Chapter Ninety-Three: The Problem of Chicken Manure

As they chatted, Zhong Di naturally led everyone into the Herbal Garden without any pause.

“This is nice,” Zhou Huayang murmured, “the environment here reminds me of my childhood in the countryside.”

Although the farm was still under construction, it didn’t detract from the beauty of the surroundings. On top of that, water was being released into the fish pond nearby, sending waves of coolness through the air—a refreshingly pleasant sensation.

“Director Zhou, shall we order some dishes first? We can talk as we eat,” Qian Weining suggested in a low, tentative voice.

“Alright, let’s order. You handle it—guests follow the host’s lead. I’ll take a look around,” Zhou Huayang replied, roaming the area with Zhong Hui wisely accompanying him as a guide.

“Uncle Qian, should we order one of everything on the menu?”

“Yes, one of each. Put it on the tab.”

After a brief exchange with Qian Weining, Zhong Di went off to let Shao Hong know they could start cooking.

No one had rested at noon; they were pressed for time preparing the ingredients.

Soon enough, several vegetarian dishes were ready and brought to the table. Zhong Di, as usual, cooked and ate at the same time.

After notifying Qian Weining and the others, Zhong Di went to inspect the repair work on the poultry pens.

In one morning, Shao Hong and his team had managed to construct the main framework; only the fine-tuning and repairs remained.

Before long, the poultry would arrive. If the pens weren’t prepared, it would be unacceptable.

“Director Zhou, please try the food.”

The aroma filled the table, but the others restrained themselves from picking up their chopsticks. Only Qian Weining spoke up.

“Just the scent tells me it’s gourmet food. Don’t think that treating me to a meal will guarantee approval of your project. Eating is eating, but project matters must be handled with care. Your project looks promising, and it benefits the community, but I’ll examine it thoroughly,” Zhou Huayang said, then picked up his chopsticks and helped himself to a serving of chilled cilantro salad.

He loved cilantro, especially chilled cilantro salad, and hadn’t expected to find it here.

Each sprig was beautifully green and fresh, its vibrant appearance and aroma making mouths water.

“Ah! The texture—” Zhou Huayang was instantly conquered by the taste as soon as he put the cilantro in his mouth.

“This is delicious. Everyone, sit down and eat. The cilantro salad is mine; I won’t be polite about it,” Zhou Huayang’s usual decorum vanished in the face of good food—if you tried to be reserved, you wouldn’t get to eat or enjoy it.

For those living, eating well ranks first.

Qian Weining watched Zhou Huayang’s reaction and knew he’d made the right decision bringing Director Zhou here for a meal.

Meanwhile, Zhong Di carefully inspected the poultry pens. Things had changed from before. At first, there was nothing—letting the birds roam was fine. But now, with vegetables and flowers, everything was vulnerable.

If there was even the smallest gap, escapees could wreak havoc in no time.

After a thorough check, Zhong Di felt reassured—there were no gaps, not even tiny ones. These uncles were diligent, treating the work as their own even without supervision.

“Hm? A call for help?”

It came from the jujube tree!

After careful judgment, Zhong Di realized the sound was coming from a jujube tree inside the chicken pen—the only tree in there with a touch of spirit.

He opened the gate and went straight to the tree.

Without hesitation, Zhong Di activated his ability to “see” the tree’s behavioral information.

Summing up the issues, he identified the main problem: chicken manure.

This involved both pathogenic hazards and surface fermentation dangers.

After another inspection, he found that all the jujube trees had the same issue—there was a lot of manure on the ground, but not enough for such a problem, or so he thought.

Previously, Shao Hong had cleaned the manure from the chicken pen, but Zhong Di hadn’t let him finish because of the large area, thinking a little manure wouldn’t matter.

He had been too optimistic.

The chicken manure needed to be cleaned regularly. Afterward, the ground should be disinfected. Fortunately, the fish pond made disposal easier.

From now on, the manure could be piled up, fermented, and used as fish feed.

Their chickens only ate grain, never commercial feed, so the manure could safely be fermented for fish feed. The vegetables and grasses fed to the chickens were healthy too—a positive bonus.

After noting the issue, Zhong Di went back to check on Uncle Qian and the others at their table.

From how Uncle Qian addressed Zhou, it was clear Zhou was an official with considerable authority, though Zhong Di didn’t know exactly what kind of director he was.

Zhong Di didn’t return to the Herbal Garden but went back to the kitchen. Since Uncle Qian hadn’t called him over, it wasn’t appropriate to join them—people eating together without inviting you don’t want to be disturbed.

“Shao Hong, how’s it going?”

“Four more main dishes, and we’re done,” Shao Hong replied without looking up.

“You can’t keep cooking everything yourself. After this round, I’ll see if I can find two suitable chefs to help out.”

That was Zhong Di’s ideal—earn money and let others earn too; that’s the proper way.

“No rush, I’m fine for now. Quick, bring over the potatoes,” Shao Hong said urgently, watching the pan.

Zhong Di hurried over with the potatoes—chunks, ready for the pan where Shao Hong was frying free-range chicken, clearly preparing a large chicken platter.

With just a few people at Qian Weining’s table, could they finish all this food? Just as he thought about it, Zhong Di remembered the option to pack leftovers.

He wasn’t worried about waste.

The reddish chicken, when the potatoes were added, seemed to come alive, the dish looking even more appetizing.

“Oh, fantastic,” Zhong Di muttered.

Just as he was about to keep helping, his phone rang.

Wu Qi?

“Hello, Zhong Di! Hurry and prepare a table—Director Xing will bring us over to eat soon. We’ll be there in a moment!”

Wu Qi’s voice was quick, as if he was busy.

“Huh? So sudden—we’re renovating right now.”

“I know, it’s fine. Just a bureau gathering to celebrate, decided on the spur of the moment. Director Xing gave special approval for your place, so it’s a good chance to see your business model.”

“Alright then!”

After a few more words, Zhong Di hung up. Since it had come to this, he couldn’t refuse.