Chapter Ninety-Eight: The Wolf Skewer and Training the Wolf (First Update Today)

Han Li reached the very end of the street, where numerous stalls sold dogs. At first glance, it was much like the scene he had seen before in the northern part of the city—there were both adult dogs and puppies. However, he did not find the three- or four-month-old puppies he hoped for, which left him somewhat disappointed. But since he was already there, he decided to look through every stall thoroughly; after all, what if the perfect dog was waiting further ahead?

As if fate had heard his thoughts, Han Li spotted the kind of puppy he wanted at a stall on the outer edge. An elderly man had five puppies tied together with a rope. Their coats were varied and did not resemble the local northeastern big, rustic dogs.

“Sir, are these dogs for trade?” Han Li asked.

The old man glanced at Han Li, put down his pipe, and promptly replied, “Yes, of course. Bringing them into the city means they’re meant to be traded.”

“But their colors seem a bit off,” Han Li noted.

The old man tapped his pipe and said, “You’re a young intellectual sent down to the countryside, right? I didn’t expect you to know about these. To be honest, my female dog got pregnant without my knowledge, and these pups were born then. But from what I see, they’re wolf hybrids.”

“Wolf hybrids? Could you explain? I don’t know much about that,” Han Li said.

“Wolf hybrids are the offspring of a domestic dog and a wild wolf. They retain more of the wolf’s wild nature. But once tamed properly, they become your best allies—whether for guarding the home or hunting in the mountains. If I weren’t old and unable to run around, I wouldn’t want to trade these little ones,” the man said.

Upon hearing this, Han Li hesitated. He had heard similar stories from villagers: pups born of a male dog and a female wolf typically rejoin the wolf pack and grow into true wild wolves, while those from a male wolf and a female dog grow up with humans and can be domesticated into excellent hunting dogs. The first generation of these hybrids carries the wild spirit of wolves along with their sense of cooperation and hierarchy.

If well-trained, these wolf hybrids are not only loyal and brave but also cunning and intelligent. Veteran hunters often regard the first generation of tamed wolf hybrids as the best hunting dogs. Yet as the saying goes, “A wolf travels a thousand miles for meat; a dog travels a thousand miles for dung.” Village dogs are typically free-ranging, scavenging for insects, wild plants, or even feces, and are only fed by their owners when they are starving and begging.

Training these wolf hybrids for hunting, however, requires considerable investment. They must be well-fed and patiently trained regularly—something most families cannot afford. The old man had not told the whole truth. His age, inability to run, and reluctance to part with them were secondary; the main reason was that he could not afford to feed them properly.

Seeing Han Li’s hesitation, the old man grew anxious. His nature would not allow him to lie. Whenever someone asked, he told the truth about the pups being wolf hybrids. Yet no one would buy them, no matter how cheap he offered. He had brought these puppies out several times already, and his family had begun to complain.

In his youth, he had often hunted in the mountains and had a deep affection for hunting dogs. For hunters, these dogs were not only companions in the forest but also comrades in danger. Hunting dogs scout ahead and protect their owners from threats. Wolf hybrids were considered the best among them, which explained his strong attachment.

Who would have thought that although he missed the chance in his youth, these puppies came to him in his old age when he could no longer run. Unfortunately, no one in the family was willing to take the risk of going up the mountain, and if they were not traded today, they might be slaughtered for meat. He couldn’t bear to see these pups turned into a bowl of meat—this was his long-held dream.

“Look here, young intellectual,” the old man signaled, and the wolf hybrids immediately lined up obediently, sitting still and waiting for commands. It was clear they had undergone some training and had become disciplined.

“They’ve had some basic training and can follow simple commands. Once you bring them home, you only need to assert your authority so they know who’s boss. You don’t need to spend too much effort training them unless you’re taking them hunting,” said the old man, picking one up and handing it to Han Li.

“Look at their broad, moist noses—that means their sense of smell is excellent, perfect for tracking prey and detecting danger,” he continued, lifting each pup by the scruff of its neck to demonstrate.

“See, when you lift them, their legs curl up and their backs arch like a hook. This means they have great explosive power and are skilled at sprinting. And look into their eyes.”

Han Li followed the old man’s instructions, and what he saw surprised him. The pups’ eyes were bright and sharp, locking onto his gaze without a hint of fear or avoidance.

The old man said, “That look shows they’re brave and determined. Dogs that avoid eye contact don’t belong in a hunting team—they might bark loudly at the doorstep but will only slow you down in the mountains. Look at their mouths and claws—they’re top quality and would make excellent hunting companions.”

Han Li noticed a mixture of reluctance and nostalgia in the old man’s cloudy eyes. Perhaps that was why he was so eager to sell the pups. But from what the old man said, these wolf hybrids were truly exceptional. Even if Han Li didn’t take them hunting, they would be the most loyal guardians at home, an excellent choice. Plus, they could live for about ten years, providing long companionship even if he returned to the city.

Given the difficulties of returning to the city in recent years, including special policies for those sent down, the offer was timely.

“So, sir, how much are you asking for these wolf hybrids?” Han Li inquired.

