Chapter 1: The Killing of the Wolf
Tang Feng lay on a bed made of two wooden planks, gazing at the ceiling where a small hole allowed a beam of starlight to shine through. His mind was constantly pondering what his next step should be, especially how he could survive in the impending Battle of Ningyuan. In times of chaos, preserving one's life is of utmost importance; no matter how brave one may be, it is impossible to confront an army. Soon, Tang Feng fell into a deep sleep. In times of chaos, preserving one's life is of utmost importance; no matter how brave one may be, it is impossible to confront an army. Soon, Tang Feng fell into a deep sleep
Tang Feng listened to her words and finally understood that he had somehow arrived at the late Ming Dynasty. It seemed that the Battle of Sarhu had just recently concluded. Although the internal situation of the Ming Dynasty was riddled with issues, its exterior still appeared quite splendid and dazzling. Tang Feng was well aware that this brief period of peace would not last long; on the contrary, it was a fleeting calm characteristic of the time before every great war.
"Hmm," Wan'er murmured softly, glancing at Tang Feng, and said in a gentle voice, "Brother only knows how to bully Wan'er. You clearly could have stood up just now, yet you insisted on making Wan'er fall as well to feel happy." After saying this, she hurriedly got up, adjusted her dress slightly, and extended a pair of fair wrists.
"Fu Mei, Fu Mei, wake up." Tang Feng vaguely heard a girl's voice calling out to him. At that moment, he realized that his entire body ached, as if all the bones in his body had been broken.
Leaning on a branch, Tang Feng walked over to Wan'er, took the broken hatchet, and began to skin the wolf on a piece of bluestone. Wan'er widened her beautiful eyes, watching Tang Feng with great surprise. Before long, she saw Tang Feng completely remove the wolf's skin, pull a handful of grass, and simply clean the bloodstains off the wolf's hide. He then rolled up the wolf skin, tied it with a piece of grass rope, secured it on his back, and casually cut a few pieces of wolf meat, threading them onto a tender twig. He turned around and said to Wan'er, who was standing nearby in a daze, "Let's go home." Wan'er widened her beautiful eyes, watching Tang Feng with great surprise. Before long, she saw Tang Feng completely remove the wolf's skin, pull a handful of grass, and simply clean the bloodstains off the wolf's hide. He then rolled up the wolf skin, tied it with a piece of grass rope, secured it on his back, and casually cut a few pieces of wolf meat, threading them onto a tender twig. He turned around and said to Wan'er, who was standing nearby in a daze, "Let's go home."
Tang Feng, a major in the special forces, had once undertaken secret missions abroad alone, enjoying great prestige at that time. However, now he found himself gradually cornered by a pack of wolves to the edge of a cliff. Peering down, Tang Feng saw that the bottom of the cliff was shrouded in mist, making it impossible to discern the situation below; it was likely quite deep. His mind raced as he contemplated whether to jump or not. Peering down again, he noted the same obscured view, reinforcing his uncertainty about the depth below. Tang Feng's thoughts continued to whirl as he weighed his options.
Tang Feng took the branch, but saw Wan'er struggling to pull the wolf's tail as she made her way down the mountain. "Wan'er, wait a moment, hand me the machete, and I will skin the wolf. This way, it will be easier for us," Tang Feng said. He was quite skilled at skinning wolves or removing the fur from animals.
"You rascal, have you paid the entrance fee to my place while setting up your stall here?" The drunken man tilted his head, his brocade robe draped askew over his body, gripping a sheathed waist knife in his hand, glaring at Tang Feng with wide eyes, waiting for his response.
The nearest city to our Fu Family Village is Ningyuan Guard City. Look to the north; it is right there," Wan'er said, straightening up and pointing towards the northeast.
"May I ask, where is this place? And who are you?" Tang Feng struggled to prop himself up halfway, only to see a dead wolf lying not far from him on the ground. At that moment, Tang Feng recalled that he had been knocked off the cliff by this wolf. It was indeed a miracle that he had not died from such a high fall.
"Wait a moment, Wan'er, even if you are anxious, you must let me put on my shoes first," Tang Feng said, as he put on the two pairs of straw sandals in front of the bed. Just as he closed the courtyard door, Tang Feng began to chew on a large pancake while being pulled by Wan'er, rushing towards the market.
