Daming: Mixed in Dangzhi County, Beiping

Chapter 671 Controlling Locusts
Obviously, Boss Zhu’s heart is getting darker and darker.

As long as it was something that could be handed over to Prince Zhu Gaochi, Boss Zhu would give it to Prince Zhu Gaochi.

Let's just say that in the past year, the time and frequency of the prince's visits to his house have become less and less.

And the prince is getting busier and busier!
After wandering around the experimental field for most of the day, Zhu Di returned to the capital with some unfinished ideas.

However, just as they entered the city, several eunuchs from the palace rode out with anxious faces.

Seeing Zhu Di's motorcade, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes and he hurriedly stepped forward.

"What's the matter?"

Yishiha, who was sitting in front of the carriage, asked in a deep voice.

"Henan Secret Report!"

A eunuch hurriedly stepped forward and handed a secret letter to Yi Shiha in a low voice.

Afterwards, several eunuchs followed both sides of the convoy and walked into the city.

Yishiha turned his head and reported in a low voice toward the carriage: "Your Majesty, a secret report from Henan!"

"Bring it in!"

Zhu Di opened his eyes instantly and said in a deep voice.

"Yes!"

Yi Shiha handed the secret letter in.

Zhu Di took it and opened it to read.

"How brave!"

Before he finished reading, Zhu Di looked furious.

Guo An was startled, "Your Majesty, what happened?"

Zhu Di kept reading until he looked at Guo An, gritted his teeth and said, "I didn't expect that those rogue officials in Henan would dare to be dishonest!"

"what?"

Guo An was stunned.

Zhu Di handed the secret letter in his hand to Guo An.

"See for yourself!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Guo An quickly looked at it.

Zhu Di, on the other hand, shouted towards the outside of the car: "Yi Shiha, go back to the palace!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The speed of the convoy has obviously sped up.

However, it did not affect Guo An's staggering look at the words on the letter.

After reading it, my face was full of gloom.

"How can these officials be so stupid?"

"Hmph, who knows if they are just scared and don't dare to play, or if there is something hidden behind them?"

Zhu Di snorted coldly.

"Probably not!"

Guo An looked uncertain and said, "Now that there are so many merchants probing around the Ming Dynasty, what else can those officials hide?"

Zhu Di said in a deep voice: "At least let the Jin Yiwei go investigate and investigate this matter carefully, so that the truth can be revealed!"

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

Guo An quickly flattered.

Zhu Di then ordered to Yishiha who was outside: "Call the Inspection Bureau, the Ministry of Husbandry, and the Ministry of Officials into the palace!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Yi Shiha responded hurriedly, and then hurriedly gave a few instructions to the eunuchs on the side.

Those officials then hurried to the offices of the Censorate, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Personnel.

Wait until Zhu Di takes Guo An back to Wu Tower.

Yang Jing, the censor of Zuodu of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, Jian Yi, the minister of the Ministry of official affairs, and Yu Xin, the minister of the Ministry of household affairs, also hurried in.

After the salute, everyone looked at Zhu Di with doubts on their faces. I don't know where the official was, but he had offended His Majesty again!
Zhu Di said in a deep voice: "Jinyiwei reported that a locust plague has begun in Runing Prefecture, Henan. Have you received a report from Henan officials?"

"what?"

Yu Xin and Yang Jing suddenly looked shocked and a little unbelievable.

"Your Majesty, is this serious?"

Zhu Di said displeased: "How dare Jin Yiwei lie to me about such a big matter?"

Yu Xin said hurriedly: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue has not received any report!"

Yang Jing also said hurriedly: "Your Majesty, the Metropolitan Procuratorate has not received any report."

"Huh, okay!"

Zhu Di sneered directly, "Henan officials concealed the locust plague and did not report it, and the inspection censor did not report it at all. Our officials in the Ming Dynasty are really a group of good officials!"

"Your Majesty, calm down!"

Yang Jing and Yu Xin quickly apologized.

Zhu Di ignored it and continued: "The people in Henan have just been better off, but now there is a locust plague again. If the locust plague cannot be eliminated in time, this year will be another year of famine for the people in the north."

"What your Majesty said is absolutely true!"

Guo An nodded.

Zhu Di continued: "It's just that the Henan officials and the censor couldn't hide this matter, which makes me particularly puzzled and a little worried.

I decided to send a few officials to Henan, mainly to preside over the fight against the locust plague.

Also, investigate this matter thoroughly!
I wonder if any of you would like to go? "

Hearing this, Yang Jing, Jian Yi, and Yu Xin looked at each other. Finally, Yang Jing and Jian Yi both looked at Yu Xin.

Yu Xin sighed helplessly and cupped his hands towards Zhu Di.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, I am willing to go!"

"Since Yu Aiqing is willing to go, then I can rest assured!"

