Recaps

Li Anguo and Chen Xingbang discussed their plans to return home and the possibility of moving their families to Northern Xinjiang, while Li Long hosted a meal to celebrate their good fortune. The gathering ended with Li Junshan confiding his uncertainty about returning next spring, leaving his plans unresolved.

• Li Anguo and Chen Xingbang discussed what to take home and when to leave, while Chen Xingbang privately considered moving his family to Northern Xinjiang.
• Li Junfeng and the others returned with fish and rabbits, and the young men prepared a feast at Old Ma's Place.
• Li Long toasted everyone to a better life, and the group shared fish, rabbit, liquor, and talk about life in Northern Xinjiang and back home.
• Li Anguo and Chen Xingbang discussed asking their parents to move north, while Li Junshan asked Li Long about getting married and building a house.
• Li Long offered honey and liquor for the group to take home, and Chen Xingbang and Li Junshan requested five-liter jugs.
• Li Junshan became emotional as he told Li Long he wanted to return next spring but was unsure because of complications at home; the gathering ended with everyone helping clean up.

Li Long prepared gifts for his companions’ journey home, then met three young hunters sent from the prefecture and guided them into the mountains. Their first stop was his cabin, where they would decide whether to stay and hunt.

• Li Long bought honey and liquor at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, then divided the gifts among Li Junshan, Li Junfeng, and the others.
• Tao Daqiang, Yang Yongqiang, and other villagers sold fish in the County Seat, encouraging more young men to try fishing for income.
• Li Xiangqian told Li Long that three hunters would arrive from the prefecture and that they were to follow Li Long’s instructions in the mountains.
• Yang Chen, Qi Jingyue, and Xie Ruifeng arrived with a driver and firearms, and Li Xiangqian introduced Li Long as their hunting instructor and guide.
• Li Long learned that the three had some hunting experience, then directed the Jeep toward his cabin and explained the local hunting conditions.
• Li Long arrived at the cabin, saw hoofprints outside, unlocked the door, and started a fire for the group.

Gu Xiaoxia received her official transfer to the Education Bureau and left the Middle School, while Li Long led Qi Jingyue, Yang Chen, and Xie Ruifeng through the snowy mountains toward a hot spring. The group found a piece of jade and abundant animal tracks, and they approached the pools quietly in hopes of spotting game.

• Deputy Director Wang gave Gu Xiaoxia her transfer letter, and Gu completed the paperwork to leave the Middle School.
• Gu Xiaoxia packed her belongings, said goodbye to Teacher Wang, returned her key, and rode toward the County Seat, eager to share the news with Li Long.
• Li Long took Qi Jingyue, Yang Chen, and Xie Ruifeng from the Wooden Cabin toward a natural hot spring after explaining that game was less active at midday.
• The group reached the misty ravine, where Qi Jingyue tested the warm water and Li Long found a piece of Ma River Jade for her.
• Li Long pointed out old wild boar tracks and droppings, then led the group quietly toward the hot spring pools as fresh animal tracks became more plentiful.

Li Long took Qi Jingyue, Yang Chen, and Xie Ruifeng hunting, showing them the hot springs and asking Harimu about nearby game before leading them to the Salt Cave. They shot a wolf and a roe deer, and the chapter ended with Li Long gutting both animals after Qi Jingyue decided she wanted to have the wolf mounted.

• Li Long found no worthwhile game at the hot springs and explained that animals might return there in the morning.
• Li Long visited Harimu, who told him about Mongolian gazelles near the mountain pass and signs of wild boar at Small White Poplar Gully.
• Li Long led the group to the Salt Cave, where they spotted a wolf; Li Long shot it after the others missed.
• A roe deer emerged, and after warning Xie Ruifeng to watch his muzzle, Li Long wounded it while Yang Chen and Qi Jingyue finished it off.
• Qi Jingyue said she wanted the wolf mounted, so Li Long explained that they needed to gut the animals and then did so.

