Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 212 A Lone Rider Across the Plains

Buying a new house requires setting it on fire; buying a new car requires honking the horn.

Why did you buy a new gun?

Although they were just a few secondhand guns, Chen Fan treasured them more than new guns.

Having finally managed to buy a gun, shouldn't I show it off a bit?!

With his gun license tucked into his pocket, Chen Fan's time at the veterinary station was incredibly agonizing.

It's like a fisherman getting a new fishing rod but being caught in a downpour and unable to go out; a basketball player buying a new pair of shoes but spraining his ankle; a foodie enjoying a table full of barbecue but having just had four wisdom teeth extracted; or reading a novel that suddenly stops halfway through...

Chen Fan was caught in a dilemma, unsure whether to stand or sit. Station Chief Zhou, unable to bear it any longer, asked him to change the bandage on a donkey. Chen Fan swiftly pulled out his gun, intending to give the donkey a lesson on firearms so it would stay away from it in the future. However, before he could even speak, the donkey brayed that it was all healed and then trotted around in place a couple of times.

After finally enduring until 3:30 pm, the first day of classes ended. Chen Fan immediately mounted his horse and rode off.

Yang Zhijun and Li Zhengqun's mules were foaming at the mouth, and they couldn't keep up with the mare's shadow.

When the two returned to the brigade headquarters, Chen Fan was showing Zhang Wenliang the hunting rifle. "See this? It's a foreign product. I checked it. It's at least 90% new, hardly ever used. Look at this crease, it's like new. And this barrel, it's shiny and smooth. And listen to the sound, it's crisp and melodious..."

Not far away, Xiao Liewen was chewing on the mouthpiece of his pipe, his face full of strange expressions.

Captain Zhang sat next to him, leaning slightly forward, and whispered, "So a hunting rifle was enough to get rid of him?"

Xiao Liewen clicked his tongue, exhaled a puff of smoke, and muttered, "How was I supposed to know his requirements were so low? I thought he wanted a rifle, or at least a big-eyed pistol. But this is all he asked for?"
"That 'butt-bang' thing, isn't it just a Type 52 pistol? Firing a shot from that thing is like firing a cannon, it has no power at all, it's only good for scaring petty thieves. Hey, you know what, firing a shot is like letting out a fart, it's really just a butt-bang."

Secretary Yang, with his legs crossed and smoking, couldn't help but purse his lips when he heard this. "That's a general's gun, after all. High-ranking officials carry those small pistols. How come it sounds so off coming from your mouth?"

Xiao Liewen didn't take it seriously, and muttered while smoking his pipe, "That's true, we all carried Mauser pistols back then, who would want these little guns?"

On the other side, Zhang Wenliang was dizzy and confused by Chen Fan's words. He secretly groaned, wishing he hadn't told him that the supply and marketing cooperative sold guns. At least he could have had a few more days of peace and quiet.

But thinking that he would eventually be able to buy a gun, he could only comfort himself by saying that he was bound to get stabbed sooner or later, so it was better to get it sooner rather than later.

He kept checking the time on his watch, and when it finally reached 3:55, he quickly said, "There are still 5 minutes until 4 o'clock, hurry up and play the broadcast."

Chen Fan reluctantly put away his hunting rifle, then adjusted the holster attached to his belt, his eyes full of regret. "A belt and a holster don't match."

Zhang Wenliang looked at the cloth rope tied around his waist and chuckled incessantly.

Chen Fan's face darkened, and he turned and walked inside, determined to get a belt as soon as possible.

After he went inside, Zhang Wenliang called Yang Zhijun and Li Zhiqun to Secretary Yang and the other leaders and asked them about their studies that day.

Why not ask Chen Fan?
Zhang Wenliang wanted to ask, but Chen Fan didn't give him a chance to speak!
After get off work, Chen Fan would carry two guns home.