Zhu Di's expression softened slightly. When Yu Xin was in the 26th year of Hongwu, he was ordered to formulate the "Rules for Distributing Food in Disaster-Injured Places".

Moreover, from the twenty-sixth year of Hongwu, whenever there was a major disaster in the Ming Dynasty, Yu Xin was bound to be involved in the relief work.

Therefore, Zhu Di was very relieved about Yu Xin.

On the side, Yang Jing and Jian Yi were somewhat disgusted by Zhu Di's demeanor.

But when it comes to disaster relief, they really have to accept it.

Yu Xin cupped his hands and said: "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty, I will do my best!"

Zhu Di looked at Yang Jing and Jian Yi again, "Although Yu Qing's family will go to this disaster relief, we still need to investigate the reason why Henan officials did not report the matter. The Metropolitan Procuratorate and the Ministry of Personnel also need to send people to assist Yu Aiqing!"

"The minister obeys the order!"

Jian Yi and Yang Jing responded hurriedly.

"Ok!"

Zhu Di nodded slightly and looked at Yu Xin, "I wonder what else Yu Aiqing wants?"

Yu Xin thought for a moment and then asked directly: "Your Majesty, I have something to ask, and I would like to ask His Highness the Prince of Shunde!"

"Oh?"

Zhu Di's eyes were determined, "What do the Yuqing family want to ask?"

Yu Xin said directly: "Reporting to Your Majesty, I am going to Henan this time mainly to prevent and control the locust plague.

Wei Chen remembers that a few years ago, His Royal Highness the Prince of Shunde suggested that His Majesty use the locust plague to defeat the Tatars in one fell swoop. His Royal Highness the Prince of Shunde must be very familiar with the locust plague.

Therefore, before I leave, I would like to ask His Highness the Prince of Shunde. Is there any better way to control and eliminate the locust plague? "

Zhu Di nodded: "You should ask about this!"

Everyone in the hall looked at Guo An in unison.

Guo An thought for a moment and then said directly: "Reporting to Your Majesty, Wei Chen has actually read some books about locusts before."

"..." Zhu Di, Yu Xin and others couldn't help but look strange.

Who is a good person who has nothing to do and reads books about locusts? Moreover, can it still be collected?

"During the Song Dynasty, Mr. Dong Jixing's "Book of Saving Famines and Reviving the People" recorded that locusts were born like ants (aka flies), which could only jump but not fly, and were easy to swat...

It is also recorded that locusts are in the deep grass of wheat seedlings and crops. They invade every morning and gather all the grass to eat dew. Their weight cannot make a leap.

There are still insect eggs underground..."

"However, based on my analysis of some books about locusts, I concluded that locusts are like corns when they are born, and spin up like flies in a few days. They can jump in groups and fly in groups. They are called locusts in several days. , the child is conceived on the ground. The child in the ground will turn into a locust on the 18th day. This is the reason why the harm is widespread."

"To control locusts, we can start from three time periods. During the egg stage, dig the soil to destroy the eggs.

In the nymph stage, they can only jump but cannot fly. They are easy to beat and can eat. Someone can be sent to catch them. The court should set a reward and no one can stop them.

When it grows wings, it becomes a plague of locusts.

At this time, the locust plague began to get out of control, leaving thousands of miles of bare ground and starving people everywhere!
Therefore, the people in the locust-infested areas need to work together to send out an army of chickens and ducks, so that the chickens and ducks can go out and eat the locusts.

Or, weave a big net to catch locusts.

You can also dig pits one by one, narrow at the top and wide at the bottom. When night comes, lay coal or firewood in the pits.

Ignite it and emit a dazzling fire, and locusts will be attracted to it.

Wait until the locusts get into the pit, detonate it with gunpowder, or add more firewood to burn the locusts to death! "

"..."

As Guo An said this, the entire hall suddenly became silent, and everyone looked surprised.

"His Royal Highness the County Prince actually knows so much about locusts and has such a way to control them?"

Yu Xin saluted respectfully towards Guo An.

"They are all obtained from books, so you can't be like Yu Gong!"

Guo An said hurriedly.

Yu Xin said again: "His Royal Highness's words are very important for controlling the locust plague in Xiaguan!"

"It's natural!"

Guo An nodded slightly, without being too polite, but continued: "In addition, I also found out that locusts have the habit of migrating, concentrating, and choosing where to lay their eggs!
Therefore, no matter what, to control locusts, it is most important to eliminate the eggs laid by locusts in advance! "

Hearing this, Yu Xin's eyes lit up and he asked hurriedly: "May I ask, Your Highness, how to find locust eggs?"

Guo An continued: “During the dry season, locusts like to lay their eggs in wastelands with relatively moist soil.

In seasons with heavy rains, or in state capitals, locusts like to lay their eggs in higher areas such as riverbanks and ditch ridges that are not flooded.

