The Lucky Farmgirl

Chapter 2395: Chapter 2369: Manbao Will Know

Zhou Wulang didn’t know that just as he secured the palace egg order, Manbao and their test had succeeded halfway; those who were inoculated started showing pox, and the average number of pox wasn’t large. Except for a few individuals, everyone’s pox count was between one and six.

Seventy-eight percent of people only had a mild fever, while the remaining twenty-two percent were experiencing high fever, but it’s currently manageable.

This news reached the imperial city, and everyone was overjoyed, including the emperor.

His anger at discovering that the money from his private treasury had been embezzled by his subordinates had somewhat dissipated, and he dealt with those involved more gently, mostly sending them to work at imperial estates, while the main offenders had their residences confiscated and were then punished.

Eunuch Tong, due to negligence in supervision, was stripped of his position and expelled from the palace. However, the empress, remembering his years of hard work, allowed him to take his personal belongings.

Gu Zhong personally supervised him packing and allowed him to slip some extra items into his luggage.

Eunuch Tong’s adopted son carried large and small packages, supporting Eunuch Tong as they walked out.

Gu Zhong glanced at the Junior Neishi and said to Eunuch Tong, "At your age, having such a son by your side to assist you is quite fortunate."

Eunuch Tong coughed lightly and said, "Thank you for your leniency."

He laughed coldly, "Neishi Gu is not young either. It’s time to prepare a retreat. I wonder if your two apprentices are as filial as my son."

Gu Zhong smiled slightly, "Thank you, Lord Tong, for the advice."

He handed him a handkerchief, saying, "Once at the royal estate, try to see Imperial Doctor Zhou. It might not cure your illness, but it can make your final days more comfortable."

Eunuch Tong glanced at the handkerchief Gu Zhong handed over, smiled slightly, and took it to tuck into his chest.

Because the palace punished a group of people, the newly appointed managers were more cautious. Although the goods Zhou Wulang brought weren’t top-notch, they were decent.

Considering his relationship with Manbao, they showed much leniency toward him.

Moreover, since the former managers were replaced, the estates supplying these agricultural products were somewhat implicated, even if not punished directly; some were replaced. Right now, they desperately needed suppliers.

If they didn’t give it to Zhou Wulang, they would have to give it to someone else. So why not do Manbao a favor?

Manbao’s popularity in the palace was excellent; not only did she win the favor of the emperor, empress, crown prince, and princesses, but many eunuchs and palace maids owed her favors too.

With the right time, location, and people, Zhou Wulang quickly secured the palace egg contract, supplying every three days. The amount wasn’t large, and the estate could still provide it. Moreover, he was looking for some farmers to collaborate, sourcing eggs from them and supplying them to the palace.

Zhou Wulang discussed with Zhou Dalang and others, "But this isn’t a long-term plan. I think it’s better to raise chickens ourselves."

Zhou Dalang nodded in agreement, "That’s right. Eggs in the capital are expensive; buying from outside costs two coins each, and selling them to the palace for two coins, what are you earning?"

He said, "The land allocated last year isn’t far from our estate. It has several dry sandy acres that I think can only grow beans, which might not be high yield. Why not clear that land to grow some vegetables and beans, then use it entirely to raise chickens, with the chicken coop next to it."

Ms.Qian, who had been silently listening to their discussion, suddenly said, "Too many chickens raised together will lead to disease."

Zhou Dalang said, "Isn’t Manbao a doctor? We can ask her to prescribe medicine for the chickens."

Ms.Qian replied, "...Manbao treats people, not animals, right?"

Old Zhou remarked, "If cattle in our vicinity fall sick, don’t we go to Elderly Doctor Lu for medicine? I think it’s feasible."

Even Zhou Wulang nodded, "That’s right, what people eat, chickens and ducks can eat too. Seems reasonable, we can ask Manbao to treat them."

Old Zhou also felt they shouldn’t work for free and said, "Since we intend to proceed, you should talk to the tenants renting that land, decide if they’ll contribute labor or if we’ll hire someone else. Also, we should prepare the small chicken. As soon as the weather warms, they can forage on their own."

Zhou Dalang immediately said, "I’ll return to discuss with the estate tenants to hatch the eggs, and when the weather warms, we can start raising them."

Zhou Wulang immediately said, "Brother, also check the villages towards Yongzhou. If they have eggs, buy more. Not only does the palace need them now, but the royal estates do too."

"Wasn’t it said that those with pox don’t eat fishiness and have already stopped eggs?"

"A new batch of people was selected. They’re currently recuperating. Heard they’ll be ready for inoculation in about ten days."

Zhou Dalang thought for a moment and said, "I’ll ask some itinerant traders. They travel from street to alley and surely know where there are plenty of eggs in the villages."

Now that the first month has passed, the demand for eggs will definitely decrease, and prices in Yongzhou have already dropped.

Old Zhou remarked, "Are you just raising chickens? Why not some ducks?"

"Dad, the newly allocated land lacks water and is far from the river, unsuitable for raising ducks."

"Then why not raise pigs? I see pork is expensive in the capital now."

"I don’t really want to raise pigs," Zhou Wulang said. "I’ve checked; palace masters rarely eat pork. These meats are mostly for palace maids and eunuchs. The emperor’s family prefers lamb, beef, and chicken."

Old Zhou tapped his head, "The emperor has only one stomach. How much can you earn catering to him? But there are thousands eating in the palace. If you can get some pork business, imagine the profits. Can’t you do the math?"

"But..."

"But nothing. Whether sold outside or to the palace, it’s selling your pigs, isn’t it? Raising them won’t worry you with sales. Besides, who has such luck?"

Zhou Wulang grumbled, "But dad, pigs eat a lot and are difficult to raise. A pig takes a year to raise, and palace supply is daily. How can I find pork before they mature?"

"Buying market-priced and selling market-priced to the palace, I wouldn’t earn a cent and have to invest more."

Old Zhou said, "Then raise pigs first, then sell to the palace when ready, or sell outside. We have restaurants, too; it’s not lacking outlets."

Zhou Wulang thought again, realizing it was true, so he glanced at Zhou Dalang.

Zhou Dalang: "Alright then, I’ll look into where to build the pigsty, though many pigs will fall sick."

Old Zhou: "Ask Manbao. If she can treat chickens, she can surely treat pigs."

He commented, "You’re lazy, dislike raising pigs cause it’s hard and smelly. Don’t think I don’t know."

Zhou Dalang and his brothers: ...You know, but why insist? Also, who’s really the laziest?

Zhou Dalang and Zhou Wulang believed it’s because Old Zhou didn’t have to do the work, hence all the instructions.

Ms.Qian also glanced at Old Zhou, successfully making him bow, then said to her sons, "No rush on pigs. First, handle the chicken raising."

Zhou Dalang, his father, and brother all breathed a sigh of relief.