The old man’s eyes lit up. Putting down his pipe, he said, “If you take all five, I’ll ask for eight jin of fine grain. Just one, and it’s three jin.”

Han Li didn’t know the market price but instinctively tried to negotiate.

“Eight jin of fine grain? Sir, that’s quite steep,” he said.

The old man, seeing Han Li’s bargaining stance, quickly added, “If an expert saw these five, they’d pay double. At worst, you could take them home and have your family eat them as meat.”

Han Li replied, “Sir, that’s not quite right. Even if these wolf hybrids are good, feeding them in these times is tough. If you let them roam like the village dogs, even a true wolf wouldn’t last. As for eating them, look how skinny these little ones are. After skinning and deboning, you wouldn’t even get a bowl of meat.”

The old man laughed, “You’re not completely clueless then. So, what price do you have in mind?”

“I’m no expert. I just heard some talk among the village men. How about I trade five jin of rice for them? It’s good quality rice, just a bit broken during processing. If you agree, we have a deal.”

The old man’s eyes brightened again. Reluctantly, he glanced at the pups and said, “Alright, we’ll do it your way. But you’ll have to bring your own ropes to tie them.”

Han Li understood the tradition—selling dogs without the leash, selling cows or horses without the reins. He obtained ropes elsewhere, and when the old man reluctantly removed the dogs’ leashes, it felt like a bittersweet moment.

If they stayed, even if not slaughtered, they would become ordinary village dogs, which was sad to think about.

This young intellectual was well-dressed and generous; they wouldn’t suffer under him. Finding a suitable master for these pups was, in a way, fulfilling the old man’s wish.

Before handing over the ropes, the old man shared much advice on training wolf hybrids, and Han Li listened attentively, as these were new insights for him.

Time flew by without notice, and though the old man seemed eager to say more, the growing hour forced both to quickly conclude the deal. Han Li now had five young wolf hybrids in his hands.

The pups were well-trained; they walked on the leash beside him at a steady pace. Han Li stopped by the supply store to buy his usual provisions and placed some coarse grain atop his basket before starting the journey home. Due to the pups, he chose to walk, watching their condition closely.

As he entered the village, villagers immediately noticed.

“Good heavens, Han, how come you’ve got so many dogs?” they asked.

Han Li had anticipated such questions and even decided who would cover for him. He smiled and replied, “These are from Hao and the other intellectuals—they each want to keep one.”

“I thought so. But aren’t those dogs a bit rough-looking?” one said.

“I figured hybrids are easier to raise, and since the girls just want them for guarding, not for hunting, it should be fine,” Han Li explained.

“That makes sense. Hybrids are sturdy and low-maintenance. Even if they end up as meat, it won’t be a pity.”

“Ha, you’re right,” Han Li chuckled.

He greeted the villagers along the way and finally reached home, where the other dogs barked loudly. It seemed they were challenging the newcomers, asserting dominance over their territory. But the wolf hybrids paid no attention.

Those that dared to snarl were swiftly kicked away by Han Li, one by one.

At home, he tied up the wolf hybrids and built a simple shelter for them near the firewood pile using wooden planks.

Following the old man’s instructions, Han Li began training them immediately. The old man had emphasized the importance of establishing dominance right away. Setting rules early nurtures their sense of hierarchy and loyalty. Delaying would make training difficult once they became unruly.

Looking at the five wolf hybrids, Han Li had to admit they were impressive. After a whole day in the county town and the walk back, even Han Li was exhausted and hungry. Yet, the pups remained orderly—no running around or barking.

A dog’s suitability for hunting depends heavily on its voice. Most dogs are disqualified because they bark excessively. A dog that barks wildly upon sighting prey scares it away, making the hunt futile.

These wolf hybrids, with their lingering wolf instincts, have hunting ingrained in their nature and don’t bark unnecessarily. As the old saying goes, “Dogs that bark a lot don’t bite; dogs that bite don’t bark.”

Timid dogs bark to bolster their courage or to intimidate prey and rivals.

Han Li went inside and crumbled leftover steamed corn buns. He also shredded half a dried rabbit, frying it in rendered pork fat until fragrant and then placing it all in a wooden basin.

When he brought the basin out, he didn’t feed them right away but observed carefully.

The five pups sat obediently, unmoving. Han Li nodded approvingly, then took a few bites himself before setting the basin down.

The puppies, drawn by the aroma, immediately lunged forward to grab the food.

Smack! Smack! Smack! Han Li slapped each one back. These were wolf hybrids, after all, with fierce instincts still strong.

Their faces twisted into snarls as they bared teeth and lunged again.

Smack! Smack! Smack! Han Li pushed them back once more. None dared approach the basin.

Following the old man’s advice, Han Li disciplined any that snarled or lunged.

After giving them a thorough scolding, Han Li moved the basin again. Any attempt to snatch food or show aggression was met with swift punishment.

After several repetitions, even when the basin was right before them, the wolf hybrids stayed put.

Finally, when Han Li’s gaze settled on each pup, they would crouch obediently and emit soft whines, signaling submission.

(End of chapter)