Sister Han is good at farming

Hearing that there might be a locust plague, the old and young people in Zaoziling all went out to fight in the early morning and evening, each holding a few chickens or ducks in their hands and walking back and forth around the ridges, ditches and reservoirs.

After Ruan Qingqing confirmed that it was indeed the locusts that made the ducks at home so happy, she immediately ran to Wanghewan, reminded Ma and the others, and then went to the county government office.

"What did you say? Is there really going to be a plague of locusts in the fields?"

Zhou Zheng was so shocked that he stood up.

"Sir, I am not mistaken. There are many locust larvae on the dam of the reservoir. If we control them properly at this time, we can reduce the scale of the locust plague. But if we do nothing, it will be a disaster."

Ruan Qingqing said anxiously.

"Please let me take a break first!"

Zhou Zheng paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back.

"Sir, you better think of a solution! Those locusts are really heartless and will eat anything they see." The old chief clerk standing by said with lingering fear, "Forty years ago, we had a locust plague here. When they flew in, they blocked out the sky and the sun; after they flew away, not only was there nothing left on the ground, but even the straw hats on everyone's heads were eaten by them."

"Little guy, tell me, do you have any solution?" Zhou Zheng was also anxious and asked Ruan Qingqing directly.

"We call on everyone to plant sesame seeds and raise a few ducks in each household to walk around the village ditches, wasteland bushes and reservoirs. This will directly eliminate the locust nymphs, which will not only prevent them from transforming into migratory locusts and harming crops, but also fundamentally prevent migratory locusts from laying eggs and causing a second wave of locust plagues in autumn."

“Why grow sesame?”

"Locusts do not eat sesame seeds, which can effectively protect the crops around sesame seeds."

"Growing sesame is easy, but raising ducks, I'm worried that people may not be willing to do so?"

"Sir, if that is not possible, the government can buy a batch of ducklings and send them to each household. In the fall, they will be collected and paid according to their weight after deducting the cost. Of course, if they want them themselves, they only need to pay the government some money to buy the ducklings."

"In other words, they don't need any padding at all. If they drive the ducks out more diligently, they won't even need to feed the ducks. Then they can get free money after autumn." Zhou Zheng immediately understood what Ruan Qingqing meant.

"Well, but if the ducks die, we'll ask them to pay for the ducklings. That way, everyone won't dare to be careless!"

Zhou Zhenglue thought for a moment and said, "Okay, I'll let them know right away."

When several other counties and prefectures received Zhou Zheng's letter warning of the locust plague, they all laughed it off.

"This Zhou Wanku, does he really think that he can do anything just because he has done something to make the emperor happy? He even reminded us to prevent the locust plague. Who does he think he is? A prophet? He really doesn't know what he is talking about!"

"This young man is useless. He gets cocky after achieving a little success! He's not calm at all!"

"That's it!"

When Zhou Zheng looked at the several replies in front of him, which were either sarcastic or "advisory", his face was so dark that ink seemed to drip out.

For a moment, he felt a little regretful. Why did he make such a big fuss just because of Ruan Qingqing's words?

Since when did I start to obey that little guy's orders?

Were you amazed by her calligraphy and painting of the schematic diagram of the Qingshui County water conservancy project?

Did he promise to be the guardian angel for the people of Qingshui County?

Is it to see how they created water mills and water-powered pestles that cleverly used water power to propel them?

After the mud from the river, she not only stored more water for the people in her county, but also made fertile mud that was as fertile as feces to increase production for everyone...

Zhou Zheng leaned back in his chair. It didn't matter what it was. What mattered was that every time she said something, it was worthy of unconditional trust!

As the saying goes, don't employ people you doubt, and don't doubt people you employ! He still has this demeanor of a ruler.

Zhou Zheng just convinced himself and let out a sigh of relief.

A bailiff stumbled in from outside the door, "Sir, urgent news! Urgent news!"

"Send it over quickly!"

Zhou Zheng immediately stood up and shouted loudly.

He took the urgent report from the servant and read it quickly. Finally, he couldn't help but punch the document in anger.

"These bastards didn't take me seriously when I reminded them, but laughed at me instead. Now that a locust plague has broken out in their jurisdiction, they are asking me for help! I am a human, not a god!"

"Sir, they are still waiting for your reply!" the bailiff reminded cautiously.

After taking three deep breaths, Zhou Zheng suppressed the anger in his chest and thought of a solution for them.

Ruan Qingqing once told him that locusts would lay eggs while eating crops, and that a second wave of locust plagues would break out in the fall.

The crops that have been eaten by locusts are gone. He is not a god and cannot save them. But the next wave of locust plagues can be prevented.

He immediately picked up his pen and began writing without paying any attention to the sarcastic reply on the desk.

At Zaoziling, Ruan Qingqing watched the sesame seeds in the field slowly break through the soil, sprout, grow leaves, and grow taller, and she heaved a sigh of relief. The sweet potatoes and sorghum in the field should be able to be saved.

Listening to the quacking of ducks and the crowing of chickens, she felt more at ease. The locust plague shouldn't be coming, right?

"Qingqing, come back from the fields!"

Someone greeted her on the road.

"Yes! Uncle Niu, I'll go to the field to check if there are any locusts." Ruan Qingqing said cheerfully.

"Well, ever since the county magistrate assigned everyone the task of raising ducks, there have been fewer locusts and other pests in the fields than in previous years!"

"This is good news! It seems that as long as there is water, this year's harvest will be even greater than in previous years!"

"Isn't it? As long as it rains, this year's harvest will be good! Speaking of which, since the county magistrate came here, there have been fewer thefts, no more bandits, and now even locusts dare not come near us. If it rains a few more times, life will be so beautiful!"

Ruan Qingqing followed suit with a smile, "Yes! As long as it rains a few times, we can plant whatever we want in the land."

But she knew in her heart that this was impossible, and there would be no rain this year.

It is unknown when the rate will be lowered next year, or whether it will be lowered at all.

Niu Chunsheng looked up at the sky and smiled bitterly, "How many times will it rain? I'm afraid it will be difficult!"

Yes! It's difficult!

The water in the reservoir is almost dry and there is almost no water left for irrigation in the fields.

If there is no more rain, there will be no harvest in the fields.

If there is no more rain, they will probably run out of water to drink.

Ruan Qingqing was in a heavy mood.

"Hey, what are you thinking about? Why are you so focused?"

She looked up and found that Chi Jingxiao was standing in front of her without her noticing.

"Brother Chi, what's the matter?"

"Nothing, I just heard from Uncle Zuo that other counties and states are suffering from locust plagues, and they are quite serious, but only our Qingshui County has escaped this disaster."

Ruan Qingqing's expression suddenly changed. "The counties and prefectures around us are all suffering from locust plagues? Is the news accurate?"

"It's absolutely true! Our county magistrate is trying to find a solution for them!"