Chapter 390: Adopting Red-Crowned Cranes and Peacocks

The next day, Ning Fei drove straight toward Qincheng.

"I heard the Qincheng Nature Zoo is currently handling wildlife transfer procedures, so I'm heading there today to see if I can adopt a few red-crowned cranes,"

Ning Fei told the viewers in his live stream from his car.

His audience was surprised.

"Temple Master, do zoos go out of business too?"

"Can I adopt a lion, then?"

"I want to raise a tiger too!" "That depends on whether you have what it takes."

Seeing their questions, Ning Fei explained, "First, let me clarify something. Zoos in Huaxia are public institutions managed by the Government, and their employees are civil servants. So generally, zoos here don't go out of business."

"Some zoos abroad are privately operated and face the risk of bankruptcy, after which they might sell off their wild animals."

"Speaking from a professional standpoint, zoos in Huaxia are no longer just exhibition halls where people go to look at wild animals."

"Good zoos have transitioned into bases for species conservation and education."

"Many rare species receive protection in large wildlife parks."

"Right now, the area where this particular zoo is located is slated for development. The Government needs the land, so they are relocating the animals to other places."

"Some will be taken in by other zoos in the city, while others will be transferred to different provinces."

"At a time like this, if I provide the proper documentation, I can obtain rearing certificates for some of the less dangerous animals."

"Like red-crowned cranes, for instance."

Hearing his explanation, the viewers suddenly understood.

"So that's how it works."

"Adopting wild animals from a zoo... only Ning Guan master would come up with an idea like that."

"Can he really get the permit approved?"

"It probably won't be easy."

"Learning new things every day with Ning Guan master."

"There are so many Government departments these days, and I don't even know what half of them do. It's good to tag along with Ning Guan master and take a look."

Then, Ning Fei added, "Whether or not I can actually get the permit depends on the situation."

"Sometimes, all the wild animals in the park already have designated destinations, which makes it much harder to apply for a private permit."

"Other times, handling the wild animals is a headache for the Government."

"They can't simply release them into the wild; they have to find suitable homes for them. In those cases, having someone apply to adopt them is actually a good thing for the zoo."

Ning Fei explained.

Not long after, Ning Fei arrived at the Qincheng Nature Zoo.

The zoo was already closed to the public. Rumor had it that a new one would eventually be built in the suburbs outside Qincheng's third ring road, but that was a project for the distant future.

The Government's planning, the reassignment of civil servants, and everything else were entirely up to the higher-ups.

Ning Fei had contacted the zoo's director before coming, so as soon as he entered, he stated his purpose straightforwardly.

To his surprise, he was given a grand reception by the zoo director, Ding Ze.

"Ning Guan master, you're finally here. I've been waiting for ages," Ding Ze said with a bright laugh, his face brimming with enthusiasm and warmth.

"Hello, Director Ding. As I mentioned before, I came to ask if it's possible to privately adopt red-crowned cranes here, and to handle the corresponding rearing permits," Ning Fei replied politely.

"That's absolutely no problem. Ning Guan master, nowadays people love seeing large predators. Other zoos are fighting over the tigers, lions, and crocodiles. It's the common animals like the red-crowned cranes and peacocks that we're having a headache over."

"So your arrival really does me a huge favor." Ding Ze invited Ning Fei into the reception room. As an assistant poured tea for both of them, Ding Ze spoke with genuine gratitude.

"You have peacocks too? Blue or green?" Ning Fei asked, his interest suddenly piqued.

"Ning Guan master, the ones in the zoo are green peacocks, naturally," Ding Ze replied with a chuckle.

Peacocks were generally divided into two types: blue and green. Private individuals were allowed to raise blue peacocks. In cities like Nantong, many people adopted them from official breeding facilities.

Green peacocks were different. They were a first-class protected species in Huaxia—highly precious and strictly forbidden from private ownership.

"Am I allowed to adopt the green peacocks as well?" Ning Fei asked.

"Ning Guan master, why don't you follow me inside and take a look around? We have quite a few other animals; you can see if you'd like to take anything else."

"Of course, dangerous predators like lions, tigers, and crocodiles are out of the question. Pandas are a no as well, along with precious foreign species like fennec foxes and penguins."

