Chapter 133 Locusts are good things, take the opportunity to build a farm!
"grown ups?"
At the beginning of the play, Zhicai said this title once, and Old Liu Tou didn't pay attention. Now that he heard the word again, Old Liu Tou immediately asked in confusion: "Master, may I ask where you are from?"
"Old man, the person sitting next to you is Zhu Han, the county magistrate of our county!"
Xi Zhicai introduced with a wry smile.
"Ah, the ordinary people are ignorant of Mount Tai. They have neglected you. I hope you will forgive me!"
Old Liu Tou was shocked when he heard this, and stood up quickly to salute Zhu Han, but how could Zhu Han dare to accept this old man's gift? He quickly supported Old Liu Tou, and then glared at Xi Zhicai with an angry look.
He smiled at Old Liutou and said: "I am an adult in the Yamen, but outside I am just a boy. How can I dare to accept the courtesy of an elder? Old Liutou, please don't offend me! Come on, continue to sit, let's chat like this for a while.
My God, that’s fine!”
"promise!"
Ever since he learned Zhu Han's identity, Old Liu Tou was not as free as before. He could only be seen sitting there seriously, glancing at Zhu Han from time to time.
"Master, no, Mr. Zhu, do you think the locusts can be eaten?"
Old Liu Tou has lived for most of his life, gnawing tree bark and eating mud, but he has never eaten locusts. Now that he heard that Zhu Han actually wanted to eat bugs, he suddenly felt emotional in his heart, thinking that maybe it was because Mr. Zhu had never seen locusts before.
That’s why you said that!
"It's edible. Not only is it edible, it's also delicious! The nutritional value of locusts is pretty good. Look at it, Old Liu! I'll do the math for you," Zhu Han put his head in front of Old Liu and said with his fingers.
: "We need to work hard to plant crops in spring, and we also need to work hard to eliminate weeds and insects during the period. Now we still need to carry water from a distance for watering, and we need to work hard again. You said we have contributed three parts.
, how can the crops that have been saved with so much hard work be easily eaten by locusts? In other words, I want to organize the villagers to make another effort to save all the locusts when they come.
Once captured, the crops will be saved and the locust plague will be gone. Moreover, locusts can also create value. To put it bluntly, no matter how small a grasshopper is, it is still just a piece of meat! Why not?"
"Although this is true, the locust plague is too terrifying. I have lived for most of my life, but I have never seen anyone catch locusts to eat! Sir, if you want to eat some weird mountain delicacies, you can't
Do we need to eat locusts? No one has ever eaten those things, and it’s not necessarily poisonous or not!”
Old Liu Tou looked surprised and said to himself, "Even though he is young, I never thought that he would be so courageous and dare to eat anything." Zhu Han did practical things for the people, and Old Liu Tou naturally kept his kindness in his heart. When he thought of Zhu Han,
Han actually wanted to eat locusts, but he quickly advised him: "No one has ever eaten that thing before, so you can't eat it! Sir, you are the savior of the people in Jingxian County, how can you eat that kind of thing?"
"Haha..." Zhu Han laughed after hearing this: "Old Liutou, you don't have to worry about this. Whether it's flying in the sky, swimming in the water, or digging in the earth, as long as I see what it looks like
, then you will know whether you can eat that food or not!”
Zhu Han said this without any water. In his previous life, he had eaten even more bizarre things, let alone locusts, such as that. Moreover, for a foodie, as long as it was not too
If it's expensive, he'll enjoy it. Even if it's a little expensive, he'll find a way to enjoy it. As for the ridiculously expensive things, he can only watch them online and enjoy them.
"It's whatever you say!"
Old Liutou replied helplessly: "My lord, after you have told me so much, do you want the villagers to help you catch locusts?"
"Old Liu Tou, you are right. I plan to let the villagers organize themselves spontaneously to catch locusts when the locust plague comes!" There is a shortage of manpower in the yamen, and even the army was sent out by Zhu Han to guard the pond.
For the current plan, he could only rely on the people, and then he chuckled and said: "Of course, I can't let you catch him in vain. Otherwise, after you catch him, you will send him to the Yamen. Then I will have someone at the Yamen.
Set up a sign and buy a pound of locusts for ten copper coins. It doesn’t matter whether they live or die. The more the better. It’s best to catch all the locusts! You can contact the people around you after a while. As for the tools to catch locusts, I will arrange them.
The clothing workshop rushes to make it, and the Yamen will lend it to you for free, but if it is damaged, you will have to pay for it!"
"My lord! What do you want me to say? You really are..." After hearing this, Old Liu Tou's eyes instantly became moist. His eyes were red and he sighed: "I can lay my hands on you."
The people of our county are blessed to have such a good official!"
Old Liu Tou had never seen anyone eating locusts. Is that food edible? In his opinion, Zhu Han's move was just to find a reason to subsidize the people who were affected by the locust plague.
"Look at what you said, I'm still far from being a good official!" Zhu Han laughed and reminded: "Old Liutou, you said that locusts are afraid of fire, so you have to make it clear to the folks, and they will all order it when the time comes.
Go with a torch! That way you won't be attacked by locusts again, and it will be safer. If the torch doesn't work, then run away! Don't risk your life for these few dollars, it's not worth it!"
"Little old man understands, little old man understands. I will go to the village later to tell the villagers about this great news. I can't guarantee it for other villages, but we people in Longshang Village will definitely support your order, sir!"