Li Long led Qi Jingyue, Yang Chen, and Xie Ruifeng back to the cabin with a wolf and a roe deer, then cooked the roe deer's offal for dinner. Qi Jingyue and the others agreed to stay and hunt wild boar the next morning, and Li Long woke them before dawn to set out.

• Li Long packed the roe deer's innards into its body and dragged the wolf and roe deer downhill on plastic sheeting, while Qi Jingyue, Yang Chen, and Xie Ruifeng followed.
• The group reached the cabin, where Li Long cleaned and stir-fried the roe deer's offal as the others rested and discussed their difficult first hunt.
• Qi Jingyue decided to stay and hunt wild boar with Li Long the next morning, and Yang Chen and Xie Ruifeng agreed to join them.
• Li Long cooked offal, flatbreads, and cornmeal porridge for everyone, and the group ate together before preparing for the night.
• Li Long woke shortly after five, roused Yang Chen and Xie Ruifeng, and went to wake Qi Jingyue so they could leave before dawn to look for wild boar.

Li Long led Qi Jingyue, Yang Chen, and Xie Ruifeng on an early-morning wild boar hunt. An accidental shot scattered the herd, but they recovered one dead boar and returned safely to the cabin.

• Li Long guided the group to a downwind ambush site and showed them how to build snow shooting rests.
• A herd of wild boar charged through the valley, but Yang Chen accidentally fired and startled them before Li Long and Qi Jingyue could shoot.
• Li Long found one dead boar and a blood trail from another wounded animal, but advised that pursuing the herd would be difficult and risky.
• Qi Jingyue decided the group should not pursue the boar, and Yang Chen carried the dead one back as Li Long led them to the cabin.

Li Long ended his winter hunting trip with Qi Jingyue, Yang Chen, and Xie Ruifeng, then returned to the County Seat and learned that Gu Xiaoxia had officially transferred to the Education Bureau. He and Gu Xiaoxia rode back to the village together, where Li Long brought gifts for his family and shared news of the hunt.

• Li Long gave Qi Jingyue, Xie Ruifeng, Yang Chen, and the driver animal fangs and tusks as souvenirs before they left the mountains.
• Qi Jingyue paid Li Long six hundred yuan for guiding the hunting trip, and he returned to the Big Courtyard to rest.
• Li Long ate at the Big Meat Canteen, then learned from Gu Xiaoxia that her transfer to the Education Bureau had been completed.
• Li Long bought insulated rubber shoes and other supplies, and he and Gu Xiaoxia rode back to the village together.
• Li Long told his family that the hunt had brought in three animals and gave each of them a pair of insulated rubber shoes.

Li Long warned Li Jianguo about the freezing rain he remembered from his previous life, then spent the next day planning to expand his fish-selling business. He left Tao Daqiang and Yang Yongqiang preparing to gather fish and rabbits for a larger trip to Stone City.

• Li Long discussed buying a tractor and contracting more land with Li Jianguo, then anxiously warned him to stay indoors if freezing rain came because Li Jianguo had died in such weather in Li Long’s previous life.
• Liang Yuemei urged Li Jianguo to heed Li Long’s warning, and Li Long stayed overnight in the East Room after drinking.
• Li Long delivered cotton-lined rubber shoes to Gu Boyuan, ate lunch with Gu Xiaoxia, and returned to Old Ma’s Place.
• Li Long told Tao Daqiang and Yang Yongqiang to buy fish from other households and take a larger load to Stone City, adding rabbits to their goods.
• Li Long began making rabbit snares as Tao Daqiang and Yang Yongqiang prepared to gather fish for the trip.

Li Long set rabbit snares at Red Willow Flats with Tao Daqiang and Yang Yongqiang, then fished at Little Haizi and bought the Liang brothers’ catch. The next morning, Li Long and Tao Daqiang found several rabbits in the snares, and Li Long shared them with family and friends.

