226 Searching for Solutions
"Locust plagues lead directly to a reduction in crops, and in severe cases, there may be no harvest at all. Ultimately, the shortage of food leads to famine. Since ancient times, war, epidemics, and famine have been the three great evils bringing immense suffering to humanity."
Grandpa Bai worried Zhao Zhitong might not fully grasp the severity from the words alone, so he provided some data: "Listen, young girl, locusts have a very large appetite. In its lifetime, a single locust consumes about 100 grams of food. During a locust plague, their numbers can reach hundreds of millions."
"If hundreds of millions of locusts swarmed, they could destroy the food supply for 2,500 people in a single day. For instance, records show that in 1958, a locust swarm in the Somali Desert spread across 1,000 square kilometers. These locusts devoured 80,000 tons of grain in one day, equivalent to the annual food supply for 400,000 people."
Although she had no idea where the Somali Desert was, Zhao Zhitong was nevertheless stunned by these figures.
"Locusts are so terrifying!"
She then asked, puzzled, "Grandpa Bai, aren't locusts just the grasshoppers I usually catch to feed the rooster? The grasshoppers I see normally don't seem that scary."
"Yes," sighed Grandpa Bai. "Usually, they aren't a problem, and they don't typically live in groups. According to scientists, if a certain part of their hind legs is stimulated, their habits change, and they begin to live in swarms. The members then increase massively in number, forming a locust plague."
"Locusts in a plague seem to lose all reason, eating nonstop until nothing is left. Even worse, when there's no food, they resort to cannibalism. After consuming everything in one area, they move on. They can travel 150 kilometers in a day. It's horrifying."
"Throughout history, locust plagues have been frequent disasters. According to records, during the Qin and Han dynasties, they occurred on average every 8.8 years; during the Song dynasties, every 3.5 years; during the Yuan dynasty, every 1.6 years; and during the Ming and Qing dynasties, every 2.8 years."
"From ancient times to the present, people have tried all sorts of methods to deal with locust plagues, but they still seem helpless against these massively numbered and rapidly migrating swarms."
Zhao Zhitong was beyond shocked. "Then, what should we do?"
Sensing Zhao Zhitong was trembling, Qiao Muchen took her small hand and asked, "Tongtong, what's wrong?"
Zhao Zhitong snapped back to reality, only then realizing the surrounding villagers had dispersed.
She could faintly hear their resentful curses against the locusts.
Now, on the main street, only the four children—Zhao Zhitong, Qiao Muchen, Zhao Yue, and Wei Shulan—remained.
Clearly, Qiao Muchen, Zhao Yue, and Wei Shulan didn't know much about locust plagues either.
"Tongtong, are you okay?"
The concern from her three best friends slowly helped Zhao Zhitong recover from her fear of the devastating locusts.
Zhao Zhitong asked, "Have you ever seen a locust plague?"
All three children looked bewildered.
Zhao Yue thought for a moment and said, "I don't remember clearly, but I think there was a locust plague here when I was very young. At the time, it seemed like all the villagers went out to kill the locusts."
Wei Shulan also instantly recalled, nodding repeatedly. "Yes, yes, I think I have some memory of it too. I remember that year was very hard for many villagers. Many people starved to death. My uncle even distributed porridge to the villagers."
Qiao Muchen stroked his chin and said, "I've heard adults talk about locusts. They always gritted their teeth when they mentioned them."
Zhao Zhitong then gathered her three friends and quietly retold them everything Grandpa Bai had said.
After listening, their reactions were identical to Zhao Zhitong's initial shock.
It took them a long while to recover.
Zhao Yue asked, "Then... then what do we do? If a locust plague comes, won't many people starve to death again?"
Qiao Muchen's face tensed, lost in thought, and he remained silent.
Wei Shulan, meanwhile, gripped Zhao Zhitong's hand nervously, her eyes full of worry.
A flicker of determination appeared in Zhao Zhitong's eyes. She regained her spirits, clenched her small fist, and said with determination, "Let's think of a way together to kill the locusts that harm the people!"
Zhao Yue gave Zhao Zhitong a look one might give a fool and said dejectedly, "Us? Let's forget it. Even the adults can't do anything about the locusts. We're just children; what can we possibly do?"
Although Wei Shulan felt Zhao Yue's words were rather harsh, she still nodded in agreement. They were indeed just children. Seeing a large swarm of locusts would probably scare her to tears. What could they possibly do?
Zhao Zhitong lightly knocked Zhao Yue on the head and humphed, "We may be children, but we study with the Teacher! We have knowledge. Grandpa Bai said that the power of knowledge is infinite."
Hearing this, Zhao Zhitong's eyes lit up, and she exclaimed loudly, "That's right, books!"
Looking at her three friends, Zhao Zhitong said excitedly, "Countless locust plagues have occurred throughout history. The books must contain many records of how our ancestors dealt with them!"
Qiao Muchen suddenly looked up and said firmly, "Exactly!"
"You're right, Tongtong! The books! They must have records. Come on, let's go to my house. We'll look through the ancient texts to see if there are any records of how our ancestors handled locust plagues."
The children exchanged glances, nodded in agreement, and forming a united front, ran towards Qiao Muchen's house.
The children didn't stop, running all the way to Qiao Muchen's house and practically storming into the courtyard.
After greeting Mother Qiao in the courtyard, they rushed into the study.
Mother Qiao watched, stunned for a few moments, then said with a laugh, "What are these children rushing about for? Didn't they just say they were going out to play today and not read? Honestly, they're so whimsical."
Grandma Qian remarked, "Perhaps the Young Master and his friends suddenly felt like studying. Young masters do love their books."
Mother Qiao shook her head with an amused smile and didn't interfere, only instructing Grandma Qian to prepare some snacks for them later.
Once in the study, without another word, they divided the task. They ran to the bookshelves, sat on the floor, and began searching, one book after another.
Time ticked by, and in what felt like a blink, four hours had passed. The children were so engrossed in their search they seemed to have forgotten to eat or rest, completely losing track of time.
Even when Mother Qiao entered the study with snacks, they didn't notice.
Seeing how engrossed the children were, Mother Qiao couldn't bring herself to interrupt, yet she worried they would go hungry.
Just as Mother Qiao was debating whether to call out to them, Zhao Zhitong suddenly looked up and shouted joyfully, "Qiao Jiaojiao, Qiao Jianjian, come quick and look! I found a record!"
"Ah, where, where?"
Qiao Muchen scrambled up from the floor excitedly and ran to Zhao Zhitong's side to look.
Zhao Yue and Wei Shulan also crowded around curiously.
Then, they noticed Mother Qiao standing by the desk. Zhao Zhitong, reacting first, immediately called out sweetly, "Auntie~"
Qiao Muchen and the others also looked up and greeted her.