The happy little days of the Ye family

The Tang family raises all cattle. The cattle can be bred and give birth to calves when they are about two years old.

After a cow becomes pregnant, it takes more than 9 months and nearly 10 months before she gives birth to a calf.

Currently, the Tang family's cow has given birth to two babies, each time giving birth to a calf.

The Tang family's cows have been raised for five years and have only given birth to two calves in total, which means that it only takes two or three years for a calf to be born.

Cattle can live for more than 20 years. Ye Qingqing calculated that if they are bred at two years old and give birth to a calf in two or three years, then one cow can give birth to about seven or eight calves.

Counting him at 17 taels for a calf, 7 calves would be 119 taels. Ye Qingqing was shocked.

"This cow is so profitable. If I raise 10 of them and 8 cows, wouldn't I make a fortune?"

The more Ye Qingqing thought about it, the happier he became, as if his family was about to become rich.

Tang Xiaojing just sold the calves in the morning. He also knew that farm cattle were valuable, but he never expected to make such a profit.

"How about I go to the county tomorrow and buy a few more cows?" Tang Xiaojing was also very excited.

"Okay, this calf is valuable. Buy a few more cows."

Ye Qingqing is smart. The Tang family has a lot of land. Not only can they pull plows to plow the land, but they can also pull carts. They can also rent out cows when they are not needed. You can't lose money by buying these cows.

Ye Qingqing was happy when Tang Xiaojing suddenly became discouraged, "I also noticed at the livestock market today that there were not many cattle sellers, and most of them were bulls."

Ye Qingqing also woke up a little from her sweet dream.

"Actually, there are too many cows. We can't keep them at home, and we don't have enough fodder to feed them. Buying two more cows will be enough."

However, Ye Qingqing was still very optimistic and comforted Tang Xiaojing happily, "The county is not far anyway. If we go there a few times, we can always buy suitable cows."

Ye Qingqing's words were still useful, and Tang Xiaojing's mood suddenly improved.

"Grandpa got 20 taels of silver from selling a donkey today. He probably thought of raising donkeys and selling them just like us."

Mr. Ye had been wandering around the livestock market for a long time today. Tang Xiaojing guessed that the shrewd Mr. Ye must have thought of this business opportunity.

Ye Qingqing said proudly: "My grandpa is so smart. I can think of this. His old man must have thought of it a long time ago."

"Besides, there is also my grandma. The old lady is a ruthless person who plucks feathers from wild geese. She will definitely not miss such a good opportunity."

Ye Qingqing was right. Mr. Ye did have plans to raise more donkeys.

After returning home, Mr. Ye handed the 20 taels of silver from selling the donkey to Mrs. Ye and said cheerfully:

"Our family spent 30 taels on a donkey, and now the calf has been sold for just 30 taels. The money we paid for the donkeys has been returned, and we have made three donkeys in vain."

"Donkeys can farm and pull carts, and their calves can be sold for money. I think we can raise more donkeys and have calves for sale."

"That's a good idea. We all have donkeys at home anyway, so it's okay to have a few more. The donkey shed at home is quite big."

Mrs. Ye is also optimistic about this business. A donkey costs 10 taels of silver, which is not expensive for her family. They can afford to buy a few more.

Moreover, this donkey is also very popular, and it is not difficult to sell it for money.

"The donkey usually eats corn stalks, green vegetables, and some bean cakes. Apart from the money to buy the donkey, it basically costs nothing."

"The ones you buy back can still farm and pull carts, and the little donkeys you give birth to can be said to be worthless."

Donkeys can live for more than 20 years and can mate when they are three or four years old.

Donkeys usually mate in autumn every year. The pregnancy cycle of donkeys is relatively long. It takes more than a year to carry a donkey to give birth to a calf.

Donkeys give birth to a litter every two or three years, and each litter gives birth to a calf. A calf costs 10 taels of silver, which means a female donkey can earn about [-] to [-] taels of silver a year.

The cost of donkeys is not high, so Mrs. Ye thinks she can give it a try.

Mrs. Ye gave Mr. Ye 55 taels, "Go to the county again tomorrow and buy 4 female donkeys and a male donkey."

You can't just buy donkeys from females, they still have to mate. In this way, we have 6 female donkeys and 2 male donkeys at home, which is just right.

Mr. Ye took the money and said, "The Tang family's calves were sold for 17 taels. Do you think our family should also buy two calves?"

Although there are many donkeys in the family, Mr. Ye also covets the Tang family's cattle.

Oxen are stronger and more suitable for farming. Moreover, the price of a calf is also higher, 17 taels and eight cents, which is double the price of a donkey.

"As you can imagine, Qingqing, the little money-lover, must have also thought of it. If two families do the same business, it will easily hurt their feelings. I think it's better to forget it."

Their family is quite familiar with raising donkeys, and raising donkeys is good. There is no need to let this affect the relationship between the two families.

"Old lady, what you said makes sense, and the cows I saw in the market today were all bulls. There was only one older cow. I don't think it's easy to buy a cow."

As soon as Mr. Ye and Mrs. Ye had reached an agreement, Ye Qingqing ran over.

When Mrs. Ye saw Ye Qingqing's smile, she knew that this little guy must be thinking of them together.

Ye Qingqing grew up with Mrs. Ye since she was a child. Seeing Mrs. Ye's radiant face, she also guessed what Mrs. Ye was thinking.

Neither of them were outsiders. Ye Qingqing said directly: "Grandpa, grandma, my husband and I plan to buy two more cows to give birth to calves."

Mrs. Ye put her arm around Ye Qingqing's shoulders and said with a smile:

"As expected of the daughters of our Ye family, we all thought of going together. Your grandfather and I also agreed to buy a few more donkeys and come back to have calves."

"The first litter of the cow at home is a bull. I plan to take the bull to the county tomorrow to sell it, and then buy two more cows." Ye Qingqing said about her plan.

Mr. Ye suggested: "I took a closer look at the livestock market today. There are not many cattle for sale, and there are very few cows."

"There are also several families in the village who raise cattle. You might as well try adding some money to them and see if you can exchange your bulls for other families' cows."

No wonder every family has an elder like a treasure. Mr. Ye is so awesome that Ye Qingqing admires him very much.

"Grandpa, if you still have a way, then you won't take the bull at home to the county tomorrow."

"Tomorrow I will go to the county to see if there are any cows for sale. When I come back, I will trade the bull with the people in the village for cows."

Ye Qingqing was impatient and wanted to go to the county to buy the cow back tomorrow.

"Okay, let's go to the county together tomorrow, and I'll take the opportunity to see if there are any suitable donkeys." Mr. Ye said with a smile.

Ye Qingqing ran home happily, and when he came back, he found that Tang Xiaojing was not there.

Ye Qingqing went to the cowshed in the backyard to take a look. The bullock cart and the ducklings were not there. It seemed that they had gone to deliver the ducklings.