Just as he was about to leave, Xiao Liewen stopped him again, saying, "Now that you have a gun, you have to take good care of it. Although it doesn't shoot very far, it's very powerful when it's close. The gun and bullets should be kept separate. When you're not using it, lock it in a cabinet. If someone steals it, you'll be held responsible."

Chen Fan immediately nodded and assured him, "I'll lock it in the closet when I get back. Besides, there are always people in the courtyard where I live, so it should be fine."

Xiao Liewen nodded. "Okay, I just wanted to give you a heads-up. Go ahead."

Chen Fan rode home, put his things away, and obediently followed Captain Xiao's instructions. He first locked a hunting rifle in the cabinet, and then told Jiang Lili and the other three to be careful not to let outsiders into their rooms.

Anyway, the room between the two dorm rooms had already been converted into a multi-functional room, so even if someone came, they could just be ushered over there; there was no need for them to come into his own room. After saying that, he prepared to leave.

Huang Ying quickly said, "Teacher Chen, why are you going out at this time? It's almost time to eat."

Chen Fan proudly looked up at the sky, "I will lead a yellow dog on the left and hold a falcon on the right, wearing a brocade hat and a sable coat, riding alone across the plains."

The four girls stared at him blankly.

What do you mean?
Chen Fan coughed and scooped up Qiuqiu and Duoduo, who had grown into little balls of flesh. The two puppies were just over a month old and were well fed here. Each of them weighed two or three pounds and was a little bigger than the palm of his hand, like a round ball of flesh.

These two guys probably can't run anymore, right?

Chen Fan pondered for two seconds, then turned and went inside.

When I came out again, the bag was slung over my shoulder, and the two puppies were nestled obediently inside the bag, peeking out from either side, curiously looking at the world above.

Chen Fan mounted his horse again, put his finger to his mouth and whistled. A dark shadow immediately descended from the sky and landed steadily on his left arm.

With Huang in his bag and Cang in his hand, Chen Fan, holding a gun in his right hand, kicked the horse's belly with his heel, and the mare immediately galloped away.

Four girls stood in a row, staring blankly at the empty courtyard entrance, unable to come to their senses for a long time.

After a while, Huang Ying turned to look at Jiang Lili and asked, "What did Teacher Chen say just now?"

Jiang Lili's confusion was different from theirs. Huang Ying and the other two were confused because they had never learned the poem, but Jiang Lili had. However, it was precisely because she knew the poem that she was even more confused.

Hearing Huang Ying's words, she murmured, "Left hand holding yellow means holding a big yellow dog, which is a hunting dog, with the left hand; right hand holding a falcon means supporting a falcon with the right arm."

The rest is self-explanatory. Huang Ying, Yang Ju, and Liu Dan exchanged glances and couldn't help but giggle.

Riding a horse up the riverbank, Chen Fan hunted in the wilderness. Where was his prey? He raised his gun, but all he could see was the vastness of the surroundings.

Chen Fan glanced down at the two excitedly barking puppies and decisively pinned his hopes on the Eurasian Hobby. He immediately raised his arm and waved, "Go, find prey."

The Eurasian Hobby soared into the sky, circled once, and chirped its clear calls.

Chen Fan's eyes lit up immediately, and he patted the horse's neck, "Let's go."

After playing outside for more than half an hour until dark, Chen Fan finally returned home with a wild rabbit, having thoroughly enjoyed himself.

When he got home, the four women had already prepared dinner, and the food was kept warm in the pot, waiting for him.

They were all extremely surprised to see that he had actually brought back a rabbit.

Huang Ying was the first to rush over, "Teacher Chen, did you hit him?"

Chen Fan dismounted, handed her the rabbit, and calmly said, "Caught by a falcon."

Although our equipment is a bit outdated today, and the dog isn't fully grown yet, only the falcon is somewhat reliable, it doesn't matter. In a few months, the dog will be useful, and then we can ride solo across Pinggang again!

(End of this chapter)