Inheriting a dilapidated ranch in North America, he became a billionaire through animal taming and t

Old Tom put away the blueprints and got into the pickup truck.

Su Chen started the car and drove along the dirt road on the west side of the ranch.

The road conditions were terrible, with gravel and potholes everywhere, making the pickup truck very bumpy.

After driving for about ten minutes, an open area came into view.

Su Chen parked the car on a high ground and got out to check.

The soil underfoot was hard, like stepping on a cement slab, with no elasticity whatsoever.

He squatted down and reached out to grab a handful of soil.

The soil was dry and loose, slipping through your fingers without any stickiness.

Looking around, the entire wasteland was barren and devoid of any vegetation.

In some low-lying areas, there was a layer of white frost-like substance.

The puddles left by the rains haven't completely dried yet.

Old Tom also squatted down and used his small shovel to dig away the topsoil.

The soil exposed below the surface is lighter in color, and the crystals reflect the sunlight.

"The salinity has risen to the surface."

Old Tom crushed a piece of soil.

"Rainwater carries the salt from the ground to the surface, and the salt remains on the ground after the water evaporates."

"Year after year, the accumulation grows heavier and heavier, and the grass seeds die as soon as they touch the ground."

Su Chen stood up and looked around.

Although this land is barren, it is relatively flat.

It doesn't have many undulations, making it easier to improve than sloping land.

"Can it be changed?" he asked.

"able."

Old Tom patted the dirt off his hands.

"It just takes a little effort."

Old Tom squatted on the ground.

He drew several lines on the ground with a small shovel, explaining the improved logic as he did so.

The first step is deep tilling to break up the hardened layer and bring up the underlying subsoil.

The second step is to apply a desulfurization amendment to neutralize the soil alkalinity and break down the salt and alkali crystal structure.

The third step is to apply organic fertilizer, combined with microbial agents, to increase the organic matter content of the soil.

The fourth step is to plant salt-tolerant grass seeds to allow the turf to grow and for the grass roots to fix the soil and absorb excess salt.

The final step is irrigation, which involves repeatedly rinsing the plants with spring water to slowly suppress the salinity.

"After completing this process, you can see green in as little as thirty days and start light grazing in forty days."

Old Tom stood up.

"If this land is improved, it can support at least 160 more head of beef cattle."

Su Chen quickly did some mental calculations.

One hundred and sixty beef cattle.

At current market prices, each head can sell for at least five thousand US dollars, which would amount to a production value of eight hundred thousand US dollars.

Even if the improvement costs tens of thousands, it's still a sure-fire way to make a profit.

Lingfeng hovered low over the wasteland, checking for potential threats from wild animals in the surrounding area.

Black Fang led his pack of wolves to form a guard line at the edge of the wasteland, preventing unauthorized personnel from entering.

Old Tom pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket, on which a string of numbers was written in pencil.

"The cost of plant amendments, organic fertilizer, grass seeds, and labor all add up to about $30,000."

He handed the note to Su Chen.

"This doesn't even include your own labor and machinery costs. If you include them all, it'll be at most 35,000."

Su Chen took the slip of paper and glanced at it. The numbers were written in a very messy hand, but every expense was listed clearly.

"The cost is not high," Su Chen said.

"It was originally a low-cost renovation," Old Tom said.

"This land wasn't born wasteland; it was abandoned by people."

"The foundation is still there; as long as the salinity is suppressed, grass can grow."

Su Chen inquired about the ownership of the land.

Old Tom patted his chest and said that the property rights belonged entirely to Sunset Ranch.

When he took over as rancher, he bought the entire land.

There were no disputes; it was just that there wasn't enough money to improve it, so it remained abandoned.

"But there's a procedure to follow."

Old Tom added.

"The town mayor signed the document, and the land administration bureau verified and registered it on-site, proving that we are developing legally and not encroaching on public land."

Su Chen nodded, deciding to apply for development permissions first, and then start the procurement of materials.

On his way back to the main house, Su Chen checked the cold chain area.

The equipment is operating stably, the temperature display shows normal numbers, and there are no abnormal alarms.

Back at the main house, Emma was organizing documents in the study.

Su Chen briefly explained the plan to develop the wasteland on the west side.

Emma immediately put down what she was doing and offered to help prepare the application materials.

"I'll fill out the land development filing application form. I've checked the property boundary information several times, so just copy it over."

