After placing three heavy arrows into his quiver, Qin Ming selected several ordinary arrows and a few bloodletting arrows as well.
Bloodletting arrows were another powerful tool for hunting large animals.
These arrows featured specially designed grooves.
Once they struck a target, the wound would bleed heavily and be difficult to stop.
“What do you think of this axe?”
Qian Jiang picked up a short-handled axe and handed it to Qin Ming.
“This one is too light. I want that one.”
“That one?”
Following Qin Ming’s gaze, Qian Jiang raised an eyebrow and revealed a faintly amused smile.
“Heh, you’ve got a sharp eye, kid. That’s a mountain-cleaving axe used for storming fortifications and breaking through enemy defenses. Only someone born with extraordinary strength can wield it.”
His tone grew heavier, carrying obvious doubt and a hint of ridicule.
“If you haul that lump of iron up the mountain, forget chasing a bear. You’ll probably wear yourself out before you get very far, let alone have enough strength left to run for your life.”
“It’ll be fine.”
“Suit yourself. Take what you need, then come with me to sign a loan agreement and leave your thumbprint. After that, you’re free to go.”
“Alright.”
Qin Ming nodded and carried the equipment out of the armory.
After completing the paperwork and pressing his thumbprint onto the document, he left the county yamen.
…
“My lord, do you think that boy can really kill the black bear?”
After Qin Ming departed, Qian Jiang turned to Lou Changfeng and asked.
“His chances are one in ten at best.”
Lou Changfeng sighed.
“Back then, his father led more than a dozen hunters into the mountains to hunt a bear. They were among the finest hunters in the county, yet three died and five were wounded before they finally brought it down.”
He shook his head.
“Qin Ming is still young. No matter how capable he may be, he cannot possess the experience his father had. Attempting to kill a bear alone is like throwing an egg against a stone.”
“If he’s simply going to die, why lend him the weapons?”
“Because we’ve posted a reward. We must follow our own rules.”
Lou Changfeng paused before continuing.
“Besides, there are very few hunters left in the county. Most have already been conscripted by the court. If he’s willing to go, it’s better than sending the men from the yamen to their deaths.”
“When I established this reward, my intention was merely to calm the complaints of those villagers harmed by wild beasts. Given enough time, the matter would naturally fade away.”
He sighed again.
“But who would have thought that someone truly fearless enough to challenge a tiger fresh from the calf pen would appear?”
At those words, Lou Changfeng slowly shook his head.
“So in the end, he’s choosing death himself.”
Qian Jiang nodded in understanding.
“People die for wealth just as birds die for food. The boy’s greed is simply too great. He doesn’t want to split the reward money with anyone else. If he loses his life because of it, there’s little reason to pity him.”
Having said that, Lou Changfeng turned and left.
…
By the time Qin Ming returned home, the sun was already setting behind the western hills.
“This is the rabbit I caught. Let’s clean it up and have rabbit stew tonight!”
Seeing his wife already waiting at the door, Qin Ming immediately stepped forward to show off his catch.
“Wow!”
Fan Niang’s face instantly brightened with delight.
It had been more than two months since she had last eaten meat.
After her parents passed away, when Qin Ming had come to propose marriage, he had brought several jin of pork to her father. That had been one of the rare occasions she had tasted meat.
Now, seeing her husband return from the mountains with a successful hunt filled her heart with happiness.
The newly married couple worked together to skin the rabbit, remove the organs, and place the meat into a pot to stew.
Rabbit pelts were still valuable in those days.
The winters around Heishan County were bitterly cold.
Once enough rabbit skins were accumulated, they could be made into fur coats and hats to help survive the harsh season.
Before long, the fragrant rabbit stew was ready.
Together with a pot of rice porridge, it was brought to the table.
“Husband, you should eat first.”
Fan Niang tore off a rabbit leg and gently placed it beside Qin Ming’s bowl.
According to tradition, a wife did not begin eating before her husband.
“Let’s eat together.”
Looking at her rosy cheeks, Qin Ming felt warmth spread through his chest.
He took a bite first, then tore off the other rabbit leg and handed it to her.
“Mhm.”
Fan Niang nodded obediently before taking a small bite, as delicately as a chick pecking at grain.
The tender, flavorful rabbit meat filled her mouth.
A blissful smile immediately appeared on her face.
“Oh, right. I also caught a fox and several pheasants today. I already sold them in the county town.”
“You went to the county town too?”
“Yes.”
Qin Ming nodded and pulled out two strings of copper coins from his clothing before placing them on the table.
“So much money!”
Fan Niang could hardly believe her eyes.
Growing up, her family had always struggled because her father devoted all his energy to preparing for the imperial examinations.
Since childhood, she had never seen more than a single string of coins in her home.
Yet her husband had earned this much money in just one day.
It was beyond anything she had imagined.
“From now on, I’ll hand over the money I earn to you. Whatever the household needs, you can decide.”
“Really?”
Her eyes sparkled immediately.
At that moment, her inner little miser revealed itself completely.
She forgot all about the delicious rabbit stew and hurriedly gathered the copper coins from the table.
She carefully placed them inside a clay jar hidden in the corner of the kitchen and covered it with a handful of dry straw.
At that moment, Fan Niang was undoubtedly the happiest woman in the world.
Her husband was by her side.
There was meat to eat and money to save.
Everything felt like a dream.
Yet before long, the smile faded from her face.
“What is it?”
“This money still isn’t enough for the military levy. In a few days… you’ll still have to join the army…”
“Don’t worry.”
Qin Ming smiled.
“I went to the county town today and accepted a special assignment. The magistrate enjoys eating wild pheasants and rabbits. As long as I continue supplying them regularly, the military service issue can be postponed.”
There was no way he could tell Fan Niang the truth.
If she learned he intended to hunt a black bear, she would worry herself sick.
Sometimes a well-intentioned lie was necessary.
“That’s wonderful!”
Sure enough, the concern on Fan Niang’s face immediately disappeared.
The couple then enjoyed the most satisfying meal they had shared since their marriage.
…
After dinner, darkness had completely fallen.
There was little entertainment in a rural village during ancient times.
For a newlywed couple, that meant turning in early.
The bedding had been purchased that day with the money left over after Fan Niang exchanged grain.
Though thin, it was still far better than sleeping beneath a simple straw mat.
After changing for the night, Fan Niang slipped beneath the blanket.
Compared to their wedding night, she seemed slightly less shy now.
She moved closer and wrapped her arms around Qin Ming’s sturdy arm.
Under the moonlight, her shoulders appeared smooth and pale.
A faint fragrance lingered around her, carrying the clean scent of soapberry mixed with the natural sweetness unique to a young woman.
For a moment, Qin Ming found it difficult to suppress his instincts any longer.
His arm tightened around her.
“Husband…”
Feeling his increasingly uneven breathing, Fan Niang curled up slightly in his embrace.
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“I am yours…”
“What a wonderful girl.”
Hearing her soft words, Qin Ming could no longer hold back.
He pulled her gently into his arms as the quiet night deepened around them.