Zhuo Qihua

Here, Chang Jing answered: "Three years of severe drought, I heard that there has been another locust plague. The empress dowager's reduction of palace points must be a serious disaster. A few days ago, the Holy Majesty sent two favored lords into limbo. It must be extremely disturbing. If you go to the Leng Palace, your life will be worse than death, although the master is not favored, but you can spend your days safely in this West Third Courtyard, and there are Uncle Wang and the others to take care of you on weekdays, life is not bad."

Xiaohui rolled her eyes: "Master has never met the Holy One at all, so why is he not favored?"

Emperor Yong'an suddenly looked at Zhang Xian, but Zhang Xian also looked dumbfounded.The other party lives in the West Third Hospital?Is there any noble master in the West Third Hospital who has not been blessed by Long Live? !He has no impression at all!

Chang Jing: "Master, I don't know when this severe drought will end. Now that the palace inspectors are strict, Uncle Wang can't give us more palace points. If the drought continues, we will wait until the cicada monkey passes. , we have nothing to eat."

Emperor Yong'an looked back again, his eyes flickering under the dim candlelight.

Xiaohui put her hips on her hips: "Master is so smart, how could there be no food. We have never been hungry when we were with Master. Don't be crowed, good or bad spirits, hurry up and pee."

Chang Jing was frightened, spit three mouthfuls quickly, and slapped himself lightly twice.The man smiled again, in a deep, provocative voice.

"Don't be superstitious, you two. Don't worry, even if we don't get any palace points, we won't go hungry."

Xiaohui: "Master is the most powerful."

Chang Jing also dogged: "Master is the most powerful." Then, Chang Jing sighed again, "It's really that misfortunes never come singly. Before the severe drought is over, there is another plague of locusts. The victims of the disaster this year are more serious than last year. It's hard. I heard that there are already refugees near Dongluo City."

That person: "Normal."

"What's normal?" Chang Jing looked over.

The man still lazily said: "Arid places are hotbeds for locusts. Three lands have been dry for two years, and the plague of locusts is only now appearing, which is already a shame."

"It's too late?" Both of them stopped looking for Cicada Monkey and looked at their master together.

The man explained: "Dry soil is good for locusts to lay their cubs. After three severe droughts for two years, the land is so dry that the locusts can't wait for it."

Xiaohui frowned: "Then what should I do? It's not raining now, it's going to spread, maybe the locusts will fly to Dongluo."

Chang Jing also asked: "Master, is there really nothing you can do?"

The man smiled: "Yes."

The eyes of Xiao Hui and Chang Jing lit up, and the eyes of Zhang Xian, who was eavesdropping, also widened.

"Master! What can I do?!"

The man replied calmly: "If you can't kill it, just eat it."

"Ah?!" Xiaohui and Chang Jing were both dumbfounded, did they eat?Eating locusts?

The light in Emperor Yong'an's eyes dimmed instantly, but Zhang Xian broke out in a cold sweat.The man laughed twice: "You even eat cicada monkeys, so what are locusts?"

"Master! Can locusts be eaten too?! How disgusting!" Xiaohui was the first one who couldn't bear it.

Chang Jing: "You can't eat locusts! I heard that locust temples will be built wherever locusts are infested, to worship the king of insects. How can I eat them!"

The man changed his hands and propped his chin: "It's ignorant and useless to worship locusts. Let me ask you, what do locusts eat."

"Crops." The two said in unison.

"Cicada monkeys that eat leaves eat with gusto, but locusts that eat crops are disgusting to you. Burning locusts, fried locusts, fried locusts, spicy locusts... so delicious, just give up like this, reckless."

Chang Jing swallowed hopelessly, and immediately turned his back: "It sounds delicious, master."

"Of course it's delicious."

"Master, have you ever eaten?" Xiaohui was very curious.

The man nodded: "Otherwise, how can I tell you? For foodies, the locusts are only not enough to eat. If the three grains are eaten, then mobilize the victims to catch the locusts and eat them. It is also a bit of meat. The money is collected for 100 locusts, and then sold to restaurants for 30 copper coins per plate."

"30 copper coins?!"

"30 is still less. This is a seasonal dish. It will be gone after summer and autumn. If you want to eat it, you can only wait for the next year. But the best thing is to use oil, just like cicada monkeys. Deep fry it, tsk tsk, that taste ..."

Xiaohui and Chang Jing swallowed together.The man continued: "There is another way, using poultry. Locusts are the favorite food of poultry. Throwing 2000 ducks in the past will soon produce results. But now throwing ducks in the past is like meat buns beating dogs. So it is best The safest thing is for people to eat it by themselves. For areas with high incidence of locusts, raising more poultry can play a preventive role. As long as the common people let go of their ignorant notions about locusts and let go of their courage to catch and eat them, maybe they will still hate them. There are too few locusts. Local officials can also spare their manpower to rescue the disaster, instead of catching and killing locusts one by one with nets, the effect is still low."

