Chapter 179

<Song County Magistrate> saw that this person had such a bad temper, and he was also a little unhappy in his heart. But the other person was sent by the prefect after all, and it was quite tiring to come on such a hot day, so at least the courtesy on the surface should be done.

"Since <Private advisor Huang> has said so, you can rest assured," <Song County Magistrate> gave <Wang Er> a wink and continued, "I and <Private advisor Huang> still have to go to other villages to take a look. <Wang Jiafu>, you can discuss it again with <Li Yao>."

"Oh, good."

Seeing <Song County Magistrate> and his group come and go in a hurry, the whole village was a little confused.

One said there would definitely be a locust plague, and it would be very serious.

Another said there was no big deal, just keep your heart in your stomach.

So, which one should they listen to?

<Wang Jiafu> also lost his mind, and could only seek help from <Li Yao>, as if <Li Yao> was the backbone of the whole village.

Although she had never seen a locust plague, <Li Yao> noticed that what <Wang Er> said was right. Especially about the growth cycle of locusts, it seemed to be really short.

"I think we still have to prepare for potential dangers,"

"But how to do it specifically?"

"This..." <Li Yao> thought for a while and said, "Let's do this. Everyone take a break for a while, continue catching insects in the afternoon, and I need to think carefully about other methods when I go back."

This was the first time <Li Yao> felt a little insecure after coming to this world.

So after dinner, she convened a family meeting to brainstorm and see if she could get some inspiration.

The night sky was clear, and the bright moon hung in the sky.

A small table was placed in the yard with some snacks on it, as well as sour plum soup cooled with well water. The whole family sat around the table, but they didn't have the leisurely feeling of enjoying the cool air like before.

At this moment, there was the sound of horse hooves outside, and <Song County Magistrate> and <Zhang County Captain> came. "Where is that <Private advisor Huang>?"

"<Private advisor Huang> probably didn't like my poor hospitality," <Song County Magistrate> said self-deprecatingly. "After visiting two more places in the afternoon, he still said there was no problem, then hurried back to <Yizhou Prefecture>."

<Li Yao> was surprised.

It seemed that no matter ancient or modern times, this expert had a bad temper and could not tolerate the slightest doubt from others.

"So what does <Song County Magistrate> plan to do?"

"Of course we can't let our guard down," <Song County Magistrate> said. "Even if it is really as <Private advisor Huang> said, we must make every effort to prevent and treat it. If there really is a locust plague, it will be too late to act when it happens."

"That's right." <Li Yao> said. "It just so happens that we are also discussing how to deal with locusts. Why don't <Song County Magistrate> sit down and discuss it together."

"That's exactly what I had in mind."

<Song County Magistrate> stepped aside, and <Zhang County Captain> came over from behind carrying several watermelons.

"I bought these yesterday when I went to <Yizhou Prefecture>," <Zhang County Captain> said. "It seems that in our <Baichuan County>, we rarely have watermelons."

<Li Yao's> eyes lit up. This kind of weather, watermelon is a good thing!

She was not polite and told <Da Zhuang> to take two to the well to chill them in the ice so they would be good to eat later.

No matter how many more they had, she wouldn't get tired of them. She must plant tens of acres of land with them next year.

Among the people present, <Da Zhuang> had the most experience in dealing with locusts.

After all, he had been following his dad farming since he was a child, so he knew a little more about locusts.

For example, he knew that locusts lay eggs in the ground, and they are basically deposited in patches. Locusts are also afraid of smoke. If there happens to be a kind of grass called horse tail in the fire, the smoke can kill the locusts.

"Horse tail?" <Li Yao> asked, "What does this kind of grass look like?"

"There used to be some in the back mountain before, now you may have to go deeper into the mountains to cut it," <Da Zhuang> said. "But there are still a lot in the mountains, usually no use for it."

"Then let's call some villagers tomorrow to cut more back." <Li Yao> thought for a while and said, "Also, tell the village children not to catch locusts anymore. Go to the surrounding woods and mountains to find places where locusts densely lay eggs, dig them all up when found, and burn the dug up places with fire."

Two coping methods were quickly discussed, and <Song County Magistrate> felt a little relieved.

But he knew this was definitely far from enough, because if there really was a locust plague, it would surely blot out the sky and the sun. Even if they would be smoked to death, before dying they would surely ravage the crops in large numbers. <Li Yao> ate a slice of chilled watermelon and was about to go to the toilet when several moths suddenly flew into her face from the lantern hanging under the eaves.

This suddenly gave her inspiration.

Moths, mosquitoes, they all like the light at night, what about locusts?

She immediately had <Da Zhuang> carry some firewood to the back of the mountain by the sweet potato field and light a bonfire.

Before long, the fire attracted many moths and unknown insects, and some small locusts began to slowly gather around the bonfire.

However, locusts were not as silly as moths to plunge straight into the fire, but kept hopping around in the surrounding grass.

But this was enough. As long as the locusts could be gathered, it was absolutely better than going to the fields with nets to catch them!

What if some horse tail was added to the grass?

"<Li Yao>, this is definitely a good way!"

<Song County Magistrate> was elated.

He knew that going to <Li Yao> when encountering problems would definitely not go wrong.

"Hurry up and call <Wang Jiafu>!" <Song County Magistrate> couldn't wait and said, "Let's not sleep tonight, immediately have people cut horse tail grass, prepare firewood, light bonfires around the village, and kill the locusts early!"

Hearing that there was a simple way to kill locusts, <Wang Jiafu> put on his pants and ran over immediately, then began calling from household to household. In a short time, the village was full of torches, people cutting grass and carrying firewood.

In less than an hour, more than two hundred bonfires were prepared.

"Everyone pay attention, the smoke is toxic, don't inhale too much!" <Wang Jiafu> shouted loudly everywhere, "If you feel nauseous, get away from the smoky area immediately! Okay, light the fires!"

Following <Wang Jiafu's> loud voice, more than two hundred bonfires were immediately lit, and fresh horse tail grass was placed on them. The damp grass suppressed the fire and produced thick smoke that did not disperse easily.

After the bonfires were lit, the village was illuminated everywhere, and the locusts roosting on the rice and grass leaves were attracted and kept hopping towards the firelight.

There were several people guarding each bonfire. When the locusts came, they didn't need any nets. They used prepared wooden planks and brooms to beat them dead on the ground.

"This is much easier than during the day, and it seems to be catching faster too!"

"I guess after a few nights, all the locusts will be beaten to death by us."

"Haha, the big goose in Aunt Li's family will be fortunate, so many insects that can eat its fill every day!"

...

The villagers' voices echoed around the village. Compared to the lack of energy during the day, they now all seemed energetic.