228 Informing the Parents
Zhao Zhitong blinked. Why would he think I'm angry? she wondered.
However, seeing the anticipation in Qiao Muchen's sparkling eyes, she nodded and said, "We're good friends. Why would I be angry with you?"
Qiao Muchen instantly brightened, the earlier gloominess swept away. He bounced back to his seat and picked up his pen. "Alright, Tongtong, go ahead. I'll help you write it down."
Zhao Zhitong's little face flushed with excitement. "Um, chickens, ducks, and geese! Yes, yes, chickens, ducks, and geese love to eat locusts!"
"We can have the County Magistrate announce that all villagers should bring out their household chickens, ducks, and geese to eat the locusts. This is called... called biological control."
They didn't understand the term 'biological control,' but they knew that chickens, ducks, and geese loved to eat locusts, so they all felt this method was feasible.
Zhao Yue exclaimed, "Yes, yes, chickens and ducks do eat locusts! We can have them eat those locusts! How come I never thought of that?"
Wei Shulan looked at Zhao Zhitong with admiration in her sparkling eyes. "Tongtong, you're so clever!"
Zhao Zhitong felt embarrassed. This was all just from the book I read.
After Qiao Muchen busily wrote it down, he asked, "And the second method?"
Zhao Zhitong said, "The second method is to lure and burn the locusts with fire. Insects are drawn to fire, so using fire will definitely be very effective."
Qiao Muchen nodded. "Yes, like moths flying to the flame!"
Naturally, this method of using fire was also something she had read in a book. The book recorded that during the Tang Dynasty, people first thought of using fire to deal with locust plagues, and the results were significant.
Later, in many rural areas, the farming proverb, 'With everyone holding a torch, pest insects have nowhere to hide,' became popular.
Zhao Zhitong emphasized, "However, the fire-burning method should be carried out at night, especially on moonless nights, as the effect will undoubtedly be best then."
By now, the little ones had summarized many methods. Although each had its pros and cons, they decided to combine them, aiming to maximize benefits and avoid harm.
After summarizing everything, Qiao Muchen folded the paper, placed it in an envelope, and prepared to go to the county town that afternoon to find the County Magistrate.
Zhao Zhitong suggested, "Let's go home and eat first, then meet at the bridgehead and go to the county town together to find the County Magistrate."
The little ones all nodded in agreement.
At this point, Zhao Yue asked a crucial question, "Should we tell our families?"
The last time they had secretly run off to find evidence of Lord Fang's misdeeds, they hadn't told their families. After returning home, each of the children had been reprimanded by their parents.
Zhao Zhitong thought for a moment and said, "We should tell them. It'll save our families from worrying."
Zhao Yue nodded. "But what if our families don't agree to let us go?"
Qiao Muchen said, "Then it'll depend on our own abilities—who can convince their family to let them go. I'm sure I'll be fine; my mom will definitely agree."
With a smug look at Zhao Yue, he continued, "Zhao Yue, don't tell me you can't convince your family, right? Or are you chickening out? Afraid to go to the government office and see the County Magistrate?"
Seeing he was being underestimated, Zhao Yue's competitive spirit flared. He stuck his neck out and retorted, "Who says? My dad is the most supportive of my studies! Besides, I'm no coward!"
Qiao Muchen chuckled triumphantly. "Good! In that case, let's meet at the bridgehead!"
And so, the little ones bid each other farewell and headed home, each to find their own mother.
***
Zhao Zhitong practically trotted all the way home. The moment she arrived, she started calling out, looking for her father and mother everywhere.
Sun Mei was in the backyard tending to the vegetable patch.
Hearing Sun Mei's response, Zhao Zhitong ran into the backyard, yelling, "Mom, Mom!"
Sun Mei stood up and looked helplessly at Zhao Zhitong, who didn't behave like a proper young girl at all. "Slow down when you run! Your mom isn't going to run off, you know."
Despite Sun Mei's chiding, Zhao Zhitong's pace didn't slow one bit. She rushed to Sun Mei's side, hugged her leg, and asked, "Mom, where's Dad?"
Sun Mei couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and smile. "Well, well. So you came looking for me just to find your father, eh?"
Zhao Zhitong shook her head. "No, Mom! Tongtong came to find you too. I have something very important to tell both Dad and you!"
Sun Mei chuckled. "Alright, stop your chattering. Your dad and your elder brother are in the orchard; they're not back yet."
Zhao Zhitong nodded and then told Sun Mei about the locust plague and how they planned to help the County Magistrate manage the disaster.
Sun Mei had heard some fragments about the locust plague from Shi Tou's wife not long ago.
Hearing it again now from Zhao Zhitong, she thought for a moment and said seriously, "When your dad gets home, we'll discuss this properly."
With that, she stood up. "I'll go make lunch."
Zhao Zhitong followed Sun Mei. "Mommy, could you make me a flatbread to take on the road?"
Sun Mei replied, "I haven't agreed to let you go yet. Besides, your father might not agree either."
Zhao Zhitong pleaded, "Mommy, please just make one for me. What if Dad agrees? Then it'll be too late to make it."
Just as Zhao Zhitong finished speaking, Zhao Dong's voice drifted in from the courtyard. "What will be too late?"
Zhao Zhitong's eyes lit up, and she trotted over to Zhao Dong.
"Daddy, you're back!"
Zhao Dong said, "Whoa there, don't hug Dad yet. I'm covered in dirt, filthy! I'll get you all mucky."
Zhao Zhitong didn't mind in the slightest and hugged him even tighter. "No, no! Daddy isn't dirty at all!"
Affection filled Zhao Dong's face. "You little monkey."
Saying this, he dusted off his hands, picked Zhao Zhitong up, and walked into the kitchen. Seeing Sun Mei kneading dough, he asked casually, "Huh? Why are you kneading dough? Are we having hand-pulled noodles for noon?"
Sun Mei sighed. "Your precious daughter is insisting on going to the county town to find the County Magistrate. She says they want to present their methods for managing the locust plague. I'm making her a flatbread."
Zhao Dong looked directly at Zhao Zhitong.
The young girl puffed her chest out proudly. "Daddy, Qiao Jiaojiao, Zhao Yue, Lanlan, and I found many ways to manage the locust plague in a book! But our own strength is too little. We need to find the County Magistrate to help us."
Zhao Dong's expression turned a bit more serious. He had already heard about the locust plague on his way back and had been mulling it over.
It definitely had to be managed; otherwise, they would truly have to abandon their homes and embark on the path of refugees fleeing disaster.
However, a locust plague was no easy matter to resolve.
So, Zhao Dong asked, "What methods have you all come up with?"
Zhao Zhitong then recounted, roughly explaining their plan to him.
After listening to their plan, Zhao Dong nodded. "You little ones are quite capable, aren't you?"
If these methods could be implemented well, it should reduce some of the common folk's losses.
It would be good for the children to gain some experience from this, he thought.
So, Zhao Dong nodded his approval.
Meanwhile, Wei Shulan was also describing their plan for managing the locust plague to the elders in her family.
Wei Shulan said, "Uncle, this is the general method we've come up with. The specific implementation plan and points to note are all written down on paper; it's very detailed."
Country Gentry Wei stroked his beard, his face filled with astonishment. "You children came up with all this yourselves?"