• Yang Yongqiang told Li Long that only the three Liang brothers had agreed to sell their fish, and Li Long took him and Tao Daqiang to set snares at Red Willow Flats.
• Li Long, Tao Daqiang, and Yang Yongqiang fished at Little Haizi, where Tao Daqiang caught a large common carp and Li Long agreed to buy the Liang brothers’ fish.
• The eldest and third Liang brothers brought Li Long 16.1 kilograms of fish, and Li Long paid them eight yuan at fifty cents per kilogram.
• Li Long and Tao Daqiang checked the snares the next morning and found several rabbits, while Tao Daqiang had caught one in Yang Yongqiang’s snare.
• Li Long brought rabbits to Uncle Lao Luo and his eldest brother’s household, while Ma Jinbao watched them return and cursed that they had avoided his path.

Li Anguo, Chen Xingbang, Li Junfeng, and Li Junshan returned from Northern Xinjiang after fighting off thieves and robbers on the train. Back in their villages, they brought home money and gifts, and their stories about Li Long’s success spread among their families and neighbors.

• Li Junfeng caught a thief reaching into his coat, and he and Li Junshan beat the man while Li Anguo faced another thief with a trowel.
• Li Anguo and the others stood their ground when a gang robbed passengers, while two undercover officers and other passengers subdued the gang.
• Li Anguo brought money and gifts from Northern Xinjiang to Li Qingxia and Du Chunfang, who heard about the warm winter housing and began considering a move there.
• Chen Xingbang reunited with Li Xia and Hongqin, gave them food and gifts, and reflected on the better life he had experienced in Northern Xinjiang.
• Li Junfeng told his family about Northern Xinjiang, and stories about Li Long spread through the village.

After returning to his village, Li Anguo decided to move his family to Northern Xinjiang, where he believed they could live better and escape prejudice against his daughters. Chen Xingbang also planned to return there and start a business, while Li Junshan resolved to go back to earn enough to build a better life.

• Li Anguo gave Xueping and Xueqin dolls and refused Li Erniu's demand to give one to Dali, then decided he could not stay in the village.
• Li Anguo persuaded Chen Lirong that Northern Xinjiang offered more land and less discrimination, and planned to discuss moving with his parents.
• Chen Xingbang told Li Qingxia he planned to return to Northern Xinjiang in spring, establish himself, and bring his wife and children; Li Qingxia agreed to consider going too.
• Li Anguo told Li Qingxia he wanted to move his whole family to Northern Xinjiang and proposed that they stay at his eldest brother's home and Old Ma's Place.
• Li Junshan told Li Junfeng he planned to return to Northern Xinjiang to earn money for a house, furniture, and a bicycle, then went to ask Li Anguo about going.

After heavy snow, Li Long and his companions set hare snares and caught a large haul while their fishing improved. They brought fish and hares to Stone City to sell, where business went well until Yang Yongqiang returned with blood on his face after fighting a thief.

• Li Long cleared snow with his family and neighbors, then made hare snares with Tao Daqiang and Yang Yongqiang.
• The trio set snares at Red Willow Flats, later collecting seventeen and a half hares, while their fishing at Little Haizi also yielded more fish after the snow.
• Li Long, Tao Daqiang, and Yang Yongqiang accumulated over two hundred kilograms of fish and twenty-four hares, then left for Stone City before dawn to sell them.
• At Old Street, Li Long sold fish while Tao Daqiang and Yang Yongqiang searched the market for buyers, and the fish began selling quickly at their low prices.
• Yang Yongqiang returned with blood on his face and said he had fought a thief.

Li Long and his companions sold fish and rabbits in Stone City, fought off several would-be robbers, and prepared for another trip with a larger load. Meanwhile, the bruised Zhao father and son watched Li Long's group leave, hinting that trouble awaited them.

• Yang Yongqiang told Li Long that thieves had attacked him at the market, and Li Long gave him a club and warned Tao Daqiang to stay alert.
• Li Long, Tao Daqiang, and Yang Yongqiang fought three of four men who tried to rob them on the road; one attacker escaped, and they split the money they found.
• The three sold their goods, earned nearly three hundred yuan, paid Tao Daqiang and Yang Yongqiang sixty yuan each, and cleared the snow from the Big Courtyard.
• Li Long and his companions caught rabbits and fish over the next few days, then loaded a larger fish shipment and prepared to collect sugar residue after selling it.
• Li Long, Tao Daqiang, and Yang Yongqiang left for Stone City in bitter cold, while Zhao Laoshi and his bruised son watched from home and waited to see how the trip went.

