Reborn in 1977

Hearing Zhang Wenliang's words, Chen Fan couldn't help but chuckle.

Frankly speaking, according to the speed at which the people of Lujiawan were digging for turtles, the fact that they could still dig up so many was already far beyond his expectations.

The people of this era yearned for meat far more than the people of later generations could imagine. It didn't matter that they didn't know how to prepare them before, but now that they knew how to handle turtles, all five production teams of the Nanhu Commune had taken action. The commune members would run off to dig for turtles whenever they had the chance, which led to the spectacular scene at the last market, where dozens of turtle meat stalls set up shop together.

However, the number of wild turtles was limited, and under their limitless capture, the turtles that had once proliferated in the ditches of the Nanhu Commune were now a rare sight.

Forget about those turtles weighing over 10 pounds; getting one that weighed seven or eight pounds was considered a big one.

Fortunately, most people knew the ancient hunting adage of "catch the big ones and release the small ones." In the past, they were afraid that turtles would eat the fish fry, and they wouldn't even let go of palm-sized turtles in the fish ponds. Now, they had learned to leave a way out, and the small turtles were basically released, the only difference being that they were moved from the fish ponds to the distant ditches, to be harvested when they grew up.

From "even pigs won't eat them" to "protective breeding," the turtle's life had gone through great ups and downs in just over two months.

No wonder the native Chinese soft-shelled turtle would later be eaten into an endangered species, especially the "spotted turtle," whose preciousness was comparable to that of the panda, or even surpassed it, with only a few left at the most dangerous time.

Although the overuse of pesticides and chemical fertilizers also accounted for a large factor, the main reason for this outcome was the pursuit of turtles, with people going up mountains and into the water to catch them. The most obvious comparison was the frog. In the same growth environment, the frog was only a "second-class" protected animal, while the spotted turtle became a "first-class" protected animal.

Due to the scarcity of native turtle species, turtle farming in later generations was basically based on turtle species imported from abroad.

For example, the "Japanese Chinese soft-shelled turtle" imported from Japan, because it was most similar to the native Chinese soft-shelled turtle, became the largest farmed species, and was even given the name "Japanese Chinese soft-shelled turtle." The second most popular was the pearl turtle imported from the United States, and there were also Thai turtles, Canadian spiny turtles, Indian turtles, and Malaysian turtles.

However, these turtle species, whether in terms of nutritional value or taste, were far from comparable to the native Chinese soft-shelled turtle.

Chen Fan thought to himself that when the country opened up in a few years, and before turtles began to be sought after by the people of the whole country, he had to seize the opportunity to buy more of the three major Chinese soft-shelled turtles, including the "Yellow River Turtle," the "Hunan Turtle," and the "Jiangxi Turtle," as well as the Asian mountain tortoise, the spotted turtle, the unique Chinese sand turtle and the small turtle, these future "protected animals," collect them, and build a Chinese turtle breeding farm here, which would be both a native turtle museum and a large breeding farm.

So that in the future, when he wanted to eat native turtles, he wouldn't have any and could only eat nondescript "Japanese Chinese soft-shelled turtles," which was depressing to think about.

Chen Fan was leading the horse and lost in thought. Zhang Wenliang was walking in front of him, scraping the mud off the soles of his shoes on a stone, and said with a sigh, "Business is not easy to do. I originally wanted to earn dozens of yuan in extra money every time I went to the market in the future, but it turned out that it was going to be aborted after only one time."

Chen Fan put his hands behind his back, holding the reins in his hand, and said with a smile, "You're just splitting hairs. Who said that you can only sell turtle meat at a stall?"

Zhang Wenliang glanced at him and said with a pout, "You're so smart. Don't you think I know I can sell other things? But what can I sell? I can't get any meat. Sell fish? How many fish can I catch? And it takes time. Do I still have to do the work of the production team?

To get enough fish to set up a stall, I have to be able to cast a net to catch them, but that's not like you, throwing a net around randomly. That's something that only professional 'fishermen' can do. Even if I wanted to do it, I wouldn't have the ability.