Emma then pulled a blank form from the filing cabinet.

Su Chen also told Emma about Old Tom's estimated improvement plan and budget, asking her to include them in the application materials.

Juan came over from the livestock shed and asked if the tractor and deep plow needed to be inspected in advance.

Su Chen instructed that the equipment should not be moved for the time being, and that work should only begin after the permits were approved.

Louis was recording data about the pasture when he heard the news, so he came over to check on it.

He opened the notebook, pointed to the data from the most recent week, and said:

"The existing grasslands are nearing their carrying capacity, and the six major pastoral areas are under considerable pressure to implement rotational grazing."

"If this piece of land on the west side can be redeveloped, it will alleviate the problem considerably."

Su Chen checked the cattle's return to the pen at night.

Black Fang led his pack of wolves on patrol along the fence.

The herd of cattle was orderly, with all five hundred-plus cattle in their designated places and none running around.

Dazhuang rested near the mining site and did not participate in the wasteland survey today.

This guy's main task lately has been guarding the mining site, and occasionally helping to move some heavy objects.

Back at the main house entrance, old Tom was preparing to return to his own quarters.

He turned to Su Chen and said:

"Don't worry about the improvements. I'll take care of the technical aspects and guarantee that I'll turn these 300 acres into a thriving pasture."

Su Chen nodded.

"Once the paperwork is approved, you will be fully in charge."

Old Tom waved his hand, got on his four-wheeled motorcycle, and rode away.

Emma handed the completed application form to Su Chen for review.

Every item on the form was filled out neatly.

The land's location, area, current status, improvement plan, and intended use are all clearly displayed.

Su Chen put the application form into a document bag and decided to go to Baiyu Town to get the mayor's signature first thing the next morning.

Black Fang led the wolf pack on a patrol around the perimeter of the ranch before returning to the main house and crouching down at the entrance.

Ling Feng fell from the sky and landed near the chimney on the roof.

Su Chen stood at the door and glanced to the west.

The sky had darkened, and the wasteland was hidden in the twilight, making it impossible to see anything clearly.

But he kept in mind what Old Tom said.

Three hundred acres, forty days, and the carrying capacity of one hundred and sixty cattle—it's a worthwhile deal no matter how you look at it.

Back in his study, Su Chen opened the system panel and glanced at it.

With a herd of 500 cattle and 80% grassland greening, the treasure hunt was long overdue.

The main quest is stuck on the cattle herd size. To progress, you either need to keep buying calves or expand the herd yourself.

Propagation requires grasslands, and if there aren't enough grasslands, new land must be developed.

This wasteland on the west side is right at this point.

Su Chen turned off the control panel and placed the file bag on the desk.

Tomorrow I'll go to town to complete the formalities and also make a list of supplies to be purchased.

Although Old Tom had given an estimate, he still needed to discuss with Luke which brand and specifications to buy.

Emma was organizing files in the living room, and without looking up, she said:

"I printed two extra copies of the application form, just in case I fill it out incorrectly, I can get a replacement."

Su Chen responded and went upstairs to wash up.

Lying in bed, he was still going over the improvement process in his mind.

Deep plowing, desulfurization, organic fertilizer application, sowing, and irrigation.

Every step is essential and must be carefully monitored.

Although Old Tom is experienced, he is over sixty years old after all, and we can't let him do everything himself.

Juan and Luis had to take over; Juan handled the mechanical operations, while Luis handled the manual work and record-keeping.

Black Fang and Ling Feng are in charge of perimeter security, preventing curious neighbors or wild animals from disrupting the construction.

Dazhuang can also help move things around.

As he was thinking, Su Chen turned over.

Once this land is improved, the ranch's map will be complete.

It covers 1,500 acres, has nine rotational grazing areas, and can support more than 600 cattle.

Only then can we truly establish ourselves.

.......

Early in the morning, Su Chen drove his pickup truck into Baiyu Town.

The shops in town had just opened, and a few elderly residents were chatting in front of the supermarket.

As Su Chen drove his car down the main street, someone glanced at him.

Recognizing that it was the Chinese-American boy from Sunset Ranch, his eyes held a hint of curiosity.

The town government office building is a two-story old stone building.

A flagpole stood at the entrance, and the Stars and Stripes fluttered in the wind.

Su Chen pushed open the door and entered; the corridor was filled with the smell of old wood and paper documents.