How difficult it is

In May, Sima Yan and Sun Hao were sharpening their knives, preparing to fight dog against dog.

Yang Zheng was preparing to watch a good show, but he didn't expect something happened again in Guanzhong.

Whenever there is a drought, locusts will appear.

Although there was a blizzard in March, it lasted too short and did not freeze to death all the insect eggs, and it quickly entered spring.

The locusts also revived.

There are signs of large numbers of locusts appearing in various counties in Guanzhong.

Yang Zheng had a headache. Guanzhong was really troubled. Apart from Guanzhong, there was no other place in his territory that was more suitable for building a capital.

However, this locust plague was only the first outbreak. Local officials did their duty and discovered the signs in advance, and finally reported them to Yang Zheng.

Drought only harms one place. If a locust plague breaks out, it will jump from Guanzhong to Hanzhong, Hexi, and from Hanzhong to Shuzhong, Longyou...

There was a drought last year, and if there is another locust plague this year, the land equalization system will collapse...

The people must have fled with their buckets and fled back to Sichuan.

Yang Zheng remembered that after Sima Yan came to power in history, Guanzhong was also plagued by drought and locust plagues. The Yongliang Han people, Xianbei people, and Di people all rose up, and rebellions occurred one after another.

Yang Zheng finally caught up and took the blame for the Sima family.

"Droughts and locust plagues are all warnings from God. Your Majesty, you should practice benevolent government, put the people first, and refrain from killing and cutting down." Du Kuan led a group of scholars and said.

Yang Zheng's eyes widened. He was already annoyed enough, and these people were still here to cause trouble.

If he had laid down his butcher's knife these days, he would have been torn into pieces by now.

"Isn't it virtuous to be alone?" Yang Zheng said angrily, thinking to himself that he didn't do much harm to the people, right?

To talk about harm, it also harmed the surrounding foreign races and noble clans.

Du Kuan is also a member of the aristocratic clan. His butt determines his head, so he naturally wants to speak for the noble clan. "The king often raises hundreds of thousands of troops to go on expeditions. The people are miserable and the people have been grudges for a long time!"

If it weren't for Du Yu's sake, Yang Zheng would have really wanted to send him to Shuofang, Juyan, or Nanzhong to let him quit killing and fighting.

When the locust plague appears, I don’t want to think about how to solve the problem, but I want to use the problem first.

God is really wise. Historically, the Sima family has never been able to secure its position.

"Since the people are suffering so much, then please trouble Duke Du to go to Hequ and Xihai to observe the people's sentiments and provide relief to the people!" Yang Zheng said with a smile.

"Your Majesty..." Du Kuan lived a very happy life in Chang'an. He studied Confucian classics all day long and only went to Guzang a few times to debate with the monks.

"If you don't want to go to Hequ and Xihai, then go to Nanzhong and Jiaozhou. It's because Da Qin is considerate of the people." The smile on Yang Zheng's face gradually became serious.

"I, I would like to go to the bend of the river, the bend of the river."

"Without further delay, Mr. Du will set off now."

"Your Majesty, I accept your order." Du Kuan wiped the sweat from his face and did not dare to leave it any longer.

Lu Zhi shook her head and chuckled: "Uncle Du Wu is far inferior to Uncle Du Wu."

Du Wubo was Du Yu’s father, Du Shu.

Du Shu had trouble with Sima Yi and was framed.

Du Kuan, however, used mythical things to make excuses.

"If the locust plague is discovered early, it can be controlled early. Your Majesty does not need to worry too much." Lu Zhi changed the topic to the right track.

"Uncle, does he have any good ideas?"

There must be no more disasters in Guanzhong, otherwise the land equalization system will be in vain.

Lu Zhi said: "Locusts grow with the crops. They emerge in spring and mature in summer and autumn. Locusts fly from the wall and must go to the fire at night. You can light bonfires in the field ridges at night to burn the locusts."

"The Book of Songs" says: Tian Zu has a god who rides on the fire.

During the Zhou Dynasty, there was a method of using fire to control locusts.

