Reborn in 1977

Chapter 212: Riding Solo Across the Plains

Buying a new house requires a housewarming; buying a new car requires honking the horn.

What about buying a new gun?

Although they were just a few second-hand guns, in Chen Fan's eyes, they were more precious than new ones.

Having finally bought a gun, how could he not show off a little?!

With the gun permit tucked in his pocket, Chen Fan's time at the veterinary station was pure torture.

It was like a fisherman getting a new fishing rod but being stuck inside due to a rainstorm; a basketball player buying new shoes but spraining their ankle; a foodie facing a table full of barbecue but having just had four wisdom teeth pulled; a novel being cut off halfway through…

Chen Fan couldn't stand still or sit down. Station Chief Zhou couldn't bear to watch, so he asked him to change the medicine for a donkey. Chen Fan immediately pulled out his gun, ready to educate the donkey brother about firearms and tell him to stay away from this thing in the future. But before he could speak, the donkey cried out that he was healed and even trotted lightly in place a couple of times.

Having finally endured until 3:30 in the afternoon, when the first day of classes ended, Chen Fan immediately jumped on his horse and galloped away.

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

When the two of them returned to the brigade headquarters, Chen Fan was holding a hunting rifle, showing it off to Zhang Wenliang. "See this? Foreign-made. I've checked it, and it's at least 90% new, barely used. Look at this hinge, it's like new. And this barrel, shiny and bright. Listen to this sound, crisp and melodious…"

Not far away, Xiao Liewen chewed on his tobacco pipe, his face full of strange expressions.

Captain Zhang sat next to him, leaning in slightly, and whispered, "So, a hunting rifle is enough to satisfy him?"

Xiao Liewen smacked his lips, exhaled a puff of smoke, and muttered, "How would I know his demands were so low? I thought he wanted a rifle, at least a big Mauser pistol. But this? That so-called 'fart popper' is just a Type 52 pistol. It sounds like a firecracker when you shoot it, with no power at all. It can only scare petty thieves. Sigh, don't you think, shooting it is like letting out a fart, hence the name 'fart popper.'"

Secretary Yang crossed his legs and smoked, pursing his lips when he heard this. "At least it's a general's gun. High-ranking officials all carry that kind of small pistol. How come it sounds so wrong coming from your mouth?"

Xiao Liewen didn't care, muttering with his pipe in his mouth, "That's just how it is. Back then, we all carried Mauser pistols. Who would want this kind of small gun?"

On the other side, Zhang Wenliang felt dizzy from Chen Fan's chatter, secretly regretting telling him that the supply and marketing cooperative had guns for sale. At least he could have had a few more days of peace.

But thinking that he would eventually buy a gun anyway, he could only comfort himself, 'Sooner or later, you have to take the hit, so sooner is better.'

He repeatedly checked the time on his watch, barely making it to 3:55 before quickly saying, "It's five minutes to four, go put on the broadcast."

Only then did Chen Fan reluctantly put away the hunting rifle, then adjusted the pistol holster tied to his belt, his eyes full of regret. "The belt doesn't match the holster."

Zhang Wenliang looked at the cloth rope tied around his waist and chuckled non-stop.

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

After he went in, Zhang Wenliang called Yang Zhijun and Li Zhiqun to the leaders, Secretary Yang and the others, to ask them about their studies today.

Why not ask Chen Fan?

Zhang Wenliang wanted to ask, but Chen Fan didn't give him a chance to speak!

Going to work and getting off work, Chen Fan carried two guns home.

Just as he was about to leave, Xiao Liewen stopped him, "Now that you have a gun, you must take good care of it. Although this thing doesn't shoot far, it's still very powerful at close range. The gun and bullets must be stored separately. Lock it in the cabinet when you're not using it. If someone steals it and something happens, you'll be responsible too."

Chen Fan immediately nodded and promised, "I'll lock it in the cabinet when I get back. And there are people in the yard I live in all day long, so it should be fine."

Xiao Liewen nodded, "Well, I'm just giving you a reminder. Go on."

Chen Fan rode his horse home, put away his things, and obediently listened to Captain Xiao's words. First, he locked the hunting rifle in the cabinet, and then he told Jiang Lili and the other three to be careful and not let strangers into his room casually.

Anyway, they had already converted the room in the middle of the two dormitories into a multi-functional room. Even if someone came over, they could just invite them there, and there was no need to enter his room.

After saying that, he prepared to go out.

Huang Ying quickly said, "Teacher Chen, what are you going out for at this time? It's almost time for dinner."

Chen Fan proudly raised his head and looked at the sky, "I will lead a yellow dog, hold a gray falcon, wear a brocade hat and a sable coat, and ride alone across the plains."

The four girls stared at him blankly.

What does that mean?

Chen Fan coughed dryly, picked up the chubby Qiuqiu and Duoduo. The two puppies had just turned one month old and had a good diet here. Each weighed two or three pounds, a little bigger than a palm, like round meat balls.

These two shouldn't be able to run, right?

Chen Fan pondered for two seconds, then turned and went into the house.

When he came out again, the cloth bag was already slung over his shoulder. The two puppies obediently nestled inside the bag, their dog heads peeking out from both sides, curiously looking at the world from above.

Chen Fan then jumped on his horse again, put his fingers in his mouth and whistled. A black shadow immediately descended from the sky, steadily landing on his left arm.

Yellow in the bag, gray in hand, Chen Fan held the gun in his right hand, kicked the horse's belly with his heel, and the mare immediately galloped out.

The four girls stood in a row, staring blankly at the empty courtyard gate, unable to recover for a long time.

After a while, Huang Ying turned to look at Jiang Lili, "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 hadn't learned this poem, but Jiang Lili had learned it, and that's why she was even more confused.

Hearing Huang Ying's words, she murmured, "Leading a yellow dog means pulling a big yellow dog with your left hand, which is a hunting dog. Holding a gray falcon means holding a falcon on your right arm."

There was no need to explain the rest. Huang Ying, Yang Ju, and Liu Dan looked at each other and couldn't help but giggle non-stop.

Riding a horse on the riverbank, Chen Fan hunts in the wilderness, where are the prey, raising his gun in all directions.

Chen Fan glanced down at the two excited, barking puppy heads, and decisively pinned his hopes on the Eurasian hobby, immediately waving his arm, "Go, find prey."

The Eurasian hobby soared into the sky, circling around and chirping.

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

After playing outside for more than half an hour, until it was dark, Chen Fan returned home with a wild rabbit to his heart's content.

Back home, the four girls had already prepared dinner, and the dishes were kept warm in the pot waiting for him.

Seeing that he had actually brought back a rabbit, they were all surprised.

Huang Ying was the first to rush over, "Teacher Chen, did you shoot it?"

Chen Fan lifted his leg off the horse, handed her the rabbit, and said calmly, "The Eurasian hobby caught it."

Although today's equipment was a bit outdated, the dogs were not yet grown, and only the Eurasian hobby was reliable, it didn't matter. In a few months, the dogs would also come in handy, and then he would ride alone across the plains again!