mijobooks Chapter 44 Li Xiangyang's Proposal
Chapter 44 Li Xiangyang's Proposal
"Sigh, I only found it when I went to the sheepfold to feed the sheep."
Li Xiangdong sighed and said:
"This year's snowfall is a bit strange; it's heavy, dense, and lasts a long time, covering the grass underneath the pasture."
Zhao Lijuan continued:
"That's right. The snow has been shoveled again and again, and the sheep can't eat the grass on the ground even when they're let out. There's no other way but to feed them all the stored hay."
Recently, Li Xiangdong and Li Xiangyang have been busy fishing and selling fish every day, while she has been doing most of the work of herding and feeding the sheep.
She knew this better than anyone.
Upon hearing this,
Li Xiangyang fell silent.
In his previous life, after his father injured his back, he transferred the ranch to his second uncle, and soon all ten sheep they raised were also sold to other herders.
Since there were no sheep left, there was no shortage of fodder.
"Dad, let's go to the farm and buy some bellflower roots to feed the sheep!" Li Xiangyang suggested after thinking for a moment.
This was the optimal solution he chose based on reality. The snow would definitely get heavier as time went on, and the sheep would be left to die without fodder. Slaughtering them all was not practical.
This is the capital that can turn the whole family's life around.
If a herdsman loses his or herds, can he still be called a herdsman?
and,
Platycodon grandiflorus is not expensive in rural areas now, and since they don't raise cattle or sheep there, it's mostly used as firewood.
It's estimated to be only 3 to 5 cents per pound.
As long as they can keep these sheep, and the price of mutton doubles next year, they will definitely be able to make their money back.
"Hmm..." Li Zhenshan fell silent upon hearing that he would have to spend extra money to buy bellflower roots to feed the sheep.
He was calculating whether it was worthwhile and necessary to do this.
Li Xiangyang hasn't told him about the upcoming snow disaster and the news that mutton and wool prices will double next year.
Worried that Li Zhenshan might make a mistake in his judgment based on the current situation, Li Xiangyang added:
"Dad, this year's snow is special!"
I know someone who has connections within the meteorological bureau, and according to him, Inner Mongolia might face a snowstorm this year.
He spoke softly, but to others it sounded like a mountain.
"Hey, Xiangyang, we can't just say things like that."
Wang Guiying was startled by Li Xiangyang's words and immediately stood up.
"Guiying, sit down." Li Zhenshan waved his hand, signaling Wang Guiying to be quiet.
Turning to Li Xiangyang, he asked, "Xiangyang, can you confirm the veracity of this news?"
"Dad, I'm sure!" Li Xiangyang's expression was very serious: "Ten days ago, it might have been hard to say, but as you've seen in the last few days, the snow hasn't stopped, and it's clearly getting heavier and heavier."
"This..." Li Zhenshan frowned as he pondered, becoming increasingly alarmed the more he thought about it.
He also experienced the great snow disaster on the grasslands.
I remember it rained first, then it snowed. There was ice under the snow, so it was also called the Iron Disaster.
That snowstorm lasted for a full six months. Livestock couldn't dig in the ground or eat grass, and countless people starved to death.
At that time, all roads were blocked, communications were cut off, and the only way for the living to survive was through relief supplies being airdropped by the army or airplanes.
They barely managed to survive.
According to later accounts, the snowstorm caused livestock losses of over 70%, with almost all the livestock in many communes and production teams dying.
"If it's true, then we need to prepare early and not be careless!" Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Li Zhenshan's expression instantly turned serious.
"But you can't say that out loud, not a single word! Xiangyang, do you understand?"
"Yes, Dad, I understand. I haven't mentioned this to anyone else except my family."
How could Li Xiangyang, a reborn individual, not know this?
You're not a weather station worker or a government official, just an ordinary citizen, yet you dare to go around saying there will be a major snow disaster this year and sheep will freeze to death.
How did you know that?
If you can't give a reason, then you're just pretending to be a ghost or engaging in feudal superstition.
It caused panic, disrupted production, and undermined morale.
Either way, they can arrest you and lock you up for a few years.
"Father, what should we do now?" Li Xiangdong asked.
Even my father said we need to prepare early, so this year's snow disaster is definitely unavoidable, and he's a little worried.
"Xiangyang, what are your plans...?" Li Zhenshan didn't answer, but instead asked Li Xiangyang.
He wanted to hear what Li Xiangyang had to say first.
During this period, Li Xiangyang's composure, decision-making ability, foresight and other comprehensive abilities far exceeded his expectations.
Even this old man who had lived for decades was impressed by his own abilities.
"We should have no problem with food supplies for our family. My brother and I just bought a whole truckload of rice, flour, and cooking oil a while ago, which, combined with our previous food reserves..."
We could eat this for another 3 or 4 months and still have some left over.
Everyone nodded in agreement after hearing this; they all knew exactly how much stock they had at home.
The kitchen was also quite full.
"As for coal and timber, we can barely manage if we use them sparingly, but I know a place where we can get timber. I'll go with my brother and get a few cartloads later."
Anyway, I can't go to the black market to sell fish these next couple of days.
The rest... nothing much.
The goal is to buy as much straw as possible from agricultural areas and store it up. If we can't use it all up on our own ranch, we can sell some to other herders at a lower price.
This will not only help them get through the snow disaster, but also allow us to earn some money.
If there's no snow disaster, we can raise a few more sheep after the New Year; it won't be a waste.
"I agree with this proposal," Li Xiangdong was the first to raise his hand in agreement.
"I agree too," Zhao Lijuan said, raising her hand as well.
Needless to say, Liu Xiulan couldn't possibly object to her husband's suggestion: "Father, I agree too."
"Fine." Li Zhenshan slammed his hand on the table. "Tomorrow, after you two brothers sell the fish, go collect the straw."
"Father." Li Xiangyang stretched out his hand in front of Li Zhenshan and rubbed it together.
Li Zhenshan slapped his hand away: "If you want money, go ask your mother! Oh, and don't forget to keep 50 yuan for next year's ranch rent."
This is Li Zhenshan's bottom line.
After a hearty meal, the two brothers, Li Xiangyang and Li Xiangdong, drove their horse-drawn cart to cut wood.
Li Xiangdong drove the carriage ahead, while Li Xiangyang pondered the tasks to be done behind him.
We won't be catching fish today.
Yesterday I caught 120 jin of fish, sold 60 jin this morning, and have 60 jin left at home.
I won't sell fish at the black market tomorrow; selling to state-run restaurants should be enough.
He will go with Liu Jianguo to sell the fish tomorrow morning, and then go back to Liujia Village with him to collect straw.
With Liu Jianguo, a fellow villager, leading the way, things should go much more smoothly.
Collecting straw isn't considered speculation or profiteering; there's no risk involved. If they need more straw later, they'll pay Liu Jianguo to collect it and bring it over.
Li Xiangdong will check the iron trap tomorrow morning and go fishing tomorrow afternoon.
My schedule is packed.
After Li Xiangyang finished planning these things,
The carriage had already traveled along the village road, passed Zhahar Lake, and waded through the reed beds.
We arrived at an unnamed mountain valley.
After turning a sharp corner, you'll see hundreds of dead trees lying haphazardly, covered in snow—a truly spectacular sight.
A profound sense of desolation and utter silence arose within him. Li Xiangdong was deeply moved by what he saw.
"Brother, how did you know there were so many dead trees here?"