Chapter 15: The Great Sheep-Raising Enterprise

As soon as Ji Ling returned to the village, she swiftly threw herself back into her sheep-raising enterprise.

She had already inspected the place that Party Branch Secretary Li and Village Chief Hua had chosen for the sheep’s shelter. It wasn’t without flaws, but overall it was decent—after all, Secretary Li had been raising sheep for quite some time.

Ji Ling turned this way and that, looking around. Secretary Li hadn’t left yet; the village chief said he had stubbornly insisted on staying. Now, the two of them accompanied Ji Ling as she walked about.

“Girl, if you think anything’s not quite right, just speak up. Don’t be shy. Even though the two of us aren’t exactly young anymore, we’re very open to the opinions of the younger generation,” Secretary Li said with a grin. Since agreeing to collaborate with Ji Ling, he had learned to put on a thicker skin.

“Uncle Li, you flatter me,” Ji Ling replied. “This farm is small, but quite good. The land is elevated, faces the sun, sheltered from the wind, with good drainage and ventilation. The only downside is that it’s a bit far from the water source. Water is needed not just for the sheep to drink but also for the caretakers, for disinfection, and fire prevention.”

“Besides, our new site should be somewhere that has never experienced any sheep infectious diseases. It should be closer to the road, too, since we’ll need to transport sheep in and out frequently—that would be more convenient.”

“The manure pit within the sheepfold should be located downhill and downwind from the sheep pens. Sheep manure can be used as fertilizer to improve soil structure, increase aeration and permeability, enhance soil’s nutrient retention, and boost crops’ resistance to pests and diseases. This is exactly what we need right now.”

“As for the sheep pens, even though we don’t have many sheep yet, we should ensure their comfort. The ram pens and ewe pens must be separate, and there should be a separate pen for lambs and growing sheep. For ease of management, the ram pens should be close to the ewe pens, which should be adjacent to the lamb pens. Outside, it’s best to build a storage room for feed and a resting area for the caretakers.”

Secretary Li and Village Chief Hua immediately pulled out small notebooks and pens upon hearing Ji Ling’s detailed explanations, scribbling away earnestly like diligent students.

Goodness, they thought, they had never been this meticulous before. Judging by Ji Ling’s plans, the caretakers would have to watch over the sheep around the clock.

Ji Ling couldn’t help but admire the two. Though they were older, they were wholeheartedly contributing to the village’s development.

“Ji Ling, let’s take another look and find someone to set things up your way. You go ahead and take care of other things,” Village Chief Hua said with a wave of his hand, hurrying off to find help. After all, this was a matter of great importance to the village’s livelihood.

Ji Ling nodded; she still wanted to check on how Shen Yi’s mural was coming along.

“Brother Shen, your sister-in-law is here.”

“Hello, sister-in-law.”

“No nonsense,” Shen Yi shot a sharp glance at them. They were still in the village but dared to spout nonsense.

He patted his clothes and turned around, holding a palette filled with paints.

Ji Ling carefully examined the mural before her. The villagers depicted were bent over, their backs curved, faces focused intently on their labor. They swung their sickles and wiped sweat from their brows, clutching heavy sheaves of grain with bright white smiles. Every gesture radiated love and respect for the land, stirring a passionate desire to join in the toil.

Not far off, a fat sheep strolled leisurely, adding a touch of liveliness and tranquility to the scene. They were the very embodiment of a happy life.

Above, the bold characters proclaiming “Labor is the Greatest Glory” rang out like a mighty bell, deafening and stirring the soul.

“Wonderful!” Ji Ling’s eyes sparkled like stars as she looked at Shen Yi. “You all did an amazing job. How long will this mural last? If the weather turns bad, it would be a shame—I forgot to remind you earlier to ensure it’s waterproof.”