Starting from a thatched cottage, the farmer embarked on the road to wealth through imperial examina

Seeing the two vendors looking at him intently, Zhong Yunfeng answered.

"No one in Yuzhou has ever raised dairy cows like this. I am taking a big risk if I take over this batch of cows. Since these are not oxen for farming, they cannot be traded at the price of oxen for farming."

The two vendors understood this logic and nodded slightly.

"I know it's not easy for you to drive these cattle back from the Qiang and Hu lands. So, I'll give you 10 taels of silver for each cow and 8 taels of silver for each bull. As for the calves, regardless of gender, I'll give you 3 taels of silver for each one."

When everyone present heard this, they thought that Zhong Yunfeng was being straightforward in lowering the price. However, these cows could not be used to plow the land, so their prices could not be calculated according to the price of plowing cows. Moreover, there was indeed a considerable risk in buying these cows. Everyone remained silent, waiting to see what the merchant would say.

The two vendors told Zhong Yunfeng that they wanted to discuss something. When they saw Zhong Yunfeng nod, they came to the corner of the county government yard and started talking in low voices.

At that time, this batch of cattle was given to the Mailma tribe at the price of three taels of silver per cow, and the calves were born on the way.

The cattle were driven back from the Qiang and Hu lands. Although the price offered by Zhong Yunfeng now is lower than the estimated price when he first took over, he can still make a lot of money. Besides, this cattle is really hard to sell.

Both vendors thought the price was acceptable, but they hoped that Zhong Yunfeng would buy all the cattle, not just the thirty or so from Wanshou County.

"Boss Zhong, our caravan has about a hundred cows. If you can buy all of them, we will sell them to you at the price you offer."

The slightly taller vendor asked Zhong Yunfeng cautiously and tentatively.

"Okay, you can drive all the cattle to Shanglin Village in Qingshan Town tomorrow, and we will deliver the goods on the spot."

Zhong Yunfeng agreed to buy all the cows without any hesitation.

When the two vendors heard this, they felt relieved and took out thirty taels of silver and returned the money to Tu Ergou and Song Dazhu.

Tu Song and his companions received the money, bowed respectfully to County Magistrate Wu, expressed their gratitude to Ye Changyan and Zhong Yunfeng, and then left the county government with a group of clansmen.

The onlookers, seeing that the matter had been settled and could be considered to have been resolved satisfactorily, dispersed from the county government yard one after another.

"Mr. Zhong, tomorrow the county will send someone to Shanglin Village in Qingshan Town. First, to deliver the approval documents to you, and second, to supervise the transaction of this batch of cattle and serve as a witness for both of you. After that, both of you will go to the county government together to complete the relevant delivery procedures. Tomorrow I will arrange for someone to handle this matter for you."

Although the main purpose of County Magistrate Wu is to make both parties to the transaction pay the full amount of taxes, it is still necessary for the county government to send people to supervise. At least it can show that the county government attaches great importance to this matter. At the same time, with the supervision of the county government, the farmers who rent cattle will feel more at ease.

"Thank you, sir!"

Zhong Yunfeng and the two vendors thanked County Magistrate Wu almost in unison.

After leaving the county government office, Zhong Yunfeng went to find a veterinarian. The tall merchant went to Lin County to find someone to drive the cattle there to Qingshan Town.

The short vendor led the two cows returned by Tu Ergou and Song Dazhui, and went towards Qingshan Town with Ye Changyan. After finishing the job, he would drive the cows from other places in Wanshou County to Qingshan Town.

The short vendor followed Ye Changyan and drove the two spotted cows to Shanglin Village, attracting the attention of the villagers.

Everyone was very curious. Didn't the Third Brother of the Ye family just buy some land? Why did he buy two cows so soon?

Hey, I've never seen this cow before. It doesn't look like a ox, nor does it look like a water buffalo. It looks quite beautiful with all these petals on its body.

More and more people gathered around, and the village head Li Zhiping also came out when he heard the commotion in the village.

"Sanlang, are you buying a cow?"

Li Zhiping asked Ye Changyan, and the villagers looked at the two spotted cows in surprise.

"Uncle Shuanzhu, I was just looking for you. Let's talk about buying cows later. Can you tie these two cows up in your cowshed?"

"It can be tied up, it can be tied up, come and lead it over."

As Ye Changyan and the short vendor spoke, they led the cow and followed Li Zhiping towards his cowshed.

After tying up the cow, the merchant thanked Ye Changyan, the village head and others, then left in a hurry.

When the villagers heard the noise, almost all of their families came out and gathered around the headman's cowshed to watch the fun.

"Sanlang, these cows are not cheap. Are you going to buy two?"

An Sigou's face was full of envy as he asked Ye Changyan.

The villagers all looked at Ye Changyan, wondering how long it had been since the third branch of the Ye family split up. They were curious about how they bought land and cows. They heard that Sanlang was a storyteller in a restaurant, and the money he gave as tips was like snowflakes, plentiful.

Some villagers also wanted to send their children to school.

Seeing that everyone was curious and concerned about the origin of the cow, Ye Changyan told the villagers the general situation.

For a moment, the villagers were in an uproar.

"Sanlang, did the owner of Yunfeng Tower really buy a hundred cows?"

"Sanlang, are all these cows going to be raised in our Shanglin Village?"

"Are you really renting it to us for free?"

“Can anyone rent it?”

"We don't know how to raise this spotted cow!"

“Can this cow really produce dozens of kilograms of milk a day?

"Will the county magistrate really allow us to herd cattle on this barren hill in the county government office?"

……

The villagers were very excited. If it was true as Ye Changyan said, wouldn’t this be a no-cost business of using chickens to lay eggs?

Has the owner of Yunfeng Tower never thought about it? Will he regret it one day when he comes to his senses?

Just when everyone was discussing it enthusiastically, Ye Changyan continued to speak.

"My dear grandparents, uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters, what I just said is true, but renting cattle is also a big deal, so please go back and discuss it carefully."

When the crowd heard Ye Changyan say this, they all nodded in admiration.

"Tomorrow, a large number of cattle will be driven into our village, and the county government will send officials to supervise. So, to tie up the cattle, we must find a piece of land in advance. When the cattle arrive tomorrow, we will tie them there to prevent them from running around and damaging the crops. There are many children in this village, and the cattle will not be safe if they are not tied up properly."

Ye Changyan turned around and spoke to Li Zheng.

Li Zhiping thought about it, then pointed to the area with the big banyan tree at the entrance of the village. That area was very open and was where the villagers usually relaxed.

"The big banyan tree has a wide open area over there. It will be convenient for everyone to look after the cows if we drive them there. We will find a few people to cut some tree stumps later. We will nail this temporary stake today."

"I go!"

"Count me in!"

"I am coming too!"

……

As soon as the headman finished speaking, several young men led by Wang Erhu signed up enthusiastically to cut trees and make stakes for tying cattle.