In Dragon City County, there would be an episode on March and August. On the third, thirteenth, and twenty-third days of the lunar calendar and the eighth, eighteenth, and twenty-eighth days of the lunar calendar, the people around the county would gather in the city to trade goods, or do small businesses, or buy some things for their families to make up for the surplus. On the day of the fair, people set off from their homes early in the morning and hurried to the market in the city. Some carried a load, some pushed a cart, and some walked. They brought all kinds of things that could be exchanged for money, which were produced in their own plots, picked from trees, or processed at home. There were also people who drove pigs and sheep, holding chickens and ducks, or carrying eggs and duck eggs to the market to trade. Some wanted to turn things into money, while others wanted to turn money into things. Some left with a full load, but came back empty-handed; There were also some who went to space-time to do so, but when they returned, they brought back useful farming tools, seeds, vegetable seedlings, and piglet. There were also some who brought old sows to the pig market to breed pigs. There were also some white-haired old people who were staggering. Although they no longer worried about their family's livelihood and had nothing urgent to do, they were reluctant to spend the pocket money given by their children. They secretly saved it. On the day of the market, they would talk to a few people who could talk and laugh. They staggered to the market to walk around and watch the fun. When they were hungry and tired, they sat down at the street stalls and drank a hot bowl of mutton mixed with steamed bread. Or eat a plate of hot fried bean jelly with dried bread, which was considered to have passed the roasting. Old Li Dehou's son drove a train in Xi'an, so he might have more money. People often saw him sitting alone in the small restaurant called Xiguan Pig Feet, drinking and eating until his face was red before he was willing to carry his bag home.
The 23rd of the twelfth lunar month was the largest market day of the year. The team had a day off to let the members go to the market to buy new year goods. Early in the morning, Captain Chen Baoxing came to find Guo Qing. He asked,""The team is on holiday today. Do you have anything to do?”
"It's nothing! Do you have something to do?"
"The poor old man and a few old men have come to the market to raise livestock. The market is big today and there are many people. If you have time, follow them and help.”
"Alright, I can learn from them.”
Bao Xing laughed when he heard that." Alright! Good! Learning and learning would definitely be useful in the future.”
Zhang Mancai of the Elderly Poor Association had dealt with cattle, donkeys, mules, and horses for his entire life. When he was young, he fed cattle and horses. After mutual assistance and cooperation, he lived in the breeding department of the production team and worked as a breeder for more than ten years. Two years ago, his son had quarreled with him several times and insisted that he quit his job as a breeder. Only then did he reluctantly leave his job and move back home. He treated the animals in the team as if they were his own children. He did not let them suffer any grievances in food and drink, and did not let others bully them. If anyone was too cruel to the animals or abused them, the old man would lose his face and quarrel with others, even crying sadly. Old Man Cai knew every animal's temperament, obedience, living conditions, and which animals had not been eating well and were not feeling well these past two days. He had long thought about the matching, buying and selling of the breeds of livestock in the team and had a set of unique views. Therefore, Captain Chen Baoxing regarded him as his own senior adviser and listened to his words. Every market day, he would be sent to the market with a few old men to lead some cattle, donkeys, mules and horses.
The livestock market was on the edge of a small river outside Dragon City. The flat open space that was as big as two football fields was filled with wooden stakes for tying livestock. Every time it was a fair day, you could go and take a look. A large number of cattle, donkeys, mules, and horses of all kinds gathered here, making a scene. The dull growls of the big yellow cattle, the high-pitched neighs of the mules, horses, and donkeys, mixed with the exaggerated praise of the seller for his own animals and the picky comments of the buyer, the laughter and laughter, and the lively laughter gathered into a rough and majestic symphony. Those animals who used to work hard in the farmlands completely ignored their masters 'jokes because today was their grand festival. This place was their paradise. They ate and drank well for the whole day without working. How could they not be happy? They were like a group of naughty children. Some of them were chewing the grass in a bag that was covered in their mouths. Some excitedly raised their heads to the sky and neighed to their heart's content. Some wantonly spread their hind legs and pooped and peed on the ground.
