Today, the sheep suddenly experienced a large-scale stampede, and the entire farm was thrown into chaos.
Secretary Sun originally wanted to report directly to the commune and have the farm office send someone to investigate, but Director Xiong volunteered, saying he knew a very skilled veterinarian and wanted to bring them over first. If the problem could be solved, there would be no need to alarm the commune.
Secretary Sun did not want to take responsibility and agreed.
Who would have thought that the “skilled veterinarian” Director Xiong mentioned turned out to be a delicate little girl?
At that moment, not only Secretary Sun, but the other comrades nearby thought Director Xiong had lost his mind.
After all, being a veterinarian is not like being an ordinary doctor. Treating people requires skill, but treating livestock requires both skill and strength.
Animals do not understand right or wrong. They only feel pain. If a veterinarian accidentally hurts them during treatment, or if the animals become aggressive, it takes strength to restrain them.
Take the barefoot doctor from their farm as an example. A man in his forties, tall and heavy at about 1.8 meters, looked like a mountain, yet even he could not withstand a kick from a cow and had been bedridden for almost a month.
Therefore, in the northwest, livestock veterinarians were always older, strong men, because only such people had credibility.
Now looking at Lin Xun, even more delicate and beautiful than the educated youth from the city, a gentle young lady. Could such a person really be a veterinarian? She might not even be able to catch a chick.
Secretary Sun’s expression darkened. He scolded Director Xiong without even looking at Lin Xun and sent someone on horseback to fetch a veterinarian from the farm office.
“Secretary, it is already late. Even if we go now, the farm office will not send a veterinarian until tomorrow,” Lin Xun suddenly spoke.
Secretary Sun replied, “What does it matter to you? We would rather wait another day than let a pretender interfere.”
Lin Xun knew that her appearance made it hard to gain trust, so she did not get angry. “You may be able to wait, but these sheep cannot.”
Secretary Sun’s expression darkened. “What do you mean?”
Lin Xun explained, “Even before the sheep panicked, I suspected some were infected with mad sheep disease. If that is the cause, the longer we delay, the more sheep will be infected. Eventually, the entire flock could be affected.
“Secretary Sun, you are experienced and should understand how to assess the potential losses.”
Her words were like throwing water into hot oil. Everyone around was shocked.
“Mad sheep disease? Impossible. This girl is making it up.”
Someone who had just arrived asked, “Is mad sheep disease really that dangerous?”
“Of course! Once infected, it is a death sentence. But this female comrade is definitely lying. There is no way mad sheep disease exists.”
“Quiet!” Secretary Sun barked, frowning. “What is your name?”
“I am Lin Xun.” She quickly presented her hometown address and introduction letter. “Rest assured, I have confidence in my abilities. If anything goes wrong, you may always call the police to arrest me.”
Secretary Sun carefully examined the letter. “Fine. You may proceed, but I must make it clear. Whatever happens, you are responsible for yourself.”
Examining a stampeding sheep could result in injuries from collisions or trampling. If a veterinarian from the farm caused an accident, the farm would be liable. But Lin Xun volunteered, so she would bear all consequences.
“I understand,” she said.
Secretary Sun led Lin Xun to the other side of the sheep pen. The ram that had panicked first had been isolated and was quietly eating grass.
“Comrade, look at this sheep. It is eating so well. How can it have the mad sheep disease you mentioned?” Director Xiong said, still incredulous.
Appetite is an important indicator of animal health. Like people, sick animals lose their appetite. This sheep seemed fine.
Director Xiong had a point, but Lin Xun knew that one symptom of mad sheep disease is that the sheep can eat and drink normally but still lose weight rapidly.
She did not respond immediately. She approached the ram and stopped half a meter away, carefully observing its mouth.
Finally, she saw what she needed.
She quickly moved to the side of the ram and, like she had done that morning, lifted her knee to pin it to the ground while using her hands to secure the lower jaw.
Her technique was professional. Without hurting the ram or causing a panic, she forced it to open its mouth, showing its teeth to Secretary Sun and the others. “As Director Xiong said, this sheep is eating grass, but looks inside its mouth. Is there anything?”
After the snowfall, the farm fed mostly dry hay. It lacked the moisture and richness of fresh pasture, but if the sheep had eaten, there would still be remnants in its mouth.
This sheep’s mouth was completely empty.
“What is this?” Director Xiong felt a pang of anxiety.
“This is empty chewing,” Lin Xun said, pointing to the teeth. “The molars are worn, and it has begun grinding its teeth. Combined with the panic and daytime aggression, this is indeed mad sheep disease.”
Her words sent the crowd into panic.
“Mad sheep disease really exists? Our farm has not seen it for years.”
“But did you not just say she was lying? Maybe she is deceiving us.”
“Nonsense. Did you not see her technique? She is a professional.”
The farm workers, mostly experienced staff, were familiar with veterinary methods. Just from Lin Xun’s handling of the ram—the speed and strength, they knew she was highly capable.
Even so, some were reluctant to handle the ram. “Secretary, perhaps we should move this sheep aside and wait. Maybe it will improve with time.”
A ram weighs almost 100 jin. That is real meat. In these times, any bit of meat is precious. Who would waste such a large sheep?
But Lin Xun said firmly, “Absolutely not. Not just this ram, but the entire flock must be dealt with.”
Even in the future, mad sheep disease is fatal for sheep with no cure. Delaying treatment only increases losses.
Secretary Sun’s face changed. “Other sheep are infected too?”
Director Xiong groaned. “Yes.”
His emotions swung like a rollercoaster. A moment ago he was thrilled that Lin Xun was capable.
The next moment he worried. If the ram really has mad sheep disease, the other sheep that lost their coats that morning would also be at risk.
If so many sheep are infected, the farm would face massive losses. The commune and even the county would hold him accountable.
He did not understand how this happened. He had just become director and had been diligent in caring for the sheep. How could mad sheep disease appear?
“You!” Secretary Sun pointed at Director Xiong, trembling. “How can you mess up something so simple?”
Secretary Sun, a veteran of the farm, had seen the dangers of mad sheep disease in his youth.
When it occurs, not only must the flock be managed, but the entire farm must be sealed. Without knowing the source, the only way to ensure safety is large-scale relocation to contain the threat.
Thinking of the losses from moving and slaughtering the sheep, Secretary Sun felt completely overwhelmed.
At that moment, a clear voice spoke from nearby, “There is actually a solution.”
Secretary Sun and Director Xiong froze, looking at Lin Xun’s calm eyes.
“Mad sheep disease is usually transmitted from mother to offspring. If the farm itself has no problem, it is likely that wild female goats mixed with the flock. Wild goats carry the virus, which infects the lambs during mating, starting the spread.”
“Secretary, you need only handle the infected sheep, find the source of infection, isolate the remaining sheep for observation, disinfect the pen, and relocate the flock. That is sufficient.”
These sick sheep showed only mild symptoms, and mad sheep disease does not infect humans. If handled quickly, the farm can avoid large-scale relocation.
Lin Xun’s calm confidence inspired everyone present. Half an hour earlier, no one would have expected that this fragile, underestimated female comrade would become the central figure of the entire farm.
Secretary Sun asked, “Comrade Lin, can you guarantee the situation will be completely resolved?”
“I just need you to handle the preparations, and I will apply to the commune to appoint you as the farm’s temporary veterinarian.”
Lin Xun’s eyes brightened. She had not expected the farm to offer her a position so quickly. Even if it was temporary, she could not miss the opportunity.
She declared firmly, “I can.”