My 1995 Small Farm.

Chen Ling waved his hand modestly, saying that he happened to have this kind of medicine; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to treat it.

"You're too modest, Ah Ling!"

Zhang Lihua stood up, took Chen Ling's arm, and a new look of worry crept onto her face amidst her excitement.

"Ah Ling, to be honest, seeing 'Fire Cloud' like this, I felt both happy and scared!"

“You’ve saved us from an emergency this time, but you’re about to go back to the mainland. Hong Kong’s weather is humid and hot for most of the year. What if they get sick again? Where will I find you?”

"We can't expect you to fly over every time, can we?"

He rubbed his hands together, looking earnestly at Chen Ling: "Brother, just tell me the truth, is there any way... to fundamentally improve things? To help these guys adapt to life here better?"

"I'm willing to pay any price! You're an expert, you'll definitely have a solution!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Ling did not answer immediately. Instead, he walked to the ventilation area of ​​the kennel and looked at the other giant mastiffs in the cages, who were also somewhat listless due to the rapid rise in temperature. He pondered for a moment.

Zhang Lihua looked at him nervously, as if awaiting a verdict from fate.

After a while, Chen Ling turned around, a helpless smile on his face, and said frankly, "Brother Hua, you've hit the nail on the head."

"To be honest, it's very difficult to get these Tibetan mastiffs, who come from the dry highlands and are covered in thick coats, to fully adapt to the hot and humid climate of Hong Kong Island, while also maintaining their peak condition and good health."

"It's almost fair to say that there's no perfect solution that solves everything once and for all."

Zhang Lihua's eyes dimmed, but she still refused to give up: "Is there really no way? Even... even if it can improve things a little bit, that would be great!"

"There are a few solutions, but each has its advantages and disadvantages. It depends on how you choose to weigh them."

Chen Ling gestured for Zhang Lihua to sit down on the stone bench next to him, and then, counting on his fingers, analyzed the points for him one by one:

"First, the most direct method is physical cooling."

"When it's hot, trim their fur promptly, but don't shave it all off. Leave a layer of underfur to protect their skin and prevent sunburn and insect bites."

"This can alleviate the problem a lot, but it only treats the symptoms, not the root cause. Moreover, frequent shaving is troublesome, and some Tibetan Mastiffs are more prone to depression after being shaved."

"Second, improve the living environment."

"The ventilation in your kennel is already quite good, but it can be improved."

"For example, you could set up a small cold storage room at home or next to the kennel, or install a powerful central air conditioning system to create a special 'cooled room' for them to escape the heat during the hottest times."

"Tibetan mastiffs aren't afraid of temperatures below zero, but they are most afraid of heat."

"This method is the most effective, but... it is quite expensive, and it has to be kept running all year round, with electricity bills being a major expense."

Zhang Lihua immediately made the decision: "Money is no problem! As long as it makes my precious ones more comfortable, install it! I'll find someone to design and install the best air conditioning system right away!"

Chen Ling nodded and continued, "Third, we need to find a solution from the root—improving the variety."

"Purebred Tibetan Mastiffs are indeed precious, but sometimes pursuing pure bloodlines too much can amplify certain genetic defects and reduce their adaptability."

"You could consider importing some dog breeds that are also large in size but more adaptable and heat-resistant, such as Central Asian Shepherds or Caucasian Shepherds, and crossbreeding them with your Tibetan Mastiff."

"The offspring may inherit the might of their fathers and have a stronger ability to adapt to the environment."

"Of course, the dogs produced in this way will not be purebred Tibetan Mastiffs, and their value may be reduced."

Sure enough, upon hearing "not a purebred Tibetan Mastiff," Zhang Lihua's face showed obvious hesitation and resistance.

He has been raising Tibetan mastiffs for many years and has an almost obsessive love for them. He is pursuing the original, authentic, and majestic demeanor of the Tibetan king. Although crossbreeding can solve the problem, it just feels different.

He shook his head: "Well...sigh, I still want to try my best to maintain their pure bloodline. Ah Ling, is there...any other way?"

Looking at Zhang Lihua's conflicted expression, Chen Ling understood that this was the common mindset of true Tibetan Mastiff lovers.

He smiled and offered the last option, which he believed was probably the most suitable for Zhang Lihua:

"Brother Wah, since you don't want to change them, and the environment on Hong Kong Island is difficult to change, then the last resort might be to change the place where they are kept."

