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Chapter 194: Let’s Run, Fox (X)

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    接下来的时间，尚可一直由穆图亲自照顾，换药，擦洗，按摩，以前尚可怎么照顾他，现在他也是有样学样，巨细无遗。

The following time, Mutu personally attended to Shang Ke’s every need. Changing his bandages, cleaning, massage. How Shang Ke had taken care of Mutu when he was injured, was how he was treated in return as Mutu followed his example.

    等尚可稍微好转，他便开始用沙盘比划着教穆图辨识更多药草，配制新的伤药。穆图又将这些药物用于其他族人的治疗，那次与雉狗的战斗，很多族人的伤势，至今还没有痊愈。

When Shang Ke healed up a bit more, he started to use the sand plate to draw and teach Mutu various herbs. Mutu then used those herbs to treat the other beastmen. Many of those that had participated in the battle with the avanis had not completely healed up. 

    至于那位暗下杀手的巫医，穆图原本打算将他赶出族群，任他自生自灭。对于一名年事已高的兽人而言，在食物匮乏的寒季被赶出族群，无异于宣告他的死亡，但巫医的儿女苦苦相求，再加上他在族群的威望，穆图决定暂时将他囚禁在地牢中，仔细盘问他谋害尚可的缘由。

As for that witch doctor that tried to kill Shang Ke, Mutu had planned to exile him from the tribe so that he could perish in the wilderness. For a rather elderly beastmen, to be exiled from a tribe in winter was purely a death sentence. But the witch doctor’s children pleaded with him. Plus with his prestige within the tribe, Mutu decided to imprison him for the time being and carefully interrogate why he had tried to kill Shang Ke.

    尚可后来才知道，巫医因为西特喜欢自己的女儿木琪，于是打算帮助他成为族长，甚至撺掇他与雉狗勾结。后来因为尚可的出现，导致他的计划失败，还差点让部落陷入万劫不复。巫医自知西特已经没有机会，于是转而又想要撮合木琪和穆图，然而穆图一心都在尚可身上，对木琪不屑一顾，这才让他萌生了除掉尚可的意图。

Shang Ke found out later that it was because the witch doctor’s daughter Muqi was liked by Xite. So he decided to help him become the Chief and had even urged him to collude with the avanis. Afterwards, Shang Ke’s appearance caused his plan to fail and the tribe was almost damned. The witch doctor figured Xite had no more chances, so he wanted to play matchmaker with Muqi and Mutu. But Mutu had his entire heart devoted to Shang Ke and disregarded Muqi, so he decided to kill Shang Ke.

    这件事调查清楚后，狮族众人无不义愤填膺，原本对巫医的尊重和维护全部转为痛恨。因为他们的私心，几十名族人白白牺牲，他们的家园被烧毁，辛苦储存的食物损失大半。如果没有充足的食物，这个寒季，还会有不少人饿死。

After that thorough investigation, the members of the lion tribe were filled with indignation. Their respect and excuses for the witch doctor turned into loathing. Because of their selfishness, dozens of tribesmen had died in vain. Their homes have been burnt and the food they worked hard to stockpile had been burned by half. Without enough food, many more would die this season.

    他们的行为，简直不可原谅。之后穆图在众人的声讨中，断掉他们每人一条胳膊，然后赶出了族群。这其中包括了巫医乔霍和他的儿子乔格、女儿木琪以及西特和他的附庸们，一共八人。

Their actions were simply unforgivable. Afterwards, under everyone’s condemned, Mutu broke a single arm from every person involved, then exiled them. Amongst them were the witch doctor Qiaohuo, his son Qiaoge, his daughter Muqi, and Xite and his subordinates. All together, it was eight people.

    对于他们的下场，狮族众人没有任何同情。与此相对的，尚可在族中的威望却逐渐提升了。以前众人对他友善是因为穆图的宠信，如今却是出自真心的尊重。

As for their end, no one in the lion tribe had any sympathy for them. In relative to this, Shang Ke’s prestige within the tribe gradually rose. Everyone had been friendly to him because he was favored by Mutu, but now they sincerely felt respect for him. 

