Chapter Summaries

Li Long found a cache of old weapons, coins, and silver while digging for codonopsis, and suspected routed bandits had hidden it in the Heavenly Mountain range. After cleaning and storing the finds, he returned to gathering herbs and set out for Hot Spring Ravine to look for game.

• Li Long dug up an unusually large codonopsis root, then uncovered a copper neck ring, corroded coins, silver ingots, and a curved saber beside a pile of rocks.
• Li Long bundled the finds, filled in the hole, and returned to the Wooden Cabin, where he cleaned the objects and found Qianlong Tongbao coins and silver dollars among them.
• Li Long connected the cache to Usman’s bandits, who had once operated on the northern slopes of the Heavenly Mountain range, and stored the objects for safekeeping.
• Li Long dug up a dozen large codonopsis roots in another ravine, then headed to Hot Spring Ravine to look for game near the hot spring.

Li Long waited near the Hot Spring, shot at the creature that had killed a roe deer, and took the abandoned fawn back to the Wooden Cabin. After spending about ten days gathering codonopsis and drying meat on the mountain, he returned to the compound, where Officer Guo came to see him.

• Li Long found a freshly killed roe deer by the stream and waited for its hunter to return.
• A hidden creature drove off a group of wild boars, and Li Long fired twice toward it but found only a patch of yellow fur.
• Li Long brought the roe deer to the Wooden Cabin, prepared its offal and meat, and spent the night chasing wolves away with gunfire.
• Li Long gathered codonopsis for about ten days, then loaded dried roots and meat onto his bicycle and rode down the mountain.
• Officer Guo came to see Li Long before he had time to change after returning to the compound.

Officer Guo updated Li Long on the major trafficking case and gave him a reward, while Li Long sold codonopsis and accepted an order to make reed bundles. He hurried back to his production team after learning that another buyer had already hired local villagers for part of the same work.

• Officer Guo told Li Long the case involved prohibited weapons, that Gu Ermao would likely receive a heavy sentence and remain disabled, and that Li Long would receive a discreet reward of fifty yuan and ten digital watches.
• Li Long sold thirty-seven kilograms of codonopsis to a buyer at the Purchasing Station for six hundred sixty-nine yuan and sixty fen.
• Li Long gave Li Xiangqian six codonopsis roots and accepted an order to produce ten thousand reed bundles within about twenty-five days.
• Li Xiangqian warned Li Long that another person had taken the other half of the order and might already be recruiting workers in Li Long's township.
• Li Long bought fine iron wire and work gloves, then learned from Gu Xiaoxia that the village head had already discussed the competing order with the villagers.
• Li Long ate lunch with Gu Xiaoxia and hurried by bicycle back to the production team to see what work remained available.

Li Long returned from the mountains with codonopsis and learned that another group had already recruited workers to make reed bundles. He offered fifteen cents per bundle for his own order, and Li Jianguo began arranging additional workers from the Corps farms as Li Long prepared Old Ma's Place for them.

• Li Long returned home with codonopsis and dried meat, shared roots with his family, and discussed the competing reed-bundle jobs with Li Jianguo and Liang Yuemei.
• Li Long learned that Li Jianguo had refused to work for the other organizers after they mocked him, while several households remained available for Li Long's order.
• Tao Daqiang and Yang Yongqiang agreed to find households willing to work for Li Long, who offered fifteen cents per bundle and arranged for workers to collect supplies and deliver bundles at Old Ma's Place.
• Li Jianguo said he would recruit seventy or eighty workers from the Corps farms, where he had a fellow townsman, and Li Long planned lodging and meals for them.
• Li Long visited Gu Boyuan, who agreed to help cut reeds the next day, then returned to Old Ma's Place to prepare for the workers.

Li Long began buying reed bundles for fifteen fen each, undercutting Wang Tiancheng and Hu Lao'er while preparing Old Ma's Place for incoming workers. Xu Chengjun complained about the lower price he had accepted under contract, then came to build ties with Li Long.

• Xu Chengjun learned that Li Long was offering fifteen fen per reed bundle, but decided his household had to finish its contract with Hu Lao'er before switching to Li Long's work.
• Li Long cleared rooms at Old Ma's Place and prepared straw bedding and food supplies for the workers who would arrive.
• Tao Dayong sold Li Long twenty-six reed bundles that passed his quality check, and seven other households delivered bundles that night.
• The next morning, Li Long distributed gloves and thin wire to Tao Daqiang, Yang Yong, and the other households before they went to cut reeds.
• Xu Chengjun came to Old Ma's Place to complain to Li Long, while Li Long understood that Xu also wanted to build a relationship with him.

