Northeast China, 1980: I Build a Fortune Through Mountain Hunting

In 1980, deep in the mountains, wild beasts roam.

When villagers go into the mountains, they're running for their lives.

When Chen Nian goes up, he's stocking up.

A lone wolf? Its pelt fetches twenty yuan.

A wild boar? Three hundred jin of meat, enough to leave the whole village staring in disbelief.

Pheasants, roe deer, and rabbits? Just extras.

Other people are lucky if they come back down with their lives.

When Chen Nian comes down, he carries more on his shoulders than a donkey can haul.

But hunting is only the first step.

With his first fortune in hand, Chen Nian sets his sights on bigger ventures: buying mountain goods, reselling furs, running a transport business, opening a restaurant...

The 1980s are full of opportunities. While others are worrying about their next meal, he's already taken his business to the county seat.

The commune director asks him:

"Comrade Chen Nian, where did you get those brains?"

Chen Nian smiles.

"In my previous life, I had none. This time, I'm making up for it."

In his previous life, he lived a miserable, shameful existence. His wife sold her blood to support him, and he even misunderstood her.

This time, he finally understands. These mountains are his stepping stone, and the whole 1980s is his hunting ground.