Chang Jing: "Master, you are too powerful! We can eat locusts, what about the severe drought? God doesn't rain, so what can we do except pray for rain?"

"Pfft," the man laughed, and propped his chin with another hand and said, "Who is God? Just wait for mortals to send you a few tributes and then give you rain, God is too easy to pass. By God, it's better On their own."

"So there is a way?" Xiaohui and Chang Jing were extremely pleasantly surprised.

"Yes, but it's too late now."

Emperor Yong'an took a step forward, Xiaohui said, "Master, please tell me if it's not too late."

Emperor Yong'an retracted his foot again.

The man seemed to regain some energy and sat up straight: "Arid areas are usually areas with little rain and water."

Chang Jing and Xiaohui nodded like students.

"In areas with little rainfall, there are many ways to solve the problem of water shortage. One is to exploit groundwater. No matter how dry the area is, there will be water when you dig deep into the ground. The difference is more or less."

"Master, what is groundwater?"

"It's the water under the ground. I'll explain that later."

"Oh."

"The second method is to build water conservancy projects and build drainage and irrigation facilities in farmland to improve the ability to resist drought."

"Master, what is a water conservancy project, drainage and irrigation facilities?"

"I'll explain this later."

"Oh."

"Third, water storage and water storage should be done well in arid areas. Even in arid areas, there will be times when it rains. At this time, it is necessary to dig more large wells, deep wells, and reservoirs to store water. Build rainwater harvesting projects."

"Fourth, cultivate crops with strong drought resistance. The crops planted have strong drought resistance. When encountering drought, the harvest will not fail. As long as people can eat enough, the country will not be chaotic."

Chang Jing and Xiaohui nodded hard.

"There is another way, which is to divert the water from the south to the arid area in the north, but don't think about it, it can't be realized."

"why?"

"It will take ten years to dig a canal, costing countless silver, and the country will be destroyed after digging. South-to-North water diversion is even more unrealistic."

"Hiss—" Although Chang Jing and Xiaohui still didn't understand, they vaguely understood.

"And these methods must be prepared before the drought occurs. Now it has been drought for two years, sooner or later."

Chang Jing immediately said: "Master, why didn't this servant ask you earlier? If I asked you earlier, I could tell the Holy One."

"Are you going to sue?"

Chang Jing shrank his neck.The man leaned back again: "You can't do it even if you say it, why bother asking for trouble."

"why?"

The man: "Look for groundwater, and make drainage and irrigation facilities. Others, with the current production level, are powerless. Those are not enough for only one person. Plant trees in arid areas, cut down less, and conserve water. The most direct way now is to spend manpower and material resources to transport water from the neighboring areas to solve the draft problem of the victims. Then transfer food from the granary in the south to solve the problem of food and clothing for the victims. But if the management is not good, all people will be corrupted. It would be better than doing nothing."

Xiaohui: "Yes. Every time there is a disaster, I can always hear that some officials took the opportunity to embezzle disaster relief money. But master, why do you want to grow trees?"

"Trees hold water."

"Huh? Trees can still store water?"

"Where there are many trees, there is often a lot of water. Do you think there are more trees in Dongluo City or more trees in the drought?"

"..." Xiaohui and Chang Jing, who entered the palace at a young age, couldn't answer, but it must be because there are many trees in Dongluo City.

"It's useless to think about it now. The disaster has been going on for two years, and the top priority is to stabilize the people affected by the disaster. If one party is in trouble, all parties will support it, and mobilize the people, gentry, and officials in areas that have not been affected by the disaster to donate money and materials. The most important thing is to let those who have Donate money from merchants. The imperial court sent official prostitutes to various performances, and took advantage of the opportunity of the performance to find some eloquent people to tell the tragedy of the victims. It should be as sensational as possible and enough to make people cry. There are still most kind-hearted people in the world. Yes. Even if one person only donates a penny, it is a large sum of money. It is best to mobilize those students and let them see the tragic situation of the victims. The students are so passionate and eloquent. It is up to them to sensationalize the most Better, but also more convincing.

Those gentry and wealthy businessmen who donated money were greatly praised in the residence newspaper.The country gentry and rich merchants have earned enough face, and at the same time, they have given enough advertisements to those merchants' properties, and it is still free. This is a business that is sure to make money.When people do business, they naturally prefer to deal with kind-hearted people. Whether they are true or hypocritical, they are all 'good'.

