Zhao Jun and Li Baoyu rode on Wang Fu's ox-drawn sleigh, following the old northern Wood Transport Route to where they had killed the brown bear the day before. Zhao Jun seemed preoccupied the entire way.
Just as they were about to arrive, Elder Niu smelled the brown bear's scent and absolutely refused to go up the hillside.
The three of them pushed and pulled, managing to force Elder Niu to a spot about two hundred meters from the brown bear.
But this was its limit. No amount of whipping or pulling could make Elder Niu take another step forward.
The three men stood around the ox, hands on their hips, panting heavily. Wang Fu stared resentfully at the animal, his chest heaving. He was clearly furious.
"Uncle Wang, don't be angry." Zhao Jun said consolingly, pointing to a nearby birch tree. "Let's tie the ox here for now and stop fighting with it. We'll drag that Xiong Ba over and get it onto the sleigh."