Besides, if I could fish, I might as well become a 'Jing Nong Hu' (households that are allowed to trade), the income of 'Jing Nong Hu' is not low, the fish they catch can be sold to the commune, and there are also ration cards for food, and it doesn't delay their own fish sales, which is great.

Moreover, whether it's fish, loach, or eel, although they are also meat, they are not as filling as real meat, and basically can't be sold for a good price. Even if there are people who want to eat fish, they all buy fish and make it themselves at home. Many people don't know how to cook turtle meat, but who doesn't know how to cook fish, who would buy yours?"

After he finished his complaints, Chen Fan calmly smiled and said, "You just said, what did the brigade headquarters appoint you to do?"

Zhang Wenliang looked at him strangely, "Deputy director of the breeding farm."

As soon as he finished speaking, he immediately reacted, his eyes widened, he stopped and turned to look at Chen Fan, "You mean, I can sell rabbit meat from the breeding farm?"

Chen Fan chuckled, "When the rabbits in the breeding farm grow up, some of the male rabbits can be disposed of, leaving only a small part to be used as breeding rabbits. Selling them to others is selling, selling them to you is also selling. If you have confidence, you can buy some rabbits yourself, slaughter them, skin them, and take the meat…"

Hearing his words, Zhang Wenliang's face was speechless, "You're retaliating against me for saying you're a rabbit executioner."

Chen Fan laughed, "Anyway, rabbit meat is definitely easier to sell than fish, and relying on the breeding farm, there won't be a shortage of goods, it just depends on whether you are willing to be this executioner."

It would take at least a year or two for the breeding farm to form a scale. Before that, they couldn't just keep investing in it without thinking of ways to get back the money, right? Finding a group of people to try selling it is also a good choice.

Zhang Wenliang pursed his lips and nodded lightly, "Your idea is very good, and it saves the trouble of catching turtles. It's just that catching turtles doesn't cost money, but buying rabbits does cost money. But this business can also be done. Fur rabbits are about 25 cents a pound, and a rabbit only costs 70 or 80 cents, at most no more than 1 yuan. But you can get a skin and two or three pounds of meat. Selling cooked meat for 80 cents can earn more than 1 yuan. If you also sell it for 1 yuan, plus the rabbit skin, you can earn more than 2 yuan purely from one rabbit, which is no less than earning from selling turtle meat."

He continued to walk forward and said with a smile, "Now there is only one last question left."

Chen Fan smiled, "See if my skills are good enough to set up a stall?"

Zhang Wenliang gave him a thumbs up, "That's why I say you're smart."

Chen Fan curled his lips, who was it who just said "You're so smart"?

…

After a while, the two walked to the village. Zhang Wenliang went home to change his shoes, and Chen Fan first took the two horses to the livestock shed, and then took the two puppies to the brigade headquarters.

Xiao Lie and Wen Zheng led his old brothers inside, and Chen Fan quickly greeted them.

Seeing Chen Fan, Old Man Lin smiled so wide that he couldn't close his mouth. "Little Chen, I didn't expect your cooking skills to be so good. I can be considered someone who has 'eaten from all corners of the country.' I've tasted countless dishes from various places, and I can't count on one hand the number of people who cook better than you."

Xiao Lie Wen also smiled on the side. He had asked Chen Fan to help make lunch to entertain his old comrades. He originally wanted to keep Chen Fan for a drink, but Chen Fan didn't want to disturb their reunion, so he went back after finishing the meal.

Chen Fan smiled at Lin Yuanxiang and said, "You're too kind. I'm glad you like it."

Lin Yuanxiang laughed heartily, "Good is good. I won't lie."

Then, seeing the two puppies at Chen Fan's feet, he changed the subject, "Are these your dogs?"

Chen Fan looked down, picked up one in each hand, and smiled, "Yes, they're local dogs from the village. I keep them for fun."

Lin Yuanxiang pointed, "Can I take a look?"

Chen Fan smiled and immediately handed the two dogs over, "Please do."