Tang Feng had seen countless market-goers in the modern market, but this was his first time witnessing a market from the Ming Dynasty. He observed that the market was filled with bamboo baskets and clay baskets everywhere. In the distance, there was a meat stall that appeared to be thriving, with the butcher continuously raising his knife to cut the selected meat for customers.
Upon hearing this, Tang Feng felt a tightness in his heart, realizing that this drunkard was deliberately looking for trouble. However, with Wan'er by his side, he could only suppress his anger, bend down to pick up the wolf skin from the ground, and prepare to leave.
The alpha wolf, seemingly aware of Tang Feng's current situation, slowly approached, its mouth wide open, tongue flicking in and out. Suddenly, the alpha wolf lunged forward, directly aiming for Tang Feng's face
Tang Feng gazed at the enchanting young girl before him, who seemed like a fairy fallen to earth, and was also charmed by her playful spirit. He replied, "Alright, then it's settled." Just as he was about to say something more, Wan'er smiled, nodded, and had already turned to leave.
Tang Feng, filled with gratitude, glanced at the old man's back and then looked again at Wan'er, who was squatting beside him. Taking a deep breath, he shouted loudly, "Who wants to buy wolf pelts, top-quality furs? They can be made into blankets or jackets to keep you warm all winter long." After shouting just a couple of times, people indeed began to gather around. Among them, several individuals inquired about the price of the wolf pelts from Wan'er, leaving Tang Feng ignored and standing aside.
Struggling to open her eyes, she saw the face of a young girl before her. But why was she dressed so strangely? On her head was a bun, with a wooden hairpin inserted in it. Looking further down, she noticed that the girl was wearing a very worn and coarse cloth dress.
"Hehe, young man, with your selling method, not to mention half a day, even a month would not be enough for you to sell anything," the old man said, pointing around. He continued, "Don't you see? In business, you must first learn to shout; otherwise, how would anyone know what you are doing here?" After finishing his words, he picked up the empty bamboo basket and stood up. Suddenly, he turned back and said, "Try it out, shout loudly, and I guarantee someone will come over to ask. Alright, I must be going now." After saying this, the old man turned and left.
"Come on, let's go home, Wan'er, you come too, I will make something for you to eat," the old lady said as she turned and walked towards the courtyard. "No need, Aunt Fu, my father is still waiting for me to return," Wan'er replied, playfully arching her brows and looking at Tang Feng, waiting for his response. "Tomorrow, I will go to the market with you, shall we sell the wolf skin together?"
Very well, this way, I can also buy some medicine for your mother to take back. If I can sell a bit more, I can even buy you a pair of cloth shoes to wear. You just stand there for a moment, and I will get you a branch so you can lean on it and follow me. I will drag this wolf back. " Wan'er said, then picked up a broken machete from the grass, walked to a tree, and after much effort, finally chopped down a branch. After making some simple adjustments, she handed it to Tang Feng.
"Why is it so lively here? Step aside and let me take a look," suddenly came the voice of a drunken man from outside the crowd. People turned their heads to look, and upon seeing him, they hurriedly made way for him. Meanwhile, some couldn't help but feel concerned for the brother and sister who were setting up their stall.
Naturally, it was sold at the market. I had previously accompanied the neighbor's sister-in-law to sell chicks. Just placing the bamboo basket on the ground, people would come to inquire about the price. Alright, Fu Meige, stop the chatter. If we delay any longer, the crowd will disperse from the market. " Wan'er said, and without further ado, she began to pull Tang Feng outside.
"Wan'er, do you want to take this wolf back with you?" Tang Feng asked her with some doubt, looking at the very frail body.
Seeing that Tang Feng was not seriously injured, Wan'er gradually calmed the panic on her face. Steadying herself, she finally spoke softly, "Now in our Ming Dynasty, the newly ascended emperor is Chongzhen. I have heard that he is a wise and virtuous ruler. As soon as he became emperor, he immediately arrested Wei Zhongxian and exiled him to a distant place, stating that he would properly rectify the court's affairs. It seems that our Ming Dynasty is about to improve, and we common people will finally be able to live a few days of peaceful life."