Li Long organized workers to meet his reed-bundle quota, bringing in Han Benzhong’s relatives and supplying them with food, lodging, and equipment. After accepting nearly five hundred bundles on the first day, Li Long left Hu Lao’er short of workers, so Hu Lao’er went to the Commune to ask Wang Tiancheng to counter Li Long’s higher price.

• Li Long explained to Xu Chengjun that he still needed workers to meet his ten-thousand-bundle quota after missing several days of work.
• Li Jianguo brought Han Benzhong and nine relatives to Old Ma’s Place, where Li Long welcomed them and arranged their lodging, meals, and reed-cutting supplies.
• Li Long bought grain, planks, and stoves in the County Seat while Han Benzhong’s family began sorting reeds and Li Jianguo helped them cut.
• Li Long paid workers for nearly five hundred reed bundles, rejecting substandard bundles without argument from their makers.
• Hu Lao’er saw his deliveries fall and, unable to stop Li Long’s open competition, went to the Commune to seek Wang Tiancheng’s help.

Li Long kept his reed-bundle operation on track while refusing to provoke Wang Tiancheng, and he arranged for Uncle Lao Luo to accept bundles as production grew. After learning that relatives from home were coming to Northern Xinjiang to earn money, Li Long agreed to take charge of them and make sure they worked.

• Wang Tiancheng told Hu Lao'er not to interfere with Li Long as long as he left their contracted workers alone, so Hu Lao'er returned without stirring up trouble.
• Li Long reassured Uncle Lao Luo that Han Benzhong's workers deserved their generous meals because they were cutting reeds quickly and working hard.
• After more than three thousand bundles accumulated, Li Long left Uncle Lao Luo money to accept deliveries and called Li Xiangqian, who said he would send a truck once five thousand bundles were ready.
• Li Jianguo told Li Long that their father had sent word that Li Anguo, Chen Xingbang, and several nephews planned to come to Northern Xinjiang for work.
• Li Long said the relatives could stay at the Stable and promised to help those who worked, while warning that slackers would not earn money.

Li Long delivered five thousand high-quality reed bundles and prepared for colder weather, while Hu Lao'er’s shipment was heavily rejected for poor quality. Hu Lao'san’s attempt to blame workers escalated into a fight with Li Long’s crew, and Li Long set out to demand an explanation for Han Dachun’s slap.

• Li Long received payment for five thousand reed bundles, which Inspector Chen Zhenming praised as among the best he had seen.
• Li Long had stoves and chimneys installed for his workers as the weather grew colder.
• Chen Zhenming rejected more than a thousand of Hu Lao'er’s reed bundles and warned Wang Tiancheng that the job was at risk.
• Hu Lao'san tried to return rejected bundles to Tao Dayong, who refused and said he had supplied Li Long instead because Li Long paid more.
• Hu Lao'san led men to seize a good reed-cutting patch and supplies from Li Long’s crew, then slapped Han Dachun during the confrontation.
• After learning what had happened, Li Long took Han Dachun to confront the Hu family.

Li Long confronted Hu Lao'san for assaulting the men he had hired to cut reeds, and the village leaders helped settle the dispute. The next day, Wang Tiancheng discovered that Hu Lao'er had blamed substandard bundles on broken contracts even as the Lu family delivered their contracted amount of good reeds.

• Li Long poured water on Hu Lao'san and demanded that he apologize to Han Dachun for hitting him and taking the reeds he had cut.
• Han Dachun lightly patted Hu Lao'san's face, and Hu Lao'san grabbed a carrying pole to attack Li Long before Hu Lao'er intervened.
• Li Long explained the dispute to Hu Lao'er, then Li Jianguo arrived and challenged Hu Lao'er over his brother's actions.
• Xu Chengjun urged everyone to settle the matter, and Han Benzhong agreed not to pursue it further.
• Wang Tiancheng questioned Hu Lao'er about the substandard reed bundles, and Hu Lao'er claimed people were breaking their contracts for Li Long's higher price.
• Lu Yingming and his wife delivered seventy mostly good bundles under their contract, prompting Wang Tiancheng to suspect Hu Lao'er was failing to do his job properly.

Li Long completed the reed-bundle quota, received payment, and sent Han Benzhong’s group home after they earned several hundred yuan per household. He prepared rooms for the next workers and rested while waiting for his Second Older Brother and an anticipated event to arrive.

