The village entrance was blocked, with villagers rushing out of their homes to witness the spectacle...
Dairy cows were rarely seen, and for the old Yun family to buy fifteen at once was a truly earth-shattering event.
Moreover, with little to do in the village during winter, everyone was bored to the point of growing moss at home. Such a grand spectacle was naturally not to be missed.
"Old Yun, how much is one of these dairy cows? Will our village be able to drink milk every day from now on?" asked Old Du San.
Milk was a rare commodity. In this era, only high-ranking officials or wealthy families could afford it...
Because the cost of raising a dairy cow was high, the price of milk was also not cheap.
Old Yun, holding little Xi Tian with one hand and fiddling with his pipe with the other, said, "A cattle dealer came from the county town. He travels all over the place, and this time he brought over twenty dairy cows. I saw that these cows were healthy and spirited, so I bought fifteen!"
"No way, Old Yun. Although your family's life has improved in recent years, you haven't become so rich as to afford this, have you? If each cow costs a hundred taels of silver, then fifteen cows would be fifteen hundred taels of silver!"
Someone raised a doubt...
"That's right, you can't save this much money just by farming, unless your family had a windfall!"
"Don't you remember how much game the old Yun family sold a while ago? Magistrate Chen himself bought two or three cartloads, which were reportedly worth several hundred taels of silver. Also, that wealthy young master staying at the old Yun's house could casually produce silver notes worth a hundred taels. I suspect the old Yun family must have made a fortune selling game!"
"Exactly, their third son, San Man, used to run a silk shop in the county town. After so many years of operation, can it be said that he hasn't saved a cent..."
The conversation began to shift in a positive direction, which made little Xi Tian feel relieved.
As long as they didn't suspect anything, it was fine.
Old Yun took a few puffs of his pipe and chuckled, "Yes, those wild boars, roe deer, and mutton, we did sell quite a lot. Otherwise, where would we get the money to buy cows!"
"Old Yun!" The village chief walked over, holding a large carp, and asked with a smile, "You've suddenly bought so many cows, how much fodder do you need to prepare? These cows eat a lot every day..."
Upon hearing this, little Xi Tian quickly walked up to the village chief and explained with a smile, "You don't need to worry about this, Village Chief Uncle. We bought feed from the fodder yard in the county town. They deliver several carts every few days, which is enough for the cows!"
As for fodder, there was as much as she wanted in her space. It wasn't just raising fifteen dairy cows, but even hundreds or thousands, little Xi Tian could afford it...
It was just that she couldn't openly take it out now.
Fu Daqiang hugged the neck of a dairy cow, his eyes crinkling into a smile. "Don't you all remember? Our Sweet Baby is a little lucky charm. As long as she's here, she can accomplish anything. Why are you still asking so many questions?"
After speaking, Fu Daqiang let go of the dairy cow and walked up to little Xi Tian. "Sweet Baby, leave me a basin of milk tomorrow morning. I'll trade you some tofu..."
Little Xi Tian's face lit up with joy, "Got it, Uncle Daqiang!"
Old Du San also hurried over, taking little Xi Tian's hand. "Sweet Baby, our family only has three people. Just leave me half a basin of milk. I'll trade you salted duck eggs!"
"Okay!" Little Xi Tian's smile grew sweeter.
Seeing this, other villagers also began to rush to buy milk...
They all said it was very nourishing for the body, and they wanted to experience the life of the wealthy.
Although they didn't have money, every household had plenty of dried goods and eggs. Even corn cobs, buckwheat flour, and pickled cabbage could be exchanged for a basin of milk...
With the villagers' interruption, no one continued to inquire about the dairy cows and fodder. Everyone wanted to taste a mouthful of rich, warm milk.
Hearing the commotion, Jin Xiaolou came out with Gao Jingde and Yun Xiaobao. Upon seeing so many dairy cows, the three children were so happy they cried.
Madam Gu, along with Du Tieshan, Zhao Guihua, and Shangguan Fang'er, stood at the entrance, welcoming the dairy cows home.
Chen Xiaoran and Ru Yue Ru Hua also craned their necks to look over, their faces full of curiosity and surprise...
The dairy cows were driven into the cowshed, where they huddled together, warming each other.
The water troughs were covered in thick ice. Jin Xiaolou and Gao Jingde broke it open with iron tongs, making clanging sounds, and then poured in fresh water.
After walking such a long distance, the dairy cows were thirsty. They all lowered their large heads to the water troughs and began to drink with contented grunts...
Little Xi Tian stood outside the cowshed, her small hands gripping the fence. She took out some fodder from her space and placed it in a corner.
Buying cows was a major event, and with the villagers flocking to the old Yun family to watch the excitement, Old Yun waved his hand and announced that they would be hosting several tables of guests...
"Tieshan, when the time comes, thaw the frozen ribs and stew them with sauerkraut. Then, fry some peanuts to make a few dishes. Do you still have the blood sausage? Cook it, cut it into sections, and then dip it directly in garlic sauce to eat!" Old Yun said with a smile.
The family had stored a lot of meat, and it was likely they wouldn't finish it even after the Spring Festival...
Moreover, when the villagers came to eat at the old Yun family's house, they each brought dried mushrooms, dried beans, dried cabbage, and cured meat. After washing them, they could be stewed directly.
Xiao Jinfeng also shamelessly came to freeload. Since the old Yun family was hosting guests today, no one bothered to drive him away.
Lunch was a simple affair, and everyone hadn't eaten their fill, eagerly awaiting the evening feast...
The kitchen was bustling with activity. Wisps of cooking steam wafted out, making a group of grown men sniffle and cast longing glances towards the kitchen.
Zhao Guihua asked the village chief's wife, Liang Yu Shui, to help look after Xiao Zhuzi. Then, she, along with Huai Hua and Du Tieshan, personally went into the kitchen. With a little effort, four or five dishes were made.
Little Xi Tian had expended too much energy today. Upon returning home, she climbed onto the kang and fell asleep...
Madam Gu brought in a string of dried hawthorn berries and walked in. Seeing her daughter lying on the kang with a tired expression, her brow occasionally furrowed, Madam Gu's heart ached.
For the sake of this family, her little daughter had worried and toiled, exhausting herself completely. She didn't know how to dote on her daughter enough.
The Yun family members were all grateful. She didn't want her daughter to be disappointed one day by an ungrateful person.
Madam Gu placed the dried hawthorn berries on the kang, then spread the quilt and covered little Xi Tian.
"Mmm!~" Little Xi Tian stirred, slowly opening her eyes. "Mother?"
Madam Gu's eyes welled up with tears. She reached out and touched little Xi Tian's face. "Sleep, my daughter. Mother will call you when dinner is ready!"
Upon hearing this, little Xi Tian managed a faint smile, then rested her head on Madam Gu's lap and fell into a deep sleep.
Not long after she fell asleep, a sharp scream suddenly came from the cowshed...