Chapter 234: Chapter 234 Selling Pigs
234 Selling Pigs
The battle raged until dusk. Darkness had fallen, yet many pests still slipped through the net. Some locusts burrowed out from the shallow underground, while others, startled, flew off in a panicked escape. Tears welled in the villagers’ eyes as they stared at their ruined farmland.
Then, the final tactic was employed.
The Village Chief organized all the villagers. Every few feet, they piled dry firewood on the ground at the edges of the fields and, using torches, ignited raging bonfires.
This was effective; soon after the fires were lit, many locusts rushed towards the flames. As the bonfires blazed higher, more and more locusts flew out of the fields and plunged into the fire.
With the continuous CRACKLE and POP, the villagers began to cheer.
At the same time, Song Renying also adopted Zhao Zhitong’s "bonfire extermination method," incinerating the locusts’ breeding grounds in one fell swoop. This not only eliminated the potential for future disaster but also allowed the burned areas to be cultivated, achieving multiple objectives at once.
In the face of the great locust plague sweeping across the central plains, Song Renying employed the "bonfire extermination method" and managed to contain the disaster within a short period.
When the empress heard about it, she was overjoyed. When Song Renying returned to the capital to report, the empress personally greeted him.
"Your servant, Song Wenchang, pays his respects to Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!" At the palace gate, Song Renying dismounted from his sedan chair and strode towards the empress. He shook his official robes, preparing to kneel, but the empress held his arm, stopping him.
"Minister Wen, there is no need for such formalities. This time, you have managed the locust plague on my behalf. In a short time, you have contained the disaster, preventing a large-scale outbreak and protecting the people’s food supply. Your contribution is immeasurable. You are a great hero of the Great Zhou Dynasty!"
The empress, adorned in a bright yellow dragon robe and an imperial diadem, was full of energy. Her cheerful expression clearly showed her delight.
Song Renying smiled and cupped his hands. "Your Majesty’s praise is unwarranted; this is merely my duty."
As the two conversed, the empress led him into the palace.
Song Renying continued, "However, the credit for managing this locust disaster does not belong to me alone."
Upon hearing this, the empress was puzzled. "Oh? Why do you say that, Minister Wen?"
Song Renying walked beside the empress. "It is thanks to all the people of the Great Zhou Dynasty. They united as one, and that’s how the locust plague was contained so quickly."
The empress laughed heartily. "While there’s truth in what you say, Minister Wen, it couldn’t have been done without you!"
"By the way, Minister Wen, how did you come up with the idea of using fire this time?"
Song Renying’s eyes filled with admiration. "This time, it was thanks to two young children from Anyang County."
At these words, the empress was even more astounded. She looked at Song Renying with a bewildered expression. "Two young children?"
Song Renying nodded affirmatively. "Yes, precisely. Two young children."
Thus, Song Renying detailed how the two children, Zhao Zhitong and Qiao Muchen, had stopped his sedan chair and offered their methods, recounting the tale for the empress.
Song Renying said, "It is because of them that managing the locust disaster went so smoothly this time. Moreover, the method the young girl proposed—using chickens, ducks, and geese—has also proven remarkably effective."
"However, the number of chickens, ducks, and geese is limited. They are difficult to gather and manage systematically. I propose establishing a breeding farm to raise them specifically for combating locust plagues."
"Excellent! Let us proceed as you suggest, Minister Wen!" Upon hearing Song Renying’s account, the empress’s face lit up with surprise and delight. "To think that our Great Zhou Dynasty has such capable individuals among the younger generation! With this, I can rest easy, even a hundred years from now!"
After saying that, she thought for a moment and continued, "These two children have made an immense contribution. I must reward them generously. Minister Wen, what do you think would be a fitting reward?"
"Your Majesty, please, don’t be hasty," Song Renying quickly interjected with a smile. "Your Majesty, these two children are only seven or eight years old; they are still at a tender age."
"My meaning is that while rewards are certainly due, we must be careful not to disrupt the children’s natural development."
The empress, enlightened, nodded repeatedly. "Minister Wen, you are indeed thoughtful. In that case, I shall wait. I will wait for them to mature and present themselves before me!"
Song Renying cupped his hands. "Your Majesty is wise."
"Haha." The empress chuckled. Suddenly recalling something, she turned to Song Renying with a teasing look. "Ah, by the way, Minister Wen, I remember you are one who cherishes talent above all. Are you not planning to take these two children under your wing this time? That wouldn’t be like you."
Song Renying couldn’t help but smile. "Your Majesty knows this old minister well. Indeed, I have such intentions."
He then continued, "Thanks to Your Majesty’s profound blessings, this generation of the Great Zhou Dynasty is brimming with talent. Even the friends accompanying those children are individuals of upright character..."
Far away in Anyang County, Zhao Zhitong, Qiao Muchen, and their friends in Zhao Village had no idea that their names were being spoken by the ruler of the nation.
At this moment, the youngsters were elated at having successfully halted the spread of the locust plague.
However, many villagers were still disheartened.
Although they had managed to prevent widespread destruction of their crops, the fields had still suffered damage. This was especially true for the plots at the edges, which the locusts had completely ravaged.
This meant a year of tightened belts and scarcity for the village.
As expected, after the wheat harvest, the villagers discovered that this year’s yield was a full third less than the previous year. Moreover, they still had to hand over a quarter of their grain as tax. Afterward, not much was left, meaning they might face severe food shortages before the next harvest.
The villagers had all resigned themselves to tightening their belts, seeing it as the only way to survive until the next year’s harvest. And so, despite it being the harvest season, there was not a shred of joy in the air.
In the past, while villagers couldn’t afford three meals a day, they would at least try to have two substantial meals during the busy farming season to ensure the field hands had enough energy.
But now, many families were down to one meal a day. Those slightly better off managed two meager, watery meals.
Worse still, many villagers were considering pulling their children out of school, as the tuition and meal fees were a significant expense.
Just then, Zhao Dong called together all the households that had raised pigs with him.
Zhao Dong announced, "If all has gone according to plan, everyone’s pigs should be fully grown by now. I’ve called you here today to share some good news: Guang Ju Restaurant has begun purchasing our pigs, and they want to buy all of them!"
"Currently, the market purchase price for pork is ten coins per catty. But because our pork is exceptionally tender and flavorful, they’re offering thirty coins per catty. If you’re willing to sell, come and register with me. If not, you can always keep them to slaughter for the New Year festivities."
Upon hearing Zhao Dong’s words, the villagers were ecstatic. This was especially true for those who had raised two or three pigs according to the methods Sun Mei had taught them. Each pig, raised her way, grew to about 150 catties.
This meant a single pig could fetch them 4,500 coins!
This was no small sum, especially coming so soon after the disaster; it was as timely and welcome as receiving charcoal in a blizzard.
Consequently, everyone decided to sell.
After compiling the list of names, Zhao Dong went to the marketplace to find Wang Fuhai.
When Wang Fuhai saw Zhao Dong, he was as excited as if he’d seen the God of Wealth himself. "Well? How many head do you have?" he asked eagerly.
Zhao Dong replied, "Twenty-five. Can you take that many all at once?"
Wang Fuhai exclaimed, "Yes, absolutely! My master was exceedingly pleased with the pork you sent last time. He intends to use it for gifts, so twenty-five head are not too many at all."
So, the two agreed that Wang Fuhai would go to the village the next day to collect the pigs. Afterward, Zhao Dong bid farewell and returned home.