CHAPTER 308: CHAPTER 305: XIAO CHONG WORSHIPS THE LOCUST GOD?!

Historically, locusts prefer droughts and dislike water, and since the Southern regions are mountainous with abundant water and rice, locust plagues were nearly non-existent.

It wasn’t until crops like corn and sweet potatoes were introduced from America, prompting increased development of mountainous dry lands in the Jiangnan Mountain Area, that a breeding ground for locusts’ oviposition, hatching, and outbreaks was created.

The mountain lands of Lin Family Manor were originally barren, but because Lin Wanwan brought potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn, the clan members developed much of the barren mountain land this year, inadvertently providing an agricultural basis for the breeding of locusts.

Moreover, Xiao Chong’s vigorous promotion of sweet potatoes, potatoes, and corn with the court’s power accelerated this process.

Xiao Chong accidentally discovered locust eggs in the fields, and his good mood faded, though his expression remained calm, and others couldn’t discern any change.

"Clan Leader Lin, locusts are a disaster; it’s best to eradicate them before they become an issue. Let the clan act quickly to destroy the locusts."

Xiao Chong, with his hands behind his back, calmly spoke to Clan Leader Lin about methods to control the locusts, "I see there are many poultry in the clan—chickens, ducks, geese, and birds—which are natural enemies of locusts. Clan Leader Lin can have the clan members release the poultry into the fields to control the locusts.

Also, organize the clan members to manually capture them. A two-pronged approach will surely prevent a disaster. As the Village Chief, you must notify every household of this matter and ensure they take it seriously."

Clan Leader Lin bowed and replied, "Yes, I accept the mandate."

The joy brought by the Curved Plow was somewhat overshadowed by the discovery of numerous locusts.

The sun completely set into the sea, and Xiao Chong, lifting a pot of rice wine said to be brewed personally by Lin Wanwan, mounted his Crimson Horse and, accompanied by attendants Shuqi and Clerk Wang Lang, galloped back to Xiao Creek Town.

Lin Wanwan knew that on this trip, he would face another tough battle; dealing with locust plagues in ancient times was not an easy task.

Looking at the Curved Plow Xiao Chong left in the main hall, Lin Wanwan sighed. Being a County Magistrate indeed involves worrying about many matters.

That night, Clan Leader Lin called Lin Mengbo to make rounds from house to house in the dark, notifying people to start capturing insects.

Many people from Dafeng Village had fled from the north after experiencing drought and locust plagues. Upon hearing that Mao County also had locusts in the fields, they panicked.

However, the development was not what Lin Wanwan expected. The farmers who received the news not only neglected to capture and destroy the locusts day and night but also began engaging in feudal superstitions, worshiping the Locust God to plead for mercy.

Apart from Lin Family Manor, where the absolute authority of Clan Leader Lin and Lin Wanwan strictly required the eradication of locusts, the other places seemed to be leaving their fate to chance, doing nothing!

Lin Wanwan was astounded!

Returning to modern times to research historical locust eradication activities, she discovered that before Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty, from the Han Dynasty, every time there was a locust disaster, it was believed to be a punishment from heaven, and both the Emperor and local officials engaged in the foolish practice of worshiping the ’Locust God’!

Even the emperors after Li Shimin engaged in the worship of the Locust God. For example, Tang Xuanzong Li Longji, shortly after ascending the throne, faced locust plagues in various parts of Shandong before the Fulfillment of the Kaiyuan Glory.

Locusts swarmed, blocking the sky and the sun, so much that people couldn’t leave their homes without torches to drive them away. Let alone crops, even tree bark was devoured!

Li Longji, who had overthrown Wu Zetian to rise to power, encountered locust plagues during a relatively calm period of Wu Zetian’s reign.

It was hard not to believe in divine punishment. Li Longji then ordered the Ministry of Rites to prepare for worship, yet his two attempts to worship the Locust God only resulted in worsening plagues.

Prime Minister Yao Chong, with an urgent report from Shandong, requested permission to go to Shandong to eradicate locusts. However, Li Longji said, "Beloved minister, don’t go; let me worship the Locust God again, and the disaster will vanish."

Yao Chong angrily retorted, "There is no such thing as a Locust God. The only way to get through this is by leading the people to kill and eradicate locusts together. If worshiping gods worked, the land wouldn’t be filled with famine victims! Worship is useless; you’d better worship me!"

A fierce debate erupted in the court over the issue, with the worship and eradication factions each sticking to their positions, unwilling to concede.

Fortunately, the outcome was in favor of Prime Minister Yao Chong, who, in the end, led the locals in burning locusts with fire.

In addition to fire, the emergency allocation of grain from the Ministry of Revenue also played a significant role, for as long as the people of Huaxia have food to eat, they will not rebel.

Lin Wanwan had previously seen these records as just information, but now, it was unfolding vividly before her eyes.

It’s astonishing how people can be so ignorant, seeing locusts start to devour crops, yet they not only fail to eradicate them but also offer worship.

This was during Li Shimin’s rule!

Li Shimin was a great emperor who dared to eat locusts raw; he had the finest talents under him, who wouldn’t fear the non-existent Locust God?

But this was Mao County, distant from the emperor, with only the "Locust God" near at hand.

Li Shimin said if locusts dared to eat his people’s grain, he would eat the locusts. The common folk believed that with the human emperor’s suppression, the Locust God would naturally dare not cause trouble, but Mao County was far from the human emperor! How could they risk angering the Locust God and suffering yearly disasters?

Meanwhile, all the neighboring areas around Lin Family Manor received seedling credits of sweet potatoes, corn, and potato seedlings from Lin Wanwan.

The mountainous areas were developed the most; once the locusts grew into flying adults, even if Lin Family Manor completely eradicated the locusts in their lands, it would be futile—they would fly over!

Lin Wanwan couldn’t sit still anymore; she took Hua Nong and Kun Lun straight to Xiao Creek Town to seek Xiao Chong’s help.

This year, Xiao Chong had promoted sweet potatoes and potatoes around Xiao Creek Town! Especially in his own official fields, he treated them as experimental plots for new crops.

When she arrived at Xiao Creek Town, she was stunned by the throngs of people on the street. What was happening here?

Today wasn’t a major festival, so why was everyone in Xiao Creek Town celebrating with singing and dancing?

If one didn’t know better, they might think it was the Lantern Festival!

With a locust plague looming, how could the townsfolk still be reveling in singing and dancing?!

Lin Wanwan gestured for Hua Nong to stop a passerby to inquire, "Excuse me, sir, what’s happening here? Why is everyone on the streets?"

"Hey, don’t you know? Are you outsiders? Auspicious signs! There are auspicious signs! Xiao Mingfu is going to Ta Mountain Platform to worship heaven."

"Worshiping heaven? Xiao Chong?" Lin Wanwan was shocked, muttering to herself, "What is Xiao Chong up to, worshiping heaven at such a time? Could he actually be afraid of the Locust God and hence is worshiping? Unbelievable!"

This was far from the clever and resourceful Xiao Chong she knew!

Was this the same County Magistrate who designed the Ta Mountain Dam, developed the Salt Field, resolved cases like a god, and had all of Mao County’s old foxes in his pocket?

Lin Wanwan’s step faltered slightly as images of Li Longji and Bai Juyi flashed through her mind.

These were also legendary figures, wise people, yet they believed locusts were manifestations of evil and didn’t advocate eradicating them. Could Xiao Chong think the same?

No! He’s different from them! His thinking is broad, not bound by the limitations of the past.