    他为狮族出生入死，不求回报。虽然没有任何言语，但他已经用实际行动，证明了他的价值和能力。

He was willing to risk life and limb for the tribe and did not ask for anything in return. Although he could not speak, he used actions to prove his value and ability. 

    进入寒季的半个月后，尚可勉强可以下地走路，然而狮族的食物还是没有补充足够。对比往年的储藏量，这些食物估计坚持不了两个月。而卡洛奇山的寒季长达四个多月，前两个月虽然还能出去狩猎，但野外已经鲜有动物活动。

A month in winter, Shang Ke managed to walk with some difficulty. However, the tribe had not stocked enough food. Comparing what they had this year and last, the food they stored probably wouldn’t even last two months. The winter of Kaloch lasts four months. Hunting was still possible the first two months, but other wild animals were already doing it before them. 

    这天，发愁的穆图来到尚可的住处，见他正用树枝在沙盘上书写着什么。他走过去一看，上面写满了名字和数字。部落每一个族人的名字都在上面，名字后面还有一个数字。

That day, a worried Mutu came to Shang Ke’s residence and saw him writing something on the sand plate with a branch. He went closer to take a look and saw him writing names and numbers. Every member of the tribe was written, and behind the name was a number.

    穆图仔细看了半晌，才明白尚可写的是什么。原来他在统计食物储量，以及每人每天可分配到食物份额。

Mutu carefully observed the list and it dawned on him what it all meant. Shang Ke was counting up what remained of their food supply and rationing out what everyone could have each day.

    鉴于原始部落的文字水平，尚可尽量用简单明了的方式对食物进行分类和分配，计算好每人每天最低所需的食物量，再进行合理分配，最大限度的减少浪费，提高生存率。除了基本份额外，部落中的孕妇和外出狩猎的战士，每天可多得一份食物。

In consideration to the tribes’ literature level, Shang Ke used the simplest way to classify and divide up the food. He calculated the bare minimum everyone needed to live, then distributed it to limit their waste and raise their chances of survival. Aside from the basic shares, pregnant women and hunters would be able to get an extra share each day. 

    按照尚可的分配，食物储量足足多出一个月的消耗。虽然只能吃个半饱，但比起饿死，这种辛苦还是可以忍受的。

According to Shang Ke’s distribution, they managed to stretch out the food supply for another month. Although they would only be half full, it was bearable than starving.

    穆图用闪闪发亮的眼睛望着尚可，一副与有荣焉地样子：“我真是英明神武，随随便便就逮到了一只这么聪明的狐狸。”

Mutu used shining eyes to look at Shang Ke as he huffed proudly, “I am truly wise and strong, to pick a fox at random and picked such a smart one.”

    说完，他一把抱住尚可，在他脸上狠狠亲了一口，不过他小心地没碰到他的伤口。他此刻还没意识到，自己潜移默化地从尚可这里学到了许多东西，细心，稳重，处惊不变以及简明清晰的管理方法。

With those words spoken, he hugged Shang Ke and gave him a strong kiss. He was careful to not touch his healing wounds. He had still not realized at this time that he had also been greatly influenced by Shang Ke. Being careful, steady and calm in face of alarm along with simple administration methods.

    不久后，穆图将粮仓交给尚可管理，荣升他为部落第一代“仓管”。对此，其他人都没有意见，因为穆图事先已经将尚可的分配方式向所有人公开，让他们清楚现在的处境。

Soon after, Mutu gave management rights of the storehouse to Shang Ke, bestowing him the title the first ‘Storehouse Manager’. There were no protests from the other beastmen in light of this, because Mutu had publiclized Shang Ke’s distribution methods to make them understand their current situations better beforehand.

