Chapter 34 (continued)

Most importantly, it has a more varied diet, eating pasture grass, wild fruits, etc., and can be free-range on pastures, making it more suitable for pastoral areas.

Shi Wen looked at the sheep and pigs in the old herdsman's arms with curiosity and asked, "May I see these pigs?"

The old herdsman said, "Please feel free to look; we still have some at home."

Shi Wen, "Do we raise a lot of pigs here?"

The old herdsman said, "Not many. I brought them around for a bit, and only a few people looked at them, and none of them were interested. Many people ignored them as soon as they heard they were pigs."

Shi Wen was surprised that the old herdsman was so honest, and looked up at him.

The old herdsman didn't realize how helpful his words Shi Wen's bargaining. Shi Wen looking over, he even smiled.

Shi Wen them carefully examining sheep and pigs.

The sheep-pig is round and plump, but it feels a bit thin to the touch; beneath its fluffy curly wool, its fat is less than a finger's width thick.

Its skeleton is upright; based on Shi Wen experience of observing livestock, I'm certain that if it's fed properly, it will grow well.

The sheep-pig didn't squeal or struggle; it was unusually quiet, just staring at Shi Wen with its two round eyes, looking rather adorable.

Shi Wen patted the plump, warm sheep-pig again and asked, "How many sheep-pigs do you have?"

The old herdsman said, "Thirty-one piglets, all castrated, not even six months old yet. They're cheap, 380 each, while they cost 500 or 600 each elsewhere."

The old herdsman seemed afraid Shi Wen added, "I only brought one pig with me. The rest are at my house. If you're interested, you can come home with me."

Shi Wen, "Does your home live far away?"

The old herdsman said, "It's not far, just outside the city, in the Alabu Town. My home is at the foot of Mount Alabu."

That's not far; it was on their way home.

Shi Wen quite interested in sheep and pigs, so he said to the old herdsman, "Then wait for us when you go back, we'll go with you to take a look."

The old herdsman said, "Yes, I'll wait for you over there."

Shi Wen that there was still work to be done, the old herdsman sat down by the flower bed, holding a sheep or a pig, basking in the sun while waiting.

At noon, the pastoral association delivered a working meal. The old herdsman was still there, but he didn't eat. He just took out a baked bun from his pocket and started eating it.

Shi Wen guilty, Shi Wen bought the old herdsman lunch out of his own pocket and inquired about his family situation.

The old herdsman's Abudu. His family had been herdsmen for generations. His children worked outside the village, while he and his wife lived at the foot of the mountain, making a living by herding livestock.

This year, our son bought sheep and pigs to raise, hoping to find a new way to make a living.

Unexpectedly, three of the sheep and pigs died just one month after they were brought home, which broke Abudu and his wife's hearts.

He figured the sheep and pigs might not be suited to the local climate and he needed to sell them as soon as possible.

Just as he was looking for a seller, another sheep-pig died.

Originally there were thirty-five sheep and pigs, but now only thirty-one remain. It's estimated that if things drag on for a few more days, two more will die.

Abudu explained to Shi Wen, "It's not that the pigs are sick, it's just that it's cold where we live, we can't raise them well, they're not suitable for our area."

Whether a sheep or pig carries an infectious disease can Shi Wen; this thin sheep-pig is quite healthy.

Shi Wen nodded, indicating his understanding.

Abudu said, "I found a few buyers, but after I told them that some of my sheep and pigs had gotten sick and died, they turned around and didn't buy from me anymore. Actually, they're not that hard to raise; it's just that I'm not very good at it."

Shi Wen: "Then why did you tell them?"

Abudu waved his hands repeatedly. "I can't not tell, I can't lie to people, I have to make things clear. I'm an old man, I can't possibly cheat people out of such a small amount of money."

Shi Wen said, "That's quite a lot, three hundred and eighty-one heads. Thirty-one heads would be eleven thousand seven hundred and eighty yuan."

Abudu getting anxious. "Even if it's 100,000 yuan, you can't lie to people!"

Shi Wen smiled and gave him a thumbs up.

Abudu enthusiastically promoted the product. "If you're worried, I can have my son find someone who knows how to raise sheep and pigs to talk to you. These sheep and pigs are very valuable; in a good year, they can sell for over ten thousand yuan each."

Shi Wen agreed, "Let's go take a look first, and if it's suitable, I'll buy it."

The trade fair lasted until after 2 p. m., when most buyers and sellers had left, leaving only a few people trading.

Shi Wen finished his work as an expert and told the people at the animal husbandry association that he wanted to leave early.

Ma Chengfeng quickly came over to persuade them to stay, "Shi Wen, we have a dinner gathering tonight. Why don't you and Professor Yan stay and have dinner together?"

Shi Wen said, "Let's get together next time. I have things to do today. Let's get together another time."

Ma Chengfeng tried to persuade him a few times, but to no avail, so he could only say that they must have a meal together next time.

Shi Wen called Yan Kexing to say that the event was over and he was getting ready to go home.

Yan Kexing, who was working at a nearby coffee shop, rushed over and was somewhat surprised to see Abudu.

Shi Wen introduced him to Abdu, saying he wanted to visit Abudu's sheep and pigs.

Yan Kexing had no objections.

Abudu originally going to take a ride back with a fellow villager, Yan Kexing invited him to get in. "Please sit here, it'll be easier for you to give directions."

Abudu uneasy. "I'm still holding sheep and pigs, and your car is so expensive."

Yan Kexing: "It's okay, just put it in a bag so it doesn't poop in the car."

"No, that won't happen." Abudu pulled a crumpled plastic bag from his breast pocket with his large, bony hands. "It was supposed to be wrapped properly anyway."

Yan Kexing said gently, "So it's alright, please come on up."

Abudu them directions.

Yan Kexing drove steadily towards the small village at the foot of Mount Alabu, following the direction the man pointed out.

Although both are located in N City, the area around Mount Alabu Town is clearly in a mountainous region, with roads that are full of ups and downs, and the grasslands along the roads are also mountain grasslands of varying heights.

Shi Wen soon as the car entered the Mount Alabu Town, it was immediately noticeable that the temperature had dropped, and the car's dashboard showed that it was only three degrees Celsius outside.