Chapter 15: The Tiger Hunter Arrives at Funiu Village

Although the bounty offered by the Hanyang Prefecture government was tempting, the able-bodied men of Funiu Village still dared not form a team to hunt the tiger. They feared that if their hearts were not united, they would scatter in panic at the sight of the beast. Some might even perish under the tiger’s jaws, losing not only the reward but their very lives.

Jiang Yi expressed his willingness to join the tiger-hunting team and contribute to eradicating the menace. Yet, if no one else formed a group, he would never risk hunting the tiger alone.

The village meeting concluded, and the villagers returned to their homes. Apart from Jiang Yi, no one dared to join the hunt. They lacked proper weapons, armed only with sticks and farming tools, which might not be enough to fend off a tiger. They hoped the government would send officials to hunt the tigers and thoroughly eliminate the threat to Funiu Village and Bullhead Mountain.

Shortly after Jiang Yi returned home, Zhao Tuo and Li Feng came to purchase roe deer and fish. Together, they earned twenty-four guan coins, which they used to commission the blacksmith to forge two triple-barreled muskets. They also had the carpenter craft wooden molds for soap casting.

Several days passed, and the tiger had not appeared in the village during this time. Jiang Yi held the newly made triple-barreled musket in his hands, a satisfied smile on his face.

“Husband, is this the triple-barreled musket you sketched on paper? Can it really be used to hunt tigers?” Shen Rong asked, gently stroking the weapon.

“Of course. In calm weather, the triple-barreled musket can shoot over sixty paces,” Jiang Yi replied. “A few days ago, before the musket was finished, I tested the gunpowder using a bamboo tube, and the results were very promising.”

He explained, “You load the gunpowder into the barrel, then insert the lead bullet. Place a fuse here, ignite it, and the burning powder propels the bullet forward.”

Only the couple knew the secret of the triple-barreled musket and the gunpowder. Jiang Yi had also mastered the recipe for explosives but had no need for them at present.

“If the government or military learns of the gunpowder’s potential, they will surely demand you hand over the formula. At best, they’ll pay you a small sum and forbid you from using gunpowder again,” Shen Rong guessed, feeling that her husband would be at a disadvantage.

“I’ve already considered that. This gunpowder is very basic; I can concoct even more powerful versions,” Jiang Yi said. Of course, he would never sell the formula. Gunpowder was still unknown in Daliang and neighboring states.

Since crossbows were unavailable, the blacksmith would forge triple-barreled muskets to combat the tigers. It was the simplest firearm to manufacture, and Jiang Yi possessed knowledge of hand cannon and flintlock rifle production techniques.

“I’ll try to use the triple-barreled musket sparingly and tell them I don’t know the gunpowder formula,” he added. If it weren’t for the tigers, he wouldn’t have resorted to firearms so soon.

The able-bodied men of Funiu Village refused to form a hunting team, and the government did not send anyone to hunt the tigers.

Worried about encountering tiger attacks when venturing out, Jiang Yi felt that with the triple-barreled musket, he could wound a tiger within a hundred steps. He could then finish it off with arrows, eradicating the threat while earning a substantial bounty.

“For future hunts, I’ve coated the arrowheads with poison,” Jiang Yi said, carefully storing the poisoned arrows—just in case they would be needed soon.

“Uncle Chang was supposed to return from leave a few days ago, but because of an important matter at Hanjing Pass, his leave was postponed,” Li Cuiyun said after receiving a letter from Chang Yushan, informing her the leave date was uncertain.

“Perhaps the Liao Kingdom is showing signs of invasion; the soldiers at Hanjing Pass have suspended their leave,” she added.

Han Prefecture bordered the Liao Kingdom and suffered occasional incursions yearly. Jiang Yi could not concern himself with the Liao invasion for now; he needed to earn more money quickly to build his own power.

“I’ll take you to the woods to test the triple-barreled musket’s power. If we find roe deer, we’ll shoot a few back home,” Jiang Yi proposed.

