Su Ziji frowned deeply: "Prefect Qi originally planned to reduce the locust plague. Now there must be something fishy about the sudden outbreak of locust plague. It is obviously too weird. Mr. Cen, you go back now and let your friends in the world investigate this matter immediately.
Let’s see if there are any monsters causing trouble.”
"Moreover, quickly go to other counties to find grain merchants, regardless of whether they are coarse grains or fine grains. But you don't buy and sell them yourself, but let the officials take the lead. Do you understand?"
As soon as the business was done, the mud got stuck in the crotch and it was hard to explain.
"Don't worry, sir, I understand." Knowing the importance of these two things, Cen Rubai was about to go find someone to do something.
It can be seen that Qi Hongxin is dedicated to controlling and exterminating locusts.
It's a pity that although he had an idea, under this situation, there was nothing he could do to save his life. After half a day, Su Ziji saw that his voice was hoarse. He mobilized the people to hunt and kill the locusts, taking the lead and seeming to be tireless. But even so, as the locusts followed,
As more and more people gathered together, the people changed from panic and anger at the beginning to fear and despair now.
"Sir, something is wrong!" After receiving a whisper from a ranger, Su Ziji turned around and caught up with Qi Hongxin. Qi Hongxin wiped his sweat and asked with a gloomy face: "Master Su, what did you find?"
"Yes, someone took the opportunity to spread rumors among the crowd."
"Say to the people - do you still dare to hunt and kill locusts? Didn't you see that the current locust plague is the revenge of the locust god!"
"Before, you culled so many locusts in accordance with the government's requirements, but what happened? Aren't you killing more and more? Now you continue to kill and plant crops. Even if seedlings grow, more locusts will come and you will die.
No gain!"
"Sir, this kind of statement is very convincing when the locust extermination has achieved initial results but then attracted locusts all over the sky."
As he said that, Su Ziji pointed: "Look!"
Qi Hongxin looked around and saw that the people who were instinctively afraid of locusts because of the rumors among the people were so frightened that they turned pale when they heard such remarks and then saw such a locust plague scene, and the tools in their hands were all eaten away.
Throwing it to the ground, many people even knelt down and kowtowed to the locusts flying in the sky.
Of course, there are also those who are not afraid of rumors or the so-called locust god, but because the crops are almost finished and the government does not give any rewards, they are unwilling to work hard.
"Damn it, hate it. Whoever dares to spread this rumor should be investigated immediately and punished immediately."
"Sir, the current public sentiment is desperate and boiling like fire. You are being hunted and killed. The people don't know that you are a spy. If you are incited, there will be a civil uprising!"
Su Ziji was startled. He didn't care about hiding his sharp edge and spoke loudly.
Seeing Qi Hongxin's whole body trembled, he softened his tone and said, "Your previous arrangements were very appropriate. Now the situation with the locusts is very strange. I'm afraid it will be difficult to solve."
"I have to say something to be honest, the people are unwilling to exterminate the locusts when their crops are finished."
"It is useless to urge them. This is the real reason for their strike."
"What can you do?" Qi Hongxin asked immediately.
"During the locust plague, not only will the local grain harvest be lost, but other counties will also suffer. The official suggested that in order to stimulate the enthusiasm of the people, one bushel of locusts could be exchanged for one bushel of rice."
"People are superstitious, but as long as there is benefit, let alone locusts, even if there is a locust god, they will kill them for people to see."
"Moreover, there is no grain harvest, and there is no harvest, and the people have no food, which can easily trigger civil uprisings. Exchange of a bushel of locusts for a bushel of rice can not only encourage the whole people to participate in the eradication of locusts, but also stabilize the people, which is equivalent to curing the famine... Of course, this costs money
There is a lot of silver grain, but now I happen to have 270,000 taels."
Before Su Ziji finished speaking, Qi Hongxin immediately understood: "You don't need to explain, this method is very good, I immediately ordered - tell the people, one bushel of locusts will be exchanged for one bushel of rice."
"Also, don't be afraid of losing the food in the county treasury. We will immediately send people to other counties to purchase food."
"Sir, the official purchase of grain may not be fast. You can purchase grain from the private sector, or allow private grain purchase. As long as the market price does not exceed 30%, the transaction can be completed."
"Since there is a locust plague, price increases are inevitable and 30% is a must. Without this money, big households will not be able to sell grain. We can't force another expropriation at this juncture, right?"
Su Ziji reminded Qi Hongxin, who immediately woke up and ordered his master and several officials: "Take my official badge and purchase food immediately."
“The transaction can be completed within 30% of the market price.”
"Also, anyone who dares to hoard food and sell it at a high price will be punished by me. The food in the house is only allowed to be 30% higher."
"yes!"
As the order was conveyed, the already desperate people suddenly took a shot in the arm and cheered. Not only that, but the women, children and the elderly who were hiding in the house all rushed out.
Bonfires were constantly being lit, and people were constantly killing people with nets and cloths.
"For the people who rely on the sky and the earth to support their families, fearing the so-called locust god is actually a helpless act, and it is also a belief born in a humble place."
Su Ziji did not stay with Qi Hongxin, but went elsewhere. Seeing more of these scenes, his gloomy face gradually became more smiley.
"Only interests can truly mobilize the people."
It is impossible to rely on morality or obligation to break the belief that is deeply rooted in people's hearts and is closely related to survival.
"Don't talk about the people, even the government is the same. If you change the prefecture, once the farmland of the prefecture is eaten up by locusts, I am afraid that they will immediately stop beating and let the locusts go to other counties - because if you are the only one who is eaten up, you will be in trouble.
Punishment is inevitable."
"But the surrounding counties all ate it up, and the officials were blameless."
"That's why the government is doing nothing."
"Chirp!" Just as he was thinking about it, suddenly something furry at his feet nudged him. Looking down, he found that two foxes, one large and one small, had wandered off somewhere during this period, and their fur was completely wet.
She circled around him, raising his head and chirping at him to please him.
Although the fox's language has never been heard, the two foxes will be so well-behaved only when they are hungry and begging for food.
Su Ziji looked at them speechlessly: "You two only want to eat from me but don't do anything. Do you really think of yourself as pets? Huh?"
"Chirp!" The fox stopped, and they all screamed one after another.
Su Ziji suddenly thought for a moment and motioned for them to follow him.
The so-called driver who was driving the cart was Zeng Nianzhen, whom Cen Rubai specially stayed with. He was driving the cart at the moment and was following him on the roadside. Su Ziji didn't have to avoid him and got on the cart one after another with two foxes, one big and one one small.
car.
In the car, there were books. Su Ziji handed the books to the two foxes and asked them to point to the words and speak.
Sure enough, the foxes obviously didn't admit that they were eating dry food. They didn't fight for it this time. Instead, they muttered a few words, and the big fox turned the book, pointed to a few words, and read them together.
Related to the locust plague.
"Are you saying that this locust plague is caused by monsters that escaped from gangs?"