"I already ran your request up the chain. The higher-ups agreed that your skills and character are completely trustworthy, so processing your private adoption permits will be a breeze."

Ding Ze added.

"That's wonderful."

Ning Fei realized he had struck gold here. This was far more satisfying than digging up pearls or fossils.

Their conversation naturally wasn't broadcast to the live stream. After all, dealing with Government affairs involved some bureaucratic gray areas; broadcasting it wouldn't leave a good impression.

Only after the two stepped out of the office did Ning Fei turn the stream back on.

He first headed to the red-crowned crane enclosure. The Qincheng Nature Zoo housed a total of five cranes.

In ancient Huaxia culture, cranes carried deeply auspicious meanings.

"In Huaxia culture, the crane is a symbol of longevity, good fortune, and elegance. They are often associated with immortals, which is why they are sometimes called 'immortal cranes'."

"Huaxia boasts the largest variety of crane species in the world."

"These cranes are absolutely beautiful."

Ning Fei looked at the elegant birds, in a wonderful mood as he smiled.

Ding Ze nodded from the side.

Of course, he didn't quite grasp the profound artistic resonance Ning Fei was feeling.

With so many animals in the zoo, to him, they were all simply animals that required protection and care according to regulations.

"These red-crowned cranes are available for adoption. We haven't found a place for them yet," Ding Ze mentioned from behind.

Ning Fei nodded. "Good. I'll take them all."

Seeing this, the viewers couldn't help but marvel:

"What a big spender."

Afterward, Ding Ze led him farther in, bringing him to a wooded area for peacocks.

"We have two green peacocks and two blue peacocks here," Ding Ze said.

Peacocks were breathtakingly beautiful creatures, their plumage shifting between shades of blue and green. Among all animals, they most closely resembled the Phoenix.

If a peacock's feathers were entirely red or brilliant orange, it would look exactly like a living Phoenix.

Because of this, their bloodline was considered the closest to the mythical bird.

Ning Fei looked at the four peacocks resting in the grove.

The Phoenix jade pendant he wore naturally possessed an aura that attracted birds. Ordinary birds might not feel it from a distance, but the peacocks' senses were incredibly sharp.

Thus, the moment Ning Fei appeared, the four peacocks fanned out their tail feathers in perfect unison.

The accompanying zoo staff stared in sheer disbelief.

Good lord, since when were peacocks this eager?

They actually fanned their tails on their own?

Peacocks rarely displayed their feathers outside of courtship.

The viewers also found the scene highly amusing.

Looking closely, one could see that all four peacocks were angled directly at Ning Fei.

"These peacocks look like they're fanning their tails for Ning Guan master!"

"Has Ning Guan master's charm crossed species boundaries now?"

"What gorgeous peacocks!"

"Haha, I never expected to see a scene like this."

Meanwhile, Ning Fei turned to Ding Ze. "If it's alright, I'd like to take all these peacocks as well."

Ding Ze replied, "Adopting them is no problem. However, you'll need to provide documentation proving your location and capacity to house them. We'll also send specialists to inspect if the conditions are met, and they will conduct regular check-ups on the animals' living conditions."

Ning Fei smiled. "That's easy enough. I have the Deer Sanctuary; the environment there is perfectly suitable."

The group continued their walk through the zoo.

As they passed the penguin enclosure, Ning Fei crouched down to look at the birds behind the glass window.

These creatures were adorably clumsy, and watching them made Ning Fei's hands itch to pet one.

"Director Ding, where did these penguins come from?" Ning Fei asked.

"Some were purchased through the Antarctica research teams, and others were imported from abroad. A few countries are breeding a large number of penguins now and have fully mastered artificial reproduction for them."

Ning Fei nodded. He really would love to observe penguins up close someday.

Afterward, Ning Fei strolled through the rest of the zoo. Most of the animals were strictly off-limits for private adoption, so there was nothing he could do.

By the end of his tour, Ning Fei had only adopted the red-crowned cranes and peacocks.

All that remained were the bureaucratic procedures and on-site inspections. Ning Fei fully cooperated with the Government's process.

Now, with both deer and cranes residing in the Deer Sanctuary, it truly had become a blessed land.