Li Long and his companions sold fish and rabbits in Stone City, collected sugar residue at the Sugar Factory, and were ambushed by highway robbers on the way home. After Li Long used his rifle to disarm the gang and they beat the robbers, the chapter ended with a phone call disrupting his plans to keep making trips before New Year.

• Li Long, Yang Yongqiang, and Tao Daqiang sold their fish and rabbits at the Stone City market and saved some fish for Gu Xiaoxia.
• Li Long met Zhang Xueliang at the Sugar Factory dump, where Zhang let them load sugar residue before the other collectors.
• Five highway robbers confronted the men on a road through the poplar groves, and Li Long forced them to surrender by threatening them with his Type 56 rifle.
• Tao Daqiang and Yang Yongqiang collected the robbers' weapons and money, then beat the five men before the group continued home.
• Li Long gave Tao Daqiang and Yang Yongqiang their share of the day's earnings, unloaded sugar residue at the Stable and the Li Family home, and declined Li Jianguo's offer of money.
• A phone call disrupted Li Long's plans to keep making trips before New Year.

Li Long secured a large New Year’s benefits order from Stone City Sugar Factory and organized his family and friends to collect hares and fish while he prepared to travel into the mountains for sheep. After arranging the deliveries and speaking with Li Xiangqian, he returned to the Big Courtyard and began cooking rabbit for Gu Xiaoxia.

• Section Chief Hu called Li Long and ordered thirty sheep, a hundred wild hares, and eight hundred kilograms to a tonne of fish for the Sugar Factory’s New Year benefits, with delivery due before the end of January.
• Li Long agreed to the prices and planned to travel into the mountains to arrange the sheep with Harimu and his companions.
• Xu Chengjun asked about the hare order, and Li Long set collection prices for hares and fish while deciding not to announce the offer over the loudspeaker.
• Li Long gave Li Jianguo eight hundred yuan to collect the hares and fish, and he instructed Tao Daqiang and Yang Yongqiang to check snares and fish at Little Haizi.
• Li Long visited Li Xiangqian at the County Seat, discussed the Sugar Factory order, and agreed to bring him a mountain-raised sheep for the New Year.
• Li Long returned to the Big Courtyard and started preparing rabbit for Gu Xiaoxia.

Li Long traveled to Stone City to sign an agreement with the Sugar Factory, then went into the mountains to arrange for 35 sheep from Harimu and Jade Mountain River. He rode home through the snow after dark, encountered a possible wolf, and returned safely to the Big Courtyard, where Gu Xiaoxia cared for him.

• Gu Xiaoxia and Li Long ate spicy rabbit together, and she offered to cook braised fish for him.
• Li Long signed an agreement with Section Chief Hu at the Sugar Factory and received a copy.
• Li Long visited Harimu, who agreed to gather sheep from several herders, then rode with him to Jade Mountain River and arranged to trade supplies for the sheep.
• Li Long left the mountains after dark and fired two shots at a pair of shining eyes beside the road before hurrying away.
• Li Long reached the Big Courtyard late at night, and Gu Xiaoxia warmed water for his feet and urged him not to risk another dangerous journey.

Li Long returned to the team and found villagers enthusiastically selling rabbits and fish, while he prepared supplies to trade with herders in the mountains. On the way there, he discovered that the creature he had shot was a Mongolian gazelle, adding an unexpected prize to his loaded cart.

• Li Long returned to find villagers selling dozens of rabbits, and Li Jianguo bought them while making an exception for Jia Weiguo’s small rabbit and sending buns home for his daughter.
• Li Long learned that the villagers had also gathered large quantities of fish, and he and Li Jianguo planned to keep collecting them for sale in Stone City.
• Li Long bought grain, salt, tea, vegetables, and medicines in the County Seat, then loaded them onto a cart and headed into the mountains with Number 76.
• Li Long found the green-eyed animal he had shot: a Mongolian gazelle that had died from a neck wound, and he put it on the cart.

