Hearing the sound, Li Longji sat up straight and ran in through the yellow door.
He said happily, "Your Majesty, it's here."
"Mm!" Li Longji nodded.
The three ministers were invigorated. They were here to see what was going on over there.
Yao Chong personally handed over the three books, and the yellow door ran away.
"Huaizhou, reporting to Your Majesty, Huaizhou has been gracious. The people are safe and abundant, the wind and rain are smooth, the mountains and rivers are beautiful, from …"
"Don't recite the one in front." Li Longji interrupted. He didn't recite it earlier, but now everyone was anxious to hear it. What was the point of saying useless things?
Yao Chong laughed secretly and became serious.
"There's been little rain this spring, and the winter wheat is growing well. Last month, we heard that locusts had increased in number among the people. We feared a plague of locusts and couldn't sleep …"
It was still a pile of nonsense. The main point was that the officials in Huaizhou had worked very hard and discovered the situation in advance. They had worried a lot.
When they were done worrying, it was time to get down to business.
"Half a month ago, we heard that locusts were being hunted in Henan. The people were all mobilized, and the chickens and ducks raised by the locusts laid many eggs. The pigs ate them and grew meat quickly.
Therefore, it began among the people. Later, we wrote a letter advising the people, saying that locusts should be treated by the heavens. The heavens treat the chickens and ducks.
Catching locusts to feed the chickens and ducks is the way of the heavens. There's no need to fear the wrath of the heavens. The people will follow and catch locusts to feed the chickens and ducks.
In addition, we learned the method of hatching. Huaizhou is building hatching kang, and soon there will be countless chickens and ducks growing into seedlings.
This summer's harvest might not be enough, but the autumn harvest will have a full grain supply. The people will have more eggs, chickens, and ducks, and more pork. Huaizhou, peace. "
This time, he finally finished. He said that the locals had learned how to deal with the locusts from Henan. Everything would be fine if they followed the instructions.
Yao Chong put down the memorial from Huaizhou and picked up the one from Zhengzhou.
He recited it again, and the meaning was the same. Zhengzhou had also learned it, and it was even faster.
Huaizhou was close to Luoyang, but they had to cross the Yellow River. Zhengzhou was also close, but there was no need to cross the river.
The officials who didn't know the situation were astonished. The officials of these two places were quite impressive.
They were making sacrifices elsewhere, and they had the people catch locusts to feed the chickens.
The reason given was also awesome. Locusts descended from the sky to respond to Heaven's rule. Heaven's rule was to let chickens, ducks, and pigs eat. It was the way of Heaven.
There was no need for a sacrifice, just do it.
"Good. It hasn't even been four months, but the news has already spread to two prefectures. Let's hear about it from Henan Prefecture." Li Longji smiled.
Yao Chong took a deep breath. Zhang Shuo, Lu Huaishen, and Wei Zhigu sat up straight. They had been waiting for this moment.
Yao Chong solemnly opened the memorial from Henan Province.
With a single glance, Zhang Xuan was taken aback.
"This subject, Bi Goo, thanks Your Majesty for being reluctant to send Grand Imperial Physician Li Yi to Henan Province to deal with the locust plague."
This was the beginning of the essay, without a single word.
The others didn't understand. What was there to be reluctant about? They looked at Li Longji.
When Li Longji heard this, he actually nodded. That meant, "Yes, if it wasn't an important matter, why would I send Li Yi out?"
Yao Chong sighed. Bi Goo's evaluation was too high.
The word 'reluctant' and the word 'capable minister' indicated that His Majesty had thrown out his trump card.
If it wasn't a matter of life and death, such an existence should stay in Chang 'an.
He continued reading.
"There are many locusts in Henan Province. Every citizen catches them in exchange for chicken and duck eggs. In the first half of March, a large number of chicken and duck chicks are exchanged.
Currently, in the entire Henan Province, even the villages, there are chickens and ducks that can be raised. There are more than a hundred chickens and less than a dozen chickens and ducks.
In addition, His Majesty asked Li Yi to provide the incubation method. Those who already have chickens and ducks are learning how to incubate them. By the end of this month, more chickens and ducks will have hatched.
