Chapter 11: Hunting Bears (Part 1)

  In the Song Dynasty, making iron skin was somewhat difficult, but casting iron was no problem, with similar results. Making a fuse was not hard either, Wu Ji knew several methods for making fuses, and combining these together resulted in a bomb.

  Bombs, for the Song Dynasty, are absolutely a new plaything. Its power is great, and it's convenient to use. Even the most rustic bombs will have a good sales volume. Not to mention, the bombs manufactured by Wu Ji, their power will definitely not be small, nor will they be too rustic. This prospect doesn't need to be said.

  It's definitely a bright future!

  The most important thing is that this is the border between Song and Liao, and wars often break out between the two countries from time to time. If Wu Ji sells explosives to the military, it will be no problem for him to own a mountain of gold and silver and become a rich man.

  The prospect was not thought of at first, but the more he thought about it, the brighter and more enticing it became, and Wu Ji couldn't help but get excited.

  But when I saw that my arm was only skin and bones, without any flesh, this enthusiasm couldn't help but cool down. That's still too far away, the top priority is to hunt down the bear first, get the reward, and then take care of my body.

  Wu Ji suddenly had an idea, and Yang Xiuxiu started to melt the mutton fat. This was too easy, with just a few movements, the mutton fat was melted. Wu Ji poured the mutton fat onto his weapon, a round ball of fragrant oil, making Wu Ji's stomach growl with hunger, he almost swallowed it in one gulp. At this moment, Wu Ji couldn't help but envy Xiong for having such delicious mutton fat to eat.

  At this time, Wu Ji, a master of military equipment, had already made the first weapon in the Song Dynasty.

  "This thing needs a name. Hmm, this thing is made for hunting bears, it's different from bombs, can't be called bombs. A round ball, like a marble, let's just call it a marble!" Wu Ji thought for a moment and gave the weapon a name.

  Looking up at the sky, it's almost noon, Wu Ji couldn't hold back any longer. He hated to kill Xiong Lie immediately and get the reward, have a big feast, and hurriedly urged: "Xiu Xiu, hurry up and cook. After eating, we'll go hunt bears."

  "Ah! Hunting bears?" Yang Xiuxiu looked up at the sky, somewhat hesitant: "Wu Lang, it's getting late, almost noon. Why not go tomorrow instead."

  "After lunch, I'll go and get familiar with the situation." Wu Ji thought for a moment and still had his mind made up. Although he knew about Xiong's comings and goings from Wu Qing's mouth, he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, so going to get familiar with the situation first was also good.

  If luck is good, then kill the bear today, that's the best. But this kind of good luck, Wu Ji dare not hope for it, and instead come slowly and steadily.

  Wu Ji decided, Yang Xiuxiu didn't say anything else and busied herself making lunch. Wu Ji couldn't help but assist, and the meal was quickly prepared. After they finished eating, Yang Xiuxiu took a hatchet and rope, preparing to head back, and also gathered a bundle of firewood, she was truly meticulous and didn't let any effort go to waste.

  Wu Jiaobei held a good handful of bullets, leaning on a stick, and with Yang Xiuxiu's support, left Wujiacun and headed into the mountains.

  As soon as the two of them left the village, they were discovered by Wu Liang. Wu Liang had a black eye on his right eye, and Wu Ji's poke, although it didn't blind him, made him suffer enough, and he was in great pain. More importantly, last night, he felt guilty and didn't dare to go back home, so he could only hide outside, shivering with cold.

  He wanted to hide in someone else's house, but was afraid of being informed on, so he could only crouch outside and freeze. At this time, it was really unbearable, so he went back, unexpectedly running into Wu Ji and the others.

  Wu Liang hid behind a tree, sizing them up, and saw the two enter the mountain. He couldn't help but flash a fierce light in his eyes, turned around and left. Wu Liang returned home to find Wu Yuan not there, busy working on the land. Wu Liang took a shiny axe and a hunting spear, with a gloomy face and a pair of eyes flashing with ferocity, chasing after Wu Ji and the others.

  This was the most Wu Jie had walked since arriving in the Song Dynasty. He hadn't gone far before he was panting, his breath coming in short gasps, like a cow on a long-distance run.

  Yang Xiuxiu hastily helped Wu Ji sit down to rest for a while, and her small body blocked in front of him, shielding him from the mountain wind.

  After a short rest, Wu Jia continued to climb the mountain with his bundle of firewood. In this way, the two men walked for a while and then rested for a while, advancing up the mountain like snails. As for hunting bears, Wu Jia had to come in person, no one else would use slingshots, that's not something that can be explained clearly.

  After much difficulty, Wu Ji finally climbed to the top of the mountain, with sweat dripping down like water. Yang Xiuxiu gently wiped away his sweat, her face filled with a look of tender concern. As Wu Ji gazed at her lovely face, he couldn't help but feel a surge of affection and secretly vowed that no matter what, he would change their family's circumstances, even if this bear hunt was unsuccessful.

  Looking around, Wu's village was just at the waist of the mountain. Standing high and looking far, all that could be seen were mountains in every direction. This was truly a great mountain range. In his two lifetimes, Wu had never laid eyes on so many peaks, such vastness, and he couldn't help but feel astonished.

  "The bear's den is nearby!" Wu Ji looked around in all directions, searching for the bear's den.