Tang Feng felt somewhat strange as he glanced at the girl in front of him, desperately trying to recall the events of the past, seeking to understand what exactly had happened to him
Tang Feng turned his gaze in the direction she pointed. Although he could not see anything, he already knew the answer he sought. It turned out that this was the place where Yuan Chonghuan and Nurhaci had fought, resulting in Nurhaci's defeat. So, I wonder if this great battle has occurred in the present day
Fu Family Village? Isn't this Yunnan? As soon as the words left his mouth, Tang Feng noticed the clothes he was wearing. He was dressed in a tattered, earthy-colored coarse cloth shirt, and on his feet were a pair of straw sandals. Could this really be him? Or...? In his leisure time, Tang Feng often enjoyed browsing foreign materials online, as well as reading some boring time-travel novels. However, despite all his thoughts and speculations, he never expected that he would so dramatically become part of the time-traveling army himself. Isn't this just ridiculous? The flight attendant he had just gotten to know a month ago, and the official position he was about to be promoted to, all seemed to have vanished in an instant.
"Wan'er, who is currently stationed at Ningyuan Xincheng?" As Tang Feng spoke, he realized he had inadvertently referred to the later name for Ningyuan Weicheng. Wan'er merely glanced back at him and replied, "I heard it's a new civil official named Yuan Chonghuan who is stationed here. By the way, why do you call Weicheng Xincheng?" After Wan'er finished speaking, she looked at Tang Feng with a puzzled expression, but then she reached out her hand and said to him, "Fu Mei Ge, I’m here to help you stand up. Your mother has been waiting at home for a long time and will be worried about you. Shall we head back now?" After saying this, she reached out her hands to support Tang Feng under his arms, trying to help him up.
Fu Mei, have you been scared silly by a wolf? I am Wan'er, here we are at Shoushan, not far from our Fu family village. Have you lost your mind or what? The girl before me, although dressed in coarse cloth, could not conceal her beauty, delicate and charming. Her eyes were as clear and bright as a spring, her white teeth revealed two shallow dimples on her face. Ordinary phrases like "the moon hiding in the clouds" or "fish sinking and geese falling" could hardly describe even a fraction of her beauty, making it evident at a glance that she was a natural beauty.
Oh, I heard you say you want to go to the market with me. But Wan'er, I have never done business before. Who should I sell this wolf skin to?
Under Wan'er’s guidance, Tang Feng arrived at the entrance of a courtyard where two jujube trees were planted. Standing at the door was an elderly woman with white hair. Upon seeing Tang Feng and Wan'er return, she hurriedly approached Tang Feng, grasped his hand, and scrutinized him up and down for a long time. After a while, with a choked voice, she said to him, "My child, why have you returned at such a late hour from gathering firewood? You nearly gave your mother a fright. Thankfully, Wan'er went to find you; otherwise, I would have thought you had disappeared just like your father, vanishing without a trace for nineteen years without any news." As the old woman spoke, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
Before Tang Feng could respond, a kind-hearted passerby in the crowd whispered to him, "Young man, you must exercise some restraint. This person is a captain of the Jinyiwei, and he is not to be trifled with. If he demands your belongings and the book, just give them to him. It's better to suffer a financial loss than to invite disaster."
Madam Fu Meiniang had already entered the house to start a fire and prepare a meal. For a moment, Tang Feng was unsure how to address this elderly lady. In the evening, after dinner, the old woman carefully reminded Tang Feng a few more times, urging him not to cause any trouble when he went to the market the next day and to take good care of Wan'er before she finally went to bed
"Ah, Mei'er, are you hurt anywhere?" The old lady asked anxiously, while hurriedly examining Tang Feng from head to toe, checking if he had any injuries. After carefully inspecting him and finding no wounds on Tang Feng's body, she finally felt relieved.
Tang Feng nodded and replied, "Yes, I hunted a wolf in the mountains. My sister said that if we take the wolf skin to the market and sell it, we could earn a few coins to help with household expenses. But half a day has passed, and no one has come to ask about it. Uncle, don't you think this is driving me crazy?" Tang Feng scratched his head and said somewhat anxiously
Now, all that remains in his hand is a dagger. Tang Feng's eyes widen as he fixates intently on the male wolf ahead of him. It is the leader of the pack, and it has relentlessly pursued him, leading the wolves in a determined chase. Although Tang Feng has killed more than thirty vicious wolves along the way, this has only served to further ignite the pack's ferocity
Wan'er walked over lightly, supporting Tang Feng as they descended Shou Mountain together. Fu Family Village was not too far from Shou Mountain. Tang Feng calculated that after walking a distance of about one or two li, he saw a village emerging among the scattered trees ahead, though it appeared to be rather small.