I was confused by Du Kuan just now, but now I am calm, and suddenly I thought of a way for future generations, to raise ducks to control locusts!

"The government hatches duck seedlings, gives them to the people, and then puts them in the fields!"

Lu Zhi laughed and said, "Your Majesty, this method is good. It not only controls locusts, but also allows the people to eat duck eggs and duck meat."

The Qin government was extremely efficient. Lu Zhi synthesized various measures and the local government immediately implemented them.

The people were also mobilized by the corps commanders, chiefs, and village chiefs and put themselves into the fields.

Bonfires were set up at night, and a large number of ducks were released in the fields during the day.

Yang Zheng almost lived in the fields for more than half a month, culling locusts with the people.

Some people roast locusts and eat them directly, or cook them and feed them to pigs and cattle.

The people stayed in the fields all day to catch locusts.

As long as you can eat it these days, it's not a problem.

At first it was a government organization, but later it became voluntary.

Old people, children, and women can stay in the fields to catch locusts when they have nothing to do. They carry baskets and pick off the heads and feet. They can catch four to five kilograms a day.

Yang Zheng originally wanted to imitate Emperor Li Er who swallowed a locust alive, and then said: I hope to prevent the disaster, why should I avoid it?

When I brought it to my mouth, this thing was alive and kicking. When I thought that this thing had parasites, if I got sick, I would lose my life if I failed to show off, so I threw it to the ground and trampled it to death. I told the people that it must be cooked or roasted before it can be eaten.

.

"Zuo Zhuan has a saying: Difficulties in neighboring countries cannot be ignored. It may be difficult to consolidate the country and open up its territory; it may be difficult to lose the country and lose its defense. It is the ancient and modern principles to rejuvenate a country through many difficulties." Lu

Zhi felt it and said,

In fact, looking back at history, this is often the case. Natural disasters are not terrible, but man-made disasters are terrible.

With the whole nation of Qin working together, the locust plague was gradually contained.

On the contrary, pigs, cows, and ducks all grew unusually fat, which was an unexpected surprise.

On the surface, it was to control locusts, but Yang Zheng thought it was to test Qin's mobilization ability.

It seems to be working well so far.

The central government and local governments are working hard. After the drought, the people did not have too much panic and had great confidence in the government.

In fact, throughout the ages, the people of Middle-earth have not had high demands on the government. If they are decent enough and provide a stable environment, they will build powerful empires with their own blood and sweat.

"Don't relax about the locust plague. In addition to the fields, you must also pay attention in the wilderness. Guzai will send scouts to patrol the wilderness in Guanzhong. Once the locust situation is discovered, go all out to ask for people and give money."

"Wei!" Suo Jing cupped his hands and said.

The new capital was suspended, and the people returned to the fields, and Suo Jing followed them there.

"The troubles facing neighboring countries should not be taken lightly. Why don't your Majesty catch the locusts alive and send them to Hedong, Nanyang and other places!" Wei Guan was worthy of his background as a poisoner. With a twitching of his eyes, the poisonous plan was revealed.

Yang Zheng thought for a while, "No, Hedong is connected to Bingzhou and Feng Yi. The locust plague is getting stronger. If it flies back to Guanzhong... something bad will happen."

Locusts are alive.

Moreover, Yang Zheng felt that this trick was of little use to the Central Plains.

Even if Hedong and Nanyang have a poor harvest, other places can make up for it.

But if the locusts fly back to Guanzhong, they will be shooting themselves in the foot.

However, Wei Guan just mentioned it casually without thinking much about it. Seeing Yang Zheng's objection, he smiled and cupped his hands, "Your Majesty is indeed a benevolent king!"

These words made Yang Zheng laugh, "Everyone in the world calls Gu a tiger and wolf, cruel and unkind."

"A great benevolence cannot be benevolent, a great kindness cannot be beneficial!" Wei Guan chanted.

Yang Zheng chuckled twice. As a human being, he doesn't care what others think of him. Be it benevolence or cruelty, as long as he can unify the world and create a powerful empire, nothing else matters.
Chapter completed!