Li Long delivered supplies to Harimu's Winter Camp, hauled thirty sheep to the Sugar Factory, and returned with sugar residue for the team. After resting, he went back to the mountains for the remaining mutton, offal, blood, and pelts, leaving the mountain deliveries nearly finished.

• Li Long reached Harimu's Winter Camp and watched Harimu and Jade Mountain River slaughter sheep on an assembly line before unloading grain, salt, medicines, and other supplies.
• Li Long loaded thirty sheep for the Sugar Factory, returned to the Big Courtyard for the night, and delivered the sheep the next morning for five hundred and eighteen yuan and ten cents.
• Section Chief Hu arranged for Li Long to take twelve sacks of sugar residue, which Li Long shared between Old Ma's Place and his eldest brother's house.
• Li Long agreed with Li Jianguo to keep buying fish and rabbits, then took an afternoon to rest and watched Tao Daqiang and Yang Yongqiang fish at Little Haizi.
• Li Long returned to Harimu's Winter Camp with grain and onions, loaded sheepskins, mutton, offal, frozen sheep's blood, deer pelts, and wolf pelts, and headed back toward the County Seat.

Li Long returned with sheep and offal, sold some of it, and rested at the Stable while Yang Yongqiang and Tao Daqiang brought in fish. After Li Long confirmed that the fish and rabbits were ready, he and Li Jianguo planned to load the goods and leave for Stone City the next morning.

• Li Long unloaded sheep and offal at the Big Courtyard, Old Ma's Place, and the Li family home, where He Wenhui bought a tray and spread word that more offal was for sale.
• Li Long took half a sheep and offal to Gu Boyuan, reassured him about hunting in the mountains, and teased him about finding Xiaoxia a stepmother before leaving for the Stable.
• Li Long rested at the Stable, where Uncle Lao Luo cooked sheep offal; Tao Daqiang and Yang Yongqiang arrived with a large five-stripe perch and reported their day's catch.
• Li Long offered Tao Daqiang and Yang Yongqiang trays of offal, then stayed at the Stable overnight and slept in the next morning.
• Li Long visited the Li family home and confirmed with Li Jianguo that they had over a tonne of fish; they decided to load the fish and rabbits that day and leave for Stone City the next morning.

Li Long prepared a large delivery of fish and rabbits for Stone City and refused Zhao Laoshi’s request to travel with him as a bodyguard, advising him to borrow a gun instead. After setting out alone the next morning, Li Long reached the Sugar Factory, where Section Chief Hu welcomed him to deliver the New Year benefits.

• Li Long and Li Jianguo packed the fish and rabbits, and Li Long calculated the profits and discussed giving some food to the Liang family.
• Zhao Laoshi asked Li Long to accompany him to Stone City for protection, but Li Long declined and suggested that he borrow a gun.
• Li Long spent the rest of the day at the Stable, ate five-stripe perch with Uncle Lao Luo, and prepared to leave early the next morning.
• Li Long waited briefly for Zhao Laoshi, then left for Stone City alone; Zhao Laoshi departed later with his son and a borrowed gun.
• Li Long delivered the fish and rabbits to the Sugar Factory, where Section Chief Hu welcomed him and praised his efficiency.

A year after losing his factory job, Li Long sold rabbits and fish to the Sugar Factory, bought gifts and provisions in Ma County, and returned to cook a celebratory feast for Gu Xiaoxia. As they marked how much his life had changed, Li Long brought up building a new house in spring and said that he and Gu Xiaoxia would soon be a family.

• Li Long sold rabbits and fish to the Sugar Factory, gave Section Chief Hu a few extra, and received payment and another cartload of sugar residue.
• Section Chief Hu and Song Ming discussed the factory's theft problems and Li Long's rifle, while Song Ming promised to look out for him when he returned for sugar residue.
• Li Long crossed the route home safely, then bought clothes, liquor, snacks, toys, books, and other provisions in Ma County.
• Li Long prepared a large dinner for Gu Xiaoxia and explained that he wanted to celebrate the year since he had lost his job and begun rebuilding his life.
• Gu Xiaoxia praised the meal, and Li Long talked about their future home and said they would soon be a family.