The children catch them during the day, while the adults light bonfires to lure the locusts at night. With one net, they can catch dozens of locusts.
They put them in sacks and transported them to Luoyang. This official received them on behalf of Li Yi and brought other things from the hill rented by Li Yi to exchange for the people.
Now that the summer harvest is coming, this official estimates that the wheat yield will be reduced by about half, but there will be more harvest.
Those who originally didn't have the money to raise chickens and ducks can exchange the locusts for chicks. They have chickens and ducks to feed water and chopped locusts.
After a few days, when the chicks and ducks grow up, the people can sell them or use the century eggs taught by Li Yi to process them. They can make a lot of money.
On behalf of the people of Henan Province, this official once again thanks His Majesty for sending Imperial Physician Li Yi. With the locusts, Henan Province is safe. The author is Bi Goo, Henan Province's Minister of Justice. "
After Yao Chong finished speaking, he bowed to Li Longji. "This official congratulates His Majesty."
After bowing, he sat back down.
The others were dumbfounded. Henan Province was completely different from other places. It was even crazier than Huaizhou and Zhengzhou.
Reducing the wheat yield by half, and then raising chickens and ducks? Using half of the wheat to exchange for so much meat and eggs?
In other places, the people suffered losses, but when it came to Henan Province, not only did they not suffer losses during the locusts, they even profited.
Li Longji sat there with his eyes narrowed. His fingers tapped on the table, as if he was … humming a song.
Everyone quieted down and listened carefully.
"The vast sea laughs, the tides on both sides of the shore. Floating and sinking with the waves to record the present day, the heavens laugh, the tides of the world …"
They heard it. Sure enough, he was singing. The vast sea laughs. It was a very familiar song.
The three prime ministers and Wei Zhigu looked at each other, revealing a helpless expression.
They knew why His Majesty was still in the mood to sing when the locusts were everywhere.
His Majesty treated Li Yi as his treasure. No matter how difficult the situation was, the moment he sent out Li Yi was the moment the problem was solved.
What was there to be afraid of? Henan Province and two prefectures had withstood the locusts.
The next step was simple. Let the other prefectures follow suit.
It took more than twenty days for an egg to turn into a chicken, and less than a month for a duck.
Yao Chong stood up after Li Longquan finished humming the song 'la la la la la'.
"Your Majesty, I request that you vigorously implement this method to deal with next year's locusts," Yao Chong said.
He knew that many places didn't have time to clear out the locusts' eggs this year, so he wanted to promote the breeding method first.
When the locusts burrowed out of the ground next year, they would catch and feed them.
"Approved!" Li Longji lightly spat out a word. He was still in a good mood.
The Minister of Personnel, Cui Riyong, understood something. He stood up. "Your Majesty, has Li Yi gone out?"
Li Longji glanced at him and nodded lightly.
"Did he say when he'll be back?" Cui Riyong asked.
"Minister Cui, do you have something to say?" Li Longji was unhappy. Why do you care when Li Yi will be back?
"The people from Zhuangzi who participated in the imperial examinations didn't come to the Ministry of Personnel. I want to know what's the next arrangement," Cui Riyong hurriedly said.
"That's all." Li Longji waved his hand.
Cui Riyong sat down gloomily. He actually wanted to ask Li Yi what kind of official position the forty-two people would be given.
If they passed, they would at least be a ninth-rank official. Even if they didn't become an official, they would still have a salary.
While he was at it, he could also fill the toilet water and add alcohol to the lighter. They were sold outside now, but the price was too expensive.
The others were pondering about Li Yi's situation. Li Yi and the others knew that he was the master of Earthly Paradise.
But they didn't know when Li Yi had gone out and was in charge of dealing with the locusts.
They didn't receive any advance notice of such a big event.
"Since you know, those who should write letters, those who should arrange the aftermath of the locusts should continue."
Li Longji wanted to end the meeting. He didn't want to stay any longer. He was eager to go back and share this joy with the others.
Success, Li Yi had succeeded. He had been preparing since last year, and everything had come true this year.
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