Guo Qing was holding a docile old bullock in his hand as he looked at everything in front of him curiously. Old Man Man Cai's plan today was to get rid of the two old bullocks that were good but older, and then buy a few light cows back. In addition, he brought a small donkey and a black mule that was fat and strong like black satin. He wanted to sell them. He said that this little donkey had a good physique and a hot temperament. It was a good breeding stock. Our team did not engage in breeding, so it would be a waste to keep it. If any breeding station took a fancy to it, it would definitely sell for a good price. As for this black mule, it was the time when he was young and doing a good job. Everyone was a little distressed to sell it, but Old Man said that there were too many long-legged animals in our team. These long-legged animals ate a lot of fine feed, were delicate, and were too valuable. If he sold this black mule, he could exchange it for three good oxen.
At this moment, Old Man Man Cai had already gone all over the world to look for a good Qianniu that he liked. He said that as long as it had a good frame and a good appetite, it was fine even if it lost some weight. It would only take a few days to feed it to him. As long as he could see the bullock embryo, he would put the empty bag on the back of his hand and pinch his fingers with the seller (secretly negotiating the price).
At this moment, a fat middle-aged man came to Guoqing and pinched the back of the old ox. He asked,"Sell it? Give me a suitable price!"
"Sell it!" Guo Qing quickly replied.
The man immediately took out a newspaper and covered his hand. He wanted to pinch Guo Qing's fingers. Guo Qing's face turned red and he panicked."Wait a minute, I'll call someone for you."
"What's wrong? And an agent? I want to talk to the seller directly." It was obvious that the man was an experienced customer.
"I don't need a manager. I'm the seller!”Before the National Day celebration could be announced, Old Man Man Cai had already rushed over and pinched his fingers with the man in all seriousness.
The man said,"No, it can only be this number. No more."”
"Look, I'm fat and muscular. I'm covered in meat. Do you think I don't know what you do for a living? This price is high?" Old Man Man Cai asked him.
The man stared at the old bullock and shook his head. He was obviously hesitating.
"Then why don't you go over there and take a look? If you really want it, we'll talk about it later.”
The man turned around to leave, but when he turned around, he said,"I won't say anything else. We'll do as you say.”As he spoke, he took out a wad of money from his pocket, counted it, and handed it to Old Man Mancai. Old Man Mancai then handed it to National Day. It was 400 yuan for National Day.
The man untied the cow's reins and handed them to Old Man Mancai. He also untied a belt from his waist and tied it to the cow's drill (the fetters on the cow's nose). Guo Qing knew that this was the custom of buying and selling livestock in the market.
The man led the old bullock and strode away. The old bullock walked a few steps before stopping and turning his head back. His eyes were wide open as he looked at everyone and mooed miserably. At this time, everyone lowered their heads in distress. Old Man Cai stared at Old Qianniu reluctantly. His rough hand wiped his tears on his wrinkled face and choked,"That guy is on the pot (cow killer). When we go back, we'll kill him with this cow!”Guo Qing heard this and immediately felt sad.
It was not until the sky turned dark that he and the old men returned home on National Day. For the whole day, everyone ate the steamed buns they had brought with them. They did not even drink a sip of water. They even stood until their backs and legs ached. However, no one complained because they sold the two old bullocks that day for a total of 850 yuan. The little donkey was also sold for 1100 yuan. It was just that the black mule was brought back. It was not known whether it was because the asking price was too high or because everyone felt sorry for it. Anyway, there were many people who wanted it, but it was impossible to negotiate. Old Man Mancai said: Calm down, don't be too anxious. At the same time, he also spent 1200 yuan to buy two calves that had just had their teeth pierced. The two little fellows were like two little tigers. They were very wild and jumped around all the way. They were so tired that they broke out in a sweat on National Day.
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