Chapter 135: Three Methods for Locust Extermination

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Liu Yao, currently in a fit of rage, was startled by the voice. Only a moment later did he realize this was a task from the Ancient Tome. "Good grief, so it's not just wars; tasks can be triggered like this too," Liu Yao thought to himself. Yet, at the same time, he fell into hesitation.

The rewards for this task were truly generous, with various tiers of incentives that genuinely tempted him. However, the penalty was equally daunting: a deduction of sixty draws. If he failed, it meant the Ancient Tome would leave him forever.

"Damn it, accept! I refuse to believe that someone with modern knowledge like me can't handle these measly locusts," Liu Yao gritted his teeth and thought. After agonizing for a long time, he finally chose to accept. After all, he had heard a thing or two about ancient locust control methods. Even if he wasn't sure how effective they would be, as long as he could eliminate more than fifty percent, it wouldn't count as a failure.

Furthermore, whether he accepted the task or not, locust eradication was a necessity that could not be neglected. He could not afford any mistakes; these matters were directly linked to his future.

Seeing that Liu Yao had fallen into deep thought again, Ju Shou and Zao Zhi did not disturb him, choosing instead to wait quietly. The fact that Liu Yao had a habit of spacing out during meetings was known to many in You Province. Everyone likely considered this habit of his to be an eccentricity.

Not long after, Liu Yao finished his internal dialogue with the Ancient Tome, collected his thoughts, and asked, "Gongyu, Zao Zhi, do you have any ideas on how to deal with these locusts?" Although he had already settled on a plan based on his past life, he still wanted to hear the perspective of Zao Zhi, an expert in agriculture.

"My Lord, when a locust plague begins, the sky is blotted out by a sea of locusts; it is simply not something human strength can resist. Since ancient times, there has been no effective way to handle them. We can only rely on fire and smoke to drive them away, but the effect is minimal, and often a vast amount of crops is still devoured," Zao Zhi said with a pained expression. If the people of this era had a way to stop the locusts, there wouldn't be the saying that "not a blade of grass remains" after a swarm passes.

"Gongyu, fetch paper and brush. Write down the locust-control methods I am about to describe, then have Old Mo and his team print them. Distribute these papers to every corner of You Province. I absolutely will not allow these locusts to consume the crops the people have worked so hard to grow," Liu Yao said coldly.

"My Lord, you have a method for locust control?" Ju Shou and Zao Zhi exclaimed in surprise simultaneously.

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Liu Yao nodded.

Having received confirmation, Ju Shou hurriedly prepared the ink and brush, waiting for Liu Yao to speak.

"Locusts develop in three stages: first, the initial hatching; second, the nymph stage, when they can hop freely; and third, when they grow wings—the massive, sky-darkening swarms we usually encounter. Therefore, the best way to control the plague is to exterminate them while they are still larvae. Once they reach the stage where they blot out the sun, it is truly beyond human power to resist."

"The initial hatching stage is the easiest to eliminate. We must gather manpower and do our best to eradicate the locusts in the soil; that should eliminate a portion of them."

"Once they become nymphs, jumping around but unable to fly, we should use the canal-trapping method. Dig long trenches where the nymphs pass, two feet deep and two feet wide. Then, summon everyone—men, women, and children—to come with beating tools. Have someone constantly strike a brass gong. The nymphs, upon hearing the loud noise, will scatter in panic. At that point, use the tools to drive them into the trenches, then pour water in to drown them. If everyone fulfills their duty, we will certainly be able to eliminate a vast number of locusts."

"By following this method, when the time comes for the locusts to sprout wings, they will never be the sky-darkening swarms of the past. At that stage, we will order the people to use fire to drive them away, and use nets and cloth bags to catch them. Finally, gather all the captured locusts, and we will trade grain of equal weight for the locusts. In this way, even if some escape, they will certainly not cause significant damage to the people's harvest." Liu Yao laid out his three-step locust control plan in one breath. These were things he had read about in his past life, and he believed they would have miraculous effects.

As Liu Yao spoke, Ju Shou was excitedly scribbling down every word. He had never imagined that Liu Yao would possess such ingenious methods for pest control. Zao Zhi, meanwhile, was dumbfounded; he could no longer find words for his lord. He seemed to be proficient and expert in everything—from astronomy and geography to all walks of life.

However, as Zao Zhi listened, he nodded continuously, but felt puzzled about trading grain for locusts. "My Lord, why trade grain for locusts? Are these locusts of any use once collected?"

Liu Yao laughed inwardly and said, "Zao Zhi, are you aware that I have several chicken farms under my command? These locusts would be an excellent choice for chicken feed. Besides, such an exchange can be considered a form of compensation for the common people."

"My Lord is truly brilliant," Zao Zhi praised. He had not expected Liu Yao to have considered everything, turning waste into a resource.

People of this era viewed locusts as a curse and naturally avoided them with disgust. But Liu Yao, who came from the future, knew that locusts were high-protein food. Of course, this didn't mean he wanted to eat them himself; he wouldn't dare consume such repulsive creatures.

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However, there were many chicken farmers in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, though not on the scale of modern times. Liu Yao had several specialized chicken farms under his command, providing fresh eggs and meat. For the chickens, locusts were the best possible food, so this trade was by no means a loss.

After Ju Shou finished writing, Liu Yao asked, "Gongyu, Zao Zhi, what do you think of this method?"

"My Lord, if it is truly as you say and the locusts develop in these stages, then even if we cannot eliminate the plague entirely, we can minimize the losses in You Province to the lowest possible level. The autumn harvest will not suffer significant damage," Ju Shou said excitedly. For generations, the people had believed that locust plagues were punishments from Heaven. That Liu Yao could devise a way to nullify this divine punishment would invisibly increase his fame and prestige.

"Good! In that case, Gongyu, quickly print ten thousand copies of this method and send them by fast horse to every county in You Province. Summon all the people to rise up and fight this plague together," Liu Yao commanded.

"Understood!" Ju Shou and Zao Zhi replied in unison, then left to handle the arrangements.

Three days later, the ten thousand copies of the locust-control guide had been distributed. The local governments under Liu Yao's jurisdiction posted notices in every county, calling on all the people to rise together to combat the plague. Driven by Liu Yao's immense prestige, the people in all the affected counties began to prepare themselves, following his methods to battle the locusts.

On that day, Liu Yao, accompanied by Shi A, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and over a hundred personal guards, traveled to a vast expanse of farmland outside Ji County. This not only concerned the harvest of You Province for the year but also his connection to the tattoo of the Ancient Tome, so Liu Yao could not afford to be anything but serious.

Ten miles outside Ji County, this area had originally been a vast stretch of wasteland. Liu Yao had sent his farming troops to reclaim it and then rented it out to the people to cultivate. Now, the fields presented a scene that was both orderly and chaotic.