    只是众人都明白，食物危机只是减缓，而没有完全解决。如果无法在前两个月找到更多食物，寒季最后一个月，将是全族最艰难的时候。

But one thing everyone still understood was that although their food problem had been delayed, it was not settled. If they can’t find more food these two months, then the last month of winter would be the tribe’s hardest time.

    穆图发动族中所有青壮年，大范围寻找食物，连那些可以食用的树根都不放过。

Mutu mobilized all the beastmen in their prime to search for food on a large scale. Even edible tree roots were not overlooked.

    尚可则在部落中一边养伤，一边盘算增加食物的方法。之前那些被烧毁的肉食，去掉焦黑的表皮，里面的肉都被做成了肉干，其他蔬菜水果只要见过火的，都没有保留下来。

Shang Ke remained in the tribe to recuperate as he pondered how to gather more food. The meat that had been burned had all been turned into jerky after the surface charcoal was peeled away. Vegetables and fruits that had been burned could not be salvaged. 

    尚可当时开辟菜园，只是为了改善伙食，顺便储存一些种子，留待以后推广种植。至于这个寒季，估计是指望不上了。虽然有一两种蔬菜可以马上种植，收成也很快，但对于狮子们来说，这些蔬菜只能算作添头，不足以填饱肚子。

The fields that Shang Ke planted were just to improve his meals and stockpile some seeds so that he could plant the next seasons. They could not be counted on for this winter. Although there were one or two types of vegetables that could be planted immediately and have short harvest time, vegetables were just padding for the lions, it can’t fill their bellies.

    如果实在猎捕不到陆上生物，那就只剩下水下生物了。

If they really can’t hunt any land animals, then they can only go for those in the water.

    水下的鱼虾不用担心死亡旋冰的威胁，虽然它们在寒季也会减少活动，但比起陆上生物，数量还是很客观的。

Fishes and shrimps in the water did not need to worry about the ice tornadoes. Although they would be less active in the cold, they still had rather sizable numbers compared to land animals.

    在部落东南面有一片很大的湖泊，湖面已经冻结成冰，只需要敲开一个缺口，撒下大网，过一两天就会有所收获。

To the southeast of the tribe was a very large lake. Ice had already formed over it, but they could break a gap and get a net in. Within a day or two they would have some harvest.

    狮族人没有用渔网捕过鱼，所以尚可也没有比手划脚地向他们解释什么，而是编织一张渔网，在穆图的陪同下，去冰湖撒网。

The lion tribe had never used a net to fish before, so Shang Ke did not bother explaining to them. He went ahead and weaved the net, then went to the lake with Mutu.

    “狐狸，这样真的能网到鱼吗？”穆图蹲在冰湖上，好奇地看着尚可将渔网从冰窟窿中放下去。

“Fox, can you really catch fish this way?” Mutu crouched by the frozen lake as he curiously looked at the fishing net placed in the hole broken in the ice.

    尚可点点头。

Shang Ke nodded.

    “我以前也吃过鱼，但鱼肉很腥，很多狮子都不爱吃。”穆图皱了皱鼻子。

“I ate fish before, but it’s really fishy. A lot of lions don’t like to eat it.” Mutu wrinkled his nose.

    尚可瞥了他一眼：人都快饿死了，还管他腥不腥？况且，我自有办法让它不腥。

Shang Ke glanced at him: When people are starving to death, they will still worry if it’s fishy or not? Plus, I have the means to make it not fishy.

    将渔网撒好，尚可便招呼着穆图返回。

After settling the net, Shang Ke waved at Mutu to return.

    “这样就好了？不用留人守着？”穆图拉着尚可的尾巴，亦步亦趋地跟在他身后。

“That’s all? You don’t need someone to watch it?” Mutu tugged Shang Ke’s tail and blindly followed him.

    尚可摇头表示不用。

Shang Ke shook his head, showing there was no need for that.

    “万一我们的鱼被人偷走了怎么办？”穆图忧心忡忡。

“What if our fish is stolen by someone?” Mutu was deeply worried.

