Hua Kong, a thirteen-year-old boy, works as a handyman and accountant in the Chengnan Zhao Ji Ironware Workshop in Duanshan City. His boss, Zhao Da, nicknames him “Little Beggar” and drives away the previous accountant to save money, forcing Hua Kong to handle accounts despite his youth. Hua Kong is literate, having studied for a few years in a private school before his farming parents sent him to the city. He earns half a tael of silver per month with free food and lodging, but he also performs odd jobs and learns blacksmithing skills. His life is monotonous: he accounts for daily transactions, helps deliver goods, and assists in the workshop. During breaks, he hunts in the Duanshan Mountains with friends Zhao Ning, Wang Erlang, Li Gouzi, and Li Shitou. He crafts a steel hand crossbow from scrap materials, which he uses for hunting. The group follows hunting rules, killing only mature males and never overhunting. Hua Kong daydreams about saving silver, learning the blacksmith trade, and marrying by eighteen.One morning, Hua Kong and Zhao Shan deliver ironware to a merchant in the city. After unloading, Hua Kong checks the receipt, a task he is trusted with due to his literacy. On the way back, they buy coal, and Zhao Shan secretly gives him preserved fruit from the merchant. Back at the workshop, the other workers tease him about finding a wife, and Hua Kong flees in embarrassment. At month’s end, the workshop grants a three-day holiday. Hua Kong joins his friends for a hunting expedition. They track a herd of mountain deer, execute an ambush with bows and crossbows, and kill three deer on the first volley. Hua Kong’s hand crossbow hits its mark, impressing his friends. They chase another herd, allowing Zhao Ning and Wang Erlang to claim their kills. The group carries their prey back to the village, with Hua Kong deciding to sell his deer in the city to earn pocket money instead of taking it home, where his sister-in-law might claim it.In Duanshan City, Hua Kong sets up a stall to sell venison. A woman buys three pounds for thirty cash. A drunken man purchases the entire hind leg for a mace and a half of silver, refusing change. Hua Kong throws in the liver out of gratitude. His honest pricing attracts more customers, and within an hour, he sells the entire deer except for the head, offal, and bones. Counting his earnings, he has nearly one tael and two mace of silver. He daydreams about saving five taels for a bride. An old beggar approaches, asking for the bones to make soup. Hua Kong gives him bones with meat attached. The old beggar presses for more, offering a wrinkled book called “Tian Yuan Qi Guiding Art” in exchange for the offal. Hua Kong trades half the offal for the book, then wraps the rest of the offal and bones for the beggar. Disappointed at receiving a health preservation manual instead of something useful, Hua Kong dismisses the encounter. That night, he cooks the remaining bones and offal at home, hiding the book in his clothes. He secures his belongings, including the book and his hand crossbow, in a bamboo basket under his bunk at the workshop.Months pass without incident. Hua Kong continues his routine. Near year’s end, rumors of thefts spread through the village. Villagers report missing items: small tools, oil, salt, chickens, and a pig. Hua Kong suspects the old beggar, as no other strangers have been seen. One hunting day, the group’s dogs grow restless near a small hill. Li Gouzi and Li Shitou investigate and find the old beggar cutting up a pig. The old beggar, recognizing Hua Kong, begs for mercy. The group debates what to do. Wang Erlang suggests reporting him to the authorities, but Hua Kong points out that the stolen goods are worth less than two taels of silver, so officials would merely scold or kick him. Li Gouzi, the pig’s owner, decides to take the pork back. Hua Kong convinces the group to let the old beggar go, noting the futility of punishment. The old beggar, grateful, tells Hua Kong to find him at the Broken Temple outside the east gate if he wants to learn something useful, hinting at hidden knowledge. The group parts ways, with Hua Kong curious but cautious.The old beggar later reveals he was once a martial artist. He teaches Hua Kong a breathing technique from the book, which gradually strengthens Hua Kong’s body and senses. Hua Kong’s skills in hunting and blacksmithing improve. The beggar disappears, leaving Hua Kong to practice the art alone. This chance encounter sets Hua Kong on a path of self-improvement and adventure.
