Chapter 220 Can I say this to Sang Zhixia?

"First, look at the eggshell. Don't look for eggs with an even color and no obvious spots or patterns. Choose eggs that feel uneven to the touch, darker in color, or with subtle patterns. Eggshells that feel less smooth to the touch and have a slightly bumpy surface are best."

"Secondly, hold the egg up to the light. Hold it up in a bright place. If the light shines through the other side of the eggshell, you can keep it. If it doesn't, you can discard it."

Sang Zhixia took out a few eggs from the basket in front of her and gave an explanation. Surrounding her were people who had signed the contract and would be mainly responsible for poultry breeding.

Most people had no idea that eggs could be so different from one another. They listened in amazement as they tried to get started. After comparing a few eggs, they exclaimed in surprise, "Oh wow, so there really is such a thing?"

“These two feel different!”

Someone heard the exclamation and came over. The two eggs selected for comparison were passed around in everyone's hands, and finally returned to Sang Zhixia's hands.

Sang Zhixia stroked the lines on the eggshell and said, "At first, I was thinking of buying chickens and ducklings, and five hundred would have been enough for them. But now that I've decided to buy eggs to hatch, five hundred isn't enough."

Losses during the incubation process are inevitable. In order to ensure that you get the desired number in the end, you might as well try more at a time.

Sang Zhixia thought about it and decided to buy a thousand of one kind of eggs first.

After buying it, screen it several times to minimize unnecessary losses.

Those who had learned how to distinguish went their separate ways, carrying baskets or carrying baskets on their backs, in a hurry.

Sang Zhixia said that if 80% of the eggs purchased can meet the standards after the second screening, the eggs that are not selected, regardless of whether they are from chickens, ducks, or geese, will be distributed to the people who work hard as snacks.

The money for buying eggs was paid by the Xu family. They can get some benefits by putting in some effort. This is a doable thing!

The number of chicken, duck and goose eggs collected from all over the place increased every day, and the oxen and piglets bought by Sang Zhixia finally arrived.

A working ox costs as much as fifty taels. As soon as the ten oxen, less than two years old, with shiny fur and strong hooves, entered the village, they immediately attracted the attention of the villagers.

The piglets that were delivered later also caused people to marvel.

The Xu family’s move was huge. How much money did they have to spend?

Xu Tongsheng, who was invited to register the pigpen book, secretly clicked his tongue. He listened attentively to the reported number and felt even more uneasy. The master of the pigpen did not care that the pigpen was dirty, and rolled up his sleeves and rushed into the pig herd.

When the mulberry branches and summer arrived, Uncle Xu was watching Xu Tongsheng painting on pig ears and was laughing.

"Hey, Xia girl, come and see, Master Tongsheng's method is quite good!"

A line of ink was written on the pinkish-white pig's ear, and the counted piglets were driven directly into the pigpen through the constructed passage.

With such a large and conspicuous ink mark on the ear, it really counts no matter what.

Xu Tongsheng, who was sweating profusely as he reached out to grab the pig's ears, looked a little funny no matter how you looked at him.

Sang Zhixia turned her head away, unable to bear the sight. After the diligent Xu Tongsheng finally finished counting and came out with a pen in hand, she smiled and handed him the cold tea she had brought. "You've been busy all day. Have some tea and take a break."

Xu Tongsheng wasn't polite either. He took the tea bowl and drank two bowls in a row before wiping his mouth and panting. He said sullenly, "The number is correct, but this piglet is quite energetic. He can kick and kick people like a donkey."

Uncle Xu couldn't help himself this time. He laughed and joked, "You're pulling the pig's ears so hard, how can the piglet not kick you?"

It was also thanks to Xu Tongsheng's quick reaction, otherwise it would definitely not be a matter of just adding some pig hoof prints on the hem of his clothes.

Xu Tongsheng, even though he had lost his composure, found it amusing. He laughed for a moment, then wiped his sweat and said, "All the pigs sent here are good. They are small now, but their skeletons look strong, and their trotters are thick. If they are raised well, perhaps they will all be fat and oily."

Sang Zhixia understood something and laughed, "Master Tongsheng, you can also take care of pigs, right?"

Xu Tongsheng had long been familiar with the Xu family. He waved his hand and said, "Calling me Master Tongsheng is just a joke among the villagers. You don't have to call me that anymore. I'm not even as good as the young man in your family when it comes to writing. How can I be so ashamed to be called that?"

Everyone in the village called her that, and Sang Zhixia just followed suit.

Seeing her smile with pursed lips, Xu Tongsheng said happily: "Although I am not as old as your old man, I am much older than your third uncle. If you don't mind, you can call me Uncle Xu from now on."

Sang Zhixia readily changed her words and called him Xu Bo.

Xu Bo nodded with satisfaction, stroking his beard as he continued, "Not only can I tell the quality of piglets, but I can also tell the general quality of livestock, big and small. It's a family skill, but unfortunately, a lot of it has been lost in my generation."

Perhaps because he was talking about something he was familiar with, Xu Bo said a lot more: "When it comes to the ability to look after livestock and raise these living things, my wife's uncle is the best at it."

"Back then, I was only interested in gaining fame and not learning much, but he diligently followed the elders in his family and learned everything. He even does manual labor like butchering pigs incredibly well. It truly must be a skill he's practiced for half his life."

If you want your domestic pigs to grow well and taste good, castration is an essential step. Otherwise, the pork in your mouth will have a strong fishy and smelly taste.

Moreover, pig castration can only be done when the piglets are still young. When they grow up, it is not only difficult to do it, but also too late to do it.

Sang Zhixia's eyes moved slightly when he heard the voice.

Uncle Xu coughed, covering his mouth. He looked uncomfortable. "It's fine if you just say this to me, but why are you talking nonsense in front of my little girl?"

"Slaughtering a pig" sounds elegant, but what is actually done is castration of the pig, which is equivalent to turning the pig into a eunuch.

Can I say this to Sang Zhixia?

Xu Bo realized it belatedly, rubbing the back of his head and laughing, repeatedly apologizing: "I was negligent, it's my fault."

"Not really."

Uncle Xu understood immediately and guessed the reason why he brought up this matter. He paused, looked at Sang Zhixia and said, "Xia girl, since your uncle Xu said he knows such a suitable person, why don't you invite him to come and see him?"

If it is really as useful as Xu Bo said, then it can be regarded as a solution to a small problem at the moment.

If that doesn't work, it won't hurt to look for another one.

Sang Zhixia was very good at talking and nodded with a smile: "Then I'll have to trouble Uncle Xu to help pass on the message."

Xu Bo said that his purpose was to introduce his wife's uncle to the Xu family. He was overjoyed to hear this and immediately said, "Leave it to me. I promise to call the person for you!"

"If he comes here and does something wrong, I guarantee I'll be the first one to hit him with a stick and kick him out!"

After getting the confirmation, Xu Bo went to find someone with a happy look on his face, while Sang Zhixia and Uncle Xu went into the prepared incubation room.