Firstly, his Uncle Kung Lien and his wife were really good at helping the mother ducks hatch their eggs well. They would purposefully arranged for "pots and boxes" for hatching of eggs. And his ducklings were in good demand. Every one was inspired to rear ducks in the small community, well assured that they have plenty of ducklings in supply.
Secondly, my grandfather who owned the factory was carrying out three or four businesses at the same time. He had the machinery to make ice and sell ice to the fishing boats, he had machinery to produce rubber crepe (nengxi buoh) which he exported, he had rice milling machinery to help people mill their rice for a fee and he also sold rice husks (or kong). His staff were given as much husk as they could want. And Grand Uncle Kung Lien had the best choice was he was the head supervisor.
Thirdly, the land around the mill had very fertile land and vegetables grew abundantly. Kang kong grew wild and it was plucked and chopped for extra vitamins for the ducks.
Fourthly, the rise and ebb of the river cleaned the duck huts and brought in lots of extra food left in the mud for the ducks to forage.
My father and grandfather enjoyed lots of duck soup as a result. They usually had a duck once a week. They had their own, and very often an employee would send a gift as a thank you for getting the husks free. What a nice gesture!!
An aunt used to say that it was a joy to see hundreds of ducklings swimming in the water, by the side of the jetty. Somehow they never got lost. They would go back to their individual owners when they had their swim.
They must be very intelligent animals.
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