Reborn in 1977

With the deal concluded and the excitement over, the surrounding crowd dispersed to explore other parts of the market.

However, the people from Lujiawan stayed put.

Such "large-sum" transactions typically involved a written receipt as proof; otherwise, unscrupulous individuals might falsely accuse the buyer of stealing the horse after receiving the money.

The horse seller was prepared, producing a pre-written receipt, filling in the amount, and adding his fingerprint. Only after exchanging money for the receipt was the deal considered complete.

Watching the horse seller leave with the money and his cart, the brigade's Party Secretary Yang walked up to Chen Fan, clicking his tongue, "Did you make a lot of money selling turtle meat today? Buying a sick horse for 25 yuan without hesitation?"

Chen Fan stroked the horse's head, stood up, and said with a smile, "It was just good luck. It's been ten years since the last market, and everyone was eager to buy things. I made two buckets of turtle meat, earning a few dozen yuan in total, enough for a decent New Year."

He was the only one selling cooked meat today, and the aroma spread from north to south, filling the entire market. It was impossible to hide.

However, apart from Jiang Lili beside him, no one knew exactly how much he had earned, so he understated his income.

A few dozen yuan and over a hundred yuan give people different impressions, which can reduce envy.

But even a few dozen yuan was considerable.

Accountant Liu exclaimed, "You actually earned a few dozen yuan? That's a senior worker's monthly salary!"

Ye Shubao also grinned, "Good heavens, the villagers' annual dividend this year probably won't be more than what you earned in a day."

Chen Fan waved his hand, "You can't compare it like that. This is a one-time deal. When the market opens again, many people will sell turtle meat, and I won't make much money then."

Yang Chuanfu said, "Even if many people sell it, they definitely won't sell it better than you. Your skills are the best; how can others compare?"

Chen Fan shook his head, "I'll only do it this once. I don't plan to do it again in the future."

He was sure that the next time the market opened, at least 20 or 30 families would be selling turtle meat. This was assuming the news spread slowly from Lujiawan. Otherwise, given enough time, several nearby production brigades would learn to make it, potentially leading to hundreds of sellers.

For the villagers, the turtles were free. All they needed to add were some oil, salt, and seasonings, which was practically a cost-free business.

If too many people sold it, these villagers, hoping to earn a little, would definitely start a price war.

Chen Fan didn't want to work hard only to earn a few yuan in the end.

He might as well read more books. Besides, why sell the turtle meat, which was much better than pork, cheaply? Wouldn't it be better to keep it for himself?

Zhang Wenliang, holding a milk can, looked at him and chuckled, "Are you really not planning to continue doing it?"

Chen Fan shook his head decisively, "I'm not doing it."

Zhang Wenliang said, "Then how about this? If the market opens again, I'll provide the turtles, oil, salt, and seasonings, and you help me make it. We'll split the profits in half. What do you think?"

Before Chen Fan could speak, Accountant Liu clapped his hands and laughed, "That's a good idea. If Little Chen agrees, I'd like to do this business too."

Zhang Changjiang laughed and scolded from the side, "You guys want to be capitalists."

Zhang Wenliang argued, "A capitalist is someone who hires many workers. We are many people hiring Master Chen, how can we be capitalists?"

Chen Fan also laughed heartily, "Alright, as long as I can manage it, anyone who wants to do it can come to me."

He didn't mention anything about splitting the profits in half.

Things were different now than in the future. When it came to money, everything had to be clarified beforehand.

In this era, relationships between acquaintances and friends were still prioritized. If anyone dared to cheat their partner, the news would spread, and no one would want to associate with them. So Chen Fan wasn't worried about being cheated.

Besides, the money hadn't been earned yet, so arguing about it was pointless and would only ruin the relationship.

Seeing that Chen Fan was well-behaved and knew when to advance and retreat, Xiao Liewen, who hadn't spoken, nodded. Then he squatted down to look at the foal, "What do you plan to do with this little guy?"

Chen Fan said, "I want to find a veterinarian in town to take another look."

Master Liu also walked over, touching the foal's back, "You don't need to find the veterinarians in the commune. The horse seller just hired them, but they're not very capable and won't be of much help. Unless you take it to the county town, but…"

He touched the foal's stomach again, "In its condition, it probably can't travel far. Taking it so far to the county town will likely worsen its condition, and it might not even make it halfway."

He looked up at Chen Fan, "Don't waste any more money. You might as well take it back and treat it slowly with medicinal herbs. There might still be a chance."

Chen Fan frowned slightly. Master Liu had raised livestock for decades. He might not be a qualified veterinarian, but his understanding of livestock was probably better than many experienced veterinarians. His words couldn't be ignored.

After a moment of contemplation, Chen Fan asked, "Master Liu, are there any veterinary books for sale in town?"

Master Liu was stunned, "You want to buy books and treat it yourself?"

Chen Fan squatted down, stroked the foal's head, and the foal nuzzled into his arms. He looked at Master Liu and smiled, "It's never too late to learn. Anyway, I'll try anything, even if it's a long shot. If I can save it, it's its luck. If I can't…"

He hugged the foal's head, rubbed it, looked at the foal's lively eyes, and grinned, "I'll have done my best."

Master Liu nodded slowly with a serious face, "You're a thoughtful person."

After a pause, he looked up and smiled, "I don't know if the commune's bookstore sells books, but I know where to find them. I heard the people at the commune's veterinary station say that they're all self-taught and semi-literate. Their skills were learned slowly from their masters. They don't understand the veterinary books that were issued to them.

Since they don't understand them, I'll swallow my pride and try to get a few books back for you to see if this little guy is destined to be with you."

He stood up and waved his hand, "Get a cart. The little guy can't walk, so we can only take it back by cart. I'll go to the veterinary station first and be back soon."

Master Liu was old but acted quickly. He left after speaking.

Zhang Wenliang returned the milk can to Chen Fan, pointed to the side, and said, "There's someone selling dried lotus leaves over there, 5 sheets for 1 cent. Buy some to cover it. I'll go get you a cart."

There were even people selling dried lotus leaves?

Chen Fan looked in that direction, holding the can. People were coming and going, and he didn't know which one it was.

Jiang Lili immediately said, "I'll go."

She walked forward after speaking.

Ye Shubao walked over, looked at the milk in his can, and then at the foal, "You just bought milk and then a foal. What a coincidence."

Hearing him say this, Chen Fan suddenly realized that the little guy was only a month old. Even if he cured it, what would it eat in the future?