step, the old man quickly agreed. Antiques are really hard to sell these days. If he missed out on Zhou Rui, this sucker, he might not be able to sell a single item for ten days or half a month.

Zhou Rui took out some money from his pocket, counted out eight ten-yuan bills, and handed them to the old man. He had brought this money specifically this morning, just in case something unexpected happened to his uncle; he had carried two hundred yuan in his pocket.

A man in his thirties next door saw Zhou Rui take out so much money and only buy three items, and immediately shouted at Zhou Rui.

"Young man, come and take a look at my stuff. It's cheaper than the old man's, only a few dollars each, much more cost-effective."

Zhou Rui glanced back at the bowls, jars, and abacus—they were all dusty and ugly—and immediately lost interest. He turned back to the old man who was counting money and whispered a question.

"Old man, since I spent so much money, let me ask you something."

The old man didn't look at Zhou Rui, and continued counting the money; this was the third time he had done it.

"you say."

"I just want to know, why do you dare to sell so many old items in Hongxing Town in broad daylight? Also, my child is almost one year old, and I'd like to get a gold longevity lock made. Do you know how?"