Landlord in the Arctic

Chapter 296 - 246: Ranch (2)

The Tundra area in the camp was gradually expanding, which offered a new approach to solving the meat supply issue.

He could start by purchasing a batch of livestock to raise at the camp. If the initial trial went well, he could then expand into large-scale farming operations.

This way, they might be able to gradually achieve self-sufficiency in meat products, which would both ease the pressure on the supply chain and, to some extent, lower costs.

While Feng Mountain was contemplating the camp’s development, White Bird skillfully steered the taxi off the main road and onto a narrow path.

This path was much narrower than the main road, flanked by high piles of snow that looked like two white walls, sandwiching the path between them.

As the taxi drove down the path, the wheels crunched over the snow, a sound that was especially clear in the quiet winter air.

「Soon.」

The car emerged from the path, passed through a snow-covered forest, and arrived at Horned Ranch.

In the distance, a three-meter-high fence blocked the road ahead.

A massive cattle skull hung conspicuously over the ranch gate, its two long horns curving high into the air.

White Bird pulled into a parking spot. Just as Feng Mountain got out, he saw Jeff walking out from the ranch gate with a broad smile on his face.

"What are you doing here?" Feng Mountain asked Jeff, a puzzled look on his face. "Is the Bear Tribe’s migration complete?"

"Someone else is handling the migration. A group of our people should be flying to the Crown Territory today," Jeff said with a smile. "I was in charge of taking the captured white gold prospectors to the Anchorage police department. I heard you were coming to Horned Ranch, so I came over to wait for you."

’So you were that sure I’d come to Horned Ranch.’ Feng Mountain pursed his lips. ’Yeah, right. As if White Bird didn’t tip you off.’

"Alright, give me the tour."

"Follow me!" Jeff, still grinning, affectionately put an arm around Feng Mountain’s shoulder and led him into the ranch.

But just then, a curse that sounded a bit like a woman’s voice suddenly came from inside Feng Mountain’s fur coat.

"Bitch, get your hands off him!"

Jeff jumped, instinctively snatching his hand back from Feng Mountain’s shoulder. He stared at the fur coat in utter shock.

Just then, as if sensing the commotion, Loki came rustling out from inside Feng Mountain’s coat.

It first gripped the edge of the coat tightly with its claws, then deftly used its beak to pull itself up onto Feng Mountain’s shoulder. Once steady, it ruffled its feathers, its small eyes darting toward Jeff.

It opened its beak, and another clear curse tumbled out, leaving Jeff utterly dumbfounded.

"What the fuck, you stupid pig."

"Feng, what is this?" It was the first time Jeff had ever seen a parrot that could swear so clearly.

"This is Loki, a parrot I adopted." Feng Mountain gave a helpless smile and a brief introduction, then turned to Loki with a somewhat serious expression. "You behave yourself."

Hearing Feng Mountain’s warning, Loki immediately became docile, rubbing its head gently against his cheek. "Daddy, I’ll listen."

It was as cute as could be, a complete transformation from the foul-mouthed bird of a moment ago.

"Man, why are all your animals so smart?"

Jeff was thoroughly impressed. Back in the Crown Territory, there was Prince, Coca-Cola, and Princess, and that pack of White Wolves—every single animal seemed to possess an extraordinary Spirituality.

Feng Mountain didn’t want to dwell on the topic. "Buddy, let’s get on with the tour of this ranch."

Jeff snapped back to his senses and nodded quickly. "Right, right, the ranch tour."

Jeff then led Feng Mountain toward the ranch gate.

The two of them passed through the gate with the cattle skull, officially entering Horned Ranch.

An electric tour cart was parked in an open area. Jeff walked over quickly and motioned for Feng Mountain to get in with him.

Once they were both seated, Jeff skillfully started the cart and began his explanation.

"Horned Ranch usually takes visitors, but we suspend all tourist activities once winter sets in. The workers are too busy clearing snow from the livestock sheds to have any spare time for tours. It’s the same for the other farms and ranches in Mackenzie Town."

