Chapter 65

"I have a plan that can resolve the locust plague in Guanzhong!"

Following these words from Gao Yang, the gazes of all the officials in the Imperial Study instantly turned toward him.

Wang Zhong's complexion changed abruptly.

He could no longer sit still.

Gao Feng's expression shifted wildly, and he couldn't help but scold, "You unfilial son, stop spouting nonsense! The Guanzhong locust plague involves millions of commoners; this is no place for your reckless behavior!"

"Step back!"

In such a massive disaster, if one could truly propose a solution, it would naturally be a great merit, but if it failed and led to the plague spreading,

then even the Duke of the State's Prefecture would be in deep trouble!

Beside him, Wang Zhong was deeply moved.

Although he didn't believe for a second that Gao Yang had a solution, he still felt a bit panicked.

After all, from the previous two encounters, he knew this guy was vicious, just like a living King of Hell.

Who knew what kind of sinister method he had brewed up this time?

Wu Zhao looked at Gao Yang with anticipation, "Gao Yang, if you have a method, speak boldly. Do not worry about the consequences; I and my ministers will naturally weigh it."

Gao Yang stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, you have heard the words of General Wang Lao. I boldly request that you act as a witness."

Wu Zhao raised an eyebrow and looked at Wang Zhong.

Wang Zhong felt a sudden jolt in his heart.

Oh no!

I was too impulsive!

This brat wouldn't actually have a way to exterminate locusts, would he? The latrines in Changancheng—I couldn't lick those clean in a lifetime...

He was just about to speak up to make a strategic retreat.

But Wu Zhao nodded directly, "I have heard it. You may rest assured."

"The most important thing right now is the Guanzhong locust plague!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhong's face turned green.

This was a huge loss; if Gao Yang lost, he wouldn't have to pay anything, but if he lost, he would be miserable.

A smile appeared on Gao Yang's face.

He was no saint; repaying grudges was his style.

"Since that is the case, I will boldly offer a few humble opinions. But before that, I must confirm: regarding the memorial submitted by the Guanzhong Prefect, has the locust plague already broken out, or are there merely a large number of eggs that have yet to hatch?" Gao Yang asked.

Wu Zhao looked at Gao Yang, "Currently, there are only eggs; it has not broken out on a large scale. But for Liu Wu to submit a memorial asking the Court to formulate a response, the number of locusts this time must be terrifying."

Seeing this, Cui Xinghe spoke up, "Lord Gao, a large number of eggs will inevitably lead to a locust plague, and the eggs are buried deep in the soil, making them difficult to eradicate. What is the difference between the two?"

Gao Yang looked at Cui Xinghe and shook his head, "The top scholar Cui does not know, but the difference is immense."

"If the locusts were already swarming and blotting out the sun, there would be almost no way to respond other than disaster relief. But since it is only a large number of eggs that have not yet hatched, there is much that can be done!"

Gao Yang looked up at Wu Zhao and said confidently, "I have three plans. If all three are implemented together, they will surely greatly delay the disaster of this Guanzhong locust plague!"

"The first plan: Catch!"

Wu Zhao's phoenix eyes focused on Gao Yang; she hadn't expected him to be so confident.

She couldn't help but ask, "How to catch them?"

"The Court issues an imperial decree for the commoners to catch locusts in the fields, which can be exchanged for grain at a certain ratio."

"Once this decree is issued, the commoners will surely act upon hearing the news."

As soon as these words were spoken,

the ministers in the Imperial Study had strange expressions.

Wu Zhao frowned.

*Pfft. *

Wang Zhong was the first to sneer, "I thought Lord Gao had some brilliant plan; I didn't expect it to be such a ridiculous one."

"Oh?"

"What is ridiculous about this plan?" Gao Yang looked at Wang Zhong.

Wang Zhong said with a look of contempt, "You yellow-mouthed brat have never seen the arrival of a locust plague. It blots out the sun and sky; it can sweep a place clean in just a few hours."

"Although the Guanzhong region hasn't truly broken out yet, even the locusts in the fields are hard to catch. According to your plan, how should the Court set the exchange ratio between locusts and grain?"

"If the ratio is too low, the commoners won't move at all, or the grain they get won't even cover the cost of catching the locusts. If the ratio is too high, the Court spends so much grain—what use are these broken locusts?"

Wang Zhong's eyes were filled with disdain; he found Gao Yang utterly ridiculous.

He had almost been scared to death, and he didn't expect Gao Yang to offer just this?

Even though he was just a martial man, he knew this plan was absurd!

Gao Feng stepped forward and looked at Wu Zhao, "Your Majesty, this unfilial son has never seen locusts before. In his haste, he has spoken a policy that invites ridicule. I beg Your Majesty to forgive him."

"I will surely discipline him well upon returning to the prefecture."

A hint of disappointment appeared in Wu Zhao's eyes.

The 'Monkey Play' scheme and the 'Work-for-Relief' in Linjiang City had given her such great surprises that her expectations for Gao Yang were very high.

But this current plan was truly mediocre.

"No matter. Locust plagues have been difficult to solve since ancient times. Those who can offer plans should be encouraged, not punished."

Wu Zhao looked at Gao Yang and said disappointedly, "Gao Yang, this plan of yours is indeed ill-considered."

"If the Court exchanges grain for locusts, and the ratio is too high, it will be a huge pressure on grain supplies. Furthermore, these locusts are completely useless."

Gao Yang smiled, "Your Majesty, who says locusts are useless?"

As soon as these words were spoken, even Wu Zhao was stunned.

What use could a pest like a locust have?

Gao Yang continued, "My first plan must be coordinated with the second plan to have a miraculous effect."

Wang Zhong snorted coldly, looking disdainful, "This mouth is even harder than my spear."

Wu Zhao's phoenix eyes suddenly turned to Gao Yang, and even Shangguan Wan'er looked over in surprise, her beautiful eyes flickering.

"Gao Yang, what is your second plan?"

Wu Zhao was full of anticipation.

If he could truly pacify the Guanzhong locust plague, it would be a tremendous boost to her prestige.

After all, the commoners of the world feared locust plagues like they feared floods and wild beasts!

Facing everyone's gaze, Gao Yang said calmly.

"My second plan is: Eat!"

"The Court sets a certain ratio for exchanging locusts for grain, then uniformly collects, roasts, and dries these locusts. Their taste is like flying shrimp, and they can be used as food."

"This will give the commoners a good exchange ratio. They will be willing to catch locusts, and the locusts caught can be processed and sold. The money earned can offset the expenditures. Why not do this?"

As Gao Yang's lighthearted words flowed out, the entire Imperial Study fell silent.

Everyone looked at Gao Yang in unison.

"Hiss?"

"Eat locusts?"

Their expressions were strange; after all, since ancient times, locusts had been pests. Who had ever eaten a pest?

And Gao Yang even said that after being dried, they tasted like flying shrimp...

Was this Gao Yang trying to eat the locusts into extinction?

Wu Zhao's eyes lit up, as if she were deliberating.

Wang Zhong was a martial general and didn't understand the twists and turns, so he just stared at Gao Yang.

His heart panicked.

If these locusts could really be eaten, then using these two methods together might truly have a miraculous effect.

But Cui Xinghe said solemnly, "Your Majesty, this plan must absolutely not be implemented; it is a plan that will harm the people!"

Wu Zhao frowned, "Why?"

"Although I have never seen locusts, I have read extensively!"

"In past disasters, locusts blotted out the sky. After they swept through, the commoners had no grain to eat, so some starving commoners not only ate locusts but also had several ways of preparing them."

"But eating a small number of locusts caused no major harm; once they ate too many, they all developed symptoms like diarrhea. This is sufficient proof that locusts are poisonous and cannot be eaten."

Once these words were spoken, the entire Imperial Study fell into a huge uproar.

The expression on Cui Xinghe's face remained unchanged, but he sneered inwardly.