Especially in soils that are hard, but not too hard, nor too soft..."

Hearing this, Zhu Di was even more surprised, "Guo Qing also found out these from the books?"

"Your Majesty, these are not!"

Guo An shook his head slightly, "Weichen summarized these through observation and experiments!"

"I see!"

Zhu Di nodded slightly, and then asked again: "I wonder if Guo Qing has any other methods?"

"Back to Your Majesty, the humble minister is gone for the time being!"

Guo An replied.

Zhu Di nodded again and looked at Yu Xin.

"Does the Yu Qing family have any other requests?"

Yu Xin glanced at Guo An, opened his mouth slightly, and then raised his hands in salute.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Highness. I have nothing else to do!"

Zhu Di said: "If that's the case, then go back and arrange household matters and go to Henan as soon as possible!"

"The minister obeys the order!"

Yu Xin, who was already somewhat old, bowed to Zhu Di and then exited neatly.

Zhu Di then said to Yang Jing and Jian Yi: "This time, the officials who go to Henan with Yu Qing's family must be smart and capable, and must not have any collusion with those officials in Henan.

If not, I will definitely investigate to the end! "

"The minister obeys the order!"

Yang Jing and Jian Yi responded solemnly, and then hurriedly left.

then.

Guo An was left alone in the hall again.

"Guo Qing, since ancient times, I have believed that our land in the Central Plains is plagued by countless natural disasters, especially locust plagues.

However, whether it is a flood or a drought, there will be a sign.

Only the locust plague was normal beforehand, but once it broke out, it caught everyone off guard.

The plague of locusts is like dark clouds covering the sky and the sun.

No matter where you fly, you will be instantly eaten bare by these locusts, with no green at all.

The common people have worked hard for a year, and all the food they need to survive has gone into the bellies of these animals.

When these animals are full, they will lay more eggs.

Maybe there will be an even bigger locust plague next year! "

"Yes!"

Guo An echoed.

Zhu Di looked gloomy and continued, "Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, there was a locust plague in Jinan in the fifth year of Hongwu, and then in Xuzhou and Datong;
In the sixth year of Hongwu, there was a locust plague in Beiping, Henan, and Shanxi;
In the seventh year of Hongwu, there was a locust plague in Pingyang, Taiyuan, and Fenzhou; a few months later, there was a locust plague in Huaiqing, Zhending, Baoding, Hejian, Shunde, and Shandong!
In the eighth year of Hongwu's reign, locusts plagued Beiping, Zhending, Daming, and Zhangde prefectures!
For four consecutive years in the Ming Dynasty, there was a large-scale locust plague, and the people were miserable!

With such a disaster, many ignorant people still worship the locust god and dare not exterminate the locusts. This makes Huang Kao sad and I am also very sad! "

Guo An echoed: "It is time for the people to know that only by exterminating the locusts can they no longer suffer locust plagues, and future generations will no longer suffer locust plagues!"

Hearing this, Zhu Di stared at Guo An with bright eyes, "Can future generations no longer suffer from locust plagues?"

Guo An said slowly, "Your Majesty, if the locusts are completely eliminated, then there will no longer be a locust plague?"

"There are endless locusts, how can we kill them all?"

Zhu Di asked murmuringly, but there was still a glimmer of expectation in his eyes.

Thinking of future generations, Guo An subconsciously said: "Then keep weakening the locusts!
In addition, let those doctors or farmers study some drugs that only poison locusts, and then use the drugs to poison the locusts! "

"drug?"

Zhu Di was still a little confused.

"It's the medicine!"

Guo Andao said, "Your Majesty, the locusts are endless. The people of the Ming Dynasty alone can only weaken them and cannot wipe them out.

In this case, poison can only be used.

Moreover, it is specially used to poison locusts, but it is not very toxic to humans.

Spray these drugs into the soil so that the locusts have nowhere to escape! "

"Excellent!"

After thinking for a moment, Zhu Di asked excitedly: "Guo Qing, who can develop these drugs?"

Guo Andao said: "Back to Your Majesty, the development of medicine is a big matter. Your Majesty should select a few doctors and farmers, or more than a dozen doctors and farmers, to develop it.

If there are more, there will be chaos! "

"Can!"

Zhu Di nodded and asked again: "What else?"

"Your Majesty can write the dangers of the locust plague and the methods to control locusts in the newspaper, encourage the people to destroy the locusts, and let the people not believe in the locust god.

In addition, officials from various states and counties should be allowed to inspect the territory every year in the spring and autumn. If they encounter locusts newly born, they should try to catch them and make sure they are eliminated.

It is a sin for anyone who sits back and watches to indulge in thoughts."

"Very good!"

Zhu Di's face lit up, "Guo Qing still understands us, as it should be!"

……

(End of this chapter)