Zhang Lihua was taken aback: "Change the location? You mean..."

"Let them go back to the mainland to raise them."

Chen Ling looked at him and smiled, "The inland areas are vast and rich in resources, with diverse climates. If you want them to maintain the ferocity of the highlands, you can build a mastiff farm in the snowy areas."

"If you want convenient transportation and a relatively pleasant climate, many places in the north are much drier than Hong Kong Island."

"Putting aside other things, in our Chenwangzhuang area, although it is hot in the summer, it is dry heat and cool in the morning and evening, which is much more comfortable than the humid 'sauna weather' in Hong Kong Island."

“The mountains are spacious, the air is fresh, and there are mountains and rivers. Even just setting aside a piece of land there is a hundred times better than being stuck in this city.”

Zhang Lihua's eyes gradually brightened as he listened, but then dimmed again. He smiled bitterly and said, "Ah Ling, what you said has tempted me! But... I have business and family here in Hong Kong, and I can't leave for long."

"I...I really can't bear to leave so many treasures alone in the mainland and hire people to look after them!"

"If the person I hire doesn't know anything about Tibetan mastiffs and mistreats or spoils them, I'll be heartbroken!"

"Brother Hua, it is indeed difficult if you are fighting alone."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ling suddenly had an idea. "But what if someone were to partner with you, or have a trustworthy friend to help look after it?"

He paused for a moment and then said, "To be honest, back in my hometown, I'm planning to set up a proper dog farm with a brother named Lynx. We'll not only raise hunting dogs, but also introduce some good mastiffs and other fierce dog breeds."

"In addition, I have a friend in Beijing named Yu Qi'an, who is also a dog lover. He has a strong family background and wide connections. He also intends to set up a top-notch kennel to breed high-quality dogs."

“If you trust me, you can send those Tibetan mastiffs that are relatively weak and particularly unsuited to the environment of Hong Kong Island to our side.”

“I’ll keep an eye on things for you. Lynx and Yu Qi’an can also exchange information, which will definitely be much better than you fighting alone here.”

These words were like a beacon in the darkness, instantly illuminating Zhang Lihua's heart.

He went to the mainland to do it himself, but he was unfamiliar with the place and there, and there were so many things to do. Just thinking about it gave him a headache.

But if a local expert like Chen Ling takes the lead, and there are like-minded friends to play with, then it's like finding your tribe!
"Really?! Ah Ling! You mean it?!" Zhang Lihua excitedly grabbed Chen Ling's hand with a frighteningly strong grip.

"You have dog farms in mainland China? And player friends in Beijing? That's great! That's wonderful! How come I didn't think of that!"

He paced excitedly in the yard: "Yes, yes, yes! Send them back to be raised! Send back those as weak as 'Fire Cloud'!"

"On Hong Kong Island, I'll keep a few of the strongest and relatively heat-resistant breeding dogs for display and necessary breeding, while the main breeding stock will be sent to the mainland!"

"Ah Ling, you're truly my savior! Your suggestion has been a lifesaver!"

The problem that had troubled him for years seemed to have found a breakthrough in an instant. Zhang Lihua looked at Chen Ling with more than just admiration; it was a kind of reverence as if he had found a mentor.

"I'm glad you're satisfied, Brother Hua."

Chen Ling smiled and said, "There's no rush. Take your time to think it over. You can also wait until 'Fire Cloud' is ready and then find an opportunity to come to my place to see the environment in person before making a decision."

"Look! You have to see it!"

Zhang Lihua said firmly, "Once you finish filming your scenes, we'll set a time! I'll come visit you and your friends!"

With her major concern resolved, Zhang Lihua was in high spirits and placed even greater trust in Chen Ling.

He pulled Chen Ling along, almost pleadingly saying, "Ling, since we're here, could you please go out of your way and look after the other dogs for me?"

"I feel like they haven't had as much of an appetite lately, they've been listless."

Chen Ling naturally wouldn't refuse.

Accompanied by Zhang Lihua, he inspected the other Tibetan mastiffs in the kennel one by one, including the majestic "Lion King".

As Zhang Lihua had predicted, the symptoms were more or less heat and loss of appetite, but much milder than those of "Fire Cloud".