"This area here has deep snow, so the grass is buried and we can’t graze the cattle and sheep. Later, when we get to areas where the snow is shallower, the ranch practices snow grazing. The animals can paw through the snow to find dried grass and other food buried underneath. It supplements their diet and also increases their physical activity, which helps keep them healthy."

The tour cart drove along a plowed snow path, heading deeper into the ranch.

At first, there were no workers in sight—only a silvery, snow-covered landscape and vast pastures buried completely under the snow.

But as the cart continued deeper into the ranch, it wasn’t long before they saw scenes of workers busy at their tasks.

Jeff stopped the cart at the edge of a pasture for Feng Mountain to have a look.

Snowplows were at work in the pasture, using their blades to push the thick snow aside and expose the green grass buried beneath.

Behind them, ranch hands herded groups of cattle, guiding them in an orderly fashion into the freshly cleared parts of the pasture to graze.

The cattle ambled along slowly, occasionally lowering their heads to sniff and nibble at the newly exposed grass.

"Is this grass enough for them to eat?" Feng Mountain asked curiously.

Jeff heard him and replied with a laugh and a shake of his head.

"Of course not. This little bit of grass could never meet the needs of the cattle and sheep for the entire winter. Usually, before winter arrives, the ranch harvests large quantities of hay, like alfalfa and fescue, as well as a lot of silage for them to eat during the winter."

"To meet their nutritional needs in winter, we also prepare concentrated feeds like corn, barley, and soybean meal. These feeds are rich in protein, carbohydrates, and other nutrients, which can improve the animals’ cold resistance and productivity."

"So what breeds of cattle and sheep does Horned Ranch raise? How adaptable are they to the environment? Could they be raised in the Crown Territory?" Feng Mountain asked, getting to the main purpose of his visit.

"Come on, I’ll take you to the heated barns. There’s an expert there who can explain everything," Jeff said with a chuckle, restarting the cart and heading toward a cluster of buildings in the distance.

As the tour cart gradually approached the cluster of buildings, Feng Mountain looked up.

Before him stood four or five enormous, arched structures, which were particularly eye-catching against the snow-clad winter landscape of the ranch.

At that moment, several workers with safety ropes tied around their waists were clearing snow from the metal roofs of the large structures.

In front of one of the structures, a few people were gathered, talking amongst themselves while keeping an eye on the approaching tour cart.

When they saw the cart draw near, they waved enthusiastically.

The cart slowed to a smooth stop.

Jeff was the first to hop out, his face beaming as he strode toward the group. He embraced and greeted each of them, his familiarity suggesting a reunion of old friends who hadn’t seen each other in a long time.

Afterward, Jeff walked back to the cart with one of them, a middle-aged man with clear Indigenous ancestry.

The man was powerfully built, with a healthy, tanned complexion and deep-set eyes that conveyed a sense of simplicity and calm.

The two came over to Feng Mountain, and Jeff introduced them with a smile.

"Feng, this is the ranch manager, Tucson. He’s lived on Horned Ranch his whole life. When I worked here, he was the one who showed me the ropes. If you have any questions, just ask him."

Then, Jeff turned to Tucson. "This is Feng, an important guest of the Chief. Just tell him whatever he needs to know, no need to hold back."

After Jeff’s introduction, Feng Mountain offered his hand to Tucson, who quickly responded in kind. They shared a firm handshake and nodded to each other, completing the friendly greeting.

"Then let’s start with the heated barns."

Tucson had always been a practical man. Without any unnecessary pleasantries, he got straight to the point as soon as the handshake was over and began the tour.

The group followed Tucson into the heated barn before them.

The moment they stepped inside, a wave of warm air hit them in the face, carrying a mixture of cow dung and the sharp, green scent of grass. It was a peculiar kind of warmth.

Although the warm air carried the smell of manure, it wasn’t pungent. Instead, it had an authentic ranch smell.

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