Chapter 56 (continued)

Yan Kexing glanced at him. "I asked some friends in the Sanjiangyuan National Park yesterday if it was possible to send brown bears there?"

Shi Wen's heart pounded. "Sanjiangyuan National Park? Is that the Sanjiangyuan National Park, covering more than 120,000 square kilometers?! Can they take in brown bears?"

Yan Kexing: "Theoretically, it's possible. They don't have brown bears there, and brown bears are an important part of the ecosystem. However, it would be inappropriate to introduce brown bears rashly. They need to conduct an assessment and verification to avoid causing a catastrophic disaster for the existing species living there."

Shi Wen, "That's to be expected. If the assessment passes, brown bears can live happily there, right? They won't have to worry about human interference and habitat destruction anymore."

"Hmm. If it passes, it will remain free in the relatively brutal competition of nature."

"That's already great, I think it will like that kind of life."

Upon Shi Wen excitedly called Zhou Hongzhong.

Zhou Hongzhong also happily stated that it would be best to send it to a national park, as it would be much better than sending it to an uninhabited area.

The environment in the no-man's-land is too harsh; brown bears might not survive.

After putting aside his worries, Shi Wen people managing the ranch with great enthusiasm.

During this period, he adjusted the feed ratios for his pigs, cattle, and sheep several times, and the sheep grew very well.

The fattening effect was particularly noticeable in the 309 castrated sheep.

Today, when weighed, castrated sheep generally weigh between 80 and 110 jin (approximately 40-55 kg).

This weight is already that of a mature sheep; it's ready for market at any time.

Their castrated sheep are indeed around one year old, so the meat should have a unique flavor.

Shi Wen in high spirits after a happy occasion, ran to Yan Kexing and said, "Why don't we slaughter two sheep? We can take some meat to see the snow leopards and brown bears. Otherwise, once they're transported to another place, it will be difficult to see them again."

Yan Kexing: "Not selling anymore?"

Yan Kexing knew that Shi Wen raised these rams mainly for sale, and now it was almost time to sell them, so the price per ram would not be low.

Shi Wen was very easygoing. "After raising them for a year, we should keep some for our own consumption. I originally planned to sell 300, keeping nine for ourselves. Killing two early is no big deal. I've already applied for the million-dollar subsidy from the Abnormal Affairs Bureau, so we're not short of money for the time being."

Yan Kexing had no objection. "It's your sheep, you decide what to do with them."

Shi Wen laughed and said, "Then I'll hire someone to slaughter the sheep."

None of the people in their family know how to kill sheep.

The sheep is too big; slaughtering it requires some skill, not just brute force.

Shi Wen directly invited Zhang Deyuan and his wife, as well as Fu Meng and his wife, to come over, slaughter a sheep, and have a meal together.

This invitation signified closeness and affirmation, and both families were delighted, accepting without hesitation.

Fu Meng's family arrived first, and then followed Shi Wen to the sheepfold to select sheep.

The remaining sheep still need to be fed for a while and have room for fattening, so when choosing sheep, they directly selected two that were not growing very well.

Two sheep, one weighing 82 jin and the other almost 84 jin.

Shi Wen and Fu Meng took the sheep to the open space in the yard, preparing to slaughter it, and Yan Kexing also came over to help.

Soon, Zhang Deyuan's family and Gong Jiang's two companions arrived one after another.

Zhang Deyuan, as the butcher, was the chief butcher today, Shi Wen and the others assisted him.

Zhang Deyuan's hands moved quickly, causing the sheep little pain; with a swift stroke, the sheep died.

Chang Qingqing and Zhang Deyuan's wife, Xin Xianghong, collected the blood and made blood sausage, while Zhang Deyuan skinned the sheep, and the others assisted.

Good quality lamb doesn't require overly elaborate cooking methods.

After the sheep was slaughtered, a large copper pot was set up, and everyone sat around it to eat hot pot with mutton, each person making their own dipping sauce.

Just Shi Wen family was almost ready to be pickled, it's ready to be used.

After being busy until a little past noon, Shi Wen fed the family's Cong Zai, Hu Zai, and Heiwa, and then everyone sat down to eat meat in peace.

The best way to appreciate the flavor of mutton is by simmering it in plain water. After tasting the first piece of mutton, Zhang Deyuan said to Shi Wen, "You've really raised this sheep well. It's fragrant, tender, and fresh, with absolutely no gamey taste. The milky aroma is perfectly balanced."

Shi Wen had long suspected the quality of his mutton, so he wasn't surprised. He simply smiled and said, "Isn't my mutton top-grade?"

Zhang Deyuan gave a thumbs up. "Absolutely."

Shi Wen smiled, raised his glass, and clinked it against Zhang Deyuan's.

Chang Qingqing said, "Watching you come to the ranch in the spring, buying sheep, herding them, and storing silage—it's all been so hard work."

Shi Wen clinked glasses with Chang Qingqing: "So now it's time to savor the fruits of victory."

Chang Qingqing smiled, "Then you should eat more."

Fu Meng carefully savored the mutton. "Same water and grass, same raising methods, yet your sheep are seven points better than others'. That's amazing."

Shi Wen and Yan Kexing exchanged a brief glance, and both of them smiled.

Fu Meng caught their movements. "What, am I saying I have to be right?"

Shi Wen, "Yes, yes, it might be talent. My talent lies in raising sheep, so I'm better than most people."

Fu Meng touched his flushed and hot face, which was red from drinking, and looked to his wife for help. "Am I drunk? Why do I sense a hint of perfunctoriness in your words?"

Chang Qingqing smiled and placed a piece of mutton on his plate, "Go eat your meat, who's going to fob you off?"

Fu Meng's daughter, Fu Ningjia, cried out, "Mommy, I want to eat meat too!"

Everyone laughed again.

Zhang Deyuan said, "Your family has raised the sheep you bought from outside so well this year. Are you going to raise more next year?"

Shi Wen put down his chopsticks. "Yes, we do. I'll plant more pasture grass in the spring and buy a batch of lambs. I'll also buy more ewes, as I definitely don't have enough. Could you please keep an eye out for them for me? As long as the sheep are good, I'm willing to pay a bit more."