"It's not a big problem. They're all similar issues, caused by internal dampness and heat, plus the weather, making them suffer from summer heat."

After the examination, Chen Ling said, "Using Western medicine all the time will definitely harm your health; every medicine has some degree of toxicity."

"If you keep using Chinese herbal medicine, you have to be extra careful with the dosage. Dogs and humans have different constitutions. Many herbs that are safe for humans can easily cause plant alkalosis in dogs, damaging their liver and kidneys."

Zhang Lihua nodded repeatedly: "That's absolutely right! That's why I have a headache! So... what can I do to treat it?"

Chen Ling thought for a moment, his gaze falling on some local herbs drying in the yard, and a thought struck him: "Brother Hua, don't you people in Hong Kong and Guangdong have a habit of drinking herbal tea?"

"Herbal tea?" Zhang Lihua was taken aback. "Yes, it's summer...every household drinks it. But that's for people, can dogs drink it too?"

"You can try it."

Chen Ling explained, "Many of the base ingredients in herbal teas, such as honeysuckle, chrysanthemum, prunella vulgaris, and frangipani, have the effects of clearing heat and removing dampness, purging fire and detoxifying, and their medicinal properties are relatively mild."

"You can choose some herbal teas with simple ingredients and no irritating herbs, and drink them at a much, much weaker concentration than what people drink, or mix them into your food occasionally."

"For example, once or twice a week, one small bowl each time, should have a good preventive and health care effect."

He paused, then emphasized, "But remember, it must be diluted! And you must observe the dog's reaction; if it has diarrhea or feels unwell, stop immediately."

"This is, after all, a medicinal tea, and cannot be drunk like water for a long time. The main thing is to improve the environment and diet."

"Understood! Understood! I'll go try it right away!"

As if she had received a brilliant plan, Zhang Lihua immediately ran to the kitchen, found the bamboo leaves, selfheal, and other ingredients she had at home, and personally brewed a pot of extremely weak herbal tea.

When he returned to the kennel with the basin, a magical scene unfolded.

The Tibetan mastiffs, who had initially shown little interest in the water, suddenly raised their heads and approached the basin, tentatively licking the herbal tea, drawn by its faint, slightly bitter plant-like aroma.

Soon, all the dogs started slurping and drinking.

While it's not as exciting as drinking meat broth, it's definitely more stimulating than drinking plain water!
"Amazing! Absolutely amazing!"

Zhang Lihua was overjoyed to see her beloved dogs drinking the "medicinal tea" on their own.

"Ah Ling, you even figured out what they like to drink!"

"I've been raising dogs for over ten years, and today I'm completely convinced! I'm totally convinced!"

At this moment, Chen Ling's status in Zhang Lihua's heart rose sharply.

Chen Ling laughed too: "Brother Hua, you're exaggerating. This dog knows what it needs. A mongrel can even find its own medicinal herbs to cure itself."

"It seems your Tibetan mastiffs, too, instinctively know what they need."

"But Brother Hua, remember, these herbal teas must not only be weak, but also cannot be drunk continuously for a long time. Drink them for a few days and then stop for a few days to allow your body to adjust."

"It would be best to consult a familiar traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and adjust the prescription according to each dog's specific condition."

"I understand! I understand! Thank you so much, Ling! You've solved a huge problem for me!"

Zhang Lihua held Chen Ling's hand, too excited to say anything.

Chen Ling not only saved his "Fire Cloud" today, but also pointed out a long-term development direction for him.

It also solved a major problem in daily maintenance; this favor is truly invaluable.

At this moment, in Zhang Lihua's heart, Chen Ling has become his most important mentor and friend on the road of raising Tibetan Mastiffs.

He secretly resolved that he would cling tightly to this "big brother" from now on, whether it was opening a shop in Hong Kong Island or developing a kennel in the mainland, he would be deeply bound to Chen Ling.

Looking at Zhang Lihua, Chen Ling felt both helpless and quite satisfied, as this could be considered a gain.

In short, this trip to Hong Kong Island was far more rewarding than expected.

Not only did they successfully complete the filming and resolve Qin Qiumei's request, and initially finalize the store opening arrangements, they also unexpectedly gained Zhang Lihua, a high-quality Tibetan Mastiff breeder and future partner.

His blueprint for his "zoo" and kennels seems to be becoming increasingly clear and tangible. (End of Chapter)