"
Lao Liutou patted his chest and promised.
"Why is this?" Zhu Han wondered as he never thought that the people would support him so much.
"We in Longshang Village farm all the land in the yamen. The Prime Minister of Xi County said that after the autumn harvest, the yamen will collect 70% of the harvest, and we will keep 30% as wages. Moreover, the yamen will also take care of meals every day, including breakfast and lunch.
Oh! Sir, where in the world can you find such a good thing? You are our reborn parents! You said that your matter is not the matter of our fellow villagers in Longshang Village? Everyone is thinking about how to repay you.
!”
Old Liu Tou said gratefully.
"That's it! Come and help me plow the land, and I'll pay you. It's a one-size-fits-all matter. No one of us owes anyone anything! Don't say that again in the future! It makes me feel embarrassed to say it!"
Looking at the clothes on Old Liu Tou's body, one patch after another, Zhu Han couldn't help but shed tears from the corners of his eyes. He was not excited, but emotional, lamenting the simplicity of the poor people. He was just hiring laborers, but in others
It seems that this is for the benefit of the people. He would rather not take this kind of credit than see the people respect him so blindly! At this moment, it seemed as if there was a big stone pressing heavily on Zhu Han's chest.
, making him a little breathless.
And there were two words clearly written on that big stone, ‘responsibility’!
"No, no, no, sir, you care about our people wholeheartedly. Can't it be enough for me to do something for you? We don't want the money in Longshang Village. When the locust plague comes, I will be the first to go out.
Sir, go catch the locusts!"
Old Liu Tou no longer knew how to express his gratitude. Perhaps only by catching locusts for Zhu Han could he find a chance to thank Zhu Han.
"As for the money, you still have to accept it, otherwise I will feel bad! Well, it's your fault! I have to go somewhere else for a walk! Take care of yourself! Don't exhaust your body, heavy tasks will
Leave it to your children and grandchildren! It’s time for you to enjoy a happy old age!"
Zhu Han immediately stood up and said goodbye. He was afraid that if he continued chatting with Old Liu Tou, he would burst into tears.
"Liu Shu, a villager from Longshang Village, would like to send you your sincere greetings!"
Old Liu Tou quickly stood up and bowed towards Zhu Han's leaving figure.
Zhu Han, who had not gone very far, trembled slightly after hearing what Old Liu Tou said, but he did not turn around and return the greeting, but just walked forward alone.
At this moment, not only Zhu Han's heart changed, but also Xi Zhicai and Dian Wei saw the difference in the common people.
Although the people of Jingxian County last year were still doing farm work, they were like walking zombies, just living their lives mechanically. But the people of Jingxian County this year can only see the light in their eyes. Yes, it is the light, the kind of hope for the future.
The hope that life is full of hope is only a little bit, but it is enough for Xi Zhicai. This shows that what they have done in these few months has not been in vain, and the people have accepted their kindness.
"Zhicai, after returning home, immediately issue a note on catching locusts and an announcement that the yamen will buy a pound of locusts for ten yuan. The notes must be written in detail. In particular, when catching locusts, you must wear thick clothes, hold a net bag, and
We have prepared torches, put them up early tomorrow morning, and have people go to each village to inform the folks!"
Zhu Han ordered after getting on the carriage.
"This is a good method. It can not only bring benefits to the people, but also nip the locust plague in the cradle. However...how much should we purchase?"
Xi Zhicai thought about it and asked.
"There is no limit. As long as the people catch them, we will take them, no matter whether they live or die! Oh, by the way, pick a vacant store that we have and then modify it to contain locusts!"
Zhu Han said without thinking.
"When the locust plague arrives, locusts are everywhere. What if we don't determine the quantity? Even if we eat by then, we won't be able to finish them all, right?"
Xi Zhicai replied with a grimace.
"Zhicai, aren't you usually very smart? Why are you always one step behind me when it comes to domestic affairs? We can't sell them if we can't finish them all? Even if we can't sell that much, then
Can we take this opportunity to open a breeding farm? Raise some chickens, ducks, and so on. If the insects are enough, the chickens and ducks will not become obese? Whether it is sold or sent to the military camp, we
It’s not a loss at all!”
Zhu Han hit Xi Zhicai on the head and said angrily.
"Oh, why didn't I think of that?"
After being talked about for a while, Xi Zhicai said with a smile: "As the saying goes, there are specialties in the profession, but internal affairs is not my strong point! Please forgive me, sir!"
"It's okay, take your time, you will always grow up! Well, not bad, I'm optimistic about you, young man, keep up the good work, I'll give you a chicken drumstick if you work overtime tonight!"
While Zhu Han was teasing Xi Zhicai, he suddenly thought of something. Then he slapped his forehead and asked hurriedly: "Oh, by the way, there is one thing I almost forgot. How is the sales of this grilled fish?"
"Full of praise, I can only use the word "full of praise" to describe it. Not only the people of our Jingxian County, but also some wealthy gentry from other counties will come here just to have a taste of our Jingxian County
Char-grilled fish!”
When Xi Zhicai mentioned grilled fish, he couldn't help but swallow his saliva and replied excitedly: "It's so dry these days, I'm wondering if I should go to Litao again. I'll take the opportunity to lower the price and add one."
Increase the quantity of goods!”
"Go! I must go to Litao. Oh, I would have forgotten if you didn't tell me. My mother asked me to go to Litao to give gifts to Zhang Jiao and the others!"