In the early morning, before Tang Feng had even opened his eyes, he felt as if someone was standing beside him. Years of training kicked in, causing him to suddenly jump up from the bed. "Fu Meige, when did your skills become so good?" In front of him stood a smiling young girl, Wan'er. Upon seeing Tang Feng's gaze fixed on her, she teasingly remarked, "You really are a pig. It's already past nine o'clock, and even if you don't have to go to the mountains to chop wood today, you shouldn't sleep in this late. Auntie has already left for work, and here you are still lazing in bed." As she spoke, she raised her right hand, which had been resting behind her back, revealing a large pancake. She said to Tang Feng, "I knew you hadn't had breakfast. Here, this is from my father. He heard that you encountered a wolf yesterday and was going to come check on you today, but I persuaded him not to, saying that you and I were going to the market. Hey, are you even listening to me?" As Wan'er spoke, she waved her delicate hand in front of Tang Feng.
However, she is a young girl. Although the body currently occupied by Tang Feng is not particularly tall or strong, it is still that of a man, which feels somewhat heavy. Wan'er was unable to lift Tang Feng for a moment and instead was pulled down onto the grass by him, landing with her upper body against Tang Feng's chest, her pair of red lips just brushing against his cheek.
Tang Feng gazed at the dozens of wolves before him, which were gradually closing in, so close that he could almost smell the foul stench emanating from their mouths. He had been pursuing this group of fugitives in the mountains for a full ten days. Just as he was about to capture these three death row escapees, he unexpectedly encountered a pack of wolves, and the bullets from both his submachine gun and pistol had long been exhausted
The noon had passed just like that; not to mention that no one came to buy, there wasn't even a single person to look. At this moment, Wan'er began to feel a bit anxious. A nearby old farmer selling geese, observing this pair of golden boy and jade girl setting up their stall for quite a while, noticed Wan'er anxiously starting to glance around. He approached and asked Tang Feng, "Is this your first time coming to the market?"
At this moment, Tang Feng was already in severe pain in his chest. After being struck again, he nearly fainted. He pressed his hand against his chest and forced a bitter smile, using Wan'er’s strength to stand up. Just as the two were about to head down the mountain, Wan'er suddenly stopped and said to Tang Feng, "Brother, the fur of this wolf could fetch a few coins if we take it to the city. It would be much more useful than leaving it here in the wilderness." After saying this, Wan'er helped Tang Feng to a tree, allowing him to lean against it, and then walked over to the wolf.
Tang Feng's dagger was immediately thrust forward, piercing the abdomen of the lead wolf. However, he suddenly felt his feet slip, and together with the lead wolf, they fell straight into the bottomless abyss
Finally arrived, Fu Meige, are you tired? Hand me the wolf skin so I can carry it," Wan'er said, reaching out her hand. "No need, we are almost home, and you are quite exhausted as well. Let me carry it myself," Tang Feng said as he and Wan'er supported each other, walking into this small, dilapidated, and desolate village. The slanting rays of the setting sun illuminated their backs.
"Wan'er, let us find a place to lay down the wolf skin and try selling it," Tang Feng suggested to Wan'er. Wan'er nodded, and the two of them found an empty spot, laid the wolf skin on the ground, and waited for someone to inquire so they could sell it.
"Aunt Fu, it's not that Brother Mei doesn't want to come back early. In fact, he encountered a wolf in the mountains. Fortunately, he was lucky enough to kill the wolf, which saved his life. If you don't believe me, look, the wolf skin on his back can testify to that," Wan'er said, pointing to the wolf skin on Tang Feng's back.
Once he realized this, he immediately felt his heart racing intensely, almost wanting to shout a few times or find someone to vent his frustrations on. After calming himself down, he finally spoke to the young girl, asking, "Is it Wan'er? Can you tell me who is currently the emperor? Also, do you know where the nearest city is?" Tang Feng intended to use these two questions to ascertain the era he had traversed into, so he could carefully plan how to approach his future—whether to make a quick escape or to strive for significant achievements.