As for the court officials, the queen mother has surrendered herself to the palace, and they should also show some awareness.No less than 500 taels per person for first-rank officials.Second-rank senior officials, no less than 300 taels per person, and so on.All ministries, all government offices, and the central government, as long as you are an official of the imperial court, you have to donate.As long as you are working in the official family, even if you are just a handyman, you have to donate.This is a political task that must be done, and you cannot back down from it.Donate all the money to buy food and goods to support the disaster area.Afterwards, all localities posted the names of the donators on a big red list, stating the donations in detail, so as to minimize the corruption of ink that would definitely exist in the donations.The drought will always pass, stability is the key, and the key to stability is silver. "

"Wow...Master, you are really amazing!" Xiao Hui and Chang Jing's eyes were filled with absolute admiration for the stars.

The man stood up at this moment: "It's getting late, it's time to go back."

"Master, why don't you talk more." Xiaohui and Chang Jing couldn't get enough of what they heard.

"I'm sleepy."

With a big yawn, the man stood up.Chang Jing and Xiaohui didn't dare to disobey.Chang Jing went over to lift the chair, Xiaohui followed the master and left with a large pot of cicada monkeys.From the beginning to the end, the man didn't turn around.

After the person left, Emperor Yong'an stood where he was but remained silent for a long time.Zhang Xian didn't dare to vent his anger, he was anxious, happy, worried and shocked.Suddenly, Emperor Yong'an turned around sharply and strode away.Zhang Xian hurriedly chased after him, and almost got eaten by a dog because he turned around too quickly.

"Long live, long live..." Zhang Xian shouted in a low voice, and he couldn't explain why, but he didn't want (dare) to speak too loudly.

"Zhang Xian."

"The servant is here!"

"Immediately declare..."

Emperor Yong'an said the names of seventeen or eight officials in one breath.Zhang Xian didn't dare to delay, so he hurriedly sent someone to announce those adults into the palace.This night, the candles in the Zhixing Hall burned all night.

■

The solution to locusts is to eat them all!Hubu Shangshu Nianqing wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, suspecting that he had misheard in the Hall of Xingxing just now.Ask the left and right colleagues who came out of the Zhixing Hall with him, and they all said that His Majesty did arrange it like this. Who gave His Majesty such a bad idea to slap his head on the New Year's Day!I have never heard that the solution to the locust plague is to rely on food!But His Majesty has spoken, and his attitude is firm. Nianqing is not so bold to resist the order. Recently, there are not many officials and businessmen who have been beheaded because of disaster relief. He dare not touch this brow.

"Nian Shangshu, what do you mean by this today? Let your household department solve the locust plague. Doesn't this household department always only pay out money?" Shi Yu, the minister of the Ministry of Industry who came out of Zhixing Hall together with Nianqing, also said the same thing. Monk Zhang Er was puzzled.It's nothing to donate money from officials at all levels, but... who came up with these bad ideas!

His Majesty sent people from the Ministry of Industry to dig deep wells in Sandao, and what kind of "groundwater" was dug, Shi Yu was also puzzled.He dug a deep well, he understood, what the hell is this groundwater, can there be water in the ground and it will be dry?Three years of severe drought, it's not that no wells have been dug, and there is very little water. It's not that your Majesty doesn't know, so why dig it again?

Nian Qing shook his head and sighed: "I don't know what you think today. Let the Ministry of Households send people to collect locusts and sell them for money, and then use the money to buy food for disaster relief. What's the matter? The locusts Who will eat the food? Ah? Tell me, who will eat it?"

When Shi Yu thought about the appearance of locusts, he wanted to vomit, but he could only pat the New Year's celebration and comfort him: "I have to do it after I have explained it today. Speaking of it, Guan Shangshu is the hardest."

Guan Minghui, Shangshu of the Ministry of War, shook his head and said, "I can say it here. I just need to send more people to transport grain from the south, and transport water from Xining Road and Dongning Road, just to provide some coolies. The Ministry of Households and the Ministry of Officials need to help each other." The two colleagues have a heavy responsibility."

Nian Qing: "It's okay for the Ministry of Household Affairs, but it's a bit disgusting. The Imperial College is responsible for the heavy responsibility."

Guozijian Jijiu Geng Hong had tears in his eyes: "'When one side is in trouble, all parties will support'. This statement from today's superiors makes the subordinate officials ashamed. The subordinate officials will definitely not live up to the great trust of the present superiors."

Guan Minghui: "Eating locusts is disgusting, but what I have said today is very reasonable. The methods mentioned are also quite new. As long as this drought can pass as soon as possible, the nausea will be disgusting. I still have to do my best It is for His Majesty to share the worries."

The others immediately joined in.Because there are a lot of things to do next, all the officials left without talking much.The Holy Majesty's order was urgent, and no one dared to neglect at such a time.Hubu Shangshu Nianqing only hoped that there would be a fool who would spend money to buy locusts to eat, otherwise his black gauze hat would be really dangerous.

After everything was explained, Emperor Yong'an was not idle, and continued to read the memorials sent by various places and the memorials of ministers.Zhang Xian, who hadn't seen anyone, came in from the outside: "Long live."