    那就把你丢下去做鱼饵，保证没人敢偷。尚可默默地想。

Then I’ll throw you down as fish bait. I guarantee no one will dare to steal anything. Shang Ke silently thought.

    “狐狸，你冷不冷？”穆图轻轻扯了扯他的大尾巴。

“Fox, are you cold?” Mutu lightly tugged on his fluffy tail some more.

    不冷。尚可继续向前走。

No. Shang Ke continued to walk forward.

    穆图跨前一步，连尾巴带人一起抱进怀里：“我知道你冷，来抱抱。”

Mutu skipped forward and tugged both the tail and person into his arms, “I know you’re cold, let’s hug.”

    尚可：“……”

Shang Ke: “……”

    两人身体贴近，尚可可以很明显感觉到他身下的变化。自从他受伤后，两人便再也没有亲热过，想来这头狮子有些忍不住了。

With their closeness, Shang Ke could clearly feel the changes going on down there behind him. Ever since his injury, they have not done anything. Looks like a certain lion was rather pent up.

    这段时间为了照顾他，狮子确实受了不少累。白天捕猎，处理族中事务，晚上回来帮他换药，梳洗，按摩，直到深夜才草草在他身边睡下，一直坚持了半个多月，从来没有埋怨过一句，只是偶尔会撒娇，邀功，求抚摸。

In order to take care of him while he was injured, his lion really had tired himself out. Hunting in the daytime, dealing with tribe matters after that, then returning at night to help him change bandages, freshen up, massage and finally sleep by his side when it was late in the night. He continued this schedule for over half a month and never complained. He would only occasionally ask to be pampered and bend down to be stroked.

    尚可觉得自己身上的伤也好得差不多了，今晚或许可以温存一下。

Shang Ke felt that his injuries were pretty healed by this point, perhaps they can go for a slow round tonight.

    当晚吃过饭，洗过澡，尚可浑身赤裸地躺在兽皮毯上，白色的长发随意铺洒，毛茸茸的大尾巴慵懒地摇曳着，一双桃花眼，半开半合，尽显妩媚。

That night, after food and bath, Shang Ke laid naked on the animal fur blanket. His white hair was spread out like a fan as his fluffy tail flicked lazily. His peach-blossom eyes were half lid, displaying his loveliness to the maximum. 

    见到这副风光，穆图整个人都呆了，心中怒吼：不要刺激我，我会兽性大发的！你还敢伸懒腰，懒腰是随便能伸的吗？放开那个枕头，我的胸口给你蹭！啊，尾巴卷到腿上了，毛茸茸的，好想摸！

The Mutu who came home to this scene was completely struck dumb as he internally howled: Don’t provoke me, I will go berserk! You even dare to stretch, is stretching something you can do as you wish?! Put down that pillow, I will give you my chest to rub! Ahhhhhh, the tail is on my leg, so fluffy, I really want to rub it!

    不行了，穆图承认自己禁不起诱惑，在硬挺了三秒后，他兽化了。

He can’t do it. Mutu admitted to himself that he was not someone who could hold back against enticement. After enduring with all his might for three seconds, he turned into a beast.

    穆图如猛狮出笼一般，扑倒那只白嫩嫩的狐狸，然后开始在他身上耕耘。为了避免碰到他的伤口，穆图将他抱起来，以盘坐的姿势进入他的身体。这种姿势进得更深，含得更紧，让人欲罢不能。一次之后，穆图又将他翻转过来，变成背坐式，从后面顶入。几番变换，没有碰到他的背部，却又享受到了极致的快感。

Mutu pounced like a ferocious beast onto that fair and tender white fox then started to diligently work on his body. To prevent himself from making any injuries worse, Mutu held him and entered him in a sitting position. This position made him go deeper and was even tighter, it made people unable to stop. After one round, Mutu turned him around so that Shang Ke was sitting on him with his back to him and went in from behind. After a couple other positions, the injuries on his back remained untouched while they enjoyed all sorts of pleasure.

