Chapter 258 Raising Horses
When Wei Yu learned that the situation in Donghai Commandery had been settled, he was already planning to return to the capital next month.
Yes, return to the capital.
He would go back alone first; his Third Brother still needed to stay in Qian Commandery for a while longer.
It was early spring. He and Third Brother had been out handling matters throughout the entire New Year. If he didn’t go back soon, he wouldn’t make it in ti for the spring imperial examination, you know!
Yes, in Wei Yu’s mind, that runaway grasss chicken (Cao Ji) was far less important than the spring imperial examination.
Wei Yu had always believed that his Eldest Brother and Cheng Yuan could win. Even while busy in Donghai Commandery every day, he didn’t forget to have Yi Shisan send him ssages.
It could be said that although he himself hadn’t gone to Donghai Commandery, almost no major events that happened there over these two months escaped his notice.
Just like others were amazed at the “heavenly thunder” thod the Eldest Prince used, Wei Yu was also surprised.
Others didn’t know what that thod was, but after hearing Yi Shisan’s description, how could Wei Yu not understand?
That thing was definitely explosives!
The reason Wei Yu was surprised was purely because he had no idea when Fusheng had actually developed explosives!
He had established the Research Institute, brought back people, and things had been developed; yet when his father replied to his letter, he hadn’t even been inford?
Wei Yu was very hurt; he felt that there was a bit of a trust issue between him and his father.
So he had to go back!
He must return and properly communicate and reconnect with his father!
—
The spring imperial examination was an exam every scholar longed to participate in.
Liu Huaiyuan had been preparing for this day for a long ti.
Three months ago, he had already stopped teaching at the manor academy, handing over teaching duties to others to focus fully on reviewing books and preparing for the spring exam.
Everyone in the manor knew that Master Liu was going to take the spring imperial exam, so no one dared disturb him.
The academy students were grateful to Master Liu; they often picked so wild fruits and left them at Liu Huaiyuan’s dormitory door. Even als were taken turns by students to serve him, all so their teacher could save more ti to study.
And the usual rich playboys like Sun Zhao who often ca to the manor were quite considerate as well.
Since everyone considered themselves followers of the Ninth Wise King, abiding by the principle “you’re good, I’m good, and His Highness is good,” the playboys specially asked their governnt officials relatives or elder brothers who had taken the spring imperial exam before for past exam questions, hoping to increase Liu Huaiyuan’s chances of success.
Everyone in the manor was so kind, and Liu Huaiyuan was deeply touched.
He vowed that he must pass the spring imperial examination this ti, so as not to let down His Highness nor betray the trust of everyone!
While those taking the exam buried themselves in study, Sun Zhao and others—already quite experienced and having finished their own reading—were eager to start breeding livestock on the edges of their encircled lands.
In the manor, two young n squatted on the field ridge, chin in hand, staring with identical expressions at a large recently plowed field ahead.
The one in green said, “Qi Feng has really made sothing big since following Old Master Zhu. The vegetables they grow with fertilizer are so good. Qi Feng even told
last ti that when he took the vegetables ho and cooked them, his grandmother gathered the entire third branch family and lavishly praised him… tsk, I’m quite envious.”
The blue-clad man sighed. “Yeah; when do you think we’ll also get praised like that by our dad?”
“Look at you, so hopeless!”
The green-clad man sneered and rolled his eyes at him. “Didn’t you say you’ve learned to raise geese? You bought such a large plot in Tianshui Commandery, sent people to build the farm there—all this ti has passed—could it still not be finished?”
Chang Ning, the goose raiser, pursed his lips, a bit troubled. “Ah, the farm was finished long ago, but I’m just scared!”
A big man actually said he was scared?
Sun Zhao looked down on him. “You’re a full-grown man standing seven feet tall; how can you have the face to say you’re scared? Stay away from !”
As Sun Zhao moved to shift aside, Chang Ning imdiately followed.
Ignoring Sun Zhao’s disdain, Chang Ning laughed. “We’re all on the sa side; why care about face? Besides, you see, everyone’s bought land and sent people to build, and it’s been so long, yet no one has actually started farming livestock. So it’s not just
who’s scared; no one really has confidence!”
It was all a first ti. Although the playboys were action-oriented, no one dared to take that final first step.
It wasn’t fear of losing money so much as that no one had real experience—but stepping out of their comfort zone required courage.
Sun Zhao gave him a sidelong glance. “Why are you telling
this?”
Chang Ning winked at him. “What do you think?”
Sun Zhao: …
He was a bit speechless. “Are you trying to get
to take the lead?”
“Of course you, Brother Sun!”
Chang Ning grabbed Sun Zhao’s shoulder excitedly. “Among our circle, you are undoubtedly the most capable! If you don’t set an example for the brothers, how could the rest of us timid ones dare to go first?”
Everyone was on the sa starting line. Doing things together, whether success or failure, allowed mutual encouragent and caution—it’s obviously better than each trying alone.
Sun Zhao gave it so thought.
Speaking of opening livestock farms, even if Chang Ning hadn’t ntioned it, he was planning to start one after the spring exam.
But unlike others who just bought land in Danzhou to start small, what Sun Zhao wanted to raise wasn’t sothing a small place could handle, plus it was a scarce resource.
—He wanted to raise horses.
Horses, as the top transportation tool and strategic resource of this era, owning horses ant possessing wealth and status.
Everyone knew the best horses in the world belonged to the Northern Hu people. The quality of Great Wei’s horses was far inferior to those of the Northern Hu.
What was the purpose of opening livestock farms?
To achieve success and fa, to leave a mark on history, to live out their own legacy.
Sun Zhao was ambitious.
Since they were raising livestock anyway, why not raise animals that others couldn’t replicate?
He would raise horses!
He would breed strong horses uniquely belonging to Great Wei, horses even stronger and faster than those of the Northern Hu!
Seeing Sun Zhao silent for a while, Chang Ning shook his shoulder. “Speak out! When exactly do you plan to start raising them?”
Sun Zhao ca back to focus and looked at him proudly. “What’s the rush? We can start raising them after His Highness returns.”
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