• Wang Tiancheng enforced strict quality standards for Hu Lao’er’s reed bundles, while workers continued supplying Li Long with qualified bundles.
• Li Xiangqian and Chen Zhenming inspected and accepted more than 5,500 bundles from Li Long, paying him over eleven hundred yuan and saying further work might come later.
• Li Long treated Han Benzhong’s group to a large meal, suggested future paid work, and watched them leave for home after they declined a ride.
• Li Long set up beds and storage space for incoming workers, then took two days off while other households continued pressing reed bundles.
• Tao Daqiang declined to set nets and planned to repair his home before his wedding; Li Long’s Second Older Brother arrived.

Li Anguo and three relatives traveled from their home to Ma County to seek work, and Li Jianguo and Li Long welcomed them and treated them to a hearty meal. As Li Long brought them toward the village, he learned about conditions back home and considered how they might fare in Northern Xinjiang.

• Li Anguo, Chen Xingbang, Li Junfeng, and Li Junshan arrived in South Wu City and took a bus toward Ma County, marveling at Northern Xinjiang's farmland and oases.
• Li Jianguo and Li Long met the four men at Ma County Bus Station and reassured them that they had arranged food and lodging.
• Li Long led the relatives to the Big Meat Canteen and ordered a generous meal, which the visitors ate eagerly.
• Li Long and Li Jianguo set out with the relatives and their luggage toward the village, while Li Long heard about home and the old man's boasting.
• Li Long decided he would support the newcomers if they proved capable, while leaving them free to find their own paths if they did not.

Li Long welcomed Li Anguo, Chen Xingbang, Li Junshan, and Li Junfeng to Old Ma's Place and introduced them to the prospect of earning money through local work. When he planned to take them fishing, Li Xiangqian offered him an order for thirty thousand reed bundles, which Li Long agreed to deliver within twenty days.

• Li Long settled Li Anguo, Chen Xingbang, Li Junshan, and Li Junfeng into a room at Old Ma's Place and explained that they could earn money doing piecework.
• Li Long took the men to Li Jianguo's home for noodle soup, where they saw that Li Jianguo's family was doing well.
• Li Junshan told Li Long that he and Li Junfeng had struggled to support their families back home, and Li Long said they could earn money if they were willing to work hard.
• Li Long planned to take the men to Little Haizi to catch fish, but Xu Chengjun summoned him to answer a call from Li Xiangqian.
• Li Xiangqian offered Li Long an order for thirty thousand reed bundles to be delivered within twenty days, and Li Long accepted.
• Li Long told Xu Chengjun to announce the order over the loudspeaker so the team could begin making the reed bundles.

Li Long began buying Reed Bundles and explained the work and payment terms to Li Anguo, Chen Xingbang, and the others, refusing to let inexperienced relatives inspect bundles for him. Li Jianguo took them to Reed Lake to learn how to cut reeds, while Li Long prepared to hire more workers.

• Li Long announced that he would buy qualifying Reed Bundles for fifteen fen each for twenty days and purchased bundles from two sellers after inspecting them.
• Li Long explained the Reed Bundle work and rejected Chen Xingbang's offer to inspect bundles, warning that failed inspections could cost him heavily.
• Li Long told his relatives they could earn money by doing the work and following his instructions, or rely on him for food without expecting free earnings.
• Li Jianguo agreed to teach Li Anguo and the others the work, and Li Long gave them knitted gloves before they set out.
• At Reed Lake, Li Jianguo showed Li Anguo and the others how to clear fine reeds and cut the tall reeds needed for bundles, then left to recruit more workers.

Li Long organized reed cutting and bundle-making, enforcing strict quality standards as relatives and villagers worked for pay. Deliveries surged past expectations, and technician Chen Zhenming arrived to inspect and collect the growing stock.

• Li Jianguo brought Han Benzhong and Zhang Laoshi's families to Reed Lake, where they joined Li Anguo and Li Junshan in cutting reeds.
• Li Long inspected and paid for the relatives' work, rejecting substandard bundles and setting firm standards for future deliveries.
• Tao Dayong tried to persuade Li Long to accept rejected bundles, but Li Long refused and paid only for the bundles that passed inspection.
• The next day, Li Anguo, Chen Xingbang, Li Junshan, and Li Junfeng worked more eagerly and each earned more than three yuan as deliveries exceeded three thousand bundles.
• On the third day, Chen Zhenming arrived with a truck and found nearly ten thousand bundles ready, then spent most of the day inspecting and collecting them with Li Long.

Li Long’s relatives discussed the money they were earning from reed work and wondered whether they could settle near him. After Li Long confirmed their telegram home had been sent, he promised that more profitable work would follow once the reed job ended.

