Chapter 2321 - 1641: Europe on the Tip of the Tongue

"Neigh!" "Moo!" "Baa!" "Oink!" "Cock-a-doodle-do!"

The cacophony of animal calls, mixed with a pungent smell, emanated from the animal pen left by the Castilian colonizers. Warrior Captain Kepili watched these "oddly-shaped" animals with a wary expression. Priest Adin, with a scholar's background and having spent considerable time on the Iberian Peninsula, was quite familiar with them and meticulously explained each one.

"The Andalusian warhorses of the Castilians are not necessarily better than the warhorses of France, Shenluo, and England. But these warhorses have one advantage: they're agile and heat-resistant! The Iberian Peninsula has a lot of mountainous terrain, and the climate is hot. Thus, the Andalusian warhorses native to the Peninsula can adapt to mountainous terrain and aren't easily fazed by heat. Even on such a tropical island, they can breed successfully! Three mares, about one foal a year, nurture them slowly!"

"There's not much to say about this cow; it's just a rough breed draft ox from Andalusia, similar to those of Shenluo. Look, its back is high, its skeleton is sturdy, and its mane is coarse and hard. Its color is either mottled tan or dark brown. It has a broad forehead, curved long horns, and can hit hard! However, this is a draft ox for farming, not like the specialized fighting bulls of the Castilians, and it doesn't get easily provoked. Hmm, there are only two pairs of these cows, and they reproduce slowly..."

"Oh! This sheep is nice, very nice! It's a Manchega sheep, it produces a lot of milk and can make delicious Manchego cheese. But its wool is relatively coarse; look at its gray-white and fluffy appearance, it's not as good as those fine wool sheep of the North African Berbers... Look, there's a flock of ten to twenty, almost all ewes, with only two rams! Huh! Why did the Castilians bring so many sheep? Why do these ewes look listless? Hmm, I think I know why... Alright, this sheep breed is likely to reproduce the fastest on the island! We can get some Taino Natives to specialize in herding sheep and milking them!"

Priest Adin was eagerly observing these "familiar" Old Continent livestock, and in his mind, the scene of a Great Nobility manor had already emerged. He instinctively began planning a long-term arrangement for these animals, like a "Governor" of Brave Island.

Warrior Captain Kepili listened patiently without interrupting Adin, and he tacitly agreed with Adin's arrangements for these animals. Before confirming whether these animals were free of plagues and could adapt to the environments of other islands, he was not prepared to transport them westward. For now, it was best to let Priest Adin take the fair-skinned mercenaries and the local Taino tribes to raise them, breeding at least two generations before considering further action.

"Haha! These Iberian black pigs are easy to raise! They eat everything, and their skin is particularly thick, so they can be semi-wild. These black pigs are let out behind the village during the day, rooting in the soil, eating fallen fruit and leftovers. At night, if some become feral, they might venture into the woods to forage, calling out noisily! Hmm, as long as they eat enough, these few pairs of black pigs reproduce quickly and can have several litters at a time! Look at this sow, it's clearly pregnant..."

"Oh! These are Spanish poultry, not very large, with feathers mostly reddish-brown or white, and bright red combs. They can be cooped or free-range, and are most resilient. Look, these chicks are obviously born on the island and have grown quite a bit. Poultry reproduces quickly; don't be fooled by the fact that there are only a few dozen now. With good care, next year they'll number in the hundreds. Tsk tsk! Their eggs aren't large, but they taste great! Especially when fried into cakes..."

Saying this, Priest Adin swallowed. Although there were plenty of spices and new foods on this "Indian Islands," there was indeed a shortage of meat, apart from fish and a certain unappetizing large chicken. He couldn't stomach the lizards, roasted insects, and smelly pork eaten by the Taino Natives. But with these livestock and poultry "brought" by the Castilians from afar, his somewhat monotonous diet could finally become richer!

"Let's go, Leopard Head Knight Captain! Let's see what crops the Castilians have brought! Haha! This is a great achievement for both of us, Shoumaoying Chief Priest and Tomate Chief Priest are sure to appreciate it!"

Priest Adin pulled Warrior Captain Kepili towards the village's deeper area, to the fields and farms abandoned by the Castilians. A month ago, the farms were raided by a combined assault of the Tai Giant Eagle and Mique, and now all that remained were burnt huts and remnants, with thriving fields full of wild grass and various crops lushly growing! Luckily, during the kingdom's raid, they intentionally avoided these new crops in the fields. The Castilians hadn't thought much of them, which is why they were left behind.

"Hmm, this slightly elevated sandy loam by the river is encircled with cut palm branches to make a simple fence, preventing animals from digging it up... for such a prized space, it's wheat that's planted! Wheat is not easy to cultivate, being very picky about warmth and moisture. Look! The western half here has collapsed, and some have even gotten moldy. However, the eastern half by the river is growing quite well! The Castilians brought a group of farmers this time, who are indeed fine cultivators. It's just a pity that most of them were killed, and the rest fled by boat..."

"We must treat the strong injured! They pose no threat, and upon conversion to the Chief Divine, they can be spared. Keep them here to teach the island's natives farming!"