Li Long and Gu Xiaoxia shared a tender evening that was interrupted by a gunshot and an explosion, then Li Long returned to the team the next day with gifts and supplies. He finished settling the latest business with Li Jianguo and agreed to send their extra earnings to their parents.

• Li Long gave Gu Xiaoxia a scarf and helped her tie it, but their intimate moment was interrupted by a gunshot and an explosion nearby.
• Li Long took his gun and checked the situation, then learned from Officer Guo that a boy had fired his family's gun and set off his father's explosives as a New Year prank.
• Li Long returned to the team the next day, delivered supplies and gifts to Uncle Lao Luo, and heard Lao Luo boast to Lao Qin about Li Long's generosity.
• Li Long brought sugar residue and gifts to Li Jianguo's family, including a pencil case and toy pistol for Li Qiang, a fountain pen and Rubik's Cube for Li Juan, and warm boots for Li Jianguo.
• Li Long and Li Jianguo settled their latest business, and Li Long agreed to give the remaining hundred yuan to their parents.

Li Long celebrated the New Year with Li Jianguo and Liang Yuemei, discussing how to use their coming land contracts to build a more prosperous farm. After resting at the Stable, he reunited with Tao Daqiang and Yang Yongqiang to pay them for their work.

• Li Jianguo rejected Li Long’s Moutai and shared grain liquor given to him by the county food company with Li Long and Liang Yuemei.
• Li Long toasted his family and said they could improve their lives by contracting more land and growing cash crops.
• Li Long suggested sugar beets and seed watermelons, and Li Jianguo and Liang Yuemei agreed they could try them if buyers could be found.
• Li Long stopped drinking after three cups, reflected on the improvements he had brought to his family and others, and left for the Stable to rest.
• Li Long woke from a two-hour nap, checked the animals, and welcomed Tao Daqiang and Yang Yongqiang, telling them he was ready to split their money.

Li Long paid Tao Daqiang and Yang Yongqiang for their work and hosted them and Uncle Lao Luo for a celebratory dinner. As they discussed their plans, Li Long considered expanding his income and preparing to build a house and buy a tractor.

• Li Long paid Tao Daqiang and Yang Yongqiang for the fish and rabbits they had caught, then invited them to dinner and gave them Little Champagne to take home.
• Tao Daqiang brought fried fish and Yang Yongqiang brought braised offal to the meal, where Li Long toasted Uncle Lao Luo and praised the veterans who had fought in the war.
• Li Long asked Tao Daqiang and Yang Yongqiang about their plans; Tao Daqiang wanted a larger adobe house, while Yang Yongqiang hoped to support his sister's education and later build a brick-clad house.
• Li Long proposed considering profitable crops when the land was contracted out, and Tao Daqiang and Yang Yongqiang agreed to follow his lead.
• Li Long calculated the cost of a house and tractor and considered opening a brickworks as another source of income.
• After the meal ran late, Li Long helped Uncle Lao Luo to bed while Yang Yongqiang talked about his sister and Tao Daqiang complained about his eldest brother.

Li Long prepared a large load of fish and rabbits to sell in Stone City before taking grain into the mountains, while reflecting on the new stage of work ahead. The chapter ended as he arrived at the bustling Old Street market, ready to sell.

• Li Long woke after drinking with Tao Daqiang, helped Uncle Lao Luo feed the animals, and told Li Jianguo he planned to sell fish and rabbits and exchange grain for sheep in the mountains.
• Li Long and Li Jianguo loaded the cart with rabbits and fish, bought two more rabbits from Jia Weiguo, and later bought fresh fish from the second Liang brother.
• Li Long cooked pike soup for Uncle Lao Luo, discussed his plans and reading with him, and went to sleep after banking the stove.
• Li Long left early with Number 76 and a loaded cart, traveling toward Stone City while thinking about his goals for the coming year.
• Li Long reached Old Street as vendors called out in the crowded market.