As soon as the two puppies were in someone else's hands, they pitifully whined at him non-stop.

Chen Fan glared at them, and the two dogs immediately shut up.

Seeing this, Lin Yuanxiang's eyes lit up, "Oh, what intelligent dogs."

He held up the two dogs and carefully observed them. After looking at them for a while and squeezing them a few times, he bent down and put them on the ground.

Duo Duo and Qiu Qiu immediately hid behind Chen Fan's feet, only revealing their heads, curiously looking at him.

Xiao Lie Wen raised his hand and pointed inside, "Don't block the door, let's talk inside."

Lin Yuanxiang, who was about to speak, smiled, turned around, and walked inside.

Lin Yuanxiang was not from the brigade headquarters, so Xiao Lie Wen took him to the reception room in front of the office.

This place was actually where the staff of the brigade headquarters often stayed. When they had nothing to do, they would basically run here to smoke, drink tea, and chat. If someone from outside came, they would first settle down here.

After entering the room and the group had just sat down, Chen Fan took the initiative to take out cigarettes and offer them. Zhang Wenliang then walked in.

Seeing this, he first greeted Xiao Lie Wen and Lin Yuanxiang, then turned to look at Chen Fan, laughing, "It's better to arrive early than to arrive at the right time. It's rare to see you taking out Peony cigarettes."

Chen Fan gave him one unhappily, "Are you short of good cigarettes to smoke?"

Zhang Wenliang chuckled, "Of course I am. I don't have much money. Besides, smoking your own is different from smoking someone else's, right?"

After joking around for a few sentences, Lin Yuanxiang turned his gaze back to the two dogs lying at Chen Fan's feet and said with a smile, "Our country is vast and rich in resources, and there are many good dog breeds. For example, the Shandong Hound is the legendary Erlang God's Howling Celestial Dog. There are also the Nian Shan Dog, the Tiger-striped Dog, the Arrow-haired Dog, the Chuandong Dog, and the Xiasi Dog. Broadly speaking, they are all local dogs, but they each have their own shapes and characteristics, so they are considered different breeds."

He took a puff of cigarette, flicked the ashes, leaned back in his chair with his legs crossed, looked at Chen Fan, "Your two local dogs are the most common breed in the south. They don't have a specific name, but they are generally called watchdogs. They may not be as good at hunting as the Nian Shan Dog, Tiger-striped Dog, and Arrow-haired Dog, but they are the most alert. Guarding the house and courtyard is something that other dogs can't compare to. If they are well-trained, they are no worse than those famous dogs in a fight."

Chen Fan didn't know what he meant by saying these words. He smiled and said, "I didn't think that far, and I never thought about letting them fight. I just keep them for fun."

As he spoke, he looked at Zhang Wenliang and Xiao Lie Wen and chuckled, "Our team has Captain Xiao and Platoon Leader Zhang in charge of security and defense. There isn't even petty theft, so I guess these two dogs won't even have a chance to guard the house and courtyard. There's no need for them to fight with hunting dogs."

Lin Yuanxiang almost choked when he heard this.

Which young man doesn't like to let dogs hunt? He was just about to say that he could help him train the dogs, but he really had no interest at all?

If you raise a dog and don't fight, are you going to raise a Pekingese as a pet like the officials and nobles before liberation?

I just want to find an opportunity, why is it so difficult?

Seeing that Chen Fan had agreed, Lin Yuanxiang immediately agreed, "No problem, leave them to me. In less than two months, I guarantee they will be trained into the best dogs."

After a pause, he added, "The first rule of training dogs is to recognize their owner. Usually, you still take them with you. When you go to work, I will come over to teach you how to train them, so that they will only listen to your orders."

Chen Fan thought he was going to take the dogs away for training. Hearing this arrangement, it wasn't really a problem, so he smiled and nodded, "Okay, then I will bring them to work every day from now on."

Duo Duo and Qiu Qiu hid behind his feet, suddenly feeling a cold wind blowing, a little chilly.