Upon hearing this, Second Uncle immediately called for Er Gouzi to follow him back.
The gun was buried in the soil of the old house's backyard. To make it easier to find, Second Uncle had even planted a pomelo tree on top of the soil.
About twenty minutes later, Second Uncle returned carrying a urea bag, bulging with a shotgun inside.
This was a relic from the 1970s, and rural folks commonly called it a "homemade gun."
"The gun's found, but I don't know if it still works."
Second Uncle opened the urea bag and shook the shotgun out onto the table.
Liu Tiezhu picked it up and inspected it, finding that aside from some rust on the barrel and a rotted stock, the rest was in decent shape.
Since it had been buried in the soil for so long, a layer of green rust had formed on the parts—a result of iron oxidation.
But these issues weren't major. The stock could be replaced with a sturdy piece of wood, and the barrel could be sanded to remove the rust. As for the other components, a bit of oil and a few days' rest would do the trick.
After checking it over, Liu Tiezhu set the gun down and said, "Second Uncle, the gun can still be used, but the stock needs replacing."
"Also, the barrel needs sanding to prevent the rust from eating through it, or it might burst when fired."
"If we could get some ammunition, that'd be great. With this thing, going into the mountains would be a lot safer," Er Gouzi said.
Liu Tiezhu replied, "Not necessarily. For the mountains, a compound crossbow is still better."
"This thing isn't much more powerful than a compound crossbow, and reloading takes way too long."
"But you're right—if we could get ammunition, that'd be ideal."
Er Gouzi thought for a moment and said, "That bastard Liu Gang has a stash of steel pellets."
"If we could get his steel pellets, then buy some firecrackers, tear them open, and mix the gunpowder with the pellets, we'd solve the ammunition problem."
Liu Tiezhu shook his head at that.
Liu Gang was itching to skin him and Er Gouzi alive right now; there was no way he'd give them steel pellets.
After mulling it over, Liu Tiezhu thought of Yang Hua.
Another thug, Yang Hua was even more formidable than Liu Gang and happened to be Liu Gang's cousin.
If Liu Gang could get steel pellets, Yang Hua probably could too.
"Gouzi, let's take a trip to Yang Family Village."
Having made up his mind, Liu Tiezhu immediately called for Er Gouzi.
Second Uncle was taken aback and asked, "What are you two going to Yang Family Village for so late at night?"
"Second Uncle, Gouzi and I are going to get ammunition. You all get some rest."
Without explaining further, Liu Tiezhu gave Er Gouzi a look and walked out first.
"Dad, I'll be back soon with Brother Tiezhu."
Er Gouzi called out and quickly followed Liu Tiezhu's steps.
"Brother Tiezhu, where are we planning to get ammunition?"
After they'd walked a bit, Er Gouzi couldn't help asking.
"We're going to ask Yang Hua for it."
"Didn't you say Liu Gang has steel pellets? As his cousin, Yang Hua should be able to get some too," Liu Tiezhu shared his idea.
Er Gouzi was stunned. "Right, why didn't I think of that?"
They walked for about twenty minutes and finally stopped in front of Yang Hua's yard.
The lights in the house were already off, and they weren't sure if Yang Hua was home.
"Yang Hua! Yang Hua!"
Er Gouzi called out twice, and soon a light flicked on inside.
"Who's that? So late, got nothing better to do?"
Yang Hua's voice came from the house, laced with irritation.
"Your Dog Brother's here to see you."
Hearing that, Yang Hua perked up instantly, threw on a cotton coat, and came out.
When he opened the door and saw Liu Tiezhu was also there, he immediately stepped aside.
"Brother Tiezhu, Dog Brother, have you eaten yet?"
"Want me to heat up some beef in the kitchen and we can have a drink?"
Liu Tiezhu waved his hand. "No need. I came to talk to you about something."
"Then come inside."
The three entered the living room. Yang Hua added a few pieces of dry wood to the stove and poured hot water for Liu Tiezhu and Er Gouzi.
"Brother Tiezhu, what's up?" Yang Hua sat down and asked.
"I want to ask you for some steel pellets."
Liu Tiezhu didn't beat around the bush and stated his purpose directly.
Yang Hua's eyes widened. "Steel pellets? Brother Tiezhu, did you get a gun?"
Liu Tiezhu didn't respond, just picked up his cup and drank.
Yang Hua realized he'd misspoken and quickly changed the subject.
"I had steel pellets before, but then the policy changed, and I handed them over."
"Your cousin Liu Gang has some. Can you help us get them?" Er Gouzi said.
Yang Hua nodded immediately. "Sure, if he really has them, I'll definitely get them for you."
"Then I'll thank you in advance."
Liu Tiezhu said, pulling ten yuan from his pocket and handing it to Yang Hua.
As the saying goes, money makes the world go round. With cash in hand, Yang Hua would be more motivated.
Yang Hua didn't even look at it and pushed the money back.
"Brother Tiezhu, what's this supposed to mean?"
"I may be a scumbag, but I know how to repay a favor."
"If you hadn't led me to get those few hundred pounds of beef, I'd probably be starving right now."
"Taking your money for a small favor like this—am I even human?"
Yang Hua's gesture made Liu Tiezhu think a bit more highly of him.
But Liu Tiezhu didn't take the money back.
Times were tough for everyone these days, and those three hundred pounds of beef wouldn't last Yang Hua long. Ten yuan could help him stretch it another month.
"Keep it. Maybe I'll find a chance to take you hunting again," Liu Tiezhu said.
Er Gouzi chimed in, "Yang Hua, just take it. It's Brother Tiezhu's goodwill, nothing else."
"If you feel bad about it, just help us get the steel pellets quickly."
Hearing that, Yang Hua stopped being stubborn and pocketed the ten yuan.
After putting the money away, Yang Hua continued, "Brother Tiezhu, who knows how long this heavy snow will last."
"In this weather, hunting's impossible. What are your plans next?"
"No plans for now. Sounds like you've found another way out?" Liu Tiezhu said.
Yang Hua nodded. "In the current situation, no one has enough to eat, and looting and killing are happening everywhere. Without joining a group, you can't protect yourself."
"I'm thinking of starting my own group. Brother Tiezhu, are you two interested?"
He knew Liu Tiezhu's brains and strength. If he could get him to join his group, it would be a huge boost.
"I don't have any plans for that right now."
Liu Tiezhu didn't refuse outright, but he didn't give a clear answer either.
No one knew how things would change in the future, but Yang Hua's idea wasn't wrong. To survive in this environment, he couldn't do it alone.
Yang Hua understood Liu Tiezhu's meaning and didn't press further.
"Is that kid Yang Hua planning to become a bandit?"
After leaving Yang Hua's house, Er Gouzi couldn't help asking.
Liu Tiezhu nodded. "Circumstances force it. We can't control what others do."
"True, but that kid's got the makings of a bandit," Er Gouzi said.
Liu Tiezhu replied, "Enough, that's not our concern. No need to rack our brains over it."
"The most important thing now is to get the ammunition, and then we head into the mountains."
Only by securing ammunition and leaving the shotgun with Second Uncle to guard the house could he and Er Gouzi safely venture into the mountains.