Farming with kids: My deceased husband returns and I spoil him rotten.

Since the work ahead involved a lot of physical labor, Shang Qing mostly sent the two men out to do the work, while she stayed home to take care of the household chores. Gu Yu and Lao Zong left early and returned late every day, and since they always had water when they came back, they didn't think much of it.

Little did they know that all of this was because Shang Qing had secretly replenished their water supply.

On this day, Shang Qing was preparing to go up the mountain to check on the situation, but unexpectedly, as soon as he stepped out, he ran into Nie Niang, who looked very anxious.

"Shang Qing, I was just about to look for you!"

Seeing that she sounded anxious, Shang Qing couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

Nie Niang grabbed her and headed towards the village chief's house, explaining as she went, "You wouldn't believe it, I heard that many people's fields are swarming with locusts, and on a massive scale! It's terrified the villagers! Everyone's gone to the village chief's house now, wondering what to do!"

This was within Shang Qing's expectations, so she wasn't too surprised.

When they arrived at the village chief's house, the courtyard was already full of people, chattering noisily.

"Village chief, this is unbearable! How did such a swarm of locusts suddenly appear?"

"You bet! I just saw a whole bunch of them in our field, it almost scared me to death!"

"Didn't you say before that our village would be fine? But looking at what's happened these past two days, I'm really scared. Who knows what even worse things might happen next!"

"Village chief, please give us some ideas and tell us what to do!"

The village chief was surrounded by everyone in the middle, and he looked helpless.

After noticing Shang Qing outside the crowd, the village chief quickly called her to his side.

"Shang Qing, you should be aware of this matter by now, right? Do you have any ideas?"

The village chief's tone also sounded somewhat hurried.

Shang Qing gestured for everyone to quiet down before raising his voice and saying, "Do you all remember the ducks you bought from me before? Now please go back and let the ducks out, drive them into the fields, and they will eat the locusts!"

Nie Niang quickly chimed in, "Yes, everyone must believe Shang Qing; what she said is all true!"

Everyone naturally believed what Shang Qing said, and the group was about to leave when Shang Qing stopped them and added, "But I have to say something unpleasant beforehand. Although ducks can eat locusts, they may not be effective if the locusts are on a larger scale. So these next few days are of utmost importance, and everyone must be on high alert."

The village chief then had people organize the matter. Fortunately, everyone had bought ducks from Shang Qing, and almost every household had some.

Shang Qing and Nie Niang also went back to their respective tasks. Fortunately, the locusts had not yet reached the point of causing a plague, and the situation could still be maintained. Basically, as long as these locusts were nipped in the bud, they would not become a disaster later, and the consequences would not become serious.

When Shang Qing returned home after finishing his work, he was surprised to find that Meng Fengzhu had actually come.

At that moment, he was discussing the matter with the village chief and Gu Yu. As soon as he saw Shang Qing coming over, he quickly got up and walked over to her.

"Shang Qing, you're finally back."

Shang Qing smiled at him: "What brings Lord Meng here today?"

“I just happened to be visiting a few villages nearby to check on their situation, and then I stopped by to see you…” Meng Fengzhu invited her to sit down, and then said, “Shang Qing, I really should thank you for this. If it weren’t for your method, I think the situation in the neighboring villages would be even worse than it is now.”

The village chief then chimed in, "Shang Qing, Lord Meng has come here today specifically to thank you!"

This made Shang Qing feel flattered, but he still remained calm and said, "Lord Meng, you are too kind. I am very happy to be able to help everyone."

Shang Qing suddenly had a jolt and asked abruptly, "By the way, Lord Meng, is this method only known in a few nearby villages? What about places further away?"

Meng Fengzhu was slightly taken aback: "This... I'm only responsible for this area, and I can't interfere in other places. But I've asked around these past two days, and there haven't been similar situations in other places. What's wrong?"

Shang Qing shook his head gently: "It's nothing. I'm just a little worried. After all, these locusts are appearing in large numbers. I'm afraid other places will also be affected."

Meng Fengzhu understood her concerns, but he didn't expect Shang Qing to think so far ahead. He found it remarkable and admired her even more.

"Speaking of this matter, I'm also here today to deliver a message..."

Meng Fengzhu glanced at the village chief and then instructed him, "I recently reported this matter to the imperial court, and the court has sent Shen Tong, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, to inspect the matter. He will be here early tomorrow morning, so I will have to trouble the village chief then."

The fact that the Vice Minister of Revenue from Kyoto was coming to his remote and impoverished village was a golden opportunity for the village chief, so he quickly nodded respectfully: "Lord Meng, rest assured, I will handle it properly and there will be no mishaps."

“He came with an imperial decree; you must take it seriously.”

Meng Fengzhu gave the village chief several more instructions and asked Shang Qing to come along and help.

"By the way, Xiao Zhao, you don't need to come to the yamen these next few days. Just stay here and keep Lord Shen company, understand?"

Meng Fengzhu said something to Gu Yu, and it was only then that everyone noticed that he was in a daze and that his expression was a little strange.

Seeing this, Meng Fengzhu called out several more times, "Little Zhao?"

Gu Yu then snapped out of his daze and hurriedly replied, "I apologize, I was lost in thought just now. What are your orders, Lord Meng?"

"What I mean is, you don't need to go to the yamen these next two days. Just stay here with Lord Shen in my place and make sure nothing goes wrong."

Gu Yu nodded, feigning composure: "Okay."

Shang Qing rarely saw him in a daze, but she didn't think much of it, assuming he was worried about recent events. After the village chief and Meng Fengzhu left, she even offered him a few words of comfort.

Gu Yu didn't reveal the truth, though he still felt a little uneasy.

Why did the court have to send him of all people?

The next morning, the village chief called all the villagers to gather at the village gate to welcome this important official from the imperial court.

Gu Yu also stood at the front, replacing Meng Fengzhu and the village chief.

"Young Master Zhao, the high-ranking officials of the imperial court must be very imposing, I've never seen one in my entire life!"

Gu Yu was a little nervous, but he didn't show it on his face. He just smiled slightly and said, "The village chief will know when he sees me. I've never seen this before either."

Soon, Shen Tong's carriage arrived at the village entrance.