Emperor Yong'an raised his eyes and put down the report in his hand.Zhang Xian said with a happy face: "Long live, man, the slaves have brought."

Emperor Yong'an raised his chin slightly, Zhang Xian turned around: "Come in."

An eunuch dressed as a father-in-law in charge walked in quickly with his head down and nervous expression.As soon as he came in, he knelt down on the ground and shouted: "Slave, please greet Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live!"

Emperor Yong'an didn't ask anyone to get up, and leaned back, Zhang Xian: "Tell me everything you know!"

The man's body trembled, but he didn't speak immediately, Zhang Xian glared angrily: "Why, do you still want Wansui to ask you in person?"

The man visibly shivered and kowtowed: "Slaves dare not, slaves dare not!"

Zhang Xian: "Then tell me quickly!"

There was struggle in that person's eyes, but the person he was facing was the current Holy One, so how could he not say anything.Biting his lips hard, the man said: "Your Majesty, servant girl, Wang Bao, is the steward of the Imperial Dining Hall."

Emperor Yong'an spoke: "Who is the person who lives in the West Third Courtyard?"

The other party trembled again, but dared not hide it: "Return to Your Majesty, yes, it is Zhuo Baolin."

"Touch!" With a sound, Wang Bao was so frightened that his arms went limp and he fell to the ground.Then he heard the Ninety-Five Supreme in the front and upper part say angrily: "Since he is my Baolin, why have I never seen him before!" Every year, big and small celebrations in the harem, even Baolin and Xu, who are the lowest in status, have to attend.If the other party is his maid, there is no reason why he has never seen her before!

The frightened Wang Bao kowtowed fiercely, and said loudly, "I dare not lie! Zhuo Baolin has been living in the West Third Courtyard since he entered the palace! The servant heard that, yes, it was Zhuo Baolin who offended someone. Imprisoned, West Third Courtyard..."

"Who did he offend?" Emperor Yong'an's expression was unpredictable.

"Servant... slave..." Wang Bao didn't dare to say.

Zhang Xian said softly: "Long live, that Zhuo Baolin offended seems to be... Concubine Hui."

Wang Bao raised his head and glanced at Manager Zhang gratefully. He was just a small manager, and he would definitely not be able to provoke the favored lord.Not to mention that Concubine Hui is the cousin of Concubine Shu, and Concubine Shu has a close relationship with Empress Empress.

When Zhang Xian mentioned Concubine Hui, Emperor Yong'an immediately thought of the connection. He remembered: "Concubine Hui entered the palace three years ago?" Zhuo Ji Baolin was conferred by the queen on his behalf!

Zhang Xian nodded: "Yes. Concubine Hui and Concubine Zhuo entered the palace in the same year. In the first year of entering the palace, Your Majesty, you made Concubine Hui a noble person." Canonized as a concubine by the emperor, became the lord of the first palace, and moved from Concubine Shu's Qiying Palace to Yihui Palace.Concubine Shu is favored in the palace, and Concubine Hui is also very favored because of this relationship, plus she can act like a baby and please the emperor. She has the backing of the empress, and now she has the prince by her side. Now it can be said that she is in the limelight.

Emperor Yong'an asked again: "How did he offend Concubine Hui?"

"This..." Wang Bao really didn't dare to say it, he was afraid that if he talked too much, he would be shot with a stick for a reason when he went out.

Emperor Yong'an looked at Zhang Xian, Zhang Xian was a good man to the end, and replied: "Long live, it seems that Zhuo Baolin or Duanmao spoke rudely to Concubine Hui?" Zhang Xian's tone was doubtful, but the meaning was very obvious.Said it was rude, I'm afraid it's not too serious offence.Zhang Xian said it was Duanmao, but Concubine Hui who entered the palace at the same time as Zhuo Baolin was still just a show girl.It is normal for Xiunu and Duanmu, who entered the palace draft, to have conflicts with each other.But Concubine Hui, who has always attracted His Majesty with her innocence and cuteness, used her background to imprison Zhuo Baolin in the West Third Courtyard because Zhuo Baolin's words offended her... Zhang Xian sighed in his heart. head.

"Just speaking rudely?" Emperor Yong'an still asked one more question.

Wang Bao kowtowed, and Zhang Xian didn't speak anymore. The reason why he was a good man to the end was because he had a good impression of Zhuo Baolin, whom he had never met before.For any eunuch in the palace, what Zhuo Baolin said would move them.

Emperor Yong'an continued to interrogate: "For the past three years, has he lived in the West Third Courtyard?"

"Yes, Zhuo Baolin has always lived in the West Third Courtyard, and has two personal servants by his side, one is an eunuch named Chang Jing, and the other is a court lady named Hui'e."