frightfiction Chapter 285 Trading with Pang Duo
Chapter 285 Trading with Pang Duo
“Child, do you know that when I was young, I also went into the mountains to hunt bears with twelve hunting dogs?” Old Tao’s voice was deep and powerful, as if each word carried the weight of a thousand pounds.
"That hunt was more brutal than we can imagine. Eleven hunting dogs were left behind in those mountains forever. Only one, covered in wounds, managed to survive. Eleven dogs, gone, all gone."
That bear hunt by Lao Tao was also the last of his hunting career. He did kill the mother bear that was crouching in the den, but the gunpowder she took inside killed the entire litter of cubs at the same time. The cubs lay scattered haphazardly, three small corpses, mangled and torn, like burlap sacks at the entrance of the den. Outside the entrance were the corpses of eleven hunting dogs, some crushed by the bear's feet, their intestines bursting; some had half their faces smashed by the bear's paws, their skulls caved in; some had their spines broken, dragging their hind legs, whimpering in pain but unable to keep up with their masters' pace.
Old Tao broke down that day, weeping constantly. "That black bear, we did kill it, but it killed me too."
Tragically, even the bear cubs perished. Most of the hunting dogs were killed or injured—all for a single bear gallbladder?
Old Tao recalled that moment when he saw the young life lying quietly in a pool of blood. He felt as if something had been hollowed out of his heart. From then on, he resolved to give up hunting and never set foot on this bloody hunting path again.
Li Ju'an listened, a look of shock flashing in his eyes. He couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Tao, do you regret it? Have you ever regretted giving up your identity as a hunter?"
Upon hearing this, Old Tao burst into hearty laughter, a laugh filled with both magnanimity and relief. "Regret? Life is a series of choices, and every choice can be made without regret. My child, remember, to live is to follow your heart, to do what you want to do, and not to be afraid of regret. Because no matter which path you choose, as long as you walk it with peace of mind and live a fulfilling life, then this life will not have been lived in vain."
At this point, Old Tao's eyes brightened, as if two flames were burning within them, reflecting his boundless love for life and his unwavering commitment to the past. "And you know what? Although I no longer hunt, those years spent with the mountains and forests and with my hunting dogs have become the most precious memories of my life. Every recollection warms my heart; it's a treasure that no amount of gold or silver can buy."
Li Ju'an listened quietly, the gloom in his heart gradually dissipating, replaced by an unprecedented strength. Old Tao's words were like a beacon, illuminating his path forward and making him understand that no matter what the future held, as long as he bravely pursued and experienced it, he would have no regrets in this life.
Before seeing him off, Old Tao left him with a message, looking at him and saying, "Son, go and settle down with the girl you love. Don't drag it out and end up regretting it."
Li Ju'an responded with a "yes," then took Da Hu's foot and turned to walk back.
Early the next morning, Li Ju'an set off on the path to the county market. He carried a cloth bag carefully wrapped in oiled paper—his mother had made it—containing the precious white lingzhi mushroom he had found deep in the mountains. He carried a basket on his back, and led Li Xiao, who carried a similar basket, by the hand. Li Xiao had also gathered many wild vegetables, intending to take them to a restaurant in the county town and sell them.
The mother was initially worried that Li Xiao would cause trouble and wouldn't let the girl go out, but Li Ju'an didn't care. After burying the hammer in his backyard that night, Li Ju'an checked Bai Danzi's injuries and found that his condition was stable and Bai Danzi was in good spirits. Only then did he call his sister Li Xiao and they went out together.
Before leaving, he called the veterinarian, Xiao Chen, and asked him to come over the next day to take a look at Bai Danzi. His mother repeatedly reminded Li Xiao to listen to his brother on the way and not to cause trouble before she felt comfortable letting Li Xiao come along. Li Xiao happily carried his basket, waving and shouting, "Don't worry, Mom, I'm going to learn from my brother and become the best hunter with the best marksmanship!"
The mother shook her head with a helpless smile and said, "Where would a girl be a hunter?" Li Ju'an was very encouraging and supportive, saying, "If my sister wants to learn, then let her learn. Just think of it as finishing her homework and going into the mountains with her brother."
He knew that the great waves of the future were coming, and the days when hunting wild animals would not last more than a few years. These were the only years he could still enjoy the pleasures of hunting and earn his first fortune. He was happy to take Li Xiao into the mountains for any non-dangerous hunting trips—hunting small animals, taking her for a stroll—to give his sister a happy childhood.
The county town market was bustling with activity, a vibrant scene of people and vendors. A dazzling array of stalls displayed their wares, their calls echoing throughout the town. Li Ju'an, leading Li Xiao, weaved through the throng, his gaze fixed intently on his long-time business partner, Pang Duolai.
Pang Duolai was accompanied by another person, a locally renowned herbal medicine merchant known for his sharp eye and fair dealings. Amidst the commotion, he spotted Pang Duolai's signature long robe and unhurried gait.
Li Ju'an stepped forward and said, "Boss Pang, you look to be in great spirits lately. Good things happen, and you've made a fortune again."
Pang Duolai laughed heartily, in a very good mood, and said, "Li Paotou has gotten some good stuff again. I'll count Li Paotou among those who make a fortune. By the way, the boss wants to order another tiger skin from last time. Li Paotou, do you still have any?"
He was still a little nervous. These days, supply and demand are not equal; whoever can provide the supply is the boss. Southern merchants also have to maintain their supply channels, fearing that orders from their factories will be snatched away by other channels. Some even grit their teeth and accept losses, even at high prices, just to avoid losing orders from competing channels and losing a supply line.
Li Ju'an said, "Tiger skin is easy to find. If you don't have any in this village, I'll go to a few more villages and get some for Boss Pang. Don't worry, I'll take care of it. How about you look at this white Ganoderma lucidum first?"
Pang Duolai was relieved and exclaimed that Li Pao was reliable, never causing any trouble and dependable. When he heard about the white lingzhi, his eyes sharpened instantly. He slowly took the package from Li Ju'an, carefully opened it, and revealed the white lingzhi inside, as white as jade and emitting a faint fragrance.
A flicker of surprise crossed Pang Duolai's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. He began to examine the lingzhi carefully, gently tracing its texture with his fingers, as if engaging in a silent dialogue with this spirit of nature. "Hmm, the appearance is quite good, but..." Pang Duolai deliberately dragged out his words, whetting Li Ju'an's appetite, "your price is probably a bit too high."
Li Ju'an raised an eyebrow. He knew that despite being an old business partner, Pang Duolai still held a grudge; otherwise, why would people always accuse him of taking advantage of a close friend? But Pang Duolai had plenty of liquid funds, and he didn't want to give up on this wealthy man. A smile played on his lips: "Mr. Pang, you know how rare this white Ganoderma is. This price is the bottom line. The price at the herbal medicine shop is even higher, and prices will rise sharply after the New Year."