Chapter 342 - 233: Act First, Report Later

Chapter 342: Chapter 233: Act First, Report Later

"Comrade Wendong, I’ll go into the mountains with you."

Yang Wenxue gritted his teeth as he spoke. This was a matter for the entire Commune; he couldn’t let Zhao Wendong and his men handle it all by themselves.

"Forget it, Secretary Yang. You’re not young anymore, and you haven’t had professional military training. I should go with Brother Dong instead. After all, I, Old Li, came from a combat unit. My arms and legs aren’t rusty yet."

Li Dawei cut Yang Wenxue off before he could say more. Yang Wenxue was the Commune Secretary, and every aspect of the Commune depended on him. Once he disappeared into the mountains, there was no telling how long he’d be gone. The Commune could still function without Li Dawei, but it would truly struggle to operate without Yang Wenxue.

"You guys figure it out. I won’t keep you company, then. I’ve been out for two days and haven’t had a chance to properly be with my family. I’m heading back."

After speaking, Zhao Wendong got up and left. Although he had accepted the task, he was still a little reluctant. ’Isn’t this just making trouble for myself? A happy family life is my goal for this new life. Why am I so busy now? In this era, you can’t even get rich quietly. Everything is done right under everyone’s noses.’

Jin Xiuying and Lin Zhiyin also hurried to their feet and followed him. Neither of them looked very happy. At least on previous hunts, they didn’t have to sleep out in the elements; they had cave strongholds to rest in at night. This time, in the mountains, they wouldn’t eat or sleep well. Fortunately, there were enough people, so they didn’t have to worry about safety.

"Wendong, how long do you think it will take?"

Lin Zhiyin held onto Zhao Wendong’s arm, her voice a little muffled.

"It’s fine. It won’t be too long. I’m bringing Xiaojin. The Wolf Pack should still be in the nearby mountains; they won’t have gone far. I estimate we’ll find them in three or four days, for sure."

"I... I want to go with you."

Zhao Wendong’s expression immediately turned serious. "No. Hunting is one thing, but going in to exterminate wolves is no joke. We’ll have to chase after them, and we won’t be able to eat or sleep properly."

Lin Zhiyin lowered her head and said nothing. Beside her, Jin Xiuying’s eyes darted around. She wanted to go, too. She was worried that with so many people around, Zhao Wendong wouldn’t have time to look after Zhao Wenwu, and that made her uneasy. However, she said nothing, instead beginning to scheme quietly.

Back at home, Zhao Wendong announced that he was going into the mountains again tomorrow. Chen Yanmei opened her mouth to say something several times, but in the end, it all dissolved into a sigh. "Sigh... My son, I’ll go make you something to eat. Daughters-in-law, get their things ready."

Lin Huaimin and Wang Lulu glanced at each other but said nothing. Although they didn’t quite approve of individual heroism, this was an era where the individual was insignificant and the collective was supreme. Personal will could not override that of the group.

Zhao Wenjun was also a bit quiet. Zhao Wenwu, on the other hand, was very excited.

"Hahaha, this is great! We get to go into the mountains again!"

Although his wife was also fun, Zhao Wenwu thought hunting in the mountains was even more fun. He was too restless and couldn’t sit still for a moment.

That night, back in their house by the sea, Lin Zhiyin lay on top of Zhao Wendong, unwilling to let go. She was growing more and more attached to him.

"Wendong, I feel a little useless. I can’t go into the mountains with you, can’t hunt with you."

Zhao Wendong smiled, his rough, large hand sliding over her delicate skin. ’A goddess-level beauty like Lin Zhiyin would only say she’s useless in an era like this. Beautiful women have always been a superior and scarce resource, from ancient times to the present.’

"Don’t overthink it. You’re so beautiful and virtuous, knowledgeable and worldly. In the future, you’ll be the one to manage all of our family’s affairs, big and small. If you’re useless, then no woman in the world is useful."

Despite Zhao Wendong’s comforting words, Lin Zhiyin remained a little gloomy. Finally, she simply dove under the covers, her head slowly moving downward. Zhao Wendong’s eyes flew wide open, his face a picture of delighted surprise!

Early the next morning, before the sky had lightened, smoke was already rising from the public canteen. Liu Xiufen and several other canteen members had gotten up early to prepare dry rations for the militia team, along with a hearty, filling breakfast. Fortunately, the warehouse at Dragon King Pond had enough grain, so they could supply it generously.

Including Zhao Wenwu and Li Dawei, the forty-nine members of the Dragon King Pond Wolf Extermination Team had all assembled. They sat at five tables, eating with their heads down and talking in low voices. Many had relaxed smiles on their faces. Although going into the mountains in winter was tough, the team captain was leading them! Everyone knew the captain was an expert hunter. The few militiamen who had joined him on the last mountain trip had a very comfortable New Year. Wasn’t that because they had gotten a good share of wolf meat from following the captain?

Yang Wenxue hadn’t left last night either, having made do for a night somewhere with Li Dawei. Seeing that Li Dawei was wearing a sewn roe deer hide vest over his cotton-padded jacket, Zhao Wendong teased him with a smile.

"Whoa, not bad. You look pretty professional."

This was standard gear for many people who went into the mountains. It was windproof and warm, and it wouldn’t easily get torn by branches in the woods. Zhao Wendong and many of his men had one, too.

"Hehe, Fourth Brother got it for me."

Li Dawei replied with a laugh. He didn’t feel as much pressure as Yang Wenxue; he had more faith in Zhao Wendong’s abilities. ’The man can chase tigers and catch spies. Catching a pack of wolves, which are much bigger targets, should be a piece of cake.’

Once everyone had finished eating, Zhao Wendong gave a crisp, decisive wave of his hand. "Move out!"

With that, he picked up Xiaojin, led the three dogs, and was the first to leave the building. The militiamen followed in an orderly fashion. People stood at the gates of many courtyards along the way to see them off, and the Zhao family was no exception. Zhao Wendong said a few comforting words to Lin Zhiyin and his mother, Chen Yanmei, then led the group of militiamen briskly out of the village. As he passed the large snowman, Zhao Wendong glanced at it. The wind and snow hadn’t harmed it in the slightest; it just stood there, silently guarding the village entrance.