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He simply cleared out more than ten acres of land outside his backyard, intending to plant more tomatoes and some soybeans as well.
Legumes can fix nitrogen, so planting some can nourish the soil.
Bean sprouts and beans can also be used to feed cattle and sheep; it's good to grow more of them.
Yan Kexing asked, "Won't you be too busy?"
Shi Wen, "It's alright, it's just a little troublesome to plant. We'll harvest it all by machine, so it won't be a problem. Especially the bean sprouts, we can cut some to feed the cattle and sheep."
Yan Kexing: "What about the beans?"
Shi Wen, "We'll consume it ourselves? Your tomato sauce gave me an idea—our homemade tomato sauce is so delicious, do you think our soybean sauce would be far superior to other brands?"
Yan Kexing: "That depends on the skill of making soybean paste. Let's start by planting it. If it really doesn't work, I'll hire someone to teach us how to make soybean paste."
Shi Wen happily exclaimed, "Then I'll plant them!"
That's one of the advantages of having a lot of livestock at home; you don't have to worry about not being able to consume whatever you grow.
With such a large pasture, rotating crops won't deplete the soil's fertility.
Shi Wen they even planted another crop of potatoes.
The potatoes he planted before were from seeds provided by Xin Xianghong; this time, he went directly to buy purple-skinned potato seeds.
Purple potatoes have a more delicate texture and better taste. Most importantly, they are larger and more cost-effective to grow.
He saw some people growing purple potatoes, which were so big they had to be carried in baskets on their backs, and he was extremely envious.
Shi Wen busy all this time, and before I knew it, it was May.
After entering May, the weather got really warm, and even the thick wool on the fat-tailed sheep couldn't withstand it.
Upon Shi Wen this, Shi Wen decided to shear the fat-tailed sheep.
Unlike last year, this year their family raised more than 3,000 fat-tailed sheep, a number that is among the largest in the entire town.
With so many sheep, it would take him a very long time to shear them all by himself.
Shi Wen simply hired someone to come over, planning to shear the wool off in two or three days.
When looking for short-term workers, you should look for villagers who are efficient and willing to work hard. Generally, people will look for families they know well.
This money will be spent no matter who you ask, so why not let your friend earn some?
Shi Wen Fu Meng, Zhang Deyuan, and Old Man Ma were invited this year.
Zhang Deyuan has been buying and selling livestock for many years, but he's been relatively free lately and has nothing to do at home, so he arrived earliest.
Upon arriving, he went into the sheepfold and immediately noticed something remarkable. "Your wool is exceptionally good, truly wonderful; it's almost shimmering."
Shi Wen, "Right, I think so too. When I clean up their shed fur, their fur feels much finer than last year."
"Yes," Zhang Deyuan said, touching the wool with his hand. "It's fine, soft, white, and smooth. Its strength is also good; it's greater than ordinary wool."
Shi Wen nodded. "I feel about the same way."
At this point in the conversation, Shi Wen thought it was just a normal chat and didn't take it to heart.
Zhang Deyuan, however, said, "Selling this kind of wool to ordinary wool dealers, mixed with regular wool, is a huge loss. I think it can sell for several hundred or even several thousand yuan per kilogram."
Shi Wen was stunned. "No way?"
Zhang Deyuan: "Why would I lie to you? You've touched regular wool before. Feel the wool in your own yard; is there a big difference between the two types?"
Shi Wen stroked the wool and said, "The difference is significant, but it's probably difficult to sell it for a few hundred or a few thousand."
"Then we'll have to find someone we know," Zhang Deyuan said. "Or you could tell Old Fu and the others not to come, and I'll go ask around to see if anyone wants this kind of 'wool' (referring to a type of wool or cash)?"
Shi Wen looked at the sheep under his command and said, "That works too."
Zhang Deyuan said, "Then don't shear the wool yet. Big companies like theirs are very picky about the quality of the wool; they usually need to buy it and shear it immediately."
Shi Wen, "That's no problem. As long as it can be sold, whatever they say goes."
"Then give me some wool first, as a sample for others to see." Zhang Deyuan picked up the scissors. "Forget it, I'll cut it myself, I'll cut the underside."
Zhang Deyuan took the wool and left excitedly.
Shi Wen called Fu Meng and the others, saying that the plan had changed and they might have to wait a couple of days to shear the sheep.
Fu Meng and the others didn't mind, saying they would need to be called again, and then went about their own business on the ranch.
When Yan Kexing returned home in the evening, he noticed that the sheep hadn't been sheared yet and asked, "Didn't you have time to shear the sheep today?"
Shi Wen explained the situation, "It might be a few days before you can cut it again; the buyer may have specific requests."
Yan Kexing, "I forgot about this before. If Zhang Deyuan can't find a buyer, I can help him look."
Shi Wen laughed, "Wouldn't it be better to give you face? Let Brother Zhang go first. I'll also get to know some people that way, and next year when I need to shear sheep or do business related to sheep, I'll have even more connections."
Yan Kexing nodded. "Call me again if you need to find someone else."
Living in the same area, everyone had their own connections. Soon, Zhang Deyuan found someone to come and check on Shi Wen's wool.
The person who arrived was a designer, dressed in designer clothes, wearing light makeup, and her overall appearance had a somewhat gender-neutral feel.
The man was very polite; upon arriving at their home, he Shi Wen greeted Shi Wen courteously, "Mr. Shi."
Shi Wen, "Hello, Mr. He. He."
The two exchanged brief greetings, Shi Wen took He Chengzhang to see the sheep.
Today, in preparation for He Chengzhang's inspection, their sheep were kept in the sheepfold and not allowed to roam out. However, the sheepfold had been cleaned, and all kinds of straw and manure had been collected and put into the manure truck. The only smell in the air was the smell of livestock and a faint smell of disinfectant.
He Chengzhang looked at the computer by the door, then at the long-armed mechanical vehicle inside, his eyes filled with admiration. He became even more polite to Shi Wen: "Mr. Shi, the management of your ranch is truly excellent."
Shi Wen Wenxiao said, "Professional sheep farmers need more professional equipment. Please come this way."