    禁欲将近一个月的狮子，在这个晚上展现了前所未有的潜力和极具动感的操作能力……

A lion that had been abstinent for nearly a month, on that night displayed his full potential of positions and power… 

    两天后，尚可和穆图带上几名族人一起去冰湖收网。

Two days later, Shang Ke and Mutu led a couple tribesmen to the frozen lake to collect their net.

    当渔网被拉出来时，众人立刻被眼前的渔获给惊呆了。只见渔网中，网罗着大大小小数百条鱼虾，它们在网中跳跃着，发出噼里啪啦的声音。其中有两条大鱼特别显眼，长约两米多，银白色的鳞片在冰雪中，闪闪发光。

When the net was pulled out, everyone was shocked speechless by the haul. Hundreds of fishes and shrimps of varying size flopped about in the net, giving rise to a lot of wet splattering noises. There were two large fishes that were especially conspicuous. They were over two meters long, their silver-white scales flickered in the world of ice and snow. 

    众人无不欢喜，如果每次都有这样的收获，他们就不用为食物而担心了。虽然鱼肉的味道有些腥，但绝对比蔬果更能充饥。

Everyone was beyond happy. If they had this kind of harvest every time, then they don’t need to worry about food anymore. Although they were a bit fishy, it was far better at alleviating their hunger than fruits and vegetables. 

    当他们将渔获待会部落时，所有人都被惊动了，纷纷跑来围观。

When they brought the catch back to the tribe, everyone was alarmed and came to catch a view.

    “这么多鱼！”

“So much fish!”

    “哈哈，太好了，这个寒季有的吃了。”

“Haha, this is great, we have something to eat this winter.”

    狮族兽人不是没有捕过鱼，但他们大多是直接下水去抓，从来没有使用过渔具。如今见尚可只用一张大网就抓到这么多，心中既佩服又感激。他们知道尚可对肉食需求不高，自己种了蔬果，完全可以自给自足。之所以费心织网捕鱼，显然是为了帮助部落其他人。

It’s not that the lions haven’t caught fish before, but most of them go straight into the water to catch fish and have never used any fishing gear. Seeing how Shang Ke could use a large net and catch so many, they were full of admiration and appreciation. They know that meat was not a high necessity for Shang Ke. He had planted vegetables and fruits, he was completely fine surviving off of those. To take so much time to weave a net and catch fish, it was clearly to help the rest of the tribe.

    当晚，尚可做了一顿鱼虾宴，邀请族中一些颇有威望的兽人过来品尝。美味的鱼汤，鲜嫩的虾蟹以及香喷喷的烤鱼，吃得众人满面春风，彻底确定了全族动员的捕鱼计划。

That night, Shang Ke made a seafood feast. He invited a couple beastment with prestige in the tribe to taste a bit of his work. The delicious fish soup, fresh shrimp, crab and roasted fish made the people eating them beam with delight. It thoroughly ignited their desire to mobilize and catch fish. 

    晚上，穆图望着一院子狼藉，闻着空气中的鱼香，郁闷不已。

After the feast, Mutu had returned and looked at his messy courtyard. He scented the remaining delicious fish soup in the air as gloom filled him. 

    他摸着还没吃饱的肚子，垂头丧气地走进尚可的屋子。

He rubbed his empty stomach and dispiritedly entered Shang Ke’s house.

    “狐狸，别忙了，明天我叫人来清理。”穆图看着他忙碌的身影，有些心疼。

“Fox, don’t bother cleaning up anymore. I’ll have someone come by tomorrow morning to clean this up.” Mutu felt pained as he watched the busy Shang Ke.

    尚可回头朝他笑了笑，然后从身后摸出两个鱼肉馍馍，递到他面前。

Shang Ke turned back and smiled at him. From behind, he took out two fish buns and handed them over.

    一人一个，挨坐在火堆边，暖暖地吃着属于他们两人的独食……

The two of them sat by the fire, one bun for each of them as they ate the food that only belonged to them with warm hearts.

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