The couple brought bows, knives, and the triple-barreled musket to the woods, but no deer were foraging there.

Jiang Yi took out a fire striker and lit a fuse, aiming at a tree ahead.

Bang!

A sharp report echoed as the lead bullet struck the tree trunk dozens of steps away.

Shen Rong covered her ears. “The triple-barreled musket is loud; the sound alone would scare away most wild animals.”

Jiang Yi inspected the tree trunk where the bullet had lodged halfway in. At only fifty paces, the musket’s power was impressive.

“The triple-barreled musket packs a punch. If we encounter a tiger at this distance, even if we don’t kill it outright, we can inflict multiple wounds,” Jiang Yi explained.

A flintlock rifle would offer greater range and power, making tiger hunting easier; he planned to forge one later. For now, the triple-barreled musket was sufficient.

“You try firing it. Practice a few times, and you’ll master it. When the gunpowder and bullets run out, it can still serve as a club,” Jiang Yi handed the fire striker to Shen Rong and taught her how to use it.

The triple-barreled musket was not difficult to learn and easier to handle than a crossbow.

Shen Rong lit the fuse, and moments later, smoke and a lead bullet shot from the barrels, embedding deeply into the tree trunk ahead.

She burst into delighted laughter. “This triple-barreled musket is quite handy. I find it easier to use than a crossbow.”

“In calm conditions, it can shoot nearly seventy paces. Military crossbows have ranges over a hundred paces and stronger lethality,” Jiang Yi explained.

Shen Rong understood what he meant; at least the triple-barreled musket was not yet under government control.

“Enough to deal with tigers,” she said.

As the village bell tolled, signaling that the village chief had important news for everyone, the couple decided to return.

“The bell’s ringing. Let’s go back and see,” Shen Rong guessed it might concern the tiger hunt; she had heard that hunters from other counties would soon arrive in Funiu Village.

Returning to the village, they found it bustling with activity.

Twenty hunters from various counties of Han Prefecture had arrived. The prefectural magistrate had issued a bounty: anyone who killed a tiger within Hanyang’s territory would receive a reward of one thousand guan coins per tiger.

The villagers of Funiu had prepared food and wine to entertain the incoming hunters. If the hunters succeeded in killing the tigers, Funiu Village and the outskirts of Bullhead Mountain would be safe.

“We’ve long heard of the tigers around Funiu Village and saw the magistrate’s notice. We’ve come specially to hunt them,” Cui Peng said, openly looking down on the villagers; after all, no one had formed a tiger-hunting team for so long.

“We have two men from Funiu Village willing to join the hunt. Would you allow them to join?” Zhao Shengkui suggested, hoping to enlist Chang Youliang and Jiang Yi to help.

“We are professional hunters. We don’t need outsiders, especially those who might slow us down,” Cui Peng replied, unwilling to let villagers join or share the bounty.

Jiang Yi and Shen Rong, standing among the crowd, overheard the conversation. The hunters clearly looked down on Funiu’s people and refused to let them join.

It was no one else’s fault but the villagers’, who were too cowardly to take part.

“Chang Youliang and Jiang Yi are skilled hunters. Having them join could be helpful,” Zhao Shengkui urged Cui Peng to compromise, hoping the villagers could participate in the hunt.

If they succeeded, others would no longer mock Funiu Village.

“No. Our numbers are sufficient. We hope you won’t cause us any trouble,” Cui Peng said firmly.

He was not worried about obstruction; these hunters had accepted the Hanyang Prefecture’s bounty mission. If the hunt was disrupted, the government would hold them accountable.

“If you have objections, take them to the magistrate. Once we’ve eaten and drunk our fill, we’ll go hunt the tigers,” Cui Peng added.

Professional hunters were always welcome, as they helped rid others of wild beasts.

A few hunters glanced at the women in the crowd. Most were not attractive, but Shen Rong stood out as one of the prettier ones, causing them to swallow nervously.