  "Wu Lang, look quickly over there!" Yang Xiuxiu's eyes were very useful and she was the first to discover something out of the ordinary.

  Wu Jianshun looked in the direction of her finger, and saw a mountain cave dozens of feet away, with many palm prints, like human footprints, but much larger than human feet. These should be bear paw prints.

  A bear's paw is similar to a human palm, it's just much bigger, this is common sense.

  Handprints going in and out, very messy. The trees in front of the cave were overturned, leaving many paw prints, which should be the work of a bear playing.

  "We're here!" Wu Jie made a judgment, furrowing his brow and said: "Is the bear still here?"

  It is said that first Wu Jia Zhuang's Ding Zhuang came to hunt bears, and then the Song army arrived, twice in a row. The bear was frightened and moved away, which is also possible.

  The first thing to confirm is whether Xiong is here or not. If he's not here, Wu Jie's plan will fall through and they'll have to find Xiong's whereabouts all over again.

  "Wu Lang, I heard that bears have a strong odor. If we go downwind and can smell the stench, then the bear must be nearby." Yang Xiuxiu was quick-witted and immediately came up with an idea.

  "Ah, that's right! Go downwind." Wu Ji was very appreciative of this suggestion.

  Under Yang Xiuxiu's support, the two slowly walked towards the downwind mouth. Wu Ji tightly pursed his lips, afraid of making a sound and startling the bear, which would be disastrous. Yang Xiuxiu also didn't dare to speak, and the two proceeded in silence.

  After great efforts, we finally arrived at the leeward side. There was a faint smell of stench coming over, but it wasn't very strong, and we couldn't tell if the bear was there or not.

  Wu Jie couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency, his hope was pinned on this bear. Although he could do many things, he had no capital and no good physique, lacking strength, this bear was his only hope. If he could hunt the bear, it would be a two-for-one deal, not only would he have the capital, but also improve his living conditions and repair his body.

  He walked a little further forward, and a gust of wind blew over, bringing with it a strong smell of stench that assailed his nostrils, causing Wu Ji to almost vomit.

  "It's there, it's there! The bear is still there!" Wu Jie couldn't help but get excited, his face filled with joy. If he wasn't afraid of startling the bear, he would have burst into a loud song.

  Yang Xiuxiu also came to her senses, with a look of joy and tension on her face, sizing up Wu Jue as she waited for him to make a decision.

  Wu Ji pointed with his right hand to a tree in front of him and said softly, "Go past!"

  Yang Xiuxiu nodded and, supporting Wu Ji, walked towards the tree. The tree was as big as a washbasin, its leaves withered and yellow, and when the autumn wind blew, they fell from time to time, making a rustling sound.

  Arriving under the tree, Wu Ji said, "Go up!" But he was stunned under the tree. With his small build, it was a bit difficult for him to climb up the tree.

  Fortunately, Yang Xiuxiu bent down and exposed her back, indicating that Wu Jia should step on it. She was petite, with a delicate back that made people reluctant to tread on. However, in this situation, Wu Jia had no choice but to secretly sigh, lift his foot, and step onto Yang Xiuxiu's back. With Yang Xiuxiu's help, he finally climbed up the tree.

  Yang Xiuxiu was about to come up, Wu Ji waved his hand to stop her, took out the bullet and handed it to her: "Put it in the upper wind mouth! Be extremely careful, can't pinch, can't collide, can't squeeze. It must be placed where the bear can eat. After putting it well, hurry back, don't let the bear find out. Go quickly and come back quickly!"

  A reminder was given, particularly emphasizing that it cannot be collided with, squeezed or pinched, which would cause an explosion, and had to be repeatedly emphasized.

  This matter can only be done by Yang Xiuxiu. With Wu Jie's small stature, he acts too slowly and may be discovered by Xiong, which would be a big trouble.

  Yang Xiuxiu nodded seriously, took the spinning top and held it in her hands, carefully ran towards the upper wind direction. When she arrived at the upper wind direction, Yang Xiuxiu found a place about two feet high, put the spinning top on a stone, and then ran back quickly.

  It didn't take long for this back-and-forth exchange, but she was extremely tense, and sweat seeped out of her forehead.

  When people are upwind, a gust of wind can easily reveal their breath, making it easy for the bear to detect. If the bear discovers them, the consequences will be severe.

  Wu Jie hastily stretched out his hand and pulled Yang Xiuxiu to the tree. Yang Xiuxiu sat on a branch, nervously sizing up the slingshot, and whispered: "Will it work? Will it work?"

  This was something that ancient people would find unbelievable, so she had to ask.

  "As long as the bear is here, it will be fine. Don't speak yet, let's wait!" Wu Ji replied in a low voice.

  Yang Xiuxiu stopped talking, and the two of them waited quietly. They had been waiting for a long time, but there was no movement. The autumn wind blew in, feeling like ice blocks, and Wu Ji couldn't help but shiver. If they had to wait any longer, with Wu Ji's small build, he might just catch an illness from the cold.

  Yang Xiuxiu saw the situation and was about to take off her clothes to put on Wu Ji. Although it was a woman's garment, at this moment, she couldn't care about that.

  "Roar!"

  Just then, a thunderous roar of a bear sounded.