xymnovel Chapter 111 Bull prices are skyrocketing, sell!
Chapter 111 Bull prices are skyrocketing, sell!
Chapter 111 Bull prices are skyrocketing, sell!
"What's going on?" Tom strode forward.
"Wolf tracks!" Zack pointed to the towering mountains to the east. "Just found them over there; the footprints are fresh, but there aren't many!"
"They must be smelling beef!" Tom said, turning to his father James. "Looks like we need to build a shed for the cows as soon as possible."
"Well, we'll talk about this when you get back from the Klaus tribe." James waved his hand. "Go and come back quickly."
Tom spurred the horse, and "Loach" charged wildly into the wilderness.
James rode his horse and slowly surveyed Paradise Valley.
Ennis, Zach, Cooper, Jonah, Elsa, and Simone continued to guard the nearly two thousand cattle.
When Tom returned, he brought back not only eleven Klaus warriors, but also "Snow Wolf".
"Snow Wolf" was not unfamiliar to everyone, and most of the Klaus warriors who came with them were also familiar faces, members of the previous escort team.
Upon hearing the presence of wolves, "Snow Wolf" turned its head sharply, its piercing gaze fixed on Tom.
"Try letting your tamed wolves out," he said in a deep voice.
Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, "Snow Wolf" explained, "Letting the wolf packs outside know that the prey they've set their sights on is already being guarded by other wolves will make them think twice."
The words of this Klaus man, who grew up in the wilderness, carry considerable weight.
Soon after, several wolves with colorful ropes around their necks appeared silently in the wilderness of Paradise Valley.
Those familiar with them can distinguish them by the color of the ropes.
Of course, expecting these few wolves to guard the entire herd is obviously unrealistic.
The newly arrived Klaus warriors quickly divided into five groups of two, with the remaining person responsible for night watch.
The cattle herd was also divided into five groups accordingly.
Even with help, the livestock shed still needed to be built as soon as possible.
But right now, Tom has something more important to do.
He called Zach, Cooper, and Simone to his side and told them directly that the Dutton family had decided to settle in Montana, and asked about their plans.
"Whoever wants to leave," Tom's voice was clear and strong, "I will provide the travel expenses and all the supplies needed for the journey."
You can take the horses you're riding now with you.
This time is different from the past.
From the beginning, Tom promised that the destination would be the warm river valleys of Oregon, not the harsh land of Montana.
He completely understands if they choose to leave.
He was met with silence.
Tom nodded, preparing to turn around: "If you've made up your mind, come find me anytime."
Honestly, if it weren't for the allure of this unclaimed land beneath his feet, he himself would have headed to Oregon without hesitation.
When James returned on horseback after his inspection, "Snow Wolf" cut to the chase: "When do you plan to take over the gold mine?"
"A gold mine?" Tom's heart tightened, and he instantly realized the shortage of manpower. These were not just any helpers he had found, but trustworthy partners who were like family and whom he could rely on!
A face flashed through his mind.
"Yes, it's time to go." James gazed at the distant mountains. "But I really can't get away lately, so I'll wait a bit longer."
Snow Wolf nodded, but sighed when he mentioned the gold mine: "You don't know, we've discovered another one."
Tom's eyes widened in surprise. He was about to offer his congratulations when the other person's almost solemn expression stopped him in his tracks.
He simply patted "Snow Wolf" on the shoulder forcefully, as if casually asking, "With such a large and good pasture, why don't you come and graze your livestock yourselves, instead of letting us have it?"
Snow Wolf's gaze swept across the vast valley, his voice low and deep: "We don't have enough manpower."
Tom knew that "Snow Wolf" was holding back, but he didn't have time to investigate further at the moment.
His sharp gaze swept across the surroundings, but he found no trace of anything that could be detrimental to the Dutton family.
"There's more news," Snow Wolf's voice broke the silence, "The merchants we trade with say that beef prices have gone crazy! In Chicago, a cow has already broken the fifty-dollar mark!"
"What!" Tom's pupils contracted, and he blurted out.
Even the usually composed James suddenly raised his head, his face filled with undisguised shock.
"What about Montana?" Tom asked tentatively, his voice tinged with barely perceptible tension.
"Snow Wolf" frowned slightly, as if searching his memory.
Tom held his breath, the bright sunlight locking onto him.
A moment later, "Snow Wolf" gave a decisive answer: "The livestock brokers at Billings train station are asking forty-seven dollars a head!"
"Really?" Tom's voice suddenly rose, he was so excited he almost jumped up.
Forty-seven dollars a head!
A staggering number exploded in his mind: 1,600 heads!
A huge wave of dizziness rushed to Tom's head, and he instinctively gasped!
Sell!
We must sell them all immediately!
He turned his head sharply, looking eagerly at his father James, his eyes filled with undisguised fervor.
James' brow was furrowed, as if carved by a knife.
"Where is Billings train station?" His voice was low, yet carried the weight of an impending storm.
"Snow Wolf" quickly pointed out the route, sixty miles from Paradise Valley.
"You want to make a move?" Snow Wolf asked.
"Only a fool wouldn't sell!" Tom practically roared. The immense wealth he was about to experience made his heart pound like a drum. He never dreamed that the price of cattle could skyrocket to such an extent!
"Sell!" Tom said decisively, his eyes burning with determination.
"Snow Wolf" looked directly at the father and son and posed a crucial question: "What happens after you sell it? Does your Dutton family still want to raise cattle on this land?"
"Of course I want to!" Tom replied without hesitation.
"Then we can't sell them all!" Snow Wolf's tone was unusually serious.
Snow Wolf fell silent, his gaze deep and thoughtful.
Time ticked by, and the atmosphere was so heavy you could almost hear your own heartbeat.
Finally, he raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over James and Tom like a razor's edge, each word clear and distinct: "Keep four hundred cows and twenty bulls, a total of four hundred and twenty, for breeding!"
His tone was firm and unquestionable.
What's left?
Tom's mind raced: 1,180 heads!
This number is etched into my heart like a burning brand.
His gaze swept quickly over his father, James, whose hands were clenched so tightly that his knuckles had turned white.
Building a cowshed?
Go to hell!
Is there anything more important right now than turning these living gold nuggets into jingling dollars?!
"Snow Wolf" said no more, turned around and whistled.
As if receiving a military order, the eleven Klaus warriors immediately scattered like a pack of wolves and pounced on the huge herd of cattle.
For the next two days, Paradise Valley was filled with dust, lassos flew, and the mooing of cattle mingled with shouts of people.
The warriors of the Klaus tribe displayed astonishing eyesight and efficiency.
They moved through the herd, their eyes sharp as eagles, precisely sorting the cattle: those with glossy coats and well-proportioned frames.
The cow, with its alert eyes and steady gait, was quickly circled out.
Those bulls with shoulders as thick as mountains, prominent horns, and wild power were also selected one by one.
Four hundred and twenty!
No more, no less—they are all carefully selected, the fattest and healthiest breeding cattle!
As for the remaining 1,180 heads?
They have only one mission: to make money!
Turn into mountains of golden money!