Chapter 312: Locust plague

The sky is dim, and the night has not completely faded.
On the streets of Qingzhou at this time, a person was walking in a hurry.
Pang Yukun was heading to the Qi Palace with a report.
The matter in this memorial is very serious to him, and it is likely to endanger the farming in the six states.
"Pang Changshi came very early today. His Royal Highness took Feng Shilang around Qingzhou City yesterday. He may be a little tired and has not yet risen." Luluo blocked Pang Yukun from the sleeping hall.
Pang Yukun looked anxious, "This is a big deal, so I can't delay it. Please call for your Royal Highness."
Luluo was a little unhappy. It seemed to her that King Qi worked so hard, it was rare to sleep for a while, this Pang Yukun was also true.
"What's wrong?" When Luluo was hesitating, Xiao Ming's voice came from the room.
Pang Yukun immediately said loudly: "His Royal Highness, a few days ago, the next official received a letter from a friend in Jizhou. He said that Jizhou has not rained for several months and there are signs of a locust plague."
"Signs of locust plague!"
Inside the house, Xiao Ming was slowly putting on his clothes. Hearing that he didn't care about the clothes being untidy, he walked out directly.
"Yes, Your Highness, as the saying goes, there are locusts in the extreme drought. There will be locusts in long-term droughts. This friend Xiaguan said that there was very little rain in Jizhou last year. The drought caused a reduction in food last year. Many people have no more food in their homes. Spring plowing will be coming soon, but the arable land is dry and cracked, and there is no way to plow at all. Looking back at the beginning of this spring, our Qingzhou has only had a light rain and never rained again..."
Pang Yukun's expression here is a bit solemn.
Xiao Ming's expression was a little embarrassed, and he said, "It's okay, you keep talking."
"His Royal Highness, historical records record that since ancient times, when this drought and locust plague appeared, Jizhou, Bianzhou, and Qingzhou were often affected by the disasters. After receiving the letter, the next official ordered the Liuzhou governor to go out for inspection. I found that the number of locusts in the field this year has indeed increased a lot in previous years. His Royal Highness is taking precautions at this time and buying a large amount of food reserves in case of accidents." After that, Pang Yukun carried a deep worry on his face.
"Is it really the Little Ice Age?" Xiao Ming gave a wry smile. The Jizhou, Bianzhou, and Qingzhou lines that Pang Yukun said are basically equal to the modern Hebei, North, South, and Mountain.
Even in modern times, this area is a drought-stricken area with a high incidence of locust plagues.
In Xiao Ming's memory, several large locust plagues occurred in Dayu a few decades ago, causing people to starve and die, and there were even cases of people rising up.
Taking a deep look at Pang Yukun, Xiao Ming had a trace of appreciation in his eyes. This is his long history, and he can learn from the slightest and take precautions.
He said: "How are the grain reserves now?"
"Back to your Highness, the food reserves in the six states are only enough for one year. The severity of this locust plague is unknown. We should deal with it in the worst case."
"Well, now you immediately inform Li Kaiyuan to barter now, in exchange for a large amount of grain to enter Qingzhou, reducing some temporarily unnecessary things." Xiao Ming ordered.
Putting on his clothes, he went on to say: "You now immediately draw up a memorandum to show the matter to the court so that the court can take precautions early."
Pang Yukun wrote down Xiao Ming's words one by one.
"His Royal Highness, the friend of the lower official said that after the drought, King Yong not only did not reduce his taxes, but on the contrary increased his taxes, saying that it was to resist the barbarians to overhaul the city of Jizhou, and the lower official worried that King Yong's actions would worsen disasters. , Spread to our place."
Xiao Ming frowned when he heard the words. There was water between the princes and the princes. He couldn't accuse the king of Yong's behavior, but Pang Yukun's worries were not unreasonable.
Nowadays, the gentry and clans of the Kingdom of Da Yu have annexed a large number of lands among the people, and the relationship between the people and the government has been in jeopardy.
"The king understands what you mean, but this is not something that the king should take care of. The court is already taking care of this matter. The rest depends on how the father decides." Xiao Ming said loudly.
Putting on the clothes, Xiao Ming continued: "Now I still think about how to prevent locust plagues in the six states."
Pang Yukun frowned, "His Royal Highness, this plague of locusts is a natural and man-made disaster. It must be because the powerful and powerful of the great Yu country have committed too many sins these years. God wants to punish the great Yu country. Since it is God's will, how can we prevent it."
"Nonsense!" Xiao Ming scolded Pang Yukun angrily, "The King of Loss just praised you for seeing the micro-knowledge and preparing for a rainy day. Now you tell this King about these messy things. This King does not believe in the sky, but only believes that people can conquer the sky!"
Pang Yukun was shocked by Xiao Ming's words.
It was the first time that Luluo saw Pang Yukun eating so flat in front of Xiao Ming, and couldn't help laughing while covering her mouth.
Pang Yukun’s old face was a little bit awkward, but he really couldn’t deal with the locust plague. He said, "His Royal Highness, please make it clear!"
"eat!"
"eat?"
"Yes, people eat, chickens, ducks, and toads. As long as they can eat locusts, they will be sent to the fields." Xiao Ming said, "Go and talk to Li Kaiyuan. In addition to buying food, you will buy a lot during this time. When entering chickens, ducks and geese, the king will also publish in the newspapers the prevention of locust plagues, and let the people take the initiative to breed chickens, ducks and geese."
There are many ways to prevent and control locusts in Xiao Ming’s science and technology database, but the most practical method in the country is biological control. According to data, two thousand ducks can eat locusts on four thousand acres.
Pang Yukun’s these statements by Xiao Ming were unheard of, but Xiao Ming’s words were the best and they must have a basis. He bowed and walked outside the palace.
"His Royal Highness, this locust plague is so terrible, can it really be prevented by raising a few ducks?" Lu Luo asked hesitantly.
Xiao Ming sighed, "Now that the locust plague has not yet formed a climate, some results can be seen in timely prevention and control. What the king is worried about is not Qingzhou, but Jizhou. Yongwang has always been courageous, but I am afraid. The locust plague cannot be dealt with in time, and Jizhou will be famine again by then."
"Yes, many people from the Yongwang fief fled to Qingzhou in this good weather. If there is a catastrophe, wouldn't it be another flood of refugees."
"Isn't it the labor that your Royal Highness is lacking now? If this is a large number of refugees coming over, wouldn't it alleviate His Royal Highness's urgent need?"
A voice suddenly came, but Aster came over with a bowl of mouthwash tea.
"Sister's words are wrong, how can Your Highness take advantage of others?"
Zixuan smiled and said, "How could your Highness take advantage of the danger and take in the refugees? Your Highness is for the country and the people."
Xiao Ming glared at Zixuan, "Now don't talk about King Yong's ridicule, if our fief can deal with this locust plague, we should first care about our own affairs."
Aster stuck out his tongue and answered "Yes."
(To be continued.) Enable new URL