bayedsolid Chapter 154 Starting Projects
Chapter 154 Starting Projects
Upon hearing this, Old Zhang was secretly surprised; the price was much higher than the market price. However, he remained outwardly calm and pretended to think as he said, "Thirty yuan a chicken? You guys are really willing to spend money. But my chickens are raised on good food, so they're worth the price."
Seeing that Old Zhang didn't directly refuse, Li Mu felt more confident and quickly pressed his advantage: "Grandpa, since we're so sincere, how about we give you twenty-five to try first? If you raise them well, we can cooperate long-term in the future."
Old Zhang nodded, thinking that the young men didn't seem like swindlers, and the price they offered was high, so he agreed. He turned around, went back into the house, took out a bamboo basket and a pair of scissors, and began catching chickens.
Seeing this, Li Mu and the others quickly went to help. They caught the chicken, sheared its feathers, and weighed it.
In no time, twenty-five chickens were put into the basket.
"Count your money, this is eight hundred and fifty yuan, please keep it safe." Li Mu said as he took out a wad of cash from his wallet and handed it to Old Zhang.
Old Zhang took the money and counted it.
"Alright, you guys are quick to get things done, so I won't waste any more time. Take these chickens home and raise them well; I promise you won't be disappointed."
"Grandpa, do you know any way to make a chicken lay eggs faster?"
With demand increasing, the speed of supply must also be increased.
Old Zhang laughed and said, "Young man, you can't rush things. Chickens have to lay eggs slowly. You need to provide them with plenty of sunshine and fresh air so they'll be healthy and lay more eggs."
"Also, the feed must be nutritionally balanced; you can't just feed them cheap feed."
"Okay! Thank you, sir."
Li Mu handed over the work of raising green-shelled chickens to Tian Xiaohu, while Li Jianjun and Li Mu immersed themselves in the rice paddies. The blueberry juice business gradually stabilized, although there was a downward trend, the overall sales volume was still considerable.
Lijia Village is no longer impoverished. Every household has received substantial dividends, and their lives are becoming more and more promising. They can afford to buy things like watches, radios, and other household appliances, and no longer have to struggle to make ends meet.
My older brother Li Qianjin's new house is half-built, and he will be able to move in by the end of the year.
Li Mu's home was bustling with activity. Ever since they started raising chickens and growing blueberries, their savings had been snowballing.
Jiang Xuefen would boast to everyone she met about how promising her son was, and the villagers also spoke highly of Li Mu, saying that he was young and accomplished, and that he looked very smart and handsome even when he went to town to have a few new clothes made.
Li Mu didn't get carried away; he continued to work tirelessly from dawn till dusk, keeping himself busy with everything.
Li Qianjin's new house was impressive, with red bricks and green tiles, making it one of the best in the village. He hired local bricklayers and carpenters, who were skilled, honest, and meticulous in their work.
The new house has a reasonable layout, is spacious and bright, and makes people happy at first sight.
Jiang Xuefen couldn't stop smiling: "This house is really well built, it's no worse than the buildings in town. Qianjin, you've really made our Li Family Village proud this time!"
Li Qianjin smiled sheepishly, scratched his head, and said, "Mom, it's all thanks to Mu Zi. If it weren't for him leading us to raise chickens and grow blueberries, we wouldn't be living such a good life."
Li Mu glanced at it and thought it was good. He put his arm around Jiang Xuefen's shoulder and said, "Mom, just you wait. I'll build you a big house by the end of the year so you can live comfortably. Wouldn't it be wonderful if our whole family could happily celebrate the New Year in the new house?"
Jiang Xuefen felt a warm glow in her heart, her eyes glistening with tears, but she still couldn't hold back her words.
"Why are you wasting that money? It would be better to use that money to help Qianjin get married. Now that you're making money, you can't just spend it recklessly. This new house for Qianjin is enough. As long as our family can live together, I'll be content."
Li Mu laughed heartily: "Mom, don't worry, I've already saved up the money for my wife's wedding. I'll not only build a big house, but also give her a grand and splendid wedding."
Li Qianjin chimed in, "That's right, Mom, don't worry about it. Mu Zi is a big shot in our village now; if he says he can do it, he definitely can. Just wait and enjoy your retirement!"
As her two sons took turns comforting her, Jiang Xuefen's worries gradually dissipated.
She patted Li Mu's hand, then looked at Li Qianjin, her eyes slightly red.
"Why are you saying that! It's shameful!"
Grandpa Zhang's green-shelled chicken laid more than fifty eggs in half a month. Li Mu pulled Tian Xiaohu aside and asked, "What did you feed the chicken? It shouldn't lay eggs this fast. This doesn't make sense."
"Brother Mu, I didn't feed them anything special. Feeding chickens is the same as feeding pigs! My pigs are growing very fast. People in the village say my pig feed is good. It's probably because of this feed."
Li Mu was startled: "What?! You're feeding the chickens with pig feed?! That won't do! If the chickens eat pig feed, how can they eat the eggs? No, no, we need to change the chickens' feed right away. If the eggs cause problems, we can't afford the consequences."
Tian Xiaohu scratched his head: "Brother Mu, I didn't know it would turn out like this. So what do you think we should feed the chickens?"
"Go find some vegetable leaves, corn kernels, or something similar; natural ingredients are best. Also, the chickens need to be free-range, let them..."
They need to move around more and bask in the sun; that way, their eggs will be more nutritious and taste better. Remember, never feed the chickens pig feed again; that's no joke.
Tian Xiaohu nodded repeatedly: "Okay, Brother Mu, I understand. I'll go change the chickens' feed right away, and I'll definitely pay attention in the future."
"Makiko!"
Brother Gao was standing not far away, waving in this direction.
Li Mu turned to look at him: "Brother Gao, what's wrong? Is something urgent?"
"Come on, let me ask you something. How do you know Vice Mayor Zhao?"
How did Brother Gao find out about this?
Li Mu looked somewhat surprised: "Brother Gao, how did you know I know Vice Mayor Zhao?"
Brother Gao chuckled: "A few days ago, I had a drinking session with some old friends, and Vice Mayor Zhao was also there. He mentioned your name, saying that your eggs were selling very well at the market, and praised your eggs for their excellent quality and delicious taste. I was just curious, so I wanted to ask you how we met."
Li Mu scratched his head, a little embarrassed: "Actually, it's nothing. I encountered some troublemakers at the market, and Vice Mayor Zhao happened to be passing by. He couldn't stand it and spoke up for me. Later, to thank him, I gave him a few pounds of eggs. Unexpectedly, he was quite satisfied and said my eggs were delicious. That's how we met."
"Brother Gao, please don't overthink it. We're just ordinary acquaintances, nothing more."
Brother Gao patted Li Mu on the shoulder and laughed, "Muzi, you're quite something, even knowing Vice Mayor Zhao. But don't take it too seriously, I was just asking casually. Everyone knows your eggs are of good quality, so it's only right that Vice Mayor Zhao praises you."
Li Mu smiled sheepishly: "Brother Gao, please don't tease me. I was just lucky to meet some kind people who helped me."
"Is Vice Mayor Zhao asking if you can handle this project?"