The experimental product, a large pig, responded positively to Liao Tingyu’s daily care and greetings. Gradually overcoming its initial sluggish state, the pig regained its health and displayed a hearty appetite, growing significantly larger than its counterparts.

Upon receiving assurance from the doctor that he was in good health, Liao Tingyu was released from confinement and eagerly ascended to the ranch to witness the progress firsthand.

Zhao Han found Liao Tingyu’s dedication perplexing. From his perspective, Liao Tingyu’s actions seemed unusual. One might expect him to delegate money-making ventures to others and prioritize his own well-being. Rumor had it that Liao Tingyu was quite prosperous, earning tens of thousands of taels monthly. Most of it went to the prince, with some allocated to support his uncle’s military endeavors.

The remainder, destined for Liao Tingyu, amounted to only a few thousand taels, or at most, ten thousand taels. Reflecting on this, Zhao Han couldn’t shake the feeling of being shortchanged.

Meanwhile, Song An, another acquaintance, displayed recent extravagance, casually spending money without any apparent concern for shortages.

Zhao Han, having known Liao Tingyu for a long time, resisted voicing any complaints or asking for prescriptions. To receive anything, he relied on his thick skin and persistence.

As for Song An, he effortlessly obtained packaged goods each time he visited. The contrast in treatment fueled Zhao Han’s envy and jealousy.

Following Liao Tingyu to observe the pig’s progress, Zhao Han hoped his keen eyes could discern something about this scholar’s mysterious endeavors.

Unperturbed, Liao Tingyu watched the pig’s successful weight gain with joy, now feeling confident and bold enough to produce pig sausages.

With his mind restored, Liao Tingyu felt as if someone were watching him from behind.

Suddenly, he turned around and saw Zhao Han staring at him intently without blinking.

“Hey, boy, why are your eyes so wide?” Liao Tingyu waved his hand in front of his eyes. “Are you in a daze?”

Zhao Han ignored him and kept his eyes fixed on Liao Tingyu.

“Oh my god, it’s broad daylight, not night. Who are you trying to scare?” Liao Tingyu watched with his eyes rolling and slapped him on the head.

Really, it gave him a false alarm, he thought someone was trying to trick him.

Zhao Han touched his head, feeling very sad. Why was it different from what he thought? Why didn’t he ask himself why he kept staring at him?

Really, he didn’ play according to the routine for today.

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With the lesson of being kicked in mind, Liao Tingyu specially asked the doctor to accompany him with a large bag of sleeping powder. He then mixed it with water and gave it to the piglets about to undergo surgery.

The yamen servant hesitated while holding the knife: “My lord, just cut it like this. These pigs will no longer be able to give birth to piglets.”

“What’s wrong with this? There are a few pigs nearby that haven’t been cut yet. We just let them breed. A sow can give birth to more than ten or twenty piglets a year. So, are you still worried about the lack of piglets?” Liao Tingyu sat leisurely on the recliner, waiting to see them do it.

“But…” The yamen servant looked at the piglets that had slept under the medicine. If something went wrong, all these pigs would be dead.

“Okay, don’t dawdle, do it quickly, or you’ll be kicked by pigs when the medicine wears off.” Liao Tingyu felt a little anxious, observing the people dilly-dallying.

Wasn’t there a more humane way? Did it have to be like this? The yamen servant kept thinking that.

But Liao Tingyu didn’t think so. Those unaware might think they were killing the piglets. Did they realize how foul this pig pen smells? He almost died from the stench.

Zhao Han was an impatient person. These government officials didn’t seem to understand what was going on. They couldn’t even cut the pigs; they were just eating carrots and worrying all day.

“Hey, let me tell you, are you guys’ men? If you are, do it quickly. After this is done, we still have to go back to eat.” Zhao Han roared.

Seeing the determination of the two masters, the yamen servant no longer hesitated. He gestured with his knives, preparing to cut off.

Zhao Han got inexplicably excited when he saw him cutting and suddenly shouted: “Hey, pay attention to this, don’t cut it crookedly. Be sure to cut it completely like the first pig.”

Then, one yamen servant got distracted, didn’t pay attention, and cut the pig diagonally. The thing wasn’t completely severed, and a bit of skin was left. It hung there, as if waiting for a repair that never came.

But at this time, the pig woke up from the pain. It struggled to half-open its eyes and tried hard to get up. Limbs continued to flail, and movements became more and more violent.

The yamen servant was startled, but fortunately, the pig didn’t have much strength and the rope was tightly tied. The yamen servant checked for any danger and hurried over to give another medicine.

Seeing the pig was cut, others rushed over, untied the rope from the wooden stake, and four people dragged the pig to another clean pigsty.

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The breeding expert waiting next to the pig pen cleaned the area for the pigs, sprinkled some anti-hemorrhage medicine, and then instructed people to put the pigs in.

Liao Tingyu nodded while observing the orderly cooperation.

His training was all paid off, “You guys, please pay more attention. It’s best to cut once and be done with it.”

“Yes, sir.” Several yamen servants having witnessed the example set in front of them, proceeded to strike quickly and ruthlessly.

Considering their roles as those who consume the imperial court’s resources, it was ironic that they were now doing such tasks. If someone told them, they wouldn’t believe it.

Liao Tingyu didn’t concern himself with their affairs. He watched them become more skillful, performing the task in one go.