Moo moo moo moo moo—
Upon seeing the unfamiliar Zhao Datou and Xu Ning, the black calf immediately started bellowing, its sounds short, how should I put it, like a dog.
And after seeing Lin Er, it wagged its tail nonstop, looking eager to please.
Zhao Datou looked at Lin Er: "Lin Er, are you sure this cow of yours isn't a dog? You wouldn't trick us by painting a dog, would you?"
Lin Er was stunned upon hearing this, then quickly said: "Village Chief, you're wronging me now, how could a dog grow that big!"
Zhao Datou looked at the calf after hearing that; indeed, although the calf was small, its size was not comparable to a dog.
"This one then, Uncle Lin, give me a price!" Xu Ning suddenly spoke at this moment.
Zhao Datou also subconsciously turned to look at Xu Ning: "Xu Xiaojie, why don't you reconsider? I always feel there's something off about this cow!"
Xu Ning: "Uncle Zhao, think about it! This dog-like cow, if bought, can not only plow the fields but also guard the house like a dog, so there's no need to buy a dog."
Zhao Datou nodded subconsciously after hearing this, but always felt something was not right.
However, Xu Ning's meticulous way of managing his finances made Zhao Datou nod in approval.
Immediately, Lin Er brought out a few stools, and the group sat down to discuss the price.
Currently, the price of an adult cow is around twenty taels of silver.
And a calf is not much cheaper; the price is also around nineteen taels.
Finally, Lin Er, out of respect for Zhao Datou's Face, gave a relatively favorable price: eighteen taels and five.
To be honest, if it weren't for Zhao Datou, Lin Er would absolutely not have sold it at this price.
After reaching a consensus, Xu Ning paid directly.
Now, of the twenty taels of silver Xu Ning had received from Zhao Datou, only a little over one tael remained.
"I'll go get the cow!" Xu Ning, after paying, eagerly entered the cowshed.
As if knowing the calf was being bought, tears welled up in the mother cow's eyes: "Human, take good care of it."
Xu Ning nodded vigorously: "Don't worry, following me is better than following anyone else, after all, only I can hear you speak and know your thoughts and demands."
The mother cow nodded after hearing this, then turned to look at the calf and nodded.
Xu Ning also looked at the calf: "Come with me!"
The calf reluctantly glanced at its mother, then stood up somewhat unwillingly, walking to Xu Ning's side, looking back every few steps.
Outside, Zhao Datou and Lin Er had originally thought Xu Ning would call them for help later! After all, although the calf wasn't big, it wasn't something one person could manage.
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But very quickly, they saw Xu Ning coming out with the calf, and the calf's obedient appearance surprised both of them.
Lin Er was surprised: "How do I feel like it's your pet already! It listens to you so well!"
Xu Ning stroked the little calf's head: "We hit it off immediately, which is why I decided to buy it so quickly."
Lin Er nodded: "This is also a kind of fate, I'm relieved that it can follow you."
Zhao Datou stood up at this point: "Then we'll be going now!"
Lin Er quickly tried to keep them: "Village Chief, stay a little longer!"
Zhao Datou: "No, no!"
Immediately, amidst Lin Er's attempts to keep them, the two walked towards home with the little calf.
Just then, a graceful figure walked out of the tiled house; it was Lin Er's daughter, Lin Lu.
Seeing the departing back of the little calf, Lin Lu couldn't help but ask Lin Er: "Father, you sold Iron Egg? Why so suddenly?"
Lin Er: "Girl, the calf has been raised long enough, and the family is short on money lately."
Lin Lu knew this was an inevitable fact, but her heart was still filled with reluctance.
"Xu Xiaojie, there's no cowshed at home, why don't you clear out your room for this calf to stay in! You can come and share a room with me!" As soon as they returned home, Zhao Datou said.
Xu Ning: "It's fine, it will stay in my room!"
Actually, he wouldn't be afraid if it was outside, but he was afraid of it being stolen; in this era, cow thieves were not uncommon.
Zhao Datou was surprised: "Stay in the same room as a cow? Don't let others say I'm abusing you!"
Xu Ning: "Whether it's abuse or not, we'll know ourselves, who cares what others think!"
Zhao Datou nodded in agreement after hearing this: "Your idea is good, I strongly approve."
Immediately, Xu Ning directly led the calf into the house, then pointed to the dung bucket: "From now on, no random pooping or peeing, everything goes in there!"
This was the key reason Xu Ning bought the cow—to get more fertilizer. If it pooped randomly outside, Xu Ning would be heartbroken.
The calf was somewhat puzzled after hearing this: "Is it that troublesome?"
Xu Ning: "Whether you live well with me from now on depends on how much you poop and how standard it is."
"What kind of logic is that?" The calf was a bit dumbfounded.
Xu Ning: "You'll understand once you've been with me for a while!"
The calf didn't understand, it just nodded.
Then, Xu Ning picked up the dung bucket and went out with the calf.
The calf was very happy, bouncing and jumping behind Xu Ning, after all, it had been confined for a long time, and it was rare to be so free.
Soon, the man and the cow arrived next to the planted saplings.
This morning, Xu Ning had just come and cut down two Medium Grade trees, and their branches and leaves were still on the ground.
The moment the little calf saw those branches and leaves, it froze instantly, saliva drooling from the corner of its mouth. It subconsciously looked at Xu Ning, its eyes filled with inquiry.
Xu Ning had brought it precisely to eat this, so he nodded directly: "Eat!"
Having received permission, the little calf instantly darted out and began to eat frantically.
As soon as it took a bite, bright light immediately burst forth from the little calf's eyes; it was simply too delicious, and as it ate, it also discovered that a portion of energy entered its body, transforming it.
Xu Ning didn't bother it, carrying the dung bucket to another sapling, pouring the manure from the bucket onto the base of the tree.
Upon inquiry, Xu Ning knew that this sapling was only one bucket away from upgrading to Medium Grade.
This was something Xu Ning had specifically done before winter, evenly watering each sapling a little, placing them on the verge of upgrading.
This way, it would not only be easy to attract attention but also easier to water and upgrade next year.
After the calf finished eating the branches and leaves, Xu Ning took it back.
In the evening, the calf directly sat down on the dung bucket with a look of comfort.
"Damn it, can't you be gentler! I feel like I'm falling apart!"
The sound from the dung bucket behind startled the calf, and it quickly stood up, looking suspiciously at the dung bucket behind it.
Xu Ning: "If it tells you to be gentler, just be gentler!"
The calf was still a bit confused, it tentatively walked back, then carefully sat on the dung bucket again, continuing to feel comfortable.
The next day, before dawn, Xu Ning got up. After walking to the calf's side, he directly slapped it on its body.
The calf instantly sat up in surprise, looking at Xu Ning with a bewildered expression: "What?"
Xu Ning: "Get up and work!"
Today, he needed to upgrade an Intermediate tree and then upgrade the dung bucket, so he had to go under the cover of night.