• Chen Zhenming inspected and bought over seven thousand reed bundles from Li Long, paying him fourteen hundred yuan.
• Li Anguo, Li Junfeng, Li Junshan, and Chen Xingbang discussed their earnings, future plans, and the possibility of settling near Li Long.
• Li Junshan and the others helped Li Long stack reed bundles delivered by Lu Yingming and Gu Boyuan, and Li Long told them Gu Xiaoxia was his girlfriend.
• Li Anguo and Chen Xingbang decided they should send word home, and Li Long told them Xiaoxia had already sent a telegram.
• Li Junfeng asked what work would follow the reed job, and Li Long assured him there was more money-making work ahead.

After the reed work ended, Li Long rewarded his relatives and rode to the township to buy coal. He arranged to purchase an entire truckload and led the driver toward New Lake.

• Li Long and his relatives cleaned the yard after the reed inspector praised their work.
• Li Long gave Li Anguo, Chen Xingbang, Li Junfeng, and Li Junshan ten yuan each to make up for their lower earnings.
• Li Long rode to the township and found a truckload of anthracite parked beside the General Store.
• Li Long agreed to buy the entire load for one hundred yuan, and Old Zhang confirmed that he could be trusted.
• Li Long led the driver toward Old Ma's Place in New Lake.

Li Long arranged coal deliveries for his family and neighbors, paid his eldest brother for his help, and joined the other workers in sending earnings home. He then visited Gu Xiaoxia in the County Seat, cooked her a meal, and shared a warm evening listening to her talk.

• Li Long brought a truckload of coal to Old Ma's Place and the Li family yard, where Li Anguo and the others unloaded it.
• Li Long gave Li Jianguo a hundred yuan for his help, and the brothers and Liang Yuemei discussed making a coal shed near the yard gate.
• Lu Yingming gathered neighbors to buy coal, and the driver left to collect more loads after the group ordered enough for at least two trucks.
• Li Jianguo took Li Anguo, Chen Xingbang, Li Junfeng, and Li Junshan to the County Seat, where they sent money home through the Post and Telecommunications Office.
• Li Long went to the Big Courtyard, cooked for Gu Xiaoxia, and listened as she talked about her work over dinner.

Li Long prepared for a major fishing opportunity and recruited Tao Daqiang and Yongqiang to join him. He inspected Big Haizi and learned that officials were draining it dry, leaving Li Long ready to check the lake daily.

• Li Long returned to Old Ma's Place, asked Tao Daqiang about earning more money, and agreed that Tao Daqiang and Yongqiang could join the coming work.
• Li Long welcomed Li Anguo and the others back from the County Seat, where they had noticed how many handmade goods people sold at the market.
• The next morning, Li Long rode to Big Haizi and saw that its water level had dropped and the floodgate was open.
• The floodgate keeper told Li Long that officials had ordered Big Haizi drained dry after a dispute over water, with the flow being sent to soak sandy land downstream.
• The keeper gave Li Long two live fish, and Li Long returned to Old Ma's Place planning to inspect the lake each day.

Li Long organized a large-scale fish harvest at Big Haizi, arranging for relatives and friends to collect and buy fish as the lake dried up. After seeing the abundance firsthand, Li Anguo and the others returned with sacks of fish, and Li Long stored them to freeze overnight.

• Li Long watched Big Haizi’s water recede, prepared scoop nets, and gathered Li Jianguo, Li Anguo, and the others to plan a mass fish harvest.
• Li Jianguo took Li Anguo, Li Junfeng, Li Junshan, and Chen Xingbang to inspect Big Haizi, while Li Long went to recruit Tao Daqiang.
• Li Long told Tao Daqiang and Yang Yongqiang to buy fish from people on the north bank and bring them to him for storage and later resale.
• Tao Jianshe realized Li Long might also have been encouraging Tao Daqiang to help his eldest brother’s family earn money.
• Li Anguo and the others returned excitedly with sacks of large fish, and Li Long unloaded them into the storeroom to freeze overnight.

Li Long and his companions reached the drained Big Haizi and gathered huge quantities of fish, then began buying choice catches from other villagers as more people arrived. They continued hauling fish back to the village, where the growing crowds and their hot meal showed how quickly the opportunity was spreading.

• Li Long led the group to Big Haizi, where they found fish trapped in pools and channels, and instructed everyone to collect large, valuable fish without bidding up prices.
• Li Long filled sacks quickly, while Li Jianguo guarded their growing pile and later drove a cartload home after agreeing that the others would learn about the catch anyway.
• As villagers arrived, Li Long began buying selected large fish from people who wanted to sell, and Chen Xingbang also bought many fish from young catchers.
• Li Jianguo returned with steamed buns, hot water, and food, then called the others to eat while they continued their work.