Becoming Rich with Daily Scavenging APP-Chapter 698: Tumbling Pigeons

"What's so interesting about these pigeons?" Chen Yiyang asked while walking.

Today Zhang Yuling said she'd show him something fun.

Turns out, she was talking about watching pigeons.

There are many pigeon breeders in the Imperial Capital. When the country holds grand events in the Imperial Capital and needs to release peace pigeons, these pigeons are usually borrowed from these local breeders.

Due to their strong memory and homing instinct, pigeons that participate in events will fly back to their owners afterwards, without requiring extra effort.

Of course, sometimes mishaps occur; a few muddled pigeons might get lost and not return home promptly after the event.

However, these pigeons all have identifying rings on their legs, ensuring they can be swiftly returned once found.

"These are homing pigeons, not plaza pigeons," Zhang Yuling explained to Chen Yiyang, "Many of the pigeons here even participated in past Imperial Capital parades."

"Speaking of which, I have a question," Chen Yiyang asked curiously, "Birds have a straightforward digestive system, so wouldn't these homing pigeons poop while flying during events?"

"Uh." Zhang Yuling was silent for a moment, stumped by Chen Yiyang's bizarre question, before answering, "Usually, they won't. Because all homing pigeons taking part in events are fed nutritional liquid instead of food two days before the event to maintain their condition.

So after they're released, these pigeons that haven't eaten food for two days will quickly fly back to their nests, without producing any waste."

"But what I've brought you to see today are not ordinary pigeons." Zhang Yuling led Chen Yiyang to an open space.

Because this area is the outskirts of the Imperial Capital, there are vast open fields without skyscrapers blocking the view.

Thus, when Chen Yiyang looked up, he could clearly see several pigeons flying around.

But unlike regular pigeons that glide smoothly, these pigeons would suddenly perform somersaults after flying for a while.

They'd flip backward, resembling fighter jets performing aerobatics. After several flips, they could still resume normal flight.

"What kind of pigeon is this?" It was the first time Chen Yiyang saw pigeons capable of doing tricks.

"These are called somersaulting pigeons," Zhang Yuling informed Chen Yiyang, "They're a very unique type of pigeon, and they always fly like this."

"That's somewhat cool." Chen Yiyang was amazed watching these acrobatic pigeons in the sky.

It was his first time seeing any creature fly like this.

"These somersaulting pigeons have genes distinct from regular ones," Zhang Yuling explained to Chen Yiyang, "Their continuous flips in the air are due to an invisible genetic mutation causing brain imbalance and motor dysfunction.

Thus, when they fly, they feel they're falling from the sky, so they keep rolling to adjust their flying posture."

"Were these pigeons discovered by chance or deliberately bred?" Chen Yiyang asked curiously.

"In 1858, humans first noticed occasional flipping behavior in wild pigeons.

Later, people deliberately bred and trained such pigeons into a specialty. In Huaxia's southern province, there's a team specifically training somersaulting pigeons for viewing."

"How much does one of these pigeons cost?"

Chen Yiyang and Zhang Yuling sat down to enjoy tea while watching the pigeons somersaulting in the sky.

"Pricier ones cost tens to hundreds of thousands because training such pigeons is quite troublesome," Zhang Yuling said.

"Rich people sure know how to have fun," Chen Yiyang said, surprised at the pigeon's price.

Actually, Chen Yiyang underestimated it; there are many pigeons even more expensive than somersaulting ones.

Due to pigeons' genetic plasticity, comparable to dogs, and the long history of human breeding and training.

So for every type of dog, there's pretty much a corresponding pigeon variety.

In Europe, they've even trained pigeons resembling creatures from a fantasy world like Pokémon.

For example, noble-looking Jacob Pigeons and Curly-haired Pigeons with feathers resembling curly human hair.

Curly-haired Pigeon and Jacob Pigeon illustration.

But such pigeons are pricey, hard to care for, and purely ornamental.

Thus, they aren't as known to the public as pet dogs.

"Do you want to buy one to keep at home?" Zhang Yuling asked looking at Chen Yiyang.

"I think I'll pass." Chen Yiyang thought and refused.

If he were to keep such exotic pets at home, it'd quickly become known in social circles.

Then anyone wanting a favor from him would definitely try to get hold of one to offer him.

It would spawn a negative trend.

"I'll pass on pigeons that somersault; not keeping them. But if you ever find a cat that can somersault, you can send me one.

Then I can have a good reason to invite people over to my home."

After hearing Chen Yiyang, Zhang Yuling leaned in to his ear, whispering while teasing, "I haven't seen a somersaulting cat, but I do know a somersaulting person. Want to come to my place and have a look?"

"Sure." Chen Yiyang held Zhang Yuling's hand, "Just don't blame me if you flip halfway and I catch you."

Chen Yiyang and Zhang Yuling spent a lovely afternoon together.

In the evening, he was thinking of possibly grabbing dinner with some friends.

When he received a call from Schaefer, who said he was in the Imperial Capital and asked if Chen Yiyang could arrange a place to stay for him.

Schaefer didn't know Chen Yiyang was also in the Imperial Capital and thought he was still in Lin'an.

Upon receiving Schaefer's call, since he was otherwise unengaged, Chen Yiyang decided to pick him up personally.

"Why are you in Huaxia again?" Chen Yiyang asked Schaefer upon meeting him in the Imperial Capital.

"Picked up a temporary gig," Schaefer replied frankly, "Helping some German companies scout suitable places to set up factories in Huaxia."

"Which German companies?" Chen Yiyang asked curiously.

"A whole lot," Schaefer said exaggeratedly, "Executives from big German firms know I have connections in Huaxia, so they asked me to investigate."

"What, is Germany under invasion?" Chen Yiyang didn't quite understand Schaefer's implication.

"Though not invaded, it's almost as if," Schaefer told Chen Yiyang, "This year's financial reports from major German firms were simply shocking!"