Seeing that it was still early, Li Long drove the horse cart to the Big Meat Canteen first, bought a few steamed buns, and ate them on his way to the mountains.
People said an old horse knew the way, and Number Seventy-Six Red Horse was indeed very familiar with the route into the mountains. Li Long did not need to guide him at all; he followed the road into the mountains on his own.
When they reached the "parking spot" near Harimu's Winter Camp, the dogs beside the sheep pen promptly started barking.
Harimu ducked out of the Winter Camp, looking rather surprised to see Li Long's horse cart.
"I came this time because there's something fairly important I want to discuss with you." Li Long got straight to the point, speaking to Harimu before even going inside the Winter Camp:
"Last time, I heard you and Brother Jade Mountain River saying your stored fodder might not be enough, so I wondered whether there was anything I could do to help. This time, after I came down from the mountains, I went to the County Seat and contacted the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. They can buy sheep, but they need at least ten..."
Harimu paused, then repeated what Li Long had said:
"The Supply and Marketing Cooperative buys sheep? At least ten?"
Thinking Harimu had not understood him, Li Long explained, "I remember you saying you didn't have enough fodder, right? Then you could slaughter and sell some of the weaker sheep that won't last until spring. Wouldn't that let the remaining sheep hold out until the grass starts growing in spring?"
Harimu nodded repeatedly:
"Of course it would..."
"Harimu, how did you sell sheep before? By the head or by the kilogram?"
"Both," Harimu said. "To sell by