Chapter 338: What clever strategies?

Gu Xixi never meddles in other people's affairs.

But locusts are the public enemy of all farmers.

Having discovered the insect eggs, she could not just stand by and do nothing.

Gu Xixi said solemnly, "It's almost April now; from what I see, those insect eggs will hatch into larvae in as little as seven or eight days, then after another month they'll grow into nymphs, and during this period they can only harm the crops near them."

"By around June they molt and grow wings, able to go wherever they please, migrating with the food masses, which is the locust plague you know."

"Therefore, to curb the locust plague, we must act early; exterminating them at the egg stage is the simplest, most effective, and least costly method."

He Jinglan said anxiously, "Only seven or eight days left, Brother—we don't have much time; you need to decide immediately!"

He Jinghui thought, "But what can we do? According to past records, the method is to burn the fields where locusts were first found, yet according to what I've read, the effect is minimal."

"In the end, not only did it fail to stop the locust plague, but burning the fields also early on provoked public resentment."

As for the incoming Ministry of Revenue, He Jinghui was not entirely unprepared.

He had started studying early, having consulted various annual records of the Ministry of Revenue.

As for methods to deal with locusts, in summary it's "doing it is the same as not doing it."

Gu Xixi looked at He Jinghui, her eyes selfless and fearless, "I have a method, as long as Minister He agrees to exterminate the locusts."

He Jinghui gave a wry smile and waved his hand, instinctively saying, "This isn't a matter of agreeing or not."

"If we could exterminate these calamities, I'd surely be the first to volunteer, but..."

He suddenly realized something, incredulous, "Boss Gu saying that... could it be that you already have a method?"

He Jinglan couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"Brother, what's wrong with you today? No need to think—if Gu Xixi brings it up, she must have a plan!"

"It's just you dragging your feet; everyone thinks you're afraid of responsibility and unwilling to act."

Mu Nan Zhao also gave He Jinghui a teasing glance.

He Jinghui gave an embarrassed laugh, "I thought... Boss Gu being so skilled at farming was already impressive enough; I never expected you also to know how to exterminate locusts."

"I just... never even thought of that."

"It's no wonder Mu Nan Zhao had him ask Boss Gu; everyone present knows Gu Xixi better than he does."

"Only he, in his anxious haste, failed to grasp this for a moment."

He Jinghui straightened his face and said solemnly, "The rise and fall of the realm, the peace of the people—food is the foundation. How could I fear responsibility? As long as there's a method, I'll do whatever it takes!"

Gu Xixi also didn't waste words, "Using the Ministry of Revenue's name to mobilize manpower, then issuing a public notice to rally all farmers to cooperate with the Imperial Court in self-rescue locust extermination."

"This method could be tried."

After listening seriously, He Jinghui nodded, "Before reporting this to His Majesty, we still need proof; I must take the Ministry of Revenue's agricultural officials to the Immortal Fruit Village you mentioned to inspect it on site."

"Boss Gu, could you conveniently reveal to me a bit more about exactly how you would do this?"

Gu Xixi nodded, "First, spray the pesticide to kill them, preventing the eggs from hatching successfully, while not harming the seedlings."

"However, due to limited conditions and tight timing, the pesticide I prepared might only kill fifty or sixty percent."

"So there is a second step: the remaining eggs that hatch into larvae can be dealt with by gathering various poultry and releasing them into the fields."

"Poultry readily eat insects, and locusts are especially favored food. Chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons—whatever we have counts."

"The third step: there is still ample time before the mass winging of locusts in June. Humans catching insects and birds eating them can proceed simultaneously. Use all available manpower."

He Jinghui was overjoyed, nodding repeatedly, "Excellent step-by-step progress, leaving no loopholes!"

"I'll take a few people out of the city right now."

He stood up, bowed deeply to Gu Xixi with a solemn tone, "Please, Boss Gu, take charge of preparing the medicine."

The situation finally looked up; He Jinghui said that and then left.

Mu Nan Zhao, however, called out to him, "Wait."

"The locust extermination plan, within the Imperial Court, I and He Jinghui pose no problem."

"But if we want to mobilize the populace in the countryside, it probably won't go so smoothly."

He Jinghui stopped in his tracks, having thought of this crucial difficulty, his expression also turning grave.

Gu Xixi asked bluntly, "Are you afraid the farmers won't cooperate?"

Before, she knew that in some ancient places people were superstitious about the "Locust God".

When a locust outbreak occurs, they think it's because somewhere offended the Locust God, so they dare not kill the insects, but instead worship the Locust God.

After Gu Xixi transmigrated into the book, in the Northwest she had never heard such a saying.

She thought the world in the book and the real world she previously inhabited still had some historical differences.

Could it be that customs differ in this place, the capital?

Indeed, He Jinghui sighed, "How could I not have thought of this? But given the urgent time, we should first arrange things, then consider how to explain to the populace."

"We can't just idle waiting for their consent while doing nothing."

Mu Nan Zhao remained silent.

He Jinghui understood that he had agreed, and quickly departed.

The few people in the hall fell silent again.

Superstitious folk activities have always been the hardest to resolve.

After all, sometimes even the exalted emperor will exploit the people's psychology, fabricating things like "divine signs" or "heaven-sent mandate".

An Qinghe complained, "A worm that eats crops—who knows how many people it has starved to death—yet some actually worship it as a deity; truly laughable!"

Gu Xixi sighed, "Perhaps it's precisely because they once suffered greatly from it yet were powerless to resist, turning fear into worship."

An Qinghe said, "Still, our Northwest is better—at least we won't set up a broken insect as a deity."

He Jinglan looked left and right, "So how are we supposed to persuade the populace now?"

After a moment of silence, Mu Nan Zhao spoke, his voice clear and cold, "Actually, it's not that difficult."

Inside and outside the capital, all counties and villages post notices to exterminate locusts; any household that does not cooperate will have its fields burned to eliminate future harm.

If anyone dares to obstruct and oppose the Imperial Court, it is enough to kill a few in public; others will naturally know what to do.

He Jinglan startled, hesitating, "But wouldn't this be too violent?"

"What if it stirs up another big disturbance..."

Mu Nan Zhao said lightly, "I will bear it myself."

"Impossible!"

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan spoke in unison.

He Jinglan said, "How many, like the Fan family, are waiting to catch your fault and drag you down."

"After all, the locust plague hasn't truly happened yet; if you act now, you will surely be impeached, and if anything else occurs, even His Majesty may not be able to protect you."

Gu Xixi and Mu Nan Zhao exchanged glances, "Jing Lan is right; eradicating locusts cannot be done in just a few days. You must first protect yourself before planning for the future. He Sir's Ministry of Revenue is on the front lines and cannot do without your support."

"Moreover, the farmers are victims; they should not initially be met with violence."

"Even if someone is stubborn, once you suppress them this time, they will comply outwardly but resist inwardly; implementing locust eradication with outward obedience but inner defiance, how could the outcome be good?"

Mu Nan Zhao paused, then asked, "Do you have an idea?"

He had never doubted Gu Xixi's ability; she always had unexpected talents.

Gu Xixi's lips curled slightly, a